Frances Corner will step down as vice-chancellor of Goldsmiths, University of London at the end of the 2025-26 academic year.?

Corner, who has led the institution since 2019, was Goldsmith's first female warden and vice-chancellor. The news was shared with staff in an email on 16 September.

¡°Goldsmiths is a truly special place, and it has been a privilege and huge source of personal pride to have been the first woman to lead the institution,¡± Corner told colleagues.

¡°I am thankful for the important projects I¡¯ve been part of alongside talented and dedicated colleagues ¨C from the establishment of the Migrant Futures Institute and our endowment, to the Equity Awards and Civic University Agreement ¨C as well as our ongoing commitment to the arts, humanities and social sciences at a time when these vital subjects remain under threat and undervalued by many.¡±

51³Ô¹Ï

Corner¡¯s leadership has been marked by both innovation and turbulence.

She has overseen new initiatives designed to bolster the institution¡¯s profile and sustainability, including the launch of an endowment fund supported by a ?4 million art donation, alongside a ?2 million cash gift.

51³Ô¹Ï

But?Goldsmiths faced a ¡°significant¡± deficit this year, with Corner warning that government cuts to the strategic priorities grant ¨C costing the institution ?87,000 ¨C came on top of a ?1.3 million rise in its national insurance bill.

Falling student recruitment has further compounded the shortfall.

In May, she told staff the university was in a ¡°regrettable¡± position, with voluntary severance, a promotion freeze and professional services restructuring among the measures brought forward to balance the books.

Goldsmiths University and College Union (UCU) described the proposals as ¡°self-destructive cost-cutting measures that have damaged institutions, overworked staff and impoverished resources for students¡±.

51³Ô¹Ï

Industrial tensions have been accompanied by reputational challenges.

Under Corner¡¯s leadership, Goldsmiths launched the first independent inquiry by a UK university into antisemitism and its prevention on campus.

Corner emphasised that the investigation responded to a national rise in antisemitism rather than specific incidents at the college and aimed to maintain a safe and supportive environment for Jewish students and staff.?

Goldsmiths¡¯ council, the university¡¯s governing body, has begun the process of recruiting a successor. As with previous senior appointments, the process will involve consultation with staff and student unions as well as the wider community.

51³Ô¹Ï

Tom Sleigh, chair of council, paid tribute to Corner: ¡°Our thanks go to Professor Corner who has shown bold leadership during difficult times for universities ¨C from the pandemic to the ongoing financial challenges facing our sector ¨C while always making the case for creative and critical education.¡±

tash.mosheim@timeshighereducation.com