Elish Angiolini

Lady Elish Angiolini LT DBE PC KC FRSE is the Principal of St Hugh’s College, University of Oxford, a role she has held since 2012. She is also a Visiting Professor of Law at the University of Strathclyde and a Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford (2017–present). Her career bridges law, prosecution, and academia.

Education:

• LLB in Law, University of Strathclyde (1982)

Research & Leadership: A pioneer in victim-centered criminal justice reform, she modernized prosecution practices for vulnerable victims, sexual crimes, and domestic violence. Her initiatives include the National Sexual Crimes Unit and Health and Safety Division in Scotland.

Key Reports: She led transformative reviews into rape prosecution (2015), police custody deaths (2017), and police complaints handling (2020), producing actionable recommendations for systemic reform.

Scientific & Institutional Awards:

• Dame Commander of the British Empire (2011)
• Order of the Thistle (2022)
• Multiple honorary degrees and titles from universities including Aberdeen, Stirling, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong
• Zero Tolerance “Woman in the Public Eye” Award (2006)

Advisory & Governance Roles: She chairs the Public Inquiry into Sarah Everard’s murder and the charity Reprieve, emphasizing justice and human rights advocacy.