Professor David Smith (SFHEA, FRSA)

Deputy Head of College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS)

  • College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS)
  • University of Edinburgh

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College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
The University of Edinburgh
55-60 George Street
EDINBURGH
EH8 9JU

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Biography

Background

As Deputy Head of College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS), I contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of CAHSS's strategic plans. Working in partnership with the relevant Deans, I have particular strategic responsibility for leading the College's education strategy, priorities, and plans, around Learning, Teaching and Student Experience.

I have held a variety of leadership roles in academic and non-academic environments through which I have sought with others to make a positive difference. I was Head of School for six and a half years across two institutions: at the University of Edinburgh, as Head of Moray House School of Education and Sport; and at the University of Aberdeen (where I spent ten years). In the latter role, I reported to the Senior Vice-Principal and was a member of the University Management Group; Innovation Project Lead in creating the University of Aberdeen OnDemand Online Access (widening participation) English and Maths courses (2016-2018); School Director of Innovation and Internationalisation (2015-2017); and Director of the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education: Primary, Secondary, and Distance Learning (2014-2016).

I was elected Chair of the Scottish Council of Deans of Education (2020-2022), a national organisation which represents eleven Higher Education Institutions in Scotland. My tenure as Chair coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic and, consequently, presented frequent opportunities to work with others through the gnarliest of issues. I enjoy working with people in other cultures and regularly visited Beijing, China, over a five year period (2016-2020), where I taught a successful professional learning course for Chaoyang District Institute of Education.

I am Convenor of the University of Edinburgh's Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression Working Group and work across the university in support of our community in this area. 

My Professional background is as a former Secondary (High School) teacher of Religious, Moral, and Philosophical Studies. Before entering Higher Education, in this capacity, I worked nationally for Education Scotland/Scottish Government where within the Assessment and Moderation team I had lead-responsibility for the local authorities within the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Prior to this, I served in local government for Aberdeen City Council's Education Department as a Curriculum Development Officer. Before becoming a Teacher, I worked in the Third Sector where over several years I led a team to turnaround a struggling charitable company. Throughout these various roles and diverse contexts, I have enjoyed collaborating with others to problem-solve and seek change towards the shaping of new possibilities. The way in which education and research can have a positive impact on people's lives, and that of society collectively, is something that motivates me. My research interest is in religion and education. Exploring the possible religio-cultural milieu of certain religious practices and beliefs has long captured my imagination. 

Qualifications

PDGE: Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Distinction), University of Edinburgh, UK 

PhD: Doctor of Philosophy (Religion), University of Durham, UK (Arts Humanities Research Council Competition B Studentship)

ThM: Master of Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ, USA (Peter Marshall Scholar)

BD (Hons): Bachelor of Divinity (First Class), University of Glasgow, UK

Responsibilities & affiliations

Convenor: University of Edinburgh Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression Working Group (February 2024-present)

Convenor: University of Edinburgh Gifford Lectureship Committee (February 2024-present)

Honorary Professor of Education: University of Aberdeen (October 2022-present)

Member: Global Deans of Education Forum (October 2022-February 2024)

Member: U21 Deans of Education (October 2022-February 2024)

Emeritus Chair, Scottish Council of Deans of Education (July 2020-July 2022); Member, Scottish Council of Deans of Education (2014-2024)

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