New Principal for Collingwood College

Professor Brooks is a long-time member of Collingwood Senior Common Room; he will take up his new role in September 2025. Thom is Professor of Law and Government at our Law School, and was Dean of the Law School between 2016 to 2021. He is a former President of the Society of Legal Scholars and has held visiting positions most recently at Yale Law School. His areas of expertise include citizenship, immigration, jurisprudence, political philosophy and public policy.  

Continuing success and student support 

Professor Thom Brooks said: “Collingwood College is a strong and an inspiring community of incredible staff, students and alumni. I’m enormously privileged to serve as its next Principal. I look forward to continuing its success and supporting our colleges and wider student experience.” 

Jeremy Cook OBE, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Colleges and Student Experience said: “I am delighted to welcome Thom into the community of the Durham colleges as he prepares to lead Collingwood through the next stage of its remarkable history. Thom is the perfect choice for the role as he not only brings a wealth of leadership experience from his time both as Dean and as a senior academic in the Law School, but is also an enthusiastic member of the College’s Senior Common Rooms.” 

A place for students to thrive 

At Durham, we have 17 vibrant colleges that help shape our transformative wider student experience. All our students are members of a college, which are so much more than a place to live. In each of our colleges, students find a sense of community that is unique to Durham. 

Collingwood College was founded in 1972 and has a long-standing excellence in sport, which is now matched in theatre, music, film and tech. From art to zorbing, there are over 70 sports clubs and more than 20 societies and committees students can get involved in. 

Find out more 

Find out more about our transformative wider student experience. 

Learn more about Collingwood College.