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Sponsored by Muckle LLP

 

 

'Standards will drop' and other fears about the equality agenda in higher education: Professor Brink will discuss, on the basis of experience in South Africa, the UK and Australia, some common fears and negative opinions about the equality agenda in higher education.

 

His full paper can be read at http://www.ncl.ac.uk/about/assets/documents/standards.pdf

 

Professor Chris Brink took up his position of Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University on 1 August 2007. He is the academic and executive head of the University. 

 

Before taking up his position at Newcastle, Professor Brink was Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University in South Africa, where he led a transformation agenda which attracted national and international attention. While at Stellenbosch he also served as Chair of the Advisory Board of the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences, a Trustee of the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, and the Honorary Colonel of the Military Academy of South Africa. At local level he teamed up with the Executive Mayor in an initiative called “Reinventing Stellenbosch”, with a regional development agenda.  

 

Before going to Stellenbosch, Professor Brink served as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Wollongong in Australia. While at UoW, he restructured the University's activities in research, innovation and commercialisation.  Besides his University commitments, he served as a Board member of several organisations, including a company in high performance computing (at the Australian Technology Park in Sydney), the Regional Development Board, and the interim Board of the national Cooperative Research Centre for Smart Internet Technology. Before going to Australia, Prof Brink served as Professor and Head of the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at the University of Cape Town. 

 

Professor Brink is known for his interdisciplinary work, and has an international profile in research leadership. He has extensive experience in research, teaching and university administration, and has served in review panels or in an advisory capacity to a number of universities internationally.                               

 

 

About Diversity Week

 

Diversity Week is a celebration and exploration of equality and diversity issues across all aspects of University life. This week will include a mix of lectures, seminars, events, and other activities organised by both staff and students. The focus will be on the following five areas:

 

Research

Teaching

Engagement

Work

Life

 

Activities are open to staff, students and visitors.