
Professor Alice Roberts – Biography, Books, Husband & 2026 Tour
Professor Alice Roberts is a familiar face on British television, a respected academic, and a bestselling author. She has built a career that bridges the gap between rigorous scientific research and public understanding, presenting complex topics in anatomy, archaeology, and human evolution to millions. This profile provides a detailed look at her life, work, and upcoming projects.
Born on 19 May 1973, Roberts is a British anatomist, archaeologist, author, and broadcaster. Her full name is Alice May Roberts. She holds the title of Professor of Public Engagement in Science at the University of Birmingham, a position she has held since 2012, and is known for her extensive work on BBC and Sky History documentaries.
Who is Professor Alice Roberts?
Roberts is one of the UK’s most recognized science communicators. She balances a formal academic role with a prolific media career, making her a unique figure in public science.
Core Profile
- Full name: Alice May Roberts
- Born: 19 May 1973
- Profession: Anatomist, Archaeologist, TV Presenter, Author
- Known for: Public engagement in science, TV documentaries
Key Insights
- Professor Alice Roberts is a leading figure in British science communication.
- She combines a career as an academic at the University of Birmingham with a significant media presence.
- Her books are known for making complex scientific topics accessible to a general audience.
- She has a strong social media following and maintains an active schedule of public talks and theatre tours.
- Her academic background includes medicine, anatomy, and palaeopathology.
- She is a former President of Humanists UK.
Key Facts About Professor Alice Roberts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | 52 (as of 2025) |
| Spouse | David Stevens |
| Children | Sources conflict; Wikipedia lists 2, IMDb lists 1 |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed in a reliable source |
| University Role | Professor of Public Engagement in Science, University of Birmingham |
| PhD | Palaeopathology |
| TV Debut | Time Team (2001) as a human bone specialist |
| Radio Series | Bodies, a 10-part series on BBC Radio 4 (2021) |
| Upcoming Tour | November 2026 |
| Total TV Documentaries | Over 100 (per official website) |
What books has Professor Alice Roberts written?
Roberts is an accomplished author, though the exact number of books she has written varies depending on the source. The University of Birmingham states she has authored seven popular science books, while her own website lists fourteen popular science and history books. The Oxford University Museum of Natural History notes eight books. This discrepancy is likely due to differences in counting editions, reprints, or specific titles.
Notable Books by Alice Roberts
Among her most well-known works are titles that explore human evolution, anatomy, and history.
- Don’t Die Young: An Anatomist’s Guide to Your Organs and Your Health
- The Incredible Human Journey
- The Complete Human Body
- Evolution: The Human Story
- The Incredible Unlikeliness of Being
- Tamed: Ten Species That Changed Our World
- Ancestors, Buried, and Crypt
Television and Presenting Career
Roberts has presented over a hundred television documentaries. Her career began in 2001 as a human bone specialist on Channel 4’s Time Team. She has since hosted numerous long-running series for the BBC and Sky History.
- Time Team
- Coast
- The Incredible Human Journey
- Origins of Us
- Digging for Britain (her longest-running series)
- Britain’s Most Historic Towns
- Ancient Egypt by Train
- Royal Autopsy and its second series
Roberts’ academic journey began at Cardiff University where she studied medicine and anatomy. After working as a junior doctor in South Wales, she became a lecturer in anatomy at Bristol University for 11 years. She later completed a PhD in palaeopathology, developing research interests in evolutionary anatomy, osteoarchaeology, and palaeopathology.
Who is Dr Alice Roberts husband?
Alice Roberts is married to David Stevens. Information about her wedding is limited, as she keeps her personal life relatively private. Wedding photos are not widely published in public sources.
Does Alice Roberts have children?
The number of children Alice Roberts has is not entirely consistent across sources. Her Wikipedia entry states she has two children, a daughter and a son. However, her IMDb profile lists only one child. Given this conflict, the precise number has not been independently verified by a single authoritative source.
What is Alice Roberts net worth?
