Staffordshire University appoints Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education
Staffordshire University is delighted to confirm Dr Annabel Kiernan to the post Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education, following a formal national recruitment process.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education is a newly created Executive post that will provide proactive leadership and direction, taking accountability for the development and delivery of teaching and learning across our Connected University.
Dr Kiernan joins Staffordshire University from Nottingham Trent University, where she held the post of Deputy Dean, School of Social Sciences and Acting Head, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Prior to this, Dr Kiernan held posts at Manchester Metropolitan University, Sheffield Hallam University, University of Paisley, University of Warwick and University of Essex.
Dr Kiernan said: “In my new role I will focus on leading the development, implementation and ongoing evaluation of the academic student experience at Staffordshire University, specifically aligning it to the objectives set out in the Strategic Plan.
“I will be working with colleagues across all Schools to develop and support the working practices of staff and further embed a culture of focused excellence in curriculum design, and teaching and assessment practice.
“I very much look forward to working with colleagues across the University to support the achievement of the institution’s aspiration to be the UK’s digitally leading university, enabling cutting edge practice in digital learning, teaching and assessment.”
Welcoming the appointment, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University, Professor Liz Barnes CBE DL, said: “We are delighted that Dr Kiernan is joining our University and in this new role she will work to transform and support the working practices of colleagues to introduce a culture of focused excellence in curriculum design, as well as teaching and assessment.
“In doing so, Dr Kiernan will play a pivotal role in helping to grow our regional, national and global reputation for academic practice.”
Dr Kiernan’s formal appointment to the post as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education at Staffordshire University commences on 17th May 2021.
Mary-Ann Astle
PR Manager
e: mary-ann.astle@staffs.ac.uk
Staffordshire University is the Connected University; connected to the needs of students, academic partners, business and society. Our main city campus in Stoke-on-Trent features excellent learning and teaching facilities and good transport links. We have specialist Centres of Excellence in Healthcare Education at Stafford and Shrewsbury.
We were recognised with a Gold award in the 2019 Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) for delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for students.
We were shortlisted for University of the Year at the THE Awards 2020 and were named ‘Midlands University of the Year’ at the Midlands Business Awards 2020.
Staffordshire University has signed up to the Civic University Agreement, pledging to play a leading role in improving the regional economy and enhancing quality of life in local communities. We were recognised in the top 15 for social inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021. We aim to be a leading university for digital technologies building on our proud computing heritage and in 2019 launched Staffordshire University London’s Digital Institute which is committed to preparing students for careers in new and emerging tech industries.
We are a Top 250 Young University (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020) and are connected globally, with more than 11,000 people studying Staffordshire University degrees overseas.
