The Vice-Chancellor’s role is to lead the University, and to help to direct and achieve the University’s strategy goals. The Vice-Chancellor also chairs the University Senate, sits on the University Council, is response for securing sufficient funding, and represents the University externally.
Professor Mark E. Smith CBE, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton
Professor Mark E. Smith has been President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton since October 2019.
He has overall responsibility for the University’s operations and helps to direct and achieve its strategic goals.
The Vice-Chancellor also chairs the University Senate, is a member of the University Council and represents the University externally.
Throughout his academic career, Professor Smith has published more than 380 papers about advanced magnetic resonance techniques, helping to understand a range of problems in the field of materials physics. He is currently a member of the executive group overseeing the National High Field Solid-State NMR Facility at the University of Warwick.
In addition to his role as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton, he holds a number of external appointments which currently include Chair of Advance HE’s Board and a member of Research England’s Council, a part of UKRI.
He has been on various sector bodies including the former Chair of the University and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) 2016-2022, the Senior Independent Member of UKRI EPSRC’s Council, and a board member of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, chairing their Research Wales Committee.
Professor Smith was awarded a CBE for Services to Research and Higher Education in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Prior to joining the University of Southampton, he was Vice-Chancellor at Lancaster University from January 2012 until September 2019 and held the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick.
You can contact the Vice-Chancellor by getting in touch with Marie Cross, Executive Officer. Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 8681 or email: vice-chancellor-eo@southampton.ac.uk .
How the University is run
Learn about how the University is run, and who helps to make the most important decisions about our strategy
Useful links
Information on Vice-Chancellor remuneration