ESTEEMED Professor Philip Esler, of St. Mary’s College here at the University of St Andrews, has been appointed Chief Executive of the recently reorganised Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Lord Sainsbury, the Science and Innovation Minister, told the press that “Prof. Esler’s research background in Theology and Biblical Studies, his international research networks and his interest in the visual arts will be of great benefit of the Council.”

“The arts and humanities are indispensable to the cultural life and economic vitality of the United Kingdom,” the popular Prof. Esler said himself, adding that he was “excited” about taking up the position as Chief Executive.

The Australian-born Esler, currently Professor of Biblical Criticism, will begin his position in the autumn at the A.H.R.C. in Bristol. He previously held the position of Vice-Principal for Research until 2001. Earlier, Esler had been a solicitor and barrister-at-law in Sydney, while working as a part-time lecturer in New Testament Studies at the University of Sydney.

The Arts and Humanities Research Council was created by the Higher Education Act 2004, taking over the role of the previous Arts and Humanities Research Board. The government has allocated £81,000,000 to fund the Council, which in turn will award funding to qualifying research projects.