Sally Mapstone

Sally Mapstone was born in 1957 in Hillingdon, Middlesex, England,{{cite web |title=Mapstone, Prof. Sally Louise, (born 1957), Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of St Andrews, since 2016 |url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whoswho/U288098 |website=Who's Who 2021 |publisher=Oxford University Press |access-date=30 September 2021 |language=en |date=1 December 2020}} and grew up in West London. She read English language and literature at Wadham College, Oxford between 1975 and 1978, graduating with a first-class honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree.{{cite web |title=Professor Sally Mapstone FRSE - About |url=https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/about/governance/principal/professor-sally-mapstone-frse/ |website=University of St Andrews |access-date=30 September 2021}}

After graduating from Wadham in 1978, she became an editor with Weidenfeld and Nicolson publishers in London,[https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/about-us/governance-annual-reports-and-accounts/our-board/professor-dame-sally-mapstone-dbe-frse#:~:text=Sally%20read%20English%20Language%20and,tradition%20in%20Older%20Scots%20literature. Universities UK website, Our Board section, Professor Dame Sally Mapstone DBE, FRSE] She was also Mother of the Chapel of the National Union of Journalists at Weidenfeld.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} She then returned to the University of Oxford to undertake a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) degree at St Cross College. Her doctoral thesis was titled 'The advice to princes tradition in Scottish literature, 1450-1500'.{{cite thesis |last1=Mapstone |first1=Sally |title=The advice to princes tradition in Scottish literature, 1450-1500 |url=https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.386417 |website=E-Thesis Online Service |publisher=The British Library |access-date=30 September 2021 |date=1986|type=Ph.D }}{{cite web|title=Professor Sally Mapstone|url=https://www.council.ox.ac.uk/people/professor-sally-mapstone|publisher=University of Oxford Council|access-date=22 February 2016}} She was awarded her DPhil in 1986.

In 1984, Mapstone was appointed lecturer in Medieval English language and literature at Worcester College, Oxford, and Randall MacIver Junior Research Fellow at St Hilda's College, Oxford.[http://www.st-hildas.ox.ac.uk/academic-staff/academic-staff-professor-sally-mapstone Staff profile at St Hilda's College, Oxford] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424104248/http://www.st-hildas.ox.ac.uk/academic-staff/academic-staff-professor-sally-mapstone |date=24 April 2016}} At St Hilda's, she was lecturer in Medieval English language and literature, fellow and tutor in Medieval English language and literature, and Joanna Morse Memorial Fellow.

In 2006, she became reader in Older Scots literature at the university and was made professor of Older Scots literature in 2013. In the 2006-2007 academic year, she served as junior proctor of the university, and was appointed pro-vice-chancellor (personnel and equality) at Oxford in 2009.[http://www.ox.ac.uk/gazette/2009-10/supps/2_4925.pdf University of Oxford Gazette, Supplement (2) to No. 4925, Wednesday 21 July 2010, p. 1324] In 2011, she became pro-vice-chancellor (education)[http://www.ox.ac.uk/sites/files/oxford/Blueprint_January2011.pdf Blueprint University of Oxford staff magazine, January 2011, p. 4] with responsibility for Oxford's strategy and policies for teaching, learning, student support, and admissions.

On 1 September 2016, Mapstone took up her position as the 11th Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews, and was formally installed in post on 29 November 2016.[https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/news/archive/2016/title,969538,en.php Installation Address: Professor Sally Mapstone] In 2020, she accepted an invitation to extend her contract by five years to 2026.{{cite web | url=https://news.st-andrews.ac.uk/archive/st-andrews-principal-asked-to-extend-contract | title=St Andrews Principal asked to extend contract | University of St Andrews news }}

Mapstone was deputy chair of the University of Oxford Council and its General Purposes Committee, and served as a member and chair on a broad range of Oxford committees and boards. From 2011 to 2013, she chaired the group responsible for revising the university’s Strategic Plan 2013 to 2018.

She took a strong interest in diversity issues at Oxford, and launched the university’s mentoring scheme for senior women, Ad Feminam, in 2012. In 2016, she was the organiser of a major series of lectures by 'Women of Achievement'.[https://www.wadham.ox.ac.uk/news/2016/april/heading-north Wadham College, Oxford news]

She also served as the only British representative on the steering group for the pro-vice rectors for teaching and learning of the League of European Research Universities (LERU), and was lead author on an advice paper, Online Learning at Research-Intensive Universities,[http://www.leru.org/index.php/public/calendar/leru-open-seminar-on-online-learning/ LERU Open Seminar on Online Learning], 6 February 2015 published by LERU in 2014.

