Paul Johnson is Professor of Theatre and Performance and Dean of Academic Quality University of Chester, a role with responsibility for enhancing academic quality across the institution and with our partners. He has held a number of higher education leadership roles including Head of Department, Head of School, Associate Dean, and Executive Dean of Arts and Humanities. In the HE sector he was elected Vice-Chair of Drama HE (or SCUDD as it was then called), the body that represents the interests of Drama, Theatre and Performing Arts, and in 2023 was appointed Chair of the Quality Assurance Agency’s review of the Subject Benchmark Statement for Dance, Drama and Performance, working with colleagues from across the sector to undertake the first major review of the statement since 2015. Has has acted as External Examiner or Advisor at over 15 institutions for a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and has chaired Periodic Reviews and numerous validations, including with partners in UK and India, Pakistan, Nepal and Ireland. 

He has also undertaken a number of leadership roles in arts and culture, including currently as the Chair of the Vibrant Shropshire Cultural Compact, as well as chair of the Shropshire Museums NPO Oversight Panel, following their successful Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation application, and was previously chair of the Shropshire Music Hub board. He also sat on the Strategic Board of Arts Connect, the Arts Council Bridge Organisation for the West Midlands, ensuring that they met their aim of ensuring wider access to arts and culture for young people in the West Midlands. Paul also has experience of working with a broader range of stakeholders, representing Higher Education on the Shropshire Economic Partnership Board and the Local Skills Improvement Board for the Marches.