Membership

Senate membership 

Senate has positions for approximately 300 members. These are divided into:

• 100 elected academic staff members (non-professorial)
• 100 elected academic staff members (professorial)
• 30 elected student members
• Up to 80 ex-officio members (including Heads of Schools, Heads of College, Vice-Principals, Assistant Principals, and College academic staff nominees such as College Deans).

Senate is convened by the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Peter Mathieson.

Senate Elections

Senate elections are held under the Senatus Academicus (Senate) Elections Regulations. Elections for academic staff roles are held annually in semester 2.

Senate Election Regulations

Election of student members of Senate is managed by the Edinburgh University Students' Association. 

The Senate Election Regulations enact University Ordinance 212: Composition of the Senatus Academicus.

Senatus Assessors on Court

The Senatus elects from its membership two Senatus Assessors to serve on the University Court. The following Senate members are the current Senatus Assessors on Court:

• Professor Richard Blythe (2022-2026)
• Vacant (Present-2026)

An Academic Staff Member is elected to Court by academic staff, and if not already a Senate member, becomes an ex officio member of Senate. The position is currently held by Professor Tobias Kelly (2022-2026).

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