A leading figure in the field of educational research in the UK is to join the University of Dundee as Vice Principal.
Professor James Calderhead, Dean of the Division of Access and Continuing Studies at the University of Bath takes up the post, which carries special responsibility for educational development, on 1 March 2003.
Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Dundee Sir Alan Langlands welcomed the appointment: "I am delighted that James Calderhead is joining the senior academic management team as Vice Principal. He has a track record of success and will bring insight, experience and energy to the task of implementing our learning and teaching strategy. I have no doubt that he will be a major asset to the University."
Professor Calderhead said: "Dundee is well positioned as a university for the 21st century and I am excited by the challenge of taking on the role of Vice Principal at a time of radical change in higher education. I will do all that I can to build on the many successes of the University."
A graduate of the University of Dundee, where he studied psychology from 1968-72, Professor Calderhead has a wide experience in teaching, research and administration.
After completing a PhD at the University of Stirling, teacher education at Moray House College, Edinburgh University and teaching posts, he joined the University of Lancaster in 1979 where he lectured for ten years.
In 1990 he moved to the University of Bath, becoming Dean of Access and Continuing Studies in 1997- a division formed to co-ordinate outreach and widening participation. His deanship involved the oversight and strategic direction of five centres including distance and continuing education, e-learning initiatives and collaboration with associated colleges. He was also responsible for the University's Business Services Centre and Teaching Company Scheme.
Under his management, the School of Education at the University of Bath improved its Research Assessment Exercise grading from 3 to 5 while also developing a training programme in teacher education described by HM Inspectorate as a "brand leader". He introduced a successful modular Masters programme at Bath which has been taught at several study centres overseas and has managed a wide range of outreach activities including developing higher education provision with a group of further education colleges, developing a continuing professional development campus in Swindon and the Centre for Lifelong Learning in Bath.
He was responsible for the University's Learning and Teaching strategy from 1998-2000, has chaired their Quality Assurance Committee and served on the University Court and Senate.
Further afield, Professor Calderhead has served on a number of key agencies including as a panel member on the last two Research Assessment Exercises, as president of the European Educational Research Association 1994-97; as a member of the Quality Assurance Agency working group on developing a code of practice for external examining and in an editorial capacity on a number of education journals including six years as European editor of the Journal of Curriculum Studies.
He is a member of the Society for Research into Higher Education and the European Educational Research Association and, in the course of his research, has had eight books and over 45 papers published.
Professor Calderhead takes the post vacated by Professor David Swinfen who has recently retired after 40 years with the University of Dundee.
By Carol Pope, Head of Press and Publications 01382 348342 c.l.e.pope@dundee.ac.uk