by Fred Byrne & Amelia Boag McGlynn.
*This article has been edited on request of University of Aberdeen to withdraw details of the identity of Aberdeen University Students’ Association newly appointed CEO.*
Professor Pete Edwards will become University of Aberdeen’s new Principal from the start of next month.
The academic currently holds the position of Vice-Principal for Regional Engagement and has been spearheading the University’s transformation strategy Adapting for Continued Success.
“His appointment follows a competitive internal process,” shared the University in a staff memo, adding “Professor Edwards will take over on 1 November from Professor George Boyne who has led the University since 2018.”
Current Principal George Boyne announced his earlier-than-planned retirement in February amid a senior management exodus, prompting the search for a new Principal. University officials twice failed to secure an external candidate before inviting existing staff members to apply for the Principal position.
It was originally announced that Prof Boyne’s retirement would take place in December 2025, but this has been moved to the 31st of October to allow Professor Edwards to transition into the role as soon as possible.
Outgoing Principal Boyne shared he was “very pleased” to congratulate his successor, adding that “Pete will be leading a University community with an exceptional number of talented and productive academic and professional services staff.”
Professor Edwards graduated from Leeds University with a PhD in computational chemistry in 1988, then joined University of Aberdeen (UoA) as a postdoc in Computing Science before becoming a lecturer three years later, and then a Professor in 2009.
His academic career has seen him publish “over 180 papers in international journals and peer-reviewed conferences” according to his LinkedIn profile. As VP for Regional Engagement, Edwards has focused on innovation activity and digital strategy, and chairs the Adapting for Continued Success programme overseeing the plan for operational changes at the institution.
He has an extensive list of previous office appointments at UoA behind him, including Head of Computing Science (2002-2005), Head of Graduate School for the College of Physical Sciences (2005-2011) and Head of the School of Natural & Computing Sciences (2018-2021).
University rector Iona Fyfe welcomed the news of Prof Pete Edwards’ appointment:
“An internal appointment is really promising as our new principal has spent many years in the University community. I hope that under new leadership, the University will place greater emphasis on exploring revenue raising projects in new and innovative ways, but first and foremost protect jobs at the University.”
Christina Schmid, Student President at the University of Aberdeen Students’ Union, said:
“We congratulate Professor Pete Edwards on his appointment as Principal of the University of Aberdeen. We hope his leadership will continue to champion student engagement and amplify student voice across the University. We were pleased to be involved in the selection process and to bring the student perspective into these discussions. His experience and regional connections are a positive opportunity to strengthen the University’s role in the Northeast. We look forward to working together to build on our shared commitment to an inclusive, student-centred university community.”
Meanwhile, fourth year psychology student Hunter reacted with hope for more consideration given to voices across the institution:
“I’d like the new Principal to listen to the voices of students and staff, to be transparent about the ways in which decisions are made and be open to working with student groups, staff, and trade unions to come to agree on courses of action which are amenable to everyone involved.”
Senior law lecturer Scott Styles welcomed Prof Edwards’ appointment, too:
“I think most staff are just relieved we finally have a new principal. As the acting Senior VP he was the safe choice, and as a member of the senior management team, he can hit the ground running.
“The university is facing a challenging financial position and I am hopeful that our new principal will lead by embracing maximum financial transparency and engaging in meaningful consultation with individual schools’ staff, AUSA, UCU and with the University Senate – the body established by law to control educational matters.”
The law lecturer, who is an elected member of University Senate, added:
“According to The Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Act 2016 Section 21, an academic board, also known as Senate, is responsible for the overall planning, co-ordination, development and supervision of the academic work of the institution, and discharges that responsibility subject to the general control and direction of the governing body of the institution.”
New Students’ Union CEO chosen
A season of change is upon the University and its other institutions.
Over summer, previous Aberdeen University’s Student Association’s (AUSA) CEO Graeme Kirkpatrick left to lead University of St Andrews Students’ Association.
AUSA has been searching for a new CEO to head the cause, with Lorna Cruickshank appointed as the interim chief of the association. However, this is set to change as a new CEO has been chosen to take over in the coming months.
At the request of UoA and AUSA, The Gaudie has withdrawn from publication the identity of the new AUSA CEO until an official announcement is made.
