With over 100 days having passed since taking up residence at the BSR with Mirka and Elena, it seems an appropriate moment to look back over the last four months and take stock. From my predecessor Christopher Smith's valedictory lecture at the end of September, which saw no less than four former, current, and future Directors in the BSR at the same time, to February's Rome meetings with Matthew Hancock, the new Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, there has been a deluge of introductions, meetings, events, and emails. 

Yet amidst the whirlwind, the community of staff and fellows has stood firm. They have welcomed us as a family with a generosity and warmth which has been truly heart-warming, a welcome I have also seen extended to artists, researchers, readers and visitors again and again since our arrival. One of the main priorities of my Directorship is to ensure the BSR continues to welcome and accept all those from across the world who cross the threshold in the name of creativity and scholarship. 

In keeping with the increasing bilateral diplomatic activity between Italy and the UK, I gave my inaugural lecture both at the British Academy in London and at the BSR in Rome. In the context of Brexit it is ever more important that the BSR demonstrates its importance as a key part of the UK's international research base and its role as a catalyst in the arts and creative sector. As we head towards the next Comprehensive Spending Review in 2020, I am optimistic that the BSR is preparing itself to make the best possible case for the future under the guidance of our new Chair of Council, Mark Getty, not only for UK academics and artists but for those from across Europe and the Commonwealth.

Stephen Milner

Director

Being Human is the UK's largest festival of the humanities, led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy, and annually holding events across the country.  2017 was the festival's first year of international programming, and the BSR was proud to contribute in collaboration with the British Embassy and British Council. 

The day-long workshop brought together archaeologists, classicists and experts in other fields who are leading the fight to preserve the traces of our past. The scope was far-reaching, with topics as diverse as the recovery of stolen artefacts, the  mapping of endangered archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa and  improving conservation processes via organised training programmes. Our own Professor Simon Keay talked about public engagement initiatives relating to the site of Portus, and the workshop concluded with a short film on migration and movement from the British Council.

Thanks to a generous grant from the British Academy in 2017, we were able to hire specialist consultants Gifted Philanthropy to help us shape the BSR's first legacy campaign. This time last year, our Members and former award-holders told us they wanted to learn how they could help ensure our future in this way.

Since then, we have produced a leaflet and met with and heard from many alumni and others whose lives were transformed by a connection with the BSR. Some of these inspirational stories have been filmed and can be viewed on our website; others are in the works.

Our legacy campaign was officially launched by former Director Christopher Smith at his valedictory talk in London in June, at which he announced his and Susan's own bequests. Gifted had advised us to set a goal of £750,000 in pledges by the end of 2017. We were overwhelmed to finish the year having received 16 pledges totalling over £1.5m! We are grateful to everyone who has done so, and are continuing to meet with those who have expressed an interest in leaving a legacy that will transform the lives of so many others.

Plans are also afoot for our '1916 Club', which is fronted by celebrated author and long-time BSR supporter Lindsey Davis. Over the coming year and beyond, the group - to which all those pledging a legacy to the BSR belong - will meet in the UK or Rome to learn more about the BSR's activities.

If you would like to learn more, or speak to someone in confidence, please contact BSR Director Stephen Milner in Rome or Development Director Elizabeth Rabineau in London.