Our Lead Members

As well as convening policy committees, Principals also lead on other important sector-wide issues. They drive policy development and engage with a variety of stakeholders, representing the sector.

The term of office for Lead Members is two years, with the possibility of serving a second term.

Professor James Miller, Principal of the University of the West of Scotland is the US Lead Member for Health. The Lead Member for health takes the strategic lead on issues relating to controlled subjects in health (medicine, dentistry, and nursing and midwifery). Current priorities include engaging with the NHS and Scottish Government on approaches to health workforce recruitment and novel course delivery, and strengthening the health research ecosystem in Scotland, particularly in relation to clinical academics and health research infrastructure.

Professor Lynn Kilbride, Vice Principal for Academic Development and Student Experience at Robert Gordon University is the US lead for Mental Health. The group is working on implementing the recommendations of the Thriving Learners report, which was undertaken in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation and published in 2021. Areas of specific focus include long-term sustainable mental health funding for the sector; embedding direct referral pathways to the NHS for students; and reducing student poverty, which has been shown to negatively impact mental health.

Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of St. Andrews, leads on a broad portfolio of areas related to internationalisation at Scottish universities including international student recruitment, student/staff mobility, international partnerships, transnational education, international research collaboration and international humanitarian responses.  The lead member is supported by a network of Vice Principals for International (or their equivalents) from all Scottish universities and two subgroups (US Branding Subgroup chaired by Tom Rice, University of Glasgow and the Scottish HE International Partnerships Group (SHEIPG) chaired by Dawn Anderson, Glasgow Caledonian University) in addition to several independent sector groups including SUIG and GEMS.

The Lead Member for International works with Scottish Government to support initiatives to boost internationalisation at Scottish universities through the Scottish Government’s International Education Strategy, Destination Scotland marketing campaign and Connected Scotland partnership (chaired by Prof Neville Wylie, University of Stirling), represents the Scottish HE sector to UK Government in issues of reserved policy affecting internationalisation of universities, and acts as an ambassador for Scottish universities in engagement with international stakeholders, ensuring that Scotland remains an attractive destination for study and exchange and a global partner of choice for international education, research and industry partnerships.

Professor Peter Edwards, Principal of University of Aberdeen is the US Lead Member for Regional Economic Development and Engagement. The lead Member for Regional Economic Development and Engagement is responsible for representing Scottish universities’ interests regarding regional economic policies, and promoting the critical role our universities play as anchor institutions in their local areas. Current priorities include engaging on the future evolution of regional policy in Scotland, building the evidence base on the contribution universities make to their regional economies, and engaging with both Scottish and UK governments on the delivery of policy frameworks with regional implications, such as the UK Modern Industrial Strategy.