Sir Eric Jackson Thomas[1] FMedSci (24 March 1953 – 10 November 2023) was an English academic who was vice-chancellor of the University of Bristol from 2001 to 2015.

He trained as an obstetrician and gynaecologist and worked at both the universities of Sheffield and Newcastle.

He chaired the government Taskforce into Increasing Voluntary Giving in Higher Education, which reported in 2004.

His interests included golf and Newcastle United Football Club.

He was a Deputy Lieutenant of the City and County of Bristol, and was knighted in the 2013 Birthday Honours for services to higher education.