The President of Murray Edwards College, Dorothy Byrne, has been “stepped down”.
Dorothy Byrne’s Wikipedia entry records that she served as President of Murray Edwards College from 17 September 2021 and “stepped down” on 31 August 2025.
Murray Edwards later announced Dr Rachel Polonsky as Acting President (announcement posted 16 September 2025). That confirms a leadership change after Byrne’s departure, but the College announcement does not give a reason for Byrne stepping down early. The College was also clearly not prepared for the event.
The single most common reason why College Presidents, Masters or Provost leave early is that they have lost the support of a majority of the Fellowship.
This need not necessarily be the fault of the President. College Fellowships are perfectly capable of behaving unreasonably en masse.
However, Dorothy Byrne had a somewhat abrasive manner and was a vociferous supporter of Lord John Browne in the Cambridge Chancellorship election.
“John Browne has Cambridge embedded in his identity like the letters in Blackpool rock. Raised here, educated here and now one of the University’s most significant supporters, he has travelled the world in his stellar career and journeyed through profound personal experiences. He would bring his wisdom to Cambridge, helping students wondering if this is the place that welcomes people of difference and inspiring leaders who want to make a difference.” [Dorothy Byrne]
These words look like spectacularly misjudged hagiography.
32 Comments
Chatter · 3 October 2025 at 16:26
Repost from previous thread:
Hearing repeated & very strong rumours that we will soon be receiving an email about Nurse Emily:
“The University is delighted to inform staff and students that Nurse Emily will shortly be taking up an exciting new challenge as Deputy Under-Manager at the University of Irkutsk, Siberia.
We wish to place on record our deep appreciation for the efforts she has so generously bestowed upon this institution during her tenure.
We trust she will bring the same level of calamity to her new colleagues, and we look forward to hearing of her continued successes from a safe distance.”
Father Ted · 3 October 2025 at 16:41
Dear, oh dear… But will we be getting one about old Teddy and all his shenanigans?
TheResearcher · 3 October 2025 at 16:46
That was what I was thinking… Do we at least know if Teddy Bear and Concerned Face applied for this position? What a shame they did not get it. We should try to help them with some reference letters!
Terminator · 3 October 2025 at 17:06
If ‘Concerned Face’ gets a Head of House position, then the many victims of his tenure as Head of School should put into the public domain immediately the details of the many scandals.
This will have a public interest defence.
‘Concerned Face’ is completely unsuitable for a Head of House position, and he is also unfortunately ignorant of his own many shortcomings in dealing with people.
Teddy Bear only got into trouble because he tried to hush up the wrongdoings of ‘Concerned Face’ out of misguided friendship.
TheResearcher · 3 October 2025 at 17:24
“If ‘Concerned Face’ gets a Head of House position, then the many victims of his tenure as Head of School should put into the public domain immediately the details of the many scandals.”
What I meant with ‘reference letters’ was precisely that, so that he does not even get the position as it will be a waste of time for his future college. I would ask him his plans directly to have an idea when he applies but, unfortunately, he is in my ‘no contact’ list!
Father Ted · 3 October 2025 at 17:46
Ask old Teddy about his future plans.
TheResearcher · 3 October 2025 at 18:12
I already had my “Final Warning” and if I continue to contact these people and “deliberately contravene the precautionary action then the actions taken will need to get more serious.” I am now very scared and promised them that I would be silent!! Teddy is actually not in my ‘no contact’ list, but I am sure the most discussed Lead HR Business Partner in the 21 Group, would find a way to include him retrospectively…
Father Ted · 3 October 2025 at 19:00
Enjoy the silence
Concerned · 3 October 2025 at 19:20
Perhaps there’s room at the University of Irkutsk, Siberia for “the most discussed Lead HR Business Partner in the 21 Group”?
Exporting talent… en masse?
TheResearcher · 3 October 2025 at 19:32
I think the most discussed Lead HR Business Partner in the 21 Group merits special treatment. I am really looking forward to seeing her on June 1-28th 2026 at Bury St Edmunds Tribunal. I am planning to buy her a Pinocchio nose and a sticker saying “I am an absolute liar!”
Styx · 4 October 2025 at 09:02
One difference between “Concerned Face” and Teddy Bear is reliance on “the most discussed Lead HR Business Partner in the 21 Group”.
One may also consider as a topic to explore further the ruthless exploitation by malicious or thoroughly ignorant HR individuals of what is called neurodiversity — not as an excuse for individual shortcomings, but as an explanation of multiple catastrophes.
TheResearcher · 4 October 2025 at 09:31
Very good point. I wonder if Concerned Face was selected precisely because of his limitations and the influence of HR in that selection. Regardless, the influence of the most discussed Lead HR Business Partner in the 21 Group goes beyond her own School and she has a particular interest in trying to break someone from Teddy’s School. What a lovely lady, it reminds me Dolores Umbridge!
999 · 4 October 2025 at 11:40
She is always busy breaking people.
MO & style of comms recognisable.
A very dangerous individual.
Please set up support group for victims through 21 Group.
