Oxford just elevated a woman to the post of vice-chancellor, the first time a female has been nominated to that post … ever. But now Professor Louise Richardson is one step closer to breaking one of the world’s oldest glass ceilings. Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, and a staunch reservoir of old world gravitas with a reputation for male-dominated leadership the term “Oxford don” has nearly become redundant. Still, by any fair measure, Oxford, a consistent favorite for best university in the UK, has earned its reputation as one of the world’s top educational institutions.
So, how ground-breaking is this nomination, exactly? In the eight centuries since its birth, Oxford has employed 271 vice-chancellors. Do we need to say they were all men? Might as well, because “we” won’t be able to say so for much longer. Certainly no one can argue Richardson hasn’t earned the position. The Irish-born educator was most recently head of the University of St. Andrews. Before that, she was executive dean of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. The pedigree and accomplishments are certainly worthy. But there have been many qualified women before. This move by Oxford is as much a political and public relations move as it is an outstanding hire.
Despite its incredible popularity and consistent customer demand, Oxford also maintains a bit of a stodgy image. Of stuffy men pontificating with faux erudition. The ultimate epitome of the ivy drenched towers of academia. Not bad, really, but the world has moved on. Society is morphing fast, and even the most stalwart of holdouts must mature to stay relevant.
There will come a time when a world-class institution of higher learning hiring a woman for the top job is not news, but that day is not here yet. There are many who believe that hastening this day will mean showering attention on both the places that embrace women and those that shut them out. Now, Oxford, finally, can count itself among the former.
