GOVERNANCE / OPPORTUNITIES
University Council
University Committees
Faculty Representation
External Boards
University Council
A key part of the University's Vision and Strategy is to ensure that decision-making processes work across the University in a transparent, consultative and collaborative way and with appropriate delegation and empowerment. We promote open, informed and constructive debate in Council and Council's committees. Through our long-term commitment to diversity and equality of opportunity, we seek to ensure that Council and its committees comprise a diverse, representative, informed and engaged membership.
~ Denis Burn, Chair of Council.
Council is the governing body of the University and as such its decisions affect all aspects of the University’s life and work. Council meets on a regular basis and is concerned mainly with strategy, policy, compliance and monitoring. Whilst there are many important aspects to the work of Council and its committees, the themes are largely centred on finance, staff, estates, students, research and enterprise and teaching and learning.
Individual members of Council are expected to act in the best interests of the University and also play a major part in the appointments, grievance and disciplinary processes. Membership of Council includes academic and support staff, students and external or ‘lay’ members – those who are not employed by the University.
The lay members are in the majority and most of them are elected by Court or appointed by external bodies for renewable three-year terms. The Chair is elected from the lay membership.
For more information on what being a lay member of council involves and how they are recruited please visit the Governance web pages on 'Finding and Appointing New Members'.
We are keen to improve the diversity of our governing body and would particularly welcome applications from women and people from ethnic minority groups.
To apply for any specific vacancies please visit:
Please note that should no vacancies be currently available, you will have the opportunity to register your interest and we will then contact you should a vacancy arise. To do so, please email secretariat@bristol.ac.uk
More information about Council in terms of its role, duties and composition can be found in the Guide to Council (the Purple Guide) and at the following website: www.bristol.ac.uk/university/governance/universitycommittees/council