UHI research role for Edinburgh Uni energy head

THE University of the Highlands and Islands has appointed Professor Ian Bryden to the new post of vice-principal in research.

Professor Bryden, who currently holds the Chair of Renewable Energy and heads the prestigious Institute of Energy Systems at the University of Edinburgh, will take up his role in the autumn.

The vice-principal (research) position was created by the University Court to strengthen the university’s research programme.

They also want to ensure that the university takes full advantage of the research opportunities available in the Highlands and Islands.

The university has a wide range of research in science and technology, the creative arts, social sciences and business and IT ranging from internationally peer assessed research to knowledge exchange and applied research.

Professor Bryden, who is also a director of the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, worked at Heriot-Watt University and Robert Gordon University before joining the the University of Edinburgh.

University principal and vice-chancellor James Fraser said: “Apart from the relevance of Ian’s own professional interests to the growth of the engineering and renewables industry, he joins us at a very exciting time.

“The vibrancy of the economy of the Highlands and Islands provides new opportunities for more research and for utilising research for economic growth and success.”

Prof Bryden said: “I am delighted to be joining such a truly unique university at a very exciting stage in its development.

“The University of the Highlands and Islands has already made its presence known in education and research and I welcome the opportunity to guide future progress, as we aim to expand and enhance the internationally recognised status of our research activities.”

The University of the Highlands and Islands is a partnership of thirteen further and higher education colleges, specialist colleges and research institutions, distributed throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

They are bound together through constitutional, management and academic structures, and coordinated through an executive office.

There are currently over 7000 students studying on undergraduate and postgraduate courses or undertaking postgraduate research with the university.