Term of office ends: n/a, sits on HEPI Advisory Board ex officio as President of Universities UK

Professor Steve Smith has been Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter since October 2002, and is the current President and Chair of Universities UK.

At Exeter, Professor Smith has led a major reorganisation of the University’s academic and administrative structures designed to align it with the new challenges of the higher education marketplace. The University now has an investment programme of £140 million, has recruited 130 new staff over the last year and has developed major new initiatives with strategic partners such as a new campus in Cornwall and new medical and dental schools. It was voted tenth in the UK for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey.

Professor Smith has a BSc in Politics and International Studies, an MSc in International Studies and a PhD in International Relations, all from Southampton University.  He has previously been Senior Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Professor of International Politics at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. During his academic career he has contributed to or written 13 books, nearly 100 academic papers and has given over 150 academic presentations in 22 countries. Professor Smith's career has included positions as Director of the Centre for Public Choice Studies at the University of East Anglia and Head of the Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth. In 2001 he became only the second UK academic to be elected President of the International Studies Association in the USA. He was also the recipient of the Susan Strange Award of the International Studies Association in 1999 for the person who has most challenged the received wisdom in the profession.

If you would like to contact Professor Steve Smith, please do so via the Vice Chancellor’s Office of the University of Exeter.