Cardiff University academic joins Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

A Cardiff University academic has been made a member of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

Professor Ambreena Manji, based in the University’s School of Law and Politics, was appointed by the Board of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

AHRC’s Council is comprised of representatives from the academic community as well as individuals from business and the public sector. They work with the Executive Chair Professor Andrew Thompson to shape the AHRC’s strategy to support UKRI's overall mission to maintain the UK’s world-leading position in research and innovation.

Professor Manji said: “I am delighted to join the Council of the AHRC at a time when an urgent reappraisal of history and of knowledge production is taking place and I look forward to working with colleagues to articulate the case for the arts and humanities around the world.”

Co-founder of the Law and Global Justice Centre, which is based in Cardiff University, Professor Manji’s research is focused on law and society in Africa. Previously seconded to Nairobi as the Director of the British Academy's British Institute in Eastern Africa, her strong links with the African judiciary and legal profession led her to initiate the African Feminist Judgments project which seeks to bring interdisciplinary insights to bear on African law at national and regional levels.

She is also President of the African Studies Association UK (2018-2020), Editor of African Affairs; a member of the British Academy International Engagement Committee and a member of the Area Studies sub-panel for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

Pro Vice-Chancellor, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Professor Damian Walford Davies said: “Cardiff University – and the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and the School of Law and Politics – celebrate the appointment of Professor Ambreena Manji to a position in which she will be a strong advocate for the value of arts and humanities research to government and the wider public.

“Her expertise will be invaluable in driving AHRC’s delivery plan commitments to enabling cultural participation, addressing social challenges and creating economic value – in the broadest and most fulfilling and inclusive sense.”

Professor Manji is one of two new appointments to the AHRC Council, joining historian and broadcaster Professor David Olusoga.

AHRC Executive Chair Professor Andrew Thompson said: “I’m delighted to welcome these esteemed members to the AHRC Council. Ambreena and David will bring valuable expertise and insights to the Council; and together with our existing members will help ensure the arts and humanities’ contribution to the UK research and innovation landscape, and to addressing the major global challenges.”