Today the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) launches it’s first podcast.

In the interview Professor Philip Esler, who has been Chief Executive of the AHRC since 2005, looks back at his four years in the role.  With two weeks left before he leaves his post, he talks about the AHRC’s progress since 2005, the importance of international collaboration to our community, the impact of UK arts and humanities research and its world-leading status.

Professor Esler also reflects upon his achievements and talks about his future plans.

On Monday 31 August Professor Esler will complete his 4 year post as the first permanent Chief Executive of the AHRC. Professor Rick Rylance will be his successor.

Future podcasts will focus on specific research projects funded by the AHRC as well as speaking with key people in the Arts and Humanities fields.

END

Notes for Editors:

Media contact: Jake Gilmore, Communications Manager, j.gilmore@ahrc.ac.uk T: 0117 9876 773

About Arts and Humanities Research Council: Each year the AHRC provides approximately £102 million from the Government to support research and postgraduate study in the arts and humanities, from languages and law, archaeology and English literature to design and creative and performing arts. In any one year, the AHRC makes approximately 700 research awards and around 1,350 postgraduate awards. Awards are made after a rigorous peer review process, to ensure that only applications of the highest quality are funded. Arts and humanities researchers constitute over a quarter of all research-active staff in the higher education sector. The quality and range of research supported by this investment of public funds not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK.