The Council is the governing body of the University and is responsible for overseeing the institution’s activities, determining its future direction and fostering an environment in which institutional objectives are achieved and the potential of all learners is realised. Subject to the Charter and Statutes of the University, the Council takes all final decisions on matters of fundamental concern to the institution.
The Senate is responsible for the academic work of the University and for providing the Council with assurance on academic quality.
The Council approves the University’s strategic plans, as well as learning and teaching, financial, people and culture, estates, and other operational strategies which underpin them, and monitors the University’s performance in achieving its goals, within a robust risk framework.
The Council is also responsible to the Department for the Economy for the proper use of public funds and for establishing and monitoring effective systems of internal control, risk, and accountability.
The detailed composition and functions of the Council are set out in the Charter, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations of the University.
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Terms of Reference for Council
- To provide leadership on strategy, stewardship and overall governance.
- On the recommendation of the Senate, to institute or discontinue Faculties and other academic Schools/Departments of the University and to establish and disestablish academic posts.
- To authorize and control the establishment and disestablishment of other posts and to determine the policies for the appointment, conditions of appointment and remuneration of all employees of the University.
- On the recommendation of the Senate, to designate persons, not being members of the Academic Staff, as recognized teachers of the University whose functions shall be prescribed by Regulation. This function is now performed by the Learning and Teaching Committee. It is not under the delegated Authority Framework table.
- To control the appointment of other persons working for or in, or providing a service, for the University and the payment of honoraria, fees and other remuneration to such persons.
- To make provision, so far as the Council may think fit, for schemes and insurance, superannuation pensions or retirement benefits for all employees of the University and their dependants.
- To determine all University fees and to impose and recover all such other charges and deposits as may seem to the Council to be necessary or appropriate. The Resources Committee receives and approves tuition and fees annually. It is not under the Delegated Authority Framework table.
- To institute, on the recommendation of the Senate (and subject, where appropriate, to any conditions acceptable to the Council and to the Senate which might be made by the founders) Fellowships, Studentships, Exhibitions, Bursaries, Prizes and other aids to study and research. The majority of this is under Learning and Teaching Committee and Resources Committee.
- On the recommendation of the Senate, to deprive persons of any Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates or other academic distinctions granted to or conferred on them by the University.
- On the recommendation of the Senate, and subject to Statute II, to make Ordinances to regulate the discipline of students and other persons.
- To receive and call for reports from the Senate, to review the work of the University and, subject to the powers of the Senate, to take such steps as it thinks proper for the purpose of advancing the interests of the University, maintaining its efficiency and encouraging teaching, the pursuit of learning and the prosecution of research therein.
- To accept, reject, review, amend or refer back any recommendation made by the Senate; provided that no such recommendation may be rejected or reviewed or amended before being referred again to the Senate for consideration and report.
- In accordance with Articles 5 and 16 of the Charter to do all things deemed necessary by the Council for the efficient management and administration of the revenue and property of the University; and in particular:
- to govern, manage and regulate the finances, accounts, investments, property, business and all affairs, including the risks associated with the business and affairs, whatsoever of the University and for that purpose to appoint bankers and any other officers or agents whom it may deem expedient to appoint and to cause books of accounts to be kept in such manner as to give a true and fair view of the state of the University’s affairs and to explain its transactions;
- to invest any moneys belonging to the University in such stocks, funds, fully paid shares or securities as the Council shall think fit whether within the United Kingdom or not, in the purchase of freehold or leasehold hereditaments, including rents; provided that, in the case of moneys held by the University as trustees, the power conferred by this paragraph shall be exercised subject to the provisions of the law relating to investments by trustees;
- to sell, buy, exchange, lease and accept leases of real and personal property on behalf of the University;
- to borrow money on behalf of the University and for that purpose to mortgage or charge all or any part of the property of the University whether real or personal unless the conditions of any will, deed, gift or other instrument are thereby contravened, and to give such other security whether upon real or personal property or otherwise as the Council may think fit;
- to provide the buildings, premises, furniture and equipment and other means required for carrying on the work of the University;
- to enter into, vary, carry out and cancel contracts on behalf of the University;
- to give on behalf of the University, guarantees, whether in pursuance of continuing arrangements or not;
- to receive and call for such reports and to make such arrangements as it thinks proper for the promotion and maintenance of efficiency and good order in the University.
In reaching decisions the Council will have due regard to their impact on, and implications for, the University’s commitment to ensuring equality of opportunity and good relations as outlined in its Equality Scheme, and associated policies, and where possible and practicable the Council will ensure that its actions are proactive in this respect.
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Statement of Primary Responsibilities
The Council is the governing body of the University and its members are the trustees in relation to the University’s status as an exempt charity. The Council is responsible for overseeing the University’s activities, determining its future direction, and fostering an environment in which institutional objectives are achieved.
This Statement is based on the model statement contained in the Higher Education Code of Governance, published by the Committee of University Chairs in September 2020, adapted to reflect the powers and responsibilities that the Council derives from its approved Charter and Statutes.
Consistent with the University’s constitution, the primary responsibilities of the University Council are as follows:
- To provide oversight and accountability for the University’s arrangements for governance and risk management.
- To set and agree the mission, strategic vision and values of the University with the Executive, in accordance with its primary objectives of learning, teaching and research.
- To approve and keep under review the University’s long-term academic and strategic plans, including key performance indicators, ensuring that these meet the interests of stakeholders, especially staff, students, alumni and other beneficiaries.
- To ensure that processes are in place to monitor and evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the University against the strategy, plans and approved key performance indicators, which should be, where possible and appropriate, benchmarked against other comparable institutions.
- To delegate authority to the Vice-Chancellor, as Head of the Institution, for the academic, corporate, financial, estate and human resource management of the University.
- Through an effective Scheme of Delegated Authority, regularly reviewed by Council, to establish and keep under review the policies, procedures and limits within such management functions as shall be undertaken by, and under the authority of, the Vice-Chancellor.
- To ensure the establishment and monitoring of systems of control and accountability, including financial and operational controls, risk assessment, value for money arrangements and robust procedures for handling internal grievances and managing conflicts of interest.
- To establish processes to monitor and evaluate the performance and effectiveness of Council itself.
- To conduct its business in accordance with best practice in Higher Education corporate governance, the University’s agreed values, and with the principles of public life drawn up by the Committee on Standards in Public Life.
- To safeguard the good name and values of the University.
- To appoint the Vice-Chancellor as Chief Academic and Administrative Officer of the University, and as its Accounting Officer, and to put in place suitable arrangements for monitoring their performance.
- To appoint a Secretary to Council and to ensure that, if the person appointed has managerial responsibilities in the institution, there is an appropriate separation in the lines of accountability.
- To be the employing authority for all staff in the University and to be accountable for ensuring that an appropriate people and culture strategy is established.
- To seek assurance that the University is meeting the conditions of funding as set by regulatory and funding bodies and other major University funders, and that the use of funds is in line with the principles of regularity, propriety and value for money.
- To be the principal financial and business authority of the University, to ensure that proper books of account are kept, to approve the annual budget and financial statements, and to have overall accountability for the University’s assets, property and estate.
- To be the University’s legal authority and, as such, to ensure systems are in place for meeting all its legal obligations, including those arising from contracts and other legal commitments made in the University’s name. This includes accountability for health, safety, wellbeing and security and for equality, diversity and inclusion.
- In consultation with Senate, to receive assurance that adequate provision has been made for the general welfare of students.
- To ensure that the procedures in place for managing students, including disciplinary procedures, are fair and equitable.
- To act as trustee for any property, legacy, endowment, bequest or gift in support of the work and welfare of the University.
- To determine regulations for the custody and use of the common seal of the University.
- To approve, for consideration by Privy Council, changes to the Charter and Statutes and to ensure that the institution’s constitution is always followed, and that appropriate advice is available to enable this to happen.
- To promote a positive culture which supports inclusivity and diversity across the institution, including within Council’s own composition.
- In partnership with Senate, to maintain and protect the principles of academic freedom and freedom of speech legislation.
- To ensure that all students and staff have appropriate opportunities to engage with the governance and management of the institution by operating in an open, honest and accountable manner.
- To ensure the University is appropriately accessible and relevant to its local communities and is open to engagement with local communities in identifying its role in delivering public/community benefit and economic civic duties.
There are currently no scheduled events.
Committees
Some of the functions of the Council have been delegated to the following Committees:
Council can also establish dedicated committees to address specific issues, and in that context, it established a Committee to provide governance oversight of the Greater Belfast Development - the Belfast Campus Development (BCD) Committee.
For further information on the work of committees, contact Bernadette McGuinness
Council Members
Ex-officio members

