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Prof Joanne Wright

Sussex will be moving to recruit a new Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) to replace Professor Joanne Wright, who has been appointed as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at the University of South Australia.

Professor Wright has a PhD in international relations from the Australian National University in Canberra and she began her academic career as a Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Melbourne.

Professor Wright came to Sussex in 2006 from Royal Holloway, University of London.

In her present role she has University-wide responsibility for teaching and learning strategies, student recruitment (including international recruitment), the student experience, quality assurance and academic standards. She also has line-management responsibility for some of the heads of school and is a member of the Vice-Chancellor's Executive Group.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Farthing, said: "Joanne has made a tremendous difference to Sussex over the three years she has been here. I know that all colleagues will join me in wishing Joanne all the best for her new role in Adelaide.

"Her leadership - in creating a new teaching and learning strategy for Sussex, in driving forward significant curriculum development that is already bearing fruit, and in the major improvements already made and planned in the Sussex student experience - has been outstanding.

He highlighted her role in the development of new degrees in business and management and in the introduction of Sussex Plus (an opportunity for undergraduates to develop and demonstrate their skills to employers and course providers).

Professor Wright said: "I am pleased to have been able to make a serious contribution to Sussex in my time here.

"Seeing major new programmes starting to flourish, seeing our NSS scores making real and sustained improvements year on year and, last night, seeing us competing in the national THE awards for 'most improved student experience' have been significant highlights.

"I am delighted to have had the opportunity to work with all colleagues at Sussex and I wish everyone here the very best for the future."

The University will now be working with executive search consultants to make a swift appointment of Professor Wright's successor.

The new Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International), Professor Chris Marlin, starts work at Sussex in late November. Pending the appointment of a replacement as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education), he will be covering Joanne's line-management responsibilities (for heads of school in the social sciences) after she leaves at the end of January 2010 to take up her new position.