South East Technological University (SETU) is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Harriet Dunbar-Morris as the University’s inaugural Chief Academic Officer and Deputy President.
The appointment of Professor Dunbar-Morris marks an important stage in SETU’s development. The new position was unanimously approved by the University’s Governing Body earlier this year and has taken effect this September.
Professor Dunbar-Morris joins SETU from the University of Buckingham, where she served as Provost and Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic, providing leadership for academic strategy, research, and the enhancement of learning, teaching and the student experience.
A Principal Fellow and National Teaching Fellow of Advance HE, Professor Dunbar-Morris has led major cross-institutional and sector-wide initiatives focused on educational enhancement and innovation throughout her career.
Professor Dunbar-Morris brings extensive executive leadership experience, with a strong track record in student experience, educational enhancement and sector-wide collaboration, contributing to measurable improvements in student outcomes and institutional performance. She is a regular contributor to national debate on the future of higher education and often features in the media.
Welcoming the appointment, SETU President, Professor Veronica Campbell said:
“We are delighted to welcome Professor Harriet Dunbar-Morris to SETU as our first Chief Academic Officer. Harriet brings exceptional academic leadership experience, a strong commitment to student success and a proven record of advancing evidence-informed innovation in higher education. We look forward to the contribution she will make in strengthening our academic community, enhancing the student experience and advancing SETU’s strategic priorities.”
Professor Dunbar-Morris recently undertook a Visiting Fellowship at the University of Oxford, where her research explores lifelong learning and the role of universities in supporting flexible, career-long education.
Reflecting on her appointment to SETU, Professor Dunbar-Morris said:
“I am thrilled to join SETU at a significant stage in its development. The University has an important role to play in transforming lives and communities across the South East through education, research and engagement.
I am looking forward to building on the excellent work already taking place across SETU and helping to create a learning environment where every student feels supported, included and able to reach their full potential.
Professor Harriet Dunbar-Morris Chief Academic Officer and Deputy President at SETU
Professor Dunbar-Morris has held senior academic leadership positions spanning academic strategy, learning and teaching, research and student experience across a number of institutions including Oxford, Bath, Bradford, and Portsmouth, and has played a significant role in advancing her institutions’ academic priorities and educational provision.
Her research focuses on learning and teaching, assessment, student belonging and institutional approaches to enhancing student success, with a particular interest in inclusive, high-quality learning environments that make a meaningful difference to students’ lives.
Professor Dunbar-Morris recently recorded a podcast with Times Higher Education, which can be found here: