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Professor Matthew Davies appointed new Executive Dean

Professor Matthew Davies has been appointed as new Executive Dean for the School of Social Sciences, History and Philosophy from September this year.

Professor Matthew Davies

Professor Matthew Davies has been appointed as new Executive Dean for the School of Social Sciences, History and Philosophy from September this year.

Professor Davies will be joining the School to take up the post from his current role as a Pro-Dean of the School of Advanced Study, University of London, following the retirement of Professor Miriam Zukas, current Executive Dean of the School, at the beginning of the autumn term after seven years in the role.

He brings with him an outstanding academic reputation as a Professor of Urban History and as a specialist in the history of medieval and early modern London, topics on which he has taught, supervised and published widely.

In addition to his role at the School of Advanced Study, Professor Davies has also been Director of the Centre for Metropolitan History, which stands within the Institute of Historical Research, since 2002. 

Professor Davies is also presently the Director of a digital public engagement project for which he has secured significant funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, working with groups and schools across the capital. More widely, he has secured major grants for a variety of funding bodies for his research, particularly focusing on the history of London.

Commenting on his appointment, Professor Davies said:

“I am delighted to have been appointed as Executive Dean of the School of Social Sciences, History and Philosophy at Birkbeck.

“The School is a remarkable configuration of social science and humanities departments which excels in both teaching and research as part of Birkbeck’s unique educational mission. I look forward to joining the School, and to building on the successes of recent years across all its departments and institutes.”

Speaking about the appointment of Professor Davies as Executive Dean, Professor David Latchman, CBE, Master of Birkbeck, said:

“Professor Davies will bring a wealth of experience and expertise from his role at the School of Advanced Study and will be a superb fit for the School when he begins his role in September.

“The current Executive Dean, Professor Miriam Zukas, has made a tremendous contribution to life at Birkbeck. In particular, she has fostered the School’s impressive interdisciplinary and collegial culture, enabling research and teaching there to flourish.

“Her legacy has put the School on an excellent footing as Professor Davies begins his tenure later this year.”

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