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Emma Watson and Benedict Cumberbatch appointed visiting fellows at University of Oxford

The Perks of Being a Wallflower actress previously attended the university during her studies

Olivia Blair
Saturday 06 February 2016 18:00 GMT
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Emma Watson
Emma Watson (GERARD JULIEN/AFP/Getty Images)

At 25-years-old Emma Watson can now add visiting fellow of the University of Oxford to her resume alongside UN goodwill ambassador and successful actress and model.

Similarly, Benedict Cumberbatch, 39, is another name among a list of eleven newly appointed visiting fellows at Lady Margaret Hall college.

Watson is best known for springing into the public eye aged 11 playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter franchises. Since then she has had notable other acting roles and devoted her time to feminism, launching the UN campaign He For She which encourages men to help in the fight for gender equality.

Watson is not new to Oxford University having attended Worcester College in 2011 during her studies at Brown University in Rhode Island in the US.

As well as being famed for his roles in the TV series Sherlock and films such as the Imitation Game, in the past year Cumberbatch has used his platform to draw attention to the refugee crisis.

The principal of Lady Margaret Hall, Alan Rusbridger — the former editor-in-chief of the Guardian also appointed author Malorie Blackman and one half of the Pet Shop Boys, Neil Tennant, as fellows.

A visiting fellow’s position normally lasts for around three years and fellows are encouraged to join the University for debates, performances and social occasions.

Rusbridger said his appointees are “people drawn from a variety of backgrounds, callings and professions and we want them to form a bridge between our own academic community and the worlds they inhabit and represent”.

Additional reporting by Associated Press.

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