Professor Fox joins Newcastle University from the University of London, where she is Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Public Engagement and Dean, School of Advanced Study. She will take up her new role from 1 June.

Professor Fox brings with her a wealth of experience. A regular commentator on historical and contemporary propaganda and disinformation campaigns, she works with policymakers on contemporary challenges and regularly assists museums and archives in their public programmes and exhibitions. She is a National Teaching Fellow (2007), a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (FRHistS), and a Fellow of the Royal Society for Manufactures and the Arts (FRSA). From 2019-2023, Jo was Chair of the Humanities and Social Science Early Research Awards panels at the Wellcome Trust.

Beginning her career at Durham University, Jo started as a lecturer in Modern European History. She became Durham History Department’s first female professor in 2010 and its first female Head of Department in 2016.

A committed advocate for gender equality and social mobility in Higher Education, Jo has contributed towards Athena Swan success and established social mobility programmes in North East England. 

Professor Fox said of her appointment:

“I am excited about my return to the North East. The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Newcastle is vibrant and innovative. I’m very much looking forward to working with colleagues in Newcastle on the future of these important disciplines.”

Professor Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor and President, Newcastle University, said:

“I am delighted that we have appointed someone with Professor Fox’s level of experience and strong track record of working in the Humanities and across disciplines. The HaSS Faculty represents an impressive range of specialities, and we want to strengthen our contribution in these fields, Jo will play a key role in helping us achieve that. I look forward to welcoming Jo when she arrives and takes up her new role in June.”

Newcastle University's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences has a global reputation as a centre for research, education and engagement. It is home to an exceptionally broad range of disciplines, sitting across 10 academic schools, research institutes and centres.