Goldsmiths academic appointed UNESCO UK culture director

The UK’s National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has appointed Dr Charlotte Joy to the role of Non-Executive Director with responsibility for leading on heritage and culture for the United Kingdom.

A specialist in the politics of heritage management, Dr Joy is Lecturer in Anthropology at Goldsmiths, University of London and founder of the MA Anthropology and Museum Practice, taught between Goldsmiths and the Horniman Museum and Gardens. 

UNESCO UK announced the appointment of Dr Joy and Kate Pugh OBE, on Wednesday 17 March 2021. They will join the UK National Commission for UNESCO for an initial term of three years from March 2021. The appointment was confirmed by the Minister of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on behalf of the Secretary of State. 

As Non-Executive Directors, they will provide expert, independent advice for the UK’s National Commission for UNESCO on national and international culture policy, working with the UK’s UNESCO designations, and with the UK government, UNESCO, and its member states. 

Professor Colin McInnes, Chair of the UK National Commission for UNESCO, said: "We are delighted to welcome Dr Charlotte Joy and Kate Pugh as Non-Executive Directors to the Board of the UK National Commission for UNESCO. They bring invaluable knowledge of the UK and international cultural heritage sector, and will be strong representatives for the UK at UNESCO."  

"Charlotte's background in heritage management in the UK, her fieldwork in Djenné, Mali and at UNESCO in Paris, alongside her background in cultural property protection will bring strong and relevant expertise to the Board." 

Dr Charlotte Joy said: "I am very honoured to be joining the UK Commission at such an important time in the history of the organisation." 

"The foundational principles of UNESCO are more resonant than ever at this time of recovery and rebuilding. I look forward to working with my fellow Directors to bring UNESCO's expertise and networks to the service of the UK's museum and heritage sectors and to support the UK's international heritage protection projects and ambitious participation in the UN's Sustainable Development Goals." 

Dr Joy is a social anthropologist who has worked in cultural heritage protection for over fifteen years and has undertaken long-term fieldwork in Mali and at UNESCO in Paris.

She is currently conducting research at the International Criminal Court (Al Mahdi and Al Hassan trials) and has been an advisor to the Trust Fund for Victims. She works with colleagues at the University Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar, Senegal, on a Global Challenge Research Fund project with the Musée de la Femme Henriette Bathily.

Visit Dr Joy’s full profile on the UNESCO UK website and read UNESCO UK’s announcement of new appointments