23 amazing achievements from our alumni community in 2023

As another year ends, we’re looking back at all the amazing things our alumni community have achieved over the past 12 months.

Check out the top news stories from your fellow alumni below. And remember to get in touch with us to share your own news so we can shout it from the rooftops!

23 alumni recognised in King Charles III’s New Year and Birthday Honours

We are so proud of the 23 members of our alumni community who were honoured by King Charles III this year, with graduates ranging from the Class of 1970 to 2015 featured! These honours acknowledge the dedication and success shown by alumni in their respective fields. Huge congratulations to:

Sir John Akomfrah, former Visiting Professor of Film Practice at Newcastle University; Professor Derek Alderson (MD Medicine, 1987); Dr Richard Bardgett CBE (BSc Soil and Land Resource Science, 1987); Smajo Beso OBE, Design Tutor at Newcastle University (BArch Architecture, 2010; Postgrad Diploma Architectural Practice & Management, 2015); Naomi Cowan MBE (BSc Mathematics & Psychology, 2001); Professor Chris Day CBE, Vice-Chancellor and President of Newcastle University (PhD, 1994); Caroline Hamilton (MEng Mechanical Engineering, 2003); Sally Ingram MBE, Director of Student Health and Wellbeing at Newcastle University; Sharon Jandu OBE, current MSc Strategic Leadership student at Newcastle University Business School; Professor Kantilal Mardia OBE (PhD Statistics, 1967; DSc Statistics, 1973); Professor Peter Kelly (PhD in Statistics, 1989); Dr Heather McGregor DBE (BSc Agricultural Marketing, 1984); Professor Lynne McKenna (MEd Education, 1998); Catriona Marcia McLuckie (MLit History, 2011); Katy Merrington (BA Hons Fine Art, 2005); Dr Eugene Milne, Honorary Emeritus Professor of Public Health at Newcastle University (MBBS, 1985; MSc Public Health Medicine, 1993); Dr Lewis Potter (MBBS, 2012); Dame Norma Redfearn DBE (BPhil Education, 1981); Professor Kim Reynolds OBE, Emerita Professor at Newcastle University; Neil Shonchhatra BEM (BSc Hons Accounting & Finance); Roy Taylor MBE, Emeritus Professor at Newcastle University; Dr Rosemary Waddy (MBBS, 1970); Andrew Welch OBE (MBBS, 1976); and Claire Woods (BSc Agricultural and Environmental Science, 1987).

Architecture alumnus launches new ‘urban room’ in Newcastle city centre

Internationally-renowned architect and urban designer Sir Terry Farrell, who is known for the regeneration of the Newcastle Gateshead quayside, opened The Farrell Centre in the Claremont Building on campus this April.

The Farrell Centre combines a public gallery, research hub, and community space with the aim of increasing the public’s understanding of what is happening in their city and to ensure that their voice is heard, so that urban transformation works for the benefit of all.

Alumni volunteers launch four new networks in Middle East and Asia to help graduates reconnect with each other

We’re excited to announce the creation of four new alumni networks in Iraq, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan this year - providing Newcastle graduates in the area an opportunity to reconnect with each other and their university.

Led by volunteers from our global alumni community, these new alumni networks provide social events and professional development opportunities for their fellow Newcastle graduates who live and work nearby. The networks held their first events in March as part of our NCL in Action 2023 programme and have gone from strength to strength since!

Maths graduate trades a career in investment banking to launch a new social app, Zoplo

Tom Cullen, who studied at Newcastle University between 2013 – 2017, launched Zoplo in April 2023, an app which gives users the power to settle any debate, make any decision, and share any opinion.

Since launching, Zoplo has gained a community of 14,000 people and reached the epic milestone of 1 million votes cast in-app! They’ve also been polling the nation on the streets and sharing results on TikTok, with topics including ‘is golf a sport?’ and ‘could you beat a house cat in a fight?’

Law graduates come together to celebrate 100 years of teaching law at the university

2023 marks the 100th year of teaching Law at Newcastle and 60 years of Newcastle Law School graduates. To celebrate, graduates from across the decades came together in Newcastle and London for special events and the School held a poetry competition, with the winning entry displayed in the Law School Garden.

Two graduates win at national Study UK Alumni Awards

Huge congratulations to Newcastle alumni Hun-Suk Chung (MSc Drug Chemistry with English, 2003) and Xuan Man Nguyen (BA Architectural Studies, 2013) who were awarded a Study UK Alumni Award in their home nation this year, and shortlisted for the global awards organised by the British Council!

The Alumni Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of alumni and showcase the impact and value of a UK higher education. Award winners are leaders in their fields who have used their experience of studying at a UK university to make a positive contribution to their communities, professions, and countries.

Alumni community come together to challenge stereotypes of ageing and celebrate the benefits of a multigenerational society

In April 2023, 1,225 alumni and current students - from five generations - joined together to challenge preconceptions of ageing and share personal perspectives at NCL in Action 2023.

