Head of the School of History

Head of the School of History

Queen Mary University, London.

Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences

Competitive Salary

Ref: QMUL31372

About the Role

The Head of School is the senior academic officer responsible for all aspects of the School of History’s academic performance. The Head will build on the School’s success as one of the largest and most distinguished history departments in the UK.

The post holder will devise and deliver an ambitious strategy to further enhance the School’s world class reputation in History, maintain excellent teaching and student experience, and together develop the School’s key stakeholder relationships and grow its international reputation and links.

The Head of School reports to the Vice-Principal and Executive Dean for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and will work closely with senior members of the School, Faculty and University. The Head will represent the School/Faculty’s interests, drive forward the School’s academic mission in line with Queen Mary’s Strategy 2030, and ensure compliance with university regulations.

The Head of School position will start from 1st September 2023 and run for a limited term of 5 years (renewable) alongside a permanent professorial appointment. In recognition of the significance of the Head of School role, Queen Mary protects the postholder’s time by allowing 80% of full-time hours to be dedicated to the leadership and management activities of the School, with the balance devoted to academic activity. On the completion of the Head of School position, the postholder will then move to a substantive professorial post on an indefinite, full time basis.

About You

Applications are invited from professorial level historians with proven strengths in academic leadership and management who show evidence of strategic vision and a strong commitment to help foster an ambitious, inclusive, and collegiate environment.

You will have a significant track-record of high-quality research in your designated field, including internationally renowned research outputs, and significant experience of developing research proposals and securing external research funding. You will need experience of developing and delivering research-led teaching and assessment at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and an understanding of student support needs. You will also have experience of managing research staff or teaching teams, and a clear commitment to inclusion and staff development.

About the School of History

Queen Mary’s School of History is one of the UK’s leading History departments. The School has over 50 historians, with academic expertise spanning a wide geographical area and covering a broad chronological range from the middle ages to the present day. The making and communication of History at Queen Mary is characterised by collaboration; within the School across areas of expertise, across the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, with universities outside the UK, and contributing to public debates and engagement with heritage and cultural institutions.

Home to around 800 students, the School is also known for, and committed to, excellence in education. Teaching is research-led, and the School’s diverse student intake is offered access to a global and imaginative approach to the curriculum. The School was recognised as the UK’s top history department for student mobility by the IFS/Sutton Trust in 2021.

About Queen Mary

Queen Mary University of London is one of the UK’s leading global universities, highly rated for its teaching and learning, research and innovation, and wide-ranging public engagement. We are a Russell Group University, situated in the heart of the East End of London, with a history dating back to 1785 and with staff and students from over 160 countries. We have a strong reputation for disciplinary and multi-disciplinary excellence, attracting world-leading staff, high-quality students and generating extensive relationships with local, national and international leading organisations.

Benefits

The position is based at the Mile End campus with the expectation that some duties may require attendance at other Queen Mary sites. The professorial salary will be competitive and commensurate with the experience and academic standing of the postholder. The Head of School position attracts an additional responsibility allowance.

We offer access to a generous pension scheme, 30 days’ leave per annum (pro-rata for part-time/fixed-term), a season ticket loan scheme and access to a comprehensive range of personal and professional development opportunities. In addition, we offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and campus facilities including an on-site nursery at the Mile End campus.

Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly. We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic groups and women as these groups are underrepresented at this level at Queen Mary.

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Professor Frances Bowen, Vice-Principal and Executive Dean for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at: VP-HSS@qmul.ac.uk.

Applications should consist of a completed online application form and accompanying CV.

To apply for the role, please click the ‘apply’ button.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 15th February 2023. Interviews are expected to be held at our Mile End campus on Thursday 9th March 2023.

Valuing Diversity & Committed to Equality