Professor Mark Poustie

He succeeds Professor Ursula Kilkelly, who is now head of the College of Business and Law.

Professor Poustie has worked since 2016 as a professor and director of the Research Centre for Environmental Law at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics Law School under the Shanghai Thousand Talents Scholar programme.

Prior to that, he worked at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow from 1992, becoming a full professor in 2003, and serving as head of school from 2007-2013 and vice-Dean (internationalisation) for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences from 2013-2015. He qualified as a solicitor in Scotland in 1993 and was formerly a UK Government linguist.

Commenting on his appointment, Professor Poustie said: “I am honoured to have been appointed Dean of UCC’s prestigious School of Law. The School has a long proud tradition and its commitment to shaping a just society is never more important for helping to address challenges we face in Ireland, Europe and the wider world. I absolutely share that commitment and share the School’s strong commitment to excellence in research and teaching.

“I intend to build on the excellent leadership of Professor Ursula Kilkelly, the outgoing Dean, and, working together with colleagues in the School, the College of Business and Law and the wider University, drive the School of Law’s development still higher.

“I will put all my leadership experience gained at Strathclyde and my international experience at the service of the School and UCC. Through my research, I also look forward to making a contribution to the School’s Centre for Law and the Environment.”

Professor Kilkelly said: “We are delighted to have appointed a person of Professor Poustie’s experience and expertise to the role of Dean of the School of Law. Law is an excellent School, of strategic importance to the University, and I wish Mark every success in delivering further on the School’s global ambitions. I warmly welcome Mark to Cork!”

Professor Patrick O’Shea, UCC president, added: “Since 1849 the School of Law has been embedded in the foundations of our university and our curriculum. Mark with his international experience ushers in an exciting phase for the School and we are delighted that he has chosen to join us.

“Mark’s appointment is also an opportunity to recognise Professor Ursula Kilkelly, who, as Dean of the School of Law for the past seven years, made an outstanding contribution to one of Ireland’s leading schools for the study of law.”