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The Open University’s new Vice-Chancellor begins work

Posted on • Around the OU, University news

A new era has begun at The Open University as Professor Dave Phoenix takes over the reins from interim Vice-Chancellor Josie Fraser.

He steps into the role that was vacated by Professor Tim Blackman in October 2024, who had held the office since 2019, steering the university through the trials of the covid pandemic and beyond.

Professor Phoenix, a former OU student, was Vice-Chancellor of London South Bank University prior to joining the Milton Keynes-based organisation.

He said:

“I’m privileged to be Vice-Chancellor here at The Open University. This is a wonderful university and one I have always admired from my days as an OU student and tutor, through to my roles as a leading advocate of tertiary education.

“I strongly believe in the power of education. Its centrality to self-determination and the access that everyone should have to that education, regardless of who they are and where they come from, so I am deeply committed to the OU’s work to ensure education is open to all.”

He said there is a clear onus on universities to use the power of education and research to aid social justice and while the OU has “already had a transformational impact in so many ways I look forward to working with colleagues to see how we can extend further our impact”.

He added:

“I’m proud to be joining the team as we take our turn in taking this mantle forward in the 21st century.”

Dave is an Honorary Research Fellow and Visiting Fellow of Kellogg College at Oxford University. He was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal College of Physicians (Edinburgh) for his contribution to medical research; given his work in education, he was made a Fellow of the Academy of Social Science and a Principal Fellow of Advanced HE.

He was made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to Science and Higher Education, and was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London in 2015.