Canadian academic nominated for position at England’s Cambridge University

TORONTO – The director of the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs has been nominated as vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge.

The nomination of Prof. Stephen Toope — an international law scholar and former president and vice-chancellor of the University of British Columbia — is subject to the approval of the governing body of the British university.

In announcing the nomination on Monday, the university said Toope is a scholar specializing in human rights, international dispute resolution, international environmental law, and the use of force.

Toope has degrees in common law and civil law with honours from McGill University, and is an alumnus of Trinity College Cambridge, where he completed his doctorate in 1987.

He graduated from Harvard with a degree in history and literature in 1979, and has published articles and books on change in international law, and the origins of international obligation in international society.

Cambridge says it carried out an international search for the position of vice-chancellor and Toope is expected to take over the position on Oct. 1, 2017, becoming university’s 346th vice-chancellor since 1412.

“I am thrilled to be returning to this great university,” Toope said in a release.

“I look forward to working with staff and students in the pursuit of academic excellence and tremendous international engagement – the very mark of Cambridge.’