Professor Abigail Harrison Moore to feature in this year’s Christmas edition of University Challenge

Abigail Harrison Moore – Professor of Art History and Museum Studies in the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies – is appearing in the BBC's University Challenge Christmas Special.

Chaired by host Amol Rajan, this festive edition of University Challenge sees fifty-six distinguished alumni from fourteen universities grappling with remarkably tricky questions to claim the title of Christmas champions.

The notable graduates, ranging from journalists and TV personalities to politicians and academics, will put their knowledge to the test in a spirited competition promising a display of intellect, wit and entertainment over the festive period.

Abigail will be representing her alma mater, the University of St Andrews, alongside stand-up comedian Jamie MacDonald, actress and writer Abigail Thorn, and documentary-maker and non-fiction author Tim Samuels.

The contestants are a rather lovely bunch of journalists, academics, politicians and other assorted professionals, all trying desperately to remind themselves of what they've forgotten from their own student days.

Professor Abigail Harrison Moore completed an MA in Art History at St Andrews in 1994. She has often spoken about how she only found out that there was a subject called Art History when she joined took it as an elective almost by mistake in her first year.

Coming from a comprehensive school in Yorkshire, she had discovered art history as part of her Art A Level encouraged by ‘an amazing art teacher’, but had never named it as such. Once she encountered the subject at St Andrews (due to the Scottish system of choosing honours after year two of a degree), she went on to complete her degree specialising in architecture and design history.

Abigail then completed a PG Certificate at Manchester University in Art Gallery and Museum Studies and a PhD at the University of Southampton, before joining the University of Leeds in 1995.

Since starting at the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies 29 years ago, much of Abigail’s work – including as Head of School from 2014 to 2019 – has been focussed on ensuring that young people can find art history themselves in a way that is not dependent on the type of school they attend.

This work has culminated in the Art Teachers Connect programme that enables art and art history teachers across the UK to confidently introduce their students to art history in the art room.

Abigail is currently completing an Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Fellowship, working with the Preservative Party (a diverse group of 14-24 year olds) at Leeds City Museum. Alongside the Arts and Humanites Outreach Team at the University of Leeds, she continues to run Art Teachers Connect which offers professional development opportunities such as an annual campus residential and a Postgraduate Certificate in Teachers Research and Practice.

Abigail Harrison Moore (left) with her fellow team members for University Challenge 2024 Christmas Special and presenter Amol Rajan. Photo courtesy of Lifted Entertainment.

The University Challenge Christmas series starts on 23 December on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two, with Abigail’s team taking part in the heats on 31 December.

Abigail said:

“I was delighted and surprised to be invited to take part in this year’s Christmas University Challenge, and to represent the University of St Andrews where I first encountered Art History as a subject.

“While it was terrifying to be the 'professor' on the panel, with the expectations that that might bring as to my general knowledge, I enjoyed every minute of the filming.

“The team at the studios were incredibly kind and welcoming, my team were super fun. It was great to meet Amol and the famous Roger Tilling...hearing him say 'Harrison Moore – St Andrews' was thrilling!

“I'm hoping that the broadcast of our heat with LSE on New Year's Eve will mark a great end to a challenging but fruitful year of work.”

Find out more about this year’s University Challenge Christmas Special.

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Abigail Harrison Moore and her fellow alumni contestants for this year’s University Challenge Christmas Special. Photo courtesy of Lifted Entertainment.