Podcast: In conversation with Andrew Hamilton
August 5, 2026
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2 min read
In this episode of Not Alone: Leaders in conversation, host Professor Rafael Bras sits down with Professor Andrew Hamilton — President Emeritus of New York University, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, chemist and higher education leader, whose career has spanned the United Kingdom, Canada, France and the United States.
Drawing on decades of experience leading some of the world's most influential universities, Professor Hamilton reflects on what it takes to lead complex academic institutions through periods of profound change. Listen nowopens in new tab/window
Main topics covered in the episode include:
Why staying active as a researcher strengthened his leadership
How university leadership has changed in an increasingly complex environment
The importance of defending science and maintaining public trust
Why international education and global engagement remain essential
Lessons from leading Oxford and NYU through periods of transformation
Balancing institutional principles with pragmatism during times of crisis
What effective leadership looks like in today's universities
The governance challenges facing higher education around the world
Professor Hamilton also shares thoughtful reflections on institutional neutrality, the lessons universities should carry forward from moments such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and why leaders must avoid rigid positions in an unpredictable world. Whether you're a university leader, researcher, policymaker, or anyone interested in the future of higher education, this episode offers timely insights into leadership, governance, trust, and the enduring role of universities in an increasingly interconnected world. Coming up next: In the next, October episode host Rafael Bras talks to Professor Sir Edward Byrne, President of KAUST in Saudi Arabia. He discusses advances and limits in neuroscience, including neuroimaging, genetics, and the unresolved nature of consciousness, and considers how AI and supercomputing might evolve toward human-like judgment, alongside risks and governance concerns.
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