Glasgow Caledonian appoints new senior leaders

New roles at University

Glasgow Caledonian University is delighted to announce the appointment of three new senior leaders covering Education, Engagement and the School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment.

Caroline Bysh has been appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor Engagement and will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies, programmes and initiatives to promote Glasgow Caledonian’s external engagement. She will join the University on 17 January.

Professor Louise Dixon has been appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor Education.  Starting on 12 February, Louise will be responsible for developing and delivering Glasgow Caledonian’s Strategy for Education and providing leadership and direction for the University’s learning and teaching activities.

Professor Joanna Lumsden has been appointed as the new Dean of the School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment (SCEBE) and will provide strategic, academic and operational leadership to the School and University, starting on 8 April.

Welcoming the appointments, Glasgow Caledonian’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Decent said: “I’m delighted to welcome Joanna, Louise and Caroline to our senior leadership at the University.  They bring with them a wealth of experience and will each have a vital role to play in ensuring Glasgow Caledonian University excels in delivering high quality education and research excellence for the communities and businesses we serve.”

Professor Lumsden said: "I am delighted and excited to have been appointed Dean of the School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment at Glasgow Caledonian University and thus to be joining a university that is dedicated to transforming the lives of its students, community, and society at large via delivery of exceptional education and impactful research focused on the Common Good."

Professor Dixon said: “I am thrilled to be taking up the position of Pro Vice-Chancellor Education at a university that prides itself on supporting the Common Good. It is a privilege to guide the educational journeys of students who will shape our future and address the complex challenges that society faces. I look forward to serving the local community and positively impacting the lives of people in Glasgow, Scotland and beyond through tertiary education at Glasgow Caledonian University.”

Caroline Bysh said: “I am delighted to be joining Glasgow Caledonian in this inaugural Pro Vice-Chancellor role at such an important and exciting time. The University has a history of strong engagement - from international and civic to the personal transformation that students undergo in their time with the institution. I'm really looking forward to leading the next stage of this in a cohesive way, and to strategically positioning Glasgow Caledonian University as both a force for good and a force to be reckoned with.”

Biographies

Caroline Bysh  

Currently the Vice-Principal External Relations and Student Experience, at SRUC, Scotland’s Rural College, Caroline has extensive leadership experience as a Director covering external relations, public affairs, marketing, recruitment, international,  engagement, digital and communications for organisations including SRUC, University of the West of Scotland, and the University of Reading. Caroline has undertaken a range of consultancy work, is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Vice Chair of the SCDI Regional Committee for the South of Scotland, member of the Scottish Government ‘Women in Agriculture’, and holds a number of Strategic Advisory Board Member positions including for Springpod, an online platform for young people to explore, interact and learn about the world of work and university before they apply.

Professor Louise Dixon

Joining us from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, Louise worked as the Dean of their Faculty of Science.  Louise has gained extensive academic experience across two continents, working at both Victoria and the University of Birmingham. Her work predominantly focuses on leadership in the field of psychology and the prevention of family violence and she has a significant track record as a director and designer of innovative postgraduate programmes and research-focused centres. As a Professor and registered Forensic Psychologist, Louise has influenced practice and policy in prison, policing, ministerial, health and mental health settings. Currently she is a co-editor on an international handbook series on the rehabilitation of offending behaviour, and Associate Editor of Partner Abuse.

Professor Joanna Lumsden

Joining Glasgow Caledonian from Aston University, Joanna is currently the Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor Research Integrity and has just finished an extended term as the Head of Department of Software Engineering and Cybersecurity. Joanna has extensive experience of leading large teams of academics, teaching fellows, researchers, and support staff, and delivering strategic university-wide leadership in research ethics and integrity.  A Professor of Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Joanna established and leads HCI research at Aston, established the Aston HCI Lab, and delivers associated training and consultancy to a range of stakeholders. Joanna has also undertaken a range of research-related positions at the University of New Brunswick, Canada, and National Research Council of Canada (NRC) Institute for IT – e-Business. Joanna has also worked at the University of Glasgow and is returning to her home city of Glasgow.