Professor Dame Mary Beard

Mary Beard’s contribution to adult education has been far-reaching. Her highly acclaimed and award-winning books and television programmes have introduced millions to the classical world. By making history more accessible, she has encouraged new audiences to engage with antiquity as a way of understanding modern society. She is also a fellow of City Lit, the largest adult education provider in England, and a strong advocate for women in academia. In 2018, she was awarded a DBE (Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for services to classical civilisation.

The Get the Nation Learning Awards are part of Get the Nation Learning Week, running from 2–6 November. Led by Learning and Work Institute and backed by more than 230 organisations, the Get the Nation Learning campaign celebrates the power of lifelong learning to change lives, strengthen communities and support better work. Last year’s Lifelong Learning Ambassador Award was granted to Ed Balls, recognising his participation in adult learning and role in helping others manage their stammer.

Professor Dame Mary Beard said:
“I am honoured and delighted to receive this award. My parents taught me powerfully that learning did not stop with school or university, and I remember them every year enrolling in their adult evening classes in our hometown of Shrewsbury. I hope I have lived up to their example. For me, there is nothing more fun and rewarding than engaging with audiences from all kinds of different backgrounds and life experience — curious about history and the deep past. And, as always, the teacher learns from their students, almost as much as the students learn from their teacher. Learning is a collaborative process, and should always be lifelong. That’s why the Get the Nation Learning campaign led by Learning & Work Institute is so important.”

Maggie Galliers CBE, President of Learning and Work Institute, said:
“Mary Beard is a true ambassador for lifelong learning and her contribution to society can be felt far and wide. In helping make complex topics accessible to millions, she has enriched public understanding, championed the value of education and inspired countless people to engage with learning throughout their lives.”

Stephen Evans, Chief Executive of Learning and Work Institute, said:
“It is a real privilege to award Mary Beard Learning and Work Institute’s Lifelong Learning Ambassador Award at the Get the Nation Learning Awards this year. Mary has made an immeasurable and long-standing contribution to public education, inspiring and educating so many, and is a brilliant advocate for lifelong learning.”