Professor Sally Kyd appointed first woman Head of Law

Professor Sally Kyd has been appointed as Head of Law at the University of Leicester, becoming the first woman to be appointed to this prestigious role. Her term of office begins officially on 1 October, carrying on from her interim role, which she has been performing for the past year.

Leicester Law School is one of the largest schools within the College for Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, made up of around 1,400 Undergraduate, PGR and PGT students and a workforce of around 80 academic and professional services staff. The School’s research is recognised on a global stage, and its academics are frequent participants in legal debates and contribute to policy-making.

Sally has a strong history of research in the fields of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice, with a specialism in road traffic offences, having completed her PhD on vehicular homicide and publishing the book Driving Offences: Law, Policy and Practice in 2008. In 2011-12 she examined how the recently created ‘death by dangerous driving offence’ was operating in practice, and in 2018 she conducted a project in 2018 with Dr Steven Cammiss to identify best practice in roads policing.

In her new role she will promote the University’s role in world-class research, enterprise and teaching excellence in an increasingly competitive environment both nationally and internationally.

Commenting on her appointment, Professor Sally Kyd said:

“As an alumna of Leicester Law School it is a tremendous honour to have been appointed the first female Head of School. Leicester Law School has had a huge influence on my academic career and I have a vested interest in seeing it continue to thrive as a supportive environment for learning the Law and conducting research into development of the Law as an instrument for justice in society.

Leicester Law School has changed a great deal since I first joined as an undergraduate in 1993, growing in size and becoming more diverse in its make-up, whilst at the same time maintaining a cohesive environment that promotes critical thinking and supports our students as Citizens of Change.

I am proud to continue the work of my predecessors, many of whom have had a direct influence on my development as a scholar and leader, and it is humbling to be placed in a position where I have the opportunity to provide an inspiration to others in this way. These are particularly challenging times, but I am ready for the challenge and look forward to helping to shape the Law School and maximising the opportunities for legal scholarship at Leicester.”

Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Professor Henrietta O’Connor, said:

“I am absolutely delighted that Professor Sally Kyd has been appointed at Head of the School of Law and I am thrilled that we now have a woman leading the School for the first time in its history. This is such an important appointment for the institution as the Law School is key to the success of the University and Sally has a clear vision for how the School can continue to thrive.”