LSSI has a new Director

We're pleased to announce that LSSI has appointed a new Interim Director, Professor Louise Waite from 17th May.

"I am excited to let you all know that I’ll be taking over from Adam Crawford as Interim Director of LSSI from May 2021. I have been a close friend of LSSI for some years, so it feels fitting to get the opportunity to now lead LSSI. I am greatly looking forward to working more closely with our community of social scientists at Leeds and our fantastic LSSI professional team. In this short introduction; I’ll provide a few words about my background together with some thoughts as to how LSSI can continue to evolve and grow through the coming period.

As a Professor of Human Geography my research interests span migration and slavery; with a focus on global discourses of ‘modern slavery’ and exploitative work among asylum seekers and refugees. As such I’ve come work with, and know, an inspiring range of colleagues working on migration issues, and broader social inequalities, from across our five social science leaning Faculties.

Over the coming period, LSSI will continue to foster interdisciplinary research excellence and enhance the reputation and impact of the social sciences at Leeds. The University’s new Strategy 2020-2030 brings creative opportunities for our social science community. The research and innovation vision within this Strategy centres on the delivery of transformational research to advance knowledge and tackle local, national and global challenges and inequalities. This landscape, together with the promise of Leeds moving towards being a genuine ‘university without walls’ that will support effective external partnerships, means the future is bright for LSSI and the social sciences at Leeds. I look forward to meeting many of you over the coming period – encountering your research and listening to your ideas about how LSSI can further support you".

On the change of leadership, outgoing Director Adam Crawford added: "I am truly delighted that Lou has agreed to take over the reins at LSSI. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise, as well as her own style of working and ideas to the leadership role. I am confident that the LSSI is in extremely safe hands and we will be appointing a number of Deputy Directors to provide additional academic support. I look forward to continuing to assist her and the wider LSSI team to deliver on its ambitious agenda of change over the next couple of years".