Graham John Hills
Encyclopedia
Sir Graham Hills FRSE (born 9 April 1926) is a physical chemist, a writer in educational theory and practice
, and was Principal of the University of Strathclyde
and a Governor of the BBC
. He was born in Southend-on-Sea
, Essex
and was educated at Westcliff High School for Boys
and Birkbeck College, London (BSc 1946, PhD 1950). He was knighted in 1988 for his services to education.
at the University of Southampton
for 18 years when he was appointed Principal at Strathclyde University in 1980. At the time, financial difficulties were compounded by cuts in government expenditure. He responded in 1982 by re-organising the nine schools into four faculties - Science; Engineering; Arts and Social Studies and Business Studies. An early retirement scheme reduced staff costs, and income from sources other than the University Grants Committee
was increased.
The resulting improvement in the University's finances allowed expansion to resume. In 1987 Marland House was purchased from British Telecommunications, and renamed the
Graham Hills Building New student residences were built on campus, bringing the idea of a student village closer to reality. The Barony Church was bought and restored for use as a ceremonial hall from 1991. Before his retirement in 1991, Sir Graham had initiated discussions regarding a possible merger with Jordanhill College of Education, which came to fruition in 1993.
After Sir Graham's retirement, he was the driving force behind the establishment of a University of the Highlands and Islands. He moved to Inverness to participate fully in this enterprise as an advisor to the nascent University. In 2004, he co-authored with Robin Lingard the book UHI: The Making of a University, containing a comprehensive account of the background behind its establishment.
• University of Southampton
: Professor of Physical Chemistry, 1962-1980.
• University of Western Ontario
: Visiting Professor, 1968.
• Case Western Reserve University
: Visiting Professor, 1969.
• University of Buenos Aires
, Visiting Professor, 1977.
• University of Strathclyde
, Glasgow: Principal and Vice-Chancellor, 1980-1991.
, 1983-1985.
• Non-Executive Director: Scottish Post Office Bd, 1986-1999.
• Member: Council for Science and Technology
, 1987-1993.
• Scottish Development Agency, 1988-1990.
• Member: Council for National Academic Awards
, 1988-1993.
• Glasgow Action Partnership, 1989-1990.
• Scottish governor of the BBC
, 1989-1994.
• Design Council
, 1989-1990.
• Society of Chemical Industry
, 1991-1993.
• Scottish Enterprise
, 1991-1993.
• Design and Industries Association
, 1992-1996.
• Chairman of the Council of Quarrier’s Homes
, 1992-1997.
• Chairman of the Ness Foundation
(formerly Highland Psychiatric Res.), 1998-2003.
, 1990
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts
, 1978.
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry
, 1950.
, 1984; Lisbon, 1994.
• Hon. ScD: Technical University of Lodz
, Poland, 1984.
• Commander, Polish Order of Merit, 1984.
• Hon. LLD: Glasgow
, 1985; Waterloo,Canada
, 1991; Strathclyde
, 1991.
• Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, 1986,
• Hon. Fellow of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
, 1988.
• Hon. Medal, University of Pavia
, Italy, 1988.
• Hon. Fellow of the Polytechnic of East London
, 1991.
• Hon. Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
, 1992.
• DUniv: Paisley, 1993.
• Hon. Fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers
, 1996.
• Hon. DEd University of Abertay Dundee
, 1999.
• Hills, G. J., Inheritance of Michael Faraday, (University of Southampton), 1964.
• Hills, G. J., Polarography, (Macmillan), 1964.
• Hills, G. J. (ed.) Electrochemistry: A Review of Chemical Literature: vols 1-3 (Specialist Periodical Reports), (Royal Society of Chemistry), 1970, 71, 73.
• Hills, G. J., Transactions of the Faraday Society Articles (Royal Society of Chemistry) (numerous contributions on electrochemistry.
• Hills, Graham & Lingard, Robin, UHI: The Making of a University, (Dunedin Academic Press), 2004.
Education theory
Educational theory can refer to either speculative educational thought in general or to a theory of education as something that guides, explains, or describes educational practice....
, and was Principal of the University of Strathclyde
University of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde , Glasgow, Scotland, is Glasgow's second university by age, founded in 1796, and receiving its Royal Charter in 1964 as the UK's first technological university...
and a Governor of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
. He was born in Southend-on-Sea
Southend-on-Sea
Southend-on-Sea is a unitary authority area, town, and seaside resort in Essex, England. The district has Borough status, and comprises the towns of Chalkwell, Eastwood, Leigh-on-Sea, North Shoebury, Prittlewell, Shoeburyness, Southchurch, Thorpe Bay, and Westcliff-on-Sea. The district is situated...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
and was educated at Westcliff High School for Boys
Westcliff High School for Boys
Westcliff High School for Boys is a selective academy grammar school for boys aged 11 to 18 in Westcliff-on-Sea, near Southend-on-Sea, Essex and surrounding areas. In September 2001 the school was awarded "Beacon" status for its breadth of achievements and quality of work...
and Birkbeck College, London (BSc 1946, PhD 1950). He was knighted in 1988 for his services to education.
