University Executive Group
The University Executive Group provides leadership to the University. It is accountable to University Court for performing to the budget approved by the University Court and responsible for safeguarding the University’s reputation and external profile.
Principal and Vice-Chancellor
The Principal & Vice-Chancellor is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Academic Officer of the University and is accountable to Court for delivery of the University strategy and overall management of the University.
The Principal & Vice-Chancellor also chairs Senate and leads the University Executive Group.
The current Interim Principal and Vice-Chancellor is Professor Nigel Seaton.
Vice-Principal (Education and Student Experience)
The Vice-Principal (Education & Student Experience) leads on our education strategy, developing our learning and teaching portfolio and is responsible for ensuring our students have an excellent student experience.
The current Vice-Principal (Education & Student Experience) is Professor Linda Martindale.
Vice-Principal (Global Engagement & Future Students)
Vice-Principal (Research and Innovation)
The Vice-Principal (Research and Innovation) leads on our research strategy and development. Responsibilities span across research funding, coordination of our Research Excellence Framework (REF) submission, research culture, research ethics, integrity and trusted research.
The Vice-Principal (Research and Innovation) is Professor Lorraine van Blerk.
Vice-Principal (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)
The Vice-Principal (Arts and Social Sciences) provides strategic leadership for the Faculty with the aim of improving all-round academic performance in the context of a challenging financial model. The Faculty encompasses Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, humanities and social sciences. The role includes responsibility for finances, staffing, research and scholarship, and education portfolio of the Faculty.
Professor Jeff Blackford is Vice-Principal (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)
Vice-Principal (Faculty of Health)
The Vice-Principal (Faculty of Health) provides strategic leadership for the Faculty of Health, encompassing medicine, health sciences, dentistry and psychology. Responsibilities cover (but are not limited to) academic strategy, education and research quality, workforce and resource planning, external partnerships, and the delivery of impactful education and research aligned with institutional and local priorities.
Professor Rory McCrimmon is Vice-Principal (Faculty of Health).
Vice-Principal (Faculty of Life Sciences)
The Vice-Principal (Life Sciences) has strategic leadership for the top Biological Sciences Department in the UK, as measured by REF 2014 and 2022. With four Divisions and research themes spanning major questions of global importance, the Faculty hosts world renowned researchers and several world-famous units such as the Protein Phosphorylation Unit and the Drug Discovery Unit. The Vice Principal is responsible for academic strategy and is focused on ensuring the global reputation for education, research and innovation are maintained and grown.
Dr Paul Davies is Vice-Principal (Faculty of Life Sciences)
Vice-Principal (Faculty of Science, Engineering and Business)
The Vice-Principal (Faculty of Science, Engineering and Business) leads a faculty dedicated to solving global challenges through science, technology, and enterprise. The role is responsible for setting the strategic direction for academic programs and research, ensuring the highest standards in education and innovation, cultivating powerful external alliances, and managing resources to ensure the faculty delivers world-class, impactful outcomes that align with the university's mission and societal needs.
Professor Karen Petrie is Vice-Principal (Faculty of Science, Engineering and Business)
University Secretary
The University Secretary is Secretary to the University Court, the University’s governing body, and has overall responsibility for a range of central professional services. Key responsibilities include (but not limited to) university governance and compliance.
The University Secretary also manages Academic & Corporate Governance (ACG) and the University Executive Office (UEO).
The current Interim University Secretary is Philip Henry.
Chief Operating Officer
The Chief Operating Officer leads the University’s professional operational excellence and strategic performance. The COO is responsible for the leadership and management of the University’s professional services, except for the areas of responsibility of the Director of People, University Secretary and the Director of Finance. The Faculty Director of Operations also report to the COO.
The current Interim Chief Operating Officer is Kirsteen Campbell.
Director (People)
Director (Finance)
The Director (Finance) provides strategic financial oversight for the University and leads on the preparation of the budget and financial planning.
The Director (Finance) also coordinates operational activity of Estates & Campus Services and Digital & Technology Services.
The current Interim Director (Finance) is Lee Hamill.