Brighton University has appointed a new vice chancellor. Debra Humphris will join from Imperial College London where she is currently education vice provost.
She will replace Julian Crampton who joined the university 10 years ago and has led it through a period of rapid growth.
The chairman of the university’s board of governors, John Mogg, said: “Our recruitment campaign attracted an exceptionally high calibre of applicants.
“We are delighted Professor Humphris has agreed to become our new vice chancellor.
“She brings a wealth of experience and skills as an innovator with a proven track record of delivering high-quality results and with a driven commitment to ensuring a first-class student experience.”
Professor Crampton said: “I’d like to warmly congratulate Professor Humphris on her appointment.
“Her credentials as an outstanding academic and an inspiring and dynamic leader will, I know, guide the University of Brighton to further success.”
Professor Humphris said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have the privilege to become the next vice chancellor of the University of Brighton.
“This is a successful institution with a very exciting future and I look forward to working with students, the Students’ Union and with staff as we step up to the next level.”
The university has about 21,000 students at three campuses in Brighton and one each in Eastbourne and Hastings.
Lord Mogg said that the university enjoyed a reputation for innovation, for anticipating and responding to professional and industry needs and for its responsibility to the health and economic wellbeing of society.
He said: “We collaborate with partners from industry, commerce, the arts, business, other universities, colleges and research institutions in the UK and around the world.
“We are recognised as a ‘rising research star’ with 95 per cent of our research now rated as world leading, internationally excellent or internationally recognised.
“Professor Humphris’s skills and expertise go hand in hand with this institution’s ambitions and ethos.
“She is the right person to build on our achievements and to lead the university to even greater success.”
Professor Humphris qualified as a registered nurse and later held positions as senior research fellow at the South Thames Regional Health Authority and at St George’s Hospital Medical School.
In 1999 she was awarded a doctorate – a PhD – after looking at the implementation of policy into clinical practice.
Professor Humphris joined Southampton University in 2000 as director of the New Generation Project, a role which explored inter-professional education in health care programmes.
While at Southampton she was involved in reforming the undergraduate curriculum.
She is also a member of the Higher Education Funding Council for England’s National Student Survey Advisory Group and has chaired the Enhancing the London Student Experience Network.
In 2003 she was appointed director of the Health Care Innovation Unit at Southampton, a position that focused on education innovation in health and social care.
And from 2008 Professor Humphris was the pro vice chancellor (education and student experience). While at Southampton, she was appointed professor of health care development.
Professor Humphris became pro rector (education) at Imperial College in October 2012 and in August 2013 she was appointed vice provost (education).
Professor Humphris will start work in Brighton on Tuesday 1 December.
