The European Research Network on Philanthropy has elected Professor Tobias Jung of the University of St Andrews as its new president.

Jung, who is Head of the School of Management and Director of the Centre for the Study of Philanthropy and Public Good at the University, will take up the role this month.

ERNOP is an international interdisciplinary network focused on advancing, coordinating and promoting excellence in research on philanthropy in Europe.

Professor Jung said: ‘This is both a great honour and a fantastic opportunity to advance the European philanthropy research field.

‘While Europe can look back on centuries of philanthropic practices and traditions, the knowledge base on philanthropy has tended to be dominated by insights and ideas from the US. Strengthening contextual and more nuanced understanding of philanthropy in Europe, and for European philanthropy policy and practice, is paramount.’

Professor Jung is a leading expert in philanthropy, particularly on the nature and roles of philanthropic foundations and trusts.

Founded in 2008, ERNOP brings together 250 members from almost 30, mostly European, countries. Working closely with European networks of philanthropy professionals and individual philanthropic institutions, as well as with other academic research networks in related areas, ERNOP is advancing philanthropy research, knowledge exchange and capacity building across academia, policy and practice.