University appoints three Research Deans

Friday, 20 February 2015

L-R, Professor Dominik Zaum, Professor Roberta Gilchrist and Professor Adrian Williams

Following a competitive process, we are delighted to announce today three internal appointments for Research Deans: Professor Dominik Zaum, Research Dean for Prosperity & Resilience; Professor Roberta Gilchrist, Research Dean for Heritage, Creativity & Values; and Professor Adrian Williams, Research Dean for Health. The three Research Deans designate will officially take up their posts on 1 August 2015 but will actively contribute to the further development of the 2020 Research Plan between now and then.

The position of Research Dean (Environment) is currently being advertised externally and the position of Research Dean (Food) will be reconsidered once the Research Dean (Environment) appointment has been made.

Earlier this year, the University Executive Board (UEB) created the role of Research Deans who will have responsibility over the development of the five University research themes, providing leadership and management and developing ways to achieve enhancement of quality of research outputs, research income and impact.  

With Dianne Berry, Dean of Postgraduate Research Studies and Steve Mithen, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), they will together constitute the University's Research Committee (URC).

Steve Mithen, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) said, "As shown in the REF 2014 results, the University has much to be proud of in relation to its research. However, it is clear both from the result,  and what we have learnt so far while developing the Research Plan for 2020, that we need to make significant changes in the way we enable, support and manage our research if we are to be counted as one of the very best universities in the UK and internationally. I am delighted that Dominik, Roberta and Adrian are joining Dianne and I in leading the development of research at Reading. They bring a wealth of experience as research leaders in their own field and I am looking forward to working with them."

On his appointment, Professor Dominik Zaum, Research Dean designate for Prosperity and Resilience said, "I am excited about working with colleagues in the Prosperity and Resilience theme and build on our research strengths in this area that we identified during the Chasse process, many of which were recognised in the recent REF. I look forward to supporting colleagues in exploring opportunities for cross-disciplinary research to enhance our research strengths."

Speaking on her appointment, Professor Roberta Gilchrist, Research Dean designate for Heritage, Creativity & Values said, "The 'Heritage, Creativity and Values' theme will help us to build on the excellence of Humanities at Reading that was demonstrated in REF2014.  It will deliver innovative partnerships to exploit links between creativity and heritage that will add scale and real-world relevance to our research.  I look forward to working with the team of Research Deans and with colleagues across the University to enhance the quality and standing of our research".

On this appointment, Professor Adrian Williams, Research Dean designate for Health said, "The University Health Strategy Group has highlighted impressive breadth and significant depth in health-related research at Reading.  This provides very firm foundations on which to build and as Research Dean I am very much looking forward to working with colleagues to support and grow our research in health."

Steve Mithen, will be talking about research at Reading at the Ask the Board events next week.