In conversation with Professor Keith George

From Sport Science graduate to LJMU Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE), Professor Keith George's journey with LJMU began more than 40 years ago.  

We caught up with Keith to discuss the work that has defined his career, the innovative and world-leading research happening across LJMU, and the university's key RKE priorities for the year ahead. 

Tell us about your career prior to joining LJMU and at the university?  

My LJMU journey began here in 1984 when I studied Sport Science at Liverpool Polytechnic on Byrom Street (when the seventh floor of James Parsons had a refectory, a pub and a post office!) and I was taught by Tom Reilly, Adrian Lees and Don MacLaren (who supervised my final year project).   

The following year I stayed on as a teaching assistant to cover Don’s lectures and laboratories during his PhD sabbatical.  After persuasion from Tom Reilly, I applied for a Commonwealth Scholarship and was successful in gaining an MSc place at Queens University, Kingston, Canada (1988-1990) where my focus turned to cardiovascular physiology and heart imaging.  

When I returned to the UK, I took up a lecturing position at Crewe and Alsager College (which became a part of Manchester Metropolitan University) and completed a PhD in Cardiac Physiology. While predominantly teaching and researching cardiovascular exercise physiology, I also became the programme lead for an MSc in Sports Injury and Therapy. 

In 2002, I returned to LJMU as a reader with a focus on cardiovascular physiology and research methods and over the past 24 years am proud to have held a range of roles at the university including Head of the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Science (taking over from Tom Reilly), Head of School (interim), associate Dean for Research (Science) and then in 2020 PVC for Research and Knowledge Exchange. 

Within LJMU I am constantly amazed by the passion, intellect and impact of my colleagues in all their research and knowledge exchange activity

What does a typical day look like for you?

As Pro-Vice-Chancellor I have oversight of all research and knowledge exchange (RKE) across the two faculties and 13 schools/institutes. I set RKE agendas and strategies for the university and work with multiple staff on a number of focused activities that include running annual RKE conferences, oversight of annual RKE awards, and distribution of multiple resources including VC PhD studentships.

One of the greatest joys of the jobs is talking to and listening to staff and students’ accomplishments across very diverse topic areas which supports our very rich and vibrant RKE culture here at LJMU.  I also support the work of the Research and Innovation services team that covers grant and project support, business development, research strategy, and excellence (including REF) as well as ethics, governance and academic integrity. No two days are the same which provide interest, novelty, and a fantastic work life.

I spend time in meetings and answering emails like everyone else - but the highlights are when I travel around the university estate to meet and talk about work, challenges and aspirations of our staff and students.  

"Everything in moderation, including moderation..." 

What project or achievement are you most proud of while working at LJMU?   

I am extremely proud of all my colleagues - including students, professional services staff and academic staff (including many external collaborators that are based all over the world - including in Liverpool).   

I'm also very proud of my own PhD students over the years - how hard they have worked, how they have contributed to a world-leading research culture and their work-life balance. Many of them have had extremely successful careers post-LJMU and I continue to learn from them.   

Within LJMU I am constantly amazed by the passion, intellect and impact of my colleagues in all their RKE activity. As a university I am exceptionally proud of all our impact stories that take our work outside of our estate and prompt change - for the better of many people, places and processes. I am always proud to announce VC studentship winners and RKE Award successes.   

One thing that has also worked extremely well over the last few years has been our Pan-university Research Institutes; Institute for Health Research (IHR) Forensic Research Institute (FORRI) and The Liverpool Research Institute for Climate and Sustainability (LiRICS) - where multidisciplinary staff see opportunities with their own colleagues and present a vibrant, unified entrance into LJMU for outside stakeholders. 

Favourite spot on campus or Liverpool? 

I love the Student Life Building and think it and the Sport Building have been hugely important additions to the university estate, but from 1984 to now, I always feel at home when I am on Byrom Street on our City Campus. I started on the first floor of the tower, so the staff space there always feels like going back to my roots.   

When it comes to the city, I started in Aigburth and spent many happy days in the south of the city but now it has to be Crosby Beach and the walk up to Formby.  

Outside of work, what are you reading, watching or listening to right now?

I am reading the 40-year history of LiveAid - a key moment in my late teens and onwards and all the fantastic people trying to help people far away struggling in ways we often just can't comprehend. On TV I am mid Ted Lasso (season 4), Lioness and Slow Horses. I'd say the Rest is History is my favourite go to podcast. 

What are your strategic priorities?

There are many focused areas of activity over the next 24 months as we try to pilot our way through substantial global HEI challenge and many changes in the UK, not least of which is the new UKRI strategy and focus on diverting funds to support economic growth.   

We also have significantly more devolution likely in the next five years so understanding our local politics, partners, funding opportunities and most importantly the needs of the Liverpool City Region population, is going to be vitally important.   

Finally, the Research Excellence Framework 2029 is fast approaching (submission is November 2028) so supporting teams, individuals and the units of assessment to present the best leading research and work they are doing is going to be vitally important.   

Having said all that, my own personal focus will always include listening to the individual staff or students who just wants to talk.  All these things contribute to our values of being student focused and inclusive - and often courageous. We will also support our RKE focus to be passionate and creative and strive to meet our own goals.