Karen Chapman

Karen Chapman is an emeritus professor specialising in molecular endocrinology, with most of her career primarily based at the University of Edinburgh. Born in the north of England, Karen moved to Edinburgh in 1985 after completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University. She has been a crucial figure in the research on glucocorticoids, a class of steroid hormones, exploring their action and regulation.

Karen's leadership roles extended beyond her research. She co-led the Athena SWAN applications at Edinburgh Medical School alongside Professor Cathy Abbott, achieving the first-ever bronze, and later silver, Athena SWAN awards for a medical school in Scotland. Her efforts were fundamental in re-establishing and leading the Edinburgh Medical School Equality, Diversity and Inclusion committee until her retirement in 2021. With colleagues from the Institute for Academic Development, she also established the “Managing Your Research Team" training programme for Research Leaders. Also noteworthy was her initiative in founding the Research Integrity and Culture committee for the Centre for Cardiovascular Science, setting a precedent that inspired similar efforts across the University.

Additionally, Karen served as the Director of Quality for Postgraduate Students, was involved in the University’s Senatus Quality Assurance Committee, and headed a governance review for the Society for Endocrinology. Even in retirement, Karen continues to engage in mentoring, maintaining relationships that highlight her ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of scientists. Her contributions to science and governance reflect a dedicated career advancing both research and community within academia.