{{Short description|English nephrologist (born 1959)}} {{Use British English|date=October 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Peter Mathieson | image = Peter Mathieson 2019.jpg | caption = Mathieson in 2019 | honorific_suffix = {{postnominals|country=GBR|FRCP|FMedSci}} | office = Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Edinburgh | chancellor = Anne, Princess Royal | term_start = 1 February 2018 | term_end = | predecessor = Timothy O'Shea | successor = | office1 = Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Hong Kong | chancellor1 = Leung Chun-ying<br>Carrie Lam | term_start1 = 1 April 2014 | term_end1 = 31 January 2018 | predecessor1 = Tsui Lap-chee | successor1 = Xiang Zhang | birth_name = Peter William Mathieson | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1959|4|18}} | birth_place = Colchester, England, UK | death_date = | death_place = | education = London Hospital Medical College (MBBS)<br>Christ's College, Cambridge (PhD) | signature = Peter Mathieson Signature.png | module = {{Infobox academic |child = yes |thesis_title = Role of T Lymphocytes in Autoimmune Responses |thesis_url = https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/251527 |thesis_year = 1992}} | honorific_prefix = Sir }} '''Sir Peter William Mathieson''' ({{lang-zh|c=馬斐森}}; born 18 April 1959) is an English nephrologist and current principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Edinburgh.<ref>{{cite web|title=Appointment of next Principal and Vice-Chancellor|url=https://www.ed.ac.uk/news/2017/appointment-of-next-principal-and-vice-chancellor|website=ed.ac.uk|publisher=University of Edinburgh|access-date=2 February 2017}}</ref><ref name="Pay Rise">{{cite web |url=https://www.scotsman.com/education/edinburgh-university-principal-handed-near-ps20000-pay-rise-while-slashing-budgets-4863578?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email |title=Exclusive:Edinburgh University principal handed 'near £20,000 pay rise' while slashing budgets |date=13 November 2024 |publisher=The Scotsman |access-date=13 November 2024}}</ref> Previously, he served as the vice-chancellor and president of the University of Hong Kong (HKU). He was the dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry of the University of Bristol before he assumed office at the HKU in April 2014, and was previously director of studies at Christ's College, Cambridge.<ref name="hku.hk">{{Cite web| url=http://www.gs.hku.hk/322-913.pdf | title=Peter William Mathieson | access-date=18 September 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101104949/http://www.gs.hku.hk/322-913.pdf | archive-date=1 November 2013}}</ref>
==Biography== Mathieson went to school in Penzance, Cornwall. He studied medicine at London Hospital Medical College and earned Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with first class honours awarded from University of London in 1983. After junior posts in and around the West End of London, he went to Christ's College, Cambridge as a Medical Research Council (MRC) training fellow, studying for a PhD which was awarded in 1992.<ref name="ed-principal">{{cite web|title=The Principal|url=https://www.ed.ac.uk/about/people/officials/principal|website=The University of Edinburgh|access-date=14 February 2018|language=en}}</ref> His thesis was titled "Role of T lymphocytes in autoimmune responses".<ref>{{citation |url=https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?did=1&uin=uk.bl.ethos.239156 |title=Role of T lymphocytes in autoimmune responses |publisher=British Library |access-date=8 October 2018}}</ref> While studying for his PhD, Mathieson also taught at Cambridge and was named 'Teacher of the Year' in 1992 by the university's medical students.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www4.hku.hk/pubunit/Bulletin/2013_Dec(15.1).pdf |title=Professor Peter Mathieson Appointed HKU's 15th Vice-Chancellor |work=The University of Hong Kong Bulletin |publisher=The University of Hong Kong |date=December 2013 |volume=15 |issue=1 |page=1}}</ref> Mathieson was awarded a second MRC fellowship during which he worked on complement/immunology with Douglas Fearon and Peter Lachmann.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.bristol.ac.uk/clinical-sciences/people/peter-w-mathieson/index.html |title=Professor Peter Mathieson |publisher=University of Bristol |access-date=9 October 2018}}</ref> He was also Director of Studies for Clinical Medicine at Christ's College, Cambridge.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/about-us/who-we-represent/ |title=Who we represent |publisher=Universities Scotland |access-date=9 October 2018}}</ref>
