The Department of International Development at King’s is an innovative and contemporary Development Studies department with a focus on global patterns of wealth and inequality, with a core focus on middle income countries where substantial wealth sits alongside poverty and precarity. We are now seeking a Head of Department to provide leadership and inspire excellence in both research and education.

Following a consultative review in 2022, we have cross and interdisciplinary teams in five varied research groups which share the objectives of improving wellbeing and future lives: Power, Ecology and Climate; Inequalities, Solidarities and Social Policy; Global Capitalism and Development; Politics, Injustice, Creative Contestation; Global Production, Finance and Labour. Our staff are recruited from a wide range of the social, political and economic sciences and humanities, and bring expertise and insight from their work in different parts of the world. Our students also come from around the world – every year, we welcome students from over 40 countries.

Our ambition to be a globally leading international development group with extensive partnerships and impact requires a visionary leader to position the Department as a leading place of excellence for research and critical scholarship. The successful candidate will be an internationally distinguished Professor in International Development with the ability to work across departments and faculties to promote interdisciplinarity. The successful candidate will provide strategic academic leadership and foster research and educational excellence bringing experience in leadership, project management, managing finances, and the delivery of excellent innovative education.

It is also critical that the successful applicant can evidence a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity with the ability to nurture a positive culture that supports the development of all staff and students.

We welcome applicants from the full spectrum of expertise across development studies, with areas of research interest including, but not limited to, development in emerging economies, the global south, decolonisation, social/racial justice, climate/sustainability, sustainable development, health inequalities, global urbanisation.

To apply:

Please note:

The closing date for applications is 23.59 on Tuesday 29th August. The selection process will include a two-stage interview process.

The Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy is committed to ensuring an inclusive interview process and will reimburse up to £250 towards any additional care costs (for a dependent child or adult) incurred as a result of attending an interview for this position.

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