"Father of QMU" retires

Professor Anthony Cohen CBE, principal of Queen Margaret University (QMU) has announced he is to retire at the end of this academic year.

Professor Cohen will relinquish his position in the summer of 2009. His departure follows six years at the head of QMU which have seen the institution grow rapidly after making the transition from Queen Margaret University College to its current full university status in January 2007.

The university court is now hoping to appoint a principal and vice-chancellor capable of building on the work of Professor Cohen.

It is expected that the principal’s successor will take up office on 1 August 2009.

Professor Cohen is viewed as Scotland’s most prominent social anthropologist, working at the University of Edinburgh between 1989 and 2003, serving as provost of Law & Social Sciences between 1997 and 2002.

Through his academic work, Professor Cohen was also heavily involved in the development of the brief to the economic and social research council relating to devolution and constitutional change. He has also written and edited ten books and published more than fifty articles, covering a range of subjects.

Prof. Cohen's academic pursuits have earned him a fellowship with the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Anthropological Institute.

Professor Cohen also holds an honorary DSc from the University of Edinburgh.

During his time at QMU, Professor Cohen oversaw the development and relocation of the university's new campus on the outskirts of Edinburgh. More than 5,000 staff and students moved to the new site at Craighall, which was officially opened by the Queen in July 2008.

On the international scene, the strengthening of links with Asia under Professor Cohen's reign, through the opening of QMU Asia campus in Singapore in 2008, has been credited with boosting the university’s international reputation.

Foremost amongst Professor Cohen's achievements, however, is the granting of university status to QMU in January 2007, which has allowed Queen Margaret to challenge other academic institutions nationally and internationally for students and staff.

Reflecting on his career, Professor Cohen said, “It has been an enormous privilege for me to lead Queen Margaret University. The university has a distinctive character, and a crucial role to play in Scotland and internationally in its areas of expertise.”

Professor Ian Percy, chairman of the Court of Queen Margaret University, who will head the task of appointing the Principal’s successor, said: “Professor Cohen has been an exceptional leader over the last few years and we are now seeking, as his successor, another inspirational individual with a clear vision of Queen Margaret University’s future role in society, who has the ability to engage with Queen Margaret’s many stakeholders, including staff and students, and to lead the University to realise its long-term potential in a globally competitive market.”