Misha Glenny, the award-winning journalist, broadcaster and author, will become the new presenter of In Our Time when the series resumes next month, BBC Radio 4 has announced.
He takes over from Melvyn Bragg, who stepped down in September after more than 27 years and 1,000 episodes at the helm of the show, which offers an insight into humanity’s cultural achievements.
As part of the handover, Glenny will join Bragg for a conversation during the latter’s guest-edited edition of the Today programme on 24 December, where they will reflect on the legacy of the programme and its future.
In Our Time began in 1998 and it has held discussions on history, philosophy, science and culture with leading academics and thinkers on topics from Thomas Hardy’s poetry to theories about dinosaur feathers.
The new series will begin on 15 January. It is one of the BBC’s most listened-to on-demand programmes around the world, and one of BBC Sounds’ most popular podcasts among under-35s, the corporation said.
Glenny, 67, said: “It is a huge honour to take on the institution that is In Our Time. Its enduring success is testament to Melvyn’s extraordinary stewardship and his forensic curiosity, and I look forward to continuing the tradition of lively, informed conversation that listeners love.
“My own career has taken me from covering the fall of communism in eastern Europe to exploring the borders, histories and people that make different nations what they are. But a common thread, one I share with In Our Time’s listeners, is a deep curiosity about the world and the ideas that shape it.”
Glenny has presented Radio 4 series such as The Invention Of … which spans 15 countries over 55 episodes, as well as The Secret History of the World and The Rise and Rise of the Microchip. He also hosts podcasts including Putin: Prisoner of Power and The Rise of the Iron Men.
Bragg, 86, said: “It has been an extraordinary privilege to present In Our Time for so many years, and I am delighted that Misha will be taking on the role. His breadth of knowledge and gift for clear, engaging conversation make him ideally suited to guide these discussions into the future. I wish him and the programme every success.”
Mohit Bakaya, the controller of BBC Radio 4 and director of BBC Speech Audio, said “It’s hard to imagine In Our Time without Melvyn but, with Misha Glenny stepping in, I know the programme will continue to thrive; serving as a fascinating portal into the world of ideas and a resource for both students and the curious everywhere.”
Bakaya added: “His understanding of international affairs, science, culture and history, combined with his ability to make complex subjects engaging, makes him the ideal person to build on Melvyn Bragg’s remarkable legacy.”
