St Cross Fellow awarded OBE in New Years Honours List 2025

St Cross College, Oxford, proudly announces that Professor Steve Strand, Fellow of St Cross and Professor of Education at the University of Oxford, has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his outstanding services to equality and human rights. 

Professor Strand's career in education spans over four decades, during which he has made significant contributions to improving educational outcomes for young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. His research focuses on addressing disparities in educational achievement across ethnic, social class, and gender lines, emphasising the importance of equity in educational systems. 

In response to receiving this prestigious honour, Professor Strand commented: 

I have been a researcher in the field of education for over 40 years, and in several different capacities, but a connecting theme has always been improving young people’s educational outcomes and identifying both barriers to and facilitators of that achievement. I am very grateful to be awarded this honour, which recognises the importance of equity in educational achievement as a key element in developing a fairer and more just society.

Professor Strand joined the University of Oxford in January 2013, after serving as Professor of Education at the University of Warwick. His earlier roles include Head of Research and Data Analysis at GL Assessment, and Head of Research and Evaluation in various Local Education Authorities. Throughout his career, he has pioneered 'value added' analyses of school effectiveness and worked closely with government bodies, including serving as a Special Adviser to the House of Commons Education Select Committee. 

His academic contributions are vast, with a particular focus on the quantitative analysis of large and complex datasets to inform educational policy and practice. Professor Strand has held key advisory roles with the Department for Education and contributed significantly to the fields of educational research and policy development. 

St Cross College congratulates Professor Strand on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates his dedication to fostering an equitable educational landscape. His work continues to inspire both students and colleagues in the field of education. 

For more information on Professor Strand's research and publications, please visit his webpage.