AWARDS
The Gold Cross of the Order of Beneficence
2022 - Bettany was honoured to receive this award from the Hellenic Republic of Greece for services in recognition of her continual support of Greece's universal values.
Istanbul & Venus and Aphrodite have both been Shortlisted for the Runciman Awards
Fem 21 International Journalism Award
Awarded for Hughes' 'exceptional contribution to the international coverage of the place of women in societies past and present'
Helena Vaz de Silva European Cultural Heritage Award 2019 - The award recognises European citizens who have promoted Europe’s heritage and ideals.
Order Of The British Empire
2019 - Awarded for services to History.
Distinguished Friend of the University of Oxford
2014 - Presented for Hughes' ‘exceptional academic work for the benefit of the University, its colleges and departments. This genuine distinction marks extraordinary support of the Classics Faculty and the University as a whole’
Honorary Doctorate from York University
2013 - In recognition of Hughes’ ‘outstanding qualities as a historian and communicator. In particular her enthusiastic advocacy for the public understanding of the importance of history.’
Turkish Presidency's Art and Culture Award
2013 - Awarded for the international documentary series East and West, which premiered at UNESCO.
The Norton Medlicott Medal for History 2012/13
July 2012 - Annual award from the Historical Association for Bettany Hughes for Services to History.
Awarding Committee citation: 'The Historical Association is conscious of the considerable contribution Bettany Hughes has made to the public interest in history in bringing high quality history to a wide audience. The committee commented particularly on the outstanding scholarship of Hughes’ books, TV shows and radio programmes.’
Martin Sandford Trust Award.
April 2011 and 2012 -
Nominated for the Religious Broadcasting Award and Radio Times’ Viewers Award for ‘The Day Jesus Died’ (BBC1) and ‘What Is the Point of Forgiveness’ (BBC1)
The Writer’s Guild Award
October 2011 - Finalist Nomination for The Hemlock Cup.
Also a New York Times Best Seller and selected as notable non-fiction work of the year by both The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.
Honorary Fellow of Cardiff University
October 2011 - Awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Cardiff University in recognition of international contribution to historical and cross-cultural dialogue.
Fellowship of the Historical Association
July 2011 - Made an Honorary Fellow of the Historical Association in recognition of contribution to historical research and understanding.
Special Award for Services to Hellenic Culture and Heritage
September 2010 - Given by the Greek Department of Culture in recognition of services to the promotion, understanding and maintenance of Hellenic culture and heritage.
Naomi Sargant Special Award for Excellence in Broadcasting
September 2009 - Annual award for Broadcast Excellence awarded by the Viewers and Listener’s Association.
Research Fellow King’s College London
July 2008 (ongoing) - Research Fellowship awarded for 3 year period in recognition of contribution to research.
PUBLIC SERVICE
Chair of The Man Booker International Prize for Fiction 2019
Patron of the British Institute at Ankara
The British Institute at Ankara (BIAA) has carried out archaeological excavations and research in Turkey for more than half a century, notably its discoveries at the world-renowned Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük. It now supports a wide range of activities in the Turkey and Black Sea region including cultural heritage management in Turkey’s ancient Pisidia province. It produces expert research, events and analysis in the fields of public policy and political sciences as well as social, climate and environment sciences. Most of these projects are collaborations between UK, European and Turkish contributors and higher education institutions, organised from the London office as well as its headquarters in Ankara. The BIAA receives UK government grants but is also dependent on contributions from private donors who support its work.
Member of the the tutor panel of Cambridge University's Institute of Continuing Education.
Founding Patron of the Friends of the Classics and JACT’s ‘Classics for All’ international fundraising campaign.
Judge for the Museum of the Year Awards for the Art Fund UK.
Bettany is a judge on the English Heritage 'Angel' Awards which honour members of the public who work to preserve history, heritage and the environment.
Arts/media/education advisor to the Innovations and Inventions Committee of NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Art and Technology).
Reader on the Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher Education.
Advisory Board Member of Lincoln University’s 5-year research project ‘Televising History’
President of JACT (Joint Association of Classical Teachers) 2009 - 2011.
Advisor to the Muslim Heritage Group of the Foundation for Science Technology and Civilisation.
Bettany judges documentary, arts, educational and history TV programmes for the Grierson Documentary Trust, The Threadneedle Prize and the Royal Television Society.
Patron of the Iris Project.
Bettany took part in a photo series to support the Ashmolean Museum. To see the series click here.
School Governor for GDST (Girls Day School Trust).
Chair of the 2012 International Orange Prize for Fiction.
Talk on Socrates and 5th century Athens to audiences at the Wigmore Hall in 2012, and the members of the Art fund in 2010.
Launched Stories of the World in 2010 - a museums initiative for the Cultural Olympiad
Athenaeum Debate for the Angle-Hellenic League at the Athenaeum with Paul Cartledge in 2011.
Vote of thanks to William St Clair at Annual Runcimann Lecture, Kings College London
Talks on Sparta to the 300 classicists and ancient historians at Queen Mary's College Basingstoke from 2008 to 2012.
Talks to the Bristol Hellenic Society and the London association of Classics Teachers in 2009.
After-dinner speech at Royal Holloway graduating ceremony in 2007.
Work with the Prince's Institute of Teachers
Arts Management.
Vice Chair Of The National Churche's Trust And Churche's Conservation Trust
Following research and articles on art and social history, Bettany became Director of Performing Arts at the Watermans Arts Centre age 23 and Director of Arts at The Riverside Studios age 26.
Téa Obreht at The Orange Prize for Fiction 2011 at the Royal Festival Hall, Central London. Obreht won the prize for her debut novel "The Tiger's Wife"
PHOTO: AMANDA JOHNSON