Professor Martin Evans has been appointed as our new Executive Dean (Social Sciences and Health).
Professor Evans will take up his new role on 1 November 2024. He will be a member of the University Executive Committee and will have a key role in delivering our University Strategy for the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health. In particular, he will be responsible for enhancing our educational and interdisciplinary research growth and programme development, as well as fostering partnerships across geographies and sectors.
Professor Evans is currently Professor of Geomorphology and Vice Dean and Head of the School of Environment, Education and Development at the University of Manchester.
He began his academic career as a Senior Research Assistant at Durham University and has subsequently held various academic and leadership positions at the University of Manchester.
Professor Evans is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a fellow of the British Society for Geomorphology. He is also currently the chair of the Conference of Heads of Geography in Higher Education.
His research is inherently interdisciplinary and he has recent UKRI research funding of over £2m focused on peatland research, working collaboratively with policymakers, practitioners and colleagues in social sciences. He is the author of two books and over 100 other publications on topics from the carbon cycle to peatland restoration and ecosystem services.
Professor Evans brings over 25 years’ experience in Higher Education and a track record in delivering on long term strategy and in significantly increasing success in research funding awards.
Professor Evans succeeds Professor Charlotte Clarke, who joined us in 2019 and was recently announced as our first Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health).
Going forward, Professor Evans will work closely with Professor Clarke on the Health agenda.
Professor Evans said: “The social sciences are key to many of the challenges that we face in the world today. The Faculty has an exciting range of high performing disciplines and I look forward to working with colleagues to collectively deliver on that promise.”
Professor Mike Shipman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at Durham University said: “Martin is an outstanding leader with a strong track record of working across departments and with a wide range of stakeholders. He will help the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health build upon its excellent global reputation for both research and education.”
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