Frontrunners emerge in contest to become TCD provost

THE BATTLE to become the next provost of Trinity College Dublin, ahead of Saturday’s election, appears to be a two-horse race.

TCD sources say the contest is between the two leading internal candidates, professor of modern history Jane Ohlmeyer and Professor of Engineering Patrick Prendergast.

Prof Ohlmeyer is attempting to make history by becoming the first female provost in Trinity’s 400-year history, and the first female leader of a university in the State. She is also trying to break a recent tradition where university leaders are drawn almost exclusively from the science and research area.

Five candidates will contest the election among about 680 TCD academics. The €200,000 post is the most prestigious in Irish higher education. It comes with a residence at 1 Grafton Street, which dates to 1759. It also boasts its own art collection, including works by Jack B Yeats.

The other candidates are Prof Colm Kearney of the school of business, Prof Des Fitzgerald, vice-president of research at UCD, and Prof John Boland, director of the CRANN Nanoscience Institute.

Prof Prendergast has been the long-time favourite for the post but he has adopted a more low-key approach than some of his rivals.

A historian with a strong international reputation, Prof Ohlmeyer has published widely on early modern Irish and British history. Her work as leader of Trinity’s 1641 Depositions Project was much lauded.

Prof Ohlmeyer’s campaign has been built around her strong academic reputation allied to her personal rapport with many academics. Her manifesto says there is a need to empower and renew the Trinity community. She also wants to promote a culture that is open and transparent in dealing with all college stakeholders and improve media relations.

Prof Prendergast – who stepped down as vice provost once the election was called – is seen as close to current provost, Dr John Hegarty. He appears to have the support of most senior academic figures and has promised to promote and defend academic freedom.