Brighton University appoints new deputy vice-chancellor

Brighton University has appointed Chris Pole as its new deputy vice-chancellor.

He will be responsible for student recruitment, academic standards and the development of the university’s Hastings campus.

He will take over from Stuart Laing, who is retiring at the end of the month.

Chris Pole

Professor Pole, a career sociologist, joins the university from Nottingham Trent University where he has worked for the past seven years.

He has previously worked in Brighton when he was at the Institute for Employment Studies at Sussex University in Falmer.

Professor Pole’s interests in the sociology of education and of childhood have led to project-directorships under the Economic and Social Research Council. He has lectured and published widely in these areas.

He said: “I am passionate about the transformational qualities of education and the role that the University of Brighton can play in positively transforming the lives of students, families and local communities.

“I am really looking forward to taking up my new post in September and to contributing to the university’s continued success.”

Julian Crampton, the university’s vice-chancellor, said: “Professor Pole has an outstanding track record.”

Professor Crampton added: “I have no doubt he will build on Professor Laing’s tremendous success in the role of deputy vice-chancellor.”

Chris Pole and Julian Crampton