University News Last updated 21 August
Award-winning broadcaster and bestselling author Islam Issa has been named as the UK鈥檚 first Professor of Public Humanities by 探花直播 (BCU).
This landmark appointment strengthens BCU鈥檚 position as a national leader in the arts and humanities, furthering its mission to drive meaningful social and cultural change.
Vice-Chancellor Professor David Mba said: 鈥淭his strategic role aligns with BCU鈥檚 mission to create and share knowledge for a better and more inclusive society, while also linking the university and region to the world beyond.
鈥淚slam Issa brings a wealth of experience and proven success in speaking impactfully to the public, whether through his writing or broadcasting.
鈥淎t a time of uncertainty about the state of the humanities, we remain the leading provider of creative graduates in the region, and this professorship is a clear message about BCU鈥檚 commitment to the arts and recognition of its value.鈥�
Professor Hanifa Shah OBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research, Enterprise Engagement and STEAM, said: 鈥淚n Islam Issa, BCU has long had a public humanities practitioner in its ranks.
鈥淗is public profile and impact have embodied and advocated representation and inclusion.鈥�
Professor Issa (pictured) joined BCU in 2015 and has since developed a global profile as an author, broadcaster and curator who brings pioneering approaches and fresh narratives to the arts.
Described by the BBC as 鈥渙ne of the UK鈥檚 most significant new thinkers鈥�, he became Professor of Literature and History at BCU in 2022.
鈥淚 have long believed in the power and indispensability of the arts and humanities to inform, entertain, and above all do good,鈥� said Professor Issa.
鈥淚 look forward to continuing my writing, broadcasting and events at a global scale that exemplifies BCU鈥檚 mantra of reaching beyond.鈥�
The professorship is aligned to BCU鈥檚 new School of Arts, which consists of three departments: Art and Design, English and Media, and Fashion and Jewellery.
It is also a nod to BCU鈥檚 rich history of delivering arts education since 1843 鈥� and the creation of the UK鈥檚 first public art school.
Professor Shah added: 鈥淲e see these as exciting times for the arts and humanities, which are part of BCU鈥檚 STEAM agenda.
鈥淲ith lots of technological advancement, it is vital that we showcase to the public and our university community the wide-reaching benefits of the humanities through a practical example rooted in 探花直播.鈥�
Professor Issa has presented several television and radio documentaries for the BBC, in addition to hosting a number of flagship talk-shows and podcasts.
He has also featured on networks such as the History Channel and Netflix, appeared on more than 60 television or radio stations worldwide, and writes for several leading publications, most regularly the BBC History Magazine.
Professor Issa鈥檚 accolades include The Times Higher Education 鈥楻esearch Project of the Year鈥� for the Stories of Sacrifice exhibition, praised by King Charles III as having 鈥渉uge importance鈥�.
His book, Alexandria: The City that Changed the World, scooped the prestigious Runciman Award, has been translated into six languages, and is a Sunday Times, Times Literary Supplement and Waterstones 鈥楤ook of the Year鈥�.
Read Times Higher Education's interview with Professor Islam Issa聽