Speakers

Professor Jenny Dixon

Provost, Universitas 21

Professor Jenny Dixon, a Professor of Planning and former Dean, has a background in higher education leadership with a strong focus on international education, global partnerships, and strategic engagement. At the University of Auckland, she served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor Strategic Engagement from 2012 to 2021, during which she held senior roles including Chair of the Universitas 21 Senior Leaders Group and positions in other global university networks.

As Provost of Universitas 21, Jenny leads the network’s strategic direction, working closely with Presidents, Vice-Chancellors, and senior leaders from 30 member universities worldwide. She drives the development of new opportunities for collaboration and innovation, ensuring that U21’s work in global education, global research and leadership in higher education delivers tangible impact. In this role, she also brings together the network’s peer groups and steering groups, helping to develop connections that strengthen U21’s collective influence and reach on the global stage.

Baroness Katherine Grainger

Chancellor, University of Glasgow

Katherine Grainger is the current Chancellor of the University of Glasgow. She was inaugurated in 2020, becoming the first female chancellor of the university. Grainger is also a decorated Olympian, holding the distinction of being Britain's most decorated female Olympian, with one gold and four silver medals from five Olympic Games. She also holds a Master of Philosophy degree from the University of Glasgow. 

Professor Sir David MacMillan

James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of Chemistry, Princeton University

David W. C. MacMillan was born in Bellshill, Scotland, and received his undergraduate degree in chemistry at the University of Glasgow, where he worked with Dr. Ernie Colvin. In 1990, he began his doctoral studies under the direction of Professor Larry Overman at the University of California, Irvine, before undertaking a postdoctoral position with Professor Dave Evans at Harvard University in 1996. He began his independent career at the University of California, Berkeley, in July of 1998 before moving to Caltech in 2000 as the Earle C. Anthony Chair of Organic Chemistry. In 2006, Dave moved to Princeton University as the A. Barton Hepburn Professor of Chemistry. He served as Department Chair from 2010–2015 and is currently the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of Chemistry and a Ludwig Distinguished Scholar. Dave shares the 2021 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Benjamin List “for the development of asymmetric organocatalysis.” He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in July 2022. His research interests encompass a wide range of organic chemistry, including the development of new areas in organocatalysis and photoredox catalysis.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

Chairperson, Biocon Group

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is a pioneering biotech entrepreneur, a healthcare visionary, a global influencer, and a passionate philanthropist. The impact she has made as a leading woman in science has made her a role model globally. She is committed to equitable access to healthcare through affordable innovation as she pursues a path of making a difference to billions of lives globally. She is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan (2005) and the Padma Shri (1989) most coveted National Civilian awards and has several other global recognitions to her credit.  She is the first woman business leader and second person from India to sign the Giving Pledge initiative in 2016, committing to give the majority of her wealth to philanthropic causes.

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli

President, Royal Society of Edinburgh

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli has been Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Glasgow since October 2009. An economist, his research interests are monetary economics, central bank independence, fiscal policy, international finance and macroeconomics. Sir Anton is President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, from 1 April 2025. He is a member of the University Grants Committee, Hong Kong and also Chair of its Research Group. From 2017-2020 he was Chair of the Russell Group of UK research-intensive universities. He has been a member of the Scottish Government’s Council of Economic Advisers, a special adviser to the UK House of Commons Treasury Select Committee on monetary policy and has advised the European Commission and the World Bank. He holds honorary degrees from McGill University and Nanka University.

Professor Rachel Sandison OBE

Deputy Vice-Chancellor - External Engagement, University of Glasgow

Rachel is responsible for leading the University of Glasgow’s strategy for external engagement covering an integrated portfolio of International Policy and Partnerships; Marketing and Communications; Brand and Reputation Management; Transnational Education; Student Recruitment and Admissions; Widening Access and Lifelong Learning; Development and Alumni Relations; and Civic Engagement. Rachel is also the University’s Sanctuary Champion. Rachel is the University’s Universitas 21 network Senior Leader, a Board member of the University’s European network, The Guild, and the University lead for the CIVIS European University Alliance. Rachel is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, a Global Trustee and chair-elect of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), the Scottish Commissioner for Fulbright US-UK and the Scottish Government's Trade and Investment Envoy for International Education whilst also contributing to several sector advisory boards.