News
CRAC Trustees June 2025
18/06/2025
The Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC Ltd) is pleased to announce the appointment of three new trustees to the Board: Dr Shewly Choudhury, Dr Alexander Hasgall and Professor Jeremy Sanders.
Dr Shewly Choudhury
A neuroscientist by training, Shewly is currently Head of Research Careers & Culture at Cancer Research UK. Previously she worked in senior roles at the Natural Environment Research Council/URKI, the Royal Society and Wellcome Trust.
Having worked in research funding, strategy and policy for over 20 years, Shewly is passionate about research careers and research culture and the critical role of evidence-based policy making and interventions. Since 2021, she has been a Trustee of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and a member of their Research Strategy Committee and from 2025 a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Shewly commented: ‘I am passionate about supporting and enabling talented individuals and teams to fulfill their potential, and I look forward to bringing my expertise in this area to the mission of CRAC-Vitae.’
Dr Alexander Hasgall
An expert in research and innovation policy, Alexander’s career has focused on doctoral education, research ethics and integrity, and strategy development in higher education to name a few. His senior leadership roles have included serving as Head of the Council for Doctoral Education at the European University Association (EUA-CDE), and as the Head of International Funding Policy at the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). In the latter role, he was responsible for SNSF’s international cooperation strategy, as well as for managing partnerships with international stakeholders, amongst other duties.
Additionally, he has served on international advisory boards and has contributed advisory roles for EU-funded projects. Currently, he coordinates a Task Force on peer review in the social sciences and humanities, which sits within the COARA Working Group on Evaluating SSH Research Globally.
Alexander commented: ‘Having collaborated for many years with CRAC-Vitae, I am enthusiastic about supporting early-career researchers, advocating for systemic change and growing the profile of CRAC-Vitae internationally.’
Professor Jeremy Sanders CBE FRS
In his career, Jeremy has served as a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge, including as Head of Chemistry and as a Pro-Vice-Chancellor. As a Pro-Vice-Chancellor, his work involved creating the Postdoctoral Academy, amongst other projects such as the design and building of Eddington, a new Cambridge district for university staff, students and the wider population.
His other roles have included serving on the Council of Imperial College, the Board of Trustees of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), and as Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Royal Society where he oversaw the Career Development Fellowships to support researchers from Black or Mixed heritage backgrounds. He has also served as Chair of the charity for the community centre in Eddington.
Jeremy commented: ‘Having championed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion throughout my career, I have a strong interest in careers in research, academic leadership and management professional development.’
Chair of the Board of Trustees, Professor David Oswell, commented: ‘The appointments of Shewly, Alexander and Jeremy to the CRAC Board of Trustees bring a depth and range of experience and expertise that will support the future strategic direction of CRAC and its programme for researchers through Vitae. I look forward to working with each of them and collectively as we transition into the new CRAC-Vitae strategy for 2025-30.’
CEO of CRAC, Clare Viney, commented: ‘These new appointments will help enhance diversity of thought, building on existing professional knowledge, skills and experience within research culture and environment, specifically, HE leadership, funder perspectives and expertise in talent management globally.’
