Dr Jennifer Somerville joined ESMU as a Senior Expert in 2010 since when she has contributed to a range of European and international programmes and projects.

Dr Somerville is an experienced academic leader with a proven track record of strategic policy development and delivery in most aspects of university management at executive level. She also has considerable experience of project management and evaluation in the UK, Europe and internationally.

After an academic career culminating in executive dean of faculty, she held the posts of Pro-Vice Chancellor at both the University of North London and London Metropolitan University. Her specific responsibility was for external relations, strategic intelligence and innovation and knowledge transfer.

She now provides consultancy services for organisations at the forefront of developing capacity-building for senior leaders and managers of higher education.

Dr Somerville's specific spheres of expertise are: higher education policy and management; university-business-government engagement; innovation and knowledge transfer practice; quality assurance.

She has a strong reputation among external partners, clients and associates for her ability to understand and work collaboratively with diverse organisational structures, cultures and mind-sets.