Following the news that Professor Sarah Hainsworth is moving onto a new role, we have decided to put in place an Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) while we undertake the recruitment process for the post.
Following an internal competition, Professor Emma Carmel will be taking up the role of Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) from 1 January 2026.
Professor Carmel is Professor of Governance and Public Policy, and since 2022 has been Associate Dean for Research in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Phil Taylor, said, “I was delighted that we had such a strong field for this interim position. Given the importance of research to our emerging strategy, there is much we need to do and I am very pleased that Emma has agreed to step into this strategic role to maintain momentum. As a new member of our University Executive Board she will be well-supported in this exciting leadership position, and I am really looking forward to working with her.”
Professor Carmel said, “I am really pleased to have this opportunity to contribute to the development of our excellent research at the University of Bath. I am looking forward to working with colleagues from across the University and with the University Executive Board in the coming months, to ensure that we are in the best possible position to build on, and sustain, our research achievements for the future.”
The Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, Professor Deborah Wilson, said, “I'm delighted that Emma has been appointed to this position, and would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her significant and ongoing contributions to the Faculty. We will now bring forward our plans to find Emma's successor as Associate Dean (Research) and I'll share more details with Faculty colleagues shortly.”