Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor announced
News
Professor Rebecca Schaaf announced as interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Wednesday, 30 October, 2024Bath Spa University has announced that Professor Becky Schaaf will take up the role of interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Bath Spa University in January, following interviews last week.
Professor Schaaf is the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Student Experience at BSU, a role that encompasses the enhancement of all aspects of the student experience across the institution, from curriculum and learning resources, to wellbeing, careers and the estate.
Becky was appointed Professor of Higher Education earlier this year, recognising her contribution to the enhancement of the University across these complex, interlinked areas of activity.
Becky’s background is in the subject of geography, specifically around issues of poverty, wellbeing and sustainability. Becky is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers, and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Professor Schaaf said:
“I am delighted to have been appointed as the interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Bath Spa University and I’m looking forward to working with Georgina to progress our key priorities for the year ahead.
"I’m keen to continue working with our fantastic community of staff and students to further enhance Bath Spa University as an amazing, inspiring and inclusive place to live, work and study.”
Professor Becky Schaaf and Professor Georgina Andrews
This follows the announcement that Professor Georgina Andrews has been appointed as interim Vice-Chancellor to lead BSU after Professor Sue Rigby leaves the University at the end of this year to take up a new position as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, from 1 January 2025.
Professor Andrews will act as interim Vice-Chancellor from 31 December until 31 July 2025. A competitive recruitment process is now taking place to appoint Bath Spa University’s next Vice-Chancellor.
Professor Georgina Andrews is an experienced senior leader and is Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Bath Spa University. She has a background in law and has led two distinctive and successful Business Schools. Georgina’s student-centred approach and academic credentials were recognised when she was appointed as one of the first Professors of Business Education in the UK. Georgina is passionate about breaking down barriers to higher education and the role of universities as anchor institutions in their communities and economies.
Professor Georgina Andrews said:
“I am thrilled to have been appointed as the interim Vice-Chancellor of Bath Spa University, and I am delighted that Professor Becky Schaaf will join me as interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor. Our key objective is to ensure that we maintain momentum so that we can build on our success and continue to place students at the heart of everything that we do.
"I am particularly proud of our commitment to inclusivity, recognised by our designation as the Sunday Times University of the Year for Social Inclusion, and our focus on sustainability, evidenced by our First-Class People and Planet award and Social Enterprise Gold Mark. I would like to thank all our students, colleagues and partners for their continued support.”
A number of other recent appointments have been made to further strengthen our existing senior leadership team; Dr Natasha Kidd as Associate Vice-Provost Creative Engagement, Dr Matthew Lovett as Head of the Bath School for Music and Performing Arts, Associate Professor Darren Kerr as Head of the Bath School of Art, Film and Media, Marco Peroni as Finance Director, Liz Eyles as Director of Campus Life, Professor Harriet Shortt as Head of Knowledge Exchange, Caroline Low, Director of Data and Insights, Dr Kayla Rose, Head of Educational Partnerships, Polly Derbyshire, Head of Academic Delivery (Partnerships).
Professor Sue Rigby, Vice-Chancellor of Bath Spa University said:
“BSU’s senior leadership team, with Georgina and Becky at the helm is experienced, strong and agile to take the University forward into its brilliant next chapter.”