UWE Bristol appoints new Deputy Vice-Chancellor
See all news![Portrait shot of Professor Amanda Coffey.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/professor-amanda-coffey.jpg?la=en&h=300&w=760&mw=847&hash=181CECA7305F98F36E46F746665544BC)
Professor Amanda Coffey is to become Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) from April 2020. Currently working at Cardiff University, she replaces Jane Harrington who left UWE Bristol on 1 December to become Vice-Chancellor of the University of Greenwich.
Professor Coffey brings with her a wealth of experience. She has worked at Cardiff University since 1990, where she has occupied a number of senior roles and was most recently appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor, Student Experience & Academic Standards in 2016.
In this role, and as a member of the Executive Board, Professor Coffey has been leading several strategic initiatives, including a new £55m Centre for Student Life. She is also responsible for Cardiff University's teaching and learning portfolio, programmes of study, academic standards and the quality of the student experience.
She is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and held a leadership role in Cardiff University's work on the BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) attainment gap, and was the Executive Board disability champion.
As a sociologist, Coffey has a distinguished track record of research in a range of social science areas. These include education, young people, transitions to adulthood, and adoption studies. She has also served as the editor of leading social science journals including Sociology and Sociological Research Online, and as an executive editor of the British Journal of Sociology of Education.
Speaking about her appointment, which begins next spring, Professor Coffey said: "I am delighted to be appointed to this role, and am excited to be given the opportunity to work with colleagues, students and the Bristol community to help shape the future of the institution. UWE Bristol is a dynamic, forward thinking university with values I share.
"The unstinting commitment to the student experience is key to what makes UWE a great university. One of my priorities will be to ensure that all students realise their potential while they are studying at UWE, and are enabled to succeed.
"Among other things, this means working collaboratively and decisively to remove attainment gaps, and further strengthening the opportunities for all our students to become innovative and enterprising."
UWE Bristol Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve West said: "We are looking forward to welcoming Professor Amanda Coffey to the University in April at the start of our exciting Strategy 2030. Professor Coffey has been appointed following a rigorous and global recruitment process. She joins us with a wealth of expertise from a wide variety of academic and leadership roles spanning over 30 years.
Her energy and expertise will play a key role in shaping our University's future, working with our students and colleagues across our University community, and our partners in the city-region and beyond."
Related news
![Dr Matthew Jones, new Dean and Head of School of Architecture and Environment.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/new-dean-and-head-of-school-of-architecture-and-environment-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=8A3D0BEC2DEEEE8F0F0D3A9E2C565EA5)
07 June 2024
Academic selected as Design Council Expert
Dr Matthew Jones has been selected to join the new cohort of Design Council Experts.
![School of Engineering building at Frenchay campus](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/tef-results-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=0D500090FD93374139975E182E0863E1)
05 February 2024
Universities unite for joint pledge to tackle sexual violence and harassment
Universities in the west of England have pledged together for the first time to take a collective approach in tackling sexual violence and harassment.
![Dr Piers Taylor](/-/media/uwe/images/news/dr-piers-taylor-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=E3549ADE089CEF3F1075DCB5AA036154)
06 December 2023
Internationally renowned architect joins UWE Bristol
UWE Bristol has appointed Piers Taylor as Professor of Knowledge Exchange in Architecture.
![University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) logo white text on red background](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/uwe-bristol-logo-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=67146A1DB9B997F10E73868B2777DF7E)
16 October 2023
UWE statement on Israel and Gaza – supporting students and staff
UWE Bristol statement on Israel and Gaza.
![A computer generated image of the proposed new School of Health and Social Wellbeing building at Frenchay campus](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/glenside-relocation-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=EEF60481586235BD53691F4BE4E580B2)
28 September 2023
Building a School of Health and Social Wellbeing for the future
UWE Bristol is developing proposals to relocate its School of Health and Social Wellbeing from Glenside campus to Frenchay campus.
![School of Engineering building at Frenchay campus](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/tef-results-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=0D500090FD93374139975E182E0863E1)
28 September 2023
Teaching Excellence Framework: UWE Bristol provides an outstanding student experience
The student experience UWE Bristol provides has been judged to be outstanding in a new sector-wide assessment of teaching quality.
![Maddy Lawrence](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/maddy-lawrence-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=6084A796D099543ADDA7EE0365C0128E)
08 September 2023
Statement – Maddy Lawrence
UWE Bristol statement following the inquest into the death of Maddy Lawrence.
![Honorary graduates UWE Bristol Andy Marsh](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/honorary-graduates-andy-marsh-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=067BB65C08FE5A2ADEA48EA3754BD6E1)
31 July 2023
UWE Bristol awards seven recipients with honorary degrees
Seven people have been presented with honorary degrees during UWE Bristol’s summer graduation ceremonies at Bristol Cathedral.
![Professor Sir Steven West](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/steve-west-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=83A7E97473720C3A0A0621C479B46D1D)
17 June 2023
UWE Bristol Vice-Chancellor awarded Knighthood
Professor Steven West, Vice-Chancellor of UWE Bristol, has been awarded a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2023.
![Louise Mitchell and Steve West](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/beacon-steve-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=AE786D28C6DE1F658F9E08145FF75823)
09 May 2023
UWE Bristol and Bristol Beacon announce new partnership
UWE Bristol and Bristol Beacon are pleased to announce a partnership today, Bristol Beacon will be the new venue for UWE Bristol’s graduation ceremonies.
![A photograph of Geoff Rich smiling](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/news-conservation-and-retrofit-architect-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=04B2FA6A2E8A91139D1A530A1E395FEE)
27 February 2023
High profile conservation and retrofit architect appointed Visiting Professor at UWE Bristol
Geoff Rich, Managing Partner at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios in Bath has been appointed a Visiting Professor at the School of Architecture and Environment at UWE Bristol.
![An image of UWE Bristol Business School](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/goodratingawardedtouwebristolfordegreeapprenticeshipprovision410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=CDF2DB87962C4944204B122510016426)
10 February 2023
'Good' rating awarded to UWE Bristol for degree apprenticeship provision
UWE Bristol has been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted inspectors for its provision of degree apprenticeships.