Colin Turner

Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean, Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment at Ulster University | Trustee, Board of the Academy for the Mathematical Sciences.

Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

About

Mathematician, Engineer, Software Developer / Architect and National Teaching Fellow with experience of senior executive leadership and management in academia and building successful teams with students as partners.

Experience

  • Ulster University (27 yrs 11 mos)
    • Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of Faculty of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment
      Mar 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 4 mos

      As part of Ulster's Senior Leadership Team, the PVC and ED provides leadership of four Schools, delivering Academic Excellence in Research and Impact, and Learning and Teaching. Other duties include growing and developing provision, leading major initiatives to transform the performance and reputation of the Faculty, including leading sustainability initiatives across the Faculty. The role also delivers other corporate institutional strategic leadership across the University.

    • Professor of Engineering Education
      Dec 2013 - Present · 12 yrs 7 mos

    • Director of Centre for Higher Education Research and Practice (CHERP)
      Aug 2021 - Mar 2022 · 8 mos

      The Centre for Higher Education Research and Practice (CHERP) facilitates the progression and implementation of Learning and Teaching priorities in collaboration with other key players within the institution. CHERP ensures the academic development of staff within the University, implements internal Learning and Teaching excellence awards and pipelines applications to national awards, and provides a fellowship of practice within Ulster University.

  • Academy for the Mathematical Sciences (2 yrs 7 mos)
    • Trustee and Executive Committee Member
      Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

      I am leading the transition of the Academy to a Fellow led Academy, the workstream for Early Career Mathematical Scientists, and the Academy's activity in Northern Ireland. The Academy for the Mathematical Sciences (AcadMathSci) provides an authoritative, persuasive, and influential voice for the whole of the mathematical sciences. It brings together academia, education, business, industry, and government from across all four nations, providing crucial connectivity for harnessing the power of the discipline. Through expert-led policy development and broad access to mathematical expertise, and with sufficient resources, the Academy will be a critical, high-impact delivery mechanism to address essential national priorities. It will support the pipeline of people, knowledge, and skills that is vital for economic growth and societal wellbeing.

    • Executive Committee Member
      May 2025 - Jan 2026 · 9 mos

      I am leading the workstream for Early Career Mathematical Scientists, and the Academy's activity in Northern Ireland.

    • Advisory Board Member
      Dec 2023 - May 2025 · 1 yr 6 mos

      The Academy for the Mathematical Sciences (AcadMathSci) is the Senior Academy for Mathematics in the UK, providing an authoritative and persuasive voice for the whole of the mathematical sciences in the UK. I am serving as an Advisory Board Member particularly in the Policy space.

  • Engineering Professors' Council (13 yrs 3 mos)
    • Board Member
      Apr 2013 - Present · 13 yrs 3 mos

      The Engineering Professors’ Council (EPC) is the representative body for engineering in higher education. Our primary purpose is to provide a forum at which engineers working in UK higher education can exchange ideas about engineering education, research and other matters of common interest and to come together to provide an influential voice and authoritative conduit through which engineering departments’ interests can be represented to key audiences such as funders, influencers, employers, professional bodies and Government.

    • Interim Honorary Secretary
      Mar 2023 - Jul 2024 · 1 yr 5 mos

      The EPC was shocked and saddened by the death of Professor David Harrison, the long time and very respected Honorary Secretary of the EPC, in December 2022. I have agreed to take the interim role until the next EPC AGM when it can be substantively filled. https://epc.ac.uk/article/tributes-to-prof-david-harrison-honorary-secretary-of-the-epc/

    • Vice President / Immediate Past President
      Jul 2021 - Jun 2022 · 1 yr

      Presidents of the EPC complete their service with a year as Immediate Past President and deputising for the new President to ensure a continuity of knowledge. During this time they remain as one of the four EPC Directors.

  • ASET Advocate at ASET The Work Based and Placement Learning Association
    Jun 2020 - Present · 6 yrs 1 mo

    The ASET Advocates Panel (AAP) is a collection of individuals who bring unique knowledge and skills which augment the skills of the ASET Executive Committee. The panel serves to make recommendations and to provide key information and materials to the ASET Executive.

  • External Advisor - (not an employee). at The Open University
    Jun 2020 - Jun 2024 · 4 yrs 1 mo