Dr Karen Sergiou has accepted appointment as Chief Research Support and Compliance Officer with effect from 3 August 2026.
Reporting to the Registrar and University Secretary, in this role Karen will lead the Research Support and Compliance Division, which launched on 1 May following the recent organisational changes to strengthen Imperial’s overall research capabilities. The Division comprises the following functions:
- Research Support and Assurance
- Research Systems and Information
- Research Governance and Integrity
- Research Security and Contracts (including EU contracts)
Karen is widely recognised across the sector for her expertise in research operations, governance, assurance, organisational transformation and digital change. Her current work includes a central role within our own Great Service Programme, where Karen has been leading development of the future research operating model and contributing specialist expertise to the Atlas implementation programme. Previous roles include advising the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford on their major research transformation programmes, Director of Research Services at UCL, as well as previous Imperial experience as Head of Research Operations.
Ben Hughes will continue to provide interim leadership of the Division until Karen starts, when he will join Karen’s leadership team as Director of Research Security and Contracts.