Eight Oxford Academics Elected Fellows of the British Academy in 2025

July 22, 2025

4 minutes read

Eight distinguished scholars from the University of Oxford have been elected Fellows of the British Academy in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the humanities and social sciences. In addition, Richard Ovenden, Bodley’s Librarian and the Helen Hamlyn Director of University Libraries, has been named an Honorary Fellow, marking yet another prestigious accolade in his storied career as a champion of libraries, archives, and the preservation of knowledge.

Eight Oxford Academics Elected Fellows of the British Academy in 2025

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Founded in 1902, the British Academy serves as the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences. It is a Fellowship comprising over 1,800 leading scholars from the UK and around the world. In 2025, the Academy elected 58 UK Fellows, 30 International Fellows, and four Honorary Fellows, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to advancing interdisciplinary scholarship and research excellence.

This year’s newly elected Oxford fellows represent a rich diversity of academic fields—from ancient history to modern Chinese literature, from comparative law to forced migration, and from eighteenth-century studies to musicology. Their election highlights Oxford’s continued leadership in producing world-class scholarship across a wide range of disciplines.

The Oxford Fellows Elected to the British Academy in 2025:

Professor Peter Thonemann
Professor of Ancient History; Forrest-Derow Fellow and Tutor in Ancient History, Wadham College
Professor Thonemann is a renowned expert in Greek and Roman history. Reflecting on the honour, he stated, “I am deeply touched, and honoured, to have been elected as a Fellow of the British Academy. The Academy plays a crucial role as a beacon and advocate for scholarship in the Humanities… particularly junior and precariously situated scholars. I hugely look forward to contributing to the Academy’s mission.”
Professor Stefan Nicolaas Dercon CMG
Professor of Economic Policy, Blavatnik School of Government and Economics Department
A leading voice in economic development and public policy, Professor Dercon emphasized the importance of evidence-based scholarship in policy-making: “It is a privilege to join a community committed to rigorous scholarship as a foundation for better policy in the UK and globally.”
Professor Margaret Hillenbrand
Professor of Modern Chinese Literature and Visual Culture
Her work explores contemporary Chinese literature, media, and visual culture. She celebrated the recognition of her field: “There’s still a huge knowledge deficit about China in the UK… and the British Academy is an institution that really has the power to change that.”
Professor Lionel David Smith
Professor of Comparative Law; Fellow, Brasenose College
Professor Smith brings expertise in private law and legal theory. He credited his success to collaboration and mentorship: “At Oxford and other universities, I have been most fortunate… All these things are essential to being a successful scholar.”
Professor Rosalind Margaret Ballaster
Professor of Eighteenth-Century Studies; Professorial Fellow in English, Mansfield College
An authority on eighteenth-century literature and women’s writing, Professor Ballaster reflected passionately on her career: “From my first day as an undergraduate I have wanted nothing more than to live in and for literature… Election to the British Academy as a Fellow is a huge honour.”
Professor Alexander Betts
Professor of Forced Migration and International Affairs; Fellow, Brasenose College; Pro-Vice-Chancellor for External Engagement
Known globally for his work on refugee policy and humanitarian governance, Professor Betts remarked: “The BA’s work is especially vital at a time when we need to celebrate and promote the social sciences and humanities… to ensure their insights inform public debate.”
Professor Daniel MacGregor Grimley
Head of Humanities; Professor of Music; Professorial Fellow, Merton College
A leading musicologist and cultural historian, Professor Grimley expressed concern about the state of the arts: “The arts and humanities are under unprecedented strain… I will support the Academy’s efforts to advocate for all our disciplines.”
Professor Alison Grace Salvesen
Professor of Early Judaism and Christianity, Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Professor Salvesen’s scholarship bridges ancient religious texts and their interpretations. She stated simply: “The Academy’s role in supporting and promoting the Humanities and Social Sciences is especially important in the present time. I am deeply honoured to have been elected.”

Honorary Fellow: Richard Ovenden

In a separate but equally significant honour, Richard Ovenden, OBE, was made an Honorary Fellow of the British Academy. Ovenden has long been an advocate for the preservation of historical knowledge, leading Oxford’s libraries through digitization initiatives and critical preservation efforts.

Ovenden reflected: “To receive the Honorary Fellowship means an immense amount, as it recognises the importance of libraries, archives, and the preservation of knowledge as a vital underpinning of scholarship. I hold this Fellowship for all librarians and archivists.”

British Academy President Welcomes 2025 Fellows

Professor Susan J. Smith, newly appointed President of the British Academy, welcomed the 2025 cohort with warmth and pride:

“What a line-up! With specialisms ranging from the neuroscience of memory to the power of music and the structural causes of poverty, they represent the very best of the humanities and social sciences… Every new Fellow enlarges our capacity to interpret the past, understand the present, and shape resilient, sustainable futures.”

The Academy also noted that it had increased the number of new Fellows by nearly 10% this year to reflect the need for broader representation across interdisciplinary and emerging fields.

Celebrating Research Excellence in Challenging Times

The 2025 elections to the British Academy come at a time of growing concern for the future of the humanities and social sciences, both in the UK and globally. Rising financial pressures, reduced funding, and the marginalization of arts-based disciplines have raised urgent questions about the value society places on critical thinking, cultural knowledge, and social inquiry.

The selection of these eight Oxford scholars—and the broader cohort of new Fellows—represents not only recognition of individual brilliance but also a collective reaffirmation of the central role that humanities and social sciences play in shaping informed, equitable, and creative societies.

Conclusion

The University of Oxford’s representation among this year’s new British Academy Fellows underscores its enduring leadership in the humanities and social sciences. From the ancient world to modern China, from law to literature, from music to migration studies, the elected scholars exemplify the depth and diversity of academic thought that the British Academy celebrates and protects.

As the Academy continues its work to champion research, shape public policy, and foster international collaboration, the contributions of these Oxford Fellows are poised to resonate far beyond their respective fields.

Congratulations to the 2025 British Academy Fellows.