Biography
Professor Andrea Nolan became the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University in July 2013.
Andrea graduated as a veterinary surgeon from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, and after a short time in veterinary practice, embarked on an academic career which led to her appointment as a lecturer in Veterinary Pharmacology, and ultimately, Professor at the University of Glasgow. She held the roles of Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vice Principal and ultimately Deputy Vice Chancellor for the University of Glasgow before taking up the role of Principal and Vice-Chancellor at Edinburgh Napier University in 2013.
In her academic career, Andrea established herself as a research leader in the field of animal pain, its recognition and management. She has published widely and has received awards for her work including the Pfizer Academic Award for Animal Health Research, the Amoroso Award from the British Small Animal Veterinary Association and the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare Companion Animal Award for contributions to animal welfare. She has contributed to educational development in animal pain management and welfare over many years including as a member of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association's Global Pain Council.
Andrea has contributed to the development of policy and strategy in Higher Education through work on a range of committees including for example the Scottish Funding Council Research and Knowledge Exchange committee, and the Scottish Science Advisory Committee and convenorship of the Scottish Higher Education Enhancement Committee. She held the Convenorship of Universities Scotland and Board membership of Universities UK between 2016 and 2020.
She currently chairs the Universities Scotland International committee and the Interface Strategic Board. She is a board member of Advance HE, a member of the Board of Trinity College Dublin and a Trustee of the Carnegie Trust for Universities of Scotland. Andrea is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and is currently a member of the Council and Vice President for Life Sciences. She is a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies and was awarded an honorary OBE in 2013 for services to Higher Education and Veterinary Science and a CBE in March 2024.