Dr. Chris Trace

Dr. Chris Trace is the Chief Academic Officer at KEATH.ai, an AI EdTech start-up that originated from the University of Surrey. In this role, he oversees the educator engagement process, managing everything from onboarding to collaboration on product development and academic success. He has also represented KEATH.ai at significant platforms, including UNESCO in Paris and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in London.
 

Dr. Chris is a co-founder of VRiVS, which adapts the VRiMS.net platform to provide virtual and extended reality solutions aimed at enhancing veterinary surgical education. Additionally, he serves as the Treasurer of Veterinary Education Worldwide (ViEW), supporting global veterinary education initiatives through advocacy and funding.
 

Before joining KEATH.ai, Dr. Chris was the Head of Digital Learning at the University of Surrey, where he led digital innovation and supported faculty with contemporary technological tools. He also served as Interim Co-Director of the Surrey Institute of Education and held several roles in the School of Veterinary Medicine, including Senior Teaching Fellow, eLearning Coordinator, and Undergraduate Admissions Tutor.
 

Dr. Chris has been Co-Chair of the VetEd Organising Committee and worked with WikiVet in several capacities such as Chief Executive Officer, e-Learning Coordinator, and Communications Coordinator. He has contributed to various projects, including the GenAI Hackathon at the University of Surrey, which focused on applying generative AI in higher education.
 

He has also been involved in initiatives such as the Virtual Canine Lameness project and the School of Veterinary Medicine IT Programme, both aimed at advancing veterinary education through innovative technologies. His academic contributions include the publication “Development and Preliminary Evaluation of Student-Authored Electronic Cases” in the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education.
 

Dr. Chris’s achievements have been recognised with several prestigious awards, including the National Teaching Fellowship, the D2L Excellence Award, and the Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence. He also received the Best Short Communication prize at VetEd 2018.

He holds a BVetMed from the Royal Veterinary College, a Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching from the University of Surrey, and is a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS).

Dr. Chris Trace is an accomplished professional in the field of education and technology, with a background in veterinary science and a focus on digital learning. His career has been dedicated to enhancing teaching and learning through technology, particularly in higher education.


Dr. Chris earned his Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVetMed) degree from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, in 2008. His professional journey began as a veterinary surgeon, where he developed expertise in animal care and medical procedures. However, he soon shifted his focus towards education and technology, recognising the potential impact these fields could have on veterinary education and beyond.


After his time as a practising veterinary surgeon, Dr. Chris pursued a Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching (GCLT) at the University of Surrey, which he completed in 2016. This qualification laid the foundation for his career in educational technology, blending his medical background with a deep interest in digital learning strategies.
 

Dr. Chris’s career in education took off when he joined the University of Surrey. His initial role at the university was as a Teaching Fellow and eLearning Coordinator from December 2013 to July 2018. In this role, he was responsible for coordinating and integrating e-learning resources, providing innovative solutions to enhance the learning experience. His work during this period laid the groundwork for his later contributions to digital learning in the academic sphere.


In January 2016, he was appointed as the Undergraduate Admissions Tutor at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey. During this time, he oversaw the admissions process for the BVMSci course, introducing new attributes for candidate selection and designing Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) scenarios. Dr. Chris’s efforts culminated in the complete digitalisation of the MMI process, integrating iPads and Liftupp OSCE/MMI tools. This work significantly streamlined the admissions process and improved the experience for both staff and students.


In addition to his roles in teaching and admissions, Dr. Chris also served as Chair of the Student Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC) at the University of Surrey from April 2015 to October 2019. His role involved facilitating communication between students and faculty, ensuring that feedback from students was effectively passed on to academic staff and vice versa. This role highlighted his commitment to improving the overall academic experience through effective communication.

Between 2018 and 2020, Dr. Chris held the position of Senior Teaching Fellow and eLearning Coordinator at the University of Surrey. During this time, he focused on skill development, stakeholder engagement, and educational leadership. He also served as Faculty Theme Champion for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in 2020, where he contributed to the advancement of teaching practices within the university.


In September 2020, Dr. Chris was appointed Head of Digital Learning at the University of Surrey, a position he held until February 2025. In this capacity, he led the Digital Learning team within the Surrey Institute of Education. His responsibilities included developing, implementing, and supporting academic staff in using contemporary technological systems and tools to successfully deliver the education strategy. His leadership in digital innovation, change management, and team development was instrumental in advancing the university's teaching practices.


During his time at the University of Surrey, Dr. Chris also served as Interim Co-Director of the Surrey Institute of Education from April 2021 to March 2022. This role involved co-directing the institute during a period of transition, ensuring the continued success and development of the education strategy in the absence of the director.

In January 2024, Dr. Chris co-founded VRiVS, an organisation aiming to create a veterinary equivalent to VRiMS, which focuses on providing virtual reality-based education for veterinary professionals. This initiative reflects his ongoing commitment to innovation and the application of technology in veterinary education.


In February 2025, Dr. Chris became the Chief Academic Officer at KEATH.ai, an AI-powered EdTech start-up spun out of the University of Surrey. At KEATH.ai, Dr. Chris oversees all aspects of the educator's journey with the company, from onboarding to product development. His work at KEATH.ai focuses on delivering personalised learning experiences through AI-driven assessment tools, helping educators and students achieve success in their academic pursuits.


Dr. Chris’s contributions to the field of education have been recognised with several awards. He was named a National Teaching Fellow (NTF) by Advance HE in 2020, a prestigious award given to individuals who have made a significant impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession. In 2024, he was part of the team that won the Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) for the University of Surrey. He also received the D2L Excellence Award in 2024, recognising his contributions to digital learning.

Throughout his career, Dr. Chris has been involved in several projects aimed at advancing veterinary education and educational technology. One such project was the development of a Virtual Canine Lameness trainer, which was supported by an innovation grant from the University of Surrey. This project utilised augmented reality to enhance veterinary education, allowing students to interact with realistic virtual scenarios.


Dr. Chris’s work in educational leadership extends beyond his roles at the University of Surrey. He is the Treasurer for Veterinary Education Worldwide (ViEW), a global network dedicated to improving veterinary education. He has also served as Co-Chair of the Organising Committee for VetEd 2020, a prominent conference focused on veterinary education.


In addition to his work in education, Dr. Chris has published articles on innovative approaches in teaching, such as the development and evaluation of student-authored electronic cases in veterinary medical education. His research has contributed to the adoption of virtual patients in veterinary education, helping to enhance clinical reasoning skills among students.

As of 2025, Dr. Chris continues to work at the forefront of digital education, with a focus on AI integration in teaching and learning. His work aims to empower educators and students by providing personalised, data-driven feedback and enhancing the learning experience through innovative technological solutions.

Dr. Chris Trace’s vision is to empower educators and students by leveraging AI technology to create personalised and efficient learning experiences. He aims to use AI to enhance teaching, streamline assessments, and provide tailored feedback that supports both students and educators in achieving success. Through his work at KEATH.ai, Chris seeks to make education more accessible, data-driven, and responsive to individual needs, fostering a more inclusive and effective learning environment for all.

Dr. Chris Trace was named a National Teaching Fellow (NTF) in recognition of his significant impact on student outcomes. In 2024, he received the D2L Excellence Award for his outstanding contributions to digital learning. That same year, he was also part of the team that won the Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE), highlighting his commitment to collaborative innovation in higher education.