New Head of the Graduate School appointed

The University of Northampton is pleased to announce Professor Matthew McCormack will take the helm of the Graduate School at the start of 2019.

Matthew joined the University of Northampton in 2004. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and of the Higher Education Academy, and sits on the executive committee of the British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies. Matthew will focus on developing the 300-strong postgraduate research community, further developing the support for researchers and supervisors, as well as growing the university’s reputation for impactful research.

In the most recent Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES), our student feedback saw us ranked fourth in the UK for postgraduate research student satisfaction. The PRES is the only UK Higher Education sector-wide survey to get feedback from postgraduate researchers about their learning and supervision experience. This, along with a new, dedicated Postgraduate Research Space, on the first floor of the Senate, offers the University’s postgraduate community a dedicated 24/7 space, allowing over 80 researchers to work at the same time.

Professor Matthew McCormack said: “I’m delighted to be taking up the role of Head of the Graduate School. This is a great time to be working with the Graduate School, since the move to the new campus has provided fantastic new opportunities and facilities for our postgraduate researchers.

“Northampton is a great place to do a doctorate, with a vibrant postgraduate community, and excellent supervisors and support staff. I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor Professor Ian Livingstone, who led the Graduate School so successfully.”

Speaking about Matthew’s appointment, Cathy Smith, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities, said: “Matthew was appointed because of his long-term commitment to, and enthusiasm for, working with PhD students.

“Matthew also has a clear understanding of the wider HEI priorities and issues confronting PhD students currently and ways to support our PhD community. He has been a keen contributor to the training of research students and has an excellent working knowledge of the wider responsibilities that fall within the role of the Head of the Graduate School.”