Dr Anderson Jeremiah, Senior Lecturer in Politics, Philosophy and Religion, has been appointed as the new Associate Dean of EDI and People. Anderson will take over this faculty leadership role from Professor Carolyn Jackson, who made many valuable contributions to the Faculty and wider University during her term.

The Faculty of Arts and Social Science has prioritised foregrounding the values of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion within the wider People portfolio as vital foundations for the wellbeing of all staff and students within the Faculty.

The role of Associate Dean for EDI and People will build on the core values of Lancaster University’s commitment to “respect each other by being open and fair and promoting diversity, build strong communities by working effectively together in a supportive way and finally create positive change by being ambitious in learning, expertise, and action”.

FASS’s explicit foregrounding of EDI will have an impact on the workplace environment, classroom setting, research commitments and our external engagement. A concrete example of that foregrounding is the Faculty’s signature project on Decolonisation.

Speaking about his appointment Dr Jeremiah said, “I am delighted and excited to take up this responsibility at a crucial juncture to offer my experience gained over decades both within the university and wider society towards nurturing a just and equitable community. My task would be developing a network of trust, collaboration, and commitment, so that the principles of EDI will not be an afterthought but at the heart of our intellectual pursuit and social commitment”.

Besides his wider community engagement, Anderson serves on the Faith and Order Commission, and Ministry Council of the Church of England.

A comment from Professor Willem Hollmann, Executive Dean (Interim) of the Faculty: “We are delighted to welcome Dr Jeremiah into the Faculty Leadership Team. Over the past three years, Professor Jackson has laid down very strong foundations for the role, as it relates to our Departments, the Faculty and the University more widely. Dr Jeremiah has a high level of commitment to social justice and a wealth of experience in this area also outside the institution. As such, he is very well placed to build on the foundations and help embed our values even more deeply across everything we do”.

Anderson’s formal start date is Wednesday 1 February.