UWE Bristol appoints new Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Professor Amanda Coffey is to become Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) from April 2020. Currently working at Cardiff University, she replaces Jane Harrington who left UWE Bristol on 1 December to become Vice-Chancellor of the University of Greenwich.

Professor Coffey brings with her a wealth of experience. She has worked at Cardiff University since 1990, where she has occupied a number of senior roles and was most recently appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor, Student Experience & Academic Standards in 2016.

In this role, and as a member of the Executive Board, Professor Coffey has been leading several strategic initiatives, including a new £55m Centre for Student Life. She is also responsible for Cardiff University's teaching and learning portfolio, programmes of study, academic standards and the quality of the student experience.

She is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and held a leadership role in Cardiff University's work on the BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) attainment gap, and was the Executive Board disability champion.

As a sociologist, Coffey has a distinguished track record of research in a range of social science areas. These include education, young people, transitions to adulthood, and adoption studies. She has also served as the editor of leading social science journals including Sociology and Sociological Research Online, and as an executive editor of the British Journal of Sociology of Education.

Speaking about her appointment, which begins next spring, Professor Coffey said: "I am delighted to be appointed to this role, and am excited to be given the opportunity to work with colleagues, students and the Bristol community to help shape the future of the institution. UWE Bristol is a dynamic, forward thinking university with values I share.

"The unstinting commitment to the student experience is key to what makes UWE a great university. One of my priorities will be to ensure that all students realise their potential while they are studying at UWE, and are enabled to succeed.

"Among other things, this means working collaboratively and decisively to remove attainment gaps, and further strengthening the opportunities for all our students to become innovative and enterprising."

UWE Bristol Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve West said: "We are looking forward to welcoming Professor Amanda Coffey to the University in April at the start of our exciting Strategy 2030. Professor Coffey has been appointed following a rigorous and global recruitment process. She joins us with a wealth of expertise from a wide variety of academic and leadership roles spanning over 30 years.

Her energy and expertise will play a key role in shaping our University's future, working with our students and colleagues across our University community, and our partners in the city-region and beyond."