Regius Professor of Open Education

The Open University; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Open University invites applications for the Regius Professor of Open Education, one of the world’s most distinguished academic chairs. Regius Professorships are among the highest honours in the UK and held by a small number of universities, reflecting the university’s global leadership in open and distance learning.

The successful candidate will shape the future of Open Education, influence policy and practice, lead doctoral supervision and research leadership, and engage diverse audiences

Qualifications

• World-leading research profile and substantial funding track record.
• Evidence of influencing policy, practice and public debate in Open Education.
• Significant experience supervising doctoral research and leading teams.

Responsibilities

• Shape the future of Open Education and its scholarly development.
• Influence policy, practice and public debates in education.
• Provide doctoral supervision and strong research leadership.
• Foster international collaboration and public engagement across audiences.

Skills

World-leading research

Funding success

Policy influence

Doctoral supervision

Open Education

International network

Academic leadership

Public engagement

Education

PhD or equivalent

Job description

Interview date: The interview assessment process will take place on Friday 27 November 2026

Introduction

The Open University invites applications and nominations for the role of Regius Professor of Open Education, one of the world’s most distinguished academic chairs in the field. Regius Professorships are among the highest academic honours in the United Kingdom and are held by only a small number of universities. Established by Royal Warrant in 2013, the Regius Professorship of Open Education recognised both the Open University’s globally significant contribution to learning and teaching and the growing importance of Open Education as a field of scholarship. It remains a unique and highly prestigious appointment.

The Open University has done more than any other institution to shape the modern understanding and practice of open learning. As the UK’s largest university and a globally recognised pioneer of open and distance education, it has transformed access to higher education for millions of learners and influenced educational thinking across the world.

As education systems respond to technological change, artificial intelligence, lifelong learning, demographic shifts and evolving expectations of access and participation, the questions at the heart of Open Education have never been more important. The next Regius Professor will have an exceptional opportunity to shape these debates, influence policy and practice and help define the future direction of the field.

The Open University offers a distinctive environment for ambitious researchers, combining global reach, extensive research infrastructure, significant academic freedom and a long-standing commitment to supporting research excellence and scholarly endeavour.

We seek an internationally recognised scholar whose work is shaping understanding and practice in Open Education, or whose research is helping to define its future development. The successful candidate will combine academic distinction with public influence, intellectual leadership and a commitment to advancing the social purpose of education.

We welcome interest from individuals bringing:

• An internationally recognised and world-leading research profile.
• A substantial track record of securing competitive research funding.
• Evidence of influencing policy, practice and public debate.
• Significant experience of doctoral supervision and research leadership.
• A recognised contribution to Open Education or to a field that is helping define its future.
• A strong international network and reputation.
• Evidence of leadership within their academic community and field of scholarship.
• The ability to engage diverse audiences, from academic communities and policymakers to practitioners, media and the wider public.

The Open University welcomes applications from outstanding candidates across the world who share its commitment to openness, innovation and educational impact. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of Open Education from one of the world’s most influential institutions in the field.

We have appointed UL Associates to support us with this important appointment.

Salary will be commensurate with the significance and importance of the post and the experience of the candidate.