As Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Planning, Professor Gerry Kelleher’s main remit is the strategic development of the University at a time of considerable change for MMU as it consolidates from seven to two campuses. He is also responsible for supporting the work of Deans of Faculty and for overseeing research and third stream initiatives.

Following time as an academic at Warwick and Leeds Universities teaching and researching in artificial intelligence, Professor Kelleher joined MMU from Liverpool John Moores University where he had taken up the post of Professor of Artificial Intelligence in 1993 before progressing to the post of Director of Research. He was appointed Pro-VC in 2002 and, in addition to general management, was responsible for student recruitment and widening participation, student services, library and information services, research, enterprise and development funding.

A graduate of the LSE where he studied economics and then social psychology, he holds a PhD in computer science from Leeds University and has many years experience in industry: as one of the first employees of a start-up software company, as a general software consultant and as a senior manager in a private research institute in Maastricht responsible for the commercial applications of AI.

Well-published in artificial intelligence, he has attracted personal grants of over £2 million and given invited lectures in the USA, Europe and Japan.

Professor Kelleher has sat on many national and regional committees, advising on university research and the knowledge economy. He is a founder and executive member (1997-2004) of the Modern Universities Research Group, ex Chair of the North West Universities Association Strategy Committee and is currently Chair of the Contact Partnership.