The next Convener of Universities Scotland, the representative organisation for Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions, will be Professor James Miller FRSE who will take up the role for a period of two years, from 1 August 2025.
Professor Miller is Principal & Vice-Chancellor at the University of the West of Scotland and is elected to the role of Convener by his fellow Principals.
Commenting on his appointment, Professor Miller said:
“I know from my own experience that universities matter. We are anchors in our communities that catalyse transformational change in individuals, our cities and regions, our economy, and enhance Scotland’s relationship with the world.
“It is an honour to be elected by my peers and I feel a great sense of responsibility taking on this role at a point in time where Scotland’s universities are facing significant challenges. At this critical moment, an important opportunity exists for the higher education sector and funders to collaborate on the cocreation of a model which secures the long-term sustainability of our universities.
“The need for a sustainable funding model has never been more evident. The action taken now will determine the future of the sector and ensure that our higher education sector remains world-class, delivering for Scotland and the world.”
Professor Miller will be supported in the role by Sir Paul Grice, Principal of Queen Margaret University, who has been Universities Scotland’s Interim Convener since December 2024. Sir Paul will continue to serve as Interim Convener until July and then resume his role as Vice Convener, the term for which runs to July 2026.
Welcoming the news, Sir Paul Grice, Interim Convener of Universities Scotland said:
“I am delighted to be working alongside James in this new capacity and offer him every support. It is a feature of Scottish higher education that there is a strong sense of collegiality amongst such a highly diverse set of institutions. I know that James will champion both of these qualities in his leadership of the sector. As a strong, united voice, Universities Scotland’s role and the role of Convener becomes more important in challenging times. James has the gratitude of his colleagues for the insight and energy he will bring to the role.”
Professor Miller’s career profile is as follows:
Professor James A. Miller FRSE was appointed as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of University of the West of Scotland (UWS) in November 2022.
Beginning his career as a clinical nurse in Edinburgh, Professor Miller is the first nurse to be appointed as a University Principal and Vice-Chancellor in Scotland – bringing a wealth of experience, values and vision closely aligned with that of UWS.
Professor Miller has also held a series of roles in healthcare, including Deputy Director of Nursing for West Lothian Healthcare Trust and Divisional General Manager in South Glasgow University Hospital NHS Trust.
After completing his registration at North Lothian College of Nursing and Midwifery in 1986, Professor Miller undertook a post registration degree at what is now Abertay University. He also has an MBA from Edinburgh Napier University, a PhD from the University of Edinburgh and is an alumnus of Harvard University’s Institute of Education Management.
Professor Miller has been a visiting lecturer at four Scottish universities, teaching on undergraduate and masters programmes in nursing, healthcare management and clinical leadership. He has published in peer-reviewed national and international journals on a range of clinical and management issues in healthcare and is a regular reviewer for several journals.
Professor Miller was Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University from August 2015 to November 2022 and previously held a range of other senior roles, including Director of the Open University in Scotland and Chief Executive of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, a member of the International Advisory Board for the Amity University Group in India and was a founder member of the British Council’s Digital Advisory Board.
In 2023, James was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. James also serves on the boards of The Carnegie Trust for Universities in Scotland; The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice and the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS). Professor Miller was elected as the convener of Universities Scotland’s International Committee and took up the role in August 2024.