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Q&A with Dominic Shellard
Professor Dominic Shellard joined the Sheffield First Partnership Board (SFP) in September 2008.
Dominic is the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of External Affairs at Sheffield University.
What is the one thing you really want to be achieved for Sheffield?
Can I have two? Firstly, to play a role in helping to ensure that the University of Sheffield continues to be a world class institution with cutting edge research and teaching, and secondly, to ensure that the re-opened Crucible is acknowledged as the leading regional producing theatre. Both the Crucible and University are dynamic, vibrant and stimulating places to be involved in and I feel privileged to be both the Chair of Sheffield Theatres Trust and the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for External Affairs.
How do you see SFP helping to achieve this?
Participating in a forum dedicated to action that brings together the key stakeholders in the city is invaluable for us. It not only reflects our institution's commitment to external engagement but recognises that SFP contains many of the key players we wish to work with.
We face more challenging times, as do all cities. How do you think Sheffield is placed to deal with these?
Sheffield is one of the most exhilarating places to live, work and study and the more we tell the world this, the better our chances of taking advantage of the recovery, which is bound to come. Since I became Pro-Vice-Chancellor in June 2008 I have been enormously impressed by the desire of the public sector providers, business organisations and third sector groups to work with the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University in finding new opportunities for taking the city forward.
The universities are important players in the city. How do you see them contributing to Sheffield's future?
Between us, Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield have 55,000 students, 10,000 staff and a combined income of £575m. We are undoubtedly a force for good in the city, region and nation and are proud of our economic and social impact. The University is in the top 100 of the world's universities and the top 10 for research power in the UK. This must be a significant factor for Sheffield's future. Both I and Mike Smith, my counterpart at Sheffield Hallam University, with whom I work closely, were really pleased to give a joint presentation about the Universities to the SFP Board in May and the subsequent creation of a Universities Task Group will greatly help our joint ambition for the universities and the city to work ever more closely together.