The editor of the Today programme, Sarah Sands, is to join Lucy Cavendish as an honorary fellow, the college announced this week.

Sands has been in charge of BBC Radio 4’s flagship news and current affairs programme since May of this year. She joined the BBC after having served as the editor of the London Evening Standard between 2012 and 2017, and was appointed the first female editor of The Sunday Telegraph in 2005.

Sands said about the appointment, “I am looking forward to being part of Lucy Cavendish College, a community of women who share my values of free speech and representation for women.”

The president of Lucy Cavendish, Jackie Ashley, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Sarah Sands as an Honorary Fellow. She is a pioneer for women in the world of news and the media, and there has never been a more important time for women’s voices to be heard loud and clear.”

Since taking on the role at the Today programme, Sands has attracted criticism for her direction of its coverage, including from master of Selwyn College and former Today editor, Roger Mosey.

Sands raised eyebrows after saying that she wanted to include more “girls’ stuff” on the programme, a comment she says was ironic. The show has taken some flak for devoting more time than in previous years to events such as London Fashion Week. Sands has also overseen the introduction of a daily puzzle to the programme.

In an interview with The Guardian, Sands responded by saying despite the inclusion of topics such as fashion week, the programme had had “missiles at the top of every bulletin”.

Today has also seen record listening figures, with a weekly reach of 7.66 million listeners.

The appointment will be marked by an official ceremony and talk on the 23rd November, free and open to members of the public