Sir Paul Grice to Support Professor Miller as Vice Convener, Continuing Leadership in Scottish Universities

Professor James Miller’s Career Background Reinforces Confidence in New Role as Convener

Scotland’s higher education sector is set to witness a new chapter of leadership with the appointment of Professor James Miller FRSE as the next Convener of Universities Scotland. This prominent role, representing 19 leading higher education institutions, will task Professor Miller with navigating challenges and harnessing opportunities over the next two years. His extensive experience as the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West of Scotland and his unanimous election by fellow Principals reflect their confidence in his leadership and vision. His tenure is expected to bring transformative changes to Scotland’s academic landscape.

Upon his appointment, Professor Miller emphasized the crucial role of universities as community anchors, catalysts for change, and global connectors. He acknowledged the pressing challenges faced by Scotland’s universities, particularly the need for a sustainable funding model, which he considers vital for securing the long-term future of the sector. Collaborating with funding bodies, he stressed, will be key to ensuring the continued world-class reputation of Scottish universities.

Professor Miller will be supported in his role by Sir Paul Grice, Principal of Queen Margaret University, who has served as Interim Convener since December 2024. Sir Paul will continue in his position until July 2025, after which he will transition to Vice Convener until 2026. Expressing his enthusiasm for working alongside Professor Miller, Sir Paul highlighted the strong collegiality within Scotland’s higher education sector and expressed confidence in Miller’s ability to uphold this spirit during his leadership. He also underscored the critical role of Universities Scotland during these challenging times and praised Professor Miller’s energy and insights. Professor Miller’s remarkable career journey further reinforces the confidence placed in his capabilities. Appointed Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) in November 2022, he made history as the first nurse in Scotland to hold such a position.

With a rich background in healthcare, he has previously served as Deputy Director of Nursing at West Lothian Healthcare Trust and as Divisional General Manager at South Glasgow University Hospital. He brings a wealth of academic and administrative expertise, having pursued nursing studies at North Lothian College, a post-registration degree at Abertay University, an MBA from Edinburgh Napier University, a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, and a qualification from Harvard’s Institute of Education Management.

In addition to his healthcare roles, Professor Miller has made significant contributions to academia, teaching nursing, healthcare management, and clinical leadership at four Scottish universities. His research has been widely published in peer-reviewed journals, and he frequently serves as a reviewer for several academic publications. Before his role at UWS, he was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Glasgow Caledonian University (2015-2022) and held leadership positions at the Open University in Scotland and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

In 2023, Professor Miller was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, further solidifying his status as a distinguished leader. He also serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Carnegie Trust for Universities in Scotland, The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, and the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS). Additionally, he is a member of the International Advisory Board for the Amity University Group in India. His election as the Convener of Universities Scotland’s International Committee in August 2024 further underscores his leadership in global academic collaboration. In conclusion, Professor James Miller’s vast experience and commitment to higher education provide a solid foundation for his leadership as Convener of Universities Scotland. His tenure is anticipated to advance Scotland’s universities through innovative solutions, collaborative efforts, and a continued emphasis on academic excellence.

Editor’s Note:

The appointment of Professor James Miller as the next Convener of Universities Scotland marks a significant turning point for the nation’s higher education sector. With an extensive career in both healthcare and academia, Professor Miller brings a wealth of experience and a forward-thinking vision to the role. Throughout his tenure, Professor Miller is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring that Scotland’s higher education institutions continue to thrive, adapting to evolving global demands while maintaining their world-class reputation. His focus on securing a sustainable funding model for the sector and fostering collaboration between universities and funding bodies will be key to the future success of Scotland’s academic landscape. With his background as the first nurse to become a university principal in Scotland and his history of senior roles in both education and healthcare, Professor Miller is uniquely positioned to understand the complexities facing both sectors.

Skoobuzz emphasises that his appointment is a clear reflection of the confidence his peers have in his ability to lead Scotland’s universities into a new chapter, one defined by resilience, innovation, and continued excellence.