Vice-chancellor search back on as prof ‘declines job’
THE search to find a new vicechancellor of Swansea University is back on after a leading Australian academic was offered the role, but is now understood to have declined the job offer.
As reported earlier this month by the Western Mail, Professor Alison Jones, deputy vice-chancellor (health and communities) of the University of Wollongong in New South Wales, had been offered the role, subject to ratification by Swansea University’s governing body in its council.
Swansea University declined to comment on whether Prof Jones had been offered the role and if she has now informed them that she will not be taking up what is one of the biggest jobs in the Welsh education sector.
A spokesman for the university would only say: “The appointment panel formed to select the new vicechancellor has completed the final interviews.
“All candidates took part in a wide range of assessments, including meeting with academics, students, professionals and stakeholders, with feedback given to the appointment panel to assist them in making their decision.
“The appointment of the new vicechancellor will be presented to a special meeting of the university council for confirmation, with an announcement expected shortly afterwards.”
It is understood that six candidates, five external and one internal in Professor Iwan Davies, made the final interviewing stage.
The current vice-chancellor, Richard B Davies, was suspended for alleged gross negligence in December.
Also suspended for alleged gross misconduct was dean of the university’s School of Management Professor Marc Clement, as well as two other unnamed members of staff.
Both Prof Davies and Prof Clement vehemently deny any wrongdoing.
It was confirmed earlier this week that Swansea University has made a formal criminal complaint as part of its investigation into the issues that led to four academics being suspended.
Mr Davies, who announced before his suspension that he would retire this summer, has an annual salary of £252,000.
The university currently has 20,000 undergraduate and post-graduate students and has a direct workforce of 4,800.
In 2013 Prof Jones, who has family connections to Wales, was awarded a fellowship by the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, cementing her reputation as one of the world’s leading clinical toxicologists.