==Career== ===University of Bristol=== Mathieson joined the University of Bristol in 1995 as the foundation professor of renal medicine. He was also honorary consultant nephrologist with the North Bristol NHS Trust.<ref name="ed-principal"/> In 1999 he was elected as a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, United Kingdom.<ref>{{citation |url=https://acmedsci.ac.uk/fellows/fellows-directory/ordinary-fellows/professor-peter-mathieson |title=Fellow: Professor Peter Mathieson FMedSci |publisher=The Academy of Medical Sciences |access-date=9 October 2018}}</ref> While at the University of Bristol, Mathieson ran 'The cellular basis of albuminuria' research project, with £585,000 funding from the MRC from 2005 to 2008. The project aimed to 'develop ways of detecting and treating early kidney and heart disease'.<ref>{{citation |url=https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=G0500053 |title=The cellular basis of albuminuria |publisher=UK Research and Innovation |access-date=10 October 2018}}</ref> <!--The following two sentences seem to be essentially copied from http://www.bristol.ac.uk/clinical-sciences/people/peter-w-mathieson/index.html and need rephrasing-->In 2007 he was elected as the youngest ever president of the Renal Association and also became head of the University Department of Clinical Science at North Bristol. He was also appointed as director of research & development for the North Bristol NHS Trust.<ref name="ed-principal" /> Between 2003 and 2007 he chaired the Research Grants Committee of Kidney Research UK [formerly National Kidney Research Fund]. He was a member of the Renal Association Clinical Trials committee from 1996 to 2007 and its chairman between 2000 and 2003.<ref name=Bristol>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bristol.ac.uk/clinical-sciences/people/peter-w-mathieson/index.html|title=Professor Peter Mathieson - School of Clinical Sciences|last=Bristol|first=University of|website=www.bristol.ac.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-10-08}}</ref> In 2008 he was appointed dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Bristol.<ref name="ed-principal" />
He was appointed Dean of the university's Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry in 2008.<ref name="ed-principal"/> Foundation doctors at University Hospitals Bristol voted Mathieson as 'Top Teacher' for 2011–12.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.ed.ac.uk/vet/news-events/news-and-archive/2018-news/new-principal-starts-tenure-by-teaching |title=New Principal starts tenure by teaching |publisher=University of Edinburgh |date=3 April 2018 |access-date=9 October 2018}}</ref> A further MRC-funded research project on treatment of patients with membranous nephropathy (a type of kidney disease) found a treatment which mitigated against deterioration;<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/university/documents/publications/review-2013.pdf |title=The battle against kidney disease |work=Review of the year 2012-2013 |year=2013 |publisher=University of Bristol |page=13 |access-date=10 October 2018}}</ref> the results were published in ''The Lancet''.<ref>{{citation |title=Immunosuppression for progressive membranous nephropathy: a UK randomised controlled trial |journal=The Lancet |volume=381 |issue=9868 |date=March 2013 |first1=Andrew |last1=Howman |first2=Tracey L. |last2=Chapman |first3=Maria M. |last3=Langdon |first4=Caroline |last4=Ferguson |first5=Dwomoa |last5=Adu |first6=John |last6=Feehally |first7=Gillian J. |last7=Gaskin |first8=David R.W. |last8=Jayne |first9=Donal |last9=O'Donoghue |first10=Michael |last10=Boulton-Jones |first11=Peter W. |last11=Mathieson |pages=744–751 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61566-9|pmid=23312808 |pmc=3590447 }}</ref>
