New Head of School of Dentistry
29 July 2020
Professor Nicola Innes has been appointed as the new Head of the School for the School of Dentistry, where she will oversee all of the School’s activities as it looks to build on its outstanding track record in research, teaching and engagement.
Professor Innes will take over from the Joint Acting Heads of School, Professor Barbara Chadwick, and Professor Ivor Chestnutt, on 1st August 2020.
Professor Innes joins us from her current post as Professor of Paediatric Dentistry at the University of Dundee. Professor Innes initially qualified as a Registered General Nurse working in Neurosurgery, she changed career pathway into Dentistry and worked as a General Dental Practitioner for 7 years, and whilst in practice started a PhD.
Professor Innes became a full-time lecturer at Dundee in 2005, a Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry in 2011, leading Child Dental and Oral Health and has recently spent 4 years as Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching. Her major research interest has been around finding better ways to manage tooth decay (especially clinical trials) and evidence-based practice but primarily improving dental care for children.
On taking up the Head of School post at Cardiff University, Professor Innes said “I’m most looking forward to getting to know everyone in the School and across the University. People are the most important thing we have in our Dental Schools. And equally important in making everything work, whether they are Academics, NHS employees, Professional Services, students or other supporting members of our wider community including patients. I’m also looking forward to exploring the hills in Snowdonia, and the Brecon Beacons.
The biggest challenge for me at the moment is how I get to understand the School and know everyone (staff and students) when I can’t just walk up and down clinics, corridors and go into labs to see what’s what and just chat. However, the one thing that COVID-19 has gifted us, is the opportunity to explore working a bit ‘differently’ and I’m sure even being at a distance from some of the team at the start of my Deanship, will not be an impediment to us achieving what we need to as a School.”
Professor Gary Baxter, Pro Vice-Chancellor for the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, said "I am very pleased to welcome Nicola as Head of the School of Dentistry. She is already well known to many of the staff and students in the School for her outstanding academic reputation and her leadership in the profession. Nicola’s appointment at Cardiff brings a fresh vision, expertise and experience that will complement the School’s current profile and assure its upward trajectory.
I wish to pay tribute and record my gratitude to Professor Barbara Chadwick and Professor Ivor Chestnutt who jointly led the School during the interim period after Alastair Sloan's departure for Australia in January. They could not have done this at a more challenging time. Their calm approach, selfless dedication and deep knowledge of the School have been a source of reassurance to staff and students. Barbara and Ivor have worked closely with Nicola during the transitional period to ensure a smooth induction and handover of responsibilities."