Professor Helen Higson MA (Hons) MA PhD OBE DL

Helen has worked in Higher Education since 1983, first at Southampton University and then at Aston. Until March 2021 Helen was Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Aston University, currently she is Professor of Higher Education Learning and Management, and Associate Dean of Accreditations at Aston Business School.

Helen was Head of Learning and Teaching at Aston Business School. She is a National Teaching Fellow (NTF) and Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA). Her current research includes intercultural and employability competencies and how to make education more inclusive.  She is a qualified coach.

Helen contributed a chapter to the 2012 Wilson Review on University/Business relations. She was awarded the OBE in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to Higher Education.

In 2016 Helen appointed member to the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) panel, and has been deputy Chair of the Subject Main Panel.

In 2017 Helen was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands, and is currently Vice Lord-Lieutenant.