Mapstone has taken forward the university’s plans for the acquisition of the Madras College site, a former high school site on South Street in St Andrews, overseen a review of the university’s processes for promotion, launched a new university nursery, and sponsored and launched a new mentoring scheme for senior academic women, the Elizabeth Garrett Mentoring Programme. She also led the university through its response to the Covid-19 pandemic.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

In June 2020, Mapstone discussed racism and the Black Lives Matter movement in a weekly update to students. She wrote: “You are all part of one of the world’s great universities and are amongst the best and brightest minds of our times. You have resources and choices, intellect and opportunity, and the levers of change are closer to your hands than they are for millions of others. For the most part, you can breathe.”[https://www.news.st-andrews.ac.uk/archive/principals-message-to-all-st-andrews-students-and-staff St Andrews website, Principal’s message to all St Andrews students and staff, article dated 4 June 2020]

The comment “For the most part, you can breathe” was criticised by some students and praised by others{{Cite tweet |user=frankstarjacob |number=1269010736765906944 |title=2/2 Thank you for acknowledging and accepting responsibility in being "part of the establishment & structures which perpetuate discrimination". You've rightly pointed out "for the most, you can breathe" a privilege George never had. Lets create change through our actions.}}{{Cite web |date=2020-06-12 |title=Opinion: “Hollow words and empty promises” from our university. |url=https://protocolmag.com/2020/06/12/opinion-hollow-words-and-empty-promises-from-our-university/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328181007/https://protocolmag.com/2020/06/12/opinion-hollow-words-and-empty-promises-from-our-university/ |archive-date=2023-03-28 |access-date= |website=Protocol Magazine |language=en}} in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.[http://www.thesaint.scot/2020/06/tracing-the-student-and-university-response-to-the-black-lives-matter-movement/ The Saint] An open letter to the Principal in response to her comments, and addressing wider diversity concerns at the university, was signed by more than 2000 students.[https://thetab.com/uk/stand/2020/06/10/over-2200-sign-open-letter-to-st-andrews-principal-demanding-action-over-diversity-policies-22866 The Tab][https://docs.google.com/document/d/10dFgbwc2BU5FiHlIAVqqdjW35P7Myc5yreKgYGf0lLg/edit, Open Letter to Principal Mapstone]

On 12 June 2020, Mapstone offered a public apology on behalf of the university for its past failures in supporting BAME students and staff,[https://news.st-andrews.ac.uk/archive/blm-st-andrews-says-sorry/ University of St Andrews] the first Scottish Principal to do so.

On 21 November 2021, she wrote in an email to students about how she hoped that “trans rights will continue to be the subject of positive personal, academic and political discourse in society”. This was criticised by many students who said that trans rights should not be debated.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thesaint.scot/post/university-email-addressing-transfest-leads-to-backlash|title = University Email Addressing TransFest Leads to Backlash|date = 24 November 2021}} A motion in the Students' Representative Council for the University of St Andrews' Students' Association has since been passed “to condemn the recent rise in transphobic incidents and extend support to our trans and non-binary community”.{{cite tweet|number=1463582441323515905|user=standrewsunion|title=At Tuesday evening's meeting, the SRC passed a motion unanimously to condemn the recent rise in transphobic inciden…|date=24 November 2021}}

In 2022, Mapstone worked with the student-led subcommittee Saints LGBT+ to record a video welcome for new students at St Andrews, in which she reaffirmed the university’s support for all LGBTQ+ students.

In the video, she says: “At St Andrews it is our goal to make the university a safe and supportive one in which you can become the very best version of yourself academically, but also personally. That means realising who you are, being empowered to make the choices that are right for yourself, and having the confidence to be who you wish. At St Andrews we will make every effort to support you from day one.”{{Cite web |title=Principal's message for LGBT+ students |url=https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AKk4Kircd/ |website=Facebook}}

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During Mapstone's tenure, the university attained a historic first place ranking in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide for 2022.[https://news.st-andrews.ac.uk/archive/times-and-sunday-times-guide-2022-league-tables/ University of St Andrews website, Times and Sunday Times Guide 2-22: league tables, article dated September 17, 2021] This was the first time in the history of this and any other domestic league table that an institution other than the universities of Oxford and Cambridge has ranked first.[https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/fife/2542046/historic-win-for-st-andrews-university-as-it-ranks-best-in-uk-toppling-cambridge-and-oxford-from-first-place/ The Courier website, Historic win for St Andrews University as it ranks best in UK toppling Cambridge and Oxford from first place]

The University of St Andrews has also come first for student satisfaction with the academic experience in the National Student Survey for each year of her principalship. However since 2016 the university ranking in both QS and Times Higher world ranking tables has deteriorated, falling in the Times Higher rankings from 86th in 2016 to 193rd in 2024.https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/university-st-andrews

Since taking office at St Andrews, Mapstone has led on developing a new strategic plan for 2018-2023, which launched in the autumn of 2018. The plan was refreshed and relaunched in November 2022 as the University Strategy 2022 to 2027.

Mapstone also fulfils several leadership roles outside the University of St Andrews. She was elected Vice-Convener of Universities Scotland (US) in 2020 for a two-year term.[https://news.st-andrews.ac.uk/archive/principal-elected-vice-convener-of-universities-scotland/ University of St Andrews website, Principal elected Vice-Convener of Universities Scotland, article dated 30 June 2020] She was then elected Convener for a two-year term that commenced in August 2022.[https://www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/our-history/ Universities Scotland website, Our History]

She currently serves as:

• Convener of Universities Scotland
• Chair of the advisory board of the Higher Education Policy Institute[https://www.hepi.ac.uk/about-us/who-we-are/advisory-board/4227-2/ Higher Education Policy Institute advisory board]
• Chair of Universities Scotland’s Admissions Policy Group
• Vice-chair of the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland
• a member of the board of Universities UK (UUK)[https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/about/Pages/universities-uk-board.aspx Universities UK Board]
• a trustee of UCAS
• a trustee of the Europaeum.

