Election: Senate Representative on Council
The voting has now closed for the election to find a representative of Senate to join the University’s Council and the results will be announced shortly.
Council is the University’s governing body, which has overall responsibility for institutional strategy, financial, estates and legal matters. Council formally meets six times a year and holds one strategy planning day each year. Council activity is also supported by various Committees and the Council Sub-Committees.
The members of Council include senior managers of the University and independent members who are able to contribute their experience working in industry, other parts of the public sector and the voluntary sector to the governance of the University. Council also includes three members of academic staff nominated by Senate, representatives from the Students Guild and Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union and a member of Professional Services Staff.
More information about Council and the current membership of Council can all be found on our Council page.
The election will be run in accordance with the University of Exeter Procedural Guidelines for Elections as previously endorsed by Senate (13 March 2024) and approved by Council (18 April 2024).
We remain committed to equality, diversity and inclusion through the nominations process and actively encourage nominations from Senators from all backgrounds and communities to enable us to continue our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive culture within our senior committees.
Your Senate Representative on Council candidates are below, in alphabetical order.
Professor Barrie Cooper
I stand for election to Council conscious of the huge responsibilities of the role. We are blessed with extraordinary staff whose expertise and experiences should be central to the development of policy and strategy, and who live out the daily reality of the decisions Council makes. I know firsthand that there are gaps between what Council sees and those lived realities of our staff and students. We can make better decisions, and I want to help bridge the gap to make that possible.
I believe that the breadth of my roles and experiences enables me to understand and represent effectively the interests of staff across the University. I have been Director of PGT, Director of Digitally Enhanced Learning, Director of Education, Branch President for UCU, Academic Lead, and I teach on our Academic Professional programme for new academic staff, giving me a rounded view of the experiences of our diverse staff and insight into how the University works at various levels and across different Departments and Services.
You also know that I have a keen eye for detail, scrutinising papers carefully, and never being afraid to ask difficult questions or challenge the narrative presented. These attributes are important on Council, as a trustee for the University with individual and collective accountability for every decision made.
We face immense challenges – growing income streams while operating in a hostile funding environment; championing social justice and inclusion as global politics becomes more insular and polarised; ensuring our awards remain relevant and graduates are equipped technically and ethically for a world with ChatGPT – but these are also opportunities to decide what sort of institution, employer, regional partner and global leader we aspire to be. I will challenge and champion policy and decisions in a balanced way and hope to represent you effectively on Council.
Dr Edvard Glucksman
I am an E&S Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Futures at the Business School on Penryn campus.
My tenure on Senate has broadened my perspective on the key challenges and opportunities our institution faces, many of which I engage with daily through various leadership roles.
On Council, I will champion the following principles:
Transparency and accountability
I will ensure that all processes related to changes in our education strategy are transparent and that decision-makers are held accountable. This is vital for fostering trust and clarity within our community.
Representation and engagement
I will strive to represent academic colleagues from all faculties, campuses, and sites, addressing their unique challenges. I will also work hard to understand the positions of Professional Services colleagues, whose roles are essential for our institution's success. Engaging with these diverse perspectives is crucial for our collective success.
Inclusivity and diversity
I am committed to promoting a strategic direction that embraces inclusivity. This includes understanding and advancing the concerns of all colleagues and ensuring our institution reflects the diversity of wider society in education, research, and impact.
Throughout my leadership roles, I have consistently advocated for a balanced approach to excellence in research and education. This involves addressing critical issues such as workload, accessibility, and workplace culture, while creating avenues for colleagues to thrive, such as engaging with innovative educational initiatives, including professional education and digital learning technologies.
I have worked at this university for over a decade across several departments and as both an academic and PS staff. I hold roles at the faculty level (ESE DoE for Sustainability) and locally as AD for Student Engagement in the Environment & Sustainability Institute. These roles allow me to regularly engage with university management and represent the university externally within regional, national, and international fora.
This experience also means that I am keenly aware of our strengths, opportunities, and where we need to work harder to refine our strategies and initiatives to ensure continued growth and success.
Please feel free to approach me with any questions about my vision for this role.
I look forward to actively contributing to our common future.
Dr Musarrat Maisha Reza
It would be a privilege to represent the Senate on the University Council, bringing my experience, leadership, and advocacy to shape Exeter’s future. I am not just an educator, I am a champion for progress, a leader in governance, and a fierce advocate for equity, sustainability, and academic excellence.
At the heart of our success are our students, our academic community, and our professional services staff. Every decision we make must be centred on their needs, aspirations, and wellbeing. As a Senior Lecturer, Director of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, and an elected Senator, I have worked tirelessly to ensure that Exeter is a place where everyone, regardless of background, feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. If elected to Council, I will continue to put our people first, ensuring that policies reflect their voices and experiences.
My experience extends beyond Exeter. In more recent times, as an educator, I have represented students and academics on the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Advisory Board and am an ASEAN youth fellow and Associate Fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society. Many years as student leader, I chaired the Commonwealth Students’ Association, representing over 10 million students of the 400 member universities across the Commonwealth. I have worked at the highest levels of governance, shaping policies that impact education, sustainability, and inclusion worldwide.
These experiences have equipped me with the skills to navigate complex structures, challenge the status quo, and advocate independently for the best interests of our university.
Exeter’s 2030 Strategy is ambitious- leading action on the climate emergency, transforming human health, and building a fairer society. I believe Exeter can be a global leader in these areas, centering our people in every step forward.
I bring global leadership, independent thinking, and an unwavering commitment to our community. I would like to enable Exeter to lead with purpose, impact, and a deep commitment to the people who make this university exceptional.