University of Leicester appoints new Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Science and Engineering
The University is delighted to confirm the appointment of Professor Dirk Schaefer as Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of College for Science and Engineering from 1 August 2025.
Over the last 25 years Dirk, who has a PhD in Computer Science and is Executive Dean in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Hull University, has worked across a number of academic and leadership positions in research institutions.
He is part of Hull’s Leadership Team and provides strategic vision and academic and operational leadership in delivering the University’s Strategy across the Faculty. A crucial part of his role is to engage with industrial partners, local and national authorities, and international academic institutions to enable new research and education partnerships and growth in strategic areas.
Commenting on his appointment, he said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining the University of Leicester as Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Science and Engineering. As a Computer Scientist, Mathematician, and Engineer, I’ve always been driven by curiosity and the desire to create meaningful change through innovation. The opportunity to lead a College with such a strong foundation in cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a real commitment to student success is both exciting and deeply motivating.
“The College is home to world-leading expertise – from space science and artificial intelligence to sustainable engineering and advanced mathematics. It plays a vital role in shaping the future of science and technology, both locally and globally. To be entrusted with guiding such a vibrant, forward-thinking community is an honour. Leicester itself is a city of rich diversity, resilience, and ambition – values that align closely with my own. With a reputation as an agent of change, I’m thrilled to join a university that proudly calls its community Â鶹APP of Change – a phrase that perfectly captures our shared spirit of purpose, inclusivity, and impact. I’m humbled by the trust placed in me, and truly grateful for the chance to help shape the next chapter of success for the College and the University of Leicester.”
Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Henrietta O’Connor said: “We look forward to welcoming Dirk to Leicester and hope his experience, vision, passion for innovation, and commitment to fostering excellence will inspire both our College staff and students and help shape the future of Science and Engineering at Leicester. I’d also like to thank the outgoing Head of College Professor Sarah Davies for the support, hard work and commitment shown during her tenure.”
Prior to his current role, Dirk held leadership positions at the Universities of Lincoln and Liverpool, establishing a track record of effective leadership and management in Higher Education at scale. His academic journey further includes positions at the University of Bath, the University of Durham, the Georgia Institute of Technology in the US, and the University of Stuttgart in Germany.
He is internationally renowned for his pioneering research on Cloud-Based Design and Manufacturing (CBDM), which has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of Industry 4.0. He is an elected Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE), the Institution of Engineering Designers (FIED), the British Computer Society (FBCS), the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (FIMA), the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (FASME). He is a Chartered Engineer (CEng), Chartered Technological Product Designer (CTPD), Chartered Scientist (CSci), and Chartered IT-Professional (CITP).
The College of Science and Engineering comprises five research-led Schools: Chemistry, Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy and Geography, Geology and the Environment.