Professor Laura Hammond appointed as Pro Director of Research & Knowledge Exchange

9 August 2022

Professor Laura Hammond has been appointed as the new Pro Director of Research & Knowledge Exchange.

Laura is a Professor of Development Studies at SOAS and the Co-Director of the Centre for Migration and Diaspora Studies. She leads on a number of major research projects including being Head of the London International Development Centre's Migration Leadership Team, and Team Leader for the Research and Evidence Facility (Horn of Africa Window) of the European Union Trust Fund for Africa.

As a Pro Director at SOAS, Laura will be responsible for the development and delivery of the School's Research and Knowledge Exchange strategies. This will involve leading enterprise and research development activities in a strategic and visionary way, building on SOAS's REF successes and working alongside colleagues in enhancing income in line with the strategic and financial ambitions of the School.

Professor Adam Habib, Director of SOAS said:

“As we move forward to build a research-intensive university which is world-class but also responsive to the marginalised communities of our world – I am delighted that Laura will be taking a leading role in this field and I very much look forward to working with her.”

Professor Laura Hammond said:

"I am thrilled to be taking on the role of Pro-Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange at a time when SOAS is working to deepen and expand our research profile. With superb REF results, a reorganised structure and a strategy for bringing our research and knowledge exchange activities together, this is an exciting moment for the university."

Laura will begin in her post from 1 September.