Lancaster University has appointed Dr Mark Brewer to take up the role of Academic Dean at its new campus in Leipzig, Germany. The Academic Dean is the Senior Representative of Lancaster University on its Leipzig campus.

Having worked on a broad range of international projects, activities, and partnerships in both higher education and the private sector over the past two decades, Dr Brewer brings with him a wealth of experience of transnational education programmes, research, and stakeholder engagement.

A native of the United States who has lived most of the past three decades in the UK and Germany, Dr Brewer brings a personal understanding of the immense opportunities of international education and looks forward to leading Lancaster University’s European expansion.

Dr Brewer received his PhD from the University of St Andrews, Juris Doctor from Cornell University, and masters in German law from Humboldt-Universität. His research interests include corporate social responsibility, comparative law, and fashion law. Dr Brewer joins Lancaster from Sheffield Hallam University where he was the Associate Dean for Global and Academic Partnerships in the College of Business, Technology, and Engineering.

Commenting on his appointment, Dr Brewer said: “I’m delighted to take on this exciting opportunity at one of the UK’s top universities in one of Europe’s most exciting cities. Lancaster University Leipzig is indeed ‘open for business’ to Europe and the world, and we will provide the warmest welcome to our students, exceptional opportunities for scholars and researchers, and multidimensional engagement with businesses, governments, academic institutions, and other valued stakeholders.”

Professor Steve Bradley, the Interim Vice-Chancellor at Lancaster University, said: “We are delighted that Mark is joining the team to take on this important role at our brand new campus in Leipzig. As Lancaster’s first campus in mainland Europe, Leipzig presents an exciting opportunity and it is crucial we have a leader who understands what Lancaster stands for, and can embed academic excellence into all aspects of the student experience.

“I am pleased we have attracted someone of Mark’s calibre to the role, and I am confident he will ensure Leipzig becomes as successful and established as our international partnerships in China, Malaysia and Ghana.”

Dr Elisabeth Grindel-Denby, the Campus Director for Lancaster University Leipzig, further commented: “At Lancaster University Leipzig we look forward to welcoming Dr Brewer to the team and working together to take proactive and precautionary steps that keeps the health, safety, and wellbeing of our students at the fore.

“We are excited to be working with a colleague of such experience in the sector in order to ensure that we continue to provide top 10 teaching and learning experiences for our students – both in the classroom and online.”

Working in partnership with leading education provider Navitas, Lancaster University announced the creation of a new Leipzig campus at the start of 2019. The campus offers Lancaster University degree programmes, with the University retaining responsibility for academic matters, while Navitas provides facilities and maintains responsibility for student recruitment, support services and administrative staff.

During its first phase of development, the Leipzig campus offers four Lancaster accredited Bachelor of Science programmes taught by the University, and a University accredited foundation programme operated by Navitas.

The first students for the foundation programme were welcomed to the campus in January 2020. In response to official guidelines regarding Covid-19, Lancaster University Leipzig moved to online teaching from the 16th of March until mid-May. Applications for the September 2020 intake are open, and the University offers a number of generous merit-scholarships as well as additional funding options.