University Appoints New Assistant Vice-Principal of Diversity
- Maria Ebrahim
- Mar 3
- 2 min read
The University of St Andrews has appointed Professor Akira O’Connor as Assistant Vice-Principal (Diversity) of the University’s senior management team, officially filling the role starting 1 March.
O’Connor, a Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology and Neuroscience, joined St Andrews in 2010, and became Chair of the Race Equality Charter (REC) in 2022.
Run by the charity organisation Advanced HE, the REC is a national charter which seeks to help universities and research institutes improve “the representation, progression, and success of minority ethnic staff and students in higher education in the United Kingdom,” according to the University’s website.
In September 2024, the University received a Bronze REC Award for initiatives led by O’Connor, accrediting the University’s work toward race equality of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic people in the community.
Speaking to The Saint in 2024, O’Connor said: “People of colour in particular often aren’t elevated to positions of seniority within the University, […] so [...] I wanted to make sure [...] that in our own domain of working on race equality, we didn’t reproduce those failings within the University’s hierarchical system.”
In a university-wide email, University Principal and Vice-Chancellor Dame Sally Mapstone said that O’Connor’s “leadership of our REC bid was defined by a quiet determination and unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion, factors which were pivotal in our ability to set out an ambitious and meaningful case and REC action plan.”
“I am greatly looking forward to Akira joining our senior team,” Mapstone said, adding, “When so much of the world appears to be turning its back on EDI initiatives, I think it is right that we again signal the centrality of diversity to who we are as a university, and the strength it gives us all.”
Photo Provided by the University of St Andrews
This is a really encouraging update and it was interesting to read about the university appointing a new Assistant Vice Principal of Diversity. Leadership roles that focus on diversity, equity and inclusion are so important in higher education because they help shape a campus culture where all students and staff feel welcomed and supported. When institutions take steps to strengthen their commitment to diverse perspectives and inclusive practice, it can make a meaningful difference in how people experience learning and community life. I remember learning in my own studies how critical these roles are for policy development, student support services and creating space for underrepresented voices. For anyone tackling assignments on topics like diversity, university leadership or organisational change in…