Friday, September 26, 2008
Canadian scholar to head College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Internationally recognised historian Professor Susan Mumm has been appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor of the College of
Humanities and Social Sciences.
Professor Mumm will join Massey in February from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where
she holds the positions of Dean of Arts and Science, and Professor of History.
She was raised on a sheep farm in Saskatchewan, Canada and studied British history at the University of Saskatchewan and
the University of Sussex, England, where she was a Commonwealth Scholar.
Her academic career began as an Assistant Professor at York University, Toronto, in 1992 and she spent more than a
decade at the Open University in England, moving from lecturer to senior lecturer to head of department, before moving
to Mount Saint Vincent two years ago.
She has published three books and numerous articles in her area of research and is working on a fourth book on the
history of organisations for young working women in 19th century Britain.
Professor Mumm says she is looking forward to the next chapter of her academic career. “I am honoured at having been
appointed to this position and am looking forward to working with the faculty, staff, and students of the College of
Humanities and Social Sciences,” she says. “There is exciting work in front of us as we promote and enhance our
contribution to the overall advancement of Massey University.”
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Warrington says he is delighted to welcome a scholar of Professor Mumm’s calibre to
the University. “Professor Susan Mumm brings a wealth of experience to the role in terms of both academic achievement
and administrative skill,” Professor Warrington says. “Her leadership will be vital as the college continues to grow in
size and status.”
Vice-Chancellor Designate Steve Maharey is looking forward to working with Dr Mumm. "Massey has an outstanding tradition
in the Humanities and Social Sciences and Professor Mumm shares the University's determination to build on these
strengths," he says.
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences:
• More than 9300 students across the three campuses, about 5000 of them extramural.
• 250 academic staff.
• Nine teaching and research schools: English and Media Studies; Health and Social Services; History, Philosophy and
Classics; Language Studies; Te Putahi-a-Toi (Maori Studies); People, Environment and Planning; Psychology; Social and
Cultural Studies and the Centre for Defence Studies.
• Home to the Research School of Public Health, a cluster of centres of public health expertise including the Sleep/Wake
Research Centre and the Centre for Public Health Research based in Wellington and the Centre for Social and Health
Outcomes and Te Ropu Whariki in Auckland.
ENDS