Professor Manuel Barcia will become the University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global), following approval by Council with the support of Senate.
He will join Bath from the University of Leeds, where he is Dean for Global Engagement and Chair of Global History in the School of History. He will be responsible for developing and leading the university’s international engagement, working closely with colleagues in the Faculties and School as well as in professional services.
Professor Barcia is a Professor of Global History with a focus on colonial studies and the slave trade across the Atlantic. Alongside his academic career he has held several international leadership roles over the last decade. He has a successful track record developing transnational education partnerships and leading international recruitment strategies, as well as experience building global research partnerships, representing his university at major international events as well as showing sector-level leadership. He is currently Chair of the University UK (UUKi) Africa and Middle East network.
Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President, said: “One of our key areas of focus is strengthening our ability to achieve global excellence with impact, and the appointment of Professor Barcia as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global) is a vital step for our university in progressing our ambitions. Manuel has an excellent track record in all areas of international strategy, from recruitment through to establishing partnerships for research and education. We look forward to welcoming him to our university.”
Professor Manuel Barcia said: “I am delighted to be joining the University of Bath and can see many opportunities to work alongside colleagues to further our international goals. I believe wholeheartedly in the strength of higher education as a global sector and have spent many years creating strategic links to address the UN SDGs in collaboration with international partners with complementary capabilities. I regularly lead university delegations all over the world and look forward to overseeing our efforts to strengthen Bath’s presence and impact and to attract global talent to the university.”
Professor Barcia studied History at undergraduate level at the University of Havana in Cuba, then went onto experience life as an international student in the UK when he took a Masters in Comparative History and a PhD in History at the University of Essex. After concluding his PhD, he taught at the universities of Essex and Nottingham before going to Leeds in 2006. Professor Manuel Barcia will join the University of Bath as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global) on 1 May 2025.