===University of Hong Kong=== In October 2013, Mathieson was appointed vice chancellor of the University of Hong Kong, replacing Lap-Chee Tsui. He was the first British person to be appointed the chancellor of HKU since Kenneth Robinson.{{noteTag|Ian Rees Davies succeeded as chancellor after Cheng Yiu-chung's resignation and was not directly appointed.}} His appointment was controversial as some staff felt that Mathieson lacked management experience and familiarity with Chinese society.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1322318/doubts-about-expat-tipped-be-hku-head |title=Doubts about expat tipped to be HKU head |work=South China Morning Post |date=2 October 2013 |first=Tony |last=Cheung |access-date=10 October 2018}}</ref><ref name=HKUappointment>{{citation |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1324223/peter-mathieson-appointed-new-hku-chief |title=Peter Mathieson confirmed as new head of HKU|date=4 October 2013 |publisher=South China Morning Post |first=Tony |last=Cheung |access-date=10 October 2018}}</ref> Leong Che-hung, who headed the committee that appointed Mathieson noted that he had experience running a faculty at the University of Bristol,<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1323984/academic-questions-choice-hku-head |title=Journalism professor questions choice of Briton as HKU head |work=South China Morning Post |date=4 October 2013 |access-date=10 October 2018}}</ref> while Mathieson himself suggested his unfamiliarity with China gave the opportunity for a fresh start.<ref name=HKUappointment/>
[[File:香港大學校長馬斐森進入校委會會議前與抗議的學生會代表交談.jpg|thumb|left|Mathieson meeting students protesting the HKU council's refusal to appoint Johannes Chan as pro-vice-chancellor in September 2015. Mathieson supported the appointment.]]
His tenure at HKU was described to be full of "tension and clashes between the university's governing body and students".<ref name="resign-scmp">{{Cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2067524/university-hong-kong-chief-peter-mathieson|title=University of Hong Kong chief Peter Mathieson resigns, set to take up post in Scotland|newspaper=South China Morning Post|language=en|access-date=2017-02-02}}</ref> Five months into his vice-chancellorship, a students-led class boycott, protesting against Beijing authorities' decision of Hong Kong's suffrage, evolved into a 79-day occupy protest.<ref name="resign-scmp"/> During the crisis, he stated that independence was not a realistic political option for Hong Kong, but defended the rights of students to protest in favour of Hong Kong's democratic values.<ref name="universityworldnews.com">{{cite news | title=Universities warned about 'independence' discussions | url=http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20160825142609419}}</ref> {{see also|University of Hong Kong pro-vice-chancellor selection controversy}} In 2015, Mathieson was elected as an honorary fellow of Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/2014-15/weekly/6382/6382_public.pdf |title=Elections |work=Cambridge University Reporter |volume=145 |number=26 |date=16 April 2015}}</ref> That year, a University of Hong Kong panel led by Mathieson selected Johannes Chan as pro-vice-chancellor, however the appointment was blocked by the university's governing council.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/university-hong-kong-picks-berkeley-scientist-next-v-c |title=University of Hong Kong picks Berkeley scientist as next v-c |work=Times Higher Education |date=15 December 2017 |access-date=10 October 2018}}</ref> Chan is pro-democracy, supports human rights, and had supported the student occupy protest in 2014, and was unpopular with the government. The episode was viewed as an incident in which the university's academic freedom was under threat, and Mathieson's authority suffered as a result; in a staff survey, 78% of people did not feel Mathieson had "effectively protected academic freedom".<ref>{{Citation |url=https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/01/15/maligned-befuddled-misunderstood-hkus-peter-mathieson-exits-just-entered/ |title=Maligned, befuddled and misunderstood: HKU's Peter Mathieson exits just how he entered |work=Hong Kong Free Press |date=15 January 2018 |first=Kent |last=Ewing |access-date=11 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jan/08/edinburgh-universitys-new-vice-chancellor-condemned-in-staff-survey |title=Edinburgh University's new vice-chancellor condemned in staff survey |work=The Guardian |first=Benjamin |last=Haas |date=8 January 2018 |access-date=11 October 2018}}</ref> Addressing the results of the survey, Mathieson acknowledged the unpopularity of some of his actions and questioned the survey's methodology.<ref name=exclusive>{{cite web|title=Exclusive: Peter Mathieson's first face-to-face interview as University of Edinburgh principal|url=http://www.studentnewspaper.org/exclusive-peter-mathiesons-first-face-to-face-interview-as-university-of-edinburgh-principal/|publisher=The Student Newspaper|access-date=1 February 2018}}</ref>
