Professor Christopher Paul Day stands as a distinguished leader in both academic administration and medical research, currently serving as Vice-Chancellor and President of Newcastle University since January 2017. Educated at Churchill College, Cambridge, he established his clinical career at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1985 before transitioning to medical research at Newcastle University in 1987. His academic progression at the institution saw him appointed Consultant Hepatologist in 1994, Professor of Liver Medicine in 2000, Head of the School of Clinical Medical Sciences in 2004, and Pro-Vice-Chancellor in 2007, demonstrating his steady ascent through academic leadership ranks. As a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and former Clinical Vice-President of this prestigious institution, Professor Day has maintained his dual commitments to scholarly administration and medical science throughout his distinguished career.
Professor Day has earned an international reputation in hepatology research, with significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of liver diseases that have shaped clinical practice. His expertise led to influential roles including service on the Council of the Medical Research Council and the Executive of the Medical Schools Council, where he helped direct national research priorities. He provided critical leadership to the UK's research assessment infrastructure by chairing the Clinical Medicine Sub-Panel for the 2014 Research Excellence Framework and the Institutional Environment Pilot Panel for REF 2021, establishing frameworks that continue to evaluate research excellence across British universities. His scholarly impact extends through his continued engagement with medical research policy, having previously chaired the Board of the Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research and the N8 Group of research universities.
Currently serving as Chair of the Russell Group since September 2023, Professor Day shapes higher education policy at the national level while representing the interests of leading UK research-intensive universities. His leadership extends to membership on the Council of the All-Party Parliamentary University Group and service on the Advisory Board of the UPP Foundation, demonstrating his commitment to the broader academic ecosystem. In recognition of his decades-long contributions, he was awarded a CBE for Health Research and Treatment in the 2023 New Year Honours, cementing his legacy in both medical science and academic administration. As Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, he maintains strong regional connections while guiding Newcastle University's strategic vision for research excellence and educational innovation in the years to come.
