Harper Life Magazine 2020

PHILIP TAKES THEREINS OF VETERINARY HEALTHANDANIMAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT Harper Adams University is proud to have appointed Dr Philip Robinson as the Head of its new Veterinary Health and Animal Sciences Department. Dr Robinson brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as a veterinarian, researcher and academic leader. Raised on a beef suckler farm in Co. Antrim, the Broughshane man is a former pupil of Ballymena Academy and graduate of the University of Glasgow, University of London and Durham University. Shortly after he first joined Harper Adams University as a Senior Lecturer in 2015, he became the first ever RCVS Recognised Specialist in State Veterinary Medicine, before going on to promotion as Principal Lecturer in Farm Animal Health and Welfare. Having taken a short break from the Shropshire University to work as a Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Public Health at the University of Glasgow, Dr Robinson returned to Harper Adams in September – just as it launched the UK’s ninth vet school, in partnership with Keele University. He will work alongside the vet school leadership team to ensure veterinary nursing, veterinary physiotherapy and veterinary medicine students train together and develop the professional networks they will need in practice. Dr Robinson said: “I am honoured to be leading the new Department of Veterinary Health and Animal Sciences at an exciting time in the development of Harper Adams University. The opening of the new Veterinary Education Centre as part of the Harper and Keele Veterinary School offers fantastic new facilities and equipment for training veterinary nursing and veterinary physiotherapy students from my department. Additionally, there are excellent opportunities for inter-professional education and research collaboration between all of the different disciplines in animal health and welfare represented at the university.” Harper Life Nov 2020 — 13 NEWDEPUTYVICE-CHANCELLOR Harper Adams University has welcomed sustainable livestock systems expert, Professor Michael Lee, to the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor. Professor Lee will undertake a wide range of duties overseeing the academic activities of the university as well as deputising for the Vice-Chancellor, Dr David Llewellyn. Announcing the appointment, Dr Llewellyn said: “I am delighted to welcome Michael to the University. His experience and expertise will be invaluable as we move ahead with the delivery of our new strategic plan. Michael is joining us at a time when the UK’s agricultural system is going through a major transition, and his contribution to our work will help strengthen the support we can provide to the industry, through education and research, in the years ahead.” Professor Lee added: “I am very excited and honoured to be joining Harper Adams University at a vital time for UK agriculture. The growth at Harper Adams University has been truly phenomenal, not only in terms of its student intake and campus development but also its stature. Investment in critical areas of growth for sustainable agriculture in terms of precision Ag and artificial intelligence, agricultural engineering, environmental policy and land use, food and veterinary science (including One-Health, as exemplified by the Covid-19 pandemic) are inspirational. “At the global level, to tackle these issues, we need the best research and the best minds to re-develop agricultural practices towards sustainable food production and environmental protection. Furthermore, Brexit and Covid-19 have increased the need to reshape our food systems, supporting industry and rural communities at a regional and national level. “Harper Adams University is perfectly positioned to address these challenges as the UK’s leading agricultural, land-based and rural higher education institution with a clear mission and vision to lead, through exciting recent investment in capabilities, facilities and research areas. But, to Harper Adams’ greatest credit, which has positioned it more than most for the challenges ahead, is its relationship with industry and the community it serves. “The decision to be a leading advocate of the four-year bachelor’s degree programme with a year in placement has entwined industrial research and collaboration within the very fabric of the University. This has seen benefits not only in terms of impact driven research but also in student employability, satisfaction and, crucially, recruitment and retention of excellent students. “I look forward to taking the next step of Harper Adams’ exciting journey to deliver people with the skills to tackle our greatest challenge of sustainably feeding a growing population and ensuring planetary health for future generations.” Professor Michael Lee has dedicated his career to defining the role of sustainable livestock systems in securing global food security at the same time as protecting environmental health, for the sake of people and the planet. Above: Professor Michael Lee. www.harper-adams.ac.uk