Andrea Nolan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Andrea Nolan CBE FRSE MRCVS
Principal & Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University
In office 2013–2024
Chancellor	Tim Waterstone David Eustace Will Whitehorn
Preceded by	Dame Joan Stringer
Succeeded by	Sue Rigby
Personal details
Nationality	Irish
Alma mater	Trinity College Dublin
Profession	Veterinary surgeon

Andrea Nolan is a highly respected professor who studies how medicines affect animals. She was also the leader, or Principal and Vice Chancellor, of Edinburgh Napier University. In 1999, she made history by becoming the first woman to lead a British school for training animal doctors (a veterinary school). She holds special honors like the CBE and FRSE, which show her important contributions.

Andrea Nolan's Early Life and Education

Andrea Nolan grew up in Raheny, where she went to Manor House School, Raheny. After finishing school, she decided to study to become an animal doctor, also known as a veterinary surgeon. She attended Trinity College Dublin for her veterinary medicine degree. After working briefly as a vet, she continued her studies. She did advanced research at the University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, and the Technical University of Munich.

Andrea Nolan's Career Journey

Andrea Nolan began her teaching career at the University of Glasgow in 1989. She started as a lecturer, teaching students. By 1998, she became a full professor of veterinary pharmacology. This means she became a top expert in how medicines work in animals. She still does research on how to help animals with pain. She also gained special qualifications from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. This showed her advanced skills in veterinary medicine and anesthesia.

Leading a Veterinary School

In 1999, Professor Nolan achieved another first. She was chosen to be the dean of the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine. A dean is like the head of a specific department or school within a university. She was the first woman ever to hold this position at the University of Glasgow. She was also the first woman to lead any veterinary school in Britain.

Becoming a University Leader

Professor Nolan continued to take on bigger roles at the university. In 2004, she became a vice-principal. Her job was to oversee learning and teaching for all students. Later, in 2006, she also became responsible for making the university more international. This meant helping students from different countries and building connections worldwide.

In 2009, she was promoted to a new, very important role. She became the senior vice-principal and deputy vice-chancellor. In this position, she helped reorganize the university's different departments. She helped change nine smaller groups into four larger colleges. This made the university work more efficiently.

Leading Edinburgh Napier University

In 2013, Andrea Nolan took on an even bigger leadership role. She was appointed the Principal and Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University. This means she became the main leader of the entire university. She took over from Dame Joan Stringer. When she started, she created a new plan for the university's future from 2014 to 2019. She stayed in this important role until December 2024. Professor Sue Rigby then became the new leader of the university.

Other Important Roles

Professor Nolan has also held many other important positions. As of 2021, she leads the Interface Strategic Board. This group helps connect businesses with universities for research. She is also a board member or trustee for several organizations. These include Medical Research Scotland, which supports health research. She also works with the Universities and Colleges Employers Association. This group helps universities with their staff and employment.

She is also involved with the Moredun Foundation, which researches animal diseases. And she helps the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, which works to improve animal well-being. She leads the International Committee for Universities Scotland. This group represents all universities in Scotland. She also helps the organization address issues like gender-based violence.

In the past, she chaired the Scottish Higher Education Enhancement Committee. This group helps make sure university education is high quality. She also led Universities Scotland for a time. She was a trustee for the Higher Education Statistics Agency. This agency collects data about higher education. She also worked with Glasgow International College. This college helps international students prepare for university. She was also part of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s Global Pain Council. This group works on pain management for small animals.

Awards and Recognition

Andrea Nolan has received many awards for her work. She won the Pfizer Academic Award for Animal Health Research. She also received the British Small Animal Veterinary Association's Amoroso Award. With her colleagues, she won the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare Companion Animal Award. These awards recognized her contributions to animal health and welfare.

She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is a group of top experts in Scotland. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies. She is an honorary life member of the Association for Veterinary Teachers & Research Workers.

In 2014, Professor Nolan was given an honorary OBE. This is a special award from the British King or Queen. It recognized her important contributions to science. In 2024, she received an honorary CBE. This is an even higher award for her services to higher education.