Vice-Chancellor Professor Debra Humphris is responsible for leadership and management of the university, within the policies laid down by the Board of Governors of which she is an ex-officio member. Her role involves line management for all University Executive Board members and Dean of Brighton and Sussex Medical School.

Debra joined University of Brighton in December 2015 from Imperial College in London, where she held the positions of Pro-Rector (Education) and Vice-Provost (Education) between 2012 and 2015. In three years she effected real change in the college’s position on teaching and learning, having developed and implemented the college’s first education and student strategy – with extensive consultation and involvement from staff, students, the Students’ Union and alumni.

From 2000–2012, Debra worked at the University of Southampton, progressing through a number of director roles to Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education).

Originally qualifying as a Registered Nurse, Debra spent 20 years in the NHS including Senior Research Fellow at the South Thames Regional Health Authority, and at St George’s Hospital Medical School. She achieved her PhD in 1999, which considered the implementation of policy into clinical practice.

In all of her roles, Debra has championed quality of student experience, and communication and advocacy of the institution and its engagement with internal and external communities.

As an openly LGBT senior leader in higher education, Debra is passionate about equality and diversity.