A reliable, verified figure for Alice Roberts’ net worth is not available. The provided research sources, including her official university profile and personal website, do not include a financial disclosure. While various unverified websites may offer estimates, no credible financial data is present in the provided material to support any specific number.
Alice Roberts maintains a clear boundary between her public and private life. Specific details, such as her wedding photos and the names of her children, are not widely shared or confirmed in public records. The information that is available about her personal life is often limited to what is officially published.
When is Professor Alice Roberts on tour in 2026?
Professor Alice Roberts has announced a UK tour scheduled for November 2026. Her official website confirms the “On Tour November 2026” status. However, a complete public itinerary with specific dates and venues is not detailed in the available research material. Those interested in attending are encouraged to monitor her official site for updates.
Career Timeline of Professor Alice Roberts
- 1973: Born in Bristol, England.
- 2001: Began television presenting as a bone specialist on Channel 4’s Time Team.
- 2000s: Presented major series including Coast and The Incredible Human Journey.
- 2012: Appointed Professor of Public Engagement in Science at the University of Birmingham.
- 2020s: Published multiple bestselling books, including Ancestors, Buried, and Crypt.
- 2024: Hosted TV documentaries such as Roman Empire by Train.
- 2026: Announced UK tour for November 2026.
What is known and what remains unclear about Alice Roberts?
While much of her professional life is well-documented, some aspects of her personal life are less certain.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| She is married to David Stevens. | The exact number of children she has is disputed between sources. |
| She holds the position of Professor of Public Engagement in Science at the University of Birmingham. | Her net worth is not officially disclosed and no reliable estimate is available. |
| Her 2026 tour is confirmed for November. | Specific dates and venues for the 2026 tour have not been fully released. |
Why Professor Alice Roberts Matters in Public Science
Alice Roberts represents a unique bridge between rigorous academic science and mass-market media. Her work in anatomy, osteoarchaeology, and palaeopathology has been translated into accessible television and books, demystifying human evolution and archaeology for a broad audience. Her named professorship at the University of Birmingham underscores her commitment to public engagement, a role she has filled since 2012. She also served as President of Humanists UK from January 2019 to May/June 2022 and continues as a vice-president or patron of the organization.
Sources and Further Information
The information in this article is drawn from several authoritative sources.
“Professor Alice Roberts has presented over a hundred television documentaries.”
— Official Website of Alice Roberts
“She was appointed as the Professor of Public Engagement in Science at the University of Birmingham in 2012.”
— University of Birmingham Profile
Summary: Who is Professor Alice Roberts?
Professor Alice Roberts is a British anatomist, archaeologist, author, and television presenter. She is a Professor of Public Engagement in Science at the University of Birmingham and has written multiple books on human evolution and history. Her television work, including long-running series like Digging for Britain, has made her a household name in the UK. She is currently scheduled for a UK tour in November 2026.
For more on her academic work, you can visit the University of Birmingham Biosciences page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Alice Roberts’ net worth?
Alice Roberts’ net worth is not publicly disclosed. Unverified estimates from non-official sources suggest a range of $1-5 million, but no reliable figure exists.
Are there wedding photos of Alice Roberts?
Alice Roberts has kept her wedding private. Very few photos are publicly available, as she does not widely share personal family images.
What TV shows has Alice Roberts presented?
She has presented many shows including Time Team, Coast, The Incredible Human Journey, Digging for Britain, Ancient Egypt by Train, and Royal Autopsy.
How old is Professor Alice Roberts?
She was born on 19 May 1973, making her 52 years old in 2025.
Where does Alice Roberts work?
She is Professor of Public Engagement in Science at the University of Birmingham, a role she has held since 2012.
What is Alice Roberts’ full name?
Her full name is Alice May Roberts.
Does Alice Roberts have a PhD?
Yes, she completed a PhD in palaeopathology.
When is Alice Roberts’ next tour?
She is scheduled for a UK tour in November 2026.