Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost

Professor Andy Dougill is Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at Northumbria University.

As Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, Andy is a key member of the University Executive, working in close partnership with the Vice-Chancellor to shape and deliver the University's strategic ambitions, academic vision, and long-term financial sustainability.

He provides strategic leadership for the University's academic colleagues, overseeing the development of academic talent, the evolution of the academic portfolio, and performance of the faculties through the leadership of the Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellors.

Working closely with the Chief Financial Officer, Andy leads the University's integrated planning, resource allocation, and performance management processes, ensuring alignment between strategic priorities, investment decisions, and institutional outcomes.

Andy partners with the Chief People Officer to foster strong and constructive engagement with recognised trade unions, supporting effective workforce planning and positive employee relations.

He sponsors and leads the University's portfolio of strategic transformation initiatives, collaborating across executive leadership teams to drive organisational effectiveness, innovation, and sustainable growth. This includes close partnership with leaders across Finance, People, Digital, and Marketing functions.

With a focus on academic excellence, Andy leads the continuous enhancement of academic quality, performance, and impact, ensuring the University delivers a research-intensive, business-engaged, and student-centred experience. He oversees the development and delivery of the academic portfolio in support of the University's research, education, and knowledge exchange objectives.

Working collaboratively with faculties and staff representatives, Andy also leads the strategic development and implementation of academic workload and workforce models, ensuring resources are deployed effectively to support institutional priorities and future success.

Prior to joining Northumbria, Andy was the Dean of Sciences at the University of York (2022-206) and previously was at the University of Leeds (1998 – 2022), where he held roles including Executive Dean of the Faculty of Environment, Dean for Global Development and Head of the School of Earth and Environment.

Andy has a PhD from the University of Sheffield for a study on ‘Soil Hydrochemical Characteristics and Rangeland Environmental Change in the Kalahari, Botswana’. Prior to this, he obtained a BSc Geography degree also from the University of Sheffield. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

Andy is an applied environmental change researcher who has worked across a range of disciplines (including soil science, ecology, climate services and environmental social sciences) to explore environmental sustainability and climate change adaptation challenges affecting African food systems. He has built longstanding partnerships across a range of universities and partner organisations through a strong commitment to impact, capacity-building and research training.

Andy attended Wolfreton School in Hull.

Contact the Deputy Vice-Chancellor