About IARU > IARU Member Universities > University of Oxford
University of Oxford
Founded in 1096, the University of Oxford is the oldest English-speaking university, renowned worldwide for its excellence in teaching, research and a diverse academic community. Over a third of its 22 000 students and 42% of academic staff come from outside the UK.
Heritage, innovation, and global impact
Founded in 1096 (est.), University of Oxford has the accolade of being the first university in the English-speaking world, with an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research.
The University has a diverse academic community, with over a third of our 22 000 students and 42% of our academic staff coming from outside the UK. Oxford is well known for its tutorial teaching and its strong college communities that give students the opportunity to work directly with leading professors from the first day of their courses.
Though well-known for its strengths in humanities and for the world-leading collections held in its libraries and museums, Oxford also has particular strengths in Medicine, Social Sciences and Life Sciences (first, third and fourth in the world respectively).
Oxford has played a key role in shaping the IARU’s strategic direction, and has been active in establishing innovative programs such as the Global Summer Program.
Prof Irene Tracey
Professor Irene Tracey, former head of Merton College (2019–2022) and current Professor of Anaesthetic Neuroscience at Oxford, is a leading researcher known for her work on pain and consciousness using neuroimaging.
Professor Irene Tracey led Merton College from 2019–2022 and is Professor of Anaesthetic Neuroscience in the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, which she also led. Tenured in 2001 at the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics with a Tutorial Fellowship at Christ Church, she held the Nuffield Chair in Anaesthetic Sciences for 12 years and a Fellowship at Pembroke College.
She is President of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS). Her research has advanced understanding of pain perception, relief, and anaesthesia-induced altered consciousness using neuroimaging. She serves on councils including the International Association for the Study of Pain and Medical Research Council. Appointed CBE in 2022, she earned her undergraduate degree and doctorate at Merton College, Oxford, focusing on MRI in disease mechanisms.
After a postdoc at Harvard Medical School, she returned to Oxford in 1997, co-founding and directing the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging for ten years. She has received numerous awards. Professor Tracey is married to Professor Myles Allen and has three children.
Andrew Brown
Senior International Officer, International Engagement Office
Andrew Brown is a Senior International Officer at the University of Oxford. In addition to leading the University’s International Engagement Office, Andrew advises Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor David Gann on international strategy and helps coordinate activity across Professor Gann’s portfolio of Development and External Affairs. Prior to joining Oxford, Andrew worked in the Global Engagement Office at University College London, where he was responsible for the University’s partnerships in the Asia-Pacific.
University of Oxford’s engagement in IARU spans diverse collaborative initiatives, including the:
IARU promotes collaboration through various working groups and joint initiatives
Key IARU roles
President
Prof Irene Tracey
IARU Senior Officer
Andrew Brown
andrew.brown@admin.ox.ac.uk
IARU Key Contact
Andrew Brown
andrew.brown@admin.ox.ac.uk
