By Amelia Boag McGlynn & Emily Reid
The appointment of new Executive Dean of Arts and Humanities, Beth Lord, has ruffled feathers after she faced significant controversy in her previous role as Head of School of DHPA. Lord is reported to have committed a data breach in 2023 regarding the University’s Marking and Assessment Boycott (MAB).
Lord was found responsible for creating a spreadsheet naming course staff who had previously taken part in industrial action, and/or were suspected of taking part in future strikes.
The illegal spreadsheet was referred to as a ‘RAG’ list, an acronym standing for red, amber and green. The colour-coded list could be used to determine which members of staff are likely to participate in strike action or Marking and Assessment Boycott (MAB).
Union members feared the ‘RAG’ spreadsheet could be used as a “blacklist” to target those taking part in industrial action.
At the time, staff felt concern regarding the Senior Management Team’s (SMT) potential treatment of striking staff workers, and whether they had students’ best interests at heart.
After the GDPR principle-breaching list was revealed, staff within the school were encouraged to “work positively together, and to support the new Head of School in the collegiate way the University promotes.”
Following the recent announcements, staff within the faculty have raised concerns on Lord’s appointment as Executive Dean. Speaking to The Gaudie, one anonymous staff member within the faculty said:
“I think that the data breach is the tip of the iceberg.”
“I have only heard one person who had anything good to say about her leadership as head of DHPA [Divinity, History, Philosophy, and Art History], so she’s arriving in this post without much support from within her own school.”
They added: “I think everyone was expecting [Beth Lord’s] appointment because it is clear that senior management thinks that deep cuts are necessary in the arts and humanities, and she will be the one to do it.”
The Gaudie also revealed the rest of the new executive deans in an article last week.
A staff communication announced the four members of staff appointed to the helm of newly created “faculties” that have replaced twelve individual schools.
The structural reorganisation, approved in April 2026, is part of the University’s £10 million saving plan. The plan also threatens to cut over 100 jobs across the institution.
Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences
The Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences will be headed by Professor John Skåtun, who has led the university’s Business School (UABS) since 2023.
His research involves gender equality and economics, and was part of recruiting the first female Professor of Economics at the university.
Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Life Sciences
The faculty of Medicine, Health, and Life Sciences will be manned by Professor David Blackbourn. The virologist was the previous head of the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, running the departments since July 2024.
Faculty of Science and Engineering
The fourth executive dean will be Professor Dave Muirhead, heading the faculty of Science and Engineering. He has spent nearly seven years as the Head of School of Geosciences.
The group of deans will officially begin on the first of October. The Gaudie exclusively reported that the roles will earn between £112,000 and £140,000 per annum.
