50 University Leaders Across English-Speaking Markets

A practical directory of current university executive leaders across English-speaking markets.

University leadership is a job of holding many time horizons at once. The people below lead institutions that teach, research, employ, partner and serve their communities. They are included because their current university roles and distinctive leadership context could be checked against an official institutional source on 8 August 2026.

Professor Nicola Phillips

Professor Nicola Phillips is Vice-Chancellor and President at Adelaide University. Commenced at Adelaide University on 12 January 2026 after senior leadership roles at Warwick, Manchester, Sheffield and King’s College London. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Nicola Phillips a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Deborah Terry AC

Professor Deborah Terry AC is Vice-Chancellor and President at The University of Queensland. Returned to UQ in 2020 after six years as Vice-Chancellor of Curtin University, following earlier academic leadership at UQ. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Deborah Terry a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Amit Chakma

Professor Amit Chakma is Vice-Chancellor at The University of Western Australia. Previously served as President and Vice-Chancellor of Western University and as Provost and Vice-President Academic at Waterloo. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Amit Chakma a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor S. Bruce Dowton

Professor S. Bruce Dowton is Vice-Chancellor and President at Macquarie University. Macquarie’s fifth Vice-Chancellor, he is a paediatrician, clinical geneticist and molecular biologist who joined the university in 2012. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes S. Bruce Dowton a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Sharon Pickering

Professor Sharon Pickering is President and Vice-Chancellor at Monash University. Leads Monash through its global university structure, with the official leadership office connecting education, research and public purpose across its campuses. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Sharon Pickering a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Mark Scott AO

Professor Mark Scott AO is Vice-Chancellor and President at The University of Sydney. His second five-year term began on 19 July 2026; during his first term Sydney welcomed nearly 2,000 under-represented domestic students through MySydney. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Mark Scott a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Attila Brungs AO

Professor Attila Brungs AO is Vice-Chancellor and President at UNSW Sydney. Returned to UNSW to lead it in 2022 after eight years as Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Technology Sydney. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Attila Brungs a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Andrew Parfitt

Professor Andrew Parfitt is Vice-Chancellor and President at University of Technology Sydney. Joined UTS as Provost and Senior Vice-President in 2017 before becoming Vice-Chancellor in November 2021. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Andrew Parfitt a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Alec Cameron

Professor Alec Cameron is Vice-Chancellor and President at RMIT University. A Rhodes Scholar with a doctorate in robotics, he returned to Australia after leading Aston University in the UK. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Alec Cameron a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Dr Benoit-Antoine Bacon

Dr Benoit-Antoine Bacon is President and Vice-Chancellor at The University of British Columbia. Started a five-year term at UBC in November 2023 after serving as President of Carleton University and in provost roles at Queen’s and Concordia. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Benoit-Antoine Bacon a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Dr Susan L. Tighe

Dr Susan L. Tighe is President and Vice-Chancellor at McMaster University. McMaster’s first engineering professor to serve as President and Vice-Chancellor, she is known for sustainable concrete and asphalt infrastructure research. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Susan Tighe a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Dr Patrick Deane

Dr Patrick Deane is Principal and Vice-Chancellor at Queen’s University. A professor of English literature, he became Queen’s 21st Principal and Vice-Chancellor in July 2019 after nine years leading McMaster. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Patrick Deane a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor H. Deep Saini

Professor H. Deep Saini is President and Vice-Chancellor at McGill University. McGill’s Board approved a further five-year term beginning July 2028, extending a presidency focused on renewing the university’s academic and community priorities. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Deep Saini a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Lesley Rigg

Professor Lesley Rigg is President and Vice-Chancellor at Brock University. Brock reappointed her in 2026, recognising leadership across student success, research and the university’s regional partnerships. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Lesley Rigg a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Dr Joy Johnson

Dr Joy Johnson is President and Vice-Chancellor at Simon Fraser University. Before becoming president, she led SFU’s research and international portfolio, including a university-wide innovation strategy and one of Canada’s largest supercomputers. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Joy Johnson a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Dr Edward McCauley

