Exeter appoints new Vice-President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience

Professor Liz Jones has been appointed as the Vice-President and Deputy Vice -Chancellor for Education and Student Experience at the University of Exeter.

Professor Jones joins Exeter from the University of Leicester, where she has been Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education since October 2021. Prior to this, she was Dean of Education for the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities.

Professor Jones will join Exeter on 1 October, initially to work alongside the current incumbent in the role, Tim Quine until the end of the year.

She will officially take sole charge of the role at the start of 2026.

As Vice-President (Education & Student Experience), Professor Jones will be responsible for delivering the University’s Education and Student Experience Theme of Strategy 2030.

She will oversee Exeter’s vision for teaching, learning and the student experience, identifying priorities focused on enhancing undergraduate and postgraduate provision, supporting and enabling educators, and responding to the opportunities presented by digital transformation.

Professor Jones will also work closely with the Education Leadership Team across the University’s academic faculties to ensure the University maintains its excellent academic quality and standards and seeks to innovate to improve the educational experience of all students.

Speaking about her appointment, Professor Jones said: “I am really delighted to be joining the University of Exeter in the DVC Education and Student Experience role. Exeter is such a fantastic university, with a reputation for excellence in both education and research. I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone and getting to know staff and students.”

Professor Jones is particularly passionate about embedding wellbeing, inclusivity and respect into educational practices, and is committed to delivering the highest quality education in the most inclusive way.

Previously, she has led projects on student belonging and learning community, on the awarding gap and black student experience, and implemented a curriculum consultant initiative to place student voice at the heart of educational change.

Professor Jones also secured a TEF Gold for Leicester and has led initiatives resulting in significant NSS improvements, including around assessment and feedback.  She is also a Professor in French Studies, specialising in Life Writing and Cultural Geography.

Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor, said: “I am thrilled that Professor Liz Jones will be joining the University of Exeter as our new Vice President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience.

Our University places significant emphasis on the life-changing education we provide our students, and the importance of partnering with our students to co-create a unique, world-class, Exeter experience.  This is why we are one of only four Russell Group universities to have been rated “triple gold” in the most recent Teaching Excellence Framework. 

I know that Liz is particularly passionate about delivering the highest quality student experience, and about placing innovation and inclusion at the heart of all we do.  I am looking forward to working with Liz over the coming years to challenge and inspire our community of learners from every background to thrive, develop the skills they need for the future and lead the change the world needs.”