On 2 February 2017, two years before the original expiry of his contract, Mathieson resigned from the post of HKU.<ref name="resign-scmp"/> Mathieson claimed that he was squeezed out of the position by HKU's Chairman of the Governing Council, Arthur Li.<ref>{{cite news|title=Let's bid good riddance to Peter Mathieson|url=https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2127884/lets-bid-good-riddance-peter-mathieson|access-date=2 February 2018|work=South China Morning Post}}</ref> The Chairman of the Staff Association, William Cheung, stated "you may now appreciate why we thank you [University of Edinburgh] so many times for taking Professor Mathieson on board" after claims that Mathieson failed to uphold academic freedom, discouraged debate on campus, and did not understand the needs of students emerged from a staff survey.<ref>{{cite news|title=Edinburgh University's new vice-chancellor condemned in staff survey|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jan/08/edinburgh-universitys-new-vice-chancellor-condemned-in-staff-survey|access-date=8 January 2018|work=The Guardian}}</ref> Addressing the results of the survey, Mathieson described the survey as flawed in its methodology.<ref name=exclusive/>
===University of Edinburgh=== Mathieson became Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh in February 2018, succeeding Sir Timothy O'Shea in the role.<ref name="ed-principal" /> He is the highest paid figure in Scottish Higher Education with a benefits package exceeding £418,000. When he began at the University of Edinburgh, Mathieson had a £342,000 salary, which was less than he was paid at HKU.<ref name=exclusive/> While the university said the salary was set in relation to vice chancellor pay at similar sized universities, it was criticised by the University and College Union during the UK-wide dispute between university staff and management over pensions. In response, Mathieson told ''The Times'', "I had no negotiations – they made me an offer and I accepted it."<ref>[https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15915355.edinburgh-university-defends-huge-salary-new-principal/ 'Edinburgh University defends the "huge" salary for its new principal']. 2 February 2018: ''Herald Scotland Online''</ref>
In addition to his salary package, Mathieson lives rent and bill free in a mansion on one of Scotland's most expensive streets and was paid £17,910 to maintain the property in 2021-22, including paying his council tax and servicing the property’s aga cooker.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/education/edinburgh-university-paid-more-than-ps17900-to-run-principals-ps17m-house-last-academic-year-3870716|title=Edinburgh University paid more than £17,900 to run Principal's £1.7m house last academic year|date=7 October 2022 }}</ref>
At Edinburgh, Mathieson was further criticised for his lack of oversight in relation to a replacement finance system which failed to pay staff, students and suppliers over an extended period,<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theregister.com/2022/11/23/edinburgh_university_oracle_investigation/|title=University orders investigation into Oracle finance disaster • The Register}}</ref> continued to give units within the University no financial control for more than a year after its implementation and cost more than double its original £14 million price tag.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65067767|title=Edinburgh University to pay extra £8m for controversial finance system|work=BBC News |date=24 March 2023 }}</ref><ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theregister.com/2023/05/03/edinburgh_uni_senate_report/|title=Academics unhappy over Edinburgh Uni Oracle disaster • The Register}}</ref> As convener of the Senatus Academicus (Academic Senate), he accepted a 2023 motion of no confidence over the finance system implementation as uncontentious rather than face a vote.