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.
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.
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.
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.
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