Dr David Hornsby, an Associate Professor in international relations who is also the Assistant Dean of Humanities, Teaching and Learning, is leaving Wits University for one year to join University College London.
A Wits professor has been appointed as the deputy head of education in the department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy at the University College London (UCL).
Dr David Hornsby, a senior lecturer in international relations who is also the Assistant Dean of Humanities, Teaching and Learning, will be heading to London in October 2017.
He said that his decision to leave Wits was to strengthen the already existing relationship between Wits and UCL, and to embark on a new leadership role. He currently lectures first-year, third-year and masters students.
Hello London: David Hornsby prepares his move to London to join UCL.
“I don’t want [there] to be any perceptions that I am leaving under bad terms…I am just going in the context of being very happy at Wits, being content with the university. I love South Africa dearly,” the Canadian born said.
His responsibilities at UCL will include overseeing and managing the doctoral, masters, and undergraduate offerings as well as developing a strategic plan and direction.
According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2016-2017, UCL is the 15th best university in the world. (Wits is ranked 182nd.)
Dr Hornsby told Wits Vuvuvzela that what he will miss most about the university is teaching freshers. “I have always enjoyed teaching first years, because it is an opportunity that sort of gets students to engage about international relations,” he said.
Head of Department and Professor of International Relations Gilbert Khadiagala told Wits Vuvuzela that the department would find replacements for Dr Hornby’s classes next year.