In August 2023, Dame Sally took over the [https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/about-us/people Presidency of Universities UK (UUK)].

Mapstone's research is primarily on Older Scots literature of the 14th to 17th centuries (including literature in Latin) and on book history. A number of her publications concern the identification of previously unrecognised textual witnesses to Older Scots texts. She has also published on Chaucer and Malory, and on Shakespeare, as well as on later Scottish writers.

She is past president and honorary president of the Scottish Text Society.[https://www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/about-us/who-we-represent/#university-15 Universities Scotland website, Who We Represent, retrieved October 28, 2024] She is also a member of the advisory board of Studies in Scottish Literature, a member of the editorial board of Scottish Studies Review (to 2009), and an honorary fellow of the Project for the History of the Book in Scotland at the University of Edinburgh. She was elected a fellow of the English Association in 2013. As Principal of the university, she sits on the judging panel for the St Andrews Prize for the Environment.{{cite web |title=About the St Andrews Prize |url=https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/st-andrews-prize/about/ |website=st-andrews.ac.uk |publisher=University of St Andrews |access-date=4 March 2023}}

In May 2017, she became the first UK university leader to be honoured by the Foreign Policy Association, which presented her with a medal to recognise her leadership in international higher education, and made her an honorary fellow.[https://www.stx.ox.ac.uk/people/sally-mapstone St Cross College Oxford website, Sally Mapstone] She also received a silver medal from the University of Helsinki, whose international advisory board she chaired from 2015 to 2021.[https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/about/governance/principal/professor-dame-sally-mapstone-dbe-frse/ University of St Andrews website, Professor Dame Sally Mapstone FRSE]

In 2017, she was made an emeritus fellow of St Hilda's College, Oxford, and an honorary fellow of Wadham College, Oxford, and St Cross College, Oxford.[https://www.stx.ox.ac.uk/people/honorary-fellows Honorary fellows], 'St Cross College, Oxford', Retrieved 22 August 2017 In June 2018, she was appointed the first woman president of the Saltire Society[https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/saltire-society-appoints-uni-principal-as-first-woman-president-1-4748701 Saltire Society appoints uni principal as first woman president], Retrieved 01 June 2018 and, in February 2019, she was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.[https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/fife/839916/st-andrews-academics-honoured-by-society/ St Andrews academics honoured by society], Retrieved 13 March 2019

Mapstone was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Aberdeen in 2019 for her contribution to the field of Older Scots literature and for her record of leadership in higher education and widening access.{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Craig |title=St Andrews University principal given honorary degree by Aberdeen |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/education/higher-education/917867/st-andrews-university-principal-given-honorary-degree-by-aberdeen/ |website=The Courier |access-date=15 December 2023 |language=en |date=19 June 2019}}

Mapstone was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) in June 2022 for services to higher education.{{cite web |title=Queen's Birthday Honours recognises Dame Sally Mapstone |url=https://www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/queens-birthday-honours-recognises-dame-sally-mapstone/ |website=Universities Scotland |access-date=15 December 2023 |language=en |date=2 June 2022}}

• Scots and their Books in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance (Oxford, 1996)[https://www.abebooks.co.uk/book-search/author/sally-mapstone ABE Books website, Sally Mapstone]
• The Long Fifteenth Century: Essays for Douglas Gray, co-ed. with Helen Cooper (Oxford, 1997)
• The Rose and the Thistle: Essays on the Culture of Late Medieval and Renaissance Scotland, co-ed. with Juliette Wood (East Linton, 1998)
• A Palace in the Wild: Vernacular Culture and Humanism in Late Medieval and Renaissance Scotland, co-ed., with L. A. J. R. Houwen and A. A. MacDonald, (Leuven, 2000)
• William Dunbar: 'The Nobill Poyet' (ed.) (East Linton, 2001)
• The European Sun, co-ed, with G. Caie, R. J. Lyall, and K. Simpson (East Linton, 2001)
• Older Scots Literature (ed.) (Edinburgh, 2005)
• The Edinburgh History of the Book in Scotland, Volume 1; Medieval to 1707, co-ed., with Alastair Mann (Edinburgh University Press, 2018)[https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18314160-the-edinburgh-history-of-the-book-in-scotland-volume-1 GoodReads website, The Edinburgh History of the Book in Scotland, Volume 1; Medieval to 1707]

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Category:Living people

Category:Alumni of Wadham College, Oxford

Category:Alumni of St Cross College, Oxford

Category:Principals of the University of St Andrews

Category:1957 births

Category:Academics from London

Category:Place of birth missing (living people)

Category:British literary historians

Category:Fellows of St Hilda's College, Oxford

Category:Women heads of universities and colleges

Category:Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Category:Presidents of the Saltire Society