Professor Childs joins PIRP from Birkbeck, University of London.

Over the course of a distinguished career she has published widely on women, representation, party politics and Parliament, combining theoretical work on representation theory with a firm commitment to impact. Her publications include New Labour’s Women MPs; Women and British Party Politics; Sex, Gender and the Conservative Party (with Paul Webb); Deeds and Words (with Rosie Campbell); and Gender, Conservatism and Political Representation (with Karen Celis). Professor Childs also advises parliament on representation and inclusion, drawing upon her transformative work on institutional change.

Professor Childs will be joining colleagues including Professor Laura Sjoberg, Dr Sofia Collignon, Dr Antara Datta and Dr Suki Finn to support research and teaching on gender across the study of Politics, International Relations and Philosophy.

Professor Childs said: ‘I am very pleased to be joining Royal Holloway, an institution with longstanding commitments to gender equality - and look forward to arriving on campus soon.  I am excited by the opportunities for new collaborations with politics and gender colleagues, and am very much looking forward to developing gender and politics teaching within the School.’

Department Head, Professor Oliver Heath, said: ‘I’m delighted that Sarah is joining the department. Sarah is at the cutting edge of research on gender and her appointment will greatly enhance our expertise in this area. We are excited that students in the department will get the opportunity to work with her.’

PIRP’s Research and Knowledge Exchange lead, Dr Ursula Hackett, said: ‘This prestigious appointment will help cement Royal Holloway’s commitment to becoming a leading site of gender research. Women’s equality was at the core of the College’s historic mission, and Professor Childs brings with her a wealth of experience in feminist inquiry. We are delighted to welcome Professor Childs as a colleague.’