University appoints Director of International Exeter

An Exeter graduate, Dr Shaun Curtis is the first Head of the UK Higher Education International Unit, based at Universities UK, which was established to support UK universities in a globally competitive world.

Dr Shaun Curtis said: “I am absolutely delighted to be returning to Exeter to take forward the University’s international strategy.  Exeter is recognised as one of the UK’s best universities; our task now is to be recognised as one of the world’s best. Exeter’s ambition is to be a Top 100 global university by 2015. It is a big challenge, but one that I am eager to take on. Working with staff and students across the three campuses, I hope to implement strategies so that everybody can engage in, and benefit from, the internationalisation of the University.”

Exeter is ranked 9th best UK university in The Times league table. The University is now focused on raising its profile globally to attract more students and staff from overseas and develop international research partnerships. Recent visits by the Vice-Chancellor and other senior managers to China, Taiwan and Dubai have helped the University develop its international links.

Prior to his work at the International Unit, Dr Curtis was Research Manager at the City of London Corporation. He has also taught International Relations at the University of Toronto, and has undertaken freelance work at the Office of Transnational Issues – Central Intelligence Agency, Gulf States Newsletter, Jane’s Information Group and others.  He also spent three years training as an accountant.

Shaun received a BA in Politics and an MA (Distinction) in Middle East Politics from the University of Exeter, UK and was awarded a PhD in Political Science from the University of Toronto, Canada.