The University has made two new appointments to its executive leadership team.
Professor Todd Landman has been appointed as Executive Dean for the Faculty of Social Sciences and Professor Graham Underwood has been appointed as Executive Dean for the Faculty of Science and Health.
Both are due to take up their roles on 1 August 2013 and a further announcement will follow on the appointment to the third Executive Dean post to lead the Faculty of Humanities.
Professor Graham Underwood
Professor Underwood is currently Professor of Marine and Freshwater Biology in the School of Biological Sciences. He is a world-leading authority on marine and freshwater biology and ecology. His research interests are in the interactions between microbes (algae and bacteria), nutrient and element cycling, and how these processes feed through into ecosystem functioning.
He has broader interests in the biology of invertebrates, habitat use and fragmentation on the coast and sea level rise. Since joining Essex in 1992, he has undertaken a number of leadership and management roles both within the School and across the University.
Professor Todd Landman
Professor Landman is Professor of Government and Director of the Institute for Democracy and Conflict Resolution at Essex. He has been at Essex since 1993 and has served as the Deputy Director and Co-Director of the Human Rights Centre and Director of the Centre for Democratic Governance.
His research and teaching interests are in the areas of governance, development, democracy and human rights. He has published widely in these areas and has undertaken extensive consultancy work for inter-governmental organisations, governments, and non-governmental organisations.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony Forster said: “Todd and Graham have excellent track records in research and education and bring a wealth of leadership and management experience. These new appointments will provide the academic leadership that we need given the rapidly changing higher education environment. They will play a crucial role in delivering the University’s purpose of contributing to society through excellence in research and excellence in education. I am delighted that we have been able to make such excellent appointments to these new roles that are critically important to the future development and success of the University.”
Online videos
Find out what has inspired the academic work of Professor Underwood and Professor Landman on our Vimeo channel.
Biological Sciences "Magic (muddy) moments" - Professor Graham Underwood from University of Essex on Vimeo.
Government "The sorcerer's apprentice" - Professor Todd Landman from University of Essex on Vimeo.
Information for journalists
For more information or to request photographs of Professor Underwood or Professor Landman e-mail: comms@essex.ac.uk or phone: 01206 874377.