Exeter. Nick Groom is one of 33 new Exeter University teaching and research staff joining the Tremough Campus in Cornwall.
Degrees in law, history, politics and Cornish studies are being added to the offering at the £10 million campus. It is part of the Combined Universities in Cornwall initiative, a partnership of Exeter and University College Falmouth. Student numbers on the English course, where Professor Groom will teach, will rise from 25 to 70 this year.
Professor Groom joins Exeter from Bristol University, where he was reader in English literature. As an expert in national identity - his most recent book is a cultural history of the Union Jack - he is attracted by Cornwall. "I see it as a special location for investigating the effect of the landscape on our literary heritage. The Cornish landscape and culture lends itself to exciting field trips," he said.
Professor Groom is a keen folk musician. He plays the hurdy-gurdy for a folk group called the King's Brawlers. He is looking forward to learning more about traditional Cornish music.
IN
George Smith joins the Cornwall campus as Scottish and Southern Energy associate in renewable energy, heading the renewable energy group, which has re- cruited a further four new staff.
David Stephenson joins as chair in statistical analysis of weather and climate, a post that is jointly funded by the Exeter-based Met Office. He was previously reader in statistical climatology at Reading University.
Andrew Pickering joins as professor of sociology from Illinois University.
Fiona Mathews joins the school of biosciences as Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkins research fellow from Oxford University.
Colin Wight joins as professor of international relations from Sheffield University.
OUT
Keith Atkinson retires as the Cornwall provost and is replaced by Matthew Evans, who was previously head of biosciences on the Cornwall campus.
William Richardson steps down as head of Exeter's School of Education and Lifelong Learning.
Debra Myhill becomes head of school.
Rachel Muers, lecturer in theology, moves to Leeds University.
Stephen Scarr retires as director of grounds after 28 years tending Exeter's 300-acre campus.