Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement

The Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement leads on all aspects of the University's global civic strategy.

Role and responsibilities

The Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement is responsible for:

    • Strategic oversight of building and maintaining the University’s international reputation in education, student experience, research, enterprise, innovation, and civic engagement 
    • Strategic oversight of student recruitment and admissions, with a focus on diversifying our student community and enhancing the internationalisation of our learning communities 
    • Developing and sustaining meaningful and at-scale international partnerships in selected hubs across the globe  
    • Academic leadership of other aspects of the University's external relations activity, including marketing and communications,  
    • Strategic oversight of alumni relations and philanthropy
    • The University’s global civic mission as it delivers a responsible civic engagement locally and internationally 
    • The University’s Reparative Futures commitment and programme
    • the University's sustainable development and climate ambitions. 

Post holder

Professor Michele Acuto (he/him) joined the University as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement in June 2024.

Professor Michele Acuto's biography

Professor Acuto holds the role of Professor of Urban Resilience in the School of Geographical Sciences at the University of Bristol. He joined the University in 2024, following leadership positions at University of Melbourne, University College London (UCL) and University of Oxford, having been educated in Italy (Genoa), Norway (Oslo), Australia (ANU) and Singapore (NUS). He has a wide-ranging university management track record alongside significant diplomatic experience in the multilateral sector outside academia (at the World Bank, for the EU, and WHO), focused on urban development and international relations, and centred on global health and climate resilience.

His research on the relation between urban governance and planetary challenges has received over $42 million in named research funding with a broad publication record and regular partnership with UN agencies, local governments, the private and philanthropic sectors. He has served as an advisor and in policymaking across all scales of governance, including for instance for UN-Habitat, City of Melbourne, or Australian and UK Government. Professor Acuto is also currently Managing Editor of Urban Studies, and a Board Member at Fondation Botnar. He is the author of, recently, How to Build a Global City (Cornell) and Managing Cities At Night (Bristol).

Expenses

Expenses are published every 6 months for all members of the Executive Group. Download Professor Acuto's expenses.

2023/24