Professor Luck, who is currently Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at the University of Sussex, will take up the role on 30 November 2026, succeeding Professor Judith Squires, who has held the post since 2019.
Prior to joining Sussex in 2023, Professor Luck held several leadership positions at King’s College London where he spent 17 years. These included founding Director of King’s College London’s Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Director of the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Safe and Trusted Artificial Intelligence, and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences.
Before joining King’s, he was Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton, and Lecturer at the University of Warwick.
Professor Luck has worked on artificial intelligence (AI) for more than 30 years and has published in excess of 300 papers and 12 books. He advises several AI companies, is a member of the College of Experts for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and is a member of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Strategic Advisory Team for information and Communication Technologies (ICT). He is also a Fellow of the European Association for Artificial Intelligence, the British Computer Society, and King’s College London.
While a Professor of Computer Science, his commitment and passion stretch far beyond this specialism into supporting and working across the full range of disciplines in comprehensive institutions.
Professor Michael Luck said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the University of Bristol as Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost and to have the opportunity to work alongside so many incredibly talented and dedicated academics, researchers, and staff members. Bristol is an outstanding institution and is at the forefront of many areas, including in my own discipline of AI. I can’t wait to get started.
“It's a very exciting time for the University, including with September’s opening of Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus. I look forward to serving the community of Bristol and supporting the ongoing delivery of a world-class ecosystem in which our students can flourish."
Professor Evelyn Welch said: “I’m delighted with the appointment of Professor Luck as our new Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost. He brings not just his academic expertise and leadership but a deep commitment to our vision, institutional values, and civic mission. We look forward to welcoming Michael at what is an incredibly exciting time for everyone involved with the University.
“I’d also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Professor Judith Squires, who has had a remarkable career since joining the University over 35 years ago. Her leadership, vision and unshakeable commitment have shaped not only the University but also the wider City of Bristol. I’m delighted she’s staying with us in a new role, overseeing the opening of our new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus and ensuring its success.”
Professor Squires is stepping down from her role as Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at the end of this year to become Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus (TQEC). This appointment until July 2028 will see Professor Squires, who joined the University of Bristol in 1990, overseeing the opening of TQEC this September and its transition to business as usual, having already guided the transformative project’s transition to this point as Senior Responsible Officer.