New Dean for the Faculty of Education and Society

Published on 6, March, 2024

Dr Ben Middleton has been appointed as the new Dean of the Faculty of Education and Society.

He will take over from Professor Lynne McKenna MBE when she retires in the summer after nine years of service at the University.

Dr Middleton was appointed to Head of the School of Social Sciences in 2022, after five years as Principal Lecturer for Law at the University, where he obtained his PhD in counter-terrorism in 2013.

He said: “I'm delighted to be appointed as the next Dean and to be continuing my career here at our life-changing University in my hometown of Sunderland.

“It’s a privilege to be following Lynne's outstanding tenure as she heads towards a well-deserved retirement. The Faculty already has a leading international reputation for teacher training, social sciences, social work and professional development, and I’m excited to work with our superb colleagues to build on our excellent achievements in teaching and research in the months and years to come.”

Ben joined the University from Glasgow Caledonian University, where he led a multidisciplinary department across Economics and Law. Prior to that he was Head of Department for Criminology, Law and Policing at Teesside University.

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Professor Michael Young, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, said: “We’re delighted that Ben has been appointed Academic Dean following a highly competitive process, and will bring to this role his considerable leadership experience and drive for innovation.

"It’s an exciting time for the faculty, seeking new opportunities to grow teacher training – both at home and overseas – developing our diverse social sciences portfolio and enhancing the faculty’s research profile.”