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2024-07/29%20March%202023%20-%20Agenda%20and%20Papers.pdf | title=Senate Oversight of the Curriculum Transformation Programme | website=registryservices.ed.ac.uk}}</ref> He was further criticised for accepting a pay rise of £43,000 in 2022,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/education/revealed-scottish-university-principals-share-eye-watering-pay-rises-worth-more-than-ps300000-4151297|title=Revealed: Scottish university principals share 'eye-watering' pay rises worth more than £300,000|date=22 May 2023 }}</ref> at a time when his staff continued to strike due to erosion of their salaries. Student protests disrupted the 2023 summer graduations, where Mathieson was blamed for not settling the dispute with his staff causing students to receive unclassified degrees<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thetab.com/uk/edinburgh/2023/07/06/peter-mathieson-is-a-joke-edinburgh-students-react-to-graduation-ceremonies-with-no-degrees-84280|title='Peter Mathieson is a joke': Edinburgh students react to graduation ceremonies with no degrees|date=6 July 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/student-protest-disrupts-edinburgh-university-graduation-ceremony-2x86ntztw|title=Student protest disrupts Edinburgh University graduation ceremony |last1=Paton |first1=Craig }}</ref> and bringing calls for his resignation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/edinburgh-university-student-protests-during-27297929|title=Edinburgh University student protests during own graduation over 'empty degrees'|publisher=Edinburgh Live|website=edinburghlive.co.uk |date=11 July 2023 }}</ref>
In December 2023 the Edinburgh University Students' Association voted for Mathieson's resignation with a 95% majority of 648 votes for, 35 votes against, and 29 abstentions on a motion of "University management accountability and vote of no confidence". The motion called for his resignation no later than July 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thetab.com/uk/edinburgh/2023/12/07/edinburgh-university-students-call-for-sir-peter-mathiesons-resignation-in-eusa-vote-88001|title=Edinburgh University students call for Sir Peter Mathieson's resignation in EUSA vote|date=7 December 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=University Management Accountability and Vote of No Confidence | url=https://assets-cdn.sums.su/ED/StudentCouncil_YSA/University_Management_Accountability_and_Vote_of_No_Confidence.pdf | publisher=Edinburgh University Students' Association}}</ref> Mathieson did not resign in response.
In April 2024, Mathieson met with students involved in setting up a pro-Palestine encampment at the University of Edinburgh's Old College. Mathieson and vice-principal Colm Harmon heard concerns from student demonstrators urging for Edinburgh to divest funding from companies tied to Israel, accusing it of committing genocide in Gaza.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thestudentnews.co.uk/2024/05/16/principal-matheison-addresses-the-old-college-gaza-solidarity-encampment/|title=Principal Matheison Addresses The Old College Gaza Solidarity Encampment|date=16 May 2024 }}</ref> Mathieson emphasized that the university would respect peaceful protest rights, while also defending its investment practices.<ref>[https://www.ed.ac.uk/news/2024/old-college-protest-a-statement-from-the-principal 'Old College protest: a statement from the Principal'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525000632/https://www.ed.ac.uk/news/2024/old-college-protest-a-statement-from-the-principal |date=25 May 2024 }}. Sir Peter Mathieson. ''The University of Edinburgh''.</ref> The university subsequently established a working group to review its investment policies and launched a consultation on ethical investing principles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Update on student protests and the University's investments |url=https://mailings.ed.ac.uk/t/cr/AQi6pQYQnY_OARj_____B-SIMAr0vH5di9yIQosaxj5B9x1fnWLCibf86l6Db6Hr |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=mailings.ed.ac.uk |archive-date=25 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525233837/https://mailings.ed.ac.uk/t/cr/AQi6pQYQnY_OARj_____B-SIMAr0vH5di9yIQosaxj5B9x1fnWLCibf86l6Db6Hr |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Coleman, Angus. (16 May 2024). [https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/edinburgh-university-bosses-to-look-29182171 'Edinburgh University bosses "to look at investments" in wake of Gaza protests'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627162619/https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/edinburgh-university-bosses-to-look-29182171 |date=27 June 2024 }}. ''Edinburgh Evening News''. Scotland.</ref>
