Dr Diane Bray

Diane is Dean of the School of Sport, Health and Social Sciences with approximately 1,900 students across a diverse range of courses in disciplines including sport management, education and sociology, psychology, football performance and participation, health and exercise science, sport and exercise science, nursing and social work. 

With over 30 years’ experience in higher education, Diane has taught, led and managed programmes in the area of psychology.  She is still keen to teach and regularly still presents guest lectures to students.

In line with the University’s strategy, Diane’s primary focus is on improving student experience and achievement here at Solent, as well as supporting the growing research culture within the School and University. In addition, Diane is keen to widen the School’s portfolio of courses by increasing postgraduate provision and by adding additional courses to our portfolio to meet the needs of our industry partners. She is active in developing a strong staff base to provide students with high quality teaching underpinned by strong research or practice.

Diane is a passionate supporter of research and innovation and she is currently supervising a quantity of research students including a number of projects in line with preparation for the Research Excellence Framework.

A Senior Fellow of the HEA, Diane was previously the Head of the Department of Psychology at the University of Roehampton spanning psychology and the therapies across undergraduate, postgraduate, doctorial provision and short courses.

Diane was a member Roehampton’s Student Experience and Outcome Panel, proving the student experience with measurable improvements in NSS, retention and employability; was joint lead on the University's successful institutional Bronze Athena Swan submission in 2018; and her department achieved  65%  3 or 4* outputs  in REF 2014 and is on target to exceed this performance in the next REF.