A Norwegian Catholic priest has been appointed as the new vice-chancellor at St Mary’s University.
Dr Øystein Lund, who is currently Counsellor for Research and Education at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in London, will succeed Professor Anthony McClaran.
He is expected to take up his role at the start of August following McClaran’s departure at the end of the academic year.
Dr Lund said: “I am honoured to have been appointed to such an important role in Catholic higher education in the UK.
“[What drew me to St Mary’s was] Its ability to combine academic excellence with a genuine commitment to human flourishing, rooted in the church’s long tradition of learning, scholarship and inquiry.”
He thanked his predecessor for his considerable success during his time as vice-chancellor.
Dr Lund looks forward to strengthening the university’s impact and hopes to expand its opportunities for future generations locally and internationally.
Lund has worked on UK-Norway cooperation in higher education, research, innovation and skills since 2022.
Prior to this, he held senior leadership roles at the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance (NOKUT) in Higher Education from 2014-2022.
He worked at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society in Oslo from 1993 until 2014 in various capacities, including dean of studies and deputy to the rector in 2009.
Outside of academia and diplomacy, Lund is a Catholic priest in the Diocese of Oslo.
He was first ordained in the Church of Norway in 1994, before being received into full communion with the Catholic Church in 2009.
He was ordained deacon in 2013 and priest in 2014.
Archbishop Richard Moth and St Mary’s chair of governors, said: “On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am delighted to welcome Rev Fr Dr Øystein Lund as our new vice-chancellor.
“We now look ahead to important initiatives like the opening of the School of Medicine and the Dubai Campus, which will deepen our impact and broaden our global reach.
“I am confident that Øystein is the right person to lead the university into this next stage of our academic journey, and I will be praying for his and the university’s success.”
Featured image: St Mary’s University London
