Cate Blanchett to become visiting University of Oxford professor

Hollywood actress Cate Blanchett has been announced as a new visiting professor at the University of Oxford. The two-time Oscar winner will teach contemporary theatre at St Catherine's College throughout the 2026/27 academic year. The visiting professorship was established in 1990, with previous incumbents including Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Meera Syal and Dame Diana Rigg. Commenting on her appointment, Blanchett said she was "looking forward to beginning this creative rumpus". "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," the Australian star said. Blanchett has won two Oscars in her storied career - first for her portrayal of Katherine Hepburn in The Aviator and then for her role in Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine. The 57-year-old initially rose to fame with her role as Queen Elizabeth I in the 1998 film Elizabeth and has since starred in the Lord Of The Rings, Ocean's 8, Carol, Notes on a Scandal and Tar. She has also starred on stage on both the West End and Broadway. During Blanchett's year as the Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre, she will