Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice Principal Learning & Teaching
Nazira Karodia is Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice Principal Learning & Teaching at Edinburgh Napier University. Nazira has responsibility for strategic leadership in all the areas of learning and teaching, ensuring we provide an unrivalled teaching and learning experience for all our students.
Nazira’s academic career has spannied over 20 years in Chemistry, STEM education and university leadership. She is a national leader in inclusive curriculum, extending university opportunity and attracting students from marginalised communities. She is passionate that students not only enjoy their university learning but carry into their future lives a passion for further learning, skills enhancement, sustainability, and a commitment to community. In pursuit of this, her focus is on the entire pedagogic experience and student preparation for life.
Nazira’s research interests are in green chemistry, medicinal chemistry progressive pedagogy, education and social inclusion and university leadership.
Nazira studied Chemistry in South Africa and completed her PhD at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. After post-doctoral posts at the University of Florida and at St Andrews, she held a range of academic roles at the University of Bradford and later headed its STEM Programme. She moved to the University of Wolverhampton to be Professor in Science Education, becoming the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering and then Pro Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for leading on the Knowledge Exchange Framework and Concordat, employability, and regional engagement. Her achievements range from regional Directorship of a national higher education STEM project, securing significant funding for skills and regional development work.
Three of our five Schools – The Business School, School of Arts & Creative Industries and School of Applied Sciences – report into Nazira, along with the Department of Learning & Teaching Enhancement. She plays a key role in nurturing, developing, and retaining academic staff.