Anger as university chief who shut campus is up for award

 University staff rounded on their vice chancellor after she was nominated for an “inspirational leader” award while overseeing a campus closure and rising workloads.

One hundred University of Brighton staff wrote to Prof Debra Humphris after she was shortlisted for the award which is run by The Guardian. In their letter, staff urged Prof Humphris, who earns £237,585 a year, to withdraw, saying: “This exercise will not simply do damage to your personal reputation but will, more seriously, risk bringing disrepute to the university.”

They added: “The purpose for the candidates appears to be self-promotion and career enhancement and the mechanism is selfnomination ... rendering it comparable to a form of vanity publishing.”

Staff highlighted closure of the Hastings campus and senior management pay among their complaints.

A university spokesman said: “The vice chancellor will not be withdrawing.”