Alison’s background is in creative industries, social entrepreneurship and innovation before she moved into management roles within higher education. Professor Honour has held a range of senior leadership positions in the higher education sector across over 30 years, working at five post-92 universities. Alison’s previous universities include Oxford Brookes, De Montfort, Birmingham City University and Canterbury Christ Church University, where she worked as Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost before joining BU. 

A passionate supporter of equality and inclusion, Professor Honour’s previous roles have seen her actively support access and participation activities to give opportunities to students from a diverse range of backgrounds; Alison was the first person in her own family to attend university. She is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an awarded National Teaching Fellow.

Professor Honour is equally passionate about the international role universities can play, and has travelled, lived and worked in numerous (34) countries around the world. She believes that education and travel broaden appreciation for cultures and communities and is keen for staff and students to experience this same enrichment as a part of their BU journey.  Alison’s international experience has delivered transnational education (TNE) agreements across the world, and she has led international projects such as leading on a Bollywood film partnership with Yash Raj Films in Mumbai that brought Bollywood directors to Birmingham.

Professor Honour has also previously led the development of inclusive student experience projects and frameworks to enhance the student experience. This includes the Birmingham City University Black Lives Matter and Anti-racist Commitment Plan in partnership with students and staff, as well as a range of access and participation initiatives. 

In 2023, Professor Honour was awarded ‘Women of the Decade Award’ from the Woman’s Economic Forum and the G100, an international leadership group who make recommendations to the UN against UNSDG5 (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals) for gender equality. Alison is an Aurora mentor for women in leadership, supporting women as they progress in their higher education careers, and particularly those who want to pursue a professorship. 

Since joining BU, Professor Honour has led on the development of BU’s new strategic plan; BU2035, defining the next decade of life at Bournemouth University, Alison is keen to ensure the university plays an active part in the local community, taking its civic responsibilities seriously, driving economic growth, providing excellent graduate employment outcomes, while ensuring digital literacy across all levels for staff and students to provide the future skills and workforce that businesses need.