News International Visiting Professor of Media announced

Arts 01 Nov 10 Matthew Engel has been announced as the News International Visiting Professor of Media for 2010-11 at Oxford University, hosted by the Faculty of English Language and Literature. Professor Engel, a columnist for the Financial Times , will give four lectures at the University in January and February 2011, entitled 'Please, mister, can we have our ball back? Sport, the media and the people.' In 25 years on The Guardian , Professor Engel covered 70 different sports, from Olympics and World Cups to tiddlywinks and underwater hockey, and his lectures will tackle the growth of sport and the media. He has edited 12 editions of the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. Professor Engel has also covered the fall of the Berlin Wall, the first Gulf War, the death of Princess Diana, 9/11 and eight general elections. 'I am honoured and delighted to have been appointed to this role, indeed somewhat astonished,' he said. 'But this is a fascinating subject and I am very much looking forward to sharing my enthusiasm.' Professor Engel lives in Herefordshire with his wife Hilary and daughter Vika. His son Laurie died of cancer in 2005, aged 13.