Karen Cox is a British academic and former registered nurse. She is a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Kent. She was a Professor of Cancer and Palliative Care, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nottingham. She was one of the main drivers behind 'Project Transform' there, which led to many changes at the University but was controversial and suffered from significant delays and disruptions, so that the following Vice-Chancellor and University Executive Board collectively apologised to staff and students.