Dr Rachel Buxton
BA (Hons) (Adel), MSt, DPhil (Oxon), PGCTHE, MBA (Oxford Brookes)
Adviser and Special Projects
Rachel served as Senior Tutor of Merton College, Oxford, from 2015 to January 2020, and as Domestic Bursar of Lincoln College, Oxford, in 2010-15. As Senior Tutor at Merton, Rachel managed all academic-related activities in one of Oxford’s academically most successful colleges, and here at St Mark’s she continues to devote considerable attention to supporting individual students in their academic and personal development.
Rachel was a C.A.S. Hawker Scholar at St Mark’s College in 1993-97, and was elected as College Club President in 1997, when she was also awarded the Collegians’ Prize. She graduated from the University of Adelaide in 1997 with First Class Honours in English Literature, and the University Medal.
After being elected Rhodes Scholar for South Australia for 1998, Rachel completed a Masters and a Doctorate in Oxford in English Language and Literature. Her thesis on the influence of Robert Frost on Northern Irish poetry – a topic inspired by a suggestion from the then Master of St Mark’s College, Robin Ashwin – was later published by Oxford University Press.
After completing her doctorate, Rachel held Research Fellowships at Worcester College, Oxford (2001-02), and New College, Oxford (2002-05); she has also undertaken internships with McKinsey & Co. and at the UK Cabinet Office. While Senior Lecturer in American Literature at Oxford Brookes University in 2005-09, Rachel completed an Executive MBA with Distinction, again topping her year.
Rachel’s office is in the back of Walkley Cottage. Her role is part-time and she is usually in College on Tuesdays and Wednesdays – please don’t hesitate to get in touch by email if you’d like to arrange a time to meet up with her.
About the Adviser and Special Projects role
The Adviser and Special Projects supports students – including leaders and candidates for student leadership positions – through mentoring, training programs, and follow-up to Learning and Wellbeing Reviews. It also includes undertaking project-based and strategic work for the College.
Dr Rachel Buxton took on this role in 2022, having served for the past two years as Director of Learning. She uses her skills and experience as an educator, strategist, and mentor to help students and the College more broadly.
