Graduate Biographies
Kaniz Shanzida
Kaniz Shanzida studied Architecture and Urban Planning at Newcastle University and graduated in 2020. She then continued her education and completed Masters in Landscape Architecture with Distinction from Newcastle University as well in 2022. Following her graduation, Kaniz was offered a full-time Landscape Designer role at Ryder Architecture in Newcastle. She is now working on a range of projects from primary schools, mental health projects, public realms and accommodations. At work she is also mentoring Plan BEE apprentices and continuing her further qualifications for Landscape chartership.
Bethany Meer
Bethany Meer studied Architecture and Urban Planning at Newcastle University, graduating in 2020. Beth then continued her studies by following her interests and completed the Master of Landscape Architecture, also at Newcastle University. Whilst studying the two-year course, Beth completed a summer work placement with OOBE, a Landscape Architectural Practice in Newcastle and then went on to work one day a week, alongside her final year studies. This provided her with valuable work experience, knowledge and technical skills. After graduating from the MLA with Distinction, Beth was offered a full-time role at OOBE where she currently works as a Landscape Architect, working on exciting projects across all sectors and stages.
Maud Webster
Maud Webster is an Architecture & Urban Planning Graduate (2022). After graduating, Maud worked in marketing for a theatre before joining the Farrell Centre as an Audience Engagement Assistant. They then started at Newcastle City Council in September 2023 as a Management Trainee on the Local Government Association's Graduate Development Programme. Here, Maud has first completed a placement in Adult Social Care & Prevention creating their approach to participation and ultimately co-production with people who access social care services. Now, Maud is based in Corporate Transformation, working on projects around implementing Newcastle's Council Plan, as well as undertaking a Level 7 qualification in Management and Leadership. They also take on occasional freelance graphic design projects.
Quanah Clark
Quanah Clark is an Architecture and Urban Planning Graduate (2023). Since graduating I spent the summer working as an outdoor activity instructor, in the meantime applying for job roles in architectural practices, planning practices and jobs relating to place making. I applied for a graduate scheme for Keepmoat Homes. After a long application and interview process, I was offered a role in the Land and Partnerships graduate scheme. What attracted me to the 2-year-long programme was the role in place making and the exposure of the construction industry, where I have been on department rotations in the company. Starting in the land team, learning how Keepmoat buys land and proposes initial designs to the council for planning, then to the technical team, working with architects and engineers, learning how constraints and opportunities are dealt with to refine our site layouts, then to the commercial team, where I shadowed and learnt from quantity surveyors, to better understand how they manage site-built costs and material orders. Currently, I’m in the construction department, on site, seeing first-hand how a home is built from excavating foundations, to putting the kitchen cupboards in. I’m yet to spend time with the sales, customer care and finance team. This job has allowed an insight to a large-scale developer and how they overcome the challenges of meeting the UK’s housing supply shortage.
Megan Dennison
Megan Dennison is an Architecture and Urban Planning Graduate (2022) who completed the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) pathway before moving on to undertake the Certificate in Planning Practice (CPP) with Stephenson Halliday, a specialist planning and landscape consultancy based across the UK. During her time in industry Megan gained experience in creating and submitting planning applications, feasibility of site selection, client communication and developed skills in GIS with support from both the Planning and Landscape teams. In September 2023 she returned to Newcastle University on the Masters in Urban Design programme while continuing to work part time for Stephenson Halliday.
Andrew Fong
Andrew Fong is an Architecture and Urban Planning Graduate (2019). Post AUP, Andrew studied MA Urban Design, graduating with a distinction (William Ault prize) in 2020. During this period, Andrew and Luke Leung founded Forth Creative Studio, focusing on interior and furniture design, renovation, refurb, and visual production. He then joined Ryder Architecture in 2021, working on a range of masterplanning projects with a focus on the North East, with experience across the country. Projects include sectors ranging from urban and town centre regeneration, community campus, design codes, residential masterplans, capacity studies etc. Andrew is also a Recognised Practitioner in Urban Design and Building with Nature Approved Assessor.
Luke Leung
Luke Leung is an Architecture and Urban Planning Graduate (2017). He then joined Newcastle Chinese Christian Church as Project Manager, overseeing the construction and renovation of a Grade II Listed Building. During this period, Luke and Andrew Fong founded Forth Creative Studio, focusing on interior and furniture design, renovation, visual production. Subsequently, Luke pursued his MA in Urban Design at Newcastle University and graduating with a distinction in 2022 (The Thomas Sharp Prize). Following that, he secured the role of Planning Assistant – Urban Design at Newcastle City Council as part of Urban Design and Conversation team within the planning department, working on planning policies, design codes, masterplans, consultations, interdisciplinary projects. Additionally, he continued to share his expertise by teaching as an Associated Lecturer at the university.
Safeer Shersad
Safeer Shersad is an urban strategist and designer based in New York City, and is originally from India. He is a proponent of multidisciplinary design and breaking down siloes between professions. Using the local community as a focal point for his work, his approach to design is based on a deep understanding of local histories and contexts.
As Senior Manager at Lime, Safeer develops place-based shared mobility strategies for over 100 cities globally. Prior to Lime, Safeer worked at Buro Happold, where he consulted on design projects for architecture firms including Bjarke Ingels Group, OMA, SOM, and Diller Scofidio and Renfro. He has also conducted research with UN-Habitat, and was a Rappaport Public Finance Fellow at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Boston. His areas of interest include the intersections of mobility and urban experience, and climate sensitive design.
Safeer holds a BA in Architecture and Urban Planning from Newcastle University, an MSc in Urban Design and City Planning with Distinction from the Bartlett, University College London, and a Master in Urban Planning from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, where he was the inaugural recipient of the Gennosuke Obata Scholarship.