Dawn Edwards

Dawn Edwards serves as Clerk to the Board of Governors and Director of Academic Governance at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), holding the title of Professor of Academic Leadership since 2021. As a member of the College's Executive Team, she provides strategic oversight for academic governance, quality standards, and compliance with Office for Students regulations. Her role encompasses advising the Board on governance best practices and ensuring institutional adherence to national quality frameworks.

Education:

• PhD in Physiology, University College London
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, McMaster University, Canada

With over twenty years of expertise in higher education quality assurance, Edwards focuses on academic governance systems, regulatory compliance, and institutional policy development. She serves as RNCM's primary liaison with the Office for Students and has extensive experience with the UK Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) and Advance HE.

Scientific Awards:

• Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (2015) - awarded for sustained leadership in academic practice and development

In her governance capacity, Edwards oversees the College's academic framework including policies, structures, and systems that maintain quality standards. She manages the Instrument and Articles of Government, all Governance Regulations, and serves as Secretary to the Board of Governors and its committees, leveraging her scientific background to implement systematic approaches to academic leadership.