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Men dominate top university posts

THE typical university vice-chancellor is male, holds a science or related degree and may have been to Oxbridge, according to a survey published today.

They are increasing likely to come from overseas, probably boast an unusual hobby and, if one prescription is to be believed, should be "not unduly charismatic".

The profile emerged from a poll carried out by the Times Higher Education Supplement ahead of the annual residential meeting of university heads in Oxford next week.

Of the UK's 117 vice-chancellors, 102 are men, 14 come from abroad and 70 have taken science or other numerate degrees.

Many come from privileged educational backgrounds themselves: 34 went to Oxbridge, 27 to grammar school and at least nine to independent school.

Michael Wright, vice-chancellor of Aston University, said the increasing number of foreign appointments reflected the more global nature of academia.

"I think it mirrors moves in business, commerce and industry," he said.

"Universities try to get the best individual for the job and it's a global market."

Caution

Although the poll also found that while many vice-chancellors have spent time in industry, some expressed caution over appointing business leaders to head up universities.

Michael Sterling, vice-chancellor of Birmingham University, previously worked at Associated Electrical Industries, which later became GEC.

He said: "It's a brave person who challenges the CEO in industry but academics are fiercely independent - that's what they are paid to do.

"It would be a sad day if all university values were straightforwardly commercial."

An interesting hobby also appears to be high on the list of desirable CV points for vice-chancellors. Those listed in the survey include arctophilia (collecting teddy bears) and mycophagy (eating mushrooms).

According to Prof Sterling, a hearty appetite is essential as "you are seen as the stomach of the university".

Peter Knight, vice-chancellor of the University of Central England, was even more brutal in his view about how to get to the top of the educational tree.

In his view, ambitious academics should be "not unduly charismatic".