Dr Jenny Pyper, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council
Read more about Dr Jenny Pyper, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of CouncilDr Jenny Pyper, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council
Committee membership: GNRC Committee, Resources Committee
Jenny Pyper was the Interim Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service for a period of eight months. Previously she was Chief Executive of the Utility Regulator for seven years before retiring in the autumn 2020. The Utility Regulator is a non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating NI’s electricity, gas, water and sewerage industries to promote the long term interests of consumers. Jenny leads a team of around 80 people, mainly engineers and economists and is also co-chair of the Single Electricity Market Committee (SEMC) which regulates the £2.5bn all-island wholesale electricity market.
She is a BSc Honours graduate of Queen’s University, Belfast, who joined the NI Civil Service in 1985 and worked in a wide range of economic development areas including tourism, enterprise and inward investment policy, sector training and development and innovation policy. She was appointed to the Senior Civil Service in 2004 as Director of Energy Policy in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment where she managed policy and legislative responsibilities in relation to the electricity, gas and renewable energy industries in Northern Ireland. She moved to take up the post of Director of Regional Planning and Transportation in the Department for Regional Development before being promoted to Deputy Secretary in the Department for Social Development in July 2011, with responsibility for urban regeneration and community development.
She is a Fellow of the Geological Society of London (FGS) and is married with 2 children at university in Glasgow and Manchester.
Declaration of Interest
Board Member - International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD)
Board Member - Business in the Community (NI)
Fellow of the Geological Society
Fellow of the Energy Institute

