We sat down with Professor Dame Sally Mapstone DBE, FRSE to discuss her new role as Universities UK President.
Dame Sally assumed the role of President of Universities UK in August. In 2016, she was appointed as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews. During her tenure, she has safeguarded and enhanced St Andrews' international excellence in teaching and research through the creation and implementation of the University Strategy (2022–27), which positions social responsibility at the heart of university life, through a commitment to becoming net zero by 2035, and a prioritisation of diversity and inclusivity across the community.
What are your aspirations as the new president?
I hope that I can bring energy, enthusiasm, and experience to the role. The role of president at Universities UK is an important one, one where it is necessary to show leadership but a collegial leadership. It’s important to listen to the diversity of voices across the sector—something across my career I have been committed to.
I would like the university sector to be seen in terms of the solution it offers rather than being the problem. We need to reframe our narrative in a way that enables the sector collectively and individually to present itself creatively, constructively, and positively.
