Rishi Sunak is set to begin the academic chapter of his career after securing two high-profile posts at Oxford and Stanford universities.
The former prime minister announced that he will join the “World Leaders Circle” of the Blavatnik School of Government in Oxford, in addition to holding a visiting fellowship at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University in California.
Sunak, who studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University before doing an MBA at Stanford, remains the Conservative MP for the Richmond and Northallerton constituency. He expressed his enthusiasm for both roles, highlighting their focus on the critical economic and security challenges facing governments around the world.
The former Prime Minister follows in the footsteps of Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, who both held academic positions in the United States after leaving the tenth position. Lord Hague, the university chancellor, welcomed Sunak’s appointment to Oxford, and praised Sunak’s “depth”. Understanding the challenges facing governments today.
Condoleezza Rice, former US Secretary of State and Director of the Hoover Institution, also stressed the importance of Sunak’s role, emphasizing how his experience will help address key policy issues facing democracies.
The Blavatnik School of Government has a track record of bringing together global leaders, including Iván Duque, the former Colombian president. The Hoover Institution, a respected policy think tank, counts George Osborne, Alexander Downer, and John Bew among its distinguished visiting fellows.
Sunak’s move into academic life marks his first formal move since returning to the backbenches. The former Prime Minister said he looked forward to using his insights from public office to inform cutting-edge research and policy debates in both the UK and the US.