British crime writer Ian Rankin is set to join The University of East Anglia as a UNESCO City of Literature Visiting Professor in September.

Rankin, who'll contribute to seminars, lectures, and tutorials, and will also feature at the third annual 'Noirwich' Crime Writing Festival, commented 'I was still a full-time student when I wrote Inspector Rebus's first adventure. That was in 1984/5 and Edinburgh University didn't have a Creative Writing course. Almost no university did - and I remember being jealous of Ian McEwan and others who had learned from their experiences at the University of East Anglia. That's why it is such a privilege and honour to accept UEA's offer of a Visiting Professorship'.