The University Chancellor

The Chancellor is appointed as the titular head of the University and confers degrees, diplomas and other awards. The current chancellor is Evelyn Glennie.

As Chancellor, Dame Evelyn will play a crucial ambassadorial role for the University, helping to raise the University’s profile regionally, nationally and internationally.

Dame Evelyn’s story began growing up on a farm in the North-East of Scotland, where she became drawn to percussion as her hearing declined because she could "feel the sound". At the age of 16, she gained a place at The Royal Academy of Music in London, where she graduated with an Honours Degree at 19.

She is now an internationally renowned solo percussionist and is the first person in history to successfully create and sustain a full-time career as a solo percussionist, performing worldwide with the greatest orchestras, conductors, and artists. Evelyn paved the way for orchestras globally to feature percussion concerti when she played the first percussion concerto in the history of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in 1992.

A leading commissioner of new works, Evelyn has vastly expanded the solo percussion repertoire with more than 200 pieces to her name from many of the world’s most eminent composers. Evelyn composes music for film, television, theatre and music library companies and is a double GRAMMY award winner and BAFTA nominee. She regularly provides masterclasses and consultations to inspire the next generation of musicians.

Evelyn has over 100 international awards to date, including the Polar Music Prize and the Companion of Honour. She was also awarded an OBE in 1993 and was recently appointed the first female President of Help Musicians, only the third person to hold the title.

Aside from being one of the world's greatest percussionists, Dame Evelyn shares the University’s values and has dedicated her life and career to helping others, becoming a patron of several charities and supporting access to music and education for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

As Chancellor, she will support the University's ambition to eliminate barriers in higher education and widen participation among underrepresented groups.