Chris Whitehead

Background

About Chris Whitehead

I’m an academic and part of the executive leadership at Newcastle University. I’ve lived and worked in the UK and Italy, with shorter stints as professor in Norway, Denmark, Australia and (a long time ago) the US. My scholarly work revolves around museums, heritage and public memory practices. I was originally trained and worked as a museum curator, and I continue to have close links to the museum, gallery, heritage and memory sectors, working with organisations such as the International Council of Museums, UNESCO, and the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, and advising heritage organisations, national governments, and the European Commission. From 2020 to 2024 I was Global Dean in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Newcastle University, responsible for advancing global and international work, partnerships, education, research, and global culture. I also co-developed the University's refreshed Global Strategy and diversified our major partnerships portfolio. In 2024, I became Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global at Newcastle. I prioritise a) making good things happen, however small at first; b) values of social justice, civics, responsibility, and walking the walk; c) understanding and communicating long-term benefit of values-led leadership; and d) long-term, far-horizon perspectives on what and where to aim for. Newcastle University webpage: (Poorly-updated) ResearchGate page: