New Education Pro Rector appointed at Imperial

Professor Debra Humphris, a leading innovator in higher education and healthcare, is today announced as the new Pro Rector (Education) at Imperial College London.

Currently the Pro Vice Chancellor (Education & Student Experience) and Professor of Health Care Development at the University of Southampton, Professor Humphris will take up the new role on 15 October, succeeding Professor Julia Buckingham, who has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of Brunel University.

As Pro Rector (Education) Professor Humphris will be responsible for the College's overall educational strategy, and will focus on the quality of teaching and its assessment, and the promotion of the most effective methods to enhance learning.

Reporting to the President & Rector, she will join the College's Management Board, the senior management committee, which is responsible for the vision and overall strategy for the College.

President & Rector, Sir Keith O'Nions said: "Imperial provides an outstanding education for its students who are attracted to us from all over the world. But it must look for continual improvement and Debra's innovative approaches and expertise in enhancing the student experience will be welcomed by everyone at Imperial working so hard for our students."

Professor Humphris said: "I am delighted to be joining Imperial College given its international reputation for excellence in both research and teaching. Working alongside the College's staff and students presents an extraordinary opportunity to further develop an educational experience which is creating the scientific leaders of the future."

As Pro Vice Chancellor at Southampton, Professor Humphris was responsible for the creation, leadership and delivery of the University's education strategic plan, as part of the overall institutional strategy. Priorities included enhancing the student experience from application to graduation and beyond, placing emphasis on employability and equipping graduates with the transferable skills necessary to excel in the workplace. As a champion for the student voice during her time at Southampton, Professor Humphris worked closely with the Students' Union to agree a five year strategic plan to enhance key aspects of the student experience, including feedback.

Looking forward to working with the Imperial College Union, Professor Humphris said: "Imperial College Union's paper in response to the College's results in the 2011 National Student Survey (NSS) was carefully constructed, well reasoned and well argued, and I am keen to explore this further when in post."

Prior to her appointment as Pro Vice Chancellor, Professor Humphris was Director of the Health Care Innovation Unit at the University of Southampton, which focused on education innovation in health and social care.