Professor Cheryl Merle de la Rey is a South African academic who, since 2019, has been vice-chancellor of University of Canterbury in New Zealand. She was formerly Vice-Chancellor of the University of Pretoria in South Africa.

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 focused on race and gender, especially the construction of gender and gender-based violence. A registered psychologist [by the Health Professions Council of South Africa], 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. In October 2020, De la Rey was the subject of a letter critical of an attempt by the University of Canterbury to review the work of Anne-Marie Brady concerning Chinese Communist Party influence in New Zealand.