College elects Acting President
Dr Rachel Polonsky to serve until 2027-28 academic year
The College is pleased to announce that Dr Rachel Polonsky has been elected as Acting President until the end of the 2026-2027 academic year. The College will seek to appoint its next President in time for the start of the 2027-2028 academic year.
Rachel has been a Fellow of Murray Edwards since 2011, and is an affiliated lecturer in the Department of Slavonic Studies. She was Vice President of the College between 2019 and 2023, and has been Acting President since 22 September 2025.
Rachel said: "I am delighted to be continuing in my role as Acting President while the College chooses my successor. It is a privilege to lead this extraordinary institution, nurturing it as a unique environment for women's education and personal growth."
She added: "We look forward to the renovation over the summer of the Rosemary Murray Library, a masterpiece of mid-century modernism and one of our best-loved spaces. In September we will celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of our remarkable Chamberlin, Powell and Bon buildings with a symposium and an exhibition, The Sixties Renaissance. For the coming decades, we have fresh and ambitious plans to fit our beautiful estate for generations of students to come."
Rachel's election follows the election last month of Professor Stephen Morris as Vice-President. Steve will work closely with the President, acting on her behalf when she is unavailable, overseeing Fellows' events, supporting the Fellowship, and leading the election processes for a President or Acting President when required. He will continue in the role through to 30 September 2030.