Academic promotions create 40 new professors for 2007

College academics rewarded for their work - <em>News</em>

Thursday 20 September 2007
By Naomi Weston

Academics from around the College have been promoted to senior lecturer, senior research fellow, reader and professor in this year’s academic promotions exercise, with effect from 1 October 2007.

In total, 127 promotions have been announced including 40 new professors.

The promotions process begins shortly after the beginning of session with a positive review of all staff. Professor Richard Kitney, former Senior Dean and responsible for last year’s promotions exercise along with the Deputy Rector, explains: "Candidates selected by their department/division are encouraged to go forward into the Promotions Round, although anyone can make a personal application. During the spring all the applications are considered, either at the faculty level, in the case of Senior Lectureships, or by College promotion committees, for Readerships and Chairs."

He adds: "I believe that the promotions system is both thorough and fair. Academic staff need to be aware that they can seek advice about the procedures at any stage and there are no quotas."

One of the new professors to be announced is Tommaso Valletti , Professor of Economics in the Tanaka Business School. He is part of the Organisation and Management Group in the school. His main research interest lies in the field of industrial economics, regulation, and telecommunications economics.

"My research involves analysing how markets work and looking at competition between different companies. I have looked at the telecommunications industry, the media and the pharmaceutical industry," explains Professor Valletti. "I analyse trends in the markets and produce abstract models illustrating this."

"I am delighted at becoming a professor here, I have had numerous papers published and it is great to have my work recognised," he says. In addition, he explains: "I joined the College in 2001 and have worked my way up from Lecturer to Reader and now to Professor."

Professor Mark Sephton , from the Department of Earth Science and Engineering, has also been recognised and appointed Professor of Organic Geochemistry and Meteoritics. His research focuses on organic molecules and the record they leave of life and death in the solar system.

Professor Sephton says his research helps us to appreciate our place in the cosmos. It reveals how life originated and how ubiquitous it may be in the universe.

Commenting about his appointment, Professor Sephton says: "It is a great honour to be appointed professor at Imperial College London, a crucible of world-class scientific and technological innovation and discovery."

The complete list of promotions  [pdf]   is effective from 1 October.