In February 2025, Mathieson wrote to staff to announce £140m as the level of recurring savings required to secure the University's financial sustainability.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Adams |first1=Richard |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/feb/26/university-edinburgh-staff-cuts-financial-deficit|title=University of Edinburgh warns of staff cuts as it faces £140m ‘financial gap’|work=The Guardian |access-date=15 April 2026}}</ref> He also highlighted that it costs £120m a month to run the institution<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-25 |title=Edinburgh University to seek £140m in savings |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c204kn5n4z6o |access-date=2026-04-16 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>. The university had assets of £3.1 billion and an annual surplus of £85m in 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/edinburgh-staff-fear-manufactured-crisis-ps140-million-cuts|title=Edinburgh staff fear 'manufactured crisis' in £140 million cuts|date=3 Mar 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://uoe-finance.ed.ac.uk/accounts/finance-directors-foreword|title=Annual Report and Accounts: Finance Director's foreword|date=16 Jan 2025 }}</ref> While there were structural factors across the sector, the University and College Union described Edinburgh's predicament as a 'manufactured crisis' and blamed uncontrolled capital expenditure (including buying land and buildings), inappropriate accounting metrics, excessive financial targets set as key performance indicators for Mathieson and other senior managers, and the lack of financial controls over an extended period while the new finance system was brought into service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ucuedinburgh.org.uk/blog/3fzpaa5xmpw4rhswnawnydf8wk5te8|title=Management Is Manufacturing a 'Financial Crisis' to Impose Staff Cuts|date=14 Feb 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ucuedinburgh.org.uk/ju-finance-working-group-1/8gaanhyrcynlmw58ljckbykcxs9bzd-ykc6b|title=Peter Mathieson's proposed cuts are massive, out of proportion, and will mean redundancies and cutting our income|date=2 Jul 2025 }}</ref> In the middle of the crisis, the University at first confirmed and then denied that it had bought the iconic former Scottish Widows Headquarters on Dalkeith Road in Edinburgh<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theferret.scot/edinburgh-university-bought-property-then-denied-it/|title=Edinburgh University told staff it bought valuable property amid funding crisis…then denied it|date=27 Apr 2025 }}</ref> and Mathieson was criticised for spending £40,000 on travel and hotels.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thetab.com/2025/04/26/peter-mathiesons-40k-jet-set-lifestyle-edinburgh-boss-splurges-on-business-travel-amid-funding-crisis/|title=Edinburgh boss splurges big on business travel amid funding crisis |date=26 Apr 2025 }}</ref> He was also condemned for taking a second job as a Director of the biotech firm Roslin Cell Therapies in June 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theferret.scot/edinburgh-uni-staff-rage-principals-second-job-cuts/|title=A slap in the face': Edinburgh uni staff rage at principal's second job amid layoffs|date=14 Mar 2025 }}</ref>
On 20 May 2025, the Senate, the University of Edinburgh's supreme academic body, approved the motion that "Senate has no confidence in the University Executive’s leadership in relation to the University’s financial situation", by 91 votes to 43.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2025-11/20%20May%202025%20-%20Confirmed%20Minutes.pdf | title=Financial Resilience Strategy Update and Confidence in the University Executive | page=13 | website=registryservices.ed.ac.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm266dn4qljo | title=Edinburgh University staff back strike action over £140m cuts | date=21 May 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.stv.tv/east-central/edinburgh-university-staff-back-strike-action-over-140m-cuts-and-threat-to-jobs | title=Edinburgh University staff back strike action over £140m cuts | date=21 May 2025 }}</ref> Following the vote, trade unions called for an investigation by the Scottish Parliament's Education, Children and Young People Committee,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-education-children-and-young-people-committee/correspondence/2025/joint-unions-at-university-of-edinburgh-letter-of-30-may-2025 | title=Joint Unions at University of Edinburgh Letter of 30 May 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/renewed-call-for-edinburgh-university-bosses-to-be-grilled-by-msps-over-ps140m-cuts-plan-5154702 | title=Renewed call for Edinburgh University bosses to be grilled by MSPS on £140m cuts plan | date=June 2025 }}</ref> who questioned Mathieson on 4 June<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scottishparliament.tv/archive?Keywords=Education,%20Children%20and%20Young%20People%20Committee&DateFrom=04/06/2025&DateTo=04/06/2025|title=Video archive | Scottish Parliament TV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/lghp-04-06-2025?meeting=16488 | title=Education, Children and Young People Committee [Draft] | date=2025-06-04}}</ref> but found some responses evasive;<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.stv.tv/east-central/edinburgh-university-principal-tells-holyrood-committee-he-doesnt-know-his-exact-salary | title=Edinburgh University principal 'doesn't know exact salary' | date=4 June 2025 }}</ref> parts of Sir Peter's evidence were then rebutted in writing by members of the Senate<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-education-children-and-young-people-committee/correspondence/2025/university-of-edinburgh-letter-of-10-june-2025 | title=University of Edinburgh Letter of 10 June 2025 }}</ref> and by the joint unions.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-education-children-and-young-people-committee/correspondence/2025/letter-from-the-joint-unions-at-the-university-of-edinburgh-to-the-convener-of-30-june-2025 | title= Letter from the Joint Unions at the University of Edinburgh to the Convener of 30 June 2025}}</ref>
In addition to his role as Principal, Mathieson has lectured to undergraduate medical students on his specialism in kidney disease at Edinburgh.<ref name=exclusive/><ref>{{citation |url=https://www.ed.ac.uk/vet/news-events/news-and-archive/2018-news/new-principal-starts-tenure-by-teaching |title=New Principal starts tenure by teaching |date=3 April 2018 |publisher=University of Edinburgh |access-date=11 October 2018}}</ref>
==Research== According to Mathieson's profile on the University of Bristol website: {{blockquote|[Mathieson's] major clinical interest is in autoimmune renal diseases, such as glomerulonephritis, systemic vasculitis, systemic lupus erythematosus. His research interests are in human glomerular cell biology and regulation of glomerular permeability, and he leads the group in the Academic Renal Unit that in recent years has made significant contributions to the study of podocytes and glomerular endothelial cells, interactions between them and factors in the causation and treatment of proteinuria. The work of the group has attracted major research grant funding of about £5 million from sources including Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust and Kidney Research UK.<ref name=Bristol/>}}
==Honours== Mathieson was knighted in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to higher education.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=63918|supp=y|page=N2|date=31 December 2022}}</ref>
==Notes and references== ===Notes=== {{notefoot}}
===References=== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Scholia|author}} * [http://www.bristol.ac.uk/clinical-sciences/people/peter-w-mathieson/overview.html Professor Peter Mathieson – School of Clinical Sciences] * [http://www.hku.hk/about/officers/officers-of-the-university/pmathieson.html Professor Peter Mathieson – President and Vice-Chancellor – Officers of the University – About HKU – HKU] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20131101104949/http://www.gs.hku.hk/322-913.pdf Professor Peter William Mathieson – CV]
{{s-start}} {{s-aca}} {{s-bef|before=Sir Timothy O'Shea}} {{s-ttl|title=Principal of the University of Edinburgh|years=2018 – present}} {{s-inc}} {{s-bef|before=Tsui Lap-chee}} {{s-ttl|title=Vice-Chancellor and President of the <br />University of Hong Kong|years=2014 – 2017}} {{s-aft|after=Xiang Zhang}} {{s-end}} {{University officials of the Ancient Universities of Scotland}} {{Principals of the University of Edinburgh}} {{University of Edinburgh}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mathieson, Peter}} Category:1959 births Category:Living people Category:Hong Kong scientists Category:Alumni of the London Hospital Medical College Category:Heads of universities in Hong Kong Category:Vice-chancellors of the University of Hong Kong Category:Principals of the University of Edinburgh Category:Place of birth missing (living people) Category:Knights Bachelor Category:People from Penzance Category:British nephrologists