Academic board

The University's Committee and Board Structure comprises the Academic Board and its reporting Committees, together with the University Executive.

• Academic Board
• University Executive 

Academic structure

The academic structure of the University is based around the following schools:

• Staffordshire Business School
• School of Digital, Technologies and Arts
• School of Health and Social Care
• School of Law, Policing and Forensics
• School of Life Sciences and Education

There is also a full range of service departments, designed to complement and enhance the work of the schools and provide support for students and staff.

Terms of Reference

Academic Board is responsible for:

1. Considering and advising the Vice Chancellor and Board of Governors, as appropriate, upon the planning, development, oversight and resourcing of all the academic work of the University, including teaching, research and knowledge transfer.
2. Reporting to the Board of Governors, through the Strategy and Performance Committee or directly, on matters both relevant to determining the educational character of the University and which may impact on the University’s reputation or its financial health.
3. Oversight of the quality and academic standards of the educational provision, including matters relating to validation or accreditation by external bodies.
4. Oversight of the quality of the student experience.
5. Oversight of the delivery of the University Plan and its relevant sub-strategies and implementation plan and the achievement of its KPIs.
6. Oversight of the quality and arrangements working with academic and business partners.
7. Oversight of student awards, delegated to Award Boards.
8. Approving policies and procedures for the assessment and examination of the academic performance of students, including procedures for the exclusion of students for academic reasons (the ‘Award Regulations’).
9. Approving other policies and procedures relating to the conduct of students (the ‘Regulations and Procedures for Students’).
10. Approving those individuals to be awarded honorary degrees each year.
11. Advising on the procedures and criteria for the appointment and promotion of members of the teaching and research staff.
12. Approving the appointment of Professors and Associate Professors.
13. Monitoring progress with the implementation of the University’s Access Agreement with the Office for Students (OfS).
14. As delegated to the Quality and Enhancement Committee, determining the criteria for the admission of students.
15. As delegated to the Quality and Enhancement Committee, determining the appointment and removal of external examiners.
16. As delegated to the Quality and Enhancement Committee and the Research and Innovation Committee respectively, the approval and re-approval of taught and research courses.

 Composition

• Vice Chancellor (Chair)
• Deputy Vice Chancellor (Deputy Chair)
• Pro Vice Chancellor – Place and Engagement
• Registrar (Secretary)
• Executive Dean of Students
• Executive Director of Academic and Strategic Planning
• Director of Research
• Director of Collaborative Academic Partnerships
• Director of Learning and Teaching
• Associate Dean Apprenticeships
• Executive Dean/Director, Centre for Business, Innovation & Enterprise
• Executive Dean, School of Digital, Technologies & Arts
• Dean, School of Health and Social Care
• Dean, School of Law, Policing and Forensics
• Dean, School of Life Sciences and Education
• Three School Associate Deans
• Three elected members of academic staff including a member of the Professoriate
• Two elected members of professional support staff of the University
• President of the Students’ Union (or nominee)
• One student representative (nominated by the President of the Students’ Union)

Academic Board Committees

There are 6 main committees within the Academic Board and its sub-committee structure:

• Academic Strategy Committee
• University Partnerships Committee
• Quality & Enhancement Committee
• Professorial Conferment Committees
• Honorary Awards Committee
• Research and Innovation Committee