Professor Nick Witham announced as new Dean of Social and Historical Sciences

Professor Witham has been interim Dean since September 2024, following the appointment of the previous Dean, Professor Jennifer Hudson, as UCL’s Vice-Provost (Faculties). He took up the role after serving as Director of Research and then Head of Department at UCL’s Institute of the Americas, which he joined in 2015.

Known as a world leading interdisciplinary researcher on the history of the USA, his prize-winning work represents a major contribution to the political and intellectual history of twentieth-century America. He also has an extensive track record in multidisciplinary academic leadership spanning the social sciences and humanities.

Welcoming the appointment, Dr Michael Spence, UCL’s President & Provost, said:

“Nick is a tremendous leader who brings academic ambition, a deep, instinctive commitment to cross-disciplinarity and a supportive and collaborative approach to leadership that will be of huge benefit to the diverse and globally engaged Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences. He has a clear vision for the faculty and the energy to deliver it. I am delighted that he has been appointed as Dean after serving so successfully in the interim.”

Nick Witham said:

“I’m excited and privileged to be appointed Dean of SHS. The faculty’s cutting-edge research and education takes places at the intersections of the humanities and social sciences. All of us – staff and students alike – are motivated to better understand the social, political, economic, cultural, and environmental processes that have shaped the world over time, from the deep past to the present. Individually and collectively, we demonstrate the capacity of our disciplines to change lives. This approach could not be more important given the challenges the world faces today, and I look forward to driving the faculty's global reputation as a social science and humanities powerhouse.”