As part of the University’s strategy to strengthen its international influence and reputation, Professor Catherine Montgomery has been appointed to the role of Academic Director of International Partnerships.
In this new role, Professor Montgomery will lead the strategic development, coordination and delivery of worldwide partnerships and will support the Faculties and the School of Management in identifying, developing and maintaining research, teaching and staff and student exchange links with institutions overseas. She will be working closely with the new Pro-Vice Chancellor (International and Doctoral), Professor Jeremy Bradshaw, who joins the University on 1 February 2018.
Professor Montgomery brings extensive knowledge and experience to the role as a specialist in research in internationalisation in higher education, and with experience of leading international strategy and engagement at both institutional and faculty level. Prior to joining the Department of Education in October 2016, she was Professor of International Higher Education and Associate Dean for International Engagement at the University of Hull, with strategic responsibility for internationalisation of the Faculty of Education.
Professor Montgomery has a particular research interest in transnational education and partnership in China, Hong Kong and Vietnam and has published widely in this field. Professor Montgomery was awarded a UK National Teaching Fellowship in 2010, previously held a visiting professorship at the Centre for Higher Education Internationalisation at the Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, Italy, and is frequently invited to give keynotes, plenary presentations and papers on international higher education at national and international educational conferences and for government policy groups, particularly in China.
Professor Montgomery said:
I am delighted to be appointed to this new role. The University of Bath is in an advantageous position in terms of internationalisation, having an excellent international reputation in both research and teaching.
The landscape of global higher education is changing rapidly, however, and so it is important to consider new ideas and innovations in international partnerships. Internationalisation at home is also crucial and we need to make sure our international collaborations are at the centre of what we do here in Bath too.
Professor Montgomery took up the new role on 1 January 2018 for an initial three year period and will continue to be based for half of her time in the Department of Education as Professor of International Higher Education.