Acting Vice-Chancellor announced

Computer scientist Professor Maria Fasli will be the University’s Acting Vice-Chancellor from 1 August 2024.

An international recognised expert in computer science, artificial intelligence and data analytics, Professor Fasli will take on the role for a 12-month period after being officially appointed by the University’s governing body Council.

Professor Fasli has undertaken numerous key leadership roles at the University of Essex and has been a member of the University Steering Group since 2019 as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Health.

She will take on the role when current Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony Forster retires at the end of July after 12 remarkable and transformational years. 

Chair of Council Jane Hamilton, who also chaired the Selection Panel, said: “I am delighted that Professor Fasli will be our new Acting Essex Vice-Chancellor. Her experience, creativity, passion for the University, and vision for its continued success – including responding to the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead for us – shone through.”

Professor Fasli said: “I am deeply honoured to be appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor and continue to serve the University in this key role. I look forward to working with colleagues to support an environment of innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in education and research and together continue to offer our students a transformative experience at Essex.”

Alongside her work at Essex, Professor Fasli has held the title of UNESCO Chair in Analytics and Data Science since 2016 and plays an international role in addressing the challenges of helping developing and transitioning countries to gain the data science and analytics skills they need for the 21st century.

She been based at Essex for more than 25 years. She completed her PhD at Essex in 2000 and was appointed a professor in 2012. She was Head of the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering from 2009 and 2014. She was founding Director of the Institute of Analytics and Data Science between 2014 and 2019 and continues to serve as Director of the ESRC Business and Local Government Data Research Centre, a role she took on in 2018.

Other senior leadership changes

Professor Neil Kellard has been appointed as Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor from 4 August 2024 and Professor Graham Underwood has been appointed as Acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Health from 1 August 2024. Both appointments will be until to 31 July 2025.

Professor Kellard is a Professor of Finance at Essex Business School. Previously he was Dean, Interim Dean, Deputy Director, member of the Senior Management Team and Head of the Finance Group for Essex Business School. Neil has also been a member of Academic Staffing Committee at the University of Essex and has held several external positions including Chair of the UK’s Conference of Professors of Accounting and Finance (CPAF) and Methodologist at the Chartered Association of Business Schools' (CABS) International Guide to Academic Journal Quality. He is also an Honorary Academic Fellow at the Centre for Responsible Banking and Finance, University of St Andrews, an Advisory Editor for the International Journal of Finance, an Associate Editor for the European Journal of Finance, and an Editorial Board member for the British Journal of Management.

Professor Graham Underwood joined the University in 1992. He is a marine and freshwater biologist, conducting research into microbial ecology, biogeochemistry and the response of environments to environmental and man-made impacts. He was Head of the School of Biological Sciences between 2008 and 2011, and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Health from 2013 to 2019. During that time, he oversaw the establishment of the School of Sports, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, the building of the STEM Building on Square 1, and significant expansion of the faculty’s departments and their research and teaching infrastructure. He has been Chair of NERC's Science Committee and currently Chairs the cross-UK government Blue Carbon Evidence Partnership.