Dr Cathy Smith appointed as Dean of Research

The University of Northampton has appointed Dr Cathy Smith, to the role of Dean of Research, until 2020. Cathy, who is currently Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities, will take up her new role in June 2019.

Dr Smith’s personal research interests lie in the history of pauper lunacy in nineteenth-century England, including the politics and decision-making in asylum admissions, the violently insane and the impact of insanity on family and friends. Her most recent work has focused on charity and the motivation for giving.

Cathy has also been working on research in partnership with Advance HE and nine other England-based universities to achieve a deeper understanding of how attainment gaps develop within Higher Education and ways in which interventions that are impactful and sustainable can be developed to support students.

Speaking on her appointment, Cathy said: “This University has some excellent researchers reflected in research outputs that were classified as world-leading in REF2014. Our ambition is to build on that strong foundation, and I am delighted to be taking on this role in preparation for REF2021. We will be entering more staff and more Units of Assessment in REF2021 which is testimony to the work of colleagues at UON in terms of both research and innovation.

“The University’s overarching research ambition is to deliver outstanding research that makes a difference to society, and I am looking forward to working with all our research students and staff to further develop our research capabilities and create an exciting, supportive environment for research and innovation.”