Professor Peter Bazira has taken up his role as the new Dean of the School of Medicine at Ulster University, where he will oversee the strategic direction, academic leadership, and enhancement of student experience and success.

A respected physician and educator, Peter has over 25 years of international experience in academic medicine and clinical leadership, aligning with the School’s vision of training the next generation of doctors to be both community-focused and globally ambitious.

A graduate of both Makerere University in Uganda and The University of Sheffield, Peter holds a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree, an MSc in Human Anatomy, and a Doctorate in Education. Once qualified, he practiced medicine for 5 years before leaving clinical practice to become a full-time academic.

Before taking up post at Ulster University, Peter was Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning at Hull York Medical School, where he led and influenced the development, delivery, and evaluation of the School’s portfolio of Postgraduate and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes. During his tenure, he demonstrated academic excellence through high-quality teaching and learning, providing strategic leadership, and increasing student engagement and experience.

Peter has a strong track record of effective leadership, curriculum development, strategic planning, and infrastructure enhancement. His priorities as the new Dean are to prepare the next generation of physician leaders for a rapidly changing healthcare landscape, develop strategies to strengthen existing partnerships with key stakeholders, explore growth opportunities for the School’s educational and research portfolios, and lead the transition of the School into a robust  provider of medical and healthcare education.

Welcoming his appointment, Pro-Vice Chancellor & Executive Dean of Faculty of Life and Health Sciences Professor Carol Curran said:

“We are delighted to welcome Professor Peter Bazira to the role of Dean of the School of Medicine where his expertise will be a tremendous asset in further establishing the School in both its teaching and research endeavours. We look forward to his leadership and collaboration with our students, staff and School, and we are excited for the contributions he will make to both our academic community and the field of medicine.”

Commenting on his new role, Professor Peter Bazira said

“I’m excited to meet the team and our strategic and operational partners, and to start to learn about how I can support and lead the School of Medicine through its next chapter with a focus on local impact and growth.”