MBEs are awarded to individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding and impactful service to the community.

The honour recognises Dr Holmes-Henderson’s work to make Classics more widely available in schools and helping young people develop their communication skills.

She holds a British Academy Innovation Fellowship (2022-2024) entitled ‘Levelling-up through talk’, which investigates how speech, communication and active listening contribute to young people’s social mobility and employability.

She is also leading a major new multi-disciplinary project ‘Shy bairns get nowt’ to help teachers improve the teaching of oracy skills in North East England schools.

Dr Holmes-Henderson said it was an honour to receive an MBE for her work. She said: “I collaborate with inspiring colleagues in academia, schools, charities and museums.

“This award is a reflection of our collective achievements.

“I enjoy using my experience, knowledge and skills to make a positive difference.”

Dr Holmes-Henderson’s commitment to national strategic improvement has also seen her elected to two prominent advisory roles to help shape future priorities in Humanities education.

She sits on the Executive Committee of the University Council of Modern Languages (UCML) as their first ever representative for Classical Studies and is also Vice-Chair of the Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN).

This brings together 120+ UK universities and policy professionals to increase the impact of research on public policy.

Born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, Dr Holmes-Henderson graduated with a BA (Hons) in Classics from St Hilda’s College, the University of Oxford, then received a scholarship to Harvard University for graduate study.

She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from Trinity College, the University of Cambridge, a MA from the University of Oxford and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Glasgow. She was a Fulbright Visiting Professor at the University of Hawaii, a Churchill Fellow in Australia and an Erskine Fellow in New Zealand.

Dr Holmes-Henderson shares her international comparative expertise with government and parliament in the UK and worldwide.

She is an expert advisor to the All-Party Parliamentary group for Political Literacy and to the Oracy All-Party Parliamentary group.

Dr Holmes-Henderson joined Durham University in October 2022 as a British Academy Innovation Fellow and Associate Professor of Classics and Ancient History.