Award-winning journalist, celebrated author, broadcaster, and columnist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown is to become the first-ever Visiting Professor in Journalism at the University of the West of England, when she delivers the third public annual Tony Benn Lecture this Thursday 23 October at the Arnolfini on Bristol’s waterfront.

Ms Alibhai-Brown, whose trenchant views have often caused controversy, has chosen as her topic: ‘Not One Of Us: Columnists, Independence, Distance & Integrity’.

Yasmin currently writes regular columns for the Independent and the London Evening Standard. She came to the UK from Uganda in 1972 and completed her MPhil at Oxford in 1975. A feminist and a Muslim, she has frequently incurred the wrath of those who feel uncomfortable because she refuses to ‘toe the party line’.

Publications include No Place Like Home, True Colours, Who Do We Think We Are and Mixed Feelings. She has written for the Guardian, the New York Times, Time Magazine, Newsweek and The Mail, and has appeared on BBC TV’s Question Time. Yasmin has received many accolades and awards including the EMMA Award for best print journalists for her column in the Independent. In 2005 she was voted the 10th most influential black/Asian woman in the country.

Christina Zaba, Chair of Bristol Branch of the National Union of Journalists, organisers of the Benn Lectures, says: “We are absolutely delighted to have Yasmin as our guest speaker this year. She is never afraid to challenge the high and mighty, and always stands up for the underdog. This year she has been touring her one-woman show in aid of refugees. Nowhere to Belong: Tales of an Extravagant Stranger is based on her own experience as a Ugandan Asian driven out by Idi Amin.

“Yasmin’s journalism is the kind that keeps everyone on their toes. She is both entertaining and incisive, and deserves her reputation as one of the most influential Muslim women in the country”.

“We are especially pleased that the University of the West of England has chosen this event at which to award Yasmin with a visiting professorship. She will be an excellent role model for young students of journalism”.

Professor Paul Gough, Dean of the Faculty of Creative Arts and Pro Vice-Chancellor, will confer the award, on stage at the Arnolfini, immediately before Ms Alibhai-Brown delivers the Benn lecture. She will become the first Visiting Professor in Journalism at UWE where new undergraduate and postgraduate courses in journalism have recently started.

Professor Gough said: “We are delighted that such a well-regarded and controversial journalist has agreed to join the University as a Visiting Professor. It will be invaluable for our students who will benefit from her unique and impressive experience and talent as a broadcaster and journalist.”

The Visiting Professorship has been awarded by the Faculty of Creative Arts at UWE. Head of the Department for Culture, Media and Drama, Professor Jane Arthurs, said, “We are delighted to welcome Yasmin to UWE as our Visiting Professor of Journalism. She represents the questioning and radical spirit that needs to inform journalism education today. She will be a great inspiration to our students looking to make their own mark on the industry.”

The Benn Lecture series were inaugurated by NUJ member and former Bristol South MP Tony Benn in 2006. Last year the guest speaker was Journalist of the Year Andrew Gilligan.

The Benn Lecture 2008 takes place on Thursday 23 Oct, 7pm, Arnolfini, Narrow Quay BS1 4QA. Tickets are £10 from Arnolfini box office 0117 9172300/1, (£5 concessions for students & NUJ members)