Professor Reverend Keith Magee appointed to the Fulbright Commission

Newcastle University’s Chair and Professor of Practice of Social Justice is one of three new commissioners on the board of the Fulbright Commission.

The appointments come as the Commission seeks to grow and show impact in its mission to advance knowledge, promote civic engagement and develop compassionate leaders through education exchange between the peoples of the US and UK.

The new appointments bring knowledge and experience from a wide range of sectors, and join a team in which women make up nearly two thirds of board membership.

Professor Reverend Keith Magee is Chair and Professor of Practice in Social Justice at Newcastle University. He has expertise as a bipartisan faith, race and policy advisor with US presidents, governors and congressional members.

“I am delighted to be joining the US-UK Fulbright Board of Commissioners,” said Professor Reverend Magee. “It is my hope that my experience in diversity and philanthropy can further support the board’s commitment to creating a world where there are no obstacles to learning, mutual understanding and collaboration.

“Now more than ever, we need to ensure that we are building bridges, in the form of opportunities and exchanges, between the USA and the UK and beyond, as we begin to imagine a global democracy.”

Enthused and honoured

The board is comprised of 14 Commissioners, seven of whom are appointed by the US Ambassador to the Court of St James’s and six of whom are appointed by the Secretary of State at the UK Department for Education. One Commissioner is appointed by the Scottish Government.

Executive Director, US-UK Fulbright Commission, Maria Balinska, said: “I’m enthused and honoured by the new additions to our board, increasing the diversity of talent and direction among our commissioners. Our new appointments will strengthen the US-UK relationship – which sits at the very core of the Commission’s purpose – with specific skillset relating to external engagement and US philanthropic fundraising.”

The other two new appointees are Mukul Devichand, Editor of Audio Programing for The New York Times, and Paul O’Neill the former Senior Advisor to the President and Chief Operating Officer for the Office of Advancement at Georgetown University.