Transcript: Vice-Chancellor's start of Michaelmas 2025 student message

Dear students,

A very warm welcome to you all at the start of this new academic year.

Whether you are new to Oxford or continuing with us, I hope you are as raring to go as I am, ready to make the most of all that Oxford has to offer.

I am delighted to welcome you to the Stephen A Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, which opened last week. Seven academic faculties and two research institutes have now moved in. It is open to everyone in the University and the wider community, whether for lectures, exhibitions, performances or visiting the café: I encourage you all to come and explore it.

Another milestone follows shortly: the Life and Mind Building opens in the coming weeks, bringing Experimental Psychology and Biology together to address challenges from mental health and behaviour to biodiversity and sustainability.

And as this term begins, I have also delivered my annual Oration. It sets out my reflections on the challenges and opportunities before us, emphasising the importance of story-telling through hope and kindness. I warmly encourage you to watch or read it in full.

Well for another recording-breaking and now tenth consecutive year, Oxford is ranked number one worldwide by the comprehensive and rigorous Times Higher Education. This is a true testament to the remarkable dedication and impact of every member of our community, and a celebration of what we achieve together.

Everyone at Oxford is here to help your year get off to the very best possible start, ensuring your time here challenges you, opens new opportunities and equips you to make a difference beyond the University.

There is lots of support available from your college, your department and the central University, including our specialist Disability Advisory Service. If you find yourself needing additional help at any time, please, please reach out if you need to.

And there are steps we can all take to contribute to our respectful, safe and inclusive culture, and attending my termly Sheldonian Series events is a way to learn from voices from a range of fields and viewpoints, all as part of our commitment to freedom of speech.

Sexual harassment is never acceptable. Every Oxford student is required to complete our online Consent for Students course, in addition to any in-person training. More information about how we respond to this issue is on our website.

One of the best ways to shape your experience here is to get involved with Oxford Students’ Union. Please consider standing for the various positions and do attend the Conference of Common Rooms, to ensure your student voice is heard.

This academic year we welcome Professor Freya Johnston as our new Pro-Vice-Chancellor in Education. A Professor of English and Fellow of St. Anne’s, Freya will lead on every aspect of your student experience, including assessments, teaching, and wellbeing.

As a world-class University, we continue to innovate. Oxford is now the first UK university to provide free access to a more secure ChatGPT Edu for all students and staff. Visit the GenAI at Oxford site to learn more, and explore training, and guidance on using these tools responsibly.

You can further enhance your digital experience by using the MyOxford app. Download it to your device or use it in a web browser to access essential University systems, services and everything from your college.

All undergraduates are invited to sign up to be part of my ‘upskilling’ Colloquium this year, with one programme on Climate and now new for this year, a second on AI. Registration will open later this term.

Well, that’s it for now. Have a fantastic Michaelmas and year ahead, and I look forward to seeing you around Oxford.