Welcoming outstanding new professors to Manchester Met

Manchester Metropolitan University has welcomed a diverse cohort of outstanding new Professors to all four of its faculties over the past 18 months, showcasing the University as a destination of choice for world-leading talent.

These new senior academics are already making significant contributions to the University’s strategic goals of delivering excellence in education and research with impact, while strengthening our reputation as a great place to work through their support for colleagues. Their expertise spans our missions – tackling inequalities, championing creative excellence, leading sustainability, advancing materials, transforming health and driving economic growth – and advances capability in our Institutes of Sport and Children’s Futures.

Faculty of Health and Education

• Professor Alison Pilnick, expert in language, health and society.
• Professor Anita Franklin, leading inclusive childhood studies and children’s rights.
• Professor Jonathan Hill, specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry and youth mental health.
• Professor Lisa Russell, advancing youth engagement and participatory research.
• Professor Karen Salt, recognised for work on culture, place and communities.
• Professor Mike Coldwell, expert in teacher careers and evidence-informed teaching, and Faculty Director of Research.
• Professor Emily Perry, specialist in teacher professional learning and science education.
• Professor Peter Coventry, advancing research in research in mental health and the environment.
• Professor Maddy Arden, leading health psychology and behavioural science.

Faculty of Science and Engineering

• Professor Aneil Malhotra, expert in sports cardiology and athlete heart health.
• Professor Stephen Rice, researcher in river science and environmental sustainability.
• Professor Russell Harris, driving innovation in manufacturing and health technology.
• Professor Luminita Paraoan, Professor of Molecular Cell Biology

Faculty of Business and Law

• Professor Larissa Davies, specialist in applied sports economics and community value.
• Professor George Kuk, expert in information systems and digital transformation.
• Professor Luke Fletcher, advancing inclusive workplaces and leadership.
• Professor Nigel Morgan, focused on social sustainability and organisational behaviour.
• Professor Yipeng (Eric) Liu, leader in entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Professor Sally Dibb, researcher in social marketing, innovation and data science, and Deputy Chair of the REF 2029 panel.
• Professor Lyndon Simkin, expert in strategy creation, planning processes and implementation management.

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

• Professor Rob Ellis, public-facing researcher in mental health and modern history.
• Professor Kate Fletcher, pioneer in sustainability, fashion systems and regenerative design.
• Professor Keith Wilson, sculptor focused on public art and place-making.
• Professor Daniella Ryding, expert in fashion marketing.
• Professor Hannah Hesselgreaves, Professor of Public Service Reform and Director of PERU.
• Professor Toby Lowe, focused on public management and leadership.
• Professor Rob Wilson, specialist in digital social innovation.
• Professor Carlo Harvey, researcher in digital arts.
• Professor Sarah James, expert in visual culture and contemporary art history.
• Professor Ilpo Koskinen, design-led researcher.
• Professor Susannah Thompson, focused on contemporary fine art and criticism.
• Professor Rosa Urbano Gutierrez, expert in architectural design and material innovation.
• Professor Gianpaolo Vignali, specialist in fashion retail and consumer experience.

Commenting on the appointments, Professor Steve Rothberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: “I am very excited to welcome these excellent new colleagues to Manchester Met. World-class academics are choosing our university because of our growing reputation for excellence, our influence in our region and beyond, and our commitment to values that is evident in our inclusive and supportive community. Together we have created an environment where staff and students thrive, and where we are all making a real difference.”

“These appointments build on the hard work of all staff of the University to achieve the ambitions of our Road to 2030 strategy. We are now one of just 13 Universities to rank in the top third for the quality and scale of our research [REF2021 Research Power ranking] and hold a Teaching Excellence Framework Gold Award.”