Dear colleagues
It gives me great pleasure to announce that following a competitive recruitment process Michelle Macleod has been appointed as the Head of School of Language, Literature, Music & Visual Culture. As you are aware Chris Collins’ term as Head of School concludes on 31 May 2025. Michelle will therefore take up the position from 1 June.
Michelle joined the University as a Lecturer in 2004 and during her employment has progressed to the Personal Chair position she currently holds. Michelle has held a number of leadership positions including Director of the Confucious Institute and Interim Head of School immediately before Chris took up the role. Michelle was appointed as Dean for Impact and Engagement in March 2024, a role which she will step away from to take up the Head of School position.
Welcoming her appointment Michelle said: ‘I am honoured to be taking on the role of Head of School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture, especially as an alumna of the Celtic department which is now part of the School. I am fully committed to the delivery of excellence across our disciplines and look forward to working with colleagues as we navigate these difficult times: now more than ever a deep understanding of what it means to be human is essential and our teaching and research will be a beacon for disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge. I am particularly keen to look for new ways to engage regionally and globally and to explore avenues for innovation in the ways we collaborate to deliver and disseminate our expertise.’
I know you will join me in congratulating Michelle on her appointment.
And finally, I’m very pleased to thank Chris Collins for his leadership of the School and his many strong contributions to the University over the last five years.
Best wishes
George