Professor Sarah Metcalfe has been appointed as the new Provost for the University of Nottingham in Malaysia, taking up role from 1 August 2021 for an initial period of one year.

Professor Metcalfe has worked at the University of Nottingham since 2003, with roles including Head of School, APVC for Research and Knowledge Exchange for the Faculty of Social Sciences and lead of the Developing Sustainable Societies Global Research Theme.

Sarah has worked at higher education institutions across the UK and overseas, as well as at what is now the Research Complex at Harwell. Her research and teaching spans climate change and human-environment interactions across a range of timescales, with a particular focus on tropical and sub-tropical environments. She continues to work on air pollution issues, based on her time at Harwell.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West said:

“I am delighted to appoint Sarah as the next Provost for the University of Nottingham in Malaysia. I am confident that she will continue the work to chart our next 20 years in Malaysia with the same passion for education in the country as we have since the start of the century, while managing the current phase of the coronavirus pandemic and any local restrictions affecting UNM.

“I am also grateful to Professor Sam Kingman, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Engineering, who will continue to oversee campus operations as interim Provost and provide University Executive Board support for UNM until Sarah’s appointment commences.”

Professor Sarah Metcalfe said:

“I am really looking forward to joining UNM to help lead it into its next decade. The last year has been difficult for everyone and we are still dealing with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, but it is time to start looking to the future and the opportunities it can bring. I hope to help staff and students alike to build on UNM’s existing strengths in education and research to make a real difference in Malaysia and the wider region.

“Our university is unique in having campuses in Malaysia, China and the UK and I will relish the opportunity to lead UNM’s contribution to our truly global institution. As a regular visitor to the UNM campus as part of my university work, I have an enormous respect for my colleagues and the student community there and look forward to returning as soon as is practicable.”