Teachers' Conference 2026

Jonathan Black has been Director of Careers at Oxford University since 2008 after a broad career including in blue-chip management consultancy, international academic publishing, aerospace, and co-founding a successful medical publishing start-up and a social enterprise.

Jonathan coaches students one-to-one, runs workshops and seminars for groups of undergraduates and postgraduates, trains colleagues, and devises new and innovative programmes that provide hands-on experiences for students. These include the Future Leaders Innovation Programme, Oxford Strategy Challenge, and the Making a Difference programme. He works with senior academics to explore how the Careers Service can support academic work, presents at seminars and conferences in the UK, Europe, Australia, South Africa, and the USA, and runs research programmes on what is required in order to secure a graduate-level job.

Jonathan wrote the fortnightly, ‘Dear Jonathan’ column for readers’ careers questions in the Financial Times over six years, produced three short careers videos for the FT, anchored six 10-minute FT/YouTube careers videos, and has appeared in many podcasts on careers. His book, ‘How to find the Career you’ve always wanted’ was described by Baroness Gillian Shephard as, ‘One of the most practical and comprehensible career guides ever produced.’

Jonathan lives in Oxford and combines his careers role with Fellow and Tutor for Welfare at New College, Oxford.

Dr Becky Fisher is the Chief Executive Officer of the English Association. Becky leads the staff and volunteers within the EA to shape the future of English Studies, working at a regional, national, and international level.  As CEO she has responsibility for the continuing growth and success of the EA as an influential and forward-thinking advocate of English Studies and the governance and financial health of this historic organisation.  Alongside her role at the EA, Becky also sits on the Board of Directors for the Council for Subject Associations, an umbrella organisation that represents subject associations nationally and allows them to speak with a single voice on key issues and consultations. As a Director of the CfSA, Becky is keen to collaborate with other subjects for mutual advocacy to the benefit of all disciplines.

Photo credit: Cesar de Giglio

Megan Bowler is a DPhil student in Classics at Christ Church, University of Oxford, and a Lecturer in Classics at Oriel College. She is the author of two policy reports for the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI): The Languages Crisis: Arresting Decline (2025) and A Languges Crisis? (2020), and is interested in promoting the educational value of ancient and modern languages. 

James Robson is Director of the Oxford University Centre for Skills, Knowledge, and Organisational Performance (SKOPE) and Associate Professor of Tertiary Education Systems in Oxford University Department of Education. His research focuses on the intersection of education and training and work, looking across a range of issues related to the political economy of education and training, policy approaches, skills supply and demand, research and innovation, productivity, individual labour market outcomes, social justice, and equity. He has led a wide range of projects from major funders, including the ESRC, the AHRC, GCRF, the Edge Foundation, the Royal Society, the British Academy, Nuffield Foundation, the Office for Students, and Research England. James’ research aims to engage with real world challenges and have a meaningful impact on both policy and practice at national and international levels. As part of this he has provided advice and consultancy to a wide range of governments and international organisations, including sitting on the WorldSkills Global Research Council.

Dr Charlotte Ryland is Founding Director of the Queen’s College Translation Exchange [QTE, Oxford], and Director of the Stephen Spender Trust [SST] both organisations dedicated to promoting language learning, multilingualism and translation. She runs the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators, the Stephen Spender Prize for poetry in translation, and a range of associated programmes that bring inclusive culture and creativity into language learning. 

Photo credit: John Cairns

Emma Brining's English degree at Pembroke led to a PGCE at Leeds University, before working in Hertfordshire in the maintained and independent sectors. Currently, she teaches in an Outstanding Academy having over thirty years’ experience of successful Oxbridge and Early Entry students. She leads on the most able students, champions staff wellbeing, and is a NEU workplace representative. She is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching and of the Royal Society of Arts. She serves on Pembroke’s Alumni Advisory Board, is a Family Lay member of UCLH Organ Donor and Tissue Committee and an Ambassador for Innovation for The National Brain Appeal.