CATE BLANCHETT APPOINTED VISITING PROFESSOR AT OXFORD FOR THE 2026-2027 ACADEMIC YEAR

Cate Blanchett has been appointed Visiting Professor at the University of Oxford for the 2026-2027 academic year. The specific position will be Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre, linked to St Catherine's College. The nomination recognizes Blanchett's importance in contemporary theater, cinema and cultural debate. The Australian actress joins a list of important names who have already held this position, including Stephen Sondheim, Ian McKellen, Arthur Miller, Tom Stoppard, Stephen Fry, Diana Rigg and Deborah Warner. Blanchett celebrated the appointment saying that the opportunity will allow for direct creative dialogue with a new generation of thinkers and artists. For her, art breaks boundaries of imagination, provokes questions and helps to challenge present reality. The position was created in 1990 with a donation from theater producer Cameron Mackintosh. Since then, the position has been occupied by relevant figures in the performing arts, cinema and literature. Jude Kelly, principal of St Catherine's College, praised Blanchett as one of today's most influential artistic voices, highlighting not only her work in theater and film, but also her commitment to cultural dialogue, collaboration and public engagement. In addition to her new academic role, Blanchett remains active in cinema. One of her next projects is "Sweetsick", a drama directed by Alice Birch, in which she plays a woman with an unusual gift: being able to perceive what the people around her need most.