Durham University has revealed its new Vice-Chancellor and Warden as the current Vice-Chancellor retires later this year.
Professor Karen O’Brien has been unveiled as the university's new Vice-Chancellor and Warden she succeeds Professor Stuart Corbridge who will retire on July 31, and will be the first woman to hold the post.
The current Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost Professor Antony Long, will serve as Interim Vice-Chancellor and Warden between August 1, 2021, and January 3, 2022.
For the last five years, Professor O’Brien has led the Humanities Division at the University of Oxford and was a member of the University Council.
She has been jointly responsible for the financial oversight, research strategy and equalities and access priorities of the University.
During the first phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, she successfully managed the University’s preparations for operating safely during the current academic year.
Prior to joining Oxford, she was Vice-Principal for Education at King’s College London and has held a number of national and international leadership roles.
Joe Docherty, Chair of our governing University Council, said: "Professor O’Brien was our unanimous choice as our next Vice-Chancellor.
"She is an exceptional leader with a distinguished track-record in the University sector. Her depth and breadth of understanding and forward-thinking will help her to lead Durham University to even greater success.
"We are deeply grateful to Professor Corbridge for his outstanding leadership through what has been a very turbulent and challenging few years for Higher Education in the UK, and wish him every happiness in his retirement.
"I am very pleased that Professor Antony Long will provide interim leadership of the University until Professor O’Brien takes up her position in early January 2022."
Professor O’Brien said: "I am honoured and thrilled to be joining Durham University, which is distinguished for the excellence and impact of its research, the quality of its education and its Colleges and Wider Student Experience.
"I am looking forward to leading and serving this great University as it approaches its 200th anniversary as a global community of learning."
Professor Stuart Corbridge joined Durham University as Vice-Chancellor and Warden in September 2015, having previously served as Deputy Director and Provost at the London School of Economics (LSE).
In his six years at Durham, he has led the reshaping of the University through the ‘University Strategy, 2017-2027’, to ensure Durham is world-class across research, education and the wider student experience.
