The Professor of Art History and Theory will take over the role from Professor David Deacon on 1 August.
The Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS) aims to promote an outstanding, interdisciplinary research environment at Loughborough by supporting collaborations with leading international scholars from other institutions.
It brings high profile leading researchers to the campus to collaborate with University staff and host formal and informal events, such as public lectures, academic conferences and postgraduate workshops.
Professor Meskimmon’s academic career makes her a suitable successor for the role of IAS Director.
She joined Loughborough University in 1998, as the first academic appointment made to the newly-formed School of Art and Design.
Professor Meskimmon was Director of the School from 2005-2011 and Associate Dean (Teaching) of the Creative Arts (to June 2021) from 2014-2017; she was also elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2016.
Her research has been recognised with a number of international fellowships, including at the Australian National University, the National Gallery in Washington DC and the University of Cape Town.
Under Professor Meskimmon’s leadership, IAS will run three themes over the next academic year – Motion, Nation and Geometry – in addition to a vibrant Open Programme.
Each theme will be managed by a team of academics from across campus under the guidance of an academic lead.
Motion is the annual theme, with events taking place across the whole academic year.
It is being led by Professor Chris Harwood, of the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences (archived 28 April 2022) and it will explore different concepts of motion, extending beyond individual movement to encompass forms of transportation, assisted living, personal comfort, life course changes, performance and precision engineering.
Geometry and Nation are semester themes, with a core mass of activity taking place in each semester.
Led by Dr Hamid Ahmadinezhad, of the School of Science, Geometry will focus on geometry as a central pillar of modern science, with applications ranging from within mathematics and theoretical science to geometric design and security.
Nation will explore the continuing salience of the nation, both as a cohesive and a divisive register, in shaping the kind of responses people give to specific events. The theme will be led by Dr Marco Antonsich, of the School of Social, Political and Geographical Sciences.
Commenting on her appointment and the future of IAS, Professor Meskimmon said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to lead the Institute of Advanced Studies through the next exciting phase of its development.
“Professor Deacon and his team did a fantastic job launching the Institute this past year and I am looking forward to working with colleagues across the University to build on this foundation and establish the Institute as an integral part of Loughborough’s international and interdisciplinary research activity.”
Professor Steve Rothberg, Loughborough University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research, said: “Professor Deacon’s leadership of IAS through its critical first year has been exemplary and I am really grateful to him for this.
“Professor Meskimmon was selected from a strong field and I am very excited about the next phase of development for IAS under her leadership.”