Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Professor Ian Pickup (Interim)

Role

Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor and serving as a member of the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor provides oversight and leadership on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, to the academic domain of the University. The role provides significant support in developing and delivering the University's academic strategy and provides visible corporate leadership on issues assigned and agreed by the Vice-Chancellor.

In particular, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor deputises for the Vice-Chancellor, as appropriate and when needed. In addition, the role chairs the VCE-Academic (whose members are the two Pro-Vice-Chancellors, the four Executive Deans and the Director of Academic Services) and is responsible for leading its shape and development as an effective and accountable coordinator group. The role also ensures the effectiveness and appropriateness of pedagogy such that curriculum, tuition and student experience are fully integrated and applied consistently across the institution.

Ian's background

Ian is a passionate advocate for the role that universities play in society; originally a 'first generation' student, he understands the transformative potential of higher education across the life journeys of all learners. Ian gained a BA (with QTS) from the University of Warwick and holds a PhD in Education from the University of Roehampton. He is a National Teaching Fellow, a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Professor of the Student Experience in Higher Education.   

Following roles as a schoolteacher, rugby player, development officer and coach, Ian's career in higher education started as an hourly paid lecturer at the University of Roehampton, where he progressed to become Principal Lecturer in the School of Education. He contributed to a diverse range of national and international initiatives in education, authoring key texts and journal articles. Ian was the UK partner in a European Union project centred on early years teacher education and supported the training of education practitioners working in post-disaster contexts.

Ian joined The OU in April 2023 from the University of East London, where he held the position of Pro Vice Chancellor (Education & Experience) and Chief Operating Officer – responsible for the leadership and delivery of all elements of the student experience. Prior to this, Ian was Deputy COO (Student and Academic Experience) at SOAS University of London, Head of the Student Experience at University College Cork, Ireland, and Director of Student Affairs at the University of Roehampton. 

Ian has held several external roles in higher education, sport and charities across his career. He is currently a trustee of 'LYR', a charity using the power of sport (in this case rowing) to change lives. He is a member of the Common Purpose London Advisory Board, and until recently was Chair of the London Higher Operations Network. Previous roles include Chair of the Confederation of Student Services in Ireland, advisory board member for the Higher Education Design Quality Forum, and board member of Pro-Active South London.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​