Ronald Urwick Cooke
Encyclopedia
Professor Sir Ronald Urwick Cooke, FRGS (born 1 September 1941) is a Professor of geography
and geomorphology
who was Vice-Chancellor of the University of York
from 1993 to 2002.
in 1961: he rose to the position of Professor in 1981 and Vice-Provost (1991–3) at the same institution. From 1993 to 2002 he was Vice-Chancellor of the University of York. Cooke was appointed chair of the Joint Information Systems Committee
(JISC) in 2004. He was a Trustee of the National Museum of Science and Industry
from 2005 to 2008.
He lives in York
where he is active in city life, for instance in fund-raising for the restoration of York Minster
, and in planning and restoration through the York Civic Trust. The York Civic Trust also published his monograph Why York is Special.
(RGS) in 1994, and was President of the RGS from 2000 to 2003. In 2002, he received the Scottish Geography Medal of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society
. He was knighted
for services to higher education in the Queen's 2002 New Year's Honours list. In 2006, he was made Honorary Freeman of the City of York.
The Ron Cooke Hub at the Heslington East campus of the University of York
was named in his honour.
Geography
Geography is the science that studies the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth". The first person to use the word "geography" was Eratosthenes...
and geomorphology
Geomorphology
Geomorphology is the scientific study of landforms and the processes that shape them...
who was Vice-Chancellor of the University of York
University of York
The University of York , is an academic institution located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the campus university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects...
from 1993 to 2002.
Life
His academic career began as a lecturer in the Department of Geography at University College LondonUniversity College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
in 1961: he rose to the position of Professor in 1981 and Vice-Provost (1991–3) at the same institution. From 1993 to 2002 he was Vice-Chancellor of the University of York. Cooke was appointed chair of the Joint Information Systems Committee
Joint Information Systems Committee
JISC is a United Kingdom non-departmental public body whose role is to support post-16 and higher education and research by providing leadership in the use of ICT in learning, teaching, research and administration...
(JISC) in 2004. He was a Trustee of the National Museum of Science and Industry
National Museum of Science and Industry
The National Museum of Science and Industry is a collection of British museums, comprising:* The Science Museum, incorporating the Science Museum Library and the Wellcome collections of the history of medicine at South Kensington in London....
from 2005 to 2008.
He lives in York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
where he is active in city life, for instance in fund-raising for the restoration of York Minster
York Minster
York Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe alongside Cologne Cathedral. The minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England, and is the cathedral for the Diocese of York; it is run by...
, and in planning and restoration through the York Civic Trust. The York Civic Trust also published his monograph Why York is Special.
Honours
He was awarded the Founder's Medal of the Royal Geographical SocietyRoyal Geographical Society
The Royal Geographical Society is a British learned society founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences...
(RGS) in 1994, and was President of the RGS from 2000 to 2003. In 2002, he received the Scottish Geography Medal of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
The Royal Scottish Geographical Society is a learned society founded in 1884 and based in Perth. The Society has a membership of 2500 and aims to advance the science of geography worldwide by supporting education, research, expeditions, through its journal , its newsletter and other publications...
. He was knighted
Knight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
for services to higher education in the Queen's 2002 New Year's Honours list. In 2006, he was made Honorary Freeman of the City of York.
The Ron Cooke Hub at the Heslington East campus of the University of York
University of York
The University of York , is an academic institution located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the campus university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects...
was named in his honour.