Professor James Keeler has started as Selwyn's Vice-Master, succeeding Professor Janet O’Sullivan.

James became a Fellow in 1984 when he joined the Department of Chemistry as a junior lecturer. He has, at various times, led a small research group, served as the Department’s first Director of Teaching, and then as Deputy Head of Department, and latterly as Head of Department. James has authored a number of textbooks, including Why Chemical Reactions Happen (with Peter Wothers) and is presently working as a co-author on the 13th edition of Atkins' Physical Chemistry – a leading text in the field.

At Selwyn James has in the past been one of the Admissions Tutors and the Senior Tutor, and throughout he has continued to direct studies and supervise physical and theoretical chemistry. He brings with him more than 40 years of experience of the University which, he hopes, will be of some benefit.

James said: "College is quite different from when I first joined: our achievements, our facilities, and above all our ambitions have increased dramatically. What has been a constant is the strong sense of community and the importance we have always placed on working together for the common good. This has been the ‘golden thread’ running through all. I’m looking forward to refocusing my energies here over the next few years: I’m enormously proud of Selwyn and all that has been achieved.”

The Master Suzanne Raine said: “I’m delighted James is our new Vice-Master.  As we welcome new Fellows and students, his deep understanding of what makes Selwyn so special will be invaluable in maintaining its strong academic standing and sense of community. I am deeply grateful for Professor Janet O’Sullivan’s exceptional contribution through her ten years of service as Vice-Master."

Reflecting on her time at the heart of our community, Janet said: "I am proud to have served as Vice-Master at Selwyn, a unique and very special institution that really does combine outstanding academic achievement with being friendly, empathetic and diverse. I want to say my own huge thank you to the staff and Fellows for all the support they have given me, and everything they do to make Selwyn what it is.  Finally, I wish all the very best to my successor as Vice-Master, Professor James Keeler."

During her tenure, Janet’s most significant role was chairing the 2024/25 Mastership election. She also set up Selwyn's first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and championed apprenticeship and employment opportunities at Selwyn for students from Cambridge Regional College with learning disabilities. She also founded Selwyn Voices, our community choir of staff, Fellows and students which continues to flourish.

Janet, who has been a Governing Body Fellow since 1994, continues in that role and as Director of Studies for Law.