Drs. Astrid Wissenburg
The Director Research, Scholarship and Quality works with the Pro Vice-Chancellor across his responsibilities for the strategic development of research and scholarship across the University's faculties and institutes, and the quality assurance and enhancement of the University's taught programmes.
Key responsibilities include:
- Research strategy and governance
- Innovation and enterprise
- Research grants and contracts
- Research degrees
- Affiliated Research Centres
- Quality assurance and enhancement of taught programmes
- Scholarship strategy and development
- Academic career development
- The Knowledge Media Institute
- The Institute of Educational Technology
- Local and regional relationships
Career
Astrid has held a variety of posts in her career, all with an underlying commitment to make knowledge and research accessible and usable, as widely as possible. Astrid joined the OU from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), where she was Deputy Chief Executive and Director for Partnerships and Communications. Astrid was responsible for the strategic direction of the ESRC’s knowledge exchange, evaluation and impact initiatives; relationships with partners (business, government, third sector); external communications; and information and knowledge management. Astrid also led for the Research Councils UK on its economic and societal impact strategy, and on open access to research information.
Prior to ESRC, Astrid worked at King's College London (KCL) where she held posts as Assistant Director (Information Resources), managed a JISC research project on models for hybrid libraries, and was part of the Arts and Humanities Data Service. Her early career included appointments at Glasgow and Leiden University (The Netherlands) in the fields of computer-based learning and applied information management for historical research. Astrid holds a degree in contemporary international history from the University of Nijmegen, a postgraduate certificate in information technology from the University of Leiden, and a Master of Public Administration from Warwick Business School.
Contact
Drs. Astrid Wissenburg
Director Research, Scholarship and Quality
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
Tel: +44 (0) 1908 653684
Email: astrid.wissenburg@open.ac.uk
Personal Assistant
Anne Benka
+44 (0) 1908 655577
Email: anne.benka@open.ac.uk