Professor Simone Buitendijk, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds
Simone Buitendijk is the thirteenth Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds, a Russell Group University with a commitment to high quality education, a strong and dynamic research base and a track record of social, economic and cultural development. She was previously Vice-Provost (Education) and Professor of Maternal and Child Health at Imperial College London.
Prior to this, Professor Buitendijk was Vice-Rector at Leiden University in the Netherlands where she was responsible for education, student affairs and diversity.
Since joining the University, she has overseen the development and implementation of a new strategy, ‘Universal Values, Global Change’ which provides a blueprint for a values-driven and truly international University.
Professor Buitendijk believes the higher education sector can help resolve global challenges and tackle inequalities through collaboration, generosity, interdisciplinary research and through training the next generation of global citizens. She is the co-founder of the Knowledge Equity Network, which aims to share knowledge and higher education openly and equitably to ensure strong and meaningful global collaboration to create a better future for all.
