University News Last updated 29 July
Islam Issa, Professor of Public Humanities at BCU and multi-award-winning author, broadcaster and curator, is set to feature on two new episodes of ‘Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics’.
Airing from 30 July, the popular BBC Radio 4 series will cover Alexandrian Science amongst other classics-focussed topics, inspired by the content of Professor Issa’s award-winning book, Alexandria: The City that Changed the World.
Hosted by broadcaster and critically acclaimed writer Natalie Haynes, the comedy show was recorded in front of a live sell-out audience at the BBC Radio Theatre in London.
Professor Issa was joined by fellow co-host Dr Adam Rutherford, best known for his work as a scientist, writer and broadcaster.
From previous experience in live broadcasting, Professor Issa knows the importance of enjoying the process, saying, “I make sure to enjoy it because the more I do, the more the audience will. It’s important to go with the flow and adapt to what the audience is feeling. And of course, to be funny!
“It’s so important to make the classics accessible and entertaining to a wide audience because we can learn a lot about human nature, our present and our future from these great times, works and ideas.”
Coinciding with the release of Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’, series 12 of ‘Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics’ comes as part of a wider resurgence of public interest in the classics.
“It’s a really significant moment for the humanities and that certainly includes classics,” said Professor Issa. “Popular culture and media play a vital role in making the humanities accessible and reminding us of how informative and entertaining they can be.
“We also recognise that at BCU through the creation of my role as Professor of Public Humanities, which bridges the gap between scholarship and the public domain.”
The first episode of Series 12 of ‘Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics’ will air from 9am on 30 July on BBC Radio 4. Episodes will also be available to stream on the BBC website and major podcast streaming services.
Image: Natalie Haynes (L) and Professor Islam Issa (R)