Janina Ramirez was born on 7 July 1980 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She has Polish heritage through her grandfather and grew up in the UK, developing an early interest in history and art.

She attended St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School in Slough, where she was head girl. She later studied English at St Anne’s College, Oxford, followed by postgraduate study and a PhD at the University of York, focusing on Anglo-Saxon culture.

Ramirez began her academic career as a lecturer in art history, teaching at institutions including York, Warwick, Winchester, and Oxford. She later became a research fellow at Harris Manchester College, Oxford.

Alongside academia, she built a broadcasting career, presenting documentaries such as Raiders of the Lost Past on BBC Two/BBC Four, along with numerous BBC history series exploring medieval culture and art.

She lives in the UK with her husband and two children, balancing academic work,

Janina Ramirez was born on 7 July 1980 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She has Polish heritage through her grandfather and grew up in the UK, developing an early interest in history and art.

She attended St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School in Slough, where she was head girl. She later studied English at St Anne’s College, Oxford, followed by postgraduate study and a PhD at the University of York, focusing on Anglo-Saxon culture.

Ramirez began her academic career as a lecturer in art history, teaching at institutions including York, Warwick, Winchester, and Oxford. She later became a research fellow at Harris Manchester College, Oxford.

Alongside academia, she built a broadcasting career, presenting documentaries such as Raiders of the Lost Past on BBC Two/BBC Four, along with numerous BBC history series exploring medieval culture and art.

She lives in the UK with her husband and two children, balancing academic work, television presenting, and writing bestselling history books.