This month the Observatory on Borderless Higher Education (OBHE) has announced that, as from 1st January 2015, Richard Garrett will be the new Director. Richard was co-founder of the Observatory and served as its Deputy Director from its formation in 2001 through to 2005.  Richard has over 18 years of experience researching higher education trends worldwide, with particular interest in online learning, non-traditional students, internationalisation and commercial activity. Previously, he was Vice-President and Principal Analyst at Eduventures, a research and consulting firm specialising in higher education.  In addition to this new role as Director of the Observatory, Richard will continue to lead i-graduate’s work in North America.

Some changes are foreseen also in the Director’s team. Richard will be supported in North America by Teresa Angulo, Executive Administrator, and Rachael Merola, who transfers from South Korea into a Senior Analyst role at the Observatory.  Carolyn Campbell, a member of the Observatory Advisory Board and former Head of International Affairs at QAA, takes up the post of Senior Consultant based in London.

Richard is succeeding Dr William (Bill) Lawton, who has led since 2011. Under Bill’s leadership the Observatory has produced high-impact reports for its borderless member base, including The Agent Question; Horizon Scanning: What will Higher Education look like in 2020; International Branch Campuses and The Maturing of the MOOC.  He has also hosted conferences worldwide, including Vancouver, Kuala Lumpur and London, and has represented the Observatory at speaking engagements across the globe.