Cate Blanchett promises ‘creative rumpus’ in new role: Oxford professor

The Oscar-winning actor Cate Blanchett has promised to cause a “creative rumpus” in her latest role, as visiting professor at the University of Oxford . The Australian star is the latest in a long line of celebrated thespians to be appointed as the Cameron Mackintosh visiting professor of contemporary theatre at St Catherine’s College, Oxford. The role, which covers the 2026-27 academic year, will require Blanchett to take part in a programme of conversations and lectures, engaging with students as well as the wider university community. She follows in the footsteps of Stephen Sondheim, Ian McKellen, Arthur Miller, Meera Syal, Tom Stoppard, Adjoa Andoh, Stephen Fry, Diana Rigg, Trevor Nunn and Deborah Warner, among others who have held the role, which was established in 1990 through a gift from the theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh. Blanchett described the appointment as an electrifying opportunity. “Art breaks down the borders and boundaries of our imagination; it poses questions, and playing with and dissecting it expands and challenges our present reality,” she said. “My years of creative practice have granted me the opportunity of sharpening feelings into ideas and offered pathways to insight. The visiting professorship is an electrifying opportunity for me to be in direct, robust creative dialogue with the next generation of thinkers and creative doers. …