University of Derby announces new Vice-Chancellor

Professor Kathryn Mitchell BSc, PhD, CPsychol, will succeed Professor John Coyne as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby from September this year.

At a meeting of the University’s Governing Council last week, its members unanimously agreed to endorse the recommendation made by the recruitment panel to appoint Professor Mitchell.

She will follow Professor John Coyne who retires from his role of Vice-Chancellor at the end of July after 11 years’ service at Derby and more than forty years in higher education.

Professor Mitchell is currently Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of West London (UWL) with special responsibility for academic provision and quality across the University. She previously held the senior positions of Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic and Student Support Services and Dean of Students.

Prior to joining UWL she was a Wellcome Fellow at the Institute of Psychiatry, London.

Professor Mitchell has studied at the Universities of York and London, and worked at the University of Chicago, the Rockefeller Institute, New York and the Friedrich Miescher Institute in Basel. She is a chartered Psychologist and plays an active role within the Institute for Practice and Interdisciplinary Research (INSPIRE), supervising and directing a range of research programmes. She is married with two children.

Chris Hughes, Chairman of Governing Council at the University of Derby, said: “During the recruitment process Professor Mitchell’s values, passion, intellect and ability shone through. She demonstrated a student-focused approach, a refusal to compromise on quality and a passion for both further and higher education and learning for life.

“Professor Mitchell is committed to building on the increasingly important role of the University in working with both the business and public sector, helping to drive forward the local and regional economy as well as further developing the University’s significant impact in the cultural, sporting and social arenas.

“Her ambition for what we may achieve over the next five years was compelling and realistic, while ensuring careful stewardship of our existing achievements. Following John would have been difficult for whoever we appointed but she has the same passion for students, teaching and research, which are fundamental qualities for the next leader of our University.”

Professor John Coyne said: “The best ten years of the University are ahead of it and I have every confidence that the University has found the ideal person to lead the next period of its success. Kathryn will have my full support to ensure she comes into a University with purpose and momentum."