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Shitij Kapur

Professor Shitij Kapur

Vice-Chancellor & President of King's College London

Biography

Professor Shitij Kapur is the Vice-Chancellor & President of King’s College London. He returned to lead King’s in June 2021, following more than four years at the University of Melbourne, where he was Dean and Assistant Vice Chancellor (Health) for the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences and interim Deputy Vice Chancellor (International).

Professor Kapur is well known at King’s having previously served, between 2007 to 2016, as Assistant Principal (Academic Performance), Dean and Head of School for the Institute of Psychiatry and the founding Executive Dean of the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN).

Professor Kapur is a member of the College Council and also serves on the Governance and Nominations Committee, the Estates Strategy Committee, the Finance Committee, the Investment Subcommittee, the Governance & Nominations Committee, the Chairs' Committee and the Fellowships & Honorary Degrees Committee.

During his time in Melbourne, Professor Kapur significantly increased the educational footprint of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, introducing innovative models of learning, increasing both research income and impact, while doubling philanthropic support. In collaboration with colleagues across the university and medical research Institutes he was involved in creating the Centre for the Digital Transformation of Health and establishing the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery. He Co-Chaired the Australian Million Minds Mission and during the Covid pandemic took a lead role in bringing together scholars from the Group of Eight Universities to deliver the ‘Roadmap to Recovery – a Report for the Nation’.

Professor Kapur graduated from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1988. He went on to complete his residency training in Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, and a Fellowship in Schizophrenia and a PhD in Neuroscience from the Institute of Medical Science, both at the University of Toronto.

Professor Kapur is recognised worldwide for his own research on understanding psychosis and antipsychotic treatment – with over 300 papers, numerous presentations and an H-index of over a hundred. While at King’s he led NEWMEDS, an international consortium of scientists from 19 institutions from nine EU countries, which was one of the largest academic-industry research collaboration projects in its time.

He has received many awards and honorary fellowships including the honours of Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (UK), Fellow of the Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (Australia) and Fellow of King's College London. He has an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Copenhagen.

News

King's celebrates 30 years of partnership with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Representatives from King’s College London attended an anniversary event in Berlin to mark three decades of collaboration with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin...

A group of people stand together speaking

King's becomes an official signatory of the Magna Charta Universitatum

By becoming a signatory, King’s commits to principles of academic freedom, institutional autonomy and social responsibility.

official signing ceremony of the MCU

King's College London Experts Lead Global Security Discussions in Washington DC

King’s College London experts took centre stage in Washington DC last month, contributing to high-level discussions on global security, deterrence and...

Two people sit and speak on stage at the Future Security Forum. A large screen behind them displays their names, roles, and photos as panelists for the event.

King's leadership, academics and alumni come together in the US

Our Vice-Chancellor and President, Shitij Kapur and Professor John Bew led a delegation to the US East Coast this October to connect with our US-based alumni.

A group picture at the King's US Tour

Qatar Minister delivers lecture on role as a mediator at King's

Centre for Defence Studies, King’s College London hosts Qatar’s Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs on ‘Qatar’s role as a mediator in...

QatarVisitHiRes

King's Festival of Online Education: Celebrating a decade of digital learning and global partnerships

Delegates from across the UK and overseas came together to better understand how King’s develops online programmes with a student-first mindset.

Casey Evans, Chief Operating Officer for EdPlus at ASU, Liz Smith, Director of Learning Experience at UNSW

University Maths Schools drive social mobility and widen participation in STEM

King’s Maths School is one of a number of schools transforming outcomes for young people

King's Maths School - Sunday Times 2

King's among top 25 in Guardian University Guide 2026

King’s has climbed up seven places in the annual Guardian University Guide, reflecting its highly regarded reputation across a number of subjects.

Outside Guy's Campus on a bright and sunny day, with a view of the Shard in the background.

University leaders from around the world to convene at King's

King’s has been named as the host of the next Anniversary of the Magna Charta Universitatum (MCU), a celebration and exploration of the fundamental values of...

aerial view of london at sunset, view of tower bridge

Kenya and UK forge groundbreaking health alliance at King's College London

Yesterday at King’s (2 July), the Kenya-UK Strategic Health Alliance solidified its commitment through the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).

 The President of the Republic of Kenya meeting the Vice Chancellor of King's

Events

11Nov

Broke and broken? What TRAC data tells us about higher education finances

UK universities are under mounting financial pressure.

Please note: this event has passed.

05Nov

The State of Democracy in South Asia

Dr SY Quraishi will speak about his new book in a panel discussion with other scholars.

Please note: this event has passed.

30Oct

King’s Experts Series: The Future of Higher Education

The award-winning King’s Experts Series is back! To kick off our 2025-6 series, we’re bringing King’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Shitij Kapur,...

Please note: this event has passed.

08Jan

Research Culture symposium 2025

Drawing on the strength of the sector at King's first annual Research Culture Symposium.

Please note: this event has passed.

19Nov

Better Health & Care Hub launch at the House of Lords

In support of the Better Health & Care Hub, Baroness Mary Watkins hosted an event at the House of Lords to discuss the pivotal role of nursing, midwifery, and...

Please note: this event has passed.

29Aug

King's Alumni Reception - Shanghai

Catch up with old friends and new, grow your network and gain valuable insights from your fellow alumni - all at our exclusive alumni events in China.

