Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Ms Heiming writes in her candidate statement: 'The request is, that I should explain why I am a suitable candidate. I shall reverse this and try to understand what would make me an unsuitable candidate. By what criteria would I be excluded? Is it that I am a female physicist, turned wife, mother, teacher and musician? Is it that I put my family before my career to enable my children to have all the benefits that my mother gave me? Is it that I was born in the UK but have lived in France and Germany, can speak fluent French and German, can understand and read Hebrew, Greek and Italian and dabble in many other languages? Is it that I have successfully completed many online Oxford Continuing Education Courses, ranging from politics, economics, theology, reasons for epidemics and mathematics? Is it that I have always been an "All-Rounder" and have a wide knowledge and interest in many different areas of research? Is it that I have done voluntary work in schools, homes for refugees and church? Is it that I studied for a D.Phil in solid-state physics at Wadham College, University of Oxford and a BSc at the University of Birmingham. That I was a fellow at Warwick University, seconded to the Institut Laue Langevin in France? Is it because I do not advertise myself on social networks? Is it because I try to live my life on the prinicples of "Love your Neighbour" and forgiveness? Is it because I have helped pupils, students and adult learners, giving them a chance and a second chance to achieve their academic and personal potential? Is it because I believe in the sharing of knowledge and excellence and world-changing potential of the University of Oxford? Is it because I answered my father, over thirty years ago, when he asked me what my dream job would be, with "The Chancellor of the University of Oxford"? Is it because I am used to investing all my time and energy into causes that are important, that I am enthusiastic and full of ideas? Is it just because I am not famous, not a politician, not a top businessman, not wealthy and have only been mentioned for good deeds in the local "Ruhr Nachrichten" newspaper, not splashed across the front pages of a national newspaper? Is it because I am me?'
After centuries of exclusion, for the first time an authentically inclusive, diverse, and open application process has been introduced for the rôle of chancellor of the university. The aim is to attract the very best applicants from the widest possible range of backgrounds and expertise: the legal profession, tour-guiding, animal appreciation, music, the armed forces, environmentalism, gym management, linguistics, zentangle practice, voluntary work, politics, anthropology, swimming, homemaking, art, philanthropy, DEI activism, physics, wealth management, Indian classical vocalism, information technology, schizophrenia, zumba instruction, ethics, women's studies, hiking, LGBTQIA+ advocacy, mentoring, tribalism, Indian sub-continental education, business, urban planning. There is also a wish to draw candidates from a wider range of regions, with a particular focus on the Indian sub-continent, especially the Punjab.
Ms Heiming writes in her candidate statement: 'The request is, that I should explain why I am a suitable candidate. I shall reverse this and try to understand what would make me an unsuitable candidate. By what criteria would I be excluded? Is it that I am a female physicist, turned wife, mother, teacher and musician? Is it that I put my family before my career to enable my children to have all the benefits that my mother gave me? Is it that I was born in the UK but have lived in France and Germany, can speak fluent French and German, can understand and read Hebrew, Greek and Italian and dabble in many other languages? Is it that I have successfully completed many online Oxford Continuing Education Courses, ranging from politics, economics, theology, reasons for epidemics and mathematics? Is it that I have always been an "All-Rounder" and have a wide knowledge and interest in many different areas of research? Is it that I have done voluntary work in schools, homes for refugees and church? Is it that I studied for a D.Phil in solid-state physics at Wadham College, University of Oxford and a BSc at the University of Birmingham. That I was a fellow at Warwick University, seconded to the Institut Laue Langevin in France? Is it because I do not advertise myself on social networks? Is it because I try to live my life on the prinicples of "Love your Neighbour" and forgiveness? Is it because I have helped pupils, students and adult learners, giving them a chance and a second chance to achieve their academic and personal potential? Is it because I believe in the sharing of knowledge and excellence and world-changing potential of the University of Oxford? Is it because I answered my father, over thirty years ago, when he asked me what my dream job would be, with "The Chancellor of the University of Oxford"? Is it because I am used to investing all my time and energy into causes that are important, that I am enthusiastic and full of ideas? Is it just because I am not famous, not a politician, not a top businessman, not wealthy and have only been mentioned for good deeds in the local "Ruhr Nachrichten" newspaper, not splashed across the front pages of a national newspaper? Is it because I am me?'
After centuries of exclusion, for the first time an authentically inclusive, diverse, and open application process has been introduced for the rôle of chancellor of the university. The aim is to attract the very best applicants from the widest possible range of backgrounds and expertise: the legal profession, tour-guiding, animal appreciation, music, the armed forces, environmentalism, gym management, linguistics, zentangle practice, voluntary work, politics, anthropology, swimming, homemaking, art, philanthropy, DEI activism, physics, wealth management, Indian classical vocalism, information technology, schizophrenia, zumba instruction, ethics, women's studies, hiking, LGBTQIA+ advocacy, mentoring, tribalism, Indian sub-continental education, business, urban planning. There is also a wish to draw candidates from a wider range of regions, with a particular focus on the Indian sub-continent, especially the Punjab.
