Professor Alison Richard
Vice-Chancellor
The Vice-Chancellor’s Office, the Old Schools

Alison Richard became the first woman to hold the office of Vice-Chancellor full time when she was appointed in 2003. She is an anthropologist by training with research interests in the evolution of complex social systems in primates, and in particular the primates of Madagascar. She still works at her field station in Madagascar each year with her husband Professor Robert Dewar, but says: “These days I count it a good year if I can spend a fortnight there”.

The Vice-Chancellorship used to be held for two years by Heads of Colleges in rotation, but the role has changed, and since 1992 the post has been open to an international field with a term of office of up to seven years. Professor Richard is the University’s 344th Vice-Chancellor.