Baroness Blackstone

Baroness Blackstone "took up post as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Greenwich in 2004. Formerly Arts Minister (2001-3) and Minister of State for Education & Employment (1997-2001), Tessa Blackstone was Master of Birkbeck College (1987-97) and Deputy Education Officer of the Inner London Education Authority (1983-86). She has also worked as a policy adviser in the Cabinet Office.

"Tessa Blackstone was educated at Ware Grammar School for Girls and the London School of Economics (LSE) where she went on to take her doctorate. Her academic career began at the former Enfield College (now Middlesex University) before she went on to become a lecturer at LSE and Professor of Educational Administration at the University of London Institute of Education. She has also held research fellowships at the Centre for Studies in Public Policy and the Policy Studies Institute.

"In 1987 Tessa Blackstone was awarded a life peerage and in 2001 she was appointed to the Privy Council. She has served as chairman of the ballet board of the Royal Opera House, the Fabian Society and the Institute for Public Policy Research and has sat on the governing bodies of numerous other organisations.

"Her many publications on education and social policy issues include 'Race Relations in Britain' with Bhikhu Parekh and Peter Saunders (Routledge, 1997) and 'Disadvantage and Education' with Jo Mortimore (Heinemann, 1982). In the national media, she has broadcast and written extensively."


 * Council, Volunteer Services Overseas