Who Should Run Our Universities? Time to Break the Mold?
As universities face financial strain, political pressure, and a crisis of purpose, the question of who leads them is no longer academic. It’s existential. The role of vice-chancellor, once reserved for scholarly stewards, is now a battleground between tradition and transformation.
The recent debate following publication of our joint GS/HEPI report has exposed deep fault lines in how we are thinking about leadership in higher education. The message is clear: the old models aren’t working.
Academia’s Leadership Crisis: Insiders, Outsiders, or Neither?
Should vice-chancellors be lifelong academics or ‘outsiders’ from business and beyond? Insiders know the culture but often lack the courage to disrupt it. Outsiders bring fresh thinking but risk crashing into walls of resistance. The truth? Neither group has a monopoly on good leadership. The sector needs more leaders who can navigate complexity, challenge orthodoxy, and still speak the language of academia.
The VC as CEO: Progress or Problem?
Let’s stop pretending the vice-chancellor role is purely academic. Today’s university leaders are de facto CEOs, expected to deliver strategy, manage crises, and balance budgets, all while preserving the soul of the institution. But where’s the training? Where’s the pipeline? We’re asking for unicorns and wondering why we can’t find them.
Diversity: Still Just a Buzzword?
Despite decades of rhetoric, university leadership remains shockingly homogenous. If we’re serious about innovation, why are we still drawing from the same narrow pool? It’s time to stop hiring for pedigree and start hiring for potential.
Metrics Madness: Are We Measuring the Wrong Things?
Rankings. KPIs. League tables. These metrics dominate leadership evaluations but do they reflect what really matters? Are we rewarding short-term wins at the expense of long-term mission? If leadership is reduced to numbers, do we risk losing the very essence of what universities stand for.
Leadership Isn’t a Solo Sport
The myth of the heroic vice-chancellor is outdated. Real leadership is collective. It’s about teams, not titles. Strategic duos (such as the recent models introduced at Buckinghamshire, LSBU and UCA) cross-functional collaboration, and shared accountability are the future. Why are we still clinging to an outdated model?
If these questions resonate or make you uncomfortable, then you need to be at our upcoming webinar. This isn’t just another panel. It’s a call to action. Let’s stop managing decline and start leading transformation. The future of our universities depends on it.
Date: Wednesday 2 July 2025
Time: 14:00-15:00
Register here