Since joining the University as Vice-Chancellor in 2009, Professor Don Nutbeam has been focused on enhancing Southampton’s reputation as a world-leading, research-led institution. Soon to hand over the reins and return to his research interests in public health, he reflects on what has changed over the past six years and talks about some of the memorable moments that have characterised his time here.
Looking back over your time as Vice-Chancellor, what are you most proud of?
First and foremost, I am very proud of the University’s academic successes during my time as Vice-Chancellor.
One of the most significant measures of academic progress was the outcome of the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) covering the first five years of my time as VC. We’ve improved our position nationally and within the Russell Group and I was delighted to see that the new rankings for research intensity placed us eighth in the country. We regularly claim to be a research-intensive university – now we have clear, unequivocal evidence of our status.
I’m also proud that we have been able to invest in more than 120 new academic staff and in our teaching and research infrastructure. New facilities such as the Mountbatten Building, the Life Sciences Building and Southampton Boldrewood Innovation Campus have all become operational during my time at the University.
You talked about the need for greater flexibility in the undergraduate curriculum in your inaugural address six years ago; what was the thinking behind that?
I was concerned that in the higher education sector generally, degrees have become highly specialised, and that this trend was out of alignment with what’s happening in the world of work. Many of today’s students can expect to have several careers during their working life. I wanted us to be able to offer students an opportunity to add breadth to the depth of study they get from their nominated academic programme.
The University’s Curriculum Innovation Programme (CI) was a direct outcome of this and I’m grateful to my colleagues who took on the hard work of implementing it. It has been embraced enthusiastically by the academic community and by students – in 2013/14 more than 2,000 undergraduates opted to take CI modules. I’m also delighted that we have exceeded my initial ambition by making Major/Minor programmes available in some subject areas well ahead of the original schedule.
What other challenges were you keen to tackle when you arrived here?
When I first came here I was surprised at how modest and “shy” the University seemed, so I was particularly keen to raise our global profile and work with colleagues to build a portfolio of activities that reflected our international standing and ambitions.
I think we look and feel much more like an international university than we did six years ago. We’ve done a good job of bringing the world to Highfield; there are now students from more than 135 countries here, but importantly, having brought the world to Southampton, we are now doing a good job at taking Southampton to the world. During the past six years the University has built a portfolio of significant international partnerships – beyond the signing of a routine memorandum of understanding (MOU). These partnerships have resulted in major external investments in research, and niche teaching collaborations in Malaysia, China and Singapore. They are delivering outstanding science, providing access to significant additional resources, and enabling unique opportunities for staff and student mobility. They have done much to raise our profile and impact internationally.
Our media presence has also grown during my time here. It’s been all about creating an outward-facing university that’s more confident about its place nationally and internationally.
What opportunities have you had to interact with students?
One of the great privileges of being Vice-Chancellor is that you get to experience the wide range of student initiatives. For example, every year I unveil the Formula Student car. This always makes me a bit anxious, as at the time of the unveiling the car is usually missing significant parts (brakes, steering etc), with the competition only days away! But somehow the team always manages to put it together in time and compete successfully in the international competition.
I’ve engaged with our Enactus social enterprise activities and have found the student group completely inspiring. I’m also proud of our commitment to support the defence forces through the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme and Officer Cadet schemes. My impressions of the students on these programmes have always been exceptionally positive.
I’ve continued to give occasional lectures. I taught on the CI Global Health module and have given lectures within postgraduate programmes in Medicine and Health Sciences. I always try to make lectures as participative as possible and really enjoy interacting with students in this way.
What other positive changes have you seen in your time here?
When I arrived I was surprised at how few women were in the most senior positions in the University. This has changed significantly, with half of the most senior roles now being held by women. There is still a long way to go at the next level of leadership, but I am positive about the progress achieved.
I am glad we’ve been able to recognise our staff publicly through the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards, and to introduce activities such as the staff party and Christmas lights switch-on that bring our University community together. We had our first Christmas event especially for families last year and I hope this is something that will continue.
Have you found time to maintain your own research interests?
With the goodwill and support of several colleagues at this University and elsewhere, I have been able to remain an active researcher during my tenure as Vice-Chancellor. My work was included in the University REF submission, as a part of the Social Policy Unit of Assessment. The University’s ranked fifth in the country for this unit. It is possible that my inclusion dragged down the average and without it we would have been ranked in the top three, but I take a more optimistic view!
What are some of the more unusual opportunities that have arisen during your time as Vice-Chancellor?
I’ve been lucky enough to do some fascinating international travel and to visit places that usually remain behind closed doors. Being part of the group accompanying the Prime Minister on a major business and skills missions to India, Brazil, Malaysia and Japan were always interesting and unpredictable experiences. Our research links with the security services mean I’ve also had the rare privilege of visiting MI5 and GCHQ. I could tell you more but…
A real highlight was going to Buckingham Palace with a group of academics and students to receive the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education on the University’s behalf. After the formal ceremony, we sipped champagne and chatted with Her Majesty The Queen in the Palace’s picture room. That is certainly a moment I will remember.
Read Don Nutbeam’s farewell address here.