Over 366 hours were volunteered for opportunities including multi-generational career mentoring, forming pen pal partnerships and helping shape health and social care research for the future. And events were held in seven countries around the world, with over 300 event attendees, spanning five generations. These events took place in China, Greece, South Korea, Iraq, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.

Three alumni-founded businesses win 20k support package from START UP team

Three ambitious start-ups by recent graduates have joined the 2023 START UP Founderships programme, delivered by our award-winning Careers Service.

Founderships is a programme for ambitious, growth-orientated companies and social enterprises supported by the University’s donor community.

The three companies, Appre, Guester and Solidarity Farm CIC, were selected after pitching to a panel of experienced entrepreneurs to demonstrate the strength and ambition of the opportunity, developing their business skills in the process. They will be offered coaching and mentorship, equity-free grant funding and tailored business support over six months.

Modern Languages graduates tackle epic challenges to raise money for charity

This year, our alumni have been pushing themselves to the limit – all in the name of charity!

Class of 2016 graduate Dylan cycled from the Angel of the North to Angel in London (over 300 miles!) in just 24 hours in September for The Wren Project, a national charity which provides free listening support for people in distress living with autoimmune disease. To date, he has raised a whopping £14,000.

And currently, 2001 graduate Claire Allen is midway through a charity walk along the whole 5,000-mile coastline of Britain, in aid of homelessness charity Shelter.

Alumna named as one of 75 India UK Achievers to celebrate India’s 75th anniversary of independence

Developmental paediatrician Dr Beena Koshy (MD Clinical Research, 2015) was one of 75 Indian nationals who have studied at a UK university to be recognised in the India UK Achievers Honours, hosted by the British Council and NISAU UK (National Indian Students & Alumni Union UK).

She was named as an Achiever in the ‘Education, Science and Innovation’ category, which celebrates researchers and educators whose ground-breaking work pushes the boundaries of human knowledge and technology and advances excellence in - and access to – education.

Blue plaque unveiled in honour of eminent alumnus

In September, The Psychological Society unveiled a commemorative blue plaque at Newcastle University's Faculty of Medical Sciences in honour of alumnus and cardiac physiologist, Francis Arthur Bainbridge.

Bainbridge is best known for the work he conducted whilst in Newcastle showing how heart rate is controlled. In 1915, he reported that an increased volume of blood returning to the heart caused chamber distension and a resultant increase in heart rate. This phenomenon has become known as the “Bainbridge reflex”.

Recent graduates guest edit BBC Radio 4's Today programme

Summer 2023 graduates Huzaifah Khan, Cenya Sanderson and Hannah Quinn guest edited BBC Radio 4’s flagship news and current affairs programme in August, using the programme to discuss 'good grief'.

The group all experienced bereavement at a young age and believe grief and the death of loved ones should be talked about more openly. During the show, they interviewed former England cricket captain Sir Andrew Strauss about the Ruth Strauss Foundation, which he founded in memory of his wife.

English Literature graduate nominated for a BAFTA!

Class of 2010 alumna Georgia Oakley was nominated in the 2023 EE BAFTA Film Awards earlier this year for her first feature film Blue Jean, which was filmed in the North East.

Georgia is an award-winning screenwriter and director. Blue Jean is her first feature film, and is set in the North East during the Thatcher years. It follows the life of lesbian PE teacher Jean, who has to lead a double life to keep her sexuality secret during the implementation of Section 28. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2022 where it won the Giornate Degli Autori People’s Choice award.

Newcastle University Vice-Chancellor and President appointed Chair of Russell Group

Professor Chris Day OBE (MD, 1994), current Vice-Chancellor and President of Newcastle University, took over from University of Manchester’s Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell as Chair of the Russell Group this year.

The Russell Group represents 24 leading UK universities, based across every region and nation of the country. Their core belief is that world-class research and education are key to meeting global challenges and helping to create a dynamic economy, stronger communities and a better future for the UK. 

Alumni-founded event business establishes an alternative night out in Newcastle

Contemporary and Popular Music graduates Maria Winter and Sam Harris launched music events business Marisam Events in February 2023.

Maria and Sam came up with the idea for a revamped night out celebrating the local music scene in their third year of University and have since received support from Newcastle University’s award-winning Careers Service to get the venture off the ground. Their pilot event was held in The Holy Hobo in Jesmond, and since they’ve held themed nights for Halloween and even a Freshers special for new Newcastle students!

Business School graduate receives British Citizen Award in recognition of charity work

Monju Meah (MSc Strategic Planning and Investment, 2011) was one of 26 remarkable individuals to be recognised with a British Citizen Award at the Palace of Westminster in June 2023, celebrating his extensive contribution to the West End Food Bank as a volunteer and fundraiser.

Through his fundraising efforts, over £300,000 has been raised for the foodbank over the past 5 years. Additionally, the donation platform Monju spearheaded at the charity has empowered other supporters to organise their own fundraising events, raising a further £500,000.

Alumni authors celebrate successful book releases

Our alumni have been busy putting pen to page this year, with a wave of book releases – from YA novels to explorations of the heart.

