Professor Squires completed her MA and PhD at the Universities of Edinburgh and London. She came to the University of Bristol as a lecturer in 1990 and attained a professorship in 2005. She has been Head of Department in Politics since 2006.

Her research focuses on issues of democratic theory and equality.  She has held editorial positions on a number of scholarly journals and has played a key role in producing advisory reports for government on equal opportunities issues.

She said: ‘It will be an honour to serve as Dean and to work with such talented colleagues to build on the faculty’s many achievements.’

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eric Thomas, said: ‘Judith is highly respected both as a leader and as a scholar. I have no doubt that she will succeed in the role of Dean and build on the outstanding work of Malcolm Evans.’