Adam Dawkins, University Secretary, moves to University of Sunderland
Posted on 8 November 2023
Wednesday 8 November 2023
Dear colleagues,
I wish to let you know that Dr Adam Dawkins, University Secretary, is leaving the University at the end of January 2024 to take up a new role of Deputy Academic Registrar (Student and Academic Governance) at the University of Sunderland.
Adam joined York in June 2019 as Head of Governance and Assurance, becoming University Secretary in late 2020. In that time he has played a major role in transforming the corporate governance and related policy arrangements of the University, centring on Council and its key committees, leading, contributing to and ensuring delivery of comprehensive reviews of Council, Senate and most recently Court.
Alongside this, York has benefited from his knowledge and insight of regulatory frameworks and policy and their proportionate application, leading the Prevent Duty, as a key engagement point with the Office for Students (OfS), and around challenging matters of free speech and academic freedom and regulatory burden. Adam’s pragmatic, non-bureaucratic approach, and his skilled and informed advice and counsel to Council, as its Secretary, has been much valued. Adam has also been very supportive of EDI matters at York, particularly in relation to LGBTQ+ matters, and has represented York nationally, sitting on Russell Group and UUK groups, presenting at multiple Advance HE events and contributing to WonkHE and HEPI publications.
Hearing from Adam: “Almost five years at York have flown by, due to the fast-paced and changing context of the University, wider sector and society over this period. I’ve greatly enjoyed my time at the University, working with Charlie and his team and an exceptional Council, and the many talented and committed colleagues. I am pleased to have played a part in bringing about positive, practical change in the University’s corporate governance and policy and assurance arrangements, and am equally excited to be taking on a newly-created role at the University of Sunderland, and applying and developing my existing skills and knowledge to it.
Interim University Secretary arrangements will be put in place following Adam’s departure, whilst we undertake our search for a successor to his role.
We will miss Adam. He has had a big impact and has been an excellent colleague. I am sure you will join me in wishing Adam well in his new role and for the future.
Charlie