New Head of School of Social Science

New Head of School of Social Science

Dear colleagues,

I am delighted to announce that following a competitive internal recruitment process Professor Joanne McEvoy has been appointed as Head of School of Social Science. Joanne will commence her appointment on 1 October 2024. 

Joanne joined the University of Aberdeen in 2008 as a Research Fellow undertaking a Leverhulme Trust Award. She was promoted to Lecturer in 2010, Senior Lecturer in 2015 and to Chair in the most recent promotion round. She is currently Head of Politics and International Relations (PIR) and has held other important roles in Social Science including Academic Line Manager and REF Lead for PIR. 

Joanne holds an undergraduate and PhD degree from Queen’s University Belfast and started her academic career at the University of Pennsylvania as an Andrew Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow. 

Joanne’s research focuses on peace processes and post-conflict institutions in deeply divided societies, especially the relationship between politicians and citizens in power-sharing settlements. She is also working on a project investigating grassroots constitutional deliberation in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. 

Commenting on her appointment, Joanne said: "I am delighted to take on the role of Head of School of Social Science. As a member of staff in the School for many years, I look forward to working with colleagues across our three departments of Anthropology, Politics and International Relations, and Sociology. I welcome the opportunity to play a key role in ensuring that the School of Social Science will build on our strengths as a centre of excellence for our students, and in generating and sharing new knowledge in addressing some of the world’s most pressing social and political problems."

I know you will join me in congratulating Joanne on her appointment and I look forward to working closely with her. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Ian Greener for his excellent service as Head of School and to wish him all the best in his new role. 

Best wishes

Karl

 

Karl Leydecker

Senior Vice-Principal