Congratulations to Professor Nick Vaughan-Williams who will take up the role of Vice-Provost and Chair of the Faculty of Social Sciences, when the current Vice-Provost and Chair of Faculty, Professor Matt Nudds, steps down during the Summer.

Nick is Professor of International Security in the Department of Politics and International Studies (PAIS). He has worked at Warwick since 2010 and has served as Head of Department in PAIS since 2015. He has held previous posts at Exeter and Aberystwyth Universities. His programme of research - supported by grants from the British Academy, UK Economic and Social Research Council, and Leverhulme Trust - focuses on the international politics of borders, migration, and security. He is a former recipient of the Philip Leverhulme Prize for Politics and International Studies and Gold Winner of the Association for Borderlands Studies Past Presidents' Book Award.

He was Director of the MA in International Relations, and has contributed to the delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate modules in International Relations and Security in PAIS. Nick is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and holds degrees in Modern History and International Relations from the University of Oxford (BA and MA), the University of Warwick (MA), and the University of Wales, Aberystwyth (PhD).

The role of the Vice-Provost and Faculty Chair

The Vice-Provost and Chair of the Faculty (VP/CoF) provides academic leadership to Departments in their Faculty, and represents the Faculty in University matters. The VP/CoF also works closely with University Executive Board and central professional and support services to deliver agreed priorities as required, including acting on behalf of the Provost where needed.

In addition to chairing the Board of the Faculty, VP/CoF serve on a range of University committees and are responsible for promoting the policies, programmes and procedures within their respective Faculty. Vice-Provosts and Faculty Chairs are also a source of support and act as ‘first port of call’ for Heads of Department and Research Centres in the relevant Faculty and inform and influence the Faculty on key decisions affecting it and the University.

Vice-Provosts and Faculty Chairs are also engaged in the appointment processes for key academic posts within the Faculty. Chairs serve ex officio on the following formal bodies: Senate, Steering Committee, Research Committee, Honorary Degrees Committee, Academic Quality and Standards Committee, Capital, Space and Amenities Group, the Academic Resourcing Committee, and might also act as Chair of the Investigating Committee and Appeals Committee.

Professor Nick Vaughan Williams