Professor Thomas Adcock admitted as Senior Proctor at University of Oxford

The Proctors and Assessor are senior officers and trustees of the University with a role which encompasses advocacy and scrutiny. They oversee student matters and uphold the University’s statutes and policies throughout its governance and administration. Colleges are on a rota so that, every year, three of them each choose one of their Fellows to serve full-time for 12 months; two colleges choose the Proctors and the third the Assessor.

Professor Adcock is Fellow and Tutor in Engineering Science at St Peter’s College and Professor of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford. He tutors students in structures and dynamics at St Peter’s and Exeter College. His Environmental Fluid Mechanics research group examines how engineers understand the ocean environment and how this interacts with offshore and coastal infrastructure. The main application of his work is offshore renewable energy.

Professor Adcock first joined St Peter’s College as an undergraduate studying Engineering Science in 2001. He then went on to complete a doctorate in Engineering Science at New College, University of Oxford. After working in a number of post-doctoral and industry positions, he returned to St Peter’s as a Fellow in 2012 and has since then served in a handful College Officer roles and as Associate Head of the Engineering Science department. During his one-year term as Proctor, Prof Adcock will set aside his College duties and dedicate himself fully to the position, which is a key oversight role within the University.

Referencing the College song, Professor Adcock said, "For me, this is a 'keys on my chest'* moment. I was very proud of St Peter’s and for the support I have received from College as I take up this role. The upcoming year will be full of new experiences and challenges—and not just because I will wear sub fusc every day and officiate at ceremonies in Latin. I will miss the students and tutorials and look forward to returning to my regular job in due course".

At the ceremony, Dr Tim Mawson (Edgar Jones Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy and Dean) and Catherine Whalley (Fellow and College Registrar) were also admitted as Pro-Proctors to Prof Adcock. Pro-Proctors, nominated by the Proctors, are ceremonial deputies for the Proctors during their term of office.

Learn more about the roles of the University Proctors and Assessor

*The College song begins with a line that references the cross-keys symbol, an image typically associated with St Peter, which is found in the College crest: ‘With the keys on my chest, give me Peter’s’.

Reproduced by kind permission of St Peter's College