Professor and Head of the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies

The role

The University of Bristol seeks to appoint an outstanding academic leader as the Head of its School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies.  Sitting within Bristol’s renowned Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences, the School undertakes world-class research and is committed to the highest international standards of teaching and student experience. 

As Head of School, you will occupy a key academic leadership position within the University.  Reporting to the Faculty Dean, you will lead and manage the academic business of the School in relation both to strategy and operations. 

The appointment will be for four years, subject to renewal, and will go hand in hand with an open-ended full-time professorial position. 

What will you be doing?

You will deliver, to a high standard, the managerial and administrative duties associated with the role of Head of School, working with the School senior management team and in partnership with the School Manager.  

You will lead the School in developing its strategy in line with the Faculty, and the University’s Vision and Strategy 2022-2030.     

You will be able to enhance the global reputation of the School by consolidating and developing exciting teaching programmes and research portfolios across the School, with a commitment to fostering research excellence and a high quality student experience.  

You will provide leadership for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion across the school, working to support and champion this in meaningful ways.  

You should apply if

• You have international academic standing commensurate with senior professorial status in an area related to the School. 
• You have an outstanding track record of strategic and operational leadership, driven by a commitment to excellence in research and research-led teaching. 
• You have a record of success in promoting excellent education and student experience, and in enabling colleagues to excel in research and teaching. 
• You are adept at building productive and collaborative relationships with colleagues at all levels, and demonstrate and encourage excellent partnership working between academic and professional services staff.   
• You have a demonstrable commitment to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.  

Additional information

Open to internal candidates only in the first instance.   

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact: Professor Esther Dermott, PVC Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences or Professor Martyn Powell, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences, via PA to Faculty Leadership, pa-exec-alss@bristol.ac.uk 

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Sunday 30th March 2025.

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

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