McGill Reporter | In conversation with Anja Geitmann, Interim Vice-President (Global Engagement)

On December 15, 2023, President Deep Saini announced that Professor Anja Geitmann had been appointed Interim Vice-President (Global Engagement). Her one-year assignment began on January 1, 2024. Reporting directly to the President, Geitmann’s mandate includes exploring new opportunities for collaboration with peer institutions, augmenting the effectiveness and reach of international activities led by various McGill Faculties and units, overseeing broad internal and external consultations to enhance McGill’s international strategy, and advancing the University’s vision for global academic leadership.

Professor Geitmann comes to her new position with a plethora of international experience, both personally and professionally. Having studied and worked in six countries, she speaks seven languages. She has led international research collaborations; been active in international learned societies; and hosted international graduate students in her lab for the past 20 years.

“I am aware of the benefits – and challenges – of international work,” she says.

As Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences for over eight years, Geitmann has plenty of administrative leadership experience and knows the inner workings of McGill.

“In that role, I was in touch with almost every single unit at McGill,” she says. “So, not only do I know what we do across the entire University, but doors open relatively quickly when I knock on them.”

The Reporter spoke to Geitmann about her new role.