Academic career
Sir Graham had been Professor of Physical ChemistryPhysical chemistry
Physical chemistry is the study of macroscopic, atomic, subatomic, and particulate phenomena in chemical systems in terms of physical laws and concepts...
at the University of Southampton
University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is a British public university located in the city of Southampton, England, a member of the Russell Group. The origins of the university can be dated back to the founding of the Hartley Institution in 1862 by Henry Robertson Hartley. In 1902, the Institution developed...
for 18 years when he was appointed Principal at Strathclyde University in 1980. At the time, financial difficulties were compounded by cuts in government expenditure. He responded in 1982 by re-organising the nine schools into four faculties - Science; Engineering; Arts and Social Studies and Business Studies. An early retirement scheme reduced staff costs, and income from sources other than the University Grants Committee
University Grants Committee
University Grants Committee may refer to:*University Grants Committee *University Grants Committee...
was increased.
The resulting improvement in the University's finances allowed expansion to resume. In 1987 Marland House was purchased from British Telecommunications, and renamed the
Graham Hills Building New student residences were built on campus, bringing the idea of a student village closer to reality. The Barony Church was bought and restored for use as a ceremonial hall from 1991. Before his retirement in 1991, Sir Graham had initiated discussions regarding a possible merger with Jordanhill College of Education, which came to fruition in 1993.
After Sir Graham's retirement, he was the driving force behind the establishment of a University of the Highlands and Islands. He moved to Inverness to participate fully in this enterprise as an advisor to the nascent University. In 2004, he co-authored with Robin Lingard the book UHI: The Making of a University, containing a comprehensive account of the background behind its establishment.
Professional posts
• Imperial College, London: Lecturer in Physical Chemistry, 1949-1962.• University of Southampton
University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is a British public university located in the city of Southampton, England, a member of the Russell Group. The origins of the university can be dated back to the founding of the Hartley Institution in 1862 by Henry Robertson Hartley. In 1902, the Institution developed...
: Professor of Physical Chemistry, 1962-1980.
• University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
: Visiting Professor, 1968.
• Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is a private research university located in Cleveland, Ohio, USA...
: Visiting Professor, 1969.
• University of Buenos Aires
University of Buenos Aires
The University of Buenos Aires is the largest university in Argentina and the largest university by enrollment in Latin America. Founded on August 12, 1821 in the city of Buenos Aires, it consists of 13 faculties, 6 hospitals, 10 museums and is linked to 4 high schools: Colegio Nacional de Buenos...
, Visiting Professor, 1977.
• University of Strathclyde
University of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde , Glasgow, Scotland, is Glasgow's second university by age, founded in 1796, and receiving its Royal Charter in 1964 as the UK's first technological university...
, Glasgow: Principal and Vice-Chancellor, 1980-1991.
Professional committee work
• President of International Society of ElectrochemistryInternational Society of Electrochemistry
The International Society of Electrochemistry is a global scientific society founded in 1949. The Head Office of ISE is located now in Lausanne, Switzerland. ISE is a Member Organization of IUPAC...
, 1983-1985.
• Non-Executive Director: Scottish Post Office Bd, 1986-1999.
• Member: Council for Science and Technology
Council for Science and Technology
The Council for Science and Technology is an advisory non-departmental public body of the United Kingdom government. Its role is to give advice on issues that cut across government departments to the Prime Minister, the First Minister of Scotland and the First Minister for Wales. It was...
, 1987-1993.
• Scottish Development Agency, 1988-1990.
• Member: Council for National Academic Awards
Council for National Academic Awards
The Council for National Academic Awards was a degree awarding authority in the United Kingdom from 1965 until 1992. The CNAA awarded academic degrees at polytechnics, Central Institutions and other non-university institutions such as Colleges of Higher Education until they were awarded university...
, 1988-1993.
• Glasgow Action Partnership, 1989-1990.
• Scottish governor of the BBC
Audience Council Scotland
The Audience Council Scotland was created upon establishment of the BBC Trust in January 2007. It replaced the Broadcasting Council for Scotland which had many responsibilities the present Council now has....
, 1989-1994.
• Design Council
Design Council
The Design Council is a United Kingdom non-departmental public body incorporated by Royal Charter and registered as a charity.Registered charity number 272099.- In the beginning :The Design Council started in 1944 as the Council of Industrial Design...
, 1989-1990.
• Society of Chemical Industry
Society of Chemical Industry
The Society of Chemical Industry is a learned society set up in 1881 "to further the application of chemistry and related sciences for the public benefit". Its purpose is "Promoting the commercial application of science for the benefit of society". Its first president was Henry Enfield Roscoe and...
, 1991-1993.
• Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Enterprise is a sponsored non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government which encourages economic development, enterprise, innovation and investment in business...
, 1991-1993.
• Design and Industries Association
Design and Industries Association
The Design and Industries Association is a United Kingdom charity whose object is to engage with all those who share a common interest in the contribution that design can make to the delivery of goods and services that are sustainable and enhance the quality of life for communities and the...
, 1992-1996.
• Chairman of the Council of Quarrier’s Homes
Quarriers
Quarriers is a Scottish social care charity based in Quarrier's Village, Inverclyde. It provides care and support for people with a disability, children and families, young people, young homeless people, people with epilepsy and carers...
, 1992-1997.
• Chairman of the Ness Foundation
Ness Foundation
The Ness Foundation, established by Dr Iain Glen, a consultant psychiatrist, is a research charity based near Inverness, Scotland...
(formerly Highland Psychiatric Res.), 1998-2003.
Professional fellowships
• Fellow of the Royal Society of EdinburghRoyal Society of Edinburgh
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity, operating on a wholly independent and non-party-political basis and providing public benefit throughout Scotland...
, 1990
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts
Royal Society of Arts
The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce is a British multi-disciplinary institution, based in London. The name Royal Society of Arts is frequently used for brevity...
, 1978.
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry
Royal Society of Chemistry
The Royal Society of Chemistry is a learned society in the United Kingdom with the goal of "advancing the chemical sciences." It was formed in 1980 from the merger of the Chemical Society, the Royal Institute of Chemistry, the Faraday Society and the Society for Analytical Chemistry with a new...
, 1950.
Professional honours
• Hon. DSc: SouthamptonUniversity of Southampton
The University of Southampton is a British public university located in the city of Southampton, England, a member of the Russell Group. The origins of the university can be dated back to the founding of the Hartley Institution in 1862 by Henry Robertson Hartley. In 1902, the Institution developed...
, 1984; Lisbon, 1994.
• Hon. ScD: Technical University of Lodz
Technical University of Lódz
The Technical University of Łódź was created in 1945 and has developed into one of the biggest in Poland. Originally located in an old factory building, today covering nearly 200,000 sq. meters in over 70 separate buildings, the majority of them situated in the main University area. Approximately...
, Poland, 1984.
• Commander, Polish Order of Merit, 1984.
• Hon. LLD: Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
, 1985; Waterloo,Canada
University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo is a comprehensive public university in the city of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The school was founded in 1957 by Drs. Gerry Hagey and Ira G. Needles, and has since grown to an institution of more than 30,000 students, faculty, and staff...
, 1991; Strathclyde
University of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde , Glasgow, Scotland, is Glasgow's second university by age, founded in 1796, and receiving its Royal Charter in 1964 as the UK's first technological university...
, 1991.
• Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, 1986,
• Hon. Fellow of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is a conservatoire of music, drama, and dance in the centre of Glasgow, Scotland. Founded in 1845 as the Glasgow Educational Association, it is the busiest performing arts venue in Scotland...
, 1988.
• Hon. Medal, University of Pavia
University of Pavia
The University of Pavia is a university located in Pavia, Lombardy, Italy. It was founded in 1361 and is organized in 9 Faculties.-History:...
, Italy, 1988.
• Hon. Fellow of the Polytechnic of East London
University of East London
The University of East London is a university located in the London Borough of Newham, East London, England, based at two campuses in Stratford and Docklands areas...
, 1991.
• Hon. Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, is an institute of physicians and surgeons in Glasgow, Scotland.Founded by Peter Lowe after receiving a royal charter by James VI in 1599, as the Glasgow Faculty, this institution originally existed as a regulatory authority to ensure that...
, 1992.
• DUniv: Paisley, 1993.
• Hon. Fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers
Chartered Society of Designers
The Chartered Society of Designers , headquartered in London, England, is the professional body for designers. It is the world's only Royal chartered body of professional designers...
, 1996.
• Hon. DEd University of Abertay Dundee
University of Abertay Dundee
The University of Abertay Dundee, usually known simply as Abertay University, is a modern university in Dundee, Scotland.- History :The University of Abertay Dundee was created in 1994, under government legislation granting the title University to the Dundee Institute of Technology...
, 1999.
Publications
• Hills, G. J. Reference Electrodes, 1961.• Hills, G. J., Inheritance of Michael Faraday, (University of Southampton), 1964.
• Hills, G. J., Polarography, (Macmillan), 1964.
• Hills, G. J. (ed.) Electrochemistry: A Review of Chemical Literature: vols 1-3 (Specialist Periodical Reports), (Royal Society of Chemistry), 1970, 71, 73.
• Hills, G. J., Transactions of the Faraday Society Articles (Royal Society of Chemistry) (numerous contributions on electrochemistry.
• Hills, Graham & Lingard, Robin, UHI: The Making of a University, (Dunedin Academic Press), 2004.