Oxford University has announced its shortlist of five candidates for its next Chancellor, including two vying to be the first female in the role.
The list was whittled down from a 38-strong longlist after 23,000 alumni and university staff voted online.
Among those now battling for the job are Lady Elish Angiolini, a senior Scottish lawyer who is principal of Oxford’s St Hugh’s College and chairman of the Sarah Everard inquiry.
There is also Baroness Jan Royall, principal of Somerville College in Oxford, who has been criticised by free speech campaigners for previously making students take an ‘unconscious bias’ course.
The other three are former Tory leader Lord Hague, ex-Labour minister Lord Mandelson and former Tory Attorney General Dominic Grieve.
Oxford University has unveiled the final five people for the role (general view)
Among those now battling for the job are Lady Elish Angiolini, a senior Scottish lawyer who is principal of Oxford’s St Hugh’s College and chairman of the Sarah Everard inquiry
There is also Baroness Jan Royall, principal of Somerville College in Oxford, who has been criticised by free speech campaigners for previously making students take an ‘unconscious bias’ course
Former Tory leader Lord Hague is one of five candidates whittled down from a 38-strong longlist after 23,000 alumni and university staff voted online
Ex-Labour minister Lord Mandelson is also in the running. The selection process was shaken up this year, with voting and applications taking place online for the first time to encourage more diversity
Former Tory Attorney General Dominic Grieve is another candidate. Throughout Oxford’s history, the role has only ever been held by men – and over the last 100 years these have all been politicians, mostly Tory
It comes after Lord Patten announced that he would be retiring after more than 20 years in the position.
The selection process was shaken up this year, with voting and applications taking place online for the first time to encourage more diversity.
The result was an eclectic mix of applicants, both male and female, including a Zumba teacher, a clergyman and an Amazon worker.
Throughout Oxford’s history, the role has only ever been held by men – and over the last 100 years these have all been politicians, mostly Tory.
The second round of voting will take place later this month, with the new Chancellor announced in the week of November 25.
They will be in post for a fixed term of no more than 10 years, while previously terms have lasted a lifetime.
While the Chancellor is only a ceremonial head of the university, the role does involve advising the management.