Congratulations to Professor Pam Thomas who takes up the role of Chair of the Faculty of Science and Professor Simon Swain who takes up the role of Chair of the Faculty of Arts from today, 1 September 2011. This followed a new appointment process reflecting the recommendations of the Harris Review (approved by Senate in March 2011).

Professor Pam Thomas

Professor Thomas joined Warwick in 1990 becoming a Professor in the Department of Physics in 2005. She was appointed as the inaugural Director of the Science City Research Alliance for the Universities of Warwick and Birmingham in 2009, leading this complex interdisciplinary programme between the two universities and in the wider region. She is responsible for the inter-departmental X-ray diffraction facility and leads a research group in Ferroelectrics and Crystallography within the Condensed Matter Group. She has also held a number of key administrative roles in the department and has previously served on the Board of Graduate Studies.

Professor Simon Swain

Professor Swain joined Warwick in 1995 as a Warwick Research Fellow and became a Professor in the Department of Classics in 2000. He has served as Head of Department of Classics from 2001, apart from periods of research leave following the award of a Leverhulme Research Fellowship. He was Deputy Chair of the Faculty of Arts from 2005-07. His research interests are focused on Greek culture and society of the Roman Period.

The role of the Faculty Chair

In addition to Chairing the Board of the Faculty, Chairs of Faculties serve on a range of University committees and are responsible for promoting the policies, programmes and procedures within their respective Faculty. Faculty Chairs are also a source of support and act as ‘first port of call’ for Heads of departments and research centres in the relevant Faculty and will inform and influence the Faculty on key decisions affecting it and the University.

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, Information Policy and Strategy Committee, Capital Planning and Accommodation Review Group, the Academic Resourcing Committee, and may also act as Chair of the Investigating Committee and Appeals Committee.

The following are continuing in their roles as Chairs of Faculty: Professor Christina Hughes, Social Sciences, and Professor Peter Winstanley, Medicine.

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Porfolios for the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for 2011-2012.