BANKSY expert, television presenter and artist Professor Paul Gough has become Principal and Vice Chancellor at Arts University Bournemouth.

The Principal and Vice Chancellor has joined Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) after six years as Pro-Vice Chancellor and Vice-President of RMIT’s College of Design and Social Context at Australia’s Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT).

Professor Gough, whose career began as a war artist in the early 1980s, is widely seen as a leading expert on anonymous street artist Banksy, who rose to fame in the early 2000s through his controversial street grafitti seen across Bristol and London.

In addition to publications on Banksy, Professor Gough has written seven books and numerous articles on war art, peace activism and the representation of remembrance. Professor Gough has created a range of programmes for ITV, BBC and Channel 4, including ITN’s Redundant Warrior; an award-winning documentary on veteran war photographer Don McCullin, and ABC Australia’s Deception By Design, which looks at the long-standing relationship between artists and the military.

Prior to his tenure at RMIT, Professor Gough was Deputy Vice Chancellor at University of the West of England (UWE) in Bristol where he was Executive Dean of the Faculty of Creative Arts, Design and Media.

As an artist and painter, Professor Gough has exhibited work across several art collections, including the Imperial War Museum in London, the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa and the National War Memorial in New Zealand.

AUB’s Chair of Governors Chris Martin, said: “I am delighted that Professor Paul Gough has been appointed as Principal and Vice Chancellor at AUB. Professor Gough brings with him a wealth of experience both as an academic and also as a broadcaster, critic and artist.”

He added: “Professor Gough has been at the heart of Knowledge Exchange research strategies where he has developed effective university-industry partnerships and collaborations. It is through his wealth of knowledge and experience in research and industry collaboration that AUB can look to develop further its reputation as an outstanding arts institution.”

Professor Gough said: “I’ve long admired the many achievements of AUB. It has an outstanding record of student success, impactful research and industry engagement. The university has a history of nurturing innovative staff who have enriched the creative industries in the UK and beyond.

“I’m really thrilled to be part of AUB’s future, building on its present high reputation, and following in the footsteps of an outstanding leader.”

Professor Gough’s appointment comes after the retirement of Principal and Vice Chancellor Professor Stuart Bartholomew, who led the institution for more than 22 years.