Eminent politics professor appointed Executive Dean of School of Policy & Global Affairs

Professor Charles Lees has been appointed as Executive Dean of City, University of London’s newly formed School of Policy & Global Affairs.

The School forms as the University’s former School of Arts & Social Sciences splits into two new and more agile Schools – the other being the School of Communication & Creativity.

Professor Lees was previously a Professor of Government at Flinders University, Australia and until recently held the role of Dean (People and Resources) in its College of Business, Government and Law.

There, he provided support and advice to the Vice-President and Executive Dean, and oversaw the development and management of academic staff, to help the College deliver its strategic goals.

Professor Lees has also previously held the role of Head of the Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies at the University of Bath.

He plans to lead the School in enhancing its outward-facing profile and impact and in delivering a strategy which places students at the heart of everything the School does.

The School will align related academic disciplines for the benefit of students and staff, with a clear external orientation towards business, practice and the professions.

Reacting to his appointment, Professor Lees said:

“I am delighted to be taking up this appointment at an exciting time for City and for the new School of Policy & Global Affairs.

“City has a unique profile, with unique points of difference.

“The School of Policy & Global Affairs aims to provide robust intellectual scholarship, geared towards the more practical problems that this country faces.

“We will put a strong emphasis on practice, application of disciplinary knowledge, a strong commitment to Widening Participation, and to providing the best experience possible for our students who are often the first in their family to attend university.

“We owe it to our students to make sure they graduate with the confidence, skills and world view that allows them to think critically about their life and their position in the wider world and empowers them in their journey after they leave City.

“At all points in my educational journey, I was lucky to have access to resources I might not have been able to access on my own. So, I am very supportive of the School’s clear focus on equality, diversity and inclusion.”

Professor Sir Anthony Finkelstein, President, City, University of London said:

“I am delighted to confirm Professor Charles Lees’s appointment as Executive Dean of our new School of Policy & Global Affairs. Charles has a strong track record of success and brings with him a solid understanding of City's mission.

“His experience as a Professor of Government and Politics means that Charles is ideally placed to realise the new School’s potential. We are delighted to welcome him to City and are excited to work with him.”

About the School of Policy & Global Affairs

City’s School of Policy & Global Affairs is a centre of world-class scholarship, education and public service, making a transformative impact on society.

Located in one of the world's greatest financial and political centres, it engages with the key challenges and debates that are shaping policy formation in a rapidly changing world.

The newly formed School brings together the Department of Economics, Department of International Politics, and the Department of Sociology and Criminology.

The School’s highly rated courses in these subject areas equip students with the knowledge and skills to respond to the world’s most pressing policy challenges. With strong links to industry and policy organisations, graduates forge exciting careers in multinational businesses, consultancies, government departments and non-governmental organisations.

In an increasingly uncertain world facing profound geopolitical, environmental and socio-economic transformation, the School will provide policymakers, activists, business and commercial sectors with world-class research and insight to make sense of the changing global landscape.

Through its research centres and think tanks, the School is building its research intensity, delivering a significant improvement to the impact of its research. It has international expertise in academic areas including political economy, international relations, global finance, behavioural and health economics, class and gender, crime and justice, and violence and society.

City’s membership of the University of London federation helps develop research links between institutions and foster a sense of community with staff and students from across member universities.