Peter Brathwaite, who received an honorary degree from Newcastle University 20 years after studying here as an undergraduate, published Rediscovering Black Portraiture which came from a lockdown social media challenge of recreating artworks at home; Journalist Larisa Brown (pictured) published The Gardener of Lashkar Gah, which covers the true story of an Afghan family whose lives were put in danger when the US and its allies withdrew from the country in 2021; Creative Writing alumna released her first novel, The Rewilding of Molly McFlynn; and Law alumna Funke Abimbola will be sharing her top tips for becoming a resilient leader in her book due for publication on 1 December.

£33,000 raised by generous alumni community to combat food poverty on campus

We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to the alumni who contributed to our Nourish appeal over the summer, providing cost of living provision on campus for returning students who are struggling with their food bills.

Alumni responded to our call for help at the start of summer and donated over £16,850 to ensure that vital services such as our Student Pantry and £1 hot meals on campus would be available to returning students in September. And their generous donations were then matched by the Newcastle University Development Trust – meaning a total support package of £33,700 guaranteed to support those most in need in the new academic year.

200 teaching alumni awarded Honorary Bachelor of Education degrees in special ceremony

In October, we awarded almost 200 Honorary B.Ed. degrees to recognise the significant contribution made by alumni to teaching in the North East and across the world.

Graduates from Newcastle University’s partner colleges - Northumberland College of Education, Kenton Lodge College of Education, City of Newcastle upon Tyne College of Education, Northern Counties College of Education and St Mary’s College of the Sacred Heart - arrived on campus along with their guests to have their lifetime contribution to the teaching community recognised.

At their time of study (prior to 1970), a degree in teaching wasn’t available at Newcastle University. When the University’s Senate was made aware of this anomaly in early 2023, they voted unanimously and enthusiastically to join other institutions in retrospectively offering this opportunity to its alumni community.

Award-winning artists in the year that Fine Art celebrates its 100-year anniversary at Newcastle

Recent Fine Art graduate Britney Fraser won the Dogger Bank Purchase Prize in her final term of study in June 2023, with her pieces Howay and Alreet which draw upon her family’s mining heritage and working-class culture.

And 2018 MFA graduate Peter Hanmer (pictured) has recently returned from displaying his sculpture Keep Your Distance (inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic) at the Manchester Contemporary Art Fair after winning the Air Gallery Award 2023.

These achievements come in the year that marks 100 years of teaching Fine Art at Newcastle (formerly King’s College).

Alumnae recognised in 2023 North East Charity Awards

Three Newcastle University graduates won at this year’s North East Charity Awards, showcasing their commitment to making a difference in the region.

Dr Libby Selman (MA Linguistics, 1973; PhD in Education, 2002) (pictured) was named Champion of the Year in recognition of her 15-year commitment to helping hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers to learn English and integrate into their new lives in the North East as a volunteer with Action Foundation.

Abi Walker (BA Hons English Literature, 2017) (pictured) was named Rising Star in recognition of the impact she has had in a relatively short career, which has included being the youngest member of Action Foundation’s leadership team and mentoring other young people from diverse groups to get into Board leadership roles.

And finally, Open Clasp Theatre Company, which was co-founded by alumna Catrina McHugh MBE (MA Creative Writing, 2007), won the Outstanding Contribution to Social Change award. Under Catrina’s leadership, the theatre has ignited female working-class activism and helped shape public opinion and policy by engaging traditionally excluded women to tell their stories.

Libby Selman on stage at NE Charity Awards 2023

Abi Walker on stage at NE Charity Awards 2023

Alumni volunteers make a difference to their university community

We’re celebrating a record year for alumni volunteering, with graduates from 40 countries across the world giving back! Their generosity has included:

supporting student recruitment events around the world, sharing fond memories of their university days to inspire the next generation of Newcastle graduates;
mentoring current students and recent graduates to help them kickstart their career journeys;
and even returning to campus to give inspirational lectures to our students, adding another dimension to their study and showing what a degree from Newcastle can lead to.

It’s not just our students who feel the benefit of alumni volunteering. It also has a profound impact on our graduates and can even help their professional development.

Graduates celebrated at 2023 Alumni Achievement Awards

Newcastle's 270,000-strong alumni community are achieving great things around the world. To honour those who are making an outstanding impact, we run the Alumni Achievement Awards each year. These form part of Newcastle University Students' Union's Celebrating Success Awards.

This year, nine graduates from all corners of the globe were shortlisted in the three categories open to graduates: Alumni Impact, Rising Star and – new for 2023 – Contribution to University Life. Plus, Law graduate Phil Beahon received a special Vice-Chancellor Excellence Award for standing as a beacon of what Newcastle University graduates can achieve.

Huge congratulations to all those shortlisted, and to our three alumni winners: Rising Star - Andrew Jenkins (PhD, 2019); Alumni Impact - Dionissios (Dennis) Assanis (BSc Marine Engineering, 1980); Contribution to University Life - Stuart Bailey (BA Hons History, 1985).

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