Professor Eric Neumayer and Professor Charles Stafford
LSE is delighted to announce that Eric Neumayer has been appointed as Interim President and Vice Chancellor, with Charles Stafford appointed as Deputy to the Interim President and Vice Chancellor.
A Professor of Environment and Development, Eric joined LSE in 1998 and has served our School in numerous leadership positions, including as Head of Department (Geography and Environment), Vice Chair of the Appointments Committee, inaugural Pro-Director (Faculty Development) and most recently as Vice President and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Planning and Resources). An economist by training, he has published widely as the author of four books and in journals across multiple disciplines including environmental economics, geography, international political economy and quantitative research methods.
A Professor of Anthropology, Charles joined the School Management Committee as LSE’s Vice President and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Faculty Development) in 2020. Prior to this, he was Vice Chair of the Appointments Committee and was previously Convenor of the Department of Anthropology. A leading anthropologist of China and Taiwan, Charles has taught in LSE’s Anthropology Department for many years and published extensively, with his most recent book authored in 2020. Professor Stafford was made a Fellow of the British Academy in 2018.
The appointments were made following a rigorous internal recruitment process, with a selection panel led by the Chair of Council that involved independent and academic Council members. During his appointment as LSE’s Interim President and Vice Chancellor, Eric will also continue in his capacity as Vice President and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Planning and Resources). Charles will take on the post of Deputy to the Interim President and Vice Chancellor in addition to acting as Vice President and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Faculty Development).
LSE Chair of Council Susan Liautaud said: “I am pleased that Professor Neumayer will be leading LSE’s School Management Committee and that Professor Stafford will support the smooth running of School business as deputy. Eric and Charles both bring a wealth of experience and extensive knowledge of LSE to their roles. Council looks forward to working with them, colleagues and students around the School to continue to pursue our strategic goals.”
Eric Neumayer said: “LSE is a very special place to me. I love the School and its incredible staff, students and friends. There could be no greater honour than to serve the School in this role. I am immensely grateful to LSE’s Council and its Chair Susan Liautaud for giving me this opportunity. I also want to thank Minouche Shafik for her leadership of LSE over so many years, and for her continuing guidance in the months ahead.”
Charles Stafford said: “It is a privilege to take up the position of Deputy in addition to my current role on the School Management Committee. LSE is a wonderful place, and we are very fortunate to have such talented academic and professional service colleagues, as well as students at our School.”
Eric and Charles will begin their new dual posts from summer 2023 until the appointment of a permanent President and Vice Chancellor at LSE.