Professor Shitij Kapur serves as the distinguished Vice-Chancellor and President of King's College London, a position he assumed in June 2021. He returned to King's after more than four years at the University of Melbourne, where he held significant leadership roles as Dean and Assistant Vice Chancellor (Health) for the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences and interim Deputy Vice Chancellor (International). His deep connection to King's extends to his previous tenure from 2007 to 2016, during which he served as Assistant Principal (Academic Performance), Dean and Head of the Institute of Psychiatry, and founding Executive Dean of the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience. Professor Kapur received his medical degree from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1988, completed psychiatric training at the University of Pittsburgh, and earned a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Toronto, establishing the foundation for his distinguished career at the intersection of clinical practice, research, and academic leadership.
Professor Kapur's scholarly contributions have significantly advanced the understanding of psychosis and antipsychotic treatments, with his research generating over 300 peer-reviewed publications that have shaped contemporary approaches to psychiatric care. His leadership in neuroscience research has been instrumental in establishing innovative frameworks for understanding brain function and mental health disorders, bridging the gap between basic science and clinical applications. During the global health crisis, Kapur co-chaired the Australian Million Minds Mission and played a pivotal role in developing the influential 'Roadmap to Recovery – A Report for the Nation,' which provided evidence-based guidance for pandemic response and recovery. His commitment to advancing healthcare through technological innovation is evident in his instrumental role in establishing the Centre for the Digital Transformation of Health and the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, initiatives that have transformed how medical research approaches complex health challenges.
As a respected leader in academic medicine, Professor Kapur has received numerous prestigious honors including designation as a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and election as a Fellow of both the Academy of Medical Sciences (UK) and King's College London. He currently serves on multiple key governance bodies at King's College London, including the College Council and committees focused on Finance, Estates Strategy, and Fellowships & Honorary Degrees, where he continues to shape institutional strategy and academic excellence. His vision for integrating digital health solutions with traditional medical education has catalyzed significant expansion of educational programs and research initiatives across multiple disciplines. Professor Kapur remains steadfastly committed to advancing King's College London's mission as a global leader in research-intensive education, with particular emphasis on fostering interdisciplinary collaborations that address society's most pressing health challenges through innovative scientific approaches and compassionate care.
