Dean of Social Sciences

Job title: Dean of Social Sciences

Department: College of Social Sciences

Salary: A competitive salary will be on offer to the successful candidate.

Location: Bloomsbury

SOAS University of London is a world-leading specialist university, renowned for its scholarship across the arts, humanities, social sciences and law as they relate to Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Founded in 1916 and based in the heart of Bloomsbury, we are home to around 5,500 students on campus and a further 3,000 online. In REF 2021, 87% of our research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent. Our mission is to be an excellent, research-intensive university that challenges established hierarchies of knowledge and equips our students to build a socially and globally just future. 

The College of Social Sciences is a world-leading, research-led community of scholars at the heart of this mission. It brings together the Departments of Development Studies, Economics, and Politics and International Studies, and the School of Finance and Management, and teaches almost 3,000 undergraduates and more than 1,700 postgraduates. Its disciplines are among SOAS's strongest. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Development Studies is ranked second in the world, Politics fifth in the UK and 16th globally, and Economics is in the UK top 25. 

Our Strategic Plan 2026–30 sets out a bold vision for the University. We are deepening engagement with our specialist regions, strengthening research intensity and championing equitable international partnerships, with research-led teaching and the student experience at the heart of everything we do. The College will play a central role in this, bringing the perspectives of our regions to bear on the defining questions of our time, from development and inequality to global finance, governance and conflict. 

The Dean of the College of Social Sciences is a key appointment for SOAS's future. Reporting to the Provost and serving as a full member of the Executive Board, the Dean will create and articulate a coherent and inspiring vision for the College. They will lead its Heads of Department and staff, drive research intensity and grant income, and ensure high-quality programmes and an excellent student experience. They will also be accountable for the College's financial performance. In addition, the Dean will lead on fundraising and strategic partnerships, including with universities in the Global South. 

We are seeking an outstanding academic leader with the credibility, vision and entrepreneurialism to shape the next chapter of the College's story. You will have an international academic reputation established through research in a field relevant to the College, a proven record of academic leadership and management, and a strategic grasp of the issues facing UK higher education. You will bring experience of partnership development or philanthropic funding, and you will be able to inspire colleagues to work across disciplines on key global questions. Above all, you will share our commitment to SOAS's mission and to equality, diversity and inclusion, and be energised at the prospect of being part of such a special and distinctive. 

We would particularly welcome applications from candidates from working-class, first-generation Higher Education, Black, Asian, other minority ethnic and underrepresented groups from within the UK and beyond. All appointment decisions will be made on merit, following a fair and competitive process. 

For details of the appointment, including further information about the job description, person specification and how to apply, please click on the "Request Further Information" button below. The job reference number is 8612.  

How to apply: Perrett Laver - Leading Global Executive Search Firm

For informal inquiries, please contact Senior Research Associate Harvir Bains at Harvir.Bains@perrettlaver.com. 

The deadline for the receipt of applications is 9:00am GMT on Monday 9th November 2026. 

Formal interviews with the Selection Panel will take place in late December 2026. 

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