Senate
The Senate is the academic authority of the University and has primary responsibility for the academic work of the University, both in teaching and in research, and for the regulation and superintendence of the education and discipline of the students of the University. Senate is defined by the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances.
Accordion
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Senate Members
The Senate is the academic authority of the University and draws its membership from the academic and Professional Services staff and the students of the institution. View the full list of Senate Membership.
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Senate Standing Orders
The Senate Standing Orders are the written rules which regulate the proceedings of Senate.
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Minutes of Senate
Please note that the minutes are usually published following formal approval at the next meeting.
2023/24
Minutes from meeting on 1 November 2023
Minutes from meeting on 27 September 2023
2022/23
Meeting on 14 June 2023 - cancelled
Minutes from meeting on 26 April 2023
Minutes from meeting on 8 February 2023
Minutes from meeting on 2 November 2022
2021/2022
Minutes from meeting on 16 June 2022
Minutes from meeting on 27 April 2022
Minutes from meeting on 9 February 2022
Minutes from meeting on 3 November 2021
2020/2021
Minutes from meeting on 16 June 2021
Minutes from meeting on 21 April 2021
Minutes from meeting of 10 February 2021
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Schedule of Delegations
The powers of Senate are outlined in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances (Ordinance 5A).
The Senate has delegated other decisions as defined in the Senate Schedule of Delegations and in the terms of reference of Senate Sub-Committees.
It is recognised that Council retains the ultimate accountability and corporate responsibility for the decisions made on its behalf.
The Organogram 2020 of decision making sets out delegated authority visually.
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Senate Sub-Committee
Senate Sub-Committee terms of reference and membership lists are available here.
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Senate Elections
There are currently 10 staff members standing for election to Senate as the member from the professional services staff community. Details of their nominations can be read below. The ballot is open until 17:00 on Sunday 2 June 2024. All members of staff eligible to vote should have received an email invitation. The elections use a single transferrable voting system which means voters will be asked to rank order candidates based on the votiers preference for them to serve on Senate. Voters may rank order as many of the 10 candidates as they wish. Any queries should be directed to Angela Potter (angela.potter@lancaster.ac.uk).
Senate Elections 2024: Candidate Biographies
Andrew Baker, Buildings and Laboratory Superintendent and Area Safety Officer, School of Engineering
(Nominated by: Professor Malcolm Joyce, Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise))
I have worked at Lancaster University for over 39 years, starting as a trainee technician in Engineering. I am a member of the School EDI Committee, Senior Management Group and the Faculty SHaW Committee.
Whilst at the University, I have served for 6 years on the University Council and the Estates Committee. I currently joint chair the University Health and Safety Consultation Committee with Nicola Owen, Deputy Chief Executive (Operations).
As a trade union representative, I have an extensive track record of striving for equal and fair treatment for all staff. This role has also allowed me to contribute to key University decisions and senior appointments.
I believe that I have the breadth of knowledge and experience to fully represent professional services staff at Senate. Through my roles and communication channels, I can provide staff with opportunities to engage with Senate and communicate key decisions taken by the academic body.
Tracy Davies, Departmental Officer
(Nominated by: Professor Edward Simpson, FASS Executive Dean, Lancaster University)
I have worked at the University for 27 years starting as Departmental Assistant before becoming a Teaching Co-ordinator in Social Work. Both roles were in Applied Social Science before the department was disbanded and Social Work joined Sociology. I am now Departmental Officer in Politics, Philosophy and Religion.
Over the years I have experienced many changes and since starting in PPR I have been keen to learn about decision-making at University, Faculty and Departmental level. To understand this, I have volunteered for numerous workshops and am currently an active member of FASS PRC, which I have been on for 3 years as one of the Departmental Officer Reps. I am also a member of the department’s Co-ordination and Management Committee and departmental meeting. I would very much like to represent Professional Services on Senate and if elected this would also enable me to experience the final stage of the University’s decision-making process.
Given my experience and knowledge of the University I feel that I can contribute to Senate discussions and debates from a PS perspective.
Yvonne Fox, Associate Director of Research Services
(Nominated by: Professor Malcolm Joyce, Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise))
Yvonne Fox’s research management career spans 26 years at Lancaster, supporting strategic development of research activities and leadership of a 50-strong team. She has extensive knowledge of the research landscape and of four research assessment exercises and was a REF2021 Panel Advisor (secondment) to Research England.
Yvonne understands the complex regulatory and compliance aspects of the research landscape and is committed to promoting the highest standards of research integrity at Lancaster. She understands the University’s culture and governance structures and collaborates with academic and professional colleagues across campus to further the aims of our strategic plan.
Her extensive external networks cross universities, professional associations, and research funders. Her experience, knowledge of the HE sector, and background concerning the research imperatives of the University in these challenging times, makes her an excellent candidate for Senate membership. Exposure that Senate representation will give Yvonne, will further develop her in her role.
Simon Harrison, Enterprise Programme Manager
(Nominated by: Professor Sarah Kemp, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Engagement))
I have led LU’s Enterprise Team in RES for nearly 11 years, following a career in international education, change management and business leadership in the cultural industries. In my role, I have ensured that all students have access to entrepreneurial learning and development opportunities to enhance their education experience, accelerate their employability and equip them to take meaningful action to address the societal and environmental issues they care about.
The expectations of prospective students that enterprise activities comprise part of the higher education experience are reflected by the OfS’ commitment of funding to LU students to add authentic value as agents of Knowledge Exchange and thereby harmonise our delivery of Teaching and Engagement.
