![](https://researchresearch-news-wordpress-media-live.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/2024/07/nancy_rothwell_feature-738x443.jpg)
Image: Grace Gay for Research Professional News. Source: University of Manchester; Getty Images
Retiring Manchester vice-chancellor embraces freedom to shape debate on future of universities and research
Nancy Rothwell has been too busy to think about her retirement in August after more than 40 years in higher education—14 of them as vice-chancellor of the University of Manchester.
There have been graduations and “a zillion” leaving dos to attend, honorary degrees to accept, an unveiling of her portrait, a civic dinner. She has also been preparing for the arrival of her successor, Duncan Ivison, a former deputy vice-chancellor for research at the University of Sydney, who will shadow her for a month before he begins his role. By the time we meet at 1.30pm, she has already emailed him three times that day.