Surrey appoints new Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation

Professor Collins will join Surrey from the University of Leeds where she is Professor of Animal Science and Pro-Dean for Research and Innovation in the Faculty of Biological Sciences. She brings a wealth of experience leading pan-University strategic initiatives, including as Academic Director of the National Pig Centre and Deputy Director of the Global Food and Environment Institute.  

In light of her outstanding track record as a researcher, Lisa has been recognised for her contribution to research with fellowships to the Learned Society of Wales (FLSW), Royal Society of Biology (FRSB) and Royal Statistical Society (FRSS). 

Lisa holds a number of public appointments associated with both UK and Scottish government departments. She was appointed to the Defra Science Advisory Council in 2021, and in 2022, became a Trustee and Board member for the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) where she advises on the strategic growth of the UK aquaculture industry. In 2022, she was also appointed to the Scottish Government's Environment and Forestry Directorate Research Portfolio Scientific Advisory Board. 

Surrey’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Max Lu said:  

“Professor Collins brings her expertise and passion for research and innovation, and a proven understanding of the potential of interdisciplinary approaches to deliver creative solutions to intractable problems. I am confident that with Lisa’s leadership, she will further accelerate Surrey’s research impact for the benefit of society. 

“Lisa will undoubtedly bring success with her when she arrives; of equal importance will be her values-led approach to leadership. In that respect, Lisa fits perfectly into my expectations for what Surrey stands for and how we communicate our values to each other, our students, and our stakeholders.” 

Lisa has long experience of being part of funding bodies’ decision-making committees. She has served as a member of two of the five Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council’s (BBSRC) committees, BBSRC's Animal Welfare Research Network, and co-chair of UKRI’s Transforming Food Production call panel. She has been a panel member for a range of funding and centre for doctoral training calls related to animal welfare and food production, artificial intelligence, as well as being a panel member for the Flexible Talent and Mobility Awards.  

Commenting on her appointment, Professor Lisa Collins said: 

“I am excited by the outstanding potential that Surrey’s research expertise and world-class facilities offers to the local, national and international research community, and to industry, government and third sector parties. Surrey’s unique combination of science, arts and innovation-oriented facilities offer the potential for enormous creativity both within and across disciplines. Surrey's strategy to increase the concentration of interdisciplinary research and innovation has enormous transformative potential.” 

Professor Collins will join the University of Surrey in the Autumn.