Debra Humphris

Last updated

Debra Humphris
Vice Chancellor of the University of Brighton
Assumed office
1 December 2015
Occupation
  • Academic
  • nurse
Salary£250,179 (2021–22) [1]

Debra Humphris CBE FRCP is an English academic and nurse who has been the vice chancellor of the University of Brighton since 2015.

Biography

As a registered nurse, Humphris worked at the South Thames regional health authority and St George's Hospital Medical School, where she conducted research for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. [2] [3] She received her PhD degree from the University of London in 1999 after defending her thesis, "The implementation of policy into clinical practice: the use of research evidence by doctors, nurses and therapists". [3] [4] After completing her education, Humphris became a professor of health care development at the University of Southampton, where she led the New Generation Project to evaluate the university's health care curriculum. [5] In 2008, she became the pro vice chancellor for education and student experience at the University of Southampton. [6]

Preston Barracks in 2012 Preston Barracks, Lewes Road, Brighton (December 2012) (1).JPG
Preston Barracks in 2012

Humphris was appointed as pro rector for education at Imperial College London in 2012, and vice provost for education in 2013. [5] She became the vice chancellor of the University of Brighton on 1 December 2015, succeeding the retiring Julian Crampton. [2] She is one of few openly LGBT university leaders in the United Kingdom. [7] As vice chancellor, Humphris advocated for the transformation of Preston Barracks, an 18th-century military installation, into new student residences and the university's business school. [8] [9] In 2018, she was elected as a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. [3] She was elected as the chair of the University Alliance, an association of 21 universities, in 2019. [7]

Throughout her time at the University of Brighton, Humphris has faced opposition from staff, students, politicians and local community leaders. On multiple occasions she has been accused of poor leadership.[ citation needed ] In 2016, Humphris announced the closure of the university's campus in Hastings, claiming that it was "not sustainable". The move met with widespread opposition, including from the Brighton Student's Union who called the vice-chancellor's plans "intentionally vague and misleading". [10] The main staff union called the closure "educational vandalism" and the leader of Hastings Borough Council accused the University of a "asset stripping". Humphris walked out of a meeting with students after they called for her to resign and she was booed out of the room. [11]

In May 2023, Humphris announced her intention to make 110 staff redundant.[ citation needed ] In response, the campus branches of the trade unions UCU and Unison organised a vote of no confidence in Debra Humphris and her senior team. By 30 May 2023, the overall no confidence vote stood at 94% renewing the calls for the vice chancellor's resignation.

Humphris was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2023 Birthday Honours for services to education and the National Health Service. [12]

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References

  1. "Financial Statements for 2021-22". University of Brighton. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  2. 1 2 "University of Brighton announces successor to long-standing vice-chancellor". The Argus. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 Paddick, Rebecca (8 April 2018). "Brighton V-C receives professional honour". University Business. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  4. Humphris, Debra (1999). The implementation of policy into clinical practice: the use of research evidence by doctors, nurses and therapists. EThOS (Ph.D). British Library. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Brighton appoints new VC". University Business. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  6. Grove, Jack (25 June 2015). "University of Brighton names new v-c". Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  7. 1 2 Morgan, John (28 September 2019). "LGBT v-c aims to put diversity at heart of UK policy debate". Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  8. Vowles, Neil (22 April 2016). "First images of £150 million redevelopment of former army barracks revealed". The Argus. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  9. Walton, Josh (28 September 2017). "£300m plan for Preston Barracks site in Lewes Road, Brighton, approved". The Argus. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  10. "University of Brighton 'disguising' Hastings campus plan". BBC News. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  11. "Unions, students, staff and council attack campus closure plan". The Argus. 12 March 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  12. "No. 64082". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 June 2023. p. B9.