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Oxford is one of the best universities in the world.
The very best, according to the current edition of Times Higher Education, or the third best behind the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Imperial College London, according to the international QS World University Rankings.
Either way, it is la crème de la crème of the UK’s higher education sector, one of the few areas of international competition where this country can claim to be truly “world-beating”.
This means that being the figurehead representing the university as its chancellor is one of the most desirable berths for a senior member of the British establishment, including former prime ministers and political leaders.
Now there is a vacancy following the decision of Lord Chris Patten to retire at the age of 80 after 20 years as chancellor.
Applicants, including some household names, have just a week until 11.59pm on Sunday 18 August to get their nominations in.
However politely this election will be fought out behind the scenes, the battle for the job will do more than pitch rival “retired” politicians against each other.
Woke will come up against anti-woke, many would-like to see the first female chancellor and there is a strong tide among the academics who work at the university to install one of their own rather than the statesmen who have presided over them since Tudor times.
Technology allows for a more open contest
The chancellorship dates back exactly 800 years. Oliver Cromwell, the first Duke of Wellington, and prime ministers Lord Salisbury and Harold Macmillan are some of those who have occupied the post.
This contest will be more open than ever because for the first time all members of the so-called “convocation”, including more than 250,000 graduates of the university, will be able…
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