Introducing the new Deputy Vice-Chancellors
Professor Lisa Roberts and Professor Tom Ward have each made a short film in which they discuss their roles, and the aims and challenges they expect to face in their new jobs.
Professor Roberts is the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, and leads on the further development of the University’s research and innovation strategy, delivering a step change in the quality, volume and impact of world-leading research carried out at Leeds.
Her brief includes promoting partnerships in a number of key sectors, accelerating collaboration across a wide range of academic disciplines and driving recruitment of world-leading academics.
In the video Professor Roberts said: “I want Leeds to be one of the top institutions that people name when they talk about the best research intensive and innovative places. I want it to be the place where students really want to come and learn and work with the best. A place where staff want to come because it’s such a great culture of research excellence and collaboration.”
As Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Education, Professor Ward leads on the University’s overall education strategy, ensuring we attract, excite and retain high-quality students from a wide range of backgrounds.
His brief includes implementing innovative measures to ensure students benefit from an outstanding education and excellent all-round experience, widening participation, promoting teaching excellence and innovation, and further boosting the employability of the University’s students.
He said: “I was thrilled to move here. I was surprised and delighted to be offered the opportunity to serve in this way. Leeds is an exciting place. It has enormous reach and breadth but the most extraordinary thing I’ve encountered is the huge openness to try new things. There are several different components of education where Leeds is unequivocally ahead of the pack”.
The appointments give equal weight to education and research, reflecting the University’s commitment to translate innovative research into cutting-edge education for students, while also tackling wider economic and social challenges.
Posted in: Staff website