Professor Penny Cook appointed Interim Pro Vice Chancellor

The new job broadens her remit from Associate Dean of Research & Innovation in the School of Health and Society, to encompass the whole University. She will be developing and championing the vision and strategic direction of Research at Salford.

Speaking about the new post, Penny said: “I am delighted to be taking on this role at such an exciting time for the University, so soon after the arrival of Nic Beech and as our expansion plans gather pace.

“I’ll be aiming to maintain and enhance the university’s quality, capacity and capability to deliver internationally recognised research. I will also develop policies to attract researchers of the highest quality, invest in early career research and help create an environment where scholarly activity can thrive.”

As a Professor in Public Health, Penny is internationally renowned in her field and has a strong track record of research achievements. She joined the University in 2012, and now leads the largest research group in the country on the impacts of alcohol exposure during pregnancy, and associated Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Her team recently made news headlines with the findings that this under recognised condition may affect 2-4% of children in the UK.

Penny succeeds Professor Karl Dyson who has been appointed Pro Vice Chancellor Research and Knowledge Exchange, University of Lincoln.

For details of how to express interest in covering Penny’s current role email n.mathias@salford.ac.uk.