Louise Richardson became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford in 2016, having previously served as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews, Scotland, for seven years. A political scientist by training, Professor Richardson received a BA in History from Trinity College Dublin in her native Ireland. She then studied in the USA, graduating with an MA in Political Science from UCLA, and subsequently an MA and PhD in Government from Harvard University. Professor Richardson’s research specialises in international security with a particular emphasis on terrorist movements. She has written widely on international terrorism, British foreign and defence policy, security institutions, and international relations.