The Serena Medal is awarded annually for eminent services towards the furtherance of the study of Italian history, literature, art or economics. It was endowed by Mr Arthur Serena after Great Britain’s alliance with Italy in the First World War. The medal was first awarded in 1920.

Professor Parker, the Thurston Dart Professor of Music, is among a number of pre-eminent academics, journalists and economists being honoured by British Academy prizes and medals this year. You can find out more about his research into 19th Century Italian opera here.

The prizes will be awarded by Professor Sir David Cannadine, historian and President of the British Academy, at a ceremony in central London on Tuesday 25 September. He said:

“The British Academy exists to champion the humanities and social sciences in all areas of our national life, and so it is a great pleasure to present these awards to such an outstanding and inspiring group.

“Be they journalists or historians, economists or theologians, this year’s winners have excelled in their respective academic fields, while at the same time furthering public understanding of the humanities and social sciences. And at a time when institutions are distrusted and derided, when expertise is mocked and scorned, and when the humanities and social sciences are all too frequently dismissed in the corridors of power as trivial or recreational pursuits, such achievements ought to be celebrated.

“I extend my heartiest congratulations and warmest wishes to each of the winners.”

You can find the full list of winners on the British Academy website: https://www.britac.ac.uk/news/journalists-prehistorians-economists-honoured-british-academy-prizes-medals