Karen has had an impressive professional football career which spanned more than a decade and included playing for Birmingham City, Arsenal, Chelsea and the Chicago Red Stars. She’s also represented England at four Women’s World Cups (2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019) – making her one of the country’s most capped players of all time with 144 caps – as well as playing in four UEFA Women’s Championships between 2005-2017. And if that wasn’t enough, she also represented Team GB at the 2012 Olympics.
Since retiring from football, Karen has gone on to work as a broadcaster on all major networks covering both men’s and women’s football.
More recently, Karen was awarded an OBE earlier this year for her services to association football.
She’s an alumna of the University, having graduated with a degree in Applied Sports Science at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ College in 2008 whilst competing as an international athlete.
Talking about her Ambassador role, Karen said: “I’m really proud, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is such an iconic university, and it meant a lot to me. It has a strong history of sport, so to be an ambassador of º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is actually a dream.”
Karen will work closely alongside the Associate Pro Vice-Chancellors for the Strategic Theme, as well as Professor Jo Maher, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Sport. She joins Steve Varley and Politics graduates Ghanim and Ahmad Muhammad Al-Muftah who are Ambassadors for the University’s other Strategic Themes of Net Zero and Climate Change and Vibrant and Inclusive Communities.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Jennings commented: “I am thrilled that Karen Carney has joined us as an ambassador for Sport, Health and Wellbeing. Her remarkable career and influential network will play a pivotal role in enhancing the University’s reputation as a leading institution in performance sport and groundbreaking research. I look forward to working more closely with Karen to develop our sport, health and wellbeing agenda.”
Sport, Health and Wellbeing is one of three institutional-level themes that amplify the impact of º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ’s significant strengths. º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is proud to have world-leading research and innovation in sport and exercise to benefit the world of sport and public health. In addition, it offers a wide range of fantastic facilities to support a healthy lifestyle for its staff and students, as well as the local community.