Professor Madeleine Atkins studied law and history as an undergraduate at Cambridge University before qualifying as a secondary teacher. She returned to higher education to complete her PhD at Nottingham University.

Professor Atkins is currently a member of the Higher Education Funding Council for England Board and sits on its Audit Committee.

Internationally, Professor Atkins is Deputy Chairman and Council Member, The Association of Commonwealth Universities.

Nationally, she is a Trustee and Member of the Public Services Lab Board of National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, and also an Associate on The Engineering Council.

Professor Atkins is a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute. Recently Professor Atkins was member of the Confederation of British Industry’s Higher Education Task Force and has also represented academia on the 'Fair Access to Professions' Cabinet Office Panel.