Adapted from a webinar on February 24, 2021. As part of Northern Ireland at Boston College's Leadership Fireside Chat series, Professor Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen's University Belfast, discusses the role of higher education as Northern Ireland reaches out to the world. Professor Greer will discuss QUB's work to develop student skills, drive innovation, and create economic growth for Northern Ireland and global partners. Professor Greer also reflects on the challenges of the Covid crisis in education. Opening remarks by Mr. Andrew Elliott Director Northern Ireland Bureau. Moderated by Dr. Robert Mauro, Director, Global Leadership Institute at Boston College.

Ian Greer has been President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast since August  2018. He has extensive experience of university innovation driving regional economic growth,  including cross-sector developments such as the Northern Health Science Alliance,  a collaboration of eight Universities and NHS partners, and is the cofounder of the Health  Innovation Research Alliance for NI.

He is a strong advocate for University social responsibility including widening participation. He  leads the innovation pillar of the Belfast Region City Deal, driving innovation in key sectors for  the local economy - creative industries, health innovation, data science & analytics, and  advanced manufacturing. He is currently President of Universities Ireland, promoting  collaboration across the island.

By way of background, he is a medical graduate of the University of Glasgow, with his research  and clinical career in obstetrics & gynaecology. He has held senior leadership positions in  several UK Universities, and was Vice President of the University of Manchester, immediately  before moving to Queen’s.