Iona Fyfe has been elected by students as Rector of the University of Aberdeen.
She accumulated 295 votes under the transferable vote system. The other candidate – Dr Camilo Torres Barragán – finished with 261 votes. A total of 568 votes were cast.
The Rector of the University is an ancient post dating back to the foundation of the University in 1495. As part of the role, the Rector represents students on the University’s governing body, Court. Iona will commence her three-year term as Rector from 1 January 2025.
Speaking after the result, Iona said: “I’m honoured that students have put their faith in me to take on the historic role of Rector. It’s a profound privilege to represent students in my home region and I hope to get to work delivering on my manifesto commitments. Students are prioritising housing reform, greater access to mental health provision, access to sports and arts activities and student safety. I hope to effect significant change in these areas among other issues.
“I was acutely aware of the historically low turnout of voting in rectoral elections. I was keen to be present on campus engaging in conversations about what a rector does for and on behalf of students. I’m delighted that voter turn-out has increased and hope this is the first step in being a present, accountable, and reliable rector for all students.”
Christina Schmid, Student President said: “Thank you to both candidates for taking part in a very interesting exchange of ideas during the election. Both are exceptional leaders who have demonstrated a strong voice to address student issues. We are happy that in Iona we have a Rector who will advocate for students and work together with the Students' Union to represent students at all levels.”
Iona Fyfe is a singer and activist from Huntly in Aberdeenshire. A graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, she suffered from chronic illness and hypermobility syndrome, which caused severe mobility issues throughout her studies. She attributes her ability to complete her studies to the specialised counselling and disability support she received from the university.
Iona has developed a range of skills whilst serving as a trustee, director or board member of various non-profit arts organisations, charities and trade unions including the Musicians Union. Her work in campaigning to raise awareness around sexual harassment in the music industry was recognised by the Scottish Trades Union Congress, when she was awarded the ‘STUC Equality Award’ in 2022.
A director of the Traditional Music and Song Association, a charity which promotes and preserves traditional music through advocacy and education at a range of levels and abilities, Iona is a strong advocate of life-long learning and is particularly passionate about access to music making, sport and creative endeavours as a vehicle to establishing a well-being economy.
In 2022, she joined Kansas City-based Folk Alliance International as a director, helping to develop the organisations strategic plan and EDI framework. Iona also has experience in fundraising. She is a member of the Scottish Governments Cross-Party Group on Music and the Scots Language.
During the pandemic, Iona co-founded Oor Vyce, the campaign for the legal recognition of the Scots Language, including the Doric dialect of Scots. The organisation is helping to oversee the new Scottish Languages Bill, which will see an update to the Gaelic Language Act, and a brand-new Scots Language Act. In 2021, Iona changed language policy at Spotify when she successfully campaigned for the company to add the Scots language to its platform.