Michelle West, Interim Head of the School of Life Sciences from 1 September

Following Professor Sarah Guthrie’s decision to step down as Head of the School of Life Sciences, Professor Michelle West has been appointed as Interim Head of School from 1 September. 

Michelle is Professor of Tumour Virology and Deputy Head (Research and Enterprise) of the School of Life Sciences. She joined Sussex in 2001, becoming a Professor in 2015 and Deputy Head in 2020. 

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sasha Roseneil, said: “Sarah has led the School of Life Sciences with enormous dedication, vigour, and ambition, whilst exercising kindness and compassion towards staff and students through the most challenging of times. She has also played a vital leadership role in a number of cross-institutional change projects, including those to improve employment conditions for our communities of doctoral tutors and technicians. I would like to extend my thanks to Sarah for her very significant contribution to the University as Head of School, and I would like to welcome Michelle into the University Leadership Team as Interim Head of School. Michelle brings a wealth of leadership and educational experience to the role, and I am looking forward to working closely with her to continue to enable the flourishing of Life Sciences at Sussex.”

Michelle West said: “I am pleased to take on this new role and thank Sarah for all her dedication and hard work leading the School through some challenging times, including the pandemic. I have enjoyed working closely with her in my three years as Deputy Head of School for Research and Enterprise and hope that my experience in this role will help to make this a smooth transition. I look forward to leading and supporting life sciences staff and students in their research and educational endeavours.”

Sarah Guthrie said: “It has been my privilege to lead the School of Life Sciences for six years, through many ups and downs. The School contains an amazing group of people – outstanding researchers, teachers, professional and technical services staff - who show great dedication to their work and to the University. I am very grateful for the support given to me by so many within the School, as well as by Sasha and many colleagues within ULT. I would like to thank the other Heads of School in particular for their comradeship during my tenure.  It has been great working with Michelle, and I am confident that she possesses all the requisite talents and qualities to lead the School through this next phase of its development.”