DVC/PVC Network

The Advance HE DVC/PVC Network is a highly valued and influential community of DVCs, PVCs and equivalent senior leaders with the brief for learning and teaching, education, or the student experience at member institutions. It is a unique forum to share successful strategies for enhancing HE teaching and learning. The invitation only network for Pro Vice-Chancellors, Vice-Principals and Deputy Vice-Chancellors.

There are two events each year where the network comes together to consider and share experience on key strategic matters impacting higher education. A carefully curated agenda of presentations and discussions, shaped in partnership with the members of the network, provides leaders with precious quality time so often lacking in today’s environment. Time in which to network with peers from across the sector within a Chatham House Rule environment. Each event features a dinner and drinks reception.

DVC/PVC Network event

Date: 6-7 November 2024

Location: TBC

Our strategic networks and communities are one of the most valued ways in which we at Advance HE are able to engage with members and stakeholders. This network of senior leaders of education, student experience and learning and teaching is our longest running and most well established. It has proven to be an important and powerful group over the years for shaping sector response to key areas of policy. With high profile speakers and focus on the key issues and contemporary challenges we look forward to continue our support for senior leaders in coming together to share, connect and collaborate.”

Nick Skeet
Director, Membership
Advance HE

Network Event

The next DVC/PVC Network event is on 6-7 November 2024.

Speakers

Alistair Jarvis CBE

Pro Vice-Chancellor (Partnerships and Governance)
,
University of London

Alistair is a member of the senior executive team at the University of London. His responsibilities include governance, communications, fundraising, marketing, legal, student recruitment, inclusion, regulatory compliance, quality assurance and supporting partnerships with federation members.

Shahid Omer

Director of Policy
,
Universities UK

After an initial career in magazine publishing and media, Shahid Omer joined the civil service through the Civil Service Fast Stream and went on to have roles in Private Office, business finance (helping establish the British Business Bank), Industrial Strategy and as Senior Policy Adviser to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg during the Coalition Government.

Dr Kay Hack (PFHEA)

Lead Consultant (Education)
,
Advance HE

Kay leads a team of senior consultants to deliver a range of services to the HE sector to support strategic leadership and change in HEIs.

Kathryn O’Loan

Director for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (SWNI)
,
QAA

Kathryn has significant senior-level public policy experience, shaping strategy and managing complex stakeholder environments to deliver a positive impact for learners and staff. She had strategic oversight for SFC’s quality assurance and enhancement agenda across further and higher education provision in Scotland’s colleges and universities. 

Harish Lokhun

Head of Education, British Council Scotland

Harish brings together over 10 years experience of working in the international education space, having worked for various education organisations.

Simon Hewitt

Principal

Born in Portadown, Northern Ireland, Simon was educated at Portadown College and left Northern Ireland in 2001 to attend the University of Abertay Dundee, where he obtained a BSc (Hons) in Business Computing. Following a number of IT related roles, Simon moved into lecturing at Dundee College in 2008, specialising in Computer Network Management and Cisco Administration.

Professor Moira Fischbacher-Smith

Professor of Public Management and Vice-Principal (Learning & Teaching)
,
University of Glasgow

Moira Fischbacher-Smith leads the University’s strategy and policy development for learning and teaching, has responsibility for teaching quality, and works with colleagues across the University to support student and staff development in relation to teaching and learning.

Johnson Oshodi

Vice President (Education)
,
Robert Gordon University

Johnson, a multifaceted individual, was born in Lagos, Nigeria, where the vibrant culture and bustling atmosphere influenced his early years. His journey into technology started with a passion for understanding the inner workings of computers and their potential to transform society.

Professor Simon Guy

Pro-Vice-Chancellor
,
Lancaster University

Professor Simon Guy’s Global remit is to develop, connect and lead Lancaster University’s digital, international and sustainability strategy. He is currently leading the creation of Lancaster’s new campus in Indonesia, scaling up our campus in Leipzig, Germany, while also overseeing the evolution of our other partner campuses in China, Ghana and Malaysia.

Subuola Elufioye

Vice President Education, UWS Student Union
,
University of the West of Scotland (UWS)

Subuola Elufioye, an international student from Nigeria at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), is a dedicated sabbatical officer currently serving her second term as the Vice President of Education at the UWS Student Union.

Ulysse Tonnelé-Verjus

Vice President of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Students’ Union
,
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Ulysse Tonnelé-Verjus is the Vice President of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Students’ Union. Before undertaking his role, he studied piano, composition, and music education at the Conservatoire. He was lucky to start his studies in 2020 and be part of the last year of students to be granted Pre-Settled Status, allowing them to pay Scotland’s Home Fees and apply for UK citizenship after six years of residency. Before Glasgow, he had spent the majority of his life in Lyon, France, and two years in the US.

Professor Martha Caddell

Director of Learning and Teaching Academy
,
Heriot-Watt University

Professor Martha Caddell is Director of Heriot-Watt University’s Learning and Teaching Academy, inspiring curriculum, assessment and teaching innovation across the university’s distinctive globally-connected community. Her research and scholarship interests include academic practice and academic identities, educational leadership, higher education policy and pedagogy, and the internationalisation of higher education. Martha is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Dr Rebekah Widdowfield

Vice-Principal (People and Diversity)
,
University of St Andrews

A researcher by background, Rebekah worked in academia for a number of years, before joining the Scottish Government to pursue a more applied research career. She became a senior civil servant (SCS) in 2008 serving in a variety of analytical and policy roles including as Chief Researcher and as Head of Higher Education and Science.

Leen Ali

Student Union President, The University of Stirling

Leen graduated from the University of Stirling with a Bachelor of Honours degree in Sociology and Social Policy. Leen started at INTO Manchester with a foundation course as a 16 year old international student from Sudan and later transferred and did international year 2 at INTO University of Stirling before her undergraduate.

Opeyemi Oluwatosin Akindehin

Co-President of Education and Employability, Edinburgh Napier Student Association
,
Edinburgh Napier University

Opeyemi is a recent graduate of M.Sc. Environmental Sustainability at Edinburgh Napier University. She was elected as the Course Representative for her course and cohort. She did well to portray the issues her classmates faced to the relevant authorities. After her degree, she decided to run for the Co-President of Education and Employability for the Edinburgh Napier Student Association and got elected.

Can’t think of a better way to meet peers from across such a diverse range of universities in a relaxed and friendly environment. Fantastic sense of community and common purpose."

Dr Tracey McClean, Deputy Vice-Principal for Education, Institute of Health and Social Care Studies

'The event provided an opportunity to prompt my thinking whilst being reassured that I am not alone in the challenges we face."

Tony Michael, PVC Learning, Teaching and Student Success, QMUL

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The PVC network is a great opportunity to discuss shared challenges with colleagues from other universities and colleges."

Professor Helen Scott, PVC Learning, Teaching and Student Success Sheffield Hallam University