University appoints Teaching and Learning Deans and Dean of Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science from 1 August 2015
Friday, 24 April 2015
L-R Clare Furneaux, Elizabeth McCrum, David Carter, Gavin Brooks, Roger Gibbard, Amanda Callaghan, Orla Kennedy
Following a competitive selection process, we are delighted to announce five internal appointments for the posts of Teaching and Learning (T&L) Deans. These are: Dr David Carter; Dr Clare Furneaux; Professor Roger Gibbard; Dr Orla Kennedy; and Dr Elizabeth McCrum.
Professor Matthew Almond, currently Associate Dean (Teaching & Learning) for the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science, has been appointed as Dean of Faculty for 2015/16 to succeed Professor Hugo Tucker whose period of office will end on 31 July 2015.
Matthew’s appointment reflects his breadth of experience within the Faculty, as ADTL and across the broader University. As Dean, Matthew will lead the Faculty through this important transitional period as the University moves towards new academic structures, working closely with the academic structures implementation group led by Dr Richard Messer.
From 1 June 2015, Dr Amanda Callaghan will serve as Associate Dean (T&L) (until 31 July 2015) and then as T&L Dean (until 31 May 2016) in place of Dr Kennedy who will be on maternity leave.
The T&L Deans will work with the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning), Professor Gavin Brooks, as part of a new Teaching and Learning Executive Board to provide strategic leadership and direction for all Teaching and Learning matters across the University.
Each T&L Dean will have specific responsibility for leading a range of University-wide strategic Teaching and Learning projects and will work closely with Heads of School, School Directors of Teaching and Learning and Research Deans in designated Schools. They also will be responsible for a particular portfolio of Teaching and Learning activity that aligns with the priorities of the University Strategy e.g. internationalisation, student experience, quality enhancement, although all T&L Deans will be expected to contribute to all aspects of the Teaching and Learning agenda as a part of their remit.
Commenting on Professor Hugo Tucker, Sir David Bell said,
"I am very grateful for the leadership that Hugo has shown as Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences over the past four years. I have enjoyed working with him in this role during such an interesting period.
Equally, I am delighted that Hugo will continue to make an outstanding contribution to the University as a leading scholar in the field of Renaissance literature."
“At the University of Reading, we have much to be proud of in relation to our Teaching and Learning provision. We are making good progress on our Teaching and Learning priority projects, including: Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL); embedding the Henley experience; establishing criteria for measuring the viability/sustainability of modules and programmes; and, increasing PGT recruitment.
I am delighted to be able to announce these appointments today. Over recent months, we have done much to improve the reward and recognition processes for T&L colleagues such that career progression routes and opportunities align more closely with those for colleagues with a strong research portfolio. I look forward to working with the new team of T&L Deans as part of the Teaching and Learning Executive Board to consider and implement a number of strategic T&L priorities for Reading.
I would like to take this opportunity also to express my thanks and appreciation to Professor Matthew Almond who will be stepping down as Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) on 31 July 2015 after completing his two-year term of office. Matthew has made a significant contribution to the Teaching and Learning agenda during his time as ADTL, leading on a number of important T&L initiatives. I am delighted that the T&L Deans and I will continue to work closely with Matthew when he takes up his new role as Dean of FAHSS on 1 August 2015.”