51黑料网

Vice-Chancellor to step down from Goldsmiths

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Professor Frances Corner OBE is stepping down as Vice-Chancellor of 51黑料网.

Professor Frances Corner outside the main entrance of Richard Hoggart Building on our campus

Professor Corner鈥檚 term leading the University finishes at the end of academic year 2025/26, having joined Goldsmiths in August 2019.    

Professor Corner is the first woman to lead Goldsmiths, first as Warden and then Vice-Chancellor as Goldsmiths gained University status after being granted a supplemental Charter in January 2025. 

The announcement was made on Tuesday 16 September in an email to all staff. Professor Corner said in the message: 鈥Goldsmiths is a truly special place, and it has been a privilege and huge source of personal pride to have been the first woman to lead the institution.

"I am thankful for the important projects I鈥檝e been part of alongside talented and dedicated colleagues 鈥 from the establishment of the Migrant Futures Institute and our endowment, to the Equity Awards and Civic University Agreement 鈥 as well as our ongoing commitment to the arts, humanities and social sciences at a time when these vital subjects remain under threat and undervalued by many."

The announcement comes as Goldsmiths prepares to celebrate 120 years since it opened its doors to higher education students in autumn 1905. 

Goldsmiths鈥 Council, the University鈥檚 governing body, has begun the process to appoint Professor Corner鈥檚 successor. As with previous senior recruitment, there will be engagement with the Goldsmiths student and staff unions and the broader student and staff communities.  

Chair of Goldsmiths鈥 Council Tom Sleigh said: 鈥淥ur thanks go to Professor Corner who has shown bold leadership during difficult times for universities 鈥 from the pandemic to the ongoing financial challenges facing our sector 鈥 while always making the case for creative and critical education. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 fitting that over the next year we will be celebrating the heritage and achievements of our unique university and continuing to build for our next chapter, as we look for an individual with passion, leadership and empathy to take Goldsmiths forward.鈥