Outgoing Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University Professor Andrew Hamilton will replace John Sexton as the next President of New York University (NYU). He is expected to take up the position in January 2016.
Andrew Hamilton became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford in 2009, having previously served as Provost of Yale University.
Prior to this appointment, Hamilton had several academic posts as a chemist, including at Princeton University. He has also held professorships at the Universities of Pittsburgh and Yale. In 2004, Professor Hamilton was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Hamilton’s time as Vice-Chancellor has not been without controversy. He has previously been criticised for his salary of £442,000, which is the third highest of any university boss in the country.
In 2013, Hamilton also spoke out against the current tuition fee rules in the UK, suggesting that top universities should be able to charge more to reflect the difference in the quality of teaching between institutions. Hamilton noted at the time that it costs £16,000 a year to teach a student in Oxford.
Speaking of his departure Hamilton said, “It is a huge privilege to serve this great university and will remain so for the rest of my time here. It is premature to talk of achievements and legacies – there is still much to be done on my watch – but I am delighted to have been part of a very exciting, dynamic and successful time in Oxford’s long and illustrious history.
“It won’t be easy to leave Oxford. I have learnt a great deal, and I’m sure the insights and experience gained here will stand me in good stead in my new role in New York.”
The committee in charge of nominating the next Vice-Chancellor is expected to put forward a name by early June.
