Our Vice-Chancellor and President
Professor Dave Petley - Vice-Chancellor and President
Professor Petley graduated with a BSc in Geography from King’s College London and he holds a PhD in Earth Science from University College London.
His academic career as a geographer and earth scientist began as a lecturer at the University of Sunderland, followed by five years the University of Portsmouth, where he was a senior lecturer in Engineering Geology. In 2000, he moved to the University of Durham, where he established the Institute for Hazard, Risk and Resilience. During his time there, he was appointed the inaugural Wilson Professor of Hazard and Risk.
In 2012 he became Dean of Research at Durham and he also held the role of Dean of Global Engagement. Following a move to the University of East Anglia in 2014, he was appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise. In 2016, he was appointed as Vice-President for Research and Innovation at the University of Sheffield and then Vice-President for Innovation in 2020.
Dave joined the University of Hull in 2022 as Vice-Chancellor. During his tenure, the University of Hull received TEF Gold, reached a top 20 National Student Survey position, and achieved its highest ever research income.
His research focuses on environmental hazards and risk management, with a focus on landslides. He is recognised widely as a global leader in the study and management of landslides and has advised national and international organisations on the management of slopes.
He maintains a popular blog on landslides, providing commentary and analysis of landslide events occurring worldwide, including the landslides themselves, latest research, and conferences and meetings.