Mr David Clements, Honorary Treasurer
Read more about Mr David Clements, Honorary TreasurerMr David Clements, Honorary Treasurer
Committee membership: GNRC Committee, Resources Committee, Belfast Campus Development Committee
Mr David Clements is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland, retired in the summer of 2014 from a career spent with PwC in which the last twenty years had been as a Partner leading Corporate Finance and Strategy services. In the last two years he acted as Chief Operating Officer in Northern Ireland responsible for driving the form's growth agenda.
He retired early to progress interests in the voluntary and not for profit sectors in the areas of education, healthcare and the economically and socially marginalised. David is married with three children.
Declaration of Interest
Managing Director – Phoenix Holdings GmbH
Phoenix Holdings GmbH
Hearts First Ltd
Chairman – NI Hospice & Children’s Hospice
Trustee – The McClay Foundation
Fellow Chartered Accountants Ireland

Dr Elaine Way, Pro-Chancellor
Read more about Dr Elaine Way, Pro-ChancellorDr Elaine Way, Pro-Chancellor
Committee membership: Audit Committee, GNRC Committee
Dr Elaine Way CBE is the former Chief Executive of the Western Health and Social Care Trust.
A public servant for 25 years, she was dedicated to the health and wellbeing of the communities she served and led significant reform to meet the needs of patients, families and communities for the 21st century.
Elaine has been central in the development of cross border health links including the development of the North-West Cancer Centre and has consistently worked with Co-operation and Working Together, a cross border organisation dedicated to improving the quality and safety of care in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
She previously served as President of the Association of Healthcare and Human Resource Management, and received a special award in recognition of her work. She has also spoken nationally about the transformative care that she led in the Western Trust.
In 2016 Elaine was honoured with a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Declaration of Interest
Trustee St Canice’s Church (Parish of Faughanvale), Eglinton. Registered charity

Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor
Read more about Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-ChancellorProfessor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor
Committee membership: GNRC Committee, Resources Committee, Belfast Campus Development Committee
As Vice-Chancellor at Ulster University, Paul leads on all aspects of University business. As a dual-focused University delivering excellent teaching and research which spans multiple campuses within a unique geographical and political context, Ulster is one of the UK's most complex large universities.
Paul deliberately steered his career in the direction of leadership and management of higher education so as to be able to be involved in, and to influence, policy and strategy. It is from this position that he feels he is able to make the biggest contribution to enhancing the learning experiences of students, the working lives of staff and deliver positive outcomes for students and society.
On a more personal-focused note, Paul is a National Teaching Fellow (2004), an HEA Principal Fellow (2013) and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (2017). My research interests have been centred upon video-based discourse analysis, computer-supported collaborative learning and academic professionalism. Paul has taught on UG and PG Diagnostic Radiography and academic staff development programmes.
Declaration of Interest
- Vice-Chancellor – Ulster University
- Director - Catalyst
- Director - Institute for Learning in Higher Education
- Previous/ongoing Panel membership of the UK Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF). Currently in abeyance
- Principal Fellow of Higher Education Academy
- Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences

