Reported by Miles Shepherd in UK

Oxford University's Said Business School has announced that Dr Bent Flyvbjerg has been appointed to the BT Chair of Major Programme Management. The appointment will take effect from April 1, 2009.

Dr Flyvbjerg, pictured, well known as the joint author of Megaprojects and Risk: an Anatomy of Ambition, joins Said Business School from Aalborg University, Denmark where he is Professor of Planning at the Department of Development and Planning. His main research interest is major programme management and planning, and especially causes and cures for the many problems that bedevil major programmes, for instance cost overruns and benefit shortfalls. Flyvbjerg also does research on the philosophy of social science, where he has pioneered a research methodology called "phronetic social science".

Dr Janet Smart, Director of the Centre said: 'I am delighted that Bent Flyvbjerg will be joining the Centre. He has an established international reputation as one of the leading thinkers in the field of major programme management and he brings both a remarkable research output and authority in contributions to the discipline.'

Commenting on the appointment Dr Flyvbjerg said: 'The BT Centre for Major Programme Management provides a rare platform for researchers and practitioners to consolidate knowledge around this emerging and dynamic field which has considerable significance economically and often politically. Rapid technological change and the effects of globalisation will create an increase in these major programmes, so there is no better time to join the BT Centre which is uniquely placed to address this discipline. I look forward to working with colleagues at Said Business School and with other departments within the University of Oxford to establish the Centre as a globally renowned research and teaching centre for major programme management.'

Dr Flyvbjerg has published extensively on planning, programme management and risk. He also has extensive experience of working with organisations including the EU Commission, UN, commercial organisations and the government of Denmark. His range of expertise and teaching experience is expected to be a key factor in the launch of Said's MSc in Programme Management in October. This programme is thought to be unique in British Universities.

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