In 1997, he became foundation professor at the University of Otago, New Zealand. In 1998, he became executive head of the school of liberal arts within that university. He lived in New Zealand with his family for many years of his life before moving to the UK.
Pillay has served on editorial boards of two international journals (Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae and Verbum et Ecclesia), has presented papers at numerous international conferences and has served on various public and educational bodies. He has been involved in recent research and lecturing in Cambridge, Oxford, Pretoria, California, Canada and Munich.
On 1 September 2003, Pillay was appointed rector of Liverpool Hope University College. He became the first vice chancellor and rector when Liverpool Hope was granted full university status in July 2005.[1]
Under his leadership the university changed exponentially, benefitting from substantial investment to become a truly modern institution noted for the quality of its research-informed teaching. In 2009, research degree-awarding powers were granted, with a well-established research culture reflected in the results of the last three Research Excellence Frameworks. In 2017, Hope received Gold status in the Teaching Excellence Framework, and in 2019, Pillay led the celebrations to mark the 175th anniversary of the university’s first college being established.
He has also overseen the transformation of Hope’s campuses, which have received significant investment during his tenure. This includes the opening of the Eden Building in 2010, the state-of-the-art Health Sciences building and new sports facilities in 2016, and now the launch of the new IQ Building with its Simulation Laboratory.
Pillay also established the Creative Campus in Liverpool city centre, including the opening of the Capstone Building and the addition of a new arts centre, as well as the renovation and expansion of the Grade II-listed Cornerstone Building.[8]
In 2013, he was presented with an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Hope College.[1]
In 2009, Pillay was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Merseyside, assisting the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside in carrying out her role as the Queen’s representative on Merseyside.[9]
Pillay, G. J. (1994). Religion at the limits?: Pentecostalism among Indian South Africans (1st ed.). Pretoria: University of South Africa. ISBN9780869818558.
Hofmeyr, J. W.; Pillay, Gerald J., eds. (1994). A History of Christianity in South Africa: Volume 1. Pretoria: HAUM Tertiary. ISBN9780798632287.