Role of the Provost

The Provost is the Head of Trinity College Dublin and is the equivalent of the President, Rector, or Vice-Chancellor in other universities. The present incumbent, Dr Patrick Prendergast, took office in August 2011 and is the 44th Provost to be appointed since the foundation of the College by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592.

In accordance with current College Statutes, Provosts serve for a period of ten years without the possibility of re-election. Until 1974, there was no limit on the term of tenure and many Provosts remained in office until they died. From 1592 to 1692 Provosts were exclusively graduates of Cambridge or Oxford. From 1692 to 1991 all Provosts were graduates of Trinity. The training of churchmen was an important function of universities around the time Trinity was founded and until 1927 many of the College’s Provosts were clergymen. The first catholic Provost was appointed in 1991.

The role of Provost has evolved considerably over centuries of much change for the University, but the basic tenets still prevail. It is the Provost’s role to oversee the strategic development of the University and to ensure that Trinity continues to build on its four hundred year old tradition of excellence in education and research. The Provost is Chief Executive Officer responsible for planning, prioritising, and managing a University of 17,000 students and 3,000 staff. The Provost is the Chief Finance Officer and chairs the Board of the College which is the governing authority. The Provost represents the College at the highest level in liaisons with external stakeholders and it is his role to develop relationships for the University at national and international levels. The Provost also officiates at internal College events such as launches and conferences and presides with the Chancellor at important ceremonial occasions such as public commencements (graduation ceremonies).