Dr Hunt takes over the position from Professor Douglas Bourn on 1, January 2025. Professor Bourn will continue working within the faculty and with the research centre.
Dr Hunt’s work at the Centre includes consultancy for UNESCO, British Council and other leading national and international organisations. She has been the Research lead for the Global Learning MA, teaching on the programme and leading the module on Global Citizenship Education. She also supervises a range of doctoral students.
Dr Hunt said of her appointment: “I am delighted to be taking on the role of Director of DERC. It is both a great opportunity and a significant responsibility, particularly as I follow in the footsteps of Professor Bourn, who has been such an inspiring leader of the Centre over the past 18 years. Building on his strong foundation, I am looking forward to continuing to work with the team, partners and students as we navigate this new and exciting phase for DERC.”
Professor Arthur Chapman, Head of the Department of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment in which the Centre is based, said:
“I’d like to thank Doug for his hard work to build DERC’s research, activity and reputation over the last 18 years, and for helping the team develop the impressive networks and impact that the Centre has had. It’s a powerful legacy to continue and build on, and I know that Fran is looking forward to taking the Centre forward into a new phase of its development from the new year. We’re delighted that Doug will be continuing his work in the Centre and with the team after standing down from his formal leadership role in January.”
In stepping down as Director of the Centre, Professor Bourn commented:
“After 18 years as Director of the Centre, I am very pleased to pass on the baton to my colleague Fran Hunt who has to date made a major contribution to our work. The Centre’s work continues to be relevant in light of today’s mounting global challenges, and in Dr Hunt we have someone to consolidate and build on our work to date, and open up new research opportunities in partnership with other institutions around the world.”
The Development Education Research Centre was established in 2006 with funding from UK government and is today regarded as one of the leading centres in the world promoting the areas of global learning, global citizenship and education for sustainable development.
It hosts the international Academic Network on Global Education and Learning (ANGEL), which will host its next conference in Berlin in 2025 to showcase policy-related work and research in global education and learning.
The Centre also hosts the major academic journal in the field, the International Journal of Development Education and Global Learning, as well as a range of research and consultancy programmes.