Warwick appoints Professor Emma Flynn as new Provost

Professor Emma Flynn has been appointed as our new Provost – and will begin in her role on 15 August.

Emma will join Warwick from Queen’s University Belfast, where she has been Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) for the last four years, leading on the institution’s people, partnerships, infrastructure and policy strategies.

She's a leading developmental and comparative psychologist whose research investigates the production and transmission of innovation. Emma has extensive international collaborative links with biologists, philosophers, computer scientists and statisticians.

In her current role, Emma has worked closely with local and national bodies to develop and utilise the world-leading research produced by Queen’s to have significant disciplinary, societal, environmental and economic impact.

Within the higher education sector, she’s overseen major international recruitment campaigns, established integrated planning and strategy structures, and led highly effective culture-change programmes.

Before joining Queen's University Belfast, she worked at Durham University as Deputy Provost – and, before this, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) for the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health.

Emma will succeed Professor Chris Ennew, who retires at the end of August 2023.

Commenting on the appointment, Warwick's Vice-Chancellor Professor Stuart Croft said:

“Emma is an outstanding leader and academic, who brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this vital role.

“She will play a key role in continuing to build and develop our world-class reputation for teaching and research. We’re looking forward to welcoming her to the Warwick community.”

Emma said:

“I’m thrilled to have joined the University of Warwick, which is widely recognised as one of the best in the world, and look forward to help deliver its exciting ambitions for the future.

“I’m passionate about supporting academics and creating an environment which allows them to thrive and grow in their roles.

“I’m very much looking forward to meeting my new colleagues and making a positive impact.”