Professor Bob Allison

Council, the University's governing body, has approved the re-appointment of Professor Bob Allison as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) with effect from 1 September 2011.

Professor Allison was appointed in September 2006 and his current contract will expire on 31 August 2011.

Pro-vice-chancellors are appointed by Council on the recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor (who consults with Senate - the University's academic body - before making any recommendation) 

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Farthing, said: "The appointment in 2006 of three PVCs with distinct portfolios was a major step forward in our academic leadership and enabled us to identify a clear lead for research.

"Since his appointment as the PVC with responsibility for research, Bob has transformed the University's approach to the planning and delivery of research, created a research strategy that sets out an ambitious vision for our research, and instigated new structures to support that strategy.

"Bob's leadership has facilitated the development of our six 'research themes', the establishment of the Doctoral School and the Junior Research Associate scheme and the publication of our annual research review.

"Bob has also been responsible for the establishment of the annual research dinner, which gives friends of the University an opportunity to meet Sussex academics who are carrying out world-leading research, and the creation of the enterprise development fund to support new academic commercial activity.

"He led the delivery of the strongest performance that was possible in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise and is now leading fundamentally important work for the forthcoming Research Excellence Framework.

"It is right and fitting that we re-appoint Bob to continue his leadership on our research strategy. He has laid the framework, but there is lots more to do in the future to ensure that the Sussex continues to be a world-class, research-led institution."