Leadership, Leadership Quote of the Week

We have a responsibility to speak out

Professor Dame Sally Mapstone

This week, we are featuring a quote from Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews and a friend of the Laidlaw Foundation.


Professor Dame Sally Mapstone (1957-) is a prominent UK academic who currently serves as the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews. Born in South East England, Mapstone grew up in  West London. She completed her undergraduate degree at Wadham College, University of Oxford, gaining a BA in English language and literature. 

Her career began as an editor for the publishing house Weidenfeld and Nicolson, after which she moved back into academia. Mapstone was first a lecturer and then a reader at the University of Oxford. In 2009, she became Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Personnel and Equality) at the University of Oxford, becoming Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the same institution in 2011. In 2016, Mapstone was named the next Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews, a position she has held since.

Mapstone is passionate about championing diversity and inclusion. In this context, she has been instrumental in reviewing the University of St Andrews' admissions strategy. She has also implemented new university-wide diversity & inclusion initiatives catering for the needs of students and staff. 

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