Professor Beer to be new VC of Oxford Brookes

Professor Janet Beer has been appointed as the next Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, with effect from 1 September 2007.

Professor Beer is currently Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) 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.

At Manchester Metropolitan University, Professor Beer has been significantly and successfully involved in the formulation of strategic policy, particularly in the area of academic development.

Professor Beer said:"I have enjoyed my eight years at MMU tremendously. I will miss all my colleagues but am looking forward to the new challenges ahead."

MMU's Vice-Chancellor John Brooks said:"This is a tremendous achievement for Janet and also reflects well upon the 'training ground' here at MMU. We all wish Janet every success in her new venture."

Professor Beer will take over from Professor Graham Upton, the current VC, on his retirement next year. She will become Brookes’ third Vice-Chancellor. There are currently 16 women vice-chancellors in the UK’s 125 universities.

More information on Professor Beer is available from http://www.mmu.ac.uk/about/directorate/biography.php?id=2 and http://www.eri.mmu.ac.uk/staff/profile.php?id=9