Imran Khan Enters Oxford Chancellor Race from Prison, Citing Deep University Ties

Imran Khan, the imprisoned former prime minister of Pakistan, has submitted his application to run for the position of Oxford University’s next chancellor. This comes as the university’s graduates and staff prepare to vote later this year. Khan’s candidacy is noteworthy not only due to his political background but also because of his deep connections with the university—he studied politics, philosophy, and economics at Keble College in the 1970s and played cricket for the university. Additionally, Khan served as the chancellor of the University of Bradford for eight years.

The election for the largely ceremonial role of Oxford’s chancellor is set to take place online from October 28, allowing a broader participation of eligible voters, including Oxford graduates and academic staff. The role of the chancellor, while non-executive, involves significant responsibilities such as chairing the committee that appoints the vice-chancellor, as well as being involved in fundraising, advocacy, and oversight.

Khan’s bid comes at a time when he is imprisoned on multiple charges in Pakistan, following his ousting as prime minister in 2022. The election to replace the current chancellor, Chris Patten, has attracted other high-profile potential candidates, including Elish Angiolini, the former lord advocate of Scotland, and Margaret Casely-Hayford, former chair of Shakespeare’s Globe, both of whom could become the first female chancellor in Oxford’s history. Other potential candidates include former Labour minister Peter Mandelson and former Conservative leader William Hague.

The final list of candidates will be published in early October, with the election results anticipated shortly thereafter.