Rishi Sunak Joins Oxford and Stanford in New Academic Roles
The former UK prime minister Rishi Sunak has announced his new roles at two prestigious institutions: joining Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government as a member of its World Leaders Circle and taking up a visiting fellowship at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution in California. Mr. Sunak, who studied philosophy, politics, and economics at Oxford before earning an MBA from Stanford, expressed his "delight" at joining both institutions.
He said, “Both Blavatnik and Hoover do superb work on how we can rise to the economic and security challenges we face and seize the technological opportunities of our time.
“I have huge affection for both Oxford and Stanford. I was fortunate enough to study at both, they shaped my life and career, and I look forward to contributing to their world-leading research in the months and years ahead”.
The positions are Mr Sunak’s first since returning to the backbenches last year, where he remains the MP for Richmond and Northallerton, in North Yorkshire.
In accepting roles at major universities, he has followed two of his predecessors in Number 10.
Sir Tony Blair taught a course at Yale University shortly after leaving Downing Street, while Gordon Brown became a “distinguished leader in residence” at New York University.
Lord William Hague, chancellor of Oxford University and one of Mr Sunak’s predecessors as Conservative leader, said the former prime minister’s experience and “deep understanding of the challenges facing governments today” would be “a huge asset”.
Lord Hague added, “Rishi’s connection to Oxford University runs deep, and it’s great to see him coming back to his alma mater to contribute in such a meaningful way.
“I have no doubt his insights will inspire the next generation of leaders who are starting their journey here at Oxford”.
Condoleezza Rice, the former US secretary of state and current director of the Hoover Institution, also welcomed his appointment, saying Mr. Sunak’s “extensive policy and global experience will enrich our fellowship and help to define important policies moving forward”.
She said, “The United States and the UK share a very special bond, and we look forward to the impact of his work on the many challenges facing democracies and the world in years to come”.
The Blavatnik School of Government offers postgraduate public policy courses and includes former Colombian president Ivan Duque in its World Leaders Circle. Meanwhile, the Hoover Institution, a public policy think tank, hosts distinguished visiting fellows such as former Conservative Chancellor George Osborne, former Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, and Rishi Sunak’s former foreign policy adviser, John Bew.