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Kerstin Mey

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Kerstin Mey
Born1963 (age 61–62)
East Berlin, East Germany
NationalityGerman
Alma materHumboldt University of Berlin
Known forPresidency of the University of Limerick

Kerstin Mey (born 1963) is a German academic and president of the University of Limerick. She was the first woman to head a university in Ireland,[1] on an acting basis, and having participated in an international competition, was appointed to the full position with effect from 8 October 2021. She held positions in a number of universities in Germany and the United Kingdom before moving to Limerick in the west of Ireland.

Early life and education

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Kerstin Mey was born in East Berlin, Germany in 1963.[2] She attended Humboldt University, where she studied Art and German (language and literature); she earned a PhD in Art Theory and Aesthetics from the same university and took up a lecturership and executive assistant role there in 1990.[1]

Academic and administrative career

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UK & Northern Ireland

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Mey moved to the UK in 1992 and worked as DAAD Lektor for German language at Warwick University in 1992.[3] During her time at Warwick, she studied for a PG Dip in European Cultural Policy and Administration and was awarded a short-term fellowship at the Henry Moore Institute Leeds for a research project on contemporary sculpture.[4]

In 1996, she was appointed as Lecturer in Fine Art at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, University of Dundee and promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2002.[5]

From 2004 to 2009, she led the research area ‘Art and its Location’ in Interface: Centre for Research in Art, Technologies and Design at the University of Ulster and served as the Centre’s Acting Director between 2008 and 2009.[6] From 2005 to 2008, she also headed up the Research Institute in Art and Design for the University. She held a full professorship in Fine Art and was the artistic director of ISEA 2009: Engaged Creativity in Mobile Environments on the island of Ireland.[7]

In 2009, she moved to the University for the Creative Arts in England heading up the organisations research and enterprise function as its Director. There she focused on building the university’s research infrastructure and culture, and advancing the practice-based PhD programme in partnership with University of Brighton.[8]

In 2013, she became pro-vice-chancellor and executive dean of the Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design, the leading faculty within the University of Westminster, where she was also professor of Contemporary Art and Theory.[1] As pro-vice chancellor she co-led an ambitious academic transformation programme with the embedding of the university-wide electives and graduate attributes in the undergraduate curricula across the institution.[9]

Ireland

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In April 2018, she became the vice-president for Academic Affairs and Student Engagement for University of Limerick (UL) as well as the institution's Professor of Visual Culture.[10][11][12][13][14] She introduced and led an ambitious academic transformation programme and ensured the smooth transition to hybrid and online learning of the university during Covid19.[15]

In July 2020, Mey was appointed interim president of University of Limerick, the first woman to head up an Irish university in the 428 years of history of the sector.[10][12][16] The university ran a global search for the presidency over the following months, and Mey was announced as the winning candidate, and formally appointed to the role at the meeting of its governing authority on 8 October 2021.[17][18]

During her presidency, Mey pursued an organisational transformation agenda [9][19] and University of Limerick significantly improved its performance. It achieved Athena Swan Silver award as the first HEI in Ireland.[20] Mey introduced innovative professional role profiles to the HE sector in Ireland[21] and facilitated the bottom-up development and implementation of a pioneering, systemic and mission-based Sustainability Framework to 2030.[22] UL moved into the 500 globally leading universities[23][24][25] and grew its international recognition for impact and sustainability.[26] In 2021, she oversaw the development and subsequent implementation of the pioneering, industry sponsored Immersive Software Engineering BSc/MSc.[27]

To address mainly legacy issues, Mey attended Ireland's Public Accounts Committee in 2021,[28] 2022[29] and as well as 2023[30] in what some commentators described as an "inept performance", with one question asked 23 times.[31] In March 2024, the trade union in the university voted "no confidence" in the president, and 10 of the 13 members of UL's executive committee other than Mey, including the deputy president, wrote that "We wish to advise you that we do not consider it is in the best interests of the University of Limerick for you to continue as president", and "We do not have confidence that you will approach this in an appropriate manner". This was following a "significant over payment" (around 5.2 million euro) by UL for 20 houses for students, an overspend which, combined with provisions for a previous over payment for a site in central Limerick under her predecessor, created temporary budgetary pressures for the university. The development also turned out to lack planning permission for use as student accommodation.[31][32][33]

