The Director of Catholic Mission is a new role at the University that reports directly to Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Egbu.

Dr Mealey joins Leeds Trinity University from a private Higher Education provider where she was an Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning (Teaching Enhancement). Prior to this role, she dedicated 16 years of service to Leeds Trinity occupying multiple academic roles including Programme Leader for Philosophy, Ethics and Religion, Academic Group Leader for the Humanities, and Senior Teaching Fellow for Learning and Teaching.

Ann Marie is research active and has published in the fields of environmental ethics, Catholic Social Teaching, faith and morality, spirituality and social justice from a range of perspectives. She obtained a PhD in Catholic Moral Theology from St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth, in 2005

In the new role, Dr Mealey will create and implement a strategy for how the University embeds its foundational Catholic values into the fabric of its offer for staff and students, and its wider local, national and international communities.

Tasked with finding innovative ways for the University to take a lead on the values embedded in Catholic Social Teaching in particular, Ann Marie will support the promotion of events, collaborations, research and partnerships that promote the values of human dignity, the common good, solidarity, subsidiarity and the preferential option for the poor.

Dr Ann Marie Mealey said: “I am both humbled and delighted to be offered the opportunity to work with the Executive team at Leeds Trinity and to help Professor Charles Egbu take forward our Catholic values in a way that will enable each and every person who connects with our University to feel empowered and supported to reach their full potential, and to work for the good of all.

“I am excited to be part of our mission to provide outstanding education to our students, both at Leeds Trinity and with our partners, and to engage with our communities on every level to create the much needed, values-driven leaders and graduates of the future.”

Professor Charles Egbu said: “I am pleased to confirm that Dr Ann Marie Mealey has been appointed as Director of Catholic Mission. In this role, Ann Marie joins us with a wealth of experience. She will devise and implement a strategy for creating, developing, and embedding links and impactful partnerships with Catholic stakeholders, working with colleagues to promote and co-ordinate the engagement approach of the institution. She’ll also work with the Chaplaincy team to support and promote wider student and staff experience and wellbeing.

“Leeds Trinity University was founded in 1966 as two teacher training colleges, and we have grown significantly since then. Guided by our Catholic faith foundation, our mission then and now is to focus on opportunities for young people. We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive establishment, welcoming students from all backgrounds and beliefs as we promote the principles of dignity, respect, social justice, equality and inclusion.”

Leeds Trinity has also announced further senior appointments recently to support its plans for growth, including Nicky Danino as Head of School of Computer Science and Dr Aimee Quickfall as Head of School of Teacher Education, who will both be joining the University in early 2023.

The institution has furthermore announced plans for a Leeds city centre base to complement its existing campus in Horsforth.

For more information about Leeds Trinity's strategic plan, mission and values, visit the University website.