Dr Sir Michael Jacobs stepped down on 30 June 2026 after 4 years of holding the Wardenship. In accordance with the College’s Statutes, the Sub-Warden, Professor James Goudkamp is the acting head of Keble pending the appointment of our next Warden.
Dr Sir Michael Jacobs writes:
After four years at Keble, I have decided to step down as Warden. It has been a great honour and privilege to serve the College in this role. I am especially proud to have led Keble through the social, cultural and financial challenges of the post-pandemic recovery. The foundations for the future are now firmly in place, and Keble’s vision and ambitions for the coming years are clear. I wish the College and its whole community every success in realising them and have no doubt that Keble will continue to thrive.
Professor James Goudkamp, Sub-Warden, writes:
On behalf of the College, I wish to thank Sir Michael Jacobs for his dedicated service as Warden over the last four years. He has led Keble through an unusually challenging period and leaves the College in very good shape for the future. We wish him and his family every happiness and success in their next endeavours.
After four years as Keble Warden, Dr Sir Michael Jacobs steps down from his role. The Sub-Warden, Professor James Goudkamp is the acting head of Keble pending the appointment of our next Warden.
A full refurbishment of our ageing kitchen, last updated in 1979, will take place in Michaelmas and Hilary terms next academic year, resolving long-standing issues and modernising for a sustainable future.
It’s almost a year since we launched the Talbot Bursaries, providing vital means-tested Hall and rent subsidies to students who need it most. Fantastic progress has already been made by the alumni community, coming together through Reunion Gifts.
The future of human Geography teaching has been secured with a transformational gift from George (1978 Geography) and Tonya Evans. The newly named fellowship is fully endowed, ensuring one of our strongest and most popular subjects will thrive at Keble for years to come. Professor Beth Greenhough is the current George R Evans Tutorial Fellow.
The May Town and Gown 10K saw an impressively sized group of Keble runners in dinosaur running shirts take to the streets of Oxford, entering as a college cohort for the second year in a row. Hopes are already high for growing Keble’s representation in 2027.
Family, friends, and colleagues gathered in Keble Chapel in June to say goodbye to former Warden Dame Averil Cameron. Isla Smith (Director of Development 1998-2009) recounts the beautiful memorial service and reminds us of the profound legacy Averil left on the College.
For two years running, Keble College has been awarded Gold in the Green Impact Awards. The College Sustainability Officer, Jilly Mowbray, shares how the awards are judged and the eco-friendly initiatives Keble has put in place to secure its Gold rating.
Professor Rob Klose elected a Fellow of the Royal Society; Professorial Fellow Harry Anderson awarded European Research Council Advanced Grant; newly published book by Professorial Fellow Gesine Reinert; Wallace Breem Memorial Award presented to Professor James Goudkamp; Dr Thomas Stevens winner of History Regius Prize; Tai Chi in Liddon Quad for Trinity Term.