While all Senate members are stakeholders in this agenda, the perspectives and operational insights I have gained are not formally reflected in the current membership, and I would be delighted to have the opportunity to provide them.
Dr Anna Mackenzie, Head of Corporate and Ceremonial Events
(Nominated by: Professor Simon Guy, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global))
I have worked at Lancaster since 2018. Prior to this appointment, I gained a PhD in English Literature and worked as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Chester. While at Chester, I also worked on strategic projects for the Vice-Chancellor and as Residential Support Manager, responsible for providing out-of-hours welfare support for residential students. I served on Chester’s University Council as professional services staff representative.
I have served on a range of committees; at Chester, I was a member of Research Committee, Student Experience Committee and University and Community Liaison Committee and at Lancaster I serve on the Honorary Degrees Committee.
I am interested in joining Senate as I believe I could contribute to discussions positively due to my varied background in higher education across academic, pastoral and professional services roles. I would welcome the opportunity for my own development and to experience another aspect of Lancaster’s operations.
Suzanne Parkes, Quality Assurance and Enhancement Manager, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
(Nominated by: Professor Alisdair Gillespie, University Academic Dean)
I joined Lancaster University in January 2019 as Quality Assurance and Enhancement Manager in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. I have worked within HE for a total of 16 years. Quality assurance work is varied and interesting, covering activities such as course approval, annual monitoring, external examiners, academic regulations, collaborative partnerships, committees, and professional body accreditation. I am fortunate to have a wide network of contacts that I work with across both academic departments and professional services.
I am interested in representing professional services staff on Senate because my work history to date means that I have insight and experience on a range of academic and student related issues. I have a strong background in cross-faculty working and would relish the opportunity to contribute towards informed University-level decision making that will help maintain academic quality and standards whilst delivering a positive student and staff experience for all.
Cara Pinder-Emery, Academic Quality and Standards Manager
(Nominated by: Professor Alisdair Gillespie, University Academic Dean)
I believe I would make valuable contributions to Senate discussions due to my diverse expertise in Higher Education:
- I managed the Global Summer Schools, building relationships with partner universities, and am now continuing my work in the international space as secretary for the Collaborative Partnership Sub-Committee;
- I managed the Student Success team, supporting students who meet widening participation criteria to progress through their studies;
- I currently enhance academic quality on LU-awarded degrees at Blackburn College, and on the LU apprenticeship provision (and recently lead a successful Ofsted inspection);
- I am currently the Senior Welfare Advisor for Cartmel College.
This professional development experience would also be an opportunity for me to apply competencies built during my studies on the Senior Leader Apprenticeship. I am dedicated to developing my career within Higher Education so that I can shape strategies and policies, streamline operations, and ultimately improve the quality of service for students.
Steven Powell, Digital Learning Team Lead (ISS)
(Nominated by: Dr Casey Cross, University Associate Academic Dean for Students)
I joined the University in 2004 as a learning technologist, supporting academic colleagues in developing their online pedagogy. In 2014 I became the head of the Digital Learning Team (ISS), leading on the continuous improvement of the VLE. During the pandemic, I played a pivotal role in enabling the rapid shift to online learning; co-creating minimum requirements for teaching; chairing a working group on hybrid teaching and implementing an online examination system. I contribute to decision making through my active engagement on cross faculty working groups, strategic teaching and learning review panels, and as a member of the Education Strategy Advisory Group. As a member of Senate, I will advocate for a digital first approach to meet the University’s ambitious strategic objectives and will employ my extensive expertise and experience in the field of digital learning towards delivering a personalised, inclusive learning experience for all our students across the globe.
Dr Sarah Sweeney, Head of Student Support and Wellbeing, Student and Education Services Division
(Nominated by: Sarah Fox, Director of Employability)
I have over 20 years’ experience working in higher education, at three different universities, progressing from administrative to leadership roles in student services, departments and research services. I joined Lancaster as Faculty Manager for Science and Technology in 2014, and in 2020 moved to SES as Head of Student Support and Wellbeing. At Lancaster, I have led transformative change projects including reviews of professional services (PS) roles in departments, the Student Digital Hub project, and service redesign in Wellbeing. I am passionate about innovation and committed to improving equality; I co-wrote Lancaster’s Athena SWAN submission and lead initiatives supporting our diverse staff and student communities.
I want to represent PS staff voices on Senate because I understand our crucial role in driving Lancaster’s success. With comprehensive knowledge of university structures, I would voice PS staff views, work collaboratively to develop solutions, and advocate for PS staff at all levels university-wide.
Victoria Tyrrell, Assistant Director Communications, External Relations
(Nominated by: Professor Nigel Davies, Distinguished Professor Computing and Communications)
I wish to contribute to the academic governance of the University, expand my own professional experience and networks and represent the Professional Services voice in shaping university policy.
I work collaboratively with academic and Professional Services colleagues, students, groups and external stakeholders to support a wide range of business including student recruitment, research, international partnerships and public engagement. I am committed to promoting the diversity and strengths of the Lancaster community and hope to add value to the Senate’s decision-making process.
Following roles with the BBC I moved into HE and now lead teams responsible for public affairs, media, social media, research communications, staff and student engagement and reputation management.
I am a Bonington alum, member of CIPR, sit on the silver incident response team and staff awards panel and represent the University externally (strategic communications) with the N8, Wesley Group, Eden North, UUK and Lancashire Cyber Partnership.