School of Social and Political Science

School governance

Introduction

Head of School

The Head of School is responsible for the academic leadership and management of the School. They are supported in the management of the School by the Director of Professional Services and the appointed School officers, to whom a number of responsibilities are devolved. Mechanisms for consultation include School forums and School committees.

Key Contacts

Name Role Contact
John Devaney Dean and Head of School HoS.SSPS@ed.ac.uk

John Harries

Deputy Head of School and Director of Learning and Teaching Tel: +44 (0)131 651 3065 | sps.dhos@ed.ac.uk
Neil Willett Director of Professional Services Tel: +44 (0)131 651 1622 | neil.willett@ed.ac.uk

Content

Learning and Teaching 

Learning and teaching is led by the Director of Learning and Teaching, alongside two Deputy Directors, who are responsible for learning and teaching, and student experience and engagement, respectively. They work closely with the Head of Teaching and Student Services who in turn leads the School's Teaching and Student Services teams in the implementation of the School and University teaching and student support policies.  Mechanisms for consultation include School Education Committees and Board of Studies.

Key Contacts

Name Role Contact
Dr Meryl Kenny Deputy Director of Learning and Teaching & Director of Quality Assurance Tel:  +44 (0)131 651 1332 | sps.qaec@ed.ac.uk
Dr Gerhard Anders Director of Student Experience and Engagement Tel:  +44 (0)131 651 3178 | sps.dsee@ed.ac.uk
Ms Marie Craft Head of Teaching and Student Administration Tel: +44 (0)131 650 3943 | marie.craft@ed.ac.uk

 

Undergraduate Study

Undergraduate Study is led by the Director of Undergraduate Programmes.  Support for undergraduate teaching is provided by a team of administrative staff who make up our School's Undergraduate Teaching Office. Student support is available from our personal tutors, who work in conjunction with our team of student support officers.  The Director of UG programmes chairs the Undergraduate Board of Studies.

Key Contacts

Name Role Contact
Dr Andrea Birdsall Director of Undergraduate Programmes Tel:  +44 (0)131 650 6974 | sps.dug@ed.ac.uk

 

Postgraduate Study

Postgraduate study is led by the Director of Postgraduate Taught Programmes and the Director of Postgraduate Research Programmes. They work closely with the SPS Graduate School, where professional services staff provide support for postgraduate teaching delivery.  Postgraduate research students are supported by their supervisors and the Postgraduate Research office team.  PGT Student support is available from programme directors and personal tutors, who work in conjunction with our team of student support officers.

Key Contacts

Name Role Contact
Andrew Bowman Director of Postgraduate Taught Programmes

Tel: +44 (0)131 651 1617 

pgtdirector.sps@ed.ac.uk

Dr Steve Kirkwood Director of Postgraduate Research Programmes

Tel: +44 (0)131 650 6646 | sps.dpgr@ed.ac.uk 

 

Research

The Research Office is led by the Director of Research and supported by the Associate Director of Research - Knowledge Exchange; the Deputy Director of Research (Ethics); and the Deputy Director of Research (Data). It aims to produce research at the highest international standard and to provide a research-rich environment across the School. 

Key Contacts

Name Role Contact

Professor Tobias Kelly

Dr Mathias Thaler

Co-Directors of Research

Tel: +44 (131) 650 3986 |
Toby.Kelly@ed.ac.uk

+44 (0)131 6515769 |
mathias.thaler@ed.ac.uk

Dr Marc Geddes Associate Director of Research - Knowledge Exchange Tel: +44 (0) 131 651 3784 |
marc.geddes@ed.ac.uk
Dr Sudeepa Abeysinghe Deputy Director of Research (Ethics) Tel: +44 (0)131 6515471 |
Sudeepa.Abeysinghe@ed.ac.uk

Dr Lisa McCormick

Deputy Director of Research (Data) Tel: +44 (0)131 651 1339 |
lisa.mccormick@ed.ac.uk
DR Niki Vermeulen International Director
Niki.Vermeulen@ed.ac.uk

Caroline Laffey

Research Portfolio Manager  
Juliet Craig Research Programme Manager Tel: +44 (0)131 651 1285 |
Juliet.craig@ed.ac.uk
Susie Ballentyne Deputy Director of Professional Services Tel: +44 (0)131 651 5075
susie.ballentyne@ed.ac.uk
Currently vacant Knowledge Exchange and Impact Manager