Acting Heads of School of Humanities and Law

Monday, 04 June 2018

The University is pleased to announce the appointment of the Acting Heads of School of Humanities and School of Law.

Professors Emily West and Helen Parish will start their job-share as the Acting Head of School of Humanities on 1 September 2018, while Professor James Devenney will become Acting Head of School of Law.

Both appointments are for an interim period until 31 July 2019.

Professor Helen Parish specialises in the history of early modern religion and belief, and is currently the Head of Department in History. Professor Emily West specialises in slavery and gender in American history and is the Research Division Leader for the History department.

Professor James Devenney specialises in Commercial Law, and currently holds the prestigious McCann FitzGerald Chair in International Law and Business at University College Dublin. He was previously the Head of Exeter Law School at the University of Exeter for five years.

Robert Van de Noort, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Planning & Resource), led the recruitment for the two positions. He said, “Professors Emily West and Helen Parish are both strong leaders who know the School of Humanities well. I am confident that their leadership and direction will enable the school to continue to build on its successes.

“Professor James Devenney brings the experience of working at law schools in Exeter, Durham and Hong Kong. He is a leading expert in Commercial Law, committed to delivering legal education that is aligned with industry practice.”

Professors Emily West and Helen Parish said, “Having both worked in the Department of History for nearly nineteen years and gained a wealth of experience within our own department, we are now very much looking forward to taking on the challenging role of Acting Head of School of Humanities as a job-share for twelve months.”

Professor James Devenney said, “I am delighted to serve as Acting Head of the School of Law at this very important and exciting time for the School of Law.”

A formal recruitment process to appoint a Head of School for Humanities and Law – for the normal term of six years – will commence in the autumn term 2018.