Lucian Hudson, Professor in Practice

Lucian Hudson, Director of Advancement, Marketing and Communications, Durham University, has been appointed as a Professor in Practice at our Business School.

Lucian, who joined the University in 2020, has to date a 40-year career in communications and leadership, spanning media, government, business, higher education and civil society.

Lucian Hudson, Director of Advancement, Marketing and Communications,

Professor in Practice appointments, overseen by the University Provost, are given to high-achieving, non-academic professionals who are invited voluntarily to share their knowledge with students through special lectures, presentations and seminars.

Executive Dean, Professor Cathy Cassell, said, “We are delighted that that Lucian Hudson is joining the Business School as a Professor of Practice.

Lucian brings an exceptional wealth of experience in leadership and communication that will enhance our already considerable expertise in this field. We are excited to be working with Lucian and the positive impact his contribution will make across our education, research and external engagement practice.”

Lucian will continue to lead the University’s Advancement activities, overseeing marketing, communications and development to further Durham’s global reputation and influence.

A wealth of experience

In his early career Lucian was a pioneering journalist and television executive at the forefront of developing 24-hour breaking news coverage. He worked for both ITV and the BBC, where he established commercial joint venture channels with international broadcasters.

Lucian has experience as a senior civil servant in the UK Government, leading communications and marketing in several high-profile departments including Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Cabinet Office, Ministry of Justice and DEFRA. During this period, he supported summits and ministerial meetings as the UK Government’s chief spokesman, engaging with international media and multiple stakeholders.

Prior to joining Durham, Lucian spent seven years as Director of Communications at The Open University and served as Interim Director of Public Affairs and Communications at the University of Oxford where he led strategic change, overseeing integrated communications across multi-disciplinary teams.

Professor in Practice role

Lucian will be a Professor in Practice (Leadership and Organisations) with the Department of Management and Marketing in the Business School.

His appointment will initially run for three years and will see him contribute his time and expertise at our Centre for Leadership and Followership and Centre for Organisations and Society.

Lucian will contribute to the School's teaching agenda in the areas of human resource management, employment relations, leadership, strategic policy, marketing and communications.

Commenting on his Professor in Practice appointment, Lucian Hudson said, “I am thrilled and honoured to take up this exciting role in topic areas that continue to fascinate and challenge us at a time of change and uncertainty.

“I very much look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience with academic colleagues and business students, engaging with my wider professional networks.

I will draw on case examples and experience of strategic communications and corporate leadership in public, private, civil society and higher education sectors. I hope that this work will stimulate reflection and learning, contributing to the world-class student experience at Durham University.”

Professor Hudson was one of the recent keynote speakers at the School’s DBA Conference reviewed later in this section.

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