Roberts Named Associate Provost for Internationalization

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 15, 2016) — Sue Roberts, professor of geography, has been named associate provost for internationalization at the University of Kentucky.

Roberts will maintain her role as professor of geography, a position she has held since 1991. In her more than 25 years at UK, Roberts has served in a number of roles including director of the international studies program and associate dean for internationalization in the College of Arts and Sciences.

“Sue Roberts has a wealth of experience in shaping and leading international academic programs,” said UK Provost Tim Tracy. “In her current position, she manages a large interdisciplinary, internationally focused major and leads our largest college’s international initiatives, from education abroad to student and faculty exchanges and collaboration. She is the ideal person to lead the UK International Center and oversee its important presence on our campus.”

From 2008-2012, Roberts was chair of the department of geography at UK. Based on her performance in that role, she was selected to represent UK as a 2013-2014 SEC Academic Leadership Development Fellow.

Roberts' research emphasis lies in political and economic geography. She has authored many papers in top peer-reviewed journals, has co-edited three books and has also co-authored a textbook in economic geography. She is currently co-editor of the journal Progress in Human Geography (ranked #2 in the discipline).

Her research has led her to receive funding from the National Science Foundation and a Fulbright Fellowship at the University of Turku in Finland.

Roberts will replace Susan Carvalho, who recently assumed the position of dean of the Graduate School and associate provost at the University of Alabama. Roberts will begin her role as associate provost July 18.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Blair Hoover, 859-257-6398; blair.hoover@uky.edu