University of Lincoln Appoints New Vice Chancellor

The University of Lincoln is proud to announce Professor Neal Juster BSc PhD CEng FIMechE will take up the position of Vice Chancellor in October 2021. Current Vice Chancellor, Professor Mary Stuart CBE, announced her retirement in March.

Over the last 12 years, under Professor Mary Stuart, the University of Lincoln has grown in size, subject coverage, research activity and reputation: rising from 117th to 17th in the national league tables. This year it is the Times and Sunday Times Modern University of the Year. Over this period turnover has more than doubled, and student intake numbers have also increased significantly. Lincoln has opened a new building every year for the last decade, culminating with the creation of the Lincoln Medical School in 2021.

The University has ambition to continue this trajectory and build its international reach and global impact. It is therefore delighted to be able to appoint Professor Juster, an influential voice in higher education, an experienced senior academic, and a researcher to succeed Professor Stuart. He joins Lincoln from the University of Glasgow where he is currently Deputy Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice Principal. In this role he has been responsible for the development and implementation of the University’s strategy, the University-wide change programme aimed at enhancing the student and staff experience, and the Estates Strategy encompassing the £1bn expansion and redevelopment of the main campus.

Professor Juster has had a distinguished career in higher education spanning more than 30 years, including holding key roles at the Universities of Leeds and Strathclyde. His strategic planning ability has been recognised through appointment to the Strategy Committee of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and his knowledge of developing ‘fit for purpose’ academic buildings through appointment to the steering group overseeing the reinstatement of the iconic Mackintosh Building in Glasgow, devastated by two fires. He is a member of the QAA Advisory Committee on Degree Awarding Powers. He is also helping job creation through directorships of several successful business start-ups.

Professor Juster brings a strong research profile. He has written a number of books and papers on the subjects of design education, computer aided design and manufacture, and rapid prototyping, addressing and solving real world problems.

Diane Lees CBE, Director General of the Imperial War Museum and Pro Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, said: “We are delighted to welcome Neal to Lincoln at this pivotal moment in our institution’s history. So much has been achieved by so many committed and talented staff at Lincoln and Neal’s leadership will be crucial to create a vision and set the direction for the next period in our evolution.”

Professor Juster said: “I am honoured to be invited to lead the University of Lincoln through the next phase of its proud history. The University is vital to the city and its region. It attracts and retains talent, creates jobs, and contributes around £400m to the economy each year. Our collective ambition is to make Lincoln an institution of global significance and to build further on the amazing legacy that Professor Stuart has created.”