University of Salford appoints new Director of Social Sciences

Lisa began her broadcast career at BBC Radio Cleveland in Middlesbrough, where she cut her journalistic teeth reporting, producing and reading breakfast bulletins. Apart from a short spell working on the News at 10 at ITN, she stayed with the BBC for nearly 16 years, leading and managing news teams across radio, TV and online services before moving into academia. 

Lisa joined Northumbria University in 2008 as a Senior Lecturer in Journalism, returning to her home city of Newcastle upon Tyne to take up the post. Over time a number of roles followed, including Programme Leader, Programme Director and Head of Subject for Media, before becoming an Associate Head of Department for Social Sciences. 

Lisa’s passion for learning, teaching and delivering a quality student experience led her to the role of Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Learning and Teaching, before becoming the Head of Department for Social Sciences in September 2019, leading a team of 80 academics. A diverse department, Social Sciences at Northumbria is home to Criminology, Sociology, Policing, Politics and International Relations and International Development.   

Away from work, Lisa continues to work as a freelance journalist for Olympic Broadcasting Services. In the last twelve months she has travelled to Japan and China to work as a Senior Producer for the Olympic Channel News. She has most recently returned from Beijing 2022 where she lived and worked in a 'closed loop system' or a bio secure bubble for five weeks.

In her spare time, Lisa is an adult and family magistrate on the North Tyneside bench. She is married to husband Paul who works for the BBC, has a 15-year-old son, Gabriel, and a Golden Labrador called Heath.

Commenting on her appointment, Lisa said: I'm really delighted to be joining the University of Salford and can't wait to get started in my new role. I'm most looking forward to meeting everyone, working with a new team and exploring how we can go from strength to strength.”

Professor Margaret Rowe, Dean of the School of Health and Society, said: “We are so pleased to welcome Lisa to the University of Salford. This is a really exciting time for the School of Health and Society, and for our directorate of Social Sciences in particular. We have a wealth of expertise in this area and are known regionally, nationally and internationally for our applied research in social policy, digital, health, wellbeing, housing, criminal justice and social care. 

“In partnership with Greater Manchester Police, we also have ambitions to become a leader in policing, through professional education and development, research and enterprise. Lisa has a fantastic record of leadership experience in social sciences and policing; I look forward to working with her as we continue to build on our strengths and further develop our vision for the future.”