This year, we are thrilled to welcome four incredibly talented and highly committed Fellows: Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator; Kerry Godliman, comedian, actress, and writer known for her roles in "Derek" and "After Life"; Dr Janina Ramirez, art historian, author and broadcaster; and Professor Andrew Scott, Director of Economics at the Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford and Professor at London Business School.
City Lit Fellowships were established by the Board of Governors in 2015. City Lit Fellowships are awarded to individuals who have shown a significant commitment to adult education in the United Kingdom and who have provided support and inspiration to City Lit and our students.
Tom Fletcher CMG - UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
“I’m grateful to City Lit for their kindness in making me a Fellow. I’ve sought to join the dots between education, diplomacy, the future, and now humanitarian action. I look forward to working with Fellows.”
Tom Fletcher began his role as the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at OCHA on 17 November 2024. Previously, he was Principal of Hertford College, Oxford (2020-2024), and British Ambassador to Lebanon (2011-2015). He also served as No 10 Foreign Policy Adviser to three UK Prime Ministers (2007-2011).
Mr. Fletcher has worked closely with the UN and authored several books, including 'The Naked Diplomat.' He holds an MA in Modern History from Oxford and has been a Visiting Professor at NYU.
Kerry Godliman - Comedian and Actor
With her straight-talking charm and quick wit, Kerry Godliman is celebrated as one of the UK’s best performers as both a stand-up comedian and actor. She’s best known for her appearances on Mock The Week, Live At The Apollo, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, Taskmaster, and The Jonathan Ross Show. She has also appeared on Frankie Boyle’s New World Order, A League Of Their Own, and Outsiders.
A regular on BBC Radio 4, Kerry has made appearances on The News Quiz, The Now Show, and Just A Minute, as well as her own series Kerry’s List. She also hosts the hit podcast series Memory Lane and recently narrated the chart-topping Stolen Hearts. Her acting talents have received critical acclaim for her roles in After Life, Whitstable Pearl, Call The Midwife, Derek, and Save Me. She will also be starring in the Spinal Tap sequel This Is Spinal Tap.
Dr Janina Ramirez - Presenter, Lecturer, and Researcher Specialising in Historical Art
Dr Janina Ramirez is a presenter, lecturer, and researcher specialising in historical art. She holds degrees from Oxford and York, where she completed her MA and PhD.
Janina has taught at York, Warwick, and Winchester Universities and is now the Course Director for the Undergraduate Certificate in History of Art at Oxford. She also lectures at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Her work spans medieval art and literature, and she has presented several BBC4 documentaries, including ‘Saints & Sinners’ and ‘Chivalry & Betrayal.’
Janina is the author of adult and children's books. Her latest book, Femina, published in 2022, became a Sunday Times Bestseller and was longlisted for the Cundill History Prize.
Professor Andrew Scott CBE - Director of Economics at the Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford and Professor of Economics at London Business School.
“I am thrilled to be a Fellow of City Lit given the fantastic commitment to enriching lives through learning with a focus on all of society In a world where longevity reshapes our life journeys, I hope to City Lit in championing continuing education as a vital thread in longer and more fulfilling lives.”
Andrew J Scott CBE is the Director of Economics at the Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford, Professor of Economics at London Business School, a Research Fellow at the Centre for Economic Policy Research and a co-founder of The Longevity Forum. He holds a DPhil from Oxford University and previously held positions at Oxford University, Harvard University, and the London School of Economics.
His research focuses on the economics of longevity and ageing and is published in a wide range of leading academic journals and he has advised through a variety of roles a range of governments, institutions and companies. He is the author of The Longevity Imperative and co-author of The 100 Year Life.
Learn about the City Lit Fellows
The City Lit Fellowship Programme acknowledges those extraordinary individuals who, throughout their careers, have been pioneers who have challenged convention and demonstrated a conviction to improve lives, and the quality of life, through the opportunity and experience of learning.
City Lit Fellowships were established by the Board of Governors in 2015.
