In a first in its 145-year history, St Stephen’s College has appointed a woman principal for the first time. Professor Susan Elias, a computer scientist and academic administrator will take charge from June 1. She succeeds Professor John Varghese.

Unlike many of her predecessors at Stephen’s — an institution historically associated with humanities, theology, politics and the liberal arts — Elias comes from a markedly different academic tradition, with nearly three decades in engineering education, interdisciplinary research and university administration.

Her appointment also signals the end of a years-long administrative standoff.…