Nancy Rothwell

{{Short description|British physiologist, medical researcher and academic (born 1955)}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Dame Nancy Rothwell

| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|DBE|DL|FRS|FMedSci|FRSB|FBPhS|MAE}}

| caption = Nancy Rothwell in academic dress for a graduation ceremony for the Department of Mathematics at the University of Manchester in 2015

| image = Nancy_Rothwell_P1030027_(23707820741)_(cropped).jpg

|office = President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Manchester

|term_start = 21 June 2010

|term_end = 31 July 2024

|predecessor = Alan Gilbert

|successor =

| birth_name = Nancy Jane Rothwell

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1955|10|2|df=y}}

| birth_place = Tarleton, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom

| death_date =

| death_place =

| residence =

| citizenship =

| nationality = British

| education = Penwortham Girls' Grammar School

| alma_mater = University of London (BSc, PhD, DSc)

| awards = {{Plainlist|

Physiological Society Annual Review Prize Lecture (1998)
Royal Institution Christmas Lectures (1998)}}

| website = {{Official URL}}

| spouse =

| salary = £260,000 (2021–22){{cite web|url=https://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=64821|title=Financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2022|publisher=University of Manchester|access-date=19 January 2023}}

| module2 = {{Listen |embed= yes |filename= Prof_Dame_Nancy_Rothwell_BBC_Radio4_The_Life_Scientific_7_May_2013_b01s89mh.flac |title= Nancy Rothwell's voice |type= speech |description= from the BBC programme The Life Scientific, 2013-07-07}}

| module =

{{Infobox scientist

| embed = yes

| fields = {{Plainlist|

Obesity
Strokes
Metabolism
Neuroscience
Brown adipose tissue{{Cite journal | last1 = Selvarajah | first1 = J. | last2 = Scott | first2 = M. | last3 = Stivaros | first3 = S. | last4 = Hulme | first4 = S. |

last5 = Georgiou | first5 = R. | last6 = Rothwell | first6 = N. | author-link6 = Nancy Rothwell| last7 = Tyrrell | first7 = P. | last8 = Jackson | first8 = A. | doi = 10.1007/s00330-008-1202-8 | title =Potential surrogate markers of cerebral microvascular angiopathy in asymptomatic subjects at risk of stroke | journal = European Radiology | volume = 19 | issue = 4 | pages = 1011–1018 | year = 2008 | pmid =18987865 | s2cid = 417275 }}{{Cite journal | last1 = Selvarajah | first1 = J. R. | last2 = Smith | first2 = C. J. | last3 = Hulme | first3 = S. | last4 = Georgiou | first4 = R. | last5 =Sherrington | first5 = C. | last6 = Staniland | first6 = J. | last7 = Illingworth | first7 = K. J. | last8 = Jury | first8 = F. | last9 = Payton | first9 = A. | last10 = Ollier | doi =10.1111/j.1747-4949.2010.00561.x | first10 = W. E. | last11 = Vail | first11 = A. | last12 = Rothwell | first12 = N. J. | last13 = Hopkins | first13 = S. J. | last14 = Tyrrell | first14 = P. J. | title =Does inflammation predispose to recurrent vascular events after recent transient ischaemic attack and minor stroke? The North West of England transient ischaemic attack and minor stroke (NORTHSTAR) study |

journal = International Journal of Stroke | volume = 6 | issue = 3 | pages = 187–194 | year = 2011 | pmid = 21557802 | s2cid = 25940748 }}}}

| workplaces = {{Plainlist|

| thesis_title = Physiological mechanisms involved in the regulation of energy balance

| thesis_url = http://catalogue.libraries.london.ac.uk/record=b3009685

| thesis_year = 1979

| doctoral_advisor = Mike J. Stock

| academic_advisors =

| doctoral_students =

| notable_students =

| known_for = President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Manchester
Nancy Rothwell Building

