Debra Humphris

As a registered nurse, Humphris worked at the South Thames regional health authority and St George's Hospital Medical School, where she conducted research for the Doctor of Philosophy degree.[2][3] She received her PhD degree from the University of London in 1999 after defending her thesis, "The implementation of policy into clinical practice: the use of research evidence by doctors, nurses and therapists".[3][4] After completing her education, Humphris became a professor of health care development at the University of Southampton, where she led the New Generation Project to evaluate the university's health care curriculum.[5] In 2008, she became the pro vice chancellor for education and student experience at the University of Southampton.[6]

Preston Barracks in 2012

Humphris was appointed as pro rector for education at Imperial College London in 2012, and vice provost for education in 2013.[5] She became the vice chancellor of the University of Brighton on 1 December 2015, succeeding the retiring Julian Crampton.[2] She is one of few openly LGBT university leaders in the United Kingdom.[7] As vice chancellor, Humphris advocated for the transformation of Preston Barracks, an 18th-century military installation, into new student residences and the university's business school.[8][9] In 2018, she was elected as a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians.[3] She was elected as the chair of the University Alliance, an association of 21 universities, in 2019.[7]