Countries with non-renewable resource wealth face both an opportunity and a challenge. When used well, these resources can create greater prosperity for current and future generations. Squandered, they can cause economic instability, social conflict, and lasting environmental damage. To benefit from resource wealth, citizens, private companies, and governments must make a broad range of decisions. Each requires leaders to consider complex options and trade-offs, and devise strategies to implement these policy choices.
This intensive five-day course provides the training and insight required for policy leaders in the public and private sector to work towards better management and governance of oil, gas or mineral resources for a better future. The course builds a better understanding of the interests of the public and private sectors and facilitates dialogue and mutual appreciation of respective positions between these different groups.
Globally recognised experts and academics have developed this course to encourage public and private sector leaders from multiple countries to share their own experiences, while gaining insights and specialist knowledge about natural resource management. The course looks at both technical policy aspects of managing resource and the complex interplay between governments, companies and citizens.
The programme is the result of a unique collaboration between the Blavatnik School of Government and the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI).
- Licensing and discovering minerals
- Taxing companies and combating tax abuses
- Directing state-owned enterprises
- Protecting local societies and the environment
- Managing revenues and investment
- Communicating with citizens
- Implementing your strategy and ensuring accountability

As an official in the public service, participating in this course has opened me up to best practices not just in theory but from experiences shared by other participants. My participation will contribute to the overall management of our natural resources by advising relevant government authorities to follow the due processes, so that our resources will be beneficial.
This course is open to policy leaders in the public and private sector, alongside those in senior research and non-profit roles, who are committed to better governance in natural resources, and in a position to influence the governance of these sectors.
Participants should have in-depth experience and be in a senior leadership position or advisory role.
We strongly encourage women to apply, with a number of bursary and scholarship opportunities currently available to help support current and rising female leaders in the natural resource sector.
Prospective participants include:
- Ministers, chiefs of staff, heads of extractives state-owned enterprises, commissioners, heads of agencies, departments and other public bodies involved in the management of oil, gas and mining and the revenues they generate as well as their deputies and advisors
- Executives, directors, chiefs and heads at oil, gas and mining companies, at headquarters or country office levels, as well as their deputies and advisors
- Leaders from management consulting firms providing advice to governments in resource-rich countries in extractive sector policy design and implementation or public financial management
- Vice-presidents, deputy managing directors, and head of departments at multilateral agencies, such as the IMF and World Bank
- Chief executives, directors and senior fellows at think tanks and nonpartisan bodies as well as experienced journalists covering natural resources related issues
At the Blavatnik School, we provide a highly immersive participant experience. Lectures will be integrated with global case studies, simulations, and peer-to-peer discussions – giving executives a highly effective forum in which to discuss policy challenges and develop step-change approaches.
The Blavatnik School is one of the newest and most vibrant departments of the University of Oxford. The School was founded in 2010 and in 2016 opened its doors to its new state-of-the-art building, designed by Herzog & de Meuron. With large lecture theatres, flexible seminar rooms, private study areas, a reading room and full catering facilities, the new building provides an exceptional environment for study, research and collaboration.


The course will take place at the Blavatnik School of Government in Oxford, UK. The course is delivered in English.
The total cost of the course is £8,000. This includes tuition over five days from world-class experts and academics, six nights' accommodation, and most meals. The course fees exclude overseas transport, visas or other incidentals.
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships will be offered on a competitive basis to public sector applicants from select resource-rich countries: Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Mexico, Mongolia, Nigeria, Peru, Senegal, Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda. In exceptional cases, scholarship applications from outstanding candidates from other countries may also be considered. These can partially or fully cover tuition and, in select cases, may assist with travel. A bursary application must be completed by the closing date to be eligible for these awards.
This year we are also offering additional bursaries for childcare costs associated with attendance. This is intended to enable participants to attend who otherwise might not be able to because of childcare needs. Requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, dependent on need.
Meet the faculty
Although our 2020 in-person programme was cancelled due to Covid-19, on 10 September 2020 we held a live online taster of our one-week programme.
The online event 'Managing oil, gas and mining governance in exceptional times', led by Sir Paul Collier, offered interesting and highly informative lectures and discussions with leading experts, and is available to view on our YouTube channel.
Our programmes immerse you in the intellectual culture of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Its excellence and international profile rivals that of any university in the world, and the University has been educating global leaders for over 800 years.
Our residential programmes, as well as our fellowships, offer opportunities to explore the city and its famous colleges. Many include walking tours of the city’s most important historical and politically relevant places, as well as formal dinners in centuries-old Oxford dining halls. And you will get the best of both the old and the new by being based from the ultramodern award-winning Blavatnik School building.
Whether in residence or online, you will be tapping into the extraordinary depth and breadth of research excellence found at Oxford University, as well as its power to convene people from all over the world. All our executive programmes are led by a member of the Blavatnik School faculty, who are leading Oxford professors and associate professors.

For more information get in touch or download a brochure. Please see our terms and conditions and privacy notice.
To express interest or find out more, contact us at oilgas.mining@bsg.ox.ac.uk or +44 (0)1865 614325