An experienced strategic leader in higher education, Douglas Howat is a Chartered Psychologist and Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. A graduate of Edinburgh, Northumbria and Staffordshire Universities, Douglas’s academic and research interests lie mainly within social psychology and in particular the application of social identity principles to sport, leadership, and prejudice and discrimination.

Douglas has lived and worked in Coventry for more than 25 years, joining Coventry University in 1996, initially as a lecturer in psychology, then progressing through a range of roles, including Head of Psychology and Associate Dean for Student Experience in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. In 2020 Douglas joined the Vice-Chancellor’s Office as Dean for Undergraduate Studies and is currently Dean of Students (interim), responsible for the student experience across the University group.

A school governor for over 20 years, Douglas is currently a community governor on Finham Park School’s local governing body and is a board member, trustee and treasurer of Grapevine, a local charity which works to empower isolated and marginalised groups and individuals in Coventry and Warwickshire.