Best known for her broadcasting work on both television and radio, having hosted a number of documentaries on history, literature, nature and art for the BBC.
As presenter of Woman’s Hour for nearly a decade, Martha’s interviews ranged widely and included Amy Winehouse, Hilary Mantel, Courtney Love, Arundhati Roy and Jane Fonda.
In 2000 she became Newsnight’s political editor. Since 1987 she has covered every election interviewing every British Prime Minister. She’s also covered every USA election since 1988 – interviewing American politicians including Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, John McCain, Nancy Pelosi and Bob Dole. While presenting the arts programme Newsnight Review for many years, Martha interviewed the artists Peter Doig, Anthony Gormley, Tracey Emin, Cornelia Parker and Ed Ruscha.
Her awards include Political Commentator of the Year (House Magazine), Radio Presenter of the Year (TRIC) and Best Individual Contribution to Radio (Voice of Listener and Viewer). Martha’s coverage of the Troubles in Northern Ireland were also BAFTA nominated.
Her television work includes documentaries on Jane Austen, Lewis Carroll and the Bronte sisters, Great Irish Journeys, several series about the honey bee and one about the Painted Lady butterfly.
Martha’s literary prowess and love of storytelling have seen her on the judging panels of the Man Booker Prize and Orange Prize for Fiction, to name just a few.
An avid beekeeper, she has also made several BBC programmes on the subject.
Class of 1976.