‘I’m feeling butterflies’: ‘Nervous’ Angelina turns professor

Angelina Jolie stepped into a new role on Tuesday morning, as professor in practice of London School of Economics.

The filmmaker and human rights advocate, 41, said she was ‘feeling butterflies’ before she lectured at the Centre for Women, Peace and Security, beginning a new master’s course on the impact of war on women.

Despite her nerves, she embodied her new, visiting professor mantle perfectly, paring down her iconic Hollywood image in favour of a simple yet sophisticated longline coat.

Angelina told London’s Evening Standard: ‘I’m a little nervous, feeling butterflies. I hope I do well. This is very important to me.’

The actress addressed a class of students taking the same-titled postgraduate course, Women, Peace and Security.

The course helps scholars, practitioners, activists, policy-makers and students to develop strategies to promote justice, human rights and participation for women in conflict-affected situations around the world.

They conduct original research and teach with the aim of promoting gender equality and enhancing women’s economic, social and political participation and security.

As part of her fellowship, Angelina will also be able to conduct her own research in the field.

The activist spoke about her experience and what has motivated her work as United Nations Special Envoy.

In her new role, Angelina is invited to attended public events and workshops in association with the course, ‘as her schedule allows’.

She co-founded the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative - aiming to end the stigma suffered by survivors of sexual violence, and children born of rape - five years ago.

Her work includes minimising the long term consequences this may have in communities as well as reconciliation and peacebuilding.

Announcing her role back in May, Angelina said: ‘I am looking forward to teaching and to learning from the students, as well as to sharing my own experiences of working alongside governments and the United Nations.’

In the unpaid role, Angelina, alongside ex-foreign secretary William Hague, has agreed to teach a minimum of one lecture in the one-term master’s course.

From September, the course will develop students will be able to take an entire master’s - which makes the London School of Economics the first to offer this.

Professor Christine Chinkin, Director of the Centre for Women, Peace and Security, said in a statement issued to MailOnline: ‘I am delighted that LSE postgraduate students have had the unique opportunity to learn directly from the valuable insights, perspectives and experiences that Angelina Jolie brought to the class.’

Chinkin continued: ‘Global action to enhance women’s human rights, and the economic, social and political participation of women takes place at all levels – through local activism, international institutions, and cross-border initiatives.

‘Critical and constructive engagement with this work is at the core of the education programme of the Centre for Women, Peace and Security.’

Previously, Angelina was there to see the centre opened in February 2015 and has therefore been a supporter ever since.  

It was Angelina’s humanitarian work that brought her to London from Los Angeles with her six children, at the weekend.

Unsupported by ex-husband Brad Pitt during her visit to the British capital, Angelina has been looking after Maddox, 15, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and eight-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox, all by herself.

Angelina filed for divorce from her husband Brad in September 2016 after 10 years together, and confirmed that the family was ‘coping’ after a ‘difficult time’, last month.

So far, the family’s stay has seen them stocking up on books at Waterstone’s and also treated to new toys at Hamley’s.

On Monday, Angelina commenced a busy week by taking part in a panel discussion at World Vision UK HQ on the 5 year anniversary of the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative.

Angelina said: ‘All of us involved in PSVI are proud of the work so far.

‘But with much more to do we are very focused on the next steps: taking the tools that have been developed into the field to help document crimes and support prosecutions, working with militaries to change doctrine and training, and pushing for the implementation of laws to protect the very vulnerable victims.’

Angelina is now promoting the Time to Act initiative and work will place a greater focus on dealing with trauma and support to child and male survivors.

Source: The Daily Mail