Ms Grace Boyle, Students' Union President
Read more about Ms Grace Boyle, Students' Union PresidentMs Grace Boyle, Students' Union President
Committee membership: Resources Committee
Grace’s role as Students' Union President is leading the organisation, acting as the principal spokesperson. Representing students locally and nationally, coordinating overall campaigns in improving the student experience. Grace also represents students on various Ulster University committees as well as leading the strategic direction of the Students’ Union as chair of UUSU Trustee Board.
Declaration of Interest
President - Ulster University Students’ Union
Appointed members

Mrs Marie Lindsay
Read more about Mrs Marie LindsayMrs Marie Lindsay
Committee membership: Resources Committee
Marie joined St Mary’s College in 1985 and taught Science for 21 years. She joined the Senior Leadership Team in 1998 and was appointed Principal in 2006.
Marie’s appointment as Principal coincided with the first formal Shared Education Programme where the existing informal cross – community partnership between St Mary’s and Lisneal College developed to include shared timetabled classes. The Shared Education partnership with Lisneal and St Cecilia’s Colleges continues to the present day.
In 2006 St Mary’s was awarded Specialist Status in Science and the College continues to promote STEM/STEAM Careers Pathways for their students. In addition, the school is one of a small group of schools worldwide to be recognised as a Microsoft Showcase School. St Mary’s was recently selected as a Digital School House which enables teachers to bridge the gap between industry and education to prepare the next generation for a digital age. St Mary’s also runs a unique Swim/Tri Academy and an Entrepreneur in Residence Programme.
Marie is currently a board member of School Employer Connections, the Walled City Music Partnership, the Shared Education Learning Forum (SELF) and the Pope John Paul 11 Committee. Marie is a member of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Education and Skills working Group. She was a board member of EFQM Brussels and chaired the Foyle Learning Community 2016-17.
In 2016 Marie was named Principal of the Year at the Foyle Blackboard Awards and in April 2018 she was inducted in to the Business Excellence Hall of Fame.
Declaration of Interest
None

Mr Peter Lobban OBE
Read more about Mr Peter Lobban OBEMr Peter Lobban OBE
Committee membership: Resources Committee, Belfast Campus Development Committee
Mr Peter Lobban OBE. Born in Nairn, Scotland, Peter graduated from Edinburgh University in 1969 with an MA Honours in Econometrics.
He joined the London Graduate Business School as a researcher, lecturer and economic consultant in industry and the City. In 1976 Peter joined CBI as Head of Economic Policy and then Deputy Director of Employment Affairs making frequent Parliamentary briefings and media interviews. In 1986 he joined Shell UK as Director of Shell Chemicals UK. Following a period with Shell International, Peter returned from the Far East to the UK as a Director of Shell Exploration and Production in the North Sea and also became Chair of the UK Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation coordinating the industry’s response to the Piper Alpha disaster.
In 1998 he joined the Construction Industry Training Board Chief Executive also becoming Chief Executive of Construction Skills, following its establishment in 2004 and Chair of Sector Skills Alliance Scotland in 2007. He was also a Board member of Movement for Innovation and of Women in Science and Engineering. Peter is currently a Trustee of Building Research Establishment, an Honorary Member of City and Guilds and has been a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Constructors since 2009.
Declaration of Interest
None

Dr Peter McNaney CBE
Read more about Dr Peter McNaney CBEDr Peter McNaney CBE
Committee membership: Resources Committee, Belfast Campus Development Committee
Dr Peter Mc Naney CBE graduated from the University of Manchester with an LLB in 1980 and practised as a Solicitor for 20 year before becoming Chief Executive of Belfast City Council . He served in that role for 14 years and stood down in 2014.
He is presently a Board member of Invest NI and the Chair of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
Peter is married to Karen and they have 4 children. He enjoys hill walking, current affairs and sport although now mostly watching rather than participating.
Declaration of Interest
Chair - Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Board member - Northern Ireland Water
Member - Law Society for Northern Ireland

