Alison joins from Birmingham City University where she was Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Design and Media for three and a half years, overseeing seven Schools including the Queens Anniversary Award-winning School of Jewellery and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with over 5,500 students and 400 staff.

Other previous roles include Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean for the Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities at De Montfort University and twelve years at Oxford Brookes University.

Alison is a National Teaching Fellow and Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has been an Aurora national role model for Women in Higher Education Leadership for the Leadership Foundation, UK.

She originally studied Fine Art Sculpture at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design, London, and had an early career in public art and community engagement projects, often in challenging environments including Class A maximum security prisons.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rama Thirunamachandran, said: “I am delighted to welcome Alison to our University. Alison brings over 25 years’ experience in a broad range of senior academic leadership roles and a proven track record of transformational senior leadership in higher education.

“Her exceptional skills and experience will help us to develop our Strategic Framework, 2023-2030, deliver the academic strategy of the University in alignment with the work of our professional services areas, and enhance the student experience and student journey from applicant to alumni.”

Alison commented: “I was drawn to Canterbury Christ Church University as a values-driven organisation and because of its positive leadership culture led by the Vice-Chancellor. I am pleased to be joining the University at an exciting stage in its advancement and I look forward to working in partnership with staff, students and our stakeholders towards the development of a new ambitious strategic framework. I hope you will join me in embracing the many opportunities ahead of us to be a transformational university delivering an exceptional student experience which exceeds expectations, promotes access and inclusion and is informed by purposeful research and civic responsibility.”