Please note: this event has passed.

28Aug

King's Alumni Reception - Beijing

Catch up with old friends and new, grow your network and gain valuable insights from your fellow alumni - all at our exclusive alumni events in China.

Please note: this event has passed.

21Mar

The future of higher education: in conversation with Charles Clarke

Charles Clarke will join Professor Shitij Kapur, Vice-Chancellor & President of King’s College London discuss what needs to change in higher education and...

Please note: this event has passed.

16Jan

Living well with technology: AI and the future

Amidst the rapid changes affecting all industries, how do we navigate the AI revolution?

Please note: this event has passed.

27Nov

Principles for reimagining academic freedom

This is the fourth and last event of the King's Presidential Series on Academic Freedom: Charting a course.

Please note: this event has passed.

Features

Why universities must lead the conversation on redefining academic freedom

The concept of academic freedom, which arose to protect academics and allow them to research and teach in areas where they have scholarly expertise, now needs...

Audience clapping - 1903x558

News

King's celebrates 30 years of partnership with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Representatives from King’s College London attended an anniversary event in Berlin to mark three decades of collaboration with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin...

A group of people stand together speaking

King's becomes an official signatory of the Magna Charta Universitatum

By becoming a signatory, King’s commits to principles of academic freedom, institutional autonomy and social responsibility.

official signing ceremony of the MCU

King's College London Experts Lead Global Security Discussions in Washington DC

King’s College London experts took centre stage in Washington DC last month, contributing to high-level discussions on global security, deterrence and...

Two people sit and speak on stage at the Future Security Forum. A large screen behind them displays their names, roles, and photos as panelists for the event.

King's leadership, academics and alumni come together in the US

Our Vice-Chancellor and President, Shitij Kapur and Professor John Bew led a delegation to the US East Coast this October to connect with our US-based alumni.

A group picture at the King's US Tour

Qatar Minister delivers lecture on role as a mediator at King's

Centre for Defence Studies, King’s College London hosts Qatar’s Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs on ‘Qatar’s role as a mediator in...

QatarVisitHiRes

King's Festival of Online Education: Celebrating a decade of digital learning and global partnerships

Delegates from across the UK and overseas came together to better understand how King’s develops online programmes with a student-first mindset.

Casey Evans, Chief Operating Officer for EdPlus at ASU, Liz Smith, Director of Learning Experience at UNSW

University Maths Schools drive social mobility and widen participation in STEM

King’s Maths School is one of a number of schools transforming outcomes for young people

King's Maths School - Sunday Times 2

King's among top 25 in Guardian University Guide 2026

King’s has climbed up seven places in the annual Guardian University Guide, reflecting its highly regarded reputation across a number of subjects.

Outside Guy's Campus on a bright and sunny day, with a view of the Shard in the background.

University leaders from around the world to convene at King's

King’s has been named as the host of the next Anniversary of the Magna Charta Universitatum (MCU), a celebration and exploration of the fundamental values of...

aerial view of london at sunset, view of tower bridge

Kenya and UK forge groundbreaking health alliance at King's College London

Yesterday at King’s (2 July), the Kenya-UK Strategic Health Alliance solidified its commitment through the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).

 The President of the Republic of Kenya meeting the Vice Chancellor of King's

Events

11Nov

Broke and broken? What TRAC data tells us about higher education finances

UK universities are under mounting financial pressure.

Please note: this event has passed.

05Nov

The State of Democracy in South Asia

Dr SY Quraishi will speak about his new book in a panel discussion with other scholars.

Please note: this event has passed.

30Oct

King’s Experts Series: The Future of Higher Education

The award-winning King’s Experts Series is back! To kick off our 2025-6 series, we’re bringing King’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Shitij Kapur,...

Please note: this event has passed.

08Jan

Research Culture symposium 2025

Drawing on the strength of the sector at King's first annual Research Culture Symposium.

Please note: this event has passed.

19Nov

Better Health & Care Hub launch at the House of Lords

In support of the Better Health & Care Hub, Baroness Mary Watkins hosted an event at the House of Lords to discuss the pivotal role of nursing, midwifery, and...

Please note: this event has passed.

29Aug

King's Alumni Reception - Shanghai

Catch up with old friends and new, grow your network and gain valuable insights from your fellow alumni - all at our exclusive alumni events in China.

Please note: this event has passed.

28Aug

King's Alumni Reception - Beijing

Catch up with old friends and new, grow your network and gain valuable insights from your fellow alumni - all at our exclusive alumni events in China.

Please note: this event has passed.

21Mar

The future of higher education: in conversation with Charles Clarke

Charles Clarke will join Professor Shitij Kapur, Vice-Chancellor & President of King’s College London discuss what needs to change in higher education and...

Please note: this event has passed.

16Jan

Living well with technology: AI and the future

Amidst the rapid changes affecting all industries, how do we navigate the AI revolution?

Please note: this event has passed.

27Nov

Principles for reimagining academic freedom

This is the fourth and last event of the King's Presidential Series on Academic Freedom: Charting a course.

Please note: this event has passed.

Features

Why universities must lead the conversation on redefining academic freedom

The concept of academic freedom, which arose to protect academics and allow them to research and teach in areas where they have scholarly expertise, now needs...

Audience clapping - 1903x558