Developing from student to Dean of School

Dr Mark Simpson is Teesside University's new Dean of the School of Social Sciences & Law. He is overseeing a School with a varied portfolio, including law, criminology, education and early childhood studies, psychology, sociology, sport and exercise and police training.

The School is a very familiar environment for Dr Simpson, as he first arrived there from Yorkshire as an undergraduate student in the early 1990s.

Dr Simpson, 36, from Sedgefield, said: 'When I came here as an 18-year-old I could not have imagined that I’d end up as Dean of the School where I was studying. I’m delighted with my new role as the School has expanded hugely. It’s nice to see that this growth hasn’t been at the cost of excellence, as seen by our very positive results in the National Student Survey and other external feedback, such as OFSTED reports on our education provision and reports on our Foundation Degrees in Policing.'

'I want to see the School continue to deliver excellence at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and to further develop the business-facing aspects of our work. Through enhancing a research culture amongst staff and students, the School will continue to deliver high quality research.'

Dr Simpson was born in Stockton and left the area aged five to live in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, although he had grandparents who still lived in the Tees Valley. Aged 18 he returned to enrol on a BA (Hons) Politics at Teesside. He then started a PhD in Criminology, funded by the NHS, which explored the link between drug use and crime.

At the same time he joined the University’s teaching staff as a criminology lecturer and progressed to later roles in the School of Social Sciences & Law, including Learning & Teaching Co-ordinator and Subject Group Leader for Criminology. Dr Simpson was appointed as Assistant Dean for Marketing & Recruitment in the School in 2007, before his new appointment as Dean.

Away from work, Dr Simpson lives with wife Alison and is an avid Middlesbrough FC fan and a keen walker. He added: 'Before I came to Middlesbrough I had no interest in football then a housemate persuaded me to go and see a Boro game at Ayresome Park. I’ve been hooked ever since. And I love walking in the Lakes; it’s the best place in the world.'

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