Meet our Chancellor

Find out more about Dr Fiona Hill, Chancellor of Durham University

Dr Fiona Hill, Chancellor

Fiona is the daughter of a coal miner who attended Bishop Barrington Comprehensive School in Bishop Auckland, County Durham. From an early age she was a high achiever academically with a thirst for learning, telling BBC Radio Four’s Desert Island Discs how she would sit on the stairs at home reading encyclopedias.

We applaud Fiona’s pride in her County Durham roots and her respected career as a foreign policy advisor to world leaders. We're a centre of learning firmly rooted in the North East of England, with a connected community that is thriving all over the world. Fiona's commitment to access to knowledge and learning for all members of society perfectly reflects our ethos.

Learn more about Fiona Hill

Discover more

The Chancellor is the ceremonial head of Durham University. This high-profile role includes pastoral, scholarly and ambassadorial duties, as well as presiding over events and promoting the University around the world. The Chancellor’s most public role is conferring degrees at Congregation. Dr Fiona Hill was officially installed as Chancellor at a ceremony in Durham Cathedral on 29 June 2023. You can find out more about that ceremony on these pages.

Watch the ceremony

Watch the full installation ceremony for our 13th Chancellor, Dr Fiona Hill.

Dr Fiona Hill and Sir Thomas Allen at the Chancellor Installation ceremony

Our celebration booklet

View our Chancellor Installation celebratory booklet to commemorate this ceremony. Learn more about Dr Fiona Hill, the role of the Chancellor, and Durham University.

Fiona Hill speaking at Bishop Barrington Academy

Reith lectures

Dr Fiona Hill follows in the footsteps of famous faces such as Stephen Hawking, Hilary Mantel, and Grayson Perry who have all delivered Reith Lectures in the past.

Read about the celebration

Find out more about the celebration to welcome Dr Fiona Hill as our 13th Chancellor in June 2023.

Dr Fiona Hill in academic dress at Durham Cathedral

Read Dr Hill’s installation speech

Read Dr Hill’s inspiring speech, delivered as part of her installation ceremony as Durham’s 13th Chancellor

Chancellor Dr Fiona Hill during her speech at the Installation Ceremony

Fiona is a living embodiment of the transformative powers of education and research and will help inspire our University community and especially our students to achieve extraordinary things at Durham and beyond

Joe Docherty

Chair of University Council

Graduate in graduation robes smiling at the camera in a crowd of graduates

Summer Congregation

We're proud of our extraordinary students and their inspiring achievements. Learn more about how we're celebrating Summer Congregation.

Discover Summer Congregation

Introducing Durham University’s 13th Chancellor – Dr Fiona Hill

Find out more about our 13th Chancellor, acclaimed foreign affairs expert Dr Fiona Hill.

Visit our YouTube channel

Chancellor Dr Fiona Hill and Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen O’Brien with staff and students from local schools

Chancellor Dr Fiona Hill and Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen O’Brien with staff and students from Belmont Community School, Durham Sixth Form Centre, Durham High School for Girls and Emmanuel College, Gateshead

Chancellor Dr Fiona Hill in her official ceremonial robes

Chancellor Dr Fiona Hill and outgoing Chancellor Sir Thomas Allen during the official Installation Ceremony

Chancellor Dr Fiona Hill taking the oath during her Installation Ceremony

Chancellor Dr Fiona Hill during her speech at the Installation Ceremony

Chancellor Dr Fiona Hill and Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen O’Brien processing out following completion of the Installation Ceremony.

Chancellor Dr Fiona Hill and Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen O’Brien in their official ceremonial robes

Dr Fiona Hill at her graduation with her parents

Dr Fiona Hill at her own Graduation with her parents

Sir Thomas Allen in his ceremonial robes for congregation - who served as Chancellor from 2012 until 2022

Dr Fiona Hill standing at a podium talking into a microphone

Dr Fiona Hill visiting Bishop Barrington - photo credit Durham County Council

Sir Peter Ustinov in his ceremonial robes for congregation - who served as Chancellor from 1992 until 2004

Dr Fiona Hill sitting in the Oval Office with Barack Obama and others

Dr Fiona Hill at the Oval Office with Barack Obama and others - Photo Credit White House Photo Office Courtesy of Dr Fiona Hill

Bill Bryson in his ceremonial robes for congregation - who served as Chancellor from 2005 until 2011

Dr Fiona Hill sitting in the Oval Office with George Bush and others

Dr Fiona Hill at the Oval Office with George Bush and others - Photo Credit White House Photo Office Courtesy of Dr Fiona Hill

Dr Fiona Hill with Sir Thomas Allen posing for a photo at the Chancellors Circle evening in 2023

Dr Fiona Hill with Sir Thomas Allen at the Chancellors Circle evening in May 2023

Dr Fiona Hill has built an outstanding career in foreign policy whilst retaining a pride in her family upbringing and the values instilled in her as she grew up in County Durham. We hugely value her commitment to education for all and her complete belief in the transformational power of education – a belief that is central to the values of Durham University. Fiona is an inspirational Chancellor, leading by example and supporting others through her contact with our community.

Professor Karen O’Brien

Vice-Chancellor and Warden