The Courtauld alumni team has triumphed over Goldsmiths, St John’s College, Oxford, and the University of Manchester to win the Christmas alumni edition of the BBC quiz show University Challenge.
The Courtauld’s alumni line-up consisted of artist Jeremy Deller, Design Museum director Tim Marlow, writer and poet Lavinia Greenlaw and the team captain, art historian, broadcaster, and publisher, Jacky Klein, who also this month takes up the position of Associate Lecturer on the MA Curating the Art Museum programme at The Courtauld.
Jacky Klein said: “While UC was in many ways a rather stressful experience, not least being filmed during a lockdown, it was a delight to captain such a fun and knowledgeable team, and we were all really pleased to bring home the proverbial winners’ cup for The Courtauld. The moral of the story seems to be: study art history!”
“I’d like to congratulate the team on behalf of everyone at The Courtauld” added Professor Deborah Swallow, Märit Rausing Director of The Courtauld. “The team showed the broad range of knowledge and quick minds that we’d expect from all of our Courtauld alumni, and were worthy winners. We’re proud that they were able to fly the flag for art historians everywhere!”
Over the Christmas Period, 14 teams of alumni from the UK’s leading institutions completed for the title. The final saw The Courtauld team face the University of Manchester, winning by 150 points to 90.