Martin Harris (linguist)

Professor Sir Martin Best Harris CBE (1992), MA PhD LLD (b. 28 June 1944) is a British academic and Professor of Linguistics.

He was born at Ruabon, Wales, the son of William Best Harris, afterwards City Librarian of Plymouth, and educated at Devonport High School for Boys in Plymouth, and at Queens' College, Cambridge. He began his academic career at the University of Leicester in 1967, where he lectured in French Linguistics.

He was Chancellor of the University of Salford, the ceremonial head of the University between 2005 and 2009. He replaced Sir Walter Bodmer and took office on 4 April 2005. Sir Martin spent fifteen years at the University of Salford as a Senior Lecturer, Professor of Linguistics, Dean and, later, Pro-Vice-Chancellor.

Past positions

• Vice-Chancellor of the University of Essex from 1987 to 1992.
• Vice-Chancellor of the Victoria University of Manchester from 1992 until 2004.
• Chairman of review of graduate education in England and Wales (the Harris Report) 1995-96.
• Chairman of the Clinical Standards Advisory Group 1996.
• Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals (CVCP), now Universities UK, from 1997 until 1999.
• Founding Chair of the North West Universities Association 1999-2001.
• Chairman of a review of university careers services for the Department for Education and Skills 2000.
• Commissioner for Health Improvement 1999-2002.
• Honorary President of the National Postgraduate Committee......
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