Professor Ivan Martinovic named next Head of Department

Ivan Martinovic, Professor of Computer Science, will become Head of Department on 1 September 2028 and will serve as Acting Head of Department for 2025-26. 

The Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Divisional Board has appointed Ivan Martinovic, Professor of Computer Science, as the next Head of Department. Ivan is the head of the Security Theme and is a Governing Body Fellow at Kellogg College. 

Ivan will first take up the post of Acting Head of Department on 1 September 2025 for one year, whilst Professor Leslie Ann Goldberg takes a sabbatical. Ivan will run the department for this year, though Leslie will keep responsibility for long-term strategic projects such as fundraising for our new building. Leslie will resume full Head of Department responsibilities from 1 September 2026 for an additional two years, providing continuity and stability in preparation for Ivan stepping into the role of Head of Department from 1 September 2028. He will serve in this capacity for a four-year term. 

I am so delighted that Ivan has been selected to be our next Head of Department. In addition to being an absolutely outstanding researcher, he is a great leader, and he will do a wonderful job as Head of Department. He is also somebody that I will really enjoy working with during the interim period. Department of Computer Science Head of Department Professor Leslie Ann Goldberg 

I am honoured to be appointed as the next Head of Department and excited to help drive the continued success of our world-leading department. I look forward to working with colleagues, staff, and students to maintain our high standards of research and teaching, and I am grateful to Professor Goldberg for her support during this transition. Professor Ivan Martinovic 

At the University of Oxford, Heads of Department are responsible for ensuring their department promotes and supports learning, teaching, and research of the highest quality. They also play a vital leadership role at a divisional and University level.   

According to departmental procedures, Ivan was selected by a vote and an appointment panel. The selection was then ratified by the MPLS Divisional Board, according to the division’s procedures.