Hi I'm
Dr Christine Milburn

I am delighted to have joined SRUC as its Director of Strategic Development and Growth where I work across the institution to support the delivery of the strategy and key growth projects.

I have over 19 years of experience in Higher Education Administration, having served in a number of roles at the University of Dundee including Senior Corporate Governance Officer, Head of Organisational & Professional Development, Director of the University Executive Office, and most recently, Director of the University Executive & Strategy Office. During this time, I championed a data-led approach to improving management information and informing decision-making, and led on the establishment of effective priorities and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), the merger of directorates, and improvements to planning and budgeting cycles. I am a strong believer in using business improvement as a tool to bring people and systems together to deliver strategy, and in the importance of good communication and valuing people and their contributions across our community.

I graduated from the University of Dundee, first with a BSc Hons in Biochemistry & Pharmacology and then with a PhD in the labs of Professors Dario Alessi and Daan van Aalten focussed on using protein crystallography to understand the mechanisms through which proteins linked to diabetes act, and opportunities for drug design. I then spent three years as a Post-doctoral researcher at the University of St Andrews, working for Professor Garry Taylor on glucose dehydrogenase modifications in hyperthermophilic bacteria before returning to Dundee in an administrative role supporting the development of researchers (Roberts’ Agenda).

I live just outside of Dundee with my family and spend much of my time out in the fields around our house walking our dog, Loki. Otherwise, I enjoy paddle boarding, and in my younger days played ice hockey for the local ladies team.