Iona Fyfe has been officially installed as Rector of the University of Aberdeen at a special ceremony.
The new official representative of the student body was then carried across campus on the back of a bull by her supporters – a decades old tradition.
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 was elected Rector in a closely contested election but officially started her three-year term as Rector on 1 January.
“During the election, I was aware of the responsibilities linked with the role of Rector, but wasn’t fully prepared for just how challenging, albeit enjoyable, the last nine months would be,” Iona said.
“We’re living through unprecedented times right now, with heightened tensions and conflicts all over the world. Our society is more polarised than ever, and Universities are often a microcosm of the world. This is reflected in the wide range of issues that students have brought up with me including Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and the rise of the far right in our communities. It’s certainly not just an ambassadorial role. The students are extremely engaged with social justice and activism, and I feel so privileged to have been welcomed into the community.
“I was excited, yet a little feart of riding the bull. I was mainly hoping that I could mount it with grace! Maybe I’m the first Rector to have done so in heels!
“It’s an honour to become one of the youngest Rectors in the history of the University of Aberdeen. In a role which has historically been held by the political class, it’s very special to me that a working-class woman from Huntly can take up the mantle."
Iona is a singer and activist from Huntly in Aberdeenshire and is thought to have made history by becoming the first Rector to perform at her own installation ceremony.
A graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Iona 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 was instrumental in overseeing the new Scottish Languages Bill, which included an update to the Gaelic Language Act, and a brand-new Scots Language Act. The bill was passed in June 2025. In 2021, Iona changed language policy at Spotify when she successfully campaigned for the company to add the Scots language to its platform.