L’Oréal has no control over Oxford Uni sponsored marketing role

A job advert from the University of Oxford which infers that its L’Oréal professor of marketing will carry out work for the cosmetics giant has been ‘unfortunately phrased’ according to the university after concerns had been voiced over academic freedom.

The job description states “the professor will be expected to engage periodically with L'Oréal, the sponsor of the chair, in the interests of developing and promoting mutually beneficial activities."

L’Oréal set up the professorship ten years ago, with the university, who receives a substantial grant from the French cosmetics maker, although a university spokesperson told The Times Higher Education that "L'Oréal has no role in selection for the post or in choosing research directions."

The spokeswoman added that there was no obligation to work with L’Oréal, and the company added that the sponsorship was solely to "promote the role of marketing in business".

"L'Oréal does not seek any involvement or influence with the views or teaching of the professor," said the company.