Professor Jane Lewis

Jane’s role has a focus on critical strategic projects linked to the transformation outlined in the Strategic Plan 2030. Jane believes this will be most effectively realised through collaborative working across all our partners to become a more efficient and effective tertiary organisation.

Jane has extensive leadership experience in higher education and in the voluntary sector and always seeks to realise the full potential of staff and students.

Jane graduated from Bangor University followed by a PhD in Marine Botany from Royal Holloway College.  She began her career with several post-doctoral positions gaining a lectureship in 1990.  She held positions at the University of Westminster as a Senior Lecturer, Reader and was appointed as a Professor of Phycology in 2003. She became Dean of the School of Biosciences in 2006, and following merger of Schools within the University, Executive Dean of the School of Life Sciences. Following further University restructuring and merger of Schools and a Department, she led the creation of the Faculty of Science and Technology and was PVC and Dean for three years until returning to research and teaching.

Jane took up the post of Principal for Shetland College and Principal and Chief Executive Designate for the merging Shetland Colleges in October 2019.  The merger was completed with the formation of UHI Shetland in August 2021 where she continues as Principal and CEO.

Throughout her career Jane has maintained a research profile focussed on the ecology and taxonomy of dinoflagellates. She has sat on council for the British Phycological Society, the Systematics Association, the International Society for the Study of Harmful Algae, the Marine Biological Association and the Scout Association and is currently Past President of the British Phycological Society.