Appointments

Bucks New University

Theo Gavrielides

Bucks New University has appointed Theo Gavrielides visiting professor in youth policy at its School of Social Sciences, Primary Care and Education and made him a member of the Institute for Diversity Research, Inclusivity, Communities and Society. Dr Gavrielides, an expert in criminal justice and human rights policy, will build the school's research and establish a team of advisers to support its work and the university's research strategy. "I hope that I can help the university to develop a long-term research strategy, strengthen its networks internationally and develop programmes that bring together academia, research, policy and practice for the benefit of our communities," he said. Dr Gavrielides has a law degree from the National University of Athens, a master's from the University of Nottingham and a doctorate from the London School of Economics. He is the founder and director of Independent Academic Research Studies, a UK-based think-tank, and holds visiting positions at the Panteion University of Social and Political Science in Greece, The Open University and Canada's Mount Royal University.

University of Dundee

Stephen Decent

The University of Dundee's newly appointed vice-principal and head of its College of Art, Science and Engineering has said he is looking forward to joining a "high-quality team". Stephen Decent, currently director of research and knowledge transfer at the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Birmingham, will join Dundee in September. "The university has a strong reputation and clear aspirations of further developing its world-leading research and high-quality student experience," Professor Decent said. "[We] need to continue to build stronger links with international partners, business, industry and alumni. The college's strong international reputation must continue to be enhanced, promoting greater international student mobility and exposure of the university's research." Professor Decent graduated from Brunel University with a maths degree before completing an applied doctorate at the University of St Andrews. He said of his new role that the college had to grasp "all of its interdisciplinary and external opportunities. These include developing further strong links with world-leading research in life sciences and medicine at Dundee...and enhancing opportunities...in the science and engineering of sustainable development."

Grenoble Business School

Loïck Roche

Loick Roche has been appointed dean of Grenoble Business School. Professor Roche, who has been at the school since 1995, succeeds Thierry Grange, who has been made president of Grenoble's strategic board as part of a restructuring of the institution's governance. Professor Roche said that the restructure was necessary "to maintain our efficiency and secure our future". He added: "Our environment is undergoing major transformations. International competition - and we must be thrilled about it - grows relentlessly every year. In France, new trends are changing the environment of schools and universities...Businesses, new generations and executive education participants no longer accept the faculty member as sole guardian of knowledge and the classroom as the only place to learn." Among his many qualifications, Professor Roche obtained the French equivalent of a master's degree from the University of Paris Descartes (Paris V) plus PhDs in psychology and philosophy from Paris V and Pierre Mendes-France University respectively. He also holds a degree from ESSEC Business School and a postdoctoral qualification in management sciences from Jean Moulin University. Since joining Grenoble Professor Roche has held numerous positions, including associate dean for academic research and faculty, director of the Doctoral School and vice-dean.

Imperial College London

Debra Humphris

Imperial College London has named its new pro rector of education. Debra Humphris is currently pro vice-chancellor (education and student experience) and professor of healthcare development at the University of Southampton. At Imperial, Professor Humphris will take responsibility for the institution's educational strategy and will focus on teaching quality and the assessment and promotion of the most effective pedagogic methods to enhance learning. "Working alongside the college's staff and students presents an extraordinary opportunity to further develop an educational experience that is creating the scientific leaders of the future," she said. Professor Humphris qualified as a nurse before gaining a certificate in education from Garnett College, London, an MA from the University of Portsmouth and a PhD from what is now St George's, University of London. At Southampton, she was responsible for the creation, leadership and delivery of the university's strategic education plan as part of the institution's overall strategy. The priorities of the role included enhancing the student experience from application to graduation and beyond. Professor Humphris will join Imperial in October and will succeed Julia Buckingham, who has been appointed vice-chancellor of Brunel University.

OTHER CHANGES

St Mary's University College, Twickenham has appointed Claire Taylor vice-principal for students and external relations. Dr Taylor joins from Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln, where she has held a number of roles over the past 10 years, most recently as its first dean of students and academic engagement. She will join St Mary's in September.

A Nottingham Trent University academic has been awarded a research fellowship at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. Carole Perry, professor of bioinorganic and materials chemistry, will undertake the year-long fellowship at the institute from September, where she will continue her work investigating the interaction between biomolecules in living organisms and inorganic material.

Julie McGuckian has joined Manchester Business School as director of global marketing and communications. Ms McGuckian moves from Euro RSCG PR, where she served as board director and associate director. Her role at Manchester was created to strengthen the business school's marketing and recruitment activity in the UK and internationally.

The Leadership Foundation for Higher Education has named Mark Pegg, director of Ashridge Business School, its chief executive. He will replace Ewart Wooldridge, who retires at the end of the year. Dr Pegg said: "I want to enhance the Leadership Foundation's reputation as a high-quality provider that adds value to its members and clients."

A political correspondent and youth employment campaigner has been made visiting professor of journalism at Anglia Ruskin University. Martin Bright, who is currently political editor of The Jewish Chronicle, has enjoyed a 25-year career in radio, television and print.