Professor Martin Jones took on the role of Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Staffordshire University on January 1, 2022. Having joined Staffordshire University as Deputy Vice-Chancellor in 2017, Professor Jones has led on a broad portfolio of areas including academic and strategic planning, civic engagement, Staffordshire University’s Multi-Academy Trust, social and economic regeneration, research, enterprise and innovation and infrastructure in terms of estates, digital and technical services.
Originally from Staffordshire, Professor Jones studied for his degree at University of Manchester graduating with a BA and PhD in Human Geography. This helped to shape his extensive career as an interdisciplinary researcher and leader in higher education.
He joined Staffordshire University from the University of Sheffield, where he was Director of the White Rose Social Science Doctoral Training Centre (WRDTC). Before this Martin previously held a variety of positions at Aberystwyth University over 15 years, including Pro Vice-Chancellor with portfolio experience in research, enterprise, engagement, and the student experience; and Co-Director of the ESRC-Welsh Government-funded, Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research, Data and Methods (WISERD). Before this, he was a Simon Research Fellow at the University of Manchester, after graduating from Manchester with a BA (1992) and PhD (1997) in Human Geography.
Author or editor of 13 books, Professor Jones is highly regarded internationally for economic and political geography. His latest book Cities and Regions in Crisis: The Political Economy of Sub-National Economic Development was awarded the Regional Studies Association Best Book award 2021. He has also given evidence to UK Government Select Committees on skills, business support, and regional development.
Professor Jones is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and The Royal Society of Arts, holds an honorary professorial position in Oulu, Finland, was awarded the Philip Leverhulme Prize for Geography, and is the originator and co-editor of the journal Territory, Politics, Governance.
Martin Jones Bio
