I shall be acting as Head of Department for the Department of Media and Communications at the LSE for at least this term. I have been a member of staff there for seven years and Polis is based within the Department. It’s a great honour and an exciting challenge but not one I was expecting. Prof Lilie Chouliaraki, who was due to become Head of Department, has had to postpone assuming the role for health reasons. As a friend and an academic colleague I wish her the best and a quick return.

I shall continue my full-time role as Director of Polis. This year we have more events, research and publications planned than ever before.