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

NameRoleContact
Jackie GullandDeputy Director of Learning and Teaching & Director of Quality AssuranceTel:  +44 (0)131 651 1332 | sps.qaec@ed.ac.uk
Annika Bergman RosamondDirector of Student Experience and EngagementTel:  +44 (0)131 6511464sps.dsee@ed.ac.uk
Ms Marie CraftHead of Teaching and Student AdministrationTel: +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

NameRoleContact
Dr Nathan Coombs Director of Undergraduate ProgrammesTel:  +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

NameRoleContact
Andrew BowmanDirector of Postgraduate Taught Programmes

Tel: +44 (0)131 651 1617 

pgtdirector.sps@ed.ac.uk

Dr Andrew NealDirector of Postgraduate Research ProgrammesTel: +44 (0)131 650 4236 | 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

NameRoleContact

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 GeddesAssociate Director of Research - Knowledge Exchange

Tel: +44 (0) 131 651 3784 |

marc.geddes@ed.ac.uk

Dr Sudeepa AbeysingheDeputy Director of Research (Ethics)

Tel: +44 (0)131 6515471 |

Sudeepa.Abeysinghe@ed.ac.uk

Dr Lisa McCormickDeputy Director of Research (Data)

Tel: +44 (0)131 651 1339 |

lisa.mccormick@ed.ac.uk

DR Niki VermeulenInternational Director

Niki.Vermeulen@ed.ac.uk

Caroline LaffeyResearch Portfolio Manager 
Juliet CraigResearch Programme Manager

Tel: +44 (0)131 651 1285 |

Juliet.craig@ed.ac.uk

Susie BallentyneDeputy Director of Professional Services

Tel: +44 (0)131 651 5075

susie.ballentyne@ed.ac.uk

Currently vacantKnowledge Exchange and Impact Manager