The Pro Vice-Chancellor (International and Student Recruitment) is a reconfigured role bringing together the strategic leadership of all areas of student recruitment internationally and domestically.
Dr Lithander will lead on student-focused international activity for the University, particularly international recruitment, strategic international institutional collaborative partnerships, student mobility and international work placements.
Originally from Sweden, Dr Lithander holds a Candidature in Political Science from Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium, a BSc (Econ) from the London School of Economics, and an MPhil and PhD from the University of Cambridge, where his research focus was on contemporary Latin American literature.
He is an alumnus of the executive education programme at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and of the Leading Universities programme at the LH Martin Institute of the University of Melbourne.
Dr Lithander was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (International and Outreach) at The Australian National University in 2012, responsible for internationalisation, domestic and international student recruitment, admissions, marketing, communications and public affairs. He has held previous university management positions in Ireland and New Zealand.
Professor Guy Orpen, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bristol, said: "We are very much looking forward to welcoming Erik to the University next year. He brings with him a wealth of experience in the international higher education market and has a strong track record in student recruitment. His knowledge will make him an excellent addition to the senior management team here at Bristol."
Dr Lithander said: "I am delighted to be joining the University of Bristol at such an exciting time in its development. The University of Bristol is rightly recognised as one of the world's leading research-intensive universities, and is well positioned to make significant further advances in the years ahead.
"I very much look forward to working with colleagues and students across the University to ensure that local, national and international engagement continues to make a meaningful and ongoing contribution to the success and reputation of the institution."