Professor Mairi Watson

Professor Mairi Watson joined the University as Principal and Vice-Chancellor in February 2026.

Prior to joining GCU, Professor Watson was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hertfordshire, and its former Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience.

A Professor of Learning and Teaching and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Professor Watson is recognised for her strategic leadership in academic practice and her contribution to high-quality student learning.

Before joining Hertfordshire, she was Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Northampton and began her academic career at De Montfort University as a Senior Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management.

Originally from Scotland, Professor Watson holds an LLB (Hons) from the University of Edinburgh, an LLM in Criminology and Criminal Justice from King’s College London, an MBA from the Open University, and a PhD in Organisational Behaviour (Organisational Change) from De Montfort University.

Contact Professor Watson

Britannia Building
City Campus
Cowcaddens Road
Glasgow, G4 0BA

Tel: +44 (0)141 331 3112
Fax: +44 (0)141 331 3174

Email: VCOffice@gcu.ac.uk