Deborah Prentice Will Be the First American to Lead University of Cambridge in England

Deborah Prentice, provost and the Alexander Stewart 1886 Professor of Psychology and Public Affairs at Princeton University in New Jersey, has been nominated to be the next vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge in England. She would be the first American to fill the top academic and administrative role at the university, among the world’s oldest, which was founded in 1209.

“I welcome the challenge of helping Cambridge write the next chapter of its long and proud history,” Dr. Prentice said. “Higher education around the world faces many challenges, but I firmly believe there are also great opportunities to demonstrate how our leading universities can together harness their expertise to solve global problems.”

Dr. Prentice began her career at Princeton in 1988 as a psychology instructor while still a doctoral candidate. She was appointed assistant professor of psychology the following year, associate professor in 1995, and professor of psychology in 2000. She was dean of the faculty from 2014 to 2017 and earlier was chair of the department of psychology for 12 years. She has been provost for the past five years.

Professor Prentice studies social norms and her research has focused on gender stereotypes, intimate partner violence, and excessive alcohol use. She is a past president of the International Society for Self and Identity

Prentice earned her bachelor’s degree from Stanford University. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from Yale University