Chancellor Fiona Hill on navigating a world in turmoil

From left: The Reverend Canon Hueston Finlay, Warden of St George's House, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby; Dr Fiona Hill; Professor Karen O'Brien. Credit: Gill Heppell

Dr Hill, who was installed as our Chancellor in 2023, delivered the St George’s House Annual Lecture, in Windsor Castle, a historic British royal residence.

She was joined by our Vice-Chancellor and Warden, Professor Karen O’Brien, and other guests included the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the Church of England and himself a Durham graduate and former Bishop of Durham.

About Dr Fiona Hill

Born in County Durham, the daughter of a coal miner, Dr Hill is an acclaimed foreign affairs specialist, author and former US presidential adviser to George W Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump.

She is a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, a non-profit public policy organisation based in Washington DC, USA.

Both Dr Hill and Archbishop Welby were honoured by King Charles III in the 2024 New Year Honours List, being made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George and Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, respectively.

A pivotal moment in world history

In her lecture, Dr Hill said the world was at a ‘pivotal moment’, in which our actions and resolve are critical. She reflected on the crisis in the Middle East, war in Ukraine, what she called proxy wars, and the multiplicity of conflicts.

She commented that the previous global order is unravelling, and the world must contend with rapid change; calling for people and nations to come together, rather than drift to political extremes – particularly during 2024, when there will be elections covering more than 40 per cent of the world’s population.

About St George’s House

St George’s House is an organisation that aims to effect change for the better in our society by nurturing wisdom through dialogue. It was founded by the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Recent speakers at its annual lectures include former President of Ireland Mary Robinson; former British Ambassador to USA Sir Christopher Meyer; former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams.

Find out more

• Find out more about Dr Fiona Hill
• Watch a recording of Dr Hill's lecture
• If you are a graduate, friend or supporter of Durham University, you are invited to hear from Dr Hill and our Vice-Chancellor directly, as Dr Hill delivers the next in our Global Lecture Series, in Washington DC, in May