Deborah Prentice has appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge in July 2023. Prior to this role, she served as the Provost at Princeton University for 6 years between 2017 to 2023, where she also held the position of Alexander Stewart 1886 Professor of Psychology and Public Affairs.
During her tenure at Princeton, Prentice played a pivotal role in enhancing the university’s academic mission and financial stability. She led strategic initiatives that transformed the campus, including nearly 20 projects stemming from the university’s 2016 strategic planning framework. Her leadership was instrumental in guiding Princeton through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, redesigning undergraduate financial aid and graduate stipend packages, and strengthening the university’s academic quality.
As a scholar, Prentice’s research focuses on social norms, particularly how they influence behavior and can be leveraged to address societal issues. Her pioneering work on pluralistic ignorance and alcohol use on college campuses has informed numerous educational and intervention programs.
At Cambridge, Prentice has emphasized the critical role of research-intensive universities in driving economic growth and societal advancement. She advocates for increased investment and support to enable these institutions to innovate and tackle global challenges effectively. Under her leadership, Cambridge has launched initiatives to foster innovation, attract top researchers, and strengthen its contributions to both the local community and the broader global context.
Prentice’s leadership reflects a commitment to advancing higher education through strategic planning, fostering academic excellence, and leveraging research to address pressing societal issues.