Lay Member of Court - Criteria and Terms for appointment

UCAS Clearing 2025 - An aerial view over Dundee city campus with the Firth of Tay visible in the distance.

The Governance and Nominations Committee has set the following criteria for membership of the Court:

  • Members should act as exemplars of the ‘Nine Principles of Public Life in Scotland’: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, leadership, public service, and respect
  • Candidates must confirm that they are not disqualified from acting as a Charity Trustee in accordance with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and as set out in the guidance from the Office from the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).
  • An interest in and empathy with the University and its learning & teaching and research vision
  • Understanding of financial planning, reporting and budgetary processes.
  • A readiness to develop an understanding of the University’s internal structure and culture and its relationships with other agencies and funders
  • A willingness and capacity to act as an ambassador for the University
  • A commitment to the time available to attend meetings, which for Court involves a commitment that normally runs to 12-16 days per year
  • Critical objectivity and the ability to question intelligently, challenge constructively and influence decision-making
  • The ability to contribute to the Court’s strategic thinking and the management of its performance
  • The ability to build relationships with other Court members and with the senior management of the University and to interact effectively with both.

Eligibility

Candidates for appointment as a co-opted (lay) member of Court must not be employed by the University nor be a full-time student of this or any other university.

Additionally, they must also not have been employed by or been a student of the University of Dundee within the four years preceding the start of their term.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We welcome applications from all who meet the criteria, and particularly encourage those from groups that experience under-representation in our society.

Reasonable adjustments will be made for anyone with a disability who may require them.

Terms of appointment

Appointments are made for a period of four years in the first instance, which may be renewable for a further period of four years.

Remuneration and Expenses

Court members are not paid for the work that they do. However, lay members are reimbursed for reasonable, legitimate travel expenses for travel within the UK and any other necessary costs incurred in attending a meeting. This includes care costs of dependents.

Further Information

A set of documents and links providing further information on the role and the process are available from the University Court website.

Any enquiries regarding the role may be made via email to [email protected]