Collingwood College has announced that Professor Thom Brooks will assume the role of Principal starting in September 2025. A longtime member of the college’s Senior Common Room, Professor Brooks brings a wealth of experience in academia and leadership to this prestigious position.
Currently a Professor of Law and Government at Durham Law School, Brooks previously served as Dean of the Law School from 2016 to 2021. His academic expertise spans a range of subjects, including citizenship, immigration, jurisprudence, political philosophy, and public policy. In addition to his work at Durham, he has held distinguished visiting positions at institutions such as Yale Law School and served as President of the Society of Legal Scholars.
Professor Brooks will be succeeding Professor Joe Elliott, who has been a key figure in the university since 2004 as a Professor of Educational Psychology. Under Elliott’s leadership, Collingwood College has continued to thrive, fostering an engaging academic environment for students and faculty alike.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Professor Brooks shared, “Collingwood College is a vibrant and inspiring community made up of exceptional staff, students, and alumni. It is a tremendous honor to serve as its next Principal. I look forward to building on its strong foundations and enhancing the student experience.”
Jeremy Cook OBE, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Colleges and Student Experience, welcomed the appointment, stating, “Thom is an outstanding choice to lead Collingwood College into its next chapter. His extensive leadership experience as a former Dean and senior academic, combined with his deep connection to the College’s Senior Common Room, makes him the perfect fit for this role.”