Vice-Chancellor

Professor Deborah Prentice, Vice-Chancellor

Professor Deborah Prentice became the University of Cambridge’s 347th Vice-Chancellor on 1 July 2023.

An eminent psychologist, Professor Prentice carried out her academic and administrative career at Princeton University, which she first joined in 1988. At Princeton, she served for twelve years as Head of the Department of Psychology, three years as Dean of the Faculty, and six years as Provost, with primary responsibility for all academic, budgetary, and long-term planning issues. She was also the Alexander Stewart 1886 Professor of Psychology and Public Affairs and taught in both the psychology department and the policy school. Her academic expertise is in the study of social norms and specifically how norms function as inhibitors and facilitators of behaviour change. She continues to lecture on this topic in Cambridge and elsewhere.

As Vice-Chancellor, Professor Prentice serves on the boards of Cambridge University Health Partners, Cambridge Ahead, and the Russell Group, among others. She chairs the University Council, and represents the University on several international bodies, including the League of European Research Universities and the International Alliance of Research Universities.

Professor Prentice did her first degree in Human Biology and Music at Stanford University and her PhD in Psychology at Yale University.

The University Council nominated Professor Prentice for appointment as Vice-Chancellor in September 2022, and her appointment was subsequently approved by the Regent House.

About the Vice-Chancellorship

The Vice-Chancellor is the principal academic and administrative officer of the University. They chair the Council of the University, the General Board of the Faculties and the Finance Committee of the Council. The main tasks of the Vice-Chancellor are to:

• provide leadership, academic and administrative to the whole University
• represent the University externally, both within the UK and overseas
• secure a financial base sufficient to allow the delivery of the University's mission, aims and objectives
• carry out certain important ceremonial and civic duties

Contact the Vice-Chancellor's Office