Zahra Joya, an Afghan Journalist and former TIME Woman of the Year, was appointed by-fellow at Hughes Hall at the start of December (3/12).

Joya is a leading advocate for the rights of women and girls, particularly in Afghanistan. Her work in this area earned her global recognition in 2022 when she was named TIME Magazine’s Woman of the Year as well as one of the BBC’s 100 Women of the Year.

She was forced to flee Afghanistan when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Despite this, she continues to work as Editor-in-Chief at the media platform she founded, Rukshana Media.

Rukshana Media was designed by Joya to give voice, dignity and support to women in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime.

A by-fellow has less power than a full fellow, as they take “no part in the government” of a college and may have fewer privileges than those with full fellowships.

Joya stated that “In a time when, as a woman, I have been deprived of my basic rights in my own country, joining the extraordinary Hughes Hall team at the University of Cambridge is a great honour for me. I view this opportunity as a chance to step into a wellspring of knowledge, and I hope to learn from this team and bring what I learn here back to my people.”

The University declared that her appointment is part of a wider mission at Hughes Hall to advance “inclusive education” at the College and wider University.

Welcoming Joya to the College, Sir Laurie Bristow, president of Hughes Hall, commented that “Hughes Hall exists to support education, learning and research, and to bring their benefits to society beyond academia. On behalf of the Fellowship, and the wider university, we welcome Zahra and look forward to working with her and learning from her.”