Currently the university’s Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Norman will take up her new role from Thursday 1 January 2025, taking over from Professor Shearer West who left the university last month.
Chair of Council Sir Keith O’Nions said:
“The decision of the panel was unanimous, and I am delighted that Jane has accepted the position and will be leading the institution as our next President and Vice-Chancellor.
“Jane is an extremely experienced senior leader in higher education, holding senior management positions at some of the world’s leading universities, and I am confident she has the strategic vision, personal energy, and leadership qualities to guide our university into the next phase of its success.
“I am sure you will all join me in congratulating Jane on her success and I look forward to working with her in her new role.”
Jane was formerly a clinical academic and Professor of Maternal and Fetal Health in Edinburgh and Glasgow and Director of the Tommy’s Centre at the University of Edinburgh. Her award-winning research increased understanding of how labour starts and led to interventions which have made pregnancy and labour safer for women and babies.
Jane has chaired grant panels nationally and internationally including for the Wellcome Trust and for the National Institute for Health Research. She was a member of the Clinical Medicine panel for the 2021 REF and is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
A strong advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion in higher education, Professor Norman was Vice Principal, Equality and Diversity/People and Culture for five years at the University of Edinburgh, leading on the university’s work on race and gender equality in collaboration with students, staff and the city. As Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Bristol, Professor Norman led a radical and innovative reshaping of dental education, propelling the Dental School in Bristol to the top quartile in student satisfaction in the UK and expanding on its civic mission.
Professor Norman said:
“I feel so honoured to be given this opportunity to lead Nottingham as its eighth Vice-Chancellor and work alongside all of you to drive forward this great university.
“The University of Nottingham has an impressive reputation, both across the sector and the world.
“Before I joined – looking from the outside in – I remember thinking what a great example it is of what a university should be. A university focussed not just on what we are good at, but what we are good for. A university with a truly global outlook, delivering outstanding research and teaching that is having a real impact on people’s lives and on the world.
“Two years on and I can add to that list the outstanding people we have here at Nottingham. Talented, creative and dedicated staff and students, from all corners of the globe, and the strong sense of community that extends way beyond our three campuses.
“I feel incredibly optimistic about Nottingham’s future. We can build on the university’s impressive legacy and ensure our success as an exceptional research-intensive university that is globally competitive but also focused on its civic responsibilities while providing an outstanding learning experience for students. I am particularly excited about building on the incredible opportunities that having three fantastic campuses in three countries gives us.
“I look forward to working with you all in the New Year.”
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