Professor Kate O'Riordan

Professor Kate O’Riordan has been appointed as our new Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education & Students).

Kate is Professor of Digital Culture, and is currently Dean of the School of Media, Arts and Humanities (MAH).

As our new PVC (Education & Students), Kate will provide strategic leadership for the education and students portfolio, and will work closely with the Vice-Chancellor to develop the University’s education strategy. This will include playing a lead role in ‘Curriculum Reimagined’, a major project reviewing and reshaping our curriculum to provide the best possible education for our students, with a particular focus on developing an exciting new interdisciplinary offer, and reducing complexity and timetabling challenges.

Kate will also ensure operational delivery of a transformative and rigorous educational experience, with excellent student outcomes, and will work to sustain our strong relationship with our students, including liaising with the Students’ Union.

Interim arrangements for the Dean of MAH role, prior to a long-term appointment being made, will be confirmed shortly.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sasha Roseneil, said: “Amongst a very strong field of candidates, Kate’s skills and experience were striking: a collaborative and creative leader, she has an excellent track record of working with colleagues and students to bring about institutional change. Over her 22 years at Sussex, Kate has demonstrated a deep commitment to students, and an openness to new ideas and ways of working that makes her perfectly positioned for this vital leadership role. Kate’s research in digital culture also gives her unique insight into the need for new pedagogic and organisational practices to transform the student experience in our digital, post-pandemic world.”

Kate said: “I’m really excited to take on this role as we look forward to a new strategic direction for Sussex. The Vice Chancellor’s vision is compelling, and the prospect of supporting and leading the education and student experience portfolio across the University is an amazing challenge.

“It has been brilliant working with colleagues across such a diverse range of disciplines in the School of Media, Arts and Humanities, and I look forward to building on this experience to work collectively with the whole University on our educational offer.”

Kate will take up her new role from 1 August, allowing for a period of hand-over with Professor Kelly Coate, outgoing PVC (Education & Students), who is leaving Sussex at the end of August to become Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Richmond American University in London. The Vice-Chancellor said: "We extend our thanks once again to Kelly for her service to Sussex, particularly during the difficult period of the pandemic, and we wish her well in her new position."