New Faculty Chair appointed

Professor Christopher Hughes has been appointed as Chair of the Faculty of Social Sciences from 1 September 2012.

Chris Hughes is Professor of International Politics and Japanese Studies, a Research Associate at the Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation, and Head of the Department of Politics and International Studies (PAIS). He has held visiting professorships at the universities of Tokyo, Waseda and Harvard, and continues to hold adjunct researcher status at Harvard, Waseda and Hiroshima. Currently he is working on projects which examine Japan's response to the rise of China; changing US security strategy and alliance relationships in the Asia-Pacific; the political economy of defence production in Asia; regional integration in East Asia; and the interface of strategy and technology in missile defence systems.

In addition to chairing the Board of the Faculty Social Sciences, Chris will serve on a range of University committees and will be responsible for promoting the policies, programmes and procedures within the Faculty. Faculty Chairs are also a source of support and act as 'first port of call' for heads of departments and research centres. Chris will hold the Faculty Chair simultaneously with his position as Head of Department in PAIS.

Faculty Chairs are appointed for three years, subject to annual confirmation by the Faculty Board.

Chris takes up the post following the appointment of Professor Christina Hughes as Pro-Vice-Chancellor.