Stuart McLellan, Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, France

Short bio

Stuart McLellan, an experienced IT leader with 30 years in Higher Education and Research, is the current CIO at Sorbonne Nouvelle University (“University of Cultures”) in Paris. His career spans private IT services and key roles at La Rochelle University (specializing in security and HPC), CISO then CIO at École Normale Supérieure and the French Natural History Museum.

Prior to Sorbonne Nouvelle, Stuart was at the French NREN, managing regional and national digital service delivery and contributing to European initiatives like GEANT. He rejoined La Rochelle as CIO before his current role, where he leads a significant digital transformation for over 18,000 students and represents the university in the YUFE alliance.

A dedicated community member, Stuart is a board member of the association of EducReserch CIOs and contributes to national CIO training. He is a long-time EUNIS advocate, including the organization of #EUNIS18 and was Elite Award Winner #EUNIS19. LinkedIn profile.

Motivations:

  1. Why do you want to join the EUNIS Board?
    I am honored to submit my candidacy for the EUNIS Board, building on a long-standing commitment to the organization since 2007. I have successfully advocated for membership at evey institution I have worked for and I have contributed to EUNIS regularly through roles such as:

    • Member of the organizing committee for #EUNIS18, Paris
    • Scientific committee reviewer (2019–2024)
    • Co-author of several papers, including:
    – “How Are University CIOs Trained in 2024? The French Touch” (#EUNIS25)
    – The Elite Award-winning “Implementing an Open Source Higher Education and Research ERP at National Scale: The Malian Case” (#EUNIS19)
    – “The CIO’s Role in Building a University Community: The Sorbonne Experience” (#EUNIS15)

    In today’s fragile European context, EUNIS plays a vital role in fostering digital transformation, cross-border collaboration, and shared academic values in Higher Education. With over 30 years of experience in IT and SIS across universities, research institutions, and NRENs, I believe I can help contribute and strengthen this mission.

    Joining the Board would be a natural continuation of my engagement with the European higher education IT community—one that has enriched me professionally and personally since 2007.

    Let me bring you “Le French Touch”—but with a touch of Scottish flair!

  2. How will you contribute to EUNIS and its strategic priorities?
    Drawing upon my extensive three-decade career in Higher Education and Research, I am eager to contribute my deep understanding of the digital landscape to the EUNIS board. My experience as CIO at institutions like La Rochelle, ENS, Sorbonne Nouvelle and Natural History Museum provides me with strategic insights into digital transformation, cybersecurity, HPC, and research infrastructures – all crucial for promoting high-quality information systems within the higher education.

    My active involvement with RENATER and European and international initiatives such as GEANT, LHCOne, Vera-C Rubin Observatory and EOSC has given me a valuable professional network, essential for establishing strategic relationships at both national and European levels. My long-standing engagement with EUNIS, evidenced by contributions to scientific committees, conference organization, and award-winning presentations, underscores my alignment with its mission to encourage exchange and cooperation.

    Furthermore, my particpation within the YUFE alliance, national CIO networks (A-DSI, UNIF) and member of the French EUNIS delegation, demonstrates my commitment to collaboration, communication, and inclusion. As a board member, I will actively support EUNIS’s strategic objectives of partnerships, interoperability and open standards, and nurturing emerging leadership within the digital higher education community across Europe.
    I am dedicated to advancing academic innovation and unity through shared expertise.