The Department of History is delighted to announce that Sofia Akel has been appointed as Honorary Researcher. Sofia graduated with a degree in History from Lancaster in 2016.

Sofia Akel is an award-winning cultural historian, producer, creative consultant, writer, host and lecturer specialising in Black British history. She is also the founder of the non-profit, Free Books Campaign which gets books to those who can’t afford or access them for free.

Sofia has worked with a multitude of companies, from broadcasting to fashion, including: Arsenal FC, Somesuch, Alexander McQueen, Ogilvy, Penguin, BBC, Dogwoof, Raindog Films, Monzo and more. In 2022 she became one of 30-under-30 in the Guap x Adidas Blacklist.

She is currently writing her debut book on Black British creative cultures and histories in the UK. The department is looking forward to Sofia becoming part of the department and supporting discussions on race, history and culture.