New UON Professors

Three University of Northampton (UON) academics have received the title of Professor in recognition of their professional achievements.

The title of Professor reflects academics’ work and standing in their professional area, discipline or subject. Professors also demonstrate a major contribution to knowledge through research or consultancy, teaching, learning and development, or to professional achievement and practice.

The three new additions mean 34 academics* in total have the title Professor at University of Northampton.

Dr Cathy Smith, UON’s Dean of Research and Knowledge Exchange, says: “It gives me huge pleasure to congratulate our three new Professor appointments. It is incredibly important to recognise their contribution and expertise in their work here and their wider contribution nationally and internationally to their respective fields. I know they will continue to build on this in the future.”

Professor of History Mark Rothery (pictured on the left) says: “It gives me great pleasure to be appointed Professor of History, and I look forward to taking up this new role. I’m very lucky to be a part of a supportive and stimulating subject area, and I’d particularly like to thank my colleagues in History for their collegiality. I will use this new position to continue contributing to research excellence in the Faculty and showcasing the great work we are doing in History.

“In recent years this activity has focussed on the Centre for Historical Studies, which I co-lead. The Centre aims to provide a hub for all those interested in studying history across the subject areas we have at UON but also to build lasting and meaningful relationships with those in the local community whose work relates to history. Most of all, we aim to promote History and the value of history in creating social impact.”

Craig Staff, Professor of Fine Art (pictured in the middle), adds: “I’m delighted and very humbled to have been awarded the title of Professor of Fine Art. I certainly owe a debt of gratitude to my colleagues here at Northampton and to those artists and academics who have both supported and enabled my research during my 20 years at UON.

“As Professor of Fine Art, I’m very much looking forward to working with colleagues, partners and students as we collectively move forward with our ambitions to produce new knowledge which locally, nationally and internationally advances how art and design is both practised and understood.”

Andrew Hewitt, Professor of Art and the Public Sphere, concludes: “I am delighted and honoured to accept the role of Professor of Art and the Public Sphere. I look forward to the challenge and the responsibility that being a Professor at UON will bring.

“My own research has been within the field of contemporary art practice. I have been particularly concerned with the social function of art and its role in contributing to a more democratic society. I have favoured working collaboratively, which is not typical for arts scholars. I aim to continue working with others as a member of research teams, artist collectives, and cultural organisations. As co-lead for the Art and Design Research Centre, I feel very excited about working with our community of researchers and practitioners to demonstrate how important art and design is to society.

“Most recently my time has been spent leading a Maire Sklodowska-Currie Action RISE project entitled Spatial Practices in Art and ArChitecture for Empathetic Exchange (SPACEX). The project responds to the troubling rise of populist nationalism and conflict in European societies by engaging new publics and forging a culture that embraces diversity, difference, and discursive exchange within cities, towns, and urban sites. SPACEX is a new network with 86 researchers from 29 beneficiaries in 11 countries, engaged in cross sector secondments, sharing knowledge, and creating new projects and policy.”

*41 people in total at UON have Professor within their title, such as Emeritus Professor and Visiting Professor.