Cheryl de la Rey


Professor Cheryl Merle de la Rey is the current Vice-Chancellor | Tumu Whakarae of the University of Canterbury in Aotearoa New Zealand. She was formerly the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Pretoria in South Africa and had a distinguished career as a South African academic and leader in South African higher education. Since 2019, she has been the vice-chancellor of the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

Early life and education

Professor Cheryl de la Rey attended the University of Natal, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in 1983, Bachelor of Arts Honours in 1984 and Master of Arts in 1986, all cum laude. She is a qualified Psychologist.

Research and career

Professor De la Rey's research focussed on race and gender, especially the construction of gender and gender-based violence.
A registered psychologist , Professor De la Rey is a fellow of the Psychological Association of South Africa, a fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa and of the Academy of Science of South Africa.
Professor De la Rey spent time as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Cape Town before being named Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria in November 2009, replacing Calie Pistorius.

Current positions