A professor at the University of Stirling has been appointed to a senior role with a UK funding body.
Professor Tara Fenwick, from Stirling’s School of Education, is the new chair of the Training and Skills Committee of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) - the UK’s largest organisation funding research on economic and social issues.
Professor Fenwick joined the ESRC Council on a three-year appointment last year and will chair its Training and Skills Committee beginning in August 2014.
She said: “The committee works to improve the quality of research training for social science researchers in the UK.
“It oversees training and development schemes for postgraduate and early and mid-career researchers.
“It also provides advice and guidance to the ESRC Council, the Chief Executive and the ESRC directorates on the capacity building needs of the social science research base.
“The committee oversees activities funded by a sizeable annual budget - in the order of £53m - and is significant in its reach, responsibility and influence. I’m delighted to be appointed as its chair.”
The ESRC supports independent, high quality research which has an impact on business, the public sector and the third sector.
At any one time the ESRC supports over 4,000 researchers and postgraduate students in academic institutions and independent research institutes across the country. It receives most of its funding through the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) within the UK Government.
Professor Fenwick is a director of an international research network, based at the University, specialising in professional practice, education and learning. Previously she was head of educational studies and Professor at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Her research focuses on changing professionalisms, professional work and knowledge, cultures of work, and gender studies in work and learning.
Find out about the ESRC at http://www.esrc.ac.uk/