Faculty leadership

Our leadership team set the overall strategy and direction for the Faculty of Science, supporting our departments to accomplish world-class research and provide the best for our students.

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Professor John Derrick

Vice-President and Head of Faculty

John graduated with a degree in Mathematics from the University of Nottingham, before taking his DPhil in Oxford. From 1990 to 2005 he worked at the University of Kent at Canterbury then moved to Sheffield in 2005. He was Head of Department in Computer Science between 2009 and 2015. In 2015 he was appointed to the post of Deputy PVC for Research and Innovation. John joined the Faculty of Science towards the end of 2017.

Full academic profile


Professor Andrew Fleming

Director of Research and Innovation

After completing an undergraduate degree and PhD at the University of Cambridge, Andrew led a successful research career at ETH-Zurich and the University of Bern in Switzerland, which he has continued since joining the University of Sheffield as Professor of Plant Science in 2004. As Director of Research and Innovation he is responsible for defining the science research strategy, nurturing collaboration and supporting academics to pursue new research of a world-class standard.

Full academic profile


Penny Jackson

Director of Operations

Penny joined the University in 2020 after spending seven years as Director of Operations for the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Leicester. Prior to that, she worked for AstraZeneca in a number of different roles. As Director of Operations, Penny works closely with the Faculty Vice-President and the other Faculty Directors to shape the strategic direction of Science at the University of Sheffield and ensure its success in teaching and research.


Jo Marriott

Deputy Faculty Director of Operations

Jo has worked at the University since 2003 in a number of roles including most recently as Deputy Director of Operations (Academic Services) with a remit spanning Education and EDI in the Faculty of Engineering. In her role in the Science Faculty, Jo is focussed on work to support planning for the new Central Teaching Laboratories (CTL) project, as well as the Education and One University pillars of the University vision. Jo also works closely with Departmental Managers to ensure effective and efficient operations. 


Professor Louise Robson

Director of Education

Louise completed her PhD at the University of Leeds in 1992 and has been an educator in Biomedical Science at the University of Sheffield since 1996. Before joining the Faculty of Science leadership team, she served as Director of Learning and Teaching in the School of Biosciences, where she remains Professor of Digital Innovation in Learning and Teaching. In 2021, she was awarded the National Teaching Fellowship by Advance HE for introducing outstanding and innovative teaching practices and championing digital technologies.

Full academic profile



Heads of departments

The heads of our academic departments oversee all aspects of work in their departments, from recruiting the best students to producing great new research.


School of Biosciences

Professor Rob Freckleton

Email: r.freckleton@sheffield.ac.uk

Phone: +44 114 222 0123


Department of Chemistry

Professor Rob Short

Email: ch-hod@sheffield.ac.uk

Phone: +44 114 222 9500


School of Mathematics and Statistics

Professor Jeremy Oakley

Email: somas-hos@shef.ac.uk

Phone: +44 114 222 3752


Department of Physics and Astronomy

Professor Luke Wilson

Email: physics-hod@sheffield.ac.uk

Phone: 44 114 222 3752


Department of Psychology

Professor Elizabeth Milne

Email: psy-hod@sheffield.ac.uk

Phone: +44 114 222 6533

A global reputation

Sheffield is a research university with a global reputation for excellence. We're a member of the Russell Group: one of the 24 leading UK universities for research and teaching.