Senate

Senate is, by statute, the supreme governing and executive body of the University in all academic matters. It normally meets six times per year. Subject to the powers reserved to Court and Council, it is responsible for taking such measures and acting in such a manner as is best calculated to promote the interests of the University as a place of education, learning and research. Its detailed responsibilities include the regulation and control of teaching; the encouragement of research; academic staff training; and the conduct of examinations. Senate has delegated many of its responsibilities in curricular and teaching matters to the University Education Committee.

The membership of Senate is largely elected or appointed and comprises: 17 ex officio members, four student representatives, 22 members elected from the University overall, one lay member of Council and up to three co-opted members.

Senate reports to Council on the academic implications of, for example, financial, staff, student or property issues.

Membership of Senate 2025-26

Ex officio members
The Vice-Chancellor and President - Professor Chris Day
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Professor Nigel Harkness

The Pro-Vice-Chancellors

Medical Sciences - Professor Quentin Anstee (2030)
Global - Professor Chris Whitehead (interim)
Science, Agriculture & Engineering - Professor Stephanie Glendinning (2026)
Humanities and Social Sciences - Professor Jo Fox (2030)
Engagement and Place - Professor Jane Robinson (2028)
Education - Professor Ruth Valentine (2028)
Research and Innovation - Professor Matthew Grenby (2028)

The University Deans

Advancement - Professor Anya Hurlbert (2027)
Digital Education - Professor David Kennedy (2030)
Lifelong Learning and Professional Practice - Professor Rene Koglbauer (2029)
Culture and Inclusion - Professor Candy Rowe (2026)
Social Justice - Professor Rachel Pain (2027)

Professorial Constituency

Professor Nils Braakman (2028)

Professor Cathrine Degnen (2028)
Professor Stuart Edwards (2027)

Professor Ian Head (2028)
Professor Ruth McAreavey (2027)
Professor Rhiannon Mason (2026)

Professor Savvas Papagiannidis (2027)
Professor Murray Pollock (2027)
Professor Simon Tate (2027)

Professor Athanassios Vergados (2028)
Professor John Wildman (2026)

Non-Professorial Constituency

Dr Matej Blazek (2028)
Dr Joanna Elson (2027)

Dr Thorsten Heidersdorf (2028)
Dr Meiko O'Halloran (2027)
Dr Jemima Repo (2027)

Dr Shweta Sharma (2027)

Dr Robert Shaw (2026)
Dr Grega Smrkolj (2027)
Dr Laura Woodhouse (2026)

Dr Katharine Wright (2027)
Dr Emily Yarrow (2026)

One member elected by and from the Professional Services staff of the University:
Muriel Snowdon (2027)

One lay member of Council:
Claire Morgan (2026)

Students' Union Sabbatical Officers:
President - Ilsa Hartley
Academic Officer - Gina Tindale
Wellbeing and Communities Officer - Lily Allan
Opportunities Officer - James Geary

Up to three co-opted members:
Professor Daniel Coca

Professor Jo Robinson

Professor Emma Stevenson