The University of Windsor announced Thursday the appointment of Douglas Kneale as provost and vice-president, academic, to take effect March 1.

Dr. Kneale is currently dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Brock University. Prior to that, he served as professor and chair of the Department of English at the University of Western Ontario.

Kneale received his PhD from the University of Toronto, followed by postdoctoral work at Yale University. His research interests include English Romantic literature and literary history, and his publications include two books and numerous articles and reviews. In addition to teaching at the University of Western Ontario, he has taught at the University of Toronto, Bishop’s University, Yale University, and University College Northampton. While at the University of Western Ontario, he received its highest award for excellence in teaching.

“I am delighted to welcome Dr. Kneale to the University of Windsor community,” said president Alan Wildeman. “He brings great experience and demonstrated dedication to the many ways in which universities are important to society. I want to thank all members of the search committee for their efforts over the past year.”

While at Brock University, Kneale has helped nurture a strong commitment to academic excellence and to the student learning experience. He has also helped foster strong ties between the university and the community, including playing a lead role in the establishment of new facilities for education and performance in the arts in the city of St. Catharines.

“I thank the members of the search committee for placing their confidence in me, and I look forward to working with the entire University of Windsor community to fulfil our academic mission,” he said. “Together we will continue the momentum by building on our strengths, creating and embracing opportunities all around us, and tackling head-on the challenges in our path.”