The Chair of Universitas 21 is currently Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Nottingham. The chair of the network rotates on a biennial basis.
Professor Shearer West is the seventh Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Nottingham, taking up office on 2 October 2017.
She is a professor of Art History and has held a number of significant leadership roles in universities and higher education. She obtained her BA degree in Art History and English at the College of William and Mary in Virginia, United States, and her PhD in Art History at St Andrew's University, Scotland.
Professor West was elected Chair of Universitas 21 in 2023.
Past Chairs
(2021 - 2023) Professor Eng Chye Tan, National University of Singapore
(2014 - 2021) Professor Sir David Eastwood, University of Birmingham
(2013-2014) Professor Fred Hilmer, UNSW Australia
(2012-2013) Dr Hugh Brady, University College Dublin
(2010-2012) Professor Glyn Davis, University of Melbourne
(2008-2010) Professor John Casteen, University of Virginia
(2007-2008) Professor Heather Munroe-Blum, McGill University
(2004-2007) Professor John Hay, University of Queensland
(2003-2004) Professor John Hood, University of Auckland
(2001- 2003) Professor Graeme Davis, University of Glasgow
(1997- 2001) Professor Alan Gilbert, University of Melbourne