New academic research team in Faculty of Humanities

11 Jun 2024

From 1 August, Professor James Evans will become the Faculty's Associate Dean for Research, while Professors Alice Bloch and Heiner Evanschitsky will take up School Research Director roles for SoSS and AMBS

We are pleased to announce that Professor James Evans will be taking up the Associate Dean for Research role from 1 August 2024 for a term of three years.

A Professor of Geography and former Head of the Department of Geography in SEED, he is currently the Director of the Manchester Urban Institute (MUI) where he leads the ‘Smart and Sustainable Cities’ research theme.

Professor Evans’ research focuses on how cities learn to become smarter and more sustainable. His work on Urban Living Labs has been foundational across the social sciences. James led the University's involvement in Triangulum, a £25 million Horizon 2020 project to establish smart districts across Europe, as well as the Manchester Urban Observatory, a £1 million EPSRC-funded initiative as part of the UKCRIC portfolio.

In his new role Professor Evans will work closely with the Vice-Dean for Research, Professor Maggie B Gale, and other Associate Deans to ensure that the Faculty’s Research Strategy feeds into, and is aligned with, the University’s Research Strategy. He will also be involved in preparations for the Faculty’s REF 2029 submission.

He will also further develop and oversee interdisciplinary initiatives that bridge the Faculties of Humanities, Science and Engineering, and Biology, Medicine and Health, working specifically with the Humanities Institutes and Platform leads.

Professor Evans said: “I am thrilled to be taking up this post and am looking forward to continuing to develop and embed a high quality and inclusive research culture throughout the Faculty, with particular emphasis on engaging researchers at all career stages in grant capture, open research frameworks and open access opportunities.”

On behalf of the Faculty, we would also like to thank Professors Neil Humphrey (current Associate Dean for Research), Andy Miles, current School Research Director for SoSS, and Nikolay Mehandjiev, current School Research Director for AMBS, for all their many contributions and hard work in their roles over the last three years.

We also welcome Professors Alice Bloch and Heiner Evanschitsky as the new School Research Directors for SoSS and AMBS from 1 August 2024. We are looking forward very much to working with the new team.