Celebrating Dr Anne Makena’s Honorary Fellowship at Somerville College

Dr Anne Makena has been appointed as an Honorary Fellow of Somerville College, University of Oxford — one of the College’s highest honours, recognising exceptional achievement in professional life.

As Co‑Director of the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx), Dr Makena champions meaningful partnerships between Oxford and African universities. Under her leadership, AfOx is reshaping research collaboration, working to increase African postgraduate representation at Oxford from 3 % to 10 %. She leads on fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and strategic development, helping to make Africa a central partner in global research.

Reflecting on her honour, Dr Makena said:

“Somerville gave me not just an academic home, but a community of deeply rooted thinkers and changemakers… To be named an Honorary Fellow is a deeply humbling honour, and one that I will hold with immense pride and gratitude.”

Her journey from student to leader exemplifies dedication to inclusive, global scholarship. Through her work at AfOx, Dr Makena is forging pathways for future African researchers, deepening Somerville’s legacy as a centre of academic excellence and social change.

Dr Makena was one of three Somervillians elected to Honorary Fellowships this year, alongside  Professor Kamila Hawthorne OBE, Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners; and Professor Emma Smith, Oxford University’s Professor of Shakespeare Studies. Click here to read more.