The Associate Dean (PGR) and DTP Academic Director (Durham) is responsible for all postgraduate research matters in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, leading on Faculty PhD studentship competitions and allocations, chairing the Faculty DPgR Forum, and providing academic leadership of the Northern Bridge DTP, working in close partnership with the DTP Academic Directors at Newcastle and Queen’s University Belfast. They will operate as the Project Lead for the new AHRC Landscape Awards and will be responsible for developing, nurturing and encouraging future funding initiatives.   

The Associate Dean (PGR) and DTP Academic Director works with and advises the other Deputy Executive Deans, the Associate PVC PGR, the PVC Research and the PVC Education as required. They report to the Executive Dean and are supported by the Faculty Northern Bridge and PGR Co-ordinator. 

Professor Alberto Rigolio

Dr. Efpraxia D. Zamani is Full Professor of Information Systems. Before joining Durham University Business School, Efpraxia was a Senior Lecturer at the Information School, University of Sheffield (UK).

Her research interests are found at the intersection of organisational and social aspects of Information Systems, with an emphasis on the implications of emerging technologies. Her work has appeared in the Information Systems Journal, the Journal of Information Technology, Government Information Quarterly, and Technological Forecasting and Social Change, among others. In 2024, Efpraxia received the AIS Sandra Slaughter Service Award in recognition of her leadership and service within the Association for Information Systems (AIS).

Efpraxia currently serves as the co-chair for the AIS Women's Network College and as Vice President for the UK Academy of Information Systems. 

Professor Efpraxia Zamani

Dr Beaumont oversees postgraduate research matters including quality assurance; student progress procedures such as academic progress notices, concessions and appeals; and Faculty policy and approvals for postgraduate studentships and fee waivers. provides leadership in creating a postgraduate strategy for the Faculty, assisting the Faculty and its constituent departments to develop and implement postgraduate teaching, learning and recruitment strategies.

Simon provides leadership on the Centres for Doctoral Training and similar programmes within the Faculty of Science. He provides leadership in maintaining and establishing postgraduate relations and opportunities in the international markets, developing and diversifying opportunities for funding of postgraduate research students. 

Dr Simon Beaumont

Professor Stephen MacDonald is a Professor in the Department of Sociology and Associate Dean, Postgraduate Research for the Faculty of Social Sciences. Stephen's research surrounds Disability Studies and Criminology, drawing on theoretical perspectives from Disability Studies to examine issues in criminology, adult services, and youth services. His recent work focuses on the exploitation of young people in the drug markets, particularly through county lines.  

The Associate Dean (Postgraduate Research) is responsible for providing leadership to the Social Science Faculty in its strategic objectives relating to the education, recruitment and funding of Postgraduate Research students. 

The post holder will report to the Executive Dean for Social Science and work under the direction of the Deputy Executive Dean (Research). They will also work closely with other members of the Faculty Leadership Team and Professional Services colleagues in the Faculty Office. 

Professor Stephen Macdonald