Playwright given top job at Kingston University (From Surrey Comet)

Playwright given top job at Kingston University

2:20pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News By Ross Logan, Chief Reporter

Award-winning playwright Bonnie Greer has described being named Kingston University’s new chancellor as “a great honour”.

The Chicago-born novelist and critic takes over as the formal head of the uni next month, replacing Sir Peter Hall, who has been made Patron.

Ms Greer, a regular panellist on Question Time, BBC2’s The Review Show and Radio 4’s Any Questions, is regarded as one of the UK’s top intellectuals, and was awarded an OBE in 2010 for her contribution to the arts.

Ms Greer said she would continue to build the relationship between the university and The Rose Theatre forged by Sir Peter.

The 64-year-old said: “To follow the name of Sir Peter Hall is, believe me, overwhelming and a great honour.

"Having a playwright follow a legendary theatre director and producer keeps the theatre as a major part of the University.”

Ms Greer also called for more women to study maths and science, believing generations of geniuses may already have been lost.

She said: "It is crucial that women continue to take up the study of science and maths as historically women have been kept out of these professions, so who knows what genius has been lost?

"When you think of all the big problems that are out there waiting to be solved, every ounce of human intelligence is needed.

"I think of myself as a kind of science onlooker, my second novel was about a scientist, and I love, for example, experimental physics – maybe even more than the arts."

Vice-Chancellor Professor Julius Weinberg said: "Bonnie stands for all those values that are important to Kingston University - a place where lives can be changed, opinions challenged and where we think learning can make the world a better place - so I am delighted that she has agreed to become our Chancellor.”