- Saskia Loer Hansen has been appointed as interim Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University
- She has previously held roles as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) and Pro-Vice-Chancellor International at the University
- Search and selection process for a permanent Vice-Chancellor is now underway.
Saskia Loer Hansen has been appointed as the interim Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University by Council, the University’s governing body.
She will lead the University after the departure of Professor Alec Cameron, who is stepping down at the beginning of December, until a permanent successor is in post.
Since September 2019, Saskia has held the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) at Aston University with responsibility for business and civic engagement, international and marketing, development and alumni relations, and for the University’s student support functions.
Prior to this appointment, she held the role of Pro-Vice-Chancellor International. This role covered responsibility for Aston University’s internationalisation agenda, delivering successful international student recruitment, inbound and outbound student mobility, opportunities for international research funding, and engagement with partners, sponsorship agencies and government officials across the world.
Saskia joined Aston University in September 2017, having worked at RMIT University in Australia since 2011 where she held different roles, including the role of Executive Director, Global Development and Performance, responsible for transnational education partnerships, international relations, global market intelligence, and prospecting activities and initiatives outside of Australia. Prior to that Saskia has at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland, and Aalborg University, Denmark.
Saskia has degrees in Social Anthropology and Ethnography and European Studies from Aarhus University, Denmark, and an MBA from Strathclyde in Scotland.
Dame Yve Buckland, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council, said:
“Over the coming weeks Saskia will be focusing on ensuring an ordered and stable transition to new leadership arrangements.
“Through the efforts of our staff, the University has successfully managed the challenges of the pandemic. With students back on campus and a challenging external environment, it is more important than ever to maintain our focus on our beneficiary-focused strategy and ensure we continue to move forward and deliver the best possible outcomes for our students, the businesses we work with, and our region.
“Saskia will be working with colleagues across the University to ensure our students continue to have a great learning experience and that the University seeks to maintain the highest standards for students and staff.”
The search and selection process for a permanent Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive is now underway, led by a Search Committee of University Council and Senate.
- Notes to Editors
Founded in 1895 and a University since 1966, Aston is a long established university led by its three main beneficiaries – students, business and the professions, and our region and society. Aston University is located in Birmingham and at the heart of a vibrant city and the campus houses all the university’s academic, social and accommodation facilities for our students. Professor Alec Cameron is the Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive.
Aston University was named University of the Year 2020 by The Guardian and the University’s full time MBA programme has been ranked in the top 100 in the world in the Economist MBA 2021 ranking. The Aston MBA has been ranked 12th in the UK and 85th in the world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Rebecca Hume, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44)7557 745416 or email: r.hume@aston.ac.uk
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