This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in assuring and enhancing the quality and standards of the University's taught provision, supporting the University in meeting its regulatory obligations and maintaining a strong focus on continuous improvement in learning, teaching and the student experience.
About the role
The Academic Quality and Standards Committee (AQSC) is a sub-committee of the Education and Student Experience Committee (ESEC), with responsibility for overseeing risks to the academic quality and standards of the University's undergraduate and postgraduate taught provision.
The Education and Student Experience Committee provides strategic oversight of the University’s education and student experience activity, including delivery of the education and student experience strategic plans. It also has overall responsibility for approving policies and frameworks supporting the assurance of quality and standards.
Supporting ESEC as a sub-committee, AQSC provides detailed scrutiny and assurance on matters relating to academic quality and standards, including institutional compliance with relevant external requirements such as the Office for Students Conditions of Registration. It maintains oversight of sector developments, reviews the effectiveness of academic regulations and quality assurance frameworks, and promotes enhancement through the sharing of good practice across the University.
As Chair, you will lead the Committee's work, ensuring that meetings are focused, effective and conducted in accordance with the Committee's Terms of Reference. You will guide discussion, support constructive decision-making and help ensure that the Committee remains focused on matters of strategic importance within its remit. The Chair will also work closely with colleagues in Academic Registry and committee members from across the University to ensure effective oversight of academic quality and standards.
The Committee normally meets five times each academic year, with additional meetings arranged where required.
Who we are looking for
We are seeking expressions of interest from academic colleagues who can demonstrate:
- A strong interest in academic quality assurance, academic standards, and quality enhancement in higher education.
- Significant knowledge and experience of academic quality and standards, including academic regulations, quality assurance policies and processes and institutional governance.
- A good understanding of the UK higher education regulatory and policy environment, including relevant external quality assurance expectations and requirements.
- Experience of chairing committees, boards, task-and-finish groups or other collaborative forums.
- The ability to lead discussions effectively, maintain focus on agreed objectives and ensure that business is conducted within the Committee's remit.
- Strong communication, facilitation and relationship-building skills, with the ability to foster constructive and inclusive discussion among colleagues from different disciplines and professional backgrounds.
- The confidence to identify, challenge and escalate issues where appropriate while maintaining a supportive and collaborative approach.
What is expected from you?
The Chair of AQSC is appointed by the Co-Chairs of ESEC and will normally serve a term of three academic years, with the possibility of reappointment in line with the Committee's Terms of Reference.
Prior to each meeting you will be expected to work with the Secretary of the Committee to agree the agenda, as well as read the meeting papers electronically.
There are normally five meetings per academic year, lasting two hours each. Meeting preparation is expected to take around four hours per meeting, and additional time will be required to engage with ad-hoc committee business, planning and training (approximately 30 hours).
As AQSC Chair you would also be attending ESEC meetings, so additional time will be needed for attendance and preparation for the meetings of ESEC (approximately 25 hours).
The overall time commitment for the Chair of AQSC is therefore expected to be around 85 hours per year.
What you will gain from the role
This is an opportunity to take on an academic leadership role and contribute to the University's oversight of academic quality and standards. As Chair of AQSC, you will help safeguard the University's reputation for academic excellence, support discussions on matters of institutional importance and support continuous enhancement across taught provision. The role offers valuable experience in committee chairing, governance and strategic oversight, while providing opportunities to develop your understanding of the higher education quality assurance and regulatory landscape and build relationships with colleagues from across the University.
How to express your interest
If you are interested in serving as Chair of the Academic Quality and Standards Committee, please submit:
- a statement (350 words maximum), outlining your relevant skills, experience and reasons why this role interests you
- letter of support from Head of Department/Line Manager
Expressions of interest should be sent to the AQSC Secretary, Sally Lewis, by Wednesday 21 October 2026.
Informal enquiries about the role are welcomed and can be directed to Prof Momna Hejmadi or Sally Lewis.