Janet Rogan (1981, History) has recently taken up the position of CEO of the Royal African Society (RAS), based in London, which has a partnership with the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

The Royal African Society’s mandate is to improve understanding of Africa in the UK and beyond, and to increase interactions of all kinds. RAS publishes the top-ranked academic journal, African Affairs, and an online news site, African Arguments, for voices from across the continent. This year, Africa Writes 2023 in partnership with the British Library, alternating annually with Film Africa in partnership with the British Film Institute. RAS will be at COP28 and are developing a climate action and solutions programme.

In March 2021, Janet was appointed as Regional Ambassador for the Middle East and Africa. Janet joined the FCO (now FCDO) in 1986. She has served in the Far East, the Balkans, the Middle East, and Africa, and has worked with NATO (as UK Political Adviser) and the United Nations (as a UN Resident Coordinator). She has wide policy, development and humanitarian experience across post-conflict and fragile states, and in bringing the principles of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and the global Climate Change Agreements together for wider strategic goals, including COP26.

Published: 3 November 2023

Explore Univ on social media