Bettany Hughes

Bettany Hughes is a rare talent in the broadcasting world. Following a scholarship to Oxford to read Ancient and Modern History she has combined academic research with her campaigning work and investigations around the world: producing ground-breaking films and radio series. Recently cited as one of the UK's top female public intellectuals, her best-selling first book, Helen of Troy: Goddess, Princess, Whore has already been translated into ten languages. Her book about Socrates, The Hemlock Cup; Socrates, Athens and the Search for the Good Life was shortlisted for the 2011 Writer's Guild Prize for Non-Fiction.

In 2010 Bettany won the Naomi Sargent Prize for Broadcast Excellence and a Special Award for her Contribution to Hellenic Culture and Heritage. In 2010 Bettany was made an Honorary Fellow of the Historical Association in recognition of her contribution to Scholarship and an Honorary Fellow of Cardiff University in recognition of her contribution to public understanding. In 2012 she will be awarded the prestigious Norton Medlicott Medal for History. 
 

She combines a charismatic passion for her work with an earthy, friendly, popular and immersive style.

Bettany has presented many TV and Radio programmes including ITV1’s Countrywise (2009 – 2011), BBC2’s The Seven Wonders of the Buddhist World (2011), BBC1’s The Day Jesus Died (2010) and Forgiveness (2011), Channel 4’s The Story of The East (2011), Atlantis: The Evidence (Timewatch) (2010), The Bible: A History (Daughter’s Eve) (2010), Time Team (2010), Engineering Ancient Egypt (2008), Athens: The Dawn of Democracy (2007), When The Moors Ruled in Europe (2005), Helen of Troy (2005), The Minoans (2005), Seven Ages of Britain (2003), The Spartans (2002), More4’s Alexandria: City of Dreams and History Channel’s The Roman Invasion of Britain (2009) and The Minotaur’s Island (2003).

Bettany’s Radio presenting credits include BBC Radio 4’s three part series Banishing Eve (2010) and Call Yourself a Feminist (2009), Great Lives – Sappho (2010), Byzantium Unearthed (2008), Amongst the Medici (2006), BBC Radio 3’s In Search of the Aryans (2010), Sister of Aphrodite (2007) and There’s Something about Eleanor of Aquitaine (2004).

Bettany is an advisor to the Foundation for Science Technology and Civilisation, to the NESTA Innovation Committee and writes regularly for the national press. Her films and international appearances (for example setting the historical record straight with the global Hollywood hit 300) ensure that her output is watched and enjoyed by tens of millions worldwide.

Bettany holds the following posts:
• Research Fellow of Kings College
• President of JACT
• Innovation Committe of NESTA
• Board member of the Foundation for Science Technology and Civilisation
• Member of YouGov ThinkTank

Bettany is a highly skilled after dinner speaker and she has a wealth of experience hosting events and award ceremonies, both at home and abroad.