News

Durham University appoints new Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Education

(4 September 2012)

Durham University has appointed Professor Tom Ward as Pro-Vice Chancellor of Education and Professor of Mathematics.

He starts his new role this week, succeeding Professor Anthony Forster who has taken up the position of Vice-Chancellor of Essex University.

Professor Ward is currently Professor of Mathematics, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of East Anglia (UEA).

He is a mathematician, specializing in ergodic theory.  He spent his childhood in Ghana and Zambia and went to school in Swaziland before studying mathematics at the University of Warwick.   He worked at the University of Maryland College Park and the Ohio State University before taking up a lectureship at UEA in 1992.

In his role at Durham he will have responsibility for all aspects of the education and student experience for the University’s undergraduates and postgraduates.

Professor Ward said:  “While it is painful to leave UEA after 20 very happy and productive years, I am delighted to be joining Durham University at such an interesting time for UK Universities.

“I look forward to learning more about the life of an older university and the unique challenges that brings.

“I am moving between institutions with a real passion for education and research. During turbulent times for higher education, the clear-eyed focus on the student academic experience and the creation of deep new knowledge has never been more important.”