Keele University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise Professor David Amigoni has been appointed chair of the Advisory Council for the Institute for English Studies (IES), part of the University of London's School of Advanced Study.

The IES is one of nine research institutes that comprise the School of Advanced Study and is an internationally renowned centre for supporting, promoting and facilitating research and research training in English studies, a subject area that comprises the largest body of humanities researchers in the UK.

Professor Amigoni succeeds Professor Dinah Birch, CBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Cultural Engagement at the University of Liverpool. The IES works both nationally and internationally to speak to and for research in all aspects of English studies as well as working to develop digital English and creative-critical writing, specialising in the history of the book, manuscript and print studies, and textual scholarship.

Enjoying an active group of research fellows who work alongside IES academic staff, the Institute sponsors an annual programme of lectures, seminars, conferences, postgraduate courses and a number of annual summer schools and short courses.

Professor Amigoni said: “I am delighted and honoured to be appointed to chair the Advisory Council of the Institute of English Studies.

“English studies has always been, at heart, an interdisciplinary enterprise. The IES is one of the great flagships for the advanced study of this inter-discipline so this is a particularly exciting time to work with the Advisory Council as, together with the Director of IES and the Dean of the School of Advanced Study, we continue to develop the unique contribution of IES to the HE landscape. Causes that are central to the IES - excellence and innovation in research and education, equality and diversity of opportunity, and sharing the work of IES regionally, internationally and with diverse publics - are vital to me as well. I am very much looking forward to starting work.”

Professor Rick Rylance, Dean of the School of Advanced Study, University of London, said: “I am delighted to welcome David as the new chair of the IES Advisory Council. I have known David for many years both as an excellent scholar and an experienced senior presence in academic life. He is an outstanding appointment to follow another.

“I would like to take this opportunity not only to welcome David, but also to send my thanks and appreciation to Dinah Birch for her tenure in this role. She has been the most wise and supportive of advisors and IES and School of Advanced Study are much in her debt.”

Professor Clare Lees, Director of the IES, said: “In David, the Advisory Council of the Institute of English Studies has found a distinguished new Chair with an exceptional record of achievement in research and leadership. His commitment to excellence, innovation and inclusivity in the diverse and varied field of English studies will guide the Council over the next several years.

“We are thrilled that he is joining the Council and the Institute, and excited to begin the work. Thank you, David.”