Appointments

A critically acclaimed author has joined Birmingham City University as director of its National Academy of Writing. Richard Beard, who has published several books, including Muddied Oafs - The Soul of Rugby, Manly Pursuits: Beating The Australians and, most recently, Becoming Drusilla: One Life, Two Friends, Three Genders, will take charge of the academy's diploma in writing, a part-time course designed to encourage and develop new writing talent.

Jane Glew has become the University of Kent's college master for its Medway campus. She is responsible for student welfare at the campus, including the provision of personal support and advice, arranging student events and activities, and managing disciplinary procedures. Ms Glew will continue in her current positions as deputy director of Kent's Centre for Sports Studies and head of admissions for sports.

The University of Portsmouth's Mike Tipton has been selected as chairman of the UK Sport Research Advisory Group. Professor Tipton played a part in the UK's success at the Beijing Olympics, using his expertise in human and applied physiology to help athletes improve their performance. In his new role, he will provide input to UK Sport-led human science research to ensure that British athletes have the best chance of winning in future competitions.

The Advanced Institute of Management Research has announced the appointment of seven fellows, who will support its work in researching productivity, innovation and services with the aim of improving management practice. They are: Nic Beech, professor of management at the University of St Andrews; David Denyer, senior lecturer in organisation studies at Cranfield University; Katy Mason, lecturer in marketing at Lancaster University; Joe O'Mahoney, lecturer in organisational studies at Cardiff University; Markus Perkmann, senior research fellow in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Group at Imperial College London; Zoe Radnor, senior lecturer in the Operations Management Group at the University of Warwick; and Jennifer Whyte, reader in innovation and design at the University of Reading.

The next chief executive of the Higher Education Statistics Agency has been appointed. Alison Allden will take on the role when Robin Sibson, the current chief executive, retires at the end of July. Ms Allden is currently deputy registrar and director of information services at the University of Bristol. Early in her career she worked in the field of archaeology before moving into IT via roles at the British Museum and the National Maritime Museum. Ms Allden is a member of the board of the Joint Information Systems Committee and a fellow of the British Computer Society. She will bring her wide-ranging expertise on information systems and data analysis to the post, which she will take up on 1 August 2009.

A university lecturer who exploits new technologies in his lectures has had his teaching methods honoured. Simon Lightfoot, senior lecturer in European politics at the University of Leeds, won the Bernard Crick Award for Outstanding Teaching for his use of the internet and video footage in the lecture theatre. The award, which is named after the British political theorist, is peer-reviewed and presented by the Political Studies Association. Dr Lightfoot said: "This is all about trying to find innovative ways of communicating with students and using technology to enhance their experience at university."

A veteran of the construction industry, Anthony Rush, has been appointed an independent board member and vice-chair of New Campus Glasgow Ltd. The £300 million project aims to create a super-campus for the 50,000 students and 2,000 staff of Glasgow's Central, Metropolitan, Nautical and Stow further education colleges. Construction is scheduled to start in 2011.

Karen Stephenson has moved from London South Bank University to head up the higher education practice at Veale Wasbrough Lawyers. Having held a number of posts at London South Bank, including senior lecturer and course director, university secretary, principal solicitor and clerk to the board of governors, she will use her experience to expand and develop the law firm's work. Veale Wasbrough's education practice acts for more than 700 UK institutions.

The University of Cumbria has appointed Laurie Boyle lecturer in logistics and supply-chain management, a role that will see her delivering a new part-time foundation degree in the subject. The FdSc logistics and supply-chain management degree aims to provide students with the skills required to work in the higher echelons of the logistics and transport industry. Mr Boyle will also teach two other logistics courses at the institution.

Two of Northern Ireland's leading legal figures have joined the University of Ulster as visiting professors in its School of Law. Dame Nuala O'Loan, the former police ombudsman, and Mr Justice Treacy, a high court judge, will work at the institution until 2012. Thomas Murphy, head of the School of Law, said: "We are honoured to have two such distinguished visiting professors."

Nigel Portwood has been named the chief executive of Oxford University Press. With more than a decade's senior management experience in the publishing industry, he was selected for the role by the delegates of OUP - a committee of University of Oxford academics who oversee the affairs of the publishing house. Currently executive vice-president for global operations at the Penguin Group, Mr Portwood will take up his new position this summer. He will replace Henry Reece, who is retiring.

The Robert Gordon University's Valerie Maehle has been appointed for a further term as a non-executive board member of NHS Education for Scotland, the National Health Service training organisation. As dean of the faculty of health and social care, Professor Maehle is responsible for the provision of undergraduate and postgraduate professional qualifying courses for a wide range of health and social care professions.

Aidan Worsley has been appointed to head the School of Social Work at the University of Central Lancashire. After a spell with the Greater Manchester Probation Service, which included a period as a senior probation officer, Professor Worsley moved into academia by joining the staff at Liverpool John Moores University. He has also held positions at Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Chester. His research interests include dyslexia and inter-professional learning.