Five members of the Trinity Hall Fellowship have been awarded academic promotions at the University of Cambridge, recognising their outstanding contributions to teaching, research and academia.
The following Fellows have been promoted, effective 1 October 2025:
Professor Ramji Venkataramanan, promoted to Professorship (Grade 12)
Professor Venkataramanan is Professor of Information Engineering. His research is in information processing and communications. One example is designing efficient algorithms for error correction, ensuring reliable communication at high data rates. He teaches a range of second and third-year courses in Information Engineering, and is Director of Studies for Part II Engineering at Trinity Hall.
Dr Heather Inwood, promoted to University Associate Professorship
Dr Inwood teaches undergraduate courses on modern Chinese literature and film, which ties in closely with her research into contemporary Chinese culture. Her research thus far has focused on interactions between media and culture in contemporary China, especially the ways in which 21st-century digital media practices are shaping the production, circulation and reception of literature and culture.
Dr Lee de-Wit, promoted to University Associate Professorship
Dr Lee de-Wit trained as an experimental psychologist/cognitive neuroscientist. His current research and teaching focuses on Political Psychology including psychological predictors of attitudes towards immigration, psychological and cognitive characteristics of swing voters, and using more data-driven techniques to identify the structure of political beliefs.
Dr Alena Drieschova, promoted to University Associate Professorship
Dr Drieschova works on the role of material culture and technology in international relations, notably on how everyday material encounters shape international orders. She is also interested in the role of communication technologies in international politics and in questions of nationalism, ethnic conflict, and processes of nation-state formation. Her past research studied international cooperation in transboundary water management. She employs qualitative methods, notably ethnography in her research. Her regional focus centres on Europe and South Asia.
Dr James Wood, promoted to Associate Teaching Professorship
Dr Wood’s research examines the political legitimation of economic policymaking from a Comparative Political Economy perspective with a focus on the United States and United Kingdom, and Denmark. More specifically, his work explores how the construction of political and economic crises, and the politics of homeownership and household debt, maintain political support for neoliberalism.
Congratulating the Fellows, Trinity Hall’s Senior Tutor Dr Michael Sutherland said: “We are delighted to see the excellent teaching and research of our Fellows recognised in the recent academic promotions round.”
These promotions reflect commitment to academic excellence and the vital role Fellows play in shaping the future of their fields and the lives of their students.
Mary Hockaday, Master of Trinity Hall, said: “Congratulations to all our Fellows. It’s wonderful to see their contributions in research and teaching recognised in such a range of subjects, from Engineering and Psychology to Politics and AMES.”
The Academic Careers Pathways (ACP) Scheme recognises and rewards outstanding contributions and celebrates academic achievement. Assessment is based on contributions in research and research leadership; teaching and/or researcher development; and service to the University and to the academic community more broadly.