}}

Dame Nancy Jane Rothwell {{post-nominals|country=GBR|DBE|DL|FRS|FMedSci|FRSB|FBPhS|MAE}}{{Who's Who | author=Anon|title=Rothwell, Dame Nancy (Jane) | id = U43057 | doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U43057|year = 2024 | edition = 176th|publisher= Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|isbn=9781399409452|oclc=1402257203|pages=2736}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ae-info.org/ae/User/Rothwell_Nancy |title=Academy of Europe: Rothwell Nancy |publisher=Ae-info.org |access-date=2017-06-07}} (born 2 October 1955Who's Who in Greater Manchester; golden jubilee edition. Manchester: Manchester Literary & Philosophical Society, 2002; p. 313) is a British physiologist.{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027023526/https://static.physoc.org/app/uploads/2019/06/19095724/Women_physiologists_PRINT_FINAL.pdf|archivedate=2020-10-27|url=https://static.physoc.org/app/uploads/2019/06/19095724/Women_physiologists_PRINT_FINAL.pdfhttps://static.physoc.org/app/uploads/2019/06/19095724/Women_physiologists_PRINT_FINAL.pdf|website=physoc.org|publisher=The Physiological Society|location=London|title=Women Physiologists: Centenary celebrations and beyond|year=2015|editor1=Susan Wray|editor2= Tilli Tansey |quote="Bury failure and celebrate success"}} She served as president and vice-chancellor of the University of Manchester from 2010 to 2024,{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724143349/https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/magazine/features/manchester-always-manchester/|archivedate=2024-07-24|url=https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/magazine/features/manchester-always-manchester/|title=Manchester. Always The University of Manchester|first=Rose|last=Brooke|year=2024|website=manchester.ac.uk}}{{cite web|url=https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/new-president-and-vice-chancellor-for-the-university-of-manchester/|title=New President and Vice-Chancellor for The University of Manchester|website=New President and Vice-Chancellor for The University of Manchester}}{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726073614/https://comms.manchester.ac.uk/communicationsandmarketinglz/lz.aspx?p1=MfrDU2OTU0UzkyMTg6NUQ0N0ZCRjhGQzVBRENGRTk5MEY1RkIxNkZFQzM0RDA%3D-&CC=&p=0|archivedate=2024-07-26|url=https://comms.manchester.ac.uk/communicationsandmarketinglz/lz.aspx?p1=MfrDU2OTU0UzkyMTg6NUQ0N0ZCRjhGQzVBRENGRTk5MEY1RkIxNkZFQzM0RDA%3D-&CC=&p=0|website=comms.manchester.ac.uk|first=Nancy|last=Rothwell|year=2024|title=My last message}} having deputised in both roles until January 2010.

Rothwell served as non-executive director of pharmaceuticals company AstraZeneca from 2006 to 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/02723534/officers?page=2|title=ASTRAZENECA PLC – Officers (Free information from Companies House)}} She also served as co-chair of the Council for Science and Technology, and past President of the Royal Society of Biology.{{cite web|url=http://mancunion.com/2013/02/25/dame-nancy-rothwell-qa/ |title=As it happened: Q&A with Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell > The Mancunion |archive-date=23 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323082143/http://mancunion.com/2013/02/25/dame-nancy-rothwell-qa/ |url-status=dead }}Brown, Matthew (September 2004) "A Society Fellow", in: AUTlook. Association of University Teachers; no. 231, pp. 24-25.{{cite web |url=https://societyofbiology.org/news/14-news/890-society-officially-welcomes-new-president?dm_i=I1,2HCXA,3A0LOU,9188G,1 |title=Society of Biology welcomes new President |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531093400/https://societyofbiology.org/news/14-news/890-society-officially-welcomes-new-president?dm_i=I1,2HCXA,3A0LOU,9188G,1 |archive-date=31 May 2014 |url-status=dead }}

She served as Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester{{cite web|url=http://manchesterlieutenancy.org/Rothwell_Nancy|title=Greater Manchester Lieutenancy – Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell DL PhD DSc|website=manchesterlieutenancy.org|date=30 January 2022 }}Nancy Rothwell {{Official website}} and served as chair of the Russell Group from 2020 to 2023, which represents 24 of the research intensive universities in the UK. In March 2021, students at the University of Manchester passed a vote of no confidence in Rothwell due to her response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.

