Professor Shearer West, currently Director of Research at the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), has been appointed as the next Head of the Humanities Division at Oxford University.
Professor West is currently Director of Research at the AHRC, on secondment from a professorship in the History of Art at Birmingham University. She is also currently chair of the Research Council UK (RCUK) Research Directors’ Group.
Taking up the post on 1 August 2011, Professor West will succeed Professor Sally Shuttleworth who has headed up the Division since 2006.
Professor West speaking of her time with the AHRC said ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed the unique experience of working at the AHRC during such an important period in the Council’s evolution, and I shall miss my many talented colleagues across RCUK. I look forward to retaining a close relationship with the AHRC in my new role in Oxford.’
Over the last three years Professor West has been instrumental in ensuring that major AHRC initiatives came to fruition successfully including the launch of the Block Grant Partnership scheme for post-graduate funding, overseeing the launch of the new Fellowship scheme and leading on the cross-council programme on Connected Communities.
In addition Professor West has taken the lead in the council’s new approach to peer review and the establishment of the AHRC Advisory Board as well as developing many positive relationships with HEIs, independent research organisations and European funders.
Other significant work undertaken by Professor West has included chairing the RCUK Research Directors’ Group and leading on the recent ‘Future Directions’ consultation with our academic and non-academic stakeholders that has helped to shape the future plans of the AHRC.
Professor Rick Rylance, Chief Executive of the AHRC, said: ‘All at the AHRC warmly congratulate Shearer on her appointment at Oxford. She has done a fantastic job for us during her time here and has made an indelible difference to the Council. Speaking personally, I will miss her energy, commitment and always intelligent advice and am delighted that we will continue to work together over the next few months as we establish the next phase of the AHRC’s development.’
In her final six months in post Professor West will continue to work to deliver key objectives for the AHRC to ensure the longevity and health of the arts and humanities.
Professor West has been Head of the Department of History of Art, Head of the School of Historical Studies and Acting Head of the College of Arts and Law at Birmingham University. She became Professor Art History at Birmingham in 2000. Prior to this, she was a lecturer, then senior lecturer at Leicester University. She has also been chair of the Association of Art Historians, member of the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise sub-panel and has had visiting Fellowships at Yale University.
