Leading with Purpose: Professor Emma Mayhew

In our latest Leading with Purpose series conversation, we hear from Professor Emma Mayhew, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience at Royal Holloway, University of London, about the role of higher education in opening up opportunity and helping students to thrive. 

A Professor of Pedagogy, she works across academic Schools and Professional Services to support education and student experience. 

For Professor Mayhew, purpose is rooted in the opportunity to shape experiences that help students feel welcomed, supported and able to fulfil their potential: 

“One of the most exciting aspects of my role is the part I’m able to play in delivering new experiences and brilliant opportunities for our students. 

“From our pre-arrival support work, finding new ways for everyone to feel welcome into our Royal Holloway community right from the very start, through to encouraging innovative and exciting ways for them to learn and develop skills that give them choice and opportunity.  

“Supporting students to strive and fulfil their potential is an incredible privilege and for me has always felt filled with purpose.” 

That commitment to widening opportunity is reflected in Royal Holloway’s work with the Higher Education Outreach Network, including a spring residential programme for students aged 14 to 16: 

“A team of brilliant colleagues here work with the Higher Education Outreach Network (HEON) to run a spring residential programme for students aged 14-16 (Years 10 and 11). This is packed with activities to help students better understand their future options and what University could be like, and crucially to build confidence and attainment. 

“As I’m writing, this year’s edition has just taken place, and it’s been amazing to hear how much difference we can make in terms of students’ understanding of studying in higher education and their confidence around transitioning into it in this way.” 

For Professor Mayhew, Royal Holloway’s commitment to breaking down barriers to opportunity is inseparable from its wider social purpose: 

“At Royal Holloway we strive to be a University of Social Purpose, and it’s so core to what we do to make learning and research as open and inclusive as possible.  

“We know how powerful higher education can be in changing people’s lives, enabling them to succeed and also – so importantly – to contribute their insights and diverse perspectives to help shape better societal outcomes.” 

Professor Mayhew’s leadership highlights the importance of students feeling welcomed, supported, and empowered on their journey in higher education.