First Academic Director of Gates Cambridge Trust appointed

  • April 8, 2026
First Academic Director of Gates Cambridge Trust appointed

Scholar Stephen Metcalf is appointed the first Academic Director of Gates Cambridge Trust

It is a gift to be part of a community committed to serving others. What an honour to now join the Trust team. I am grateful for the chance to work on a mission I deeply believe in, and I look forward to supporting Scholars on their journeys.

Stephen A. Metcalf

The Gates Cambridge Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen A. Metcalf as its first Academic Director of Community Programmes.

Stephen, a Gates Cambridge Scholar himself, will take up his role this month and will provide academic leadership and direction for consistent Gates Cambridge programming anchored by the Trust’s Leading with Purpose programme.

Stephen will also coordinate the delivery of the Leading with Purpose programme and contribute to the general development and delivery of Gates Cambridge’s portfolio of programmes and the enhancement of the Scholar experience.

Stephen [2021], who did his PhD in Public Health and Primary Care, brings more than a decade of experience in research and project management. Throughout his career he has designed and delivered leadership development initiatives, including for Gates Cambridge Scholars as Director of the Scholar-led Learning for Purpose programme. During his time at Cambridge, he has taught medical students through the Medical Sciences Tripos and mentored undergraduates, postgraduates, and postdoctoral researchers on global development and social impact projects through Cambridge i-Teams.

Stephen, who was awarded the Bill Gates Sr. Prize, nominated by his peers, did his PhD research on resilience against early-life adversity, exploring why some children thrive despite challenging upbringings. His work has practical implications for public health strategies and interventions.

He says: “It is a gift to be part of a community committed to serving others. What an honour to now join the Trust team. I am grateful for the chance to work on a mission I deeply believe in, and I look forward to supporting Scholars on their journeys.”

Eilís Ferran, Provost of Gates Cambridge, said: “I am delighted to welcome Stephen to the team as our first Academic Director. His work both academically, in the Gates Cambridge community and more broadly has already had real impact in terms of its contribution to the Trust’s strategic thinking about how it can best support Scholars in their professional development. I look forward to working together to enhance the Scholar experience.”

Latest News

First Academic Director of Gates Cambridge Trust appointed

The Gates Cambridge Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen A. Metcalf as its first Academic Director of Community Programmes. Stephen, a Gates Cambridge Scholar himself, will take […]

Leading advocacy for refugee health

Tenzin Dhondup’s work spans refugee health policy, humanitarian response and health equity. Tenzin [2026], a Tibetan-American who grew up between the United States and a Tibetan refugee community in India, […]

How to lead a bunch of leaders

Two Gates Cambridge Scholars discuss how you lead a bunch of leaders in the third episode of the current series of the So, now what? podcast. Historian Justin Wei [2023], […]

Scholar recognised on Female Founders 500 list

Gates Cambridge Impact Prize winner Alexandra Grigore has been recognised on the 2026 Inc. Magazine Female Founders 500 list. The list honours women who are building meaningful organisations and leading […]