Dr Joanne Stuart OBE
Read more about Dr Joanne Stuart OBEDr Joanne Stuart OBE
Committee membership: GNRC Committee
Dr Joanne Stuart OBE is the Director of Development at Catalyst Inc (previously known as the Northern Ireland Science Park). In this role she is responsible for the development of strategic relationships to support the growth of Catalyst Inc and the Knowledge Economy in Northern Ireland.
A former Chairman of Institute of Directors NI (2008-2011), Joanne chaired an independent review on University fees, at the request of the Minister of Employment & Learning, which led to a published report in February 2011.
From 2011 to 2016, Joanne was the Northern Ireland Champion for STEM. Achievements included the introduction of the biannual STEM Careers & Courses Supplements, provision of work experience placements for Careers Service advisors and the creation of the STEM Charter for Business and the STEM Employers Equality Network (SEEN) in partnership with the Equality Commission NI.
Since 2010, Joanne has been the NI chair of the US-NI Mentorship Program, established by former Economic US Envoy to NI, Declan Kelly. The program provides challenging paid yearlong placements for recent graduates with global corporations in the States.
Joanne is currently involved in a number of Boards and Trusts – she is Chairman of Arts & Business NI, Treasurer of Angel Eyes NI and Treasurer of Tides Training. She is also an Ordinary Panel Member of the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London, appointed by Secretary of State for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills.
Declaration of Interest
CEO – NI Tourism Alliance
Wallace High School Board of Governors
Irish Times Trust

Mr Peter Sheridan
Read more about Mr Peter SheridanMr Peter Sheridan
Committee membership: Audit Committee
Peter Sheridan joined the peace-building charity Co-operation Ireland an all-island community organisation in 2008 as Chief Executive. The organisation was established in 1979, to build mutual respect and understanding between the peoples of NI and the ROI through practical co-operation. Prior to this he was an Assistant Chief Constable with the Police Service of NI. He retired from the police service in 2008 after 32 years police service. Before retiring he was responsible for the Crime Operations Department, which included murder and serious organised crime investigation including terrorist investigations.
Peter is a Commissioner with Foyle Port and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Woodland Trust. He graduated from Cambridge University with a master’s degree, attended the FBI Academy in 1999 and was awarded the OBE in in 2008 for services to the community. In January 2018 Peter was made an Honorary Professor in the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice, at Queens University Belfast. He is a deputy Lord Lieutenant for Derry~Londonderry.
Declaration of Interest
CEO – Co-Operation Ireland
NI Executive, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Pivotal – Chair
St Columbs Hall Derry/Londonderry
Woodland Trust
Deputy Lord Lieutenant
Hon Professor Mitchel Institute Queens University

Mr Russell Sloan
Read more about Mr Russell SloanMr Russell Sloan
Committee membership: Audit Committee
Russell Sloan is Digital Services Director for Kainos Group plc, the largest indigenous IT services company in Northern Ireland. Russell has worked in Kainos for over 20 years, starting as a graduate software engineer.
In his current role he leads the Digital Services business which focuses on complex digital transformation projects across UK government, healthcare and commercial sectors.
Russell studied Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast and is a Chartered Engineer. He is an alumnus of Stanford Graduate School of Business and Darden Graduate School of Business, University of Virginia. Russell is married with four daughters.
Declaration of Interest
Digital Services Director - Kainos
Kainos Evolve Limited
Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology

Mr Alan Moore OBE
Read more about Mr Alan Moore OBEMr Alan Moore OBE
Committee membership: Belfast Campus Development Committee
Alan is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. He has been employed as the Director of Strategic Capital Development within the Western Health and Social Care Trust since 2009 and has had a long career in the health service.
In Alan’s current role he has been responsible as the Trust’s SRO for the successful delivery of a £1bn+ capital investment programme, which has included the ongoing redevelopment of Altnagelvin Hospital, the construction of the North West Cancer Centre, the construction of the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen and the new Omagh Hospital & Primary Care Complex.
In addition Alan has been involved in cross border emergency planning and humanitarian response training for many years and was recognised with the award of an OBE in the 2021 New Year's Honours for his contribution to this work.
Alan has also served as a Deputy Lieutenant for the County Borough of Londonderry, which covers the geographical entity of Derry City, since 2009.
Declaration of Interest
- Director of Strategic Capital Development - Western Health & Social Services Trust
- Member of RFCANI Committee
- Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Ms Jayne Taggart
Read more about Ms Jayne TaggartMs Jayne Taggart
Jayne Taggart is Chief Executive of Enterprise Causeway, a Not for Profit third sector organisation committed to the promotion of enterprise and entrepreneurship. Jayne has worked in the business support sector for 26 years and is passionate about enabling entrepreneurs across all sectors with a focus on micro start-up companies, SMEs in their early stages of growth and social enterprises
Jayne is currently involved in a number of Boards and charities -she is Director & Vice Chair of Enterprise Northern Ireland, Director of Can Advocacy Network, Council Member of Causeway Chamber of Commerce and Director of Causeway Connections.
Jayne studied Geography and Marketing at Ulster University. In 2014 she received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
Declaration of Interest
Chief Executive - Enterprise Causeway
Enterprise Northern Ireland
Director of Causeway Connections
Director – Compass Advocacy Network
Council member – Causeway Chamber of Commerce
Elected members

