UWE Bristol appoints new Dean and Head of School of Architecture and Environment
See all news![Dr Matthew Jones, new Dean and Head of School of Architecture and Environment.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/new-dean-and-head-of-school-of-architecture-and-environment-760x594.jpg?la=en&h=594&w=760&mw=847&hash=838FF6484216A45118FD773AE848DEA2)
Dr Matthew Jones is joining the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) as the new Dean and Head of School of Architecture and Environment.
He will be moving to UWE Bristol from Birmingham where he is currently Head of School at Birmingham City University’s School of Architecture and Design.
An experienced academic and practitioner, Dr Jones is committed to equipping students with the skills, attributes and knowledge to create sustainable, inclusive futures and to make positive change to the natural and built environments. He is a Design Council expert, a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
In his previous role, he led the development of the School’s Sustainable and Inclusive Environments strategy and was a founder of the Green Gown Award-shortlisted Experimental Sustainability Studio. From his time at this diverse and multicultural School he has developed a particular interest in widening participation and supporting diverse routes into industry. He is a member of the Standing Council of Schools of Architecture’s EDI Working Group and an advocate for an inclusive and diverse curriculum that reflects the individual backgrounds, experiences and interests of learners.
Dr Jones starts his new job at UWE Bristol on 1 February and says he is looking forward to the opportunities it presents: "I am excited to be joining the UWE Bristol team as Dean and Head of School of Architecture and Environment. I was attracted to the position by the inspiring breadth of disciplines in the School and its potential to be a driving force for sustainable and inclusive futures in the city, nationally and beyond.
“Although an architect by background, my research, practice and teaching spans many areas, with a particular focus on community engagement in architecture, town planning, and sustainable futures.
“I'm excited to shape the trajectory of this interdisciplinary School over the coming years in collaboration with the College, University, the city and its communities, and our industry partners."
Elena Marco, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of College of Arts, Technology and Environment at UWE Bristol, said: “We are excited to be welcoming Matt to UWE Bristol and look forward to working closely with him as he helps to shape the future of the School and the College. He brings with him wide-ranging expertise, with particular focus on sustainability and collaboration between education, practice, industry and the community, which will greatly benefit our students, staff, the University and the wider Bristol area.”
Related news
![A woman wearing university graduation gowns and a hat smiles at the camera with a grey background behind.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/rosa-hui-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=EFAA092361E399CF0A5A64638A490B29)
25 July 2024
Extraordinary community work recognised with honorary doctorate
Rosa Hui MBE DL, founder of the Chinese Community Wellbeing Society (CCWS), has been awarded an honorary doctorate by UWE Bristol.
![A man wearing a university hat and gown smiles against a grey background.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/guy-bailey-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=A4C6B0AC66F50696CD91096E6CE0E74B)
23 July 2024
Honorary doctorate for Bristol changemaker and civil rights hero
Guy Bailey OBE, a civil rights activist instrumental in the Bristol Bus Boycott, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by UWE Bristol.
![Two men and a woman wearing university gowns smile against a grey background.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/jezz-wright-hon-grad-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=392A799B5C11E9B7D41602D1430C76C0)
23 July 2024
Honorary degree for TV channel founder offering prisoners in-cell access to training and education
Jezz Wright, founder of a range of in-cell channels that aim to help prisoners with their rehabilitation, has been awarded an Honorary Degree by UWE Bristol.
![General view of the Purdown View student accommodation at Frenchay campus, with greenery and landscaping in the foreground](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/purdown-view-410x230.jpg?h=1080&w=1920&la=en&hash=AB2313D7EB740CCAC8EA2D3A15E2ED51)
11 July 2024
UWE Bristol completes largest low carbon student accommodation development in UK
New student accommodation at UWE Bristol which is the largest low carbon development of its kind in the UK has been completed.
![Dr Matthew Jones, new Dean and Head of School of Architecture and Environment.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/new-dean-and-head-of-school-of-architecture-and-environment-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=8A3D0BEC2DEEEE8F0F0D3A9E2C565EA5)
07 June 2024
Academic selected as Design Council Expert
Dr Matthew Jones has been selected to join the new cohort of Design Council Experts.
![School of Engineering building at Frenchay campus](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/tef-results-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=0D500090FD93374139975E182E0863E1)
05 February 2024
Universities unite for joint pledge to tackle sexual violence and harassment
Universities in the west of England have pledged together for the first time to take a collective approach in tackling sexual violence and harassment.
![Dr Piers Taylor](/-/media/uwe/images/news/dr-piers-taylor-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=E3549ADE089CEF3F1075DCB5AA036154)
06 December 2023
Internationally renowned architect joins UWE Bristol
UWE Bristol has appointed Piers Taylor as Professor of Knowledge Exchange in Architecture.
![University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) logo white text on red background](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/uwe-bristol-logo-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=67146A1DB9B997F10E73868B2777DF7E)
16 October 2023
UWE statement on Israel and Gaza – supporting students and staff
UWE Bristol statement on Israel and Gaza.
![A computer generated image of the proposed new School of Health and Social Wellbeing building at Frenchay campus](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/glenside-relocation-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=EEF60481586235BD53691F4BE4E580B2)
28 September 2023
Building a School of Health and Social Wellbeing for the future
UWE Bristol is developing proposals to relocate its School of Health and Social Wellbeing from Glenside campus to Frenchay campus.
![School of Engineering building at Frenchay campus](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/tef-results-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=0D500090FD93374139975E182E0863E1)
28 September 2023
Teaching Excellence Framework: UWE Bristol provides an outstanding student experience
The student experience UWE Bristol provides has been judged to be outstanding in a new sector-wide assessment of teaching quality.
![Maddy Lawrence](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/maddy-lawrence-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=6084A796D099543ADDA7EE0365C0128E)
08 September 2023
Statement – Maddy Lawrence
UWE Bristol statement following the inquest into the death of Maddy Lawrence.
![Honorary graduates UWE Bristol Andy Marsh](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/honorary-graduates-andy-marsh-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=067BB65C08FE5A2ADEA48EA3754BD6E1)
31 July 2023
UWE Bristol awards seven recipients with honorary degrees
Seven people have been presented with honorary degrees during UWE Bristol’s summer graduation ceremonies at Bristol Cathedral.