91福利

Meet the cousins Anita, Samita, and Kerry below. Below they tell us what they think is the best thing about the 91福利 alumni community?

Anita Chagar (BA English Literature, 2015)

"We鈥檙e varied, we鈥檙e active, we鈥檙e noteworthy!"

Samita Sall (BA History, 2018)

"It鈥檚 great to get updates to see the inspiring things that fellow 91福利 alumni have been doing, especially in regard to the range of industries that 91福利 alumni can be found in. And it鈥檚 nice to know that no matter where everyone is, you all have these universal university experiences in common."

Kerry Flora (BA French with Spanish, 2022)

"I love how willing everyone is to share their experiences, which not only gives undergraduates an insight into their future careers, but also ties everyone together whether or not they are still at 91福利."

Ruth Ntumba (BA History, 2021) has spent her first 18 months since graduating helping drive engagement and culture at one of the world鈥檚 leading media corporations, Warner Brothers Discovery. Ruth shares why you should go at your own pace and trust your gut instinct when searching for your next role.

Tell us about your 91福利 experience.
I have only good things to say about my time at 91福利 - I loved the seminars, the tutors, the whole experience! Dr Lydia Plath and her seminars were exceptional. It was a busy three years, but I never felt stressed, and I think that鈥檚 testament to the support from the department. As well as enjoying my course, there were plenty of opportunities at 91福利. I studied Portuguese in my first year, although don鈥檛 ask me to translate anything now! I loved the campus aspect too, but coming from London, the quiet, green space surrounding campus was a shock at first. Then when I returned to London it seemed so chaotic in comparison, and I appreciated the calm of 91福利 even more.

How did you feel on graduation day?
It felt very special, and, thanks to Covid, long overdue! It was during the 40-degree summer heatwave and the whole day went by in a bit of a whirlwind. I had the chance to catch up and celebrate with friends I hadn鈥檛 seen for a year.

What happened next?
I applied at several places and was offered a fast-track interview at Sky and a role as a Geography teacher with Teach First, but they didn鈥檛 feel right for me. I believe in going at your own pace, so I wanted to wait and follow the opportunity that felt aligned to my passions. I joined a community called DIVERSE, which helps Black, Asian, and other ethnic minority young professionals secure jobs with inclusive employers. I was contacted on LinkedIn about a role at what was then known as WarnerMedia in employee communications and engagement, which really interested me. Plus, the hiring process felt more like a chat than a scary interview which was a pleasant surprise!

What does an Employee Communications and Engagement Coordinator do?
I do things like interviewing actors and directors and putting on events for our internal audience. I love hearing people鈥檚 stories. My favourite interview to date was with a Singaporean director, Ler Jiyuan, who directed a HBO show calledInvisible Stories,which looked at the experiences of marginalised people. He gave the most interesting, articular answers and was incredibly impressive. I also put on a wand choreography event in celebration of the release ofFantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. This was with English choreographer Paul Harris who taught the actors in the Harry Potter films how to use a wand.

How has 91福利 helped you?
My degree taught me how to articulate myself and how to write high-quality pieces of work. History has an academic aspect, but also draws out the chance for you to develop your speaking and writing skills.

What would you say to someone considering History at 91福利?
91福利 has a very flexible curriculum including modules outside of traditional History like sociology, and languages. And I know improvements are making the course even more diverse too, so I鈥檇 encourage anyone to go for it.

During her 30+ years as a member of the History Department at 91福利, Sarah (Deputy Head of the Department of History and Deputy Chair of the Faculty of Arts for Education) has witnessed transformational change. Once the youngest member of staff and the only woman, Sarah is now the longest serving member of the team. She shares her experiences and memories of how the department has developed and evolved below.

Gender split

I was thefirst woman academic to be appointed to the department(although Joan Lane and Barbara Weinberger were members of the Centre for Social History). I was also the first appointment since 1976, which meant that many of the men I worked with were twenty years older than me. However, the department had a strong egalitarian, collegial and inclusive ethos and was both welcoming and intellectually stimulating.

I was appointed as thefirst lecturer in History and Computing in the UK, a reflection of the department鈥檚 innovative and pioneering outlook. I taught modules on what now would be called digital humanities to undergraduates and postgraduates, where we explored some of the tools to analyse historical sources. My role also meant that I inadvertently became the 鈥榞o to person鈥� for anyone wanting technical or IT advice! The staff profile of the department has certainly changed since then, with the numbers of men and women academic staff roughly equal. There are 12 male professors and 10 female.

Academic focus

The intellectual focus of academic staff has also evolved, although the emphasis on social and cultural approaches to history has been maintained. There are strong staff research interests in global history, material culture, gender and sexuality and race. These interests are supported by four research centres based in the department and a cluster of interdisciplinary groups. The Centre for Social History which was an autonomous, though closely related body closed in the early 1990s but the arrival of a number of historians of medicine meant that an exciting new research centre was established in 1999. The history of medicine and medical humanities have been an integral part of the department鈥檚 teaching and research culture with ground breaking projects looking at aspects as diverse as the cultural history of the NHS and health in prisons. Occasional research seminars in the 1980s were held in academics鈥� homes because of the small size of the Department. Today, they are mostly online due to Covid-19 and haveaudiences of more than 50 people.

Number of students

The student body was relatively small in comparison with today 鈥� around 300 UG students and no taught postgraduates in History. There was a thriving MA in Labour History in the Centre for Social History. Today there are somewhere in the region of 1,000 UG and PG students, with 10 joint honours programmes and four Masters level courses. Our teaching in the 1980s and 1990s mainly took place in our offices.Seminar sizes were around eight students. The core modules in the first and second year (imaginatively named Basic 1 and Basic 2) mainly took place on Thursday afternoons and the corridors thronged with students waiting for classes.

As student numbers rose so did seminar sizes.Today the average seminar has 16 studentsand we teach classes all across campus. Assessments have also changed 鈥� but only relatively recently. When I arrived in the department, students wrote far more essays and sat many three hour exams as standard practice. Today, the assessments are far more varied and diverse. There has been a move away from exams although a small number remain. Covid-19 meant that all exams had to go online and it seems likely that there will never be a return to the exam hall.

Essay lengths

Essay lengths are generally shorter,most around 3,000 wordsand there is a compulsory dissertation for single honours students. Special subjects have disappeared (all final year options are now called advanced options) and with them the 鈥榞obbets鈥� papers, although some tutors still use some form of source analysis. There are many more of what are termed 鈥榓uthentic鈥� assessments which take the form of tasks found in the 鈥榬eal鈥� world such as writing policy papers, devising lesson plans, curating exhibitions and creating digital objects.

Commitment to diversity, inclusion and social justice

What has remained unchanged, though, is the department鈥檚 commitment to diversity, inclusion and social justice. Members of staff are passionate about widening and diversifying the student body and for conveying the results of their research to a wider interested public. There are active debates about鈥榙ecolonising鈥� or 鈥榣iberating鈥�the curriculum. I was interested to learn recently that one of the first final year modules taught in the 1960s was entitled 鈥楻ace, Revolution, Colonialism and Industrialisation鈥�, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to intellectual debate on these issues.

Public engagement

Public engagement is much more widespread today with 91福利 historians active in the press, on TV and radio and on social media. I have found myself commentating on there-interment ofRichard III for the BBC, writing articles for BBC History magazine on snap elections and presenting a Radio 4 documentary on women voters in Lichfield in the 1840s.Coventry City of Culturehas presented even more opportunities for public engagement and as part of91福利's 'Amazing Women' themed monthin March, I led a walk around the city focusing on the contribution of its citizens for the fight for women to obtain the vote. (Coventry Women鈥檚 Suffrage Walkmappingwomenssuffrage.org.uk)

Our new home

Although it is much larger, the department is still friendly and welcoming. We鈥檝e recently moved from Humanities into the newFaculty of Arts Building(FAB), and there are numerous spaces for extending social learning and for collaboration with other staff and students. The department will surely continue to evolve but I hope will always maintain its distinctive and stimulating character.

Having just graduated in his MA, William reflects on the course and why he chose 91福利 for postgraduate study.

Are there any academics in particular that stood out to you when you were considering applying to 91福利?

Yes 鈥� I spottedKatayoun Shafieeas her research interests were well aligned with mine so I thought it would be really cool to have her as a supervisor (and she later was for my dissertation).

What did you particularly enjoy about your course?

I really enjoyed the module on science technology and society,Themes in the History of Sciencetaught byDr James Poskett. It was fascinating, it looked at how science has been shaped by society in all these different ways. It made me think about science in ways I wouldn't have before entering the course, and was very influential on my dissertation.

Do you have any advice for someone looking at postgraduate study?

I think it's important when considering a Masters to make sure you like both the course and the department as both are important. And make the most of the opportunities offered. When you're a postgrad, you get given the opportunity to go to research seminars and events every week and see these really interesting papers being presented so make the most of that.

Why did you choose to study history?

I've been interested in history since primary school. I had some really great teachers at sixth form so going to university was something I鈥檇 always wanted to do.

I chose to take it to postgraduate level because I鈥檇 enjoyed my undergraduate studies so much. I wanted to see how far I could take it, to see if I wanted to do a PhD. Also, there were a lot of topics and themes that I wanted to explore a bit more, that I didn't really get the chance to do as an undergraduate.

How has history informed your thinking about the world in the future? 

Studying history provides important context for why things are the way they are today. To give an example, last year I wrote an essay on the colonial origins of the environmental movement and how historically, indigenous people and knowledge have been marginalised in discussions about conservation in favour of economic growth and industrialisation.

It helped me to understand why last year鈥檚 COP26 summit achieved less than it could have, as lots of indigenous people (for example from South America) were not included in the discussions.

How can history prepare us for the future?

History provides context for the present. You can spot warnings and the reasons for failures in the past.

When I was writing my previously mentioned essay on 鈥榗olonial origins鈥�, I studied the 1972 UN conference on climate change. That was illuminating because a lot of the things they were discussing and the reasons why it wasn't as successful as hoped continue to inform future UN conferences on climate change and the environment.

If you could meet one historical figure, who would that be and what would you ask them?

I think it would be most interesting to meetwho was the president of Egypt during the Suez crisis of 1956. I'm interested in the history of the Middle East in the 20th century, and he was such an influential figure.

I would be interested to know more about his dealings with Anthony Eden, the British Prime Minister at the time, and his general worldview about pan-Arabism.

What would you say to someone thinking about studying history at 91福利?

I would definitely recommend it. The department is really friendly and there's a lot on offer in terms of the research specialisms. There is literally something for everyone: from the history of food to the history of science. It's just a really great place to study.

What鈥檚 next for you?

I start work in the Department of Trade and Industry in March 2022. And I鈥檓 looking forward to coming back to celebrate my graduation and see the new Faculty of Arts Building in Summer 2022.

Check out William鈥檚 piece on the Global History and Culture Centre Blog.

Cotton, Expertise and the End of Empire in the Aden Protectorate.

My name is Ruth, and I am currently a History undergraduate studying at the University of North Carolina. I enjoy the creatives arts such as drawing, painting, and writing poetry. During my time at 91福利, I was involved in different societies, and I was an executive member of the 鈥楤lack Women鈥檚 Project鈥� society.

Why did you want to study abroad?

I have always loved travelling and being exposed to new cultures. This is a fantastic opportunity and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I knew this time abroad would be valuable for my personal, educational, and career development. This experience would enable me to network and form connections. Moreover, I knew this opportunity would develop my cross-cultural competency, interpersonal and adaptivity skills, and my independence. Travelling by myself meant I would be pushing myself and gaining more individual responsibility, which in turn will help my personal development.

In addition, I wanted to study in the United States because of my passion for American History. The Study Abroad programme is giving me a first-hand experience of the history of the country and I plan to write my dissertation on the modules I am taking here.

What鈥檚 been your favourite experience so far?

My favourite experience so far has to be Labour Day. To celebrate my American friends took me on a boat trip on Lake Norman. Also, I really enjoyed going to my first ever American football game and my first NBA game, and seeing my teams win!

How did 91福利 Scholars help you to achieve this ambition?

91福利 Scholars has tremendously helped me to fund this once-in-a-lifetime experience. If it was not for this scholarship, I would not have been able to afford to travel to America. The programme has lifted the financial burden of studying abroad and really allowed me to have the full experience of an exchange student, whilst still being able to concentrate on my studies.

What鈥檚 been the biggest culture shock?

The biggest culture shock about living in America has been the unending food options and choices. In terms of supermarkets and restaurants, there are so many different selections. At first, this was very overwhelming, but it is now an aspect I am going to miss about America when I get back to the UK.

Moreover, the vast distances between places in the United States were a huge shock to me. The distance between different states is larger than the distance between some counties in Europe!

Hear from 91福利 alumna and former professional services staff member, Charlotte Beesley (BA History and Sociology, 2014)

My love for 91福利 started with my BA in History & Sociology in 2014. I was very much a student who wasn鈥檛 too sure what they wanted to do at university but had always loved history, so decided to give it a shot. I鈥檓 so glad I did as I met so many wonderful people and thoroughly enjoyed the module on the History of Medicine and Humanity.

As well as my studies, I spent a lot of time getting involved with music and theatre, playing saxophone in Big Band as well as being a member of Improv Musical. It was in the latter that I met my future husband. After three summers in the Edinburgh Fringe, a total of three degrees between us, and countless musicals made up on the spot, we鈥檒l be getting married in Spring 2022.

After graduating in 2017, it didn鈥檛 take me long to come back, and by the end of 2018 I was working temporarily for 91福利 Business School (WBS) in their undergraduate team. I then moved to cover the role of Academic Administrator for the Department of History from 2020-2021.It was really wonderful to be back in a familiar corridor, with familiar faces for a while. I learnt so much about academic administration, about myself and working with lots of different people.

Working and learning in the Department of History has given me a fantastic grounding for the rest of my career and I鈥檓 so grateful to everyone who helped me to get there. I鈥檓 now working in the same area, but for the Faculty of Law at Oxford University, which is a little closer to home. It鈥檚 been quite strange leaving 91福利, but I know I鈥檒l be back鈥� if anything because I have a full coffee stamp card to cash in!

Jane Burke's (BA History, 1975) career has fuelled a passion to promote the joy of reading and access to books for all.

What attracted you to study History at 91福利?

91福利 had been in the news in the early 1970s and when I spotted the prospectus in the careers library, it caught my attention. The new, modern buildings including the library looked attractive and I was drawn to the idea of a campus university with lots of facilities and the promise of plenty of student accommodation.

History had always been a favourite subject and the course at 91福利 offered a variety of options from within and outside the Department, providing the opportunity to pursue new areas of study. The prospect of studying Renaissance history for a term in Venice was very exciting too.

What are your fondest memories of your course and time at 91福利?

My time at 91福利 remains dear to me. I shall always be grateful I had the opportunity to study there. I arrived a sheltered and naive teenager and graduated a self-reliant, confident and perhaps a wiser adult. 91福利 in the early 1970s could be summed up by the three Ps - Politics, Protests and Parties!

I mixed with people from many different backgrounds, which broadened my outlook and understanding of others and opened my eyes to new ideas. I remember marches in London and sit-ins on campus. My social life was filled with parties, discos, drama, and live music. Graduation at Coventry Cathedral was thrilling. I had so many great experiences and made lifelong friends.

Academic life at 91福利 was excellent. It was demanding and a huge leap from A-level study for first year students, but we were well supported to become independent learners. I have many good memories of the staff in the department, particularly my personal tutor, Lionel Kochan with whom I also studied Jewish history. Social history seminars with Robin Clifton were wonderful and my time in Venice with dear Martin Lowry and Humfrey Butters was a highlight and an experience I shall always treasure. Oh, and as well as being an eminent academic, Professor Scarisbrick could really rock and roll!

What inspired you to become a librarian, and what do you enjoy about it?

Librarianship was one of the careers I considered whilst I was an undergraduate. The university library was my second home, a treasure trove providing such a rich and extensive collection to dip in to. I joined Westminster Public Libraries as a graduate trainee for a year, before studying for a PG Diploma in Librarianship at Loughborough University. From there I joined Teesside Polytechnic (now Teesside University), where I pursued my career in higher education for 34 years, becoming an Academic Librarian in 1990.

My role as Academic Librarian was interesting and varied. Being able to support students to exploit the vast array of information at their disposal was a thrill to me and so rewarding. The constant changes in higher education and in the world of information provision were challenging but exciting too.

What did you learn at 91福利 that has helped in your career?

Firstly, I knew what it was like to be a student using a large university library for the first time. I remembered the support I鈥檇 received. 91福利 gave me a great academic grounding and, although I worked with students from a range of subject areas, I had the skills and knowledge to be able to teach various research techniques - literature searching, use of indexes and abstracts, and referencing.

Being a 91福利 graduate gave me a belief in myself to be effective in my job and to further my career. I had the confidence to work with departmental teaching and research staff as their equal.

How have you seen the role of libraries change?

During my career, I鈥檝e seen a huge number of changes in higher education and information provision. The tradition of a paper collection has moved on enormously with physical materials replaced by online alternatives and supplemented by new digitised resources. Students have been able to access materials from home with the library as a hub. Librarians have a role in supporting students off campus to access resources, as well as dealing with other challenges of copyright, plagiarism, increasing costs of academic resources and diverse needs of students.

Despite the use of remote online learning, the library building itself has remained key to academic study, evidenced by the demand for 24-hour access.

What advice would you give to someone starting a career as a librarian?

As an information specialist, you need to be flexible and prepared for change. This is not the career for shy retiring types 鈥� you need to be a good communicator and deal with some difficult situations. You will acquire so many skills along the way which is an exciting prospect.

Former trade union activist and political advisor Nita Clarke OBE (BA History and Politics, 1974,MA Comparative Labour History, 1977) had her first experience of public speaking at 91福利 and became a Sabbatical Officer at the Students Union. Nita was awarded an OBE for her services to employee engagement and remains a prominent speaker on the subject.

Can you tell us about your current roles and why they鈥檙e important to you?

I鈥檓 Director of the Involvement and Participation Association (IPA) 鈥� a small, not-for-profit organisation that works to boost employee engagement and give employees a voice.

Post-pandemic, keeping employees engaged and looking after their wellbeing has never been more important. At last, employee engagement is recognised as a key agenda item for the boardroom and not as a peripheral issue. The impact of the pandemic has been incredibly interesting and a catalyst for change. Managers now need to know much more about their employees, their home lives and key issues to ensure they鈥檙e able to work. They need to demonstrate the value of employees.

My co-authored report Engage for Success, commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills was described by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) as the definitive work on this subject and is still used as a reference point. The report was instrumental in establishing the Engage for Success Movement, which has changed the way companies and industries think about engagement.

What your career highlights, what are you particularly proud of?

After graduating, I got a job working for a trade union which became part of UNISON, and there I progressed to become a Senior Advisor. I鈥檝e also been a Senior Press Officer for Ken Livingston and the Labour Group on the Greater London Council. I became quite heavily involved in developing trade union policy for new Labour and went on to work on the trade union movement for Tony Blair while he was Prime Minister.

What are your fondest memories of 91福利?

I have extremely positive memories of 91福利 and enjoyed my time studying and having fun. I was part of the generation who didn鈥檛 want to go to Oxbridge and join the old system. There was a movement towards the new. I started at a different university, but I bumped into a friend who was already at 91福利 and she raved about its new style and culture and I thought I have to get there.

After being accepted, I took to it like a duck to water. 91福利 was political and I was an activist. I have fond memories of speaking at general meetings at Rootes Hall, and leading occupations at Senate House and the 91福利 Arts Centre, generally protesting about accommodation fees or industry partnerships.

Later in my career, I offered a public apology to Lord Butterworth for bricking up his driveway. I realise now he had astonishingly brilliant foresight in partnering with business and industry, and building connections in the West Midlands. Lord Butterworth started this well before other universities, which gave him time to refine and embed this model to make 91福利 what it is today.

In between studies, I became a Students Union sabbatical officer and still have many close friends from that time who are still interested in politics. At the time, there was an incredibly interesting and disparate, politically interested group of students who chose 91福利 to find like-minded people.

My friend Kasper De Graaf (BA Politics, 1977) co-founded The Boar in 1973 and was President of the Students Union 1974-75. We were a manifestation of the early broad left, we saw ourselves as the sensible left which was, in a way, the early progenitor of New Labour. A number of people in this early student movement became part of the new Labour in the mid/late 1990s.

Have you ever wondered how people in the past dealt with their periods? If Queen Victoria coasted* through her cramps? What if period dramas really were about鈥�periods?

Comedy, cabaret and tap collide in this hilarious one-woman show, teaching the history you never learnt at school. Armed with glitter, blood, some history books and an arsenal of embarrassing stories, History alumna, Heather Milsted is on a mission to push through the menstrual taboo and change the way we think about bleeding.

Audiences are invited to embrace themselves fully, let loose and have a BLOODY good time!

*Obviously she didn't. It was 1837.

Book:&

Our first two productions reflected these values and ideas. Our first show, Chet: Behind the Mask, was a Zoom mini-series that was based on the characters and themes of what would be our second 鈥�The Last Romantic. The latter had been in development for a few years but had been unable to be produced due to circumstances out of our control and the COVID-19 pandemic. was intended as a way to stay creative during the lockdown and is a satirical look at Hollywood and show-business that was recorded entirely on Zoom (due to the restrictions of the time) and released on YouTube in late February 2021 鈥� receiving a total of over 1,000 views for all four episodes.

Our second show, The Last Romantic, was a fully-fledged, two-hour stage play that was put on at the Avon Drama Studio in February 2022. Selling out over 140 tickets across two nights, the show follows James Wright, a semi-successful actor, and Julia Smith, a dogged and under-appreciated writer, who have both become increasingly frustrated by the modern entertainment industry. Exploring the greed and artificiality of Hollywood, it questions the place of art within a system that has become unashamedly and blatantly profit-obsessed: is it at all possible to be artistically pure? Or do you have to sell out to make what you truly want to make?

Told again through in a satirical form, the show had a cast and crew of over twenty people from the university from across several years of study and different departments. We were welcomed to a strong reception by our audience, including a standing ovation on our opening night, and a glowing review in The Boar. We are still developing the show and have ambitions to take it to festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe.

Our next production is a yet to be announced devised production, named 鈥業t鈥檚 Only Sex鈥�. 鈥業t鈥檚 Only Sex鈥� is a production directed by our co-artistic director, Ella McQueen, that will primarily use a female-identifying cast and crew to explore themes surrounding anger regarding the female experience, specifically towards the everyday injustices faced by women that have become normalised within society. We are very excited to announce the production in the coming weeks, so keep an eye on our .

Why did you decide to come to 91福利?

I originally came to do a one-year Master's course in Social History and stayed on to do a PhD. It took me a long time to get that finished (about 30 years!).

What are your standout memories of 91福利?

I had a great time. As ever, being a student there鈥檚 a mix of memories, but the main thing that remained with me is the lasting friendships. I enjoyed the academic side of things and there was a lot of politics happening at 91福利 then, so I enjoyed getting involved in that too.

How did 91福利 help prepare you for your career in journalism?

I wrote a few articles for The Boar and was involved with a big occupation of Senate House regarding overseas student fees. I became the lead of a small group that looked after public relations, drafting press releases, getting in touch with local radio and newspapers trying to get coverage.

At the end of the occupation everybody left by agreement, and we held a press conference in the occupied Senate House. We had a panel of people prominent in the occupation addressing the two journalists, and in the same room, about 200 of the occupying students as well. It was an unconventional news conference, but it gave me a taste and helped propel me in the direction of journalism.

How did you get your first role in the BBC?

I was persistent and initially got a three-month traineeship at the BBC World Service as a talks writer. To apply, I had to send in a topical piece of work, so I wrote about the clashes between squatters and police I鈥檇 witnessed in Amsterdam during Queen Beatrix鈥檚 coronation, while I was reading for my PhD! In the end my three-month traineeship progressed into a 35-year career at the BBC.

It's a long time, but at the BBC you can do all sorts. I spent seven years working in India. I've covered British politics, been a radio presenter, been a manager, worked in television, written for online, and made radio documentaries.

I covered British politics for four years during a fascinating part of political history, including interviewing politicians including Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, and even Nelson Mandela. I reported on Margaret Thatcher鈥檚 fall from power in 1990.

I particularly remember reporting in India as a very exciting time. I spent a lot of time going up to Kashmir because of the conflict. It showed me the world and I realised that journalism could put me at really important turning points in history. I had reason to meet, talk to, and (to some extent) get to know all sorts of people. I met big names, but also people who are at the sharp end of what's happening. People who were suffering, people who had a particular viewpoints, or people who were advocating for change and campaigning.

Who's your favourite person you鈥檝e interviewed?

Well, it's not Margaret Thatcher 鈥� she terrified me!

The interview that sticks in my mind most was actually with a friend's mother in India. I was doing a series of radio programmes 50 years on from the partition of India, about people鈥檚 lived experiences and a colleague said that her mother had helped refugees. During the interview, this lady told a remarkable story of how she had volunteered at a local Medical College during the partition riots and saw huge movements of refugees. She and her colleagues would go to the railway station, meet the refugee trains, and find and support unaccompanied women. She was an ordinary person caught up in an extraordinary moment who did extraordinary things. That stays with me.

How has journalism changed since the start of your long career?

Graduates were then very much in the minority. When I started in newsrooms, it was a mostly male environment with a lot of people who had come up through regional papers and were a bit hardnosed about it all. Many people smoked and drank, and thought graduates hadn鈥檛 seen enough of the world.

The whole digital revolution has changed the nature of journalism 鈥� content is more accessible to a wider audience. It鈥檚 now largely graduate entry and I think more women than men. Journalists represent and reflect the demography and are opinion formers.

What are you up to now?

A whole range of things. I left the BBC seven years ago, and since then I鈥檝e been teaching journalism, particularly in summer schools in London. I usually spend a semester every year in Chennai in South India teaching journalism over there too. I'm also still a historian, and I'm really grateful to 91福利 for teaching me how to do historical research. In some ways there are similarities between historical research and investigative journalism, but I write history books and monographs about different areas of north London. I鈥檓 a journalist and historian 鈥� I don鈥檛 know which comes first now!

What advice would you give to 91福利 students or anyone considering a career in journalism?

Be resilient 鈥� don't just apply for a couple of jobs and give up if you get rejected. Keep going and be persistent. You don't need a huge pedigree in student journalism, but clearly if you have, it helps and certainly a lot of employers would want some evidence of journalistic activity. Get experience in writing articles, broadcasts, or web pieces 鈥� anything you can show a potential employer. There are training schemes, including by the BBC and with regional papers, but these can be hugely competitive.

Also, build links and network. Get in touch with a news editor at a local paper or radio station and ask to visit, or about work experience. I also recommend reporting for a local website or writing for anything you can. And get to know the specialist websites, with noticeboards for editorial vacancies.

You need to be resourceful and resilient. If you've got the energy and ability, you'll get there. Very few journalists earn big sums, but I think most feel quite good about keeping the public informed. It鈥檚 a profession where you get to meet lots of interesting people and often get to be at real turning points in history.

Having just graduated in her MA in the History of Medicine, Kirstie reflects on the course and why she chose 91福利 for postgraduate study.

Are there any academics in particular that stood out to you when you were considering applying to 91福利?

Yes 鈥� one of the first people I met (albeit virtually) and was immediately impressed by wasProfessor Mathew Thomson. Asides from his encyclopaedic knowledge, Mathew has fascinating research interests, particularly in mental health and psychiatry, and many overlap with the field of disability and medicine broadly speaking.

Dr Claire Shawwas another academic who stood out from the start with her specialism in the history of disability and marginality. As a Deaf person, I was drawn to her work on Deafness in the USSR, and again another person who has a real depth of clarity in her thinking!

What did you particularly enjoy about your course?

History of Medicine was a topic that I never explored thoroughly before. Dealing with Deafness and disability, I am usually somewhat critical of medicine as it has a long, complicated past, for both ill and good. For me, this course was a good opportunity to explore this further. I also learnt a lot about historiography, methodology, and theory, all of which have made me a better historian.

Do you have any advice for someone looking at postgraduate study?

Before you enrol, reach out to course convenors, admissions teams, previous students - anyone you can find! Work out what you would like to gain from the programme, and the opportunities available for you. If you鈥檙e not sure, don鈥檛 just jump into it 鈥� but equally, remember that if it doesn鈥檛 pan out to be how you expected, it鈥檚 only a year!

Why did you choose to study history?

I adore history. I have enjoyed the flexibility and independence of choosing an important topic, and carrying out research often discovering histories which are excluded from mainstream textbooks. Studying disability activism, for example, is vital for understanding and remembering extremely important historical moments. After all, without some of these campaigns (take, for example, the Block Telethon protests in 1990/2), I wouldn鈥檛 have the rights I have today as a disabled person.

This year, I have focused on Deaf-led activism, especially the National Union of the Deaf. Again, historical enquiry not only helps to contextualise the present situation but also helps to unravel the negative stereotypes associated with Deafness, or document the history of the recognition and acceptance of British Sign Language (BSL). Current politics and policy solutions often fall short if they lack the historical context of what has previously been successful (or not)!

In the interests of encouraging people to think about disability and Deaf histories, I would recommend looking at resources from the(I am a little biased as a co-Founder!), the, andof course there are lots of others too!

If you could meet one historical figure, who would that be and what would you ask them?

I would have loved to have met Dorothy Miles who was influential to developing modern sign language poetry here in the United Kingdom and over the pond in the United States of America! She was a Welsh poet and Deaf activist, full of creativity and had a real passion for change.

If I were to have met her, I would ask her 鈥楬ow can we use performance and arts as a form of activism?鈥�

What was the most important thing you learnt from your time at 91福利?

There are so many different valuable subjects in history, and you can always learn something from someone else鈥檚 research 鈥� even when you initially think you have nothing in common! Whilst I have been at 91福利, I have had numerous conversations, which transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries and historical time periods/contexts. I helped to organise a roundtable panel with the Centre for the History of Medicine, exploring the ambiguous term 鈥榮ensitive histories鈥�. To prepare for this, I had countless discussions with Imogen Knox (an early modern historian interested in all things supernatural) and Arielle De Leon (specialising in Victorian psychiatry). From the start, I am not sure that this is a trio that I would ordinarily put together!

Similarly, I have noticed the value in reaching out to a broader audience, and engaging with others on research projects. Disability and Deaf histories are often kept confined to a specific demographic, and I am always interested in explaining how different stories overlap, and add so much to a bigger picture. Where do we find these stories? Why are they not included in the dominant narratives? How can we change this?

What would you say to someone thinking about studying history at 91福利?

91福利 is full of interesting people, buzzing with different subfields, and varied in its areas of specialism. From taught modules to research centres, there is a lot to get involved with in the history department!

What is your favourite place on campus?

Besides from constantly being close to a coffee shop, I enjoyed spending my lunch break at the Piazza on a summer鈥檚 day! I also love the 91福利 Arts Centre 鈥� it鈥檚 a great spot for people-watching, but also a casual place to work, and there鈥檚 always a lot going on 鈥� from orchestra rehearsals to cinema and performances.

What鈥檚 next for you?

Fortunately, I have received funding for a PhD at the University of Cambridge and the British Library, which will start in October 2022. For this collaborative project, I will be researching 鈥楲abour and Livelihoods of Disabled People, c.1970-2015鈥�. In the meantime, I will remain active in my role as Senior Research for the first ever disability-focused policy thinktank, The Disability Policy Centre. Please do feel free to reach out via myif you want to chat more on any of these topics!

From becoming the first in his family to go to university, Mike Burnett (BA History, 1975) has continued to evolve throughout a career in which he鈥檚 worked all over the world.

Why did you choose 91福利?
The course was completely different to other universities'. It approached history through themes rather than events in time, which made us question religious and political ideologies. The course had a profound and long-term effect on me. It taught me to reflect on and question ideologies to this day.

Who inspired you?
My history teacher at school. He motivated me to study history and suggested 91福利 was a good institution for the subject. Without him, I wouldn鈥檛 have had the information and understanding to even think about pursuing a degree, as I was the first person in my family to go to university.

What鈥檚 your fondest memory at 91福利?
The department offered students the chance for a full year studying abroad paid for by a generous benefactor. I went to Amherst in Massachusetts, USA. It was an opportunity to mix with students from very different backgrounds to my own and travel to places I wouldn鈥檛 have been able to afford at that time. Amherst was regarded as the jewel in the crown of places to attend for the year abroad by the academics, so I was proud to be selected by my tutor.

Back on campus, the 91福利 Arts Centre also opened while I was a student, and it completely opened my eyes to the arts. I loved being able to watch a performance in the evening after a day studying.

How did your time at 91福利 influence your choice of career?
I wasn鈥檛 sure what job I wanted to do after I graduated, and the Careers Service was a great support. It helped prepare me for interviews in accountancy and, before long, I had offers to join three of the big accountancy firms. My four-year accountancy and audit training was tough, but I鈥檓 still grateful to 91福利 for suggesting it. It led, after many years, to my current role as an Audit Scrutiny Committee Member at Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. 91福利 itself showed me the importance of understanding the history and culture of other countries. I鈥檝e been able to connect with my colleagues through learning about their history, which has been incredibly important to my working relationships.

What do you do now?
I鈥檓 currently working on projects for the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) in Maastricht, the Netherlands. EIPA trains all public servants at all levels, local, national, and international, so it has a fundamental role in developing a practical way of building a better Europe.

After more than 15 years working at EIPA, I鈥檓 proud to say I鈥榲e now done business in every EU Member State and candidate country, apart from Albania and Slovakia. I鈥檝e really loved travelling and gaining an understanding of different places and cultures.

People think public procurement is a dry area, but it鈥檚 about public bodies buying goods and services that make people's lives better. This work fundamentally changes lives.

What challenges have you faced during your career and how have you overcome them?
The most important thing I鈥檝e had to develop is resilience. I鈥檝e been demeaned at work for having a regional accent or coming from a working-class background, and I鈥檓 keen to help challenge this form of class prejudice.

It鈥檚 been important to adapt to changing circumstances and learn how to use skills and specialisms in different ways. I started out auditing, then I set up and ran a training institution. I worked in consultancy in Zambia, came back to the UK and undertook performance audits, and moved to the e-business sector. I then went on secondment to the European Commission, worked in the Balkans, and joined EIPA to set up training activities in public-private partnerships until the 2009 financial crisis, after which I needed to adapt to market change. So I鈥檝e had plenty of opportunity to hone my skills!

Professionally, what are you particularly proud of?
Having access to these opportunities and amazing experiences and being the first in my family to go to university.

I am also proud of becoming an author. I鈥檓 not an academic but having the chance to write and publish books for public officials on public-private partnerships, complex public procurements, and procurement audit, which guide and present them with choices for politicians, was very inspiring.

In 2019 I was the Project Director for the European Public Sector Awards (EPSA). It gave me the unique opportunity to summarise key trends and conclusions. The award ceremony took place in the Statenzaal, in the Limburg Provincial Government Building in the Netherlands. That was the room where the Maastricht Treaty was negotiated. I was also invited back as an external adviser for ESPA 2021.