Dr Alison MacDonald, BA (Hons), DPhil (Oxon), PG Dip (Oxon), SFHEA, is Interim Director of the Department for Continuing Education. Her primary objectives are to support and provide leadership to the staff and student community, ensure the effective implementation of new academic provision and structures, and contribute to shaping the Department’s future as a national and international leader in lifelong learning.
After completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Sheffield, Alison came to Oxford for her DPhil in Classical Archaeology. Her connection with the Department for Continuing Education began in the 1990s, when she was involved in organising placements for professional archaeology postgraduate students. On completion of her doctorate, she took on a full-time position as Departmental Lecturer in Archaeology. Her more recent roles have included Director of Undergraduate Studies, Assistant Director (Award-Bearing and Accredited Short Courses) and Deputy Director (Education and Student Experience). She retains a particular interest in archaeology and is a member of the Board of Trustees at Oxford Archaeology.