Professor Simon Barker has become the University of Lincoln’s new Head of the School of Humanities.

He has been the Professor of English Literature at the University of Gloucestershire, the Head of English at the University of Winchester and used to teach at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. The courses covered by his new role include American Studies, English and History.

Professor Barker has also written about the literature and performing arts of the Tudor and early-Stuart period, which is a keen interest of his.

Professor Barker had previously visited the university before and was impressed: “I first came to the University of Lincoln in 2006 to give a lecture… I was extremely impressed by the enthusiasm of the staff and students, and by the University that was being constructed around them as they worked.”

Since then he has been keeping a look out on recent news with the university’s developments such as the work by the humanities sections but also developments such as the School of Engineering.

Professor Barker says he was “delighted to have an opportunity to join the university” and is looking forward to his new role: “I have received a tremendous welcome and look forward to working with staff and students to consolidate and enhance Lincoln’s reputation for world-class teaching, research and scholarship.”