New Head of Department for Politics and International Relations

Professor Russell Bentley has been appointed as the department Head of Politics and International Relations, within the School of Economic, Social and Political Sciences at the University of Southampton. Professor Bentley is a Professor of Political Theory within Economic, Social and Political Sciences and Deputy Head of School (Education), and has research interests in Rhetoric and Argument, Political Ethics and Classical Thought.

Professor Bentley takes over from Professor Pia Riggirozzi, who steps down to focus on her research, after leading the department for three years. Under Pia’s leadership the Department significantly grew its research funding and reputation, succeeded in making key academic appointments and collaborated very closely with Departments within Economic, Social and Political Sciences to implement the School’s educational and research strategy.

Head of School of Economics, Social and Political Sciences, Professor Nikos Tzavidis, said “I look forward to continue working with Russell, and I am certain that PAIR’s success will continue under his leadership. I would like to thank Pia for her skilful and collegiate leadership over the past three years’.