Margaret Masson


Margaret Jane Masson is a British university administrator and academic. Since 2016, she has been principal of St Chad's College, Durham University.

Early life and education

She was born in Scotland and brought up in Zambia. She studied at the University of Aberdeen, graduating with an undergraduate Master of Arts degree. She undertook a Doctor of Philosophy degree in the Department of English Studies at the University of Durham, under the supervision of Ruth Etchells. Her doctoral thesis, titled "The influence of Congregationalism on the first four novels of D.H. Lawrence", was submitted in 1988.

Career

Masson began her academic teaching career in the United States. In 1992, she returned to Durham University, having been appointed a lecturer in the English Studies department and Senior Tutor at St John's College. In 2004 she became the Vice-Principal and Senior Tutor at St Chad's College, Durham. It was announced on 16 February 2016 that she would be the next Principal of St Chad's College in succession to Joseph Cassidy. She was formally installed as the college's tenth Principal during a service at Durham Cathedral in May 2017.
Masson is a member of the board of Ridley Hall, Cambridge, and a Bishop's Reviewer for Ministerial Training in the Church of England.

Personal life

Masson is married to Robert Song, Professor of Theological Ethics at the University of Durham. They have two children.