Peter Mathieson is a nephrologist with a clinical interest in autoimmune renal disease. He is Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, and prior to that held an analogous role at the University of Hong Kong. He had previously spent nearly 20 years at the University of Bristol. He was a postgraduate student at Christ’s and a Director of Studies, and he has been an Honorary Fellow of the College since 2023.
After completing his medical degree in London, Peter came to Christ’s and completed his PhD in 1992 before becoming Director of Studies in Clinical Medicine 1992-95, and in 1992 was voted “Teacher of the Year” by Cambridge medical students. He then moved to the University of Bristol to become Professor of Renal Medicine, a position he held until 2008. He concentrated on research, teaching and a half-time clinical role as a consultant in a regional renal unit providing kidney dialysis and kidney transplantation, until 2003 when he became Deputy Head of Department, and then Head of Department in 2007. He was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry 2008-14, and alongside this role was involved in the formation of Bristol Health Partners, being appointed founding Director in 2012. He remains an Honorary Professor of Medicine at Bristol.
Sir Peter served as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) from 2014 until 2018 and remains an Honorary Professor of Medicine in the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine at HKU. It was while he was there that Hughes Hall, Cambridge elected him an Honorary Fellow. He has been Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh since 2018. He was knighted for services to higher education in 2023, the same year he was elected to an Honorary Fellowship at Christ’s.
Photo Credit: Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh