Roy Chantrell, research director of the theory department of the Seagate Research Organisation in Pittsburgh, has been appointed to a chair at York University, one of 11 created to mark the university's 40th anniversary.

* The Open University has appointed Christopher Haskins, pro chancellor and chair of council. He is former chairman of Northern Foods (1986-2002), the Better Regulation Task Force (1997-2002) and Express Dairies (1998-2002), director of the National Children Trust for Ireland (2001-03), and a member of the New Deal Task Force (1997-2000). He will replace Bryan Nicholson, who is retiring.

* David Williams, vice-principal (strategic development), Queen Mary, University of London, has been appointed dean of medicine, health and life sciences at Southampton University.

* The Trades Union Congress has appointed Dan Ashley, formerly press officer for the National Union of Students, media officer covering learning at work and further education issues.

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* Elaine Treharne, professor of medieval literature at Leicester University, has been elected chair and president of The English Association.

* City University has awarded emeritus professorships to Axel Johne, professor of marketing at Cass Business School, and Peter Roberts, professor of control engineering.

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* Mary Byrne, formerly at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York, has joined the John Innes Centre's crop genetics department; and Stanislav Kopriva, of Albert-Ludwigs University, Freiburg, is to start a new programme on plant nutrition.