Professor Janet Beer has been appointed as the next Vice-Chancellor for Oxford Brookes University. She will take up post on 1st September 2007 following the retirement of Professor Graham Upton.
Janet Beer is currently Pro Vice-Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University with responsibility for learning and teaching, students and continuing professional development, and is also Dean of Humanities, Law and Social Sciences. She has an established record of research in her academic field of late nineteenth/early twentieth century American literature.
Professor Beer is one of two special advisers in higher education to the House of Commons Select Committee on Education and Skills, having acted in this capacity through the last three enquiries into higher education. A recent former panellist for the Arts and Humanities Research Council, she is currently Chair of the Audit Committee and Board member for the Higher Education Academy.
Chair of Governors at Brookes, Tim Stevenson commented:
“I am delighted with Janet Beer's appointment as the next Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University. Janet offers us a very powerful combination of skills. She has an established record of publication in her field of American literature and has successfully led research communities. At Manchester Metropolitan University, she has been significantly and successfully involved in the formulation of strategic policy, particularly in the area of academic development. She is very much a rising star in the sector with impressive leadership and management skills, and a strong commitment to education. She has a deep knowledge of the issues and challenges facing the higher education sector. I am confident that Janet's combination of skills and personal style make her very well qualified to work with colleagues to achieve our vision of a progressive, student-centred university.”
Professor Janet Beer said:
“I feel very privileged to be given the opportunity to lead Oxford Brookes University to further success, building on the outstanding achievements of Professor Graham Upton and all his colleagues in the University. This is an extremely important and challenging moment in the development of higher education in the UK, and Oxford Brookes is well placed to play a significant role in the continuing debate about national higher education policy. The University's achievements and ambition ensure that it will continue to be one of the most significant providers of high quality academic and professional education to a diverse range of home and international students. I very much look forward to joining the Brookes community in 2007.”
A graduate of Reading and Warwick universities, Professor Beer, 50, has also studied at Yale University in the USA. Married with two grown up children, she has held positions at Warwick and Roehampton, joining Manchester Metropolitan University in 1998.
Professor Graham Upton commented:
“Oxford Brookes University has a tremendous place in UK higher education and an international reputation for the quality of our teaching. I have every confidence that Janet has all the qualities to continue our plan to become one of the best universities in the country. I know that she will be offered a warm welcome by my colleagues in the senior management team and by the University as a whole.”