Award-winning journalist and School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) alumna Zeinab Badawi, a native of Sudan and a British citizen, has been named the new president of SOAS. Her appointment is effective immediately and replaces Graça Machel, former First Lady of Mozambique and South Africa.
SOAS University of London is the leading Higher Education institution in Europe specialising in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East. SOAS scholars grapple with the pressing issues confronting two-thirds of humankind today: democracy, development, economy, finance, public and corporate policy, human rights, migration, identity, legal systems, poverty, religion, and social change.
One of the best known journalists in Britain
Zeinab Badawi is one of the best-known broadcast journalists working in the field today. Her current work includes interviewing some of the world’s most notable personalities and politicians on BBC Hardtalk and hosting Global Questions on BBC World TV and the BBC News Channel – a programme which invites audiences from around the world to question their leaders on global issues. She is also the founder of the production company, Kush Communications, which creates thought provoking programmes and films including the ground breaking 20 -part series ‘The History of Africa with Zeinab Badawi’.
Zeinab Badawi Badsaid: “This is a really significant time to be starting this journey as the new President of SOAS. It comes at a time when SOAS is increasingly asserting itself with great confidence on the UK and global stage. I look forward tremendously to working with the academic community, staff, the student body, alumni, the supporters, partners and friends of SOAS.”
SOAS Director Professor Adam Habib said: “It is an honour to welcome Zeinab back to SOAS as our new President. Her lifelong commitment to make a difference through her work combined with her distinguished career in broadcasting makes her an inspiring role model for our student community and beyond. We very much look forward to working with Zeinab in the coming months.”
Responsibilities in several prestigious organizations
Zeinab Badawi recently completed her tenure as Chair of the Royal African Society, amongst other posts she is a Queen’s appointment to the Board of Historic Royal Palaces, a founding and current trustee of the charitable arm of the BBC – BBC Media Action – a Patron of the United Nations Association UK, a member of the high level group of the Africa-Europe Foundation, she serves on the international advisory boards of Afro Barometer and the Mandela Institute for Development Studies and is on the council of the UK Arts, Humanities and Research Council.
Zeinab studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University and took a Masters degree (awarded with a distinction) on Middle East History and Anthropology at SOAS London University. In 2011 Zeinab was awarded an honorary doctorate by SOAS for her services to international broadcasting. In August 2018, she was awarded the President’s Medal of the British Academy for her contributions to international political journalism and advocacy work for female education. And in 2020 she received the Sir Brian Urquhart Award from the United Nations Association UK for distinguished service to the UN.