Dr Edward McCauley is President and Vice-Chancellor at University of Calgary. An internationally recognised population ecologist, he has built more than three decades of academic leadership at Calgary and national and international partnerships. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Ed McCauley a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Alan Shepard

Professor Alan Shepard is President and Vice-Chancellor at Western University. A first-generation student, he has led entrepreneurially focused incubators, university-industry partnerships and wider access to undergraduate and graduate opportunities. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Alan Shepard a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor David Latchman

Professor David Latchman is Vice-Chancellor at University of London. Appointed Vice-Chancellor in 2026 after serving as interim Vice-Chancellor; he previously led Birkbeck and is a molecular geneticist. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes David Latchman a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Dr Michael Spence AC

Dr Michael Spence AC is President and Provost at University College London. UCL extended his tenure to August 2031 after he led the 2022-27 strategic plan consultation and the relaunch of its Grand Challenges programme. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Michael Spence a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Irene Tracey

Professor Irene Tracey is Vice-Chancellor at University of Oxford. Oxford’s current Vice-Chancellor is also Professor of Anaesthetic Neuroscience and helped build the university’s world-leading brain imaging centre. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Irene Tracey a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Deborah Prentice

Professor Deborah Prentice is Vice-Chancellor at University of Cambridge. Cambridge’s current Vice-Chancellor is a social psychologist whose official university work centres on rigorous inquiry, teaching and institutional stewardship. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Deborah Prentice a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Hugh Brady

Professor Hugh Brady is President at Imperial College London. A physician-scientist and renal researcher, he previously led University College Dublin and the University of Bristol before joining Imperial. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Hugh Brady a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Sir Peter Mathieson

Professor Sir Peter Mathieson is Principal and Vice-Chancellor at University of Edinburgh. He previously served as President of the University of Hong Kong and is the first member of his family to attend university. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Peter Mathieson a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Adam Tickell

Professor Adam Tickell is Vice-Chancellor and Principal at University of Birmingham. An economic geographer, he has held leadership roles at Birmingham, Sussex, Bristol and Royal Holloway and serves on national science and technology bodies. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Adam Tickell a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Shitij Kapur

Professor Shitij Kapur is Vice-Chancellor and President at King’s College London. His leadership includes a postgraduate scholarship scheme for students domiciled in India, designed to reduce cost barriers to study at King’s. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Shitij Kapur a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Evelyn Welch

Professor Evelyn Welch is Vice-Chancellor and President at University of Bristol. She became Bristol’s Vice-Chancellor in 2022 and was named Chair of the Russell Group from August 2026. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Evelyn Welch a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Lisa Roberts

Professor Lisa Roberts is President and Vice-Chancellor at University of Exeter. A professor of virology, she previously led research and innovation at Leeds and helped launch a veterinary medicine school at Surrey. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Lisa Roberts a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Duncan Ivison

Professor Duncan Ivison is President and Vice-Chancellor at University of Manchester. He took up the role in August 2024 on an initial five-year term, bringing a background in political theory and university leadership. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Duncan Ivison a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Dr Linda Doyle

Dr Linda Doyle is Provost and President at Trinity College Dublin. A wireless communications scholar, she founded CONNECT, a Science Foundation Ireland research centre for future communication networks, before becoming Provost. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Linda Doyle a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Orla Feely

Professor Orla Feely is President at University College Dublin. An electrical engineer and Member of the Royal Irish Academy, she has also chaired the Irish Research Council and served as President of Engineers Ireland. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Orla Feely a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor John O’Halloran

Professor John O’Halloran is President at University College Cork. A zoologist and Chair in Zoology, he previously served as UCC’s Deputy President and Registrar and Vice-President for Learning and Teaching. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes John O’Halloran a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Dáire Keogh

