Professor Steve Decent joined Glasgow Caledonian University as Principal and Vice-Chancellor in January 2023.

Professor Decent brings substantial senior leadership experience and a strong affinity with the University’s values to the role. He joined Glasgow Caledonian from his position of Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Manchester Metropolitan University, where he led on strategic planning, academic delivery, and regional and business engagement, with a proven track record in widening access and growth of degree apprenticeships.

Formerly Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) and later Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development) at Lancaster University, and Vice-Principal and Head of College of the College of Art, Science and Engineering at the University of Dundee, Professor Decent chairs the UUK-Jisc national strategy group that governs negotiations with publishers on behalf of the UK’s Higher Education sector.

Having graduated with a BSc in Mathematics at Brunel University and a PhD at the University of St Andrews, Professor Decent moved to the University of Birmingham as a Research Fellow, followed by being a lecturer, before becoming Professor of Applied Mathematics and later the Head of School of Mathematics. He then took on the additional role of Director of Research and Knowledge Transfer in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.

Professor Decent is a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, and specialises in research on free-surface flows, including liquid jets and water waves. He also has a keen interest in hydrogen fuel cells.

The Glasgow Caledonian Principal and Vice-Chancellor position is the University’s most senior officer, responsible for the strategic direction and leadership of the University supporting more than 22,000 students in Scotland and around the world.

Get in touch

Britannia Building
City Campus
Cowcaddens Road
Glasgow, G4 0BA

Tel: +44 (0)141 331 3112
Fax: +44 (0)141 331 3174

Email: VCOffice@gcu.ac.uk