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New Dean of Social Sciences and Law

Prof Paddy Ireland

Professor Paddy Ireland

Press release issued: 30 September 2015

Professor Paddy Ireland, currently Professor of Law at the University, has been appointed to Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law, which will take effect from 16 November 2015.

After graduating with a BA Hons in Law from the University of Kent, Paddy began his academic career in 1976 as a law lecturer at Osgoode Hall Law School, part of York University in Toronto. In 1978, he was appointed as lecturer at the University of Hull and in 1980 moved to the University of Kent Law School where he was later promoted to Senior Lecturer and Professor of Law.  While at Kent, Paddy twice acted as Head of the Law School and as Director of Research in the Faculty of Social Sciences from 2010-2013, and as Deputy Dean from 2011-2013.

In August 2013, Paddy joined the University of Bristol as Professor of Law and Director of Research of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law.

As a leading scholar of the history of company law, corporate theory and corporate governance, Paddy has published widely in each of these areas, drawing insights not only from legal scholarship but from political economy and social theory. He was also one of the leading figures of the early critical legal studies movement, contributing to and co-editing the two volumes of the Critical Lawyers Handbook.

Professor Ireland said: “I am honoured to have been appointed to this role. My aim is to build on the Faculty’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading centres for social science research that delivers exceptional teaching to its students.”

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