Ms Goretti Horgan
Read more about Ms Goretti HorganMs Goretti Horgan
Committee membership: Resources Committee
Goretti Horgan is a Lecturer in Social Policy at Ulster University and Director of ARK’s Policy Unit. ARK is a joint Ulster University/Queen’s University initiative, which aims to promote evidence-based policy making.
Before joining the University in 2003, Goretti was a Senior Research Officer with the National Children’s Bureau, and then Save the Children. She is also a director and former chair of the Northern Ireland Anti Poverty Network. She researches and writes about child and family poverty, as well as children’s and women’s rights generally.
She is currently the Principal Investigator on ESRC funded study "Buying abortion through the internet; exploring the social harm of criminalising abortion in Northern Ireland and the UK."
Goretti is a long standing and active member of the University and College Union and served as Vice President (2012-13) and President (2013-14). She is also a board member of the NI Anti Poverty Network (NIAPN), and previously served on the board of Jordanstown Schools for Visually & Hearing Impaired Children (1998-2004) and on the management committees of several community groups.
Declaration of Interest
Social Policy Lecturer – Ulster University
Ulster University Council
Member of Board of Directors of NI Anti Poverty Network
Appointed by Dept for Communities to Expert Advisory Panel on a new Anti Poverty Strategy for NI
Member of Social Policy Association

Professor Alison Gallagher
Read more about Professor Alison GallagherProfessor Alison Gallagher
Committee membership: Resources Committee
Professor Alison Gallagher is currently Head of Doctoral College (Coleraine/Magee). After completing her BSc Hons Human Nutrition and PhD at Ulster, Alison worked as Research Fellow (University of Strathclyde) then Research Officer (Northern Ireland Young Hearts Project) before returning to Ulster as Lecturer in 1999; being promoted to Senior Lecturer and subsequently Professor of Public Health Nutrition in 2014.
As a research-active member of the Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE) within the Biomedical Sciences Research Institute her research interests resonate within the area of obesity and include development of risk factors for disease, low-energy/non-nutritive sweeteners and their potential impact on health, physical activity and health (including implementation of lifestyle interventions at key stages across the lifecycle). As a Registered Nutritionist (Public Health) and Fellow of the Association of Nutrition (FAfN), she is an active member of the UK/Ireland Nutrition Society and was Honorary Programmes Secretary for UK Nutrition Society from 2010-2017 and is co-editor of the Nutrition Society text book Introduction to Human Nutrition (3rd edition).
Alison co-Chaired the Scientific Committee for the Federation of Nutritional Sciences (FENS) European Nutrition Conference held in Dublin, 2019. She is a passionate advocate for the European Nutrition Leadership Platform (ENLP), having participated in the ENLP seminar in 1997 and being involved with this international leadership programme ever since, and is the current Chair/President of the ENLP Board. She also Chairs the Editorial Advisory Board of the Nutrition Bulletin and is a member of the Scientific Research Committee of NI Chest Heart and Stroke, the Scientific Advisory Panel on Sweeteners supported by the ISA, and was previously a Faculty-elected member of University Senate.
Declaration of Interest
Professor of Public Health Nutrition | Head of Doctoral College (Coleraine/ Magee) at Ulster University
Member/Vice-chair, Science Research Committee of Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke (NICHS)
Member, Scientific Advisory Panel – The International Sweeteners Association (a not-for-profit organisation)
Member/Chair, Nutrition Bulletin Editorial Advisory Board (EAB)
Member of the UK Nutrition and Health Claims Committee (UKNHCC)
Chair/President, European Nutrition Leadership Platform (ENLP)

Mr Eddie Friel
Read more about Mr Eddie FrielMr Eddie Friel
Committee membership: Audit Committee
Eddie Friel studied at Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast. He has been Director of Development and Alumni Relations at Ulster University since late 2013.
He has previously held roles in the University’s Academic Office and Research and Impact team. He also worked for Invest Northern Ireland, Queen’s University Belfast and in the private sector.
He has served as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of the Foyle Heath and Social Services Trust, Governor of Omagh College of Further Education and as a Director of the Clinical Translational Research and Innovation Centre (C-TRIC).
He is currently a Member of the Board of the Nerve Centre, a leading creative media arts centre. He spends his spare time with his family and is also actively involved in his local GAA club.
Declaration of Interest
Director of Development & Alumni Relations at Ulster University
Board member - Nerve Centre, Derry