Professor Dáire Keogh is President at Dublin City University. A historian of popular politics, religion and education in Ireland, he began a ten-year term as DCU President in July 2020. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Daire Keogh a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Nic Smith

Professor Nic Smith is Vice-Chancellor at University of Auckland. Returned to his alma mater on 3 August 2026 after serving as Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington and as a biomedical engineering researcher. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Nic Smith a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Cheryl de la Rey

Professor Cheryl de la Rey is Vice-Chancellor at University of Canterbury. She previously led the University of Pretoria and served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Cape Town before joining Canterbury. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Cheryl de la Rey a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Hon Grant Robertson

Hon Grant Robertson is Vice-Chancellor at University of Otago. Leads Otago’s senior leadership team and has placed partnership with iwi and Pacific communities at the centre of his welcome to the university community. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Grant Robertson a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Damon Salesa

Professor Damon Salesa is Vice-Chancellor at Auckland University of Technology. Leads New Zealand’s university of technology and opportunity, with AUT connecting applied learning, industry and community impact. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Damon Salesa a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Pierre Venter

Professor Pierre Venter is Vice-Chancellor at Massey University. Joined Massey in February 2026 after a career with Fonterra, bringing a stated focus on modernising education and building industry and government partnerships. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Pierre Venter a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Mosa Moshabela

Professor Mosa Moshabela is Vice-Chancellor and Principal at University of Cape Town. A clinician scientist and public health professor, he previously led research and innovation at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Mosa Moshabela a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi

Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi is Vice-Chancellor and Principal at University of Johannesburg. A labour and social security law scholar, he previously served as UJ’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic and Executive Dean of Law. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Letlhokwa Mpedi a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Professor Zeblon Vilakazi FRS

Professor Zeblon Vilakazi FRS is Vice-Chancellor and Principal at Wits University. A high-energy physicist who worked with CERN and iThemba LABS, he is serving a second term at Wits through 2030. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Zeblon Vilakazi a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Alan M. Garber

Alan M. Garber is President at Harvard University. After more than twelve years as Harvard Provost, he was asked to continue as President through the 2026-27 academic year. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Alan Garber a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Sally Kornbluth

Sally Kornbluth is President at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. MIT’s 18th president has put climate action, responsible AI and links between engineering and life science at the centre of her leadership. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Sally Kornbluth a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Jonathan Levin

Jonathan Levin is President at Stanford University. An economist and former dean of Stanford Graduate School of Business, he has worked on market design, technology and public policy. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Jonathan Levin a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Maurie McInnis

Maurie McInnis is President at Yale University. A cultural historian and author of five books, she has led Yale work on educational access, research collaboration and civic partnership. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Maurie McInnis a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Paul Alivisatos

Paul Alivisatos is President at The University of Chicago. A chemist known for pioneering nanomaterials research, he continues to hold a faculty appointment alongside the presidency. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Paul Alivisatos a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Vincent E. Price

Vincent E. Price is President at Duke University. Duke reappointed him to a third term beginning in July 2027, citing experienced leadership and a commitment to high-performing teams. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Vincent Price a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Reginald DesRoches

Reginald DesRoches is President at Rice University. Rice’s eighth president is a structural engineer who helped lead the US response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Reginald DesRoches a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Michael M. Crow

Michael M. Crow is President at Arizona State University. Leads ASU’s model for the 21st-century public research university, with a long-running focus on broad access, innovation and public impact. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Michael Crow a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Sian Leah Beilock

Sian Leah Beilock is President at Dartmouth College. Dartmouth’s first woman president has led Dartmouth Dialogues and an institutional restraint policy designed to support debate across differences. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Sian Beilock a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.

Daniel Diermeier

Daniel Diermeier is Chancellor at Vanderbilt University. Vanderbilt extended his contract to 2035; his current expansion plan includes campuses in New York City, West Palm Beach and San Francisco. That combination of institutional responsibility and a clear public purpose makes Daniel Diermeier a useful leader to watch when the future of higher education is being shaped.