Chairs

University of Derby

Marie Parker-Jenkins, formerly at the University of Nottingham, has been appointed research professor in education and chair of the school research committee.

Aston University

John Saunders, professor and former director of Loughborough Business School, has been appointed head of the business school. John Homer, reader and fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry has been promoted to a professorship.

Keele University

Gilbert MacKenzie, formerly with the department of epidemiology and public health at the Queen's University of Belfast, has been appointed professor of medical statistics and head of a new centre for medical statistics jointly founded by the university, North Staffordshire Health Authority and both local NHS Trusts.

University of East London

Professorships have been conferred on: Mary Boyle, department of psychology; Peter Howells, department of economics.