Professor Andy Schofield has been appointed as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, taking up the role on 1 October 2025.

Professor Schofield is currently Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University, a position he has held since May 2020. He was previously Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Engineering at the University of Birmingham.

The appointment was made following an open and competitive recruitment process, supported by Saxton Bampfylde, after Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli announced in April he would step down from the role in 2025.

Professor Schofield will join the University on 1 September 2025 and will have a four-week handover period with Sir Anton.

Commenting on his appointment as the University’s 51st Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Schofield said: “It is a great honour to have been appointed as the next Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow.  Glasgow is an impressive, world-changing institution which has made huge strides under Sir Anton’s leadership.  I very much look forward to building on his legacy and working with a brilliant set of colleagues to take the University forward.”

Professor Schofield has an academic background in theoretical condensed matter physics, specialising in correlated electrons. He studied Natural Sciences followed by a PhD at the University of Cambridge where he was appointed to a Research Fellowship in 1992. He moved to the United States of America in 1994 working at Rutgers University for two years before returning to Cambridge.

In 1999 Professor Schofield moved to the University of Birmingham and was promoted to Professor of Theoretical Physics in 2002.  He held a number of leadership positions within the University of Birmingham before becoming Pro-Vice-Chancellor.

Since his appointment at Lancaster University, Professor Schofield has taken up the role of Senior Independent Member on the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).  He chairs the USS Employers Pensions Forum and is a board member of the Universities and Colleges Employers’ Association (UCEA). Professor Schofield is an honorary fellow of the Manufacturing Technology Centre and champions the UK International Campus Alliance Network (UK-ICAN).

University of Glasgow’s Convener of Court, Gavin Stewart, said: “I am delighted Professor Schofield will be joining the University as its 51st Principal and Vice-Chancellor. Professor Schofield has an exceptional academic record, along with the strategic vision and extensive leadership experience required to open the next successful chapter in our long and distinguished history.

“As the University of Glasgow approaches its 575th anniversary, I know everyone across our community will welcome Andy and will work with him to further raise our global ambitions and reputation.

“I would also like to put on record the Court’s gratitude and appreciation to Sir Anton for leading the University over the past 15 years to its current strong position.  I look forward to continuing to work with him over the next 12 months.”

First published: 26 September 2024

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