Western Sydney University welcomes new Dean of Social Sciences
Western Sydney University is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Jason Pandya-Wood as its new Dean of the School of Social Sciences. Professor Pandya-Wood will commence mid-year.
With an impressive career spanning several senior academic leadership roles, Professor Pandya-Wood is currently Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM).
University Provost, Professor Kevin Dunn, warmly welcomed Professor Pandya-Wood’s appointment.
“Professor Pandya-Wood is an experienced University leader, who has been responsible for the strategic leadership and operational oversight of UNM’s schools and institutes covering a wide range of subjects in social sciences and humanities. He has also led UNM’s global engagement strategy portfolio as the Management Board lead,” said Professor Dunn.
Professor Pandya-Wood’s discipline background is Social Policy with a track record of applied social policy research and evaluation. He has an extensive research portfolio, including innovative public health approaches to managing sexual and violent offender risks, community organising and the role of compassion in social policy design, which is the subject of his most recent book The Kindness Fix.
Prior to joining UNM in June 2020, Professor Pandya-Wood was based at Nottingham Trent University in the UK, first as Head of Sociology, then as the School of Social Sciences’ first Director of External Engagement and Strategic Partnerships.
Before this, he spent over a decade at De Montfort University in several different roles, including Head of Research in Youth and Community Studies, and Research Director and founding architect of a ground-breaking university community engagement initiative: the Square Mile project.
Professor Pandya-Wood said he is looking forward to joining the University community.
“I am thrilled to be joining Western Sydney University and am excited at the opportunity to help shape the next chapter of a School I have long held in high esteem,” said Professor Pandya-Wood.
“The University is internationally recognised for leading the way in making a meaningful impact on the many communities of which it is part. Whether through research that addresses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals at a global level, or through its deep collaboration with local Indigenous communities, Western Sydney University is a force for good in the world.
“All this is done with an unwavering commitment to providing an outstanding experience for students designed to shape the graduates of the future.”
Professor Dunn also extended his thanks to Professor Adam Possamai for his leadership and invaluable service as Interim Dean.
“Throughout his tenure as Interim Dean, Adam’s leadership has been instrumental in guiding the school through a period of transition with dedication, vision, and a steadfast focus on excellence,” said Professor Dunn.
ENDS
23 January 2025
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