We are incredibly proud to announce that our Director, Professor Jane Macnaughton, has become Durham University’s new Deputy Vice Provost for Research. In this role she will be able to share her considerable expertise with researchers across the university, not just those in medical humanities. This exciting opportunity means that, after 22 years, she will step down as Director of the Institute for Medical Humanities.
The Vice-Provost for Research, Professor Colin Bain, welcomed the appointment of Professor Macnaughton, saying “I am absolutely delighted that Jane will be joining the senior leadership team for Research at Durham. Jane has a long-standing interest in enhancing the environment in which research is conducted and she will take on the role of University lead for research culture, building on her experience in creating an outstanding research culture in the IMH.”
Although it is hard to imagine IMH without Jane at the helm, we are delighted that Professor Angela Woods will take on the role of Acting Director. Angela will be working alongside Professor Corinne Saunders in her ongoing role as Co-Director.
Jane said “I am absolutely thrilled to be leaving IMH in such capable hands. Angela has been part of the IMH community for 11 years, has been Co-Director of Hearing the Voice since 2012, and Deputy Director of IMH since 2017. Angela is also the only other Professor of Medical Humanities at Durham and is passionate about genuinely interdisciplinary research and supporting early career researchers. This is a very exciting time in the Institute’s development with new staff joining us as well as the development of a taught Masters programme.”
Jane’s accomplishments during her time at IMH are numerous. Jane not only established medical humanities at Durham, but she has also been instrumental in developing the field nationally and internationally. As well as leading her own research projects including Life of Breath, she was part of a core group that set up the Association for Medical Humanities, and a founding member of the Northern Network for Medical Humanities Research. Furthermore, Jane led the team which achieved the funding and support for IMH to become the first Institute for Medical Humanities in the UK and one of just four Wellcome supported Humanities and Social Science Research centres. Her contribution to both Durham University and the field is truly remarkable. You can read more about Jane’s stellar career in this interview.
Jane continued “IMH has been my working life at Durham for 22 years and it is difficult to imagine moving on. I’ve been privileged to have been part of developing medical humanities from its origins in medical education into a vibrant interdisciplinary research field that has real impacts upon health and wellbeing. I will continue to contribute to this as a researcher and I know IMH will go from strength to strength under new leadership, a complement of brilliant research and professional staff, and with strong support from Durham University.”
Professor Macnaughton, we salute you!
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