Education and early life

Rothwell was born in Tarleton, a village near Preston, Lancashire. She was educated at Penwortham Girls' Grammar School and then went to college where she took A-levels in maths, physics, chemistry and art, having dropped biology aged 14. She enrolled at the University of London and obtained a first-class degree in physiology (1976) and a Doctor of Philosophy degree (1979) from Queen Elizabeth College, now part of King's College, London.{{cite thesis|degree=PhD|first=Nancy Jane|last=Rothwell|title=Physiological mechanisms involved in the regulation of energy balance|publisher=King's College London|date=1979|id={{EThOS|uk.bl.ethos.471044}}|author-link=Nancy Rothwell|oclc=827269727|url=http://catalogue.libraries.london.ac.uk/record=b3009685|website=london.ac.uk}} Rothwell was awarded a Doctor of Science (DSc) degree in 1987 by King's College London.

Career and research

Rothwell's early research{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1038/281031a0 | last1 = Rothwell | first1 = N.| author-link = Nancy Rothwell | last2 = Stock | first2 = M. | title = A role for brown adipose tissue in diet-induced thermogenesis | journal = Nature | volume = 281 | issue = 5726 | pages = 31–35 | year = 1979 | pmid = 551265| bibcode = 1979Natur.281...31R | s2cid = 40654423 }}{{Cite journal | last1 = Hopkins | first1 = S. | last2 = Rothwell | first2 = N.| author-link2 = Nancy Rothwell | title = Cytokines and the nervous system. I: Expression and recognition | journal = Trends in Neurosciences | volume = 18 | issue = 2 | pages = 83–88 | year = 1995 | pmid = 7537419 | doi=10.1016/0166-2236(95)93881-W}}{{Cite journal | last1 = Rothwell | first1 = N.| author-link1 = Nancy Rothwell | last2 = Hopkins | first2 = S. | title = Cytokines and the nervous system II: Actions and mechanisms of action | journal = Trends in Neurosciences | volume = 18 | issue = 3 | pages = 130–136 | year = 1995 | pmid = 7754524 | doi=10.1016/0166-2236(95)93890-A| s2cid = 38001194}} identified mechanisms of energy balance regulation, obesity and cachexia.{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1016/S0026-0495(97)90047-0 | last1 = Roe | first1 = S. Y. | last2 = Cooper | first2 = A. L. | last3 = Morris | first3 = I. D. | last4 = Rothwell | first4 = N. J.| author-link4 = Nancy Rothwell| title = Involvement of prostaglandins in cachexia induced by T-cell leukemia in the rat | journal = Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental | volume = 46 | issue = 4 | pages = 359–365 | year = 1997 | pmid = 9109835}} In 1984 she was awarded a Royal Society University Research Fellowship{{fact|date=July 2024}} and numerous grants by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).{{cite web |url=http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/PA/grants/PersonDetails.aspx?Personid=13650 |title=Grants awarded to Nancy Rothwell by the BBSRC |date=16 February 2024 }} She was appointed to a chair in physiology in 1994, then a Medical Research Council (MRC) research chair in 1998. Her current research focusses on the role of inflammation in brain disease and has identified the role of the cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1){{Cite journal | last1 = Relton | first1 = J. K. | last2 = Rothwell | first2 = N. J. | author-link2 = Nancy Rothwell| doi = 10.1016/0361-9230(92)90033-T | title = Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist inhibits ischaemic and excitotoxic neuronal damage in the rat | journal = Brain Research Bulletin | volume = 29 | issue = 2 | pages = 243–246 | year = 1992 | pmid = 1388088| s2cid = 39761279 }} in diverse forms of brain injury.{{Cite journal | last1 = Allan | first1 = S. M. | last2 = Rothwell | first2 = N. J. | author-link2 = Nancy Rothwell| doi = 10.1038/35094583 | title = Cytokines and acute neurodegeneration | journal = Nature Reviews Neuroscience | volume = 2 | issue = 10 | pages = 734–744 | year = 2001 | pmid = 11584311| s2cid = 205020888 }}{{Cite journal | last1 = Denes | first1 = A. | last2 = Wilkinson | first2 = F. | last3 = Bigger | first3 = B. | last4 = Chu | first4 = M. | last5 = Rothwell | first5 = N. J. | last6 = Allan | first6 = S. M. | doi = 10.1242/dmm.011601 | title = Central and haematopoietic interleukin-1 both contribute to ischaemic brain injury in mice | journal = Disease Models & Mechanisms | volume = 6 | issue = 4 | pages = 1043–1048 | year = 2013 | pmid = 23519030 | pmc = 3701223}} Her studies have begun to elucidate the mechanisms regulating IL-1 release and its action and her group have conducted the first early clinical trial of an IL-1 inhibitor in strokes. She served as president of the British Neuroscience Association and a council member of Medical Research Council (MRC).{{when|date=November 2016}}

From October 2004, Rothwell served as vice-president for research of the university.{{cite book |author=Rothwell, Nancy |title=Who wants to be a scientist?: choosing science as a career |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge, UK |year=2002 |isbn=0-521-52092-4 |author-link=Nancy Rothwell |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780521520928 }}{{cite news|url=http://education.guardian.co.uk/manchesteruniversityunited/story/0,,1332549,00.html| title=Manchester voices--Nancy Rothwell |author=Cripps, Elizabeth|access-date=2011-04-05|location=London|work=The Guardian}} In 2010 she was overseeing a research group of about 20 scientists, with significant external funding and was announced to succeed Alan Gilbert as president and vice-chancellor of the University of Manchester on 1 July 2010. She is a trustee of Cancer Research UK, the Campaign for Medical Progress, a council member of BBSRC, chair of the Research Defence Society and the Wellcome Trust's Public Engagement Strategy Committee and a non-executive director of AstraZeneca. In 1998 she delivered the Royal Institution Christmas Lecture on The Secrets of Life, televised by the BBC.[http://richannel.org/christmas-lectures-1998-nancy-rothwell--times-of-our-lives/ "Christmas Lectures 1998: Nancy Rothwell"], Times of our lives.

=President and vice-chancellor=

In January 2010, Rothwell was appointed deputy president and deputy vice-chancellor. Until Alan Gilbert retired she was acting president due to his sick leave. On 21 June 2010, she was appointed president and vice-chancellor of the University of Manchester. She assumed her post on 1 July 2010, succeeding Gilbert, who had retired after nearly six years. She became the first woman to lead the University of Manchester or either of its two predecessor institutions. Commenting on her appointment, she said: "I am honoured and delighted to be invited to lead the University at this exciting time. I am determined to maintain the strategic focus that we have developed over the past six years and to work closely with colleagues to identify new priorities and opportunities for the University in the very challenging external environment that we will face over the next few years."{{citation needed|date=April 2014}}

The chairman of the appointment panel and chairman-elect of the university's board of governors, Anil Ruia, said: "Dame Nancy will bring her own distinctive strengths, perspective and style to the role of President and Vice-Chancellor which will enable the University to build upon the remarkable progress that we have made under Professor Alan Gilbert's leadership."{{citation needed|date=April 2014}} In 2009, Rothwell served as the first president of the Society of Biology.{{fact|date=July 2024}}

In May 2020, Rothwell was appointed as the chair of the Russell Group, starting September 2020.{{Citation|title=Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell appointed Russell Group Chair|date=15 May 2020|url=https://russellgroup.ac.uk/news/professor-dame-nancy-rothwell-appointed-russell-group-chair/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615124851/https://russellgroup.ac.uk/news/professor-dame-nancy-rothwell-appointed-russell-group-chair/|archive-date=2020-06-15|publisher=Russell Group|url-status=live|access-date=2020-06-15}} The group represents 24 of the leading universities in the UK.

In 2023 it was announced that Rothwell would stand down as President and Vice-chancellor of the University in 2024.{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Ethan |date=2023-03-01 |title=Nancy Rothwell to stand down at University of Manchester |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/nancy-rothwell-stand-down-university-26360852 |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en}}

==Response to COVID-19==

{{See also|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education in the United Kingdom}}

In April 2020, Rothwell wrote to University of Manchester staff warning that the loss of revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic would result in pay cuts and possible job losses.{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/university-of-manchester-job-losses-18143555|title=The University of Manchester warns 'job losses may be required' and fears £270m loss over coronavirus pandemic|date=24 April 2020|access-date=13 November 2020|work=Manchester Evening News|first=Paul|last=Britton}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/apr/25/manchester-university-braced-for-losses-of-more-than-270m|title=Manchester University braced for losses of more than £270m|date=25 April 2020|access-date=13 November 2020|work=The Guardian|first=David|last=Batty}} In September 2020 she warned that students who failed to follow social distancing rules could be excluded from the university campus.{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/students-could-face-exclusion-flout-18910663|title=Students could face exclusion if they flout social distancing rules, University of Manchester leader warns|date=10 September 2020|access-date=13 November 2020|work=Manchester Evening News|first=Beth|last=Abbit}}

In the autumn 2020 semester the university's handling of the pandemic and the second national lockdown led to criticism and protests.{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/whats-gone-wrong-university-manchester-19294132|title=What's gone wrong at the University of Manchester?|date=18 November 2020|access-date=18 November 2020|work=Manchester Evening News|first=Steve|last=Robson}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/nov/17/calls-for-manchester-university-vice-chancellor-to-quit-after-racism-row|title=Calls for Manchester University vice-chancellor to quit after racism row|date=17 November 2020|access-date=17 November 2020|work=The Guardian|first1=Josh|last1=Halliday|first2=Amy|last2=Walker}} In September 2020, university officials said they had taken precautions including staggered arrivals, social distancing and a reduced lecture timetable, though university staff alleged they were being pressured into conducting face-to-face teaching. In October 2020 the Fallowfield area, home to the university's Fallowfield Campus, saw more COVID-19 cases than any other part of the UK. Rothwell launched an investigation after fences were erected around campus residences in November 2020 and apologised for the university's "very poor communication" with students.{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/university-manchester-president-launches-inquiry-19240310|title=University of Manchester President launches inquiry to determine why 'lockdown' fences were erected on campus|date=7 November 2020|access-date=13 November 2020|work=Manchester Evening News|first=Sophie|last=Halle-Richards}}{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-manchester-students-pull-down-covid-security-fences-in-protest-12125048|title=Coronavirus: Manchester students pull down COVID security fences in protest|date=6 November 2020|access-date=13 November 2020|publisher=Sky News}} Days later students began a rent strike and occupied a campus building and demanded Rothwell meet with them to discuss a proposed rent discount.{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/students-occupy-university-manchester-building-19270532|title=Students 'occupy' University of Manchester building in protest over rent|date=12 November 2020|access-date=13 November 2020|work=Manchester Evening News|first=Steve|last=Robson}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2020/nov/12/coronavirus-covid-boris-johnson-lee-cain-keir-starmer-uk-politics-live?page=with:block-5fad6dce8f08d2e2e072e3ca#block-5fad6dce8f08d2e2e072e3ca|title=UK coronavirus: 33,470 people test positive in a day; NI lockdown extended by a week – as it happened|date=12 November 2020|access-date=13 November 2020|work=The Guardian|first=Helen|last=Pidd}} Later in November Rothwell acknowledged the university had made "mistakes" in its approach to the pandemic and said that, while many students supported the measures, others felt "let down". The inquiry issued a report in December 2020, which identified failures of project management on the university's part and a failure to engage with students; Rothwell accepted the inquiry's findings and pledged to implement its recommendations.{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/university-manchester-criticised-numerous-failings-19397552|title=University of Manchester criticised for numerous failings and 'rushed' decision to install lockdown fencing at Fallowfield campus|date=4 December 2020|access-date=26 December 2020|work=Manchester Evening News|first=Beth|last=Abbit}}

Also in November 2020, anti-racist campaigners called on Rothwell to resign following an incident in which a black student was detained and allegedly racially profiled by university security guards. A Universities and Colleges Union official said Rothwell should "offer a full apology" to the student "and stop trying to police the university's student population". In an interview on Newsnight, Rothwell said that she had contacted the student to apologise.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-55005343|title=Manchester Uni vice-chancellor apologises over 'racial profiling' incident|date=19 November 2020|access-date=20 November 2020|publisher=BBC}}{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/university-manchester-boss-apologises-over-19314778|title=University of Manchester boss apologises after student claims he was 'racially profiled' by security guards|date=20 November 2020|access-date=20 November 2020|work=Manchester Evening News|first=Beth|last=Abbit}} At the time of the interview she had not, in fact, contacted the student, and she later apologised for claiming she had done so.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/nov/22/manchester-university-chief-apologises-for-false-claim-over-racial-profiling-incident|title=Manchester University chief apologises for false claim over 'racial profiling' incident|date=22 November 2020|access-date=22 November 2020|work=The Guardian|first=Amy|last=Walker}}{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manchester-university-boss-releases-emotional-19321072|title=Manchester University boss releases emotional video to students over 'incorrect' statement in TV interview|date=21 November 2020|access-date=22 November 2020|work=Manchester Evening News|first=Chris|last=Slater}}

In February 2021, the University of Manchester Students' Union (UMSU) called a vote of no confidence in Rothwell, the first time in the university's history such a motion has been triggered.{{Cite web|last=Robson|first=Steve|date=12 February 2021|title=Manchester University students to hold 'no confidence' vote in Vice Chancellor|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manchester-uniersity-students-hold-historic-19819879|access-date=12 February 2021|website=Manchester Evening News|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-02-11|title=Manchester University students urge vice-chancellor to quit|url=http://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/feb/11/manchester-university-students-demand-vice-chancellor-step-down-nancy-rothwell|access-date=2021-02-12|website=The Guardian|language=en}}{{Cite news|date=12 February 2021|title=University of Manchester vice chancellor faces no confidence vote|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-55989883|access-date=12 February 2021}} The students obtained the requisite 400 signatures to launch the referendum in hours. The campaign also called for the vice-chancellor to be elected by staff and students. In March 2021 the vote of no confidence was passed with the support of 89 percent of voters. The vote, however, was non-binding and a spokesperson for the university said it had "full confidence" in Rothwell.{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manchester-university-students-pass-vote-20131190|title=Manchester University students pass vote of no confidence in Vice Chancellor Nancy Rothwell|date=13 March 2021|access-date=13 March 2021|work=Manchester Evening News|first1=Steve|last1=Robson|first2=Ashlie|last2=Blakey}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-56379381|title=University of Manchester students pass vote of no confidence in boss|date=12 March 2021|access-date=13 March 2021|publisher=BBC}}

Rothwell retired from her position as Vice Chancellor in July 2024 and was succeeded by Duncan Ivison.

=Awards and honours=

In February 2013, Rothwell was assessed as the 15th most powerful woman in the United Kingdom by Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4.{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007qlvb/features/power-list-100 |title=BBC Radio 4 – Woman's Hour – The Power List 2013 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01qj7jd/profiles/nancy-rothwell |title=BBC Radio 4 – Woman's Hour, Woman's Hour Power List – Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell }} In May 2013 she was the subject of BBC Radio 4's The Life Scientific and was interviewed about her life and work by Jim Al-Khalili.{{cite web|first=Jim|last=Al-Khalili|year=2013|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s89mh |title=The Life Scientific; Nancy Rothwell |access-date= 2013-05-07|website=bbc.co.uk}} Rothwell was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2005 Birthday Honours,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4079816.stm|title=Queen's Birthday Honours 2005 recipient lists|author=Anon|year=2005|publisher=BBC}} Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 2004,{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011170939/https://royalsociety.org/people/nancy-rothwell-12203 |archive-date=11 October 2016 |url=https://royalsociety.org/people/nancy-rothwell-12203 |website=royalsociety.org |publisher=Royal Society |location=London |author=Anon |year=2004 |title=Dame Nancy Rothwell DBE DL FMedSci FRS |url-status=dead }} One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from the royalsociety.org website where: {{blockquote|"All text published under the heading 'Biography' on Fellow profile pages is available under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.” --{{cite web|url=https://royalsociety.org/about-us/terms-conditions-policies/ |title=Royal Society Terms, conditions and policies |access-date=2016-03-09 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925220834/https://royalsociety.org/about-us/terms-conditions-policies/ |archive-date=25 September 2015 }}}} Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB){{when|date=July 2024}} and Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci).{{when|date=December 2016}} In 2003 she was awarded the Pfizer award by the Royal Society.{{cite web|url=https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/awards/africa-prize/|title=Royal Society Africa Prize – Royal Society|website=royalsociety.org|date=30 November 2023 }}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2006/mar/28/highereducationprofile.research |title=Nancy Rothwell: Her own boss | Education | The Guardian: The head of research at the UK's biggest university tells Donald MacLeod she is unfazed by the task ahead, 2006-03-28 |archive-date=7 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307003223/http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2006/mar/28/highereducationprofile.research |location=London |date=28 March 2006 |url-status=dead }} Her nomination as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) reads:{{cite web|url=http://royalsociety.org/DServe/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqCmd=show.tcl&dsqSearch=(RefNo==%27EC/2004/38%27) |title=Nancy Jane Rothwell: Certificate of election EC/2004/38 |publisher=The Royal Society |archive-date= 6 March 2014 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6NsMSSifX?url=http://royalsociety.org/DServe/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqCmd=show.tcl&dsqSearch=(RefNo==%27EC/2004/38%27) |location=London |url-status=dead }}

{{blockquote|Nancy Rothwell has made major discoveries in the areas of energy balance, host defence responses, and neurodegeneration, several of which are now being translated into clinical benefit. Early work emphasised the importance of thermogenesis in the regulation of energy balance and the aetiology of obesity, and the role of b2 adrenoreceptor activation in muscle hypertrophy. More recently she has carried out pioneering studies of the role of cytokines and other components of the immune system within the central nervous system. She demonstrated the key role of specific cytokines and the hormone leptin in the integration and regulation by the brain of host defence responses to infection and injury. This led to important discoveries concerning the role of cytokines in neurodegeneration. She was the first to show that the cytokine IL-1 mediates ischaemic brain damage, challenging the view that immune or inflammatory processes are unimportant in the brain. She patented the use of IL-1 inhibitors to prevent acute neurodegeneration and is leading the first clinical trial of such an inhibitor in stroke. Her demonstration that caspases are involved directly in ischaemic brain damage in vivo stimulated the development of caspase inhibitors for possible clinical application. Nancy Rothwell has also worked energetically to advance physiology and neuroscience, to further public awareness of science, and to encourage women to pursue careers in science.}}

She is an honorary member of the British Society for Immunology{{cite web|url=https://www.immunology.org/about-us/our-people/our-members/honorary-members|title=Honorary members – British Society for Immunology|website=immunology.org}} and honorary fellow of Somerville College, Oxford.{{cite web|url=https://www.some.ox.ac.uk/people/professor-dame-nancy-rothwell/|title=Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell – Somerville College Oxford|website=some.ox.ac.uk|date=6 July 2021 }} She has been a member of The Physiological Society since 1982 and was awarded the Physiological Society Annual Review Prize Lecture in 1998.

Rothwell was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of Bath in 2009.{{cite web|url=https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/dame-nancy-rothwell|title=Nancy Rothwell PhD|access-date=13 November 2020|author=Anon|year=2020|publisher=King's College London|website=kings.ac.uk|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007190954/https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/dame-nancy-rothwell|archivedate=2022-10-07}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/honorary-graduates-2000-to-2009/|title=Honorary graduates, 2000 to 2009|access-date=13 November 2020|publisher=University of Bath}} She was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Education (DEd) by Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) in 2024.{{cite web|author=Anon|year=2024|title=Honorary degree awarded to Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720021548/https://www.mmu.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/story/honorary-degree-awarded-professor-dame-nancy-rothwell|archivedate=2024-07-20|url=https://www.mmu.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/story/honorary-degree-awarded-professor-dame-nancy-rothwell|website=mmu.ac.uk|publisher=Manchester Metropolitan University}}

As part of the bicentennial anniversary of the University of Manchester (1824-2024) a series of portraits of Rothwell by Carla van de Puttelaar were commissioned with one exhibited at The Whitworth art gallery.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crggrwzgl81o|title=Portrait of university's first female leader unveiled|year=2024|website=bbc.co.uk|author=Anon}}{{cite web|first=Nancy|last=Rothwell|year=2024|url=https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/bicentenary/our-stories/welcome-to-our-bicentenary/|title=Welcome to our bicentenary: A message from the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, as we welcome in 2024 – and 200 years of The University of Manchester|website=manchester.ac.uk|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726073100/https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/bicentenary/our-stories/welcome-to-our-bicentenary/|archivedate=2024-07-26}} The Manchester Engineering Campus Development (MECD) and Engineering Building were renamed the Nancy Rothwell Building in 2024 to mark her retirement.{{cite web|url=https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/ceremony-marks-nancy-rothwells-end-of-term-of-office-as-president-and-vice-chancellor-of-the-university-of-manchester/|title=Ceremony marks Nancy Rothwell's end of term of office as President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester|author=Anon|year=2024|website=manchester.ac.uk|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727141615/https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/ceremony-marks-nancy-rothwells-end-of-term-of-office-as-president-and-vice-chancellor-of-the-university-of-manchester/|archivedate=2024-07-27}}