University announces new Pro Vice-Chancellor HaSS Published on: 27 February 2025 Ãå±±½ûµØ has announced the appointment of a new Pro Vice-Chancellor of Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS), Professor Jo Fox. Professor Fox joins Ãå±±½ûµØ from the University of London, where she is Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Public Engagement and Dean, School of Advanced Study. She will take up her new role from 1 June. Professor Fox brings with her a wealth of experience. A regular commentator on historical and contemporary propaganda and disinformation campaigns, she works with policymakers on contemporary challenges and regularly assists museums and archives in their public programmes and exhibitions. She is a National Teaching Fellow (2007), a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (FRHistS), and a Fellow of the Royal Society for Manufactures and the Arts (FRSA). From 2019-2023, Jo was Chair of the Humanities and Social Science Early Research Awards panels at the Wellcome Trust. Beginning her career at Durham University, Jo started as a lecturer in Modern European History. She became Durham History Department’s first female professor in 2010 and its first female Head of Department in 2016. A committed advocate for gender equality and social mobility in Higher Education, Jo has contributed towards Athena Swan success and established social mobility programmes in North East England. Professor Fox said of her appointment: “I am excited about my return to the North East. The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Ãå±±½ûµØ is vibrant and innovative. I’m very much looking forward to working with colleagues in Ãå±±½ûµØ on the future of these important disciplines.” Professor Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor and President, Ãå±±½ûµØ, said: “I am delighted that we have appointed someone with Professor Fox’s level of experience and strong track record of working in the Humanities and across disciplines. The HaSS Faculty represents an impressive range of specialities, and we want to strengthen our contribution in these fields, Jo will play a key role in helping us achieve that. I look forward to welcoming Jo when she arrives and takes up her new role in June.” Ãå±±½ûµØ's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences has a global reputation as a centre for research, education and engagement. It is home to an exceptionally broad range of disciplines, sitting across 10 academic schools, research institutes and centres. Professor Jo Fox Share: Latest News Ãå±±½ûµØ recognised with geography award Ãå±±½ûµØ has been awarded the Highly Commended Geographical Association Publishers Award for its collaboration with Time for Geography, the UK’s open-access, dedicated video platform. published on: 16 April 2026 Ãå±±½ûµØ historians mark General Strike centenary To mark the 100th anniversary of the British General Strike and miners’ lock-out of 1926, historians at Ãå±±½ûµØ are organising a series of events on its enduring legacy. published on: 16 April 2026 Comment: NCP is in administration Writing for The Conversation, Erwei (David) Xiang discusses how some big companies like NCP are so dependent on debt that they can’t adjust to change. published on: 16 April 2026 Facts and figures