Keep hold of all messages, nasty, personal, aggressive, often sent by others for her, for evidence of similarities. Keep record of all actions and “way forward” proposed. Watch out for sugar-coated traps.
Investigation is needed into suicides or attempted suicides in the University to look for links.
If threats get too much, too personal, and people fear for their safety in the workplace, seek help, speak up, report to police.
TheResearcher · 4 October 2025 at 12:56
I do not think she will ever contact me again.
Last time she contacted me was to try to explain why there was a breach of a confidentiality agreement where a FRS was involved, and she finished her email by saying, “I would repeat to you again previous reminders about the inappropriate manner of your correspondence, not least the baseless personal attacks on the integrity and professionalism of members of the University.” My answer to this provocation was simple; I told her that if she ever contacted me again with more lies as she recurrently did, I would reply to her and cc as many people as I could from her School. It will be a pleasure to see her in the trial on June 1-28th 2026 at Bury St Edmunds Tribunal. Even if that case is not related to me, I am happy to attend and ask her an autograph.
SPARTACUS · 3 October 2025 at 16:56
A recently elected/appointed Master of another College might be reading this blog with some concern… Teflon man will have his step down day sooner than what his term theoretically is… Participating in misdeeds that resulted in the destruction of a world leading laboratory will eventually lead to this outcome…
Bloody right · 3 October 2025 at 16:58
Bloody well said, bloody right!
21percent.org · 3 October 2025 at 17:03
This sounds like St Judas College
https://21percent.org/?p=1890
SPARTACUS · 3 October 2025 at 17:08
Ask Miranda! She knows!!
IMAGINARY · 3 October 2025 at 17:13
This must all be happening in the parallel University where Consiglieri University exists! There Bullshitmore had a lot of sway… But in our real Universe all is fine: we have Regius Professors!
Dude · 3 October 2025 at 17:52
Reposting this:
MeetOurHoD · 28 April 2025 at 07:20
Introducing the Teflon Man: our head of department, head of program, and head architect of professional trainwrecks. He ruins careers with the grace of a wrecking ball, all while flashing that award-winning “Who, me?” smile. Naturally, the university rallies around him—because nothing says “world-class institution” like protecting the guy setting fires instead of the people getting burned.
And just to keep things classy, he’s ticking the “romance a junior colleague” box too. Inspirational. Truly, it takes a special kind of talent to weaponize charm, destroy futures, and still climb the career ladder without getting a single drop of slime on your suit. But hey, why settle for one Teflon Man when academia apparently mass-produces them?
Miranda Priestly · 3 October 2025 at 20:38
Little minion academics: I rule in the parallel Universe! Tremble with fear because I am coming after all of you @21percent.org!
21percent.org · 3 October 2025 at 20:47
Our information is that Miranda Priestly (together with a senior member of the Legal Department) is facing very serious charges of fabrication of evidence & malicious falsehood.
We will be publishing an article on multiple examples of tampered documents shortly.
The option of exile to the University of Irkutsk, Siberia may not actually be available to Miranda
Ooh look at them shine · 3 October 2025 at 20:50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I6eiVgCAj0
Vote Mr Susan · 3 October 2025 at 20:56
Mr Susan for head of house.
Dotterel · 4 October 2025 at 00:06
Got my vote. A giant walking bundle of rags would do a better job.
Look at them shine · 3 October 2025 at 20:52
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgFq1g_tLJ4
TheResearcher · 3 October 2025 at 21:06
Miranda Miranda Miranda, 3 reasons why lying is bad:
– You have to remember the lies you told and must act in conformity with the lies.
– You have to be wary of those you have lied to.
– Your long-term credibility is at risk.
I can only imagine how stressful that might be. By contacting you directly I risk serious punishment judging from the “Final Warning” but I decided to take my shot today. Nothing to lose!
J♡d€$$$icari@ · 3 October 2025 at 21:23
Not sure who is Miranda, will she at least get her Miranda rights?
TheResearcher · 3 October 2025 at 22:20
She told us above, “I rule in the parallel Universe!” and called us “little minion academics,” suggesting she is not one of us. This helps to identify her. I might be wrong, but I believe that Nurse Emily, Miranda Priestly and the most discussed Lead HR Business Partner in the 21 Group—my favourite character of them all—are very close friends. As if one of them leaves the others will miss her, it is better if all them leave together!
quads · 3 October 2025 at 23:37
Don’t forget the enigmatic ‘Sam’ who writes their letters for them.
These four all lie for each other, they cover up for each other, they’re at the heart of all the corruption & unethical behaviour (like fabrication of documents) & wrongdoing.
All four need to go!
TheResearcher · 4 October 2025 at 00:04
Yes, indeed. I forgot Sam. They are all great, but I have a special affection for the most discussed Lead HR Business Partner in the 21 Group. I forgot her name, but I think it rhymes with snake.
IMAGINARY · 3 October 2025 at 21:18
In the parallel Universe at Consiglieri University Miranda Priestly witnessed many misdeeds. Now looking like her end is near she might bring the whole oligarchy down with her!