Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Professor Richard Miles has been appointed as Queen's University Belfast's new Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

Currently Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education, Enterprise and Engagement) at The University of Sydney, he was previously the Head of the School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry and Director of the ArtSS Career-Ready Program at The University of Sydney.

A Professor of Roman History and Archaeology, Richard is also the academic director of the Ancient North African Research Network, which coordinates research activities in the ancient Maghreb region. He was previously a Fellow and Director of Studies in Classics at Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge.

A specialist in Roman and Carthaginian history, he has directed excavations in Carthage and Rome, and is the author of a number of books on the ancient world, including Carthage Must Be Destroyed and Ancient Worlds: The Search for Western Civilisation. He also co-authored Vandals with Andrew Merrills and edited The Donatist Schism: Controversy and Contexts, a collection of papers examining the Donatist Controversy by specialists in the religious, cultural, social, legal and political history and archaeology.

Richard has additionally written and hosted a number of television documentaries, including 'Carthage, the Roman Holocaust' (ABC), 'Ancient Worlds' (BBC) and 'Archaeology: A Secret History’ (SBS).

As Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Richard will be the Deputy Chief Academic Officer leading the academic operations of the University while also serving as Chair of the Academic Council and Vice-Chair of the University Management Board. He will also be the line manager for all the Pro-Vice-Chancellors and Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellors. Richard will also Co-Chair the Strategic Implementation Board and Act as the Joint SRO for the Belfast Region City Deal Projects.

Richard will take up post in February 2025.
 

Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Engineering and Physical Sciences

Professor Roger Woods, currently Dean of Research in the Faculty, will take up the role of Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Engineering and Physical Sciences on Thursday 1 August.

Roger’s research focuses on the design and implementation of innovative systems for image processing systems, security systems for WiFi-based networks and embedded AI platforms for data analytics, including practical implications and close collaboration with industry.

He is Co-founder and Chief Scientist of Queen’s spin-off company, Analytics Engines Ltd.
 

Associate Vice-President for Operations and Special Projects

Alistair Finlay will assume a new role as Associate Vice-President for Operations and Special Projects. This new role has been established following the governance review and will focus on several vital projects, including leading institutional Audit and Risk, the cultural and people transformation project, acting as the main point of contact with the Trade Unions, leading health and safety requirements and also undertaking partnership and engagement projects, including the coordination of the University’s relationships with the UK and Ireland-based Higher Education bodies and organisations.

He will also lead and coordinate the development of organisational resilience, chairing major and serious incident coordination groups as necessary, undertaking other special projects as designated by the University Management Board.

Alistair will take up post effective from 1 July 2024.
 

Director of Academic Services

Maria Lee has been appointed to the substantive role of Director of Academic Services and will take up post effective immediately.

Maria has been acting in the post for nearly three years, leading the Education and Student Services Directorate team to provide the highest quality support to enable our students to thrive in their academic, personal and future professional lives.

Maria Lee has been appointed as Director of Academic Services within the portfolio of Students and Corporate Services, which includes the following services:

• Admissions and Access
• The Library
• Student Administration and Systems
• Timetabling and Room Bookings
• Immigration Support Services
• Academic Affairs
• The Centre for Educational Development

A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Maria has over 30 years of experience in Higher Education. She has held several key positions at Queen’s including Acting Director of Education and Student Services, Head of Educational and Skills Development and Head of the Centre for Educational Development.
 

Director of Student and Campus Experience

Liz McLaughlin has been appointed as Director of Student and Campus Experience within the portfolio of Students and Corporate Services, which includes the following services:

• Accommodation
• Careers, Employability and Skills
• Childcare
• Campus Food, Drink and Retail
• Queen’s Sport
• The Graduate School
• Student Affairs
• The Students’ Union

Liz has over 20 years of experience working within the Higher Education sector with a focus on delivering the student and campus experience. Previously Deputy Academic Registrar at Trinity College Dublin and, prior to that, Head of Sport at Queen’s, Liz has acted as Interim Director of Student and Campus Life for the past six months.

Taking up post effective immediately, she will work to enhance the student experience alongside developing the new Directorate.