University announces appointment of Professor of Education Innovation

University of Gloucestershire is delighted to announce the award of the title Professor of Education Innovation to award-winning former ITV news anchor Sarah Jones, its Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic Enhancement and Research.

Professor Jones (pictured below), whose research focuses on future education and technology, including virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), holds a PhD in Immersive Storytelling and has published extensively on VR and AR, while continuing to create immersive experiences.

A strategic leader in the sector after nearly a decade in television news, she is committed to the transformation of higher education through pedagogy, technology and future practice.

She has advised the UK Government on immersive technologies and delivers keynote speeches and speaks at conferences across the world on imagining future technology.

In 2019, Professor Jones established the HuffPost Centre for Journalism with Executive Editor, Jess Brammar, designed to help diversify the news industry, both in terms of workforce and content.

The same year, she was invited to give evidence to a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee on the Immersive and Addictive Technologies Inquiry where she spoke about harassment within the virtual world and what measures need to be put in place to ensure safe and engaging environments.

She is a Visiting Fellow at Bournemouth’s Centre for Excellence in Media Practice, a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an Apple Distinguished Educator.

Previously, Professor Jones worked for ITV as a correspondent and news anchor, winning awards for investigative and immersive reporting. In 2007, she spent a year on secondment to New York for GMTV following Presidential candidates on the campaign trail. 

Professor Jones, who received the award from the University’s Senior Academic Appointments Panel, has overall responsibility for academic enhancement and research within the University.

She leads on the development of policies and processes for approving and regulating academic quality and standards and for the continuous enhancement, improvement and innovation of the university’s academic offer.

Professor Jones, who joined the University as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic Enhancement and Research in October 2022, also heads up the research activity across six dedicated Research Priority Areas, as well as being responsible for the libraries, technologies and information systems.

Professor Jones said: “I’m extremely honoured to have been awarded the title of Professor of Education Innovation.

“Working with colleagues, I’m determined to ensure that the University’s teaching, learning and research activities are sector-leading, innovative and continuously improving, for the benefit of students, staff and the wider community.

“It’s a really exciting time for the University community, with major developments like City Campus bringing a real sense of anticipation about the future, and I’m absolutely delighted to be part of it.”