Mey notified the Public Accounts Committee on 23 March 2024 that she would not be able to make a scheduled appearance on 11 April 2024 but that she will honour the invitation at a later point during that term.[34] On 14 June 2024, UL chancellor Brigid Laffan announced Mey would resign from her role as president on 1 September 2024, continuing at the university as a full professor of Visual Culture.[35]

Other roles

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Mey has held a number of  leadership and governance positions in international higher education. Amongst others, she was Director of CREST[36] now GuildHE Research, the research consortium of the UK higher education interest group for small and specialised universities. She served on the Austrian Science Board, a 12 member strong advisory for the Federal Minister with responsibilities for higher education and research appointed by the Austrian Parliament from 2012–2018. Mey was an Executive member and Vice Chair of CHEAD[37] Council for Higher Education in Art and Design, UK. Between 2019 and 2024 she served on the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Ireland,[38] and she chaired the Council of the Irish Universities Association in 2023.[39][40]

She also held board and advisory positions in cultural organisations. Between 2008-9 she steered the Ormeau Baths Galleries, the then premier venue for contemporary art in Belfast, Northern Ireland, through a complex transition phase as Chair and acting CEO.[40]  Amongst others, she was on the board of PAL, Performing Arts Labs, UK, and served on the ISEA International Advisory Committee.

She also served as a member of the board of directors of the Irish Chamber Orchestra and is a member of the board of Eva International Biennial[41] and the Hunt Museum.[10]

Research

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Mey’s research is concerned with 20th century contemporary art,[42][43][44][45][46] aesthetics [47] and public pedagogies.[48] It includes inquiries on the relationship between art and identity formation [49][50] artistic research,[51] and the relationship between art, documentation and archives. Her current focus is directed at the nexus between contemporary creative practices and the development of narrative frameworks in relation to value hierarchies, models of practice and social transformation processes towards sustainability and regeneration.

References and sources

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  1. ^ a b c O'Brien, Carl. "First ever woman president of an Irish university appointed at University of Limerick". The Irish Times. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  2. ^ "KERSTIN MEY, born 1963". Company Director Check. 1 March 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Prof. Dr. Kerstin Mey". www.daad.de. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  4. ^ "Research fellows 1995". Henry Moore Foundation. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  5. ^ "Art in the Making: Aesthetics, Historicity and Practice by Mey, Kerstin (ed.) | Paperback | 2005 | Peter Lang | 9783906764931 | BIBLIO". www.biblio.com. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  6. ^ Interface Report No.2 - 06/06 - 04/09. Arts Council of Northern Ireland. 2009. ISBN 978-1-905902-03-3.
  7. ^ "[ISEA2009] | ISEA Symposium Archives". Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  8. ^ "Governing Authority Members Details | University of Limerick". www.ul.ie. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  9. ^ a b Thomas-Alexander, Tiya (1 September 2023). "Talking leadership: Kerstin Mey on using arts to reimagine education". Times Higher Education (THE). Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  10. ^ a b c "Meet the President". University of Limerick. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  11. ^ Halloran, Cathy (9 July 2020). "UL appoints first female president of Irish university". RTÉ Ireland's National Television and Radio Broadcaster. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  12. ^ a b Donnelly, Katherine (9 July 2020). "University of Limerick appoints first ever female president of an Irish university". The Irish Independent. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  13. ^ "Professor Kerstin Mey; VPAASE On Transforming Education". UL. 6 February 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  14. ^ Mey, Kerstin (28 June 2016). "Brexit signals the end of a unified Europe, and HE has much to lose". Times Higher Education (THE). Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  15. ^ https://www.ul.ie/node/11380
  16. ^ "First ever woman president of an Irish university appointed at University of Limerick". The Irish Times. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  17. ^ "University of Limerick's Governing Authority approves appointment of new president | University of Limerick". www.ul.ie. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  18. ^ O'Sullivan, Lia (9 October 2021). "IUA Statement 08.10.21 - IUA warmly welcomes the appointment of Prof. Kerstin Mey as President of UL". Irish Universities Association. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  19. ^ "UL Links". edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  20. ^ "University of Limerick becomes first higher education institution in Ireland to win an Athena Swan Silver Award | Advance HE". advance-he.ac.uk. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  21. ^ Boe, Mariangela (31 January 2025). "Sustainability through collaboration: UL, YERUN, and the SDGs". Yerun. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  22. ^ "Sustainability | University of Limerick". www.ul.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  23. ^ "QS World University Rankings 2024". Top Universities. 23 January 2025. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  24. ^ "World University Rankings". Times Higher Education (THE). 25 September 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  25. ^ "Young University Rankings". Times Higher Education (THE). 14 June 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  26. ^ "Impact Ranking". Times Higher Education (THE). 4 June 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  27. ^ Harford, Sarah (24 February 2021). "UL teams up with tech leaders to shake up computer science education". Silicon Republic. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  28. ^ Oireachtas, Houses of the (17 June 2021). "COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS debate - Thursday, 17 Jun 2021". www.oireachtas.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  29. ^ Oireachtas, Houses of the (12 May 2022). "COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS debate - Thursday, 12 May 2022". www.oireachtas.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  30. ^ Oireachtas, Houses of the (17 May 2023). "Committee of Public Accounts to examine 2020 Financial Statements with University of Limerick – 17 May 2023, 16:10 – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  31. ^ a b Brennan, Cianan (28 March 2024). "Can the University of Limerick's president survive latest controversy?". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  32. ^ O'Regan, Donal; Rabbitts, Nick (24 March 2024). "University president asked to consider position in hard-hitting letter by staff". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  33. ^ "University of Limerick overpaid €5.2m on student housing project, says president". The Irish Times. Retrieved 26 March 2024. new valuations were carried out as part of a review of the deal that was commissioned because of concern about the transaction within the governing authority and UL's executive management. "The university will have to absorb the resulting draft impairment, a sum in the region of €5.2 million, in our financial accounts," Prof Mey said. That loss of value – in addition to the Dunnes site impairment – will lead to a deficit in the 2022-2023 financial year, contrary to a forecast surplus.
  34. ^ Oireachtas, Houses of the (2 February 2018). "Publications by the Houses of the Oireachtas – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  35. ^ "University of Limerick president Kerstin Mey to resign". The Irish Times. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  36. ^ Persad, Rachel (20 May 2013). "New CREST Director announced - GuildHE Research". Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  37. ^ "Brexit response | Council for Higher Education in Art & Design". Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  38. ^ Lowry, Colin (1 October 2019). "New National Forum Board Announced". National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. Archived from the original on 22 June 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  39. ^ O'Sullivan, Lia (1 March 2023). "IUA Seminar/Webinar - Why Autonomy Matters for University Success - March 2nd 8.30am". Irish Universities Association. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  40. ^ a b "New Era for Ormeau Baths Gallery". artscouncil-ni.org. 7 November 2007. Archived from the original on 7 November 2007. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  41. ^ "Governance". EVA International. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  42. ^ Gorrill, Helen; Summerton, Edward; Spence, Pernille, eds. (2024). Fine Art Dissertations 2024: Duncan of Jordanstone School of Art and Design. University of Dundee.
  43. ^ Art and Obscenity. ISBN 978-1-84511-235-6.
  44. ^ Schmeink, Lars (21 September 2017). "Conclusion". Liverpool University Press. doi:10.5949/liverpool/9781781383766.003.0008.
  45. ^ Neudecker, Mariele; Crawle, Greer; Limerick City Gallery of Art, eds. (2021). Mariele Neudecker - SEDIMENT. Wakefield: Anomie. ISBN 978-1-910221-32-7.
  46. ^ Paquette, Catha; Kleinfelder, Karen; Miles, Christopher, eds. (2022). In and Out of View. Bloomsbury Visual Arts. ISBN 978-1-5013-5871-5.
  47. ^ Mey, Kerstin (27 July 2021). Art in the Making. ISBN 978-3-906764-93-1.
  48. ^ Mey, Kerstin (January 2005). "On-Site/In-Sight". Journal of Visual Art Practice. 4 (2–3): 67–81. doi:10.1386/jvap.4.2and3.67/1. ISSN 1470-2029.
  49. ^ "Hybrid Identities in Digital Media' Digital bodies, virtual characters, man-machine hybrids, simulated 'humans', androids, and cyborgs Convergence, vol. 11, no. 4, Winter 2005, Guest-edited by Kerstin Mey and Yvonne Spielmann". Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies. 10 (4): 8. December 2004. doi:10.1177/135485650401000402. ISSN 1354-8565.
  50. ^ Kröncke, Meike; Mey, Kerstin; Spielmann, Yvonne, eds. (31 December 2007). Kultureller Umbau. transcript Verlag. ISBN 978-3-89942-556-7.
  51. ^ "RIXC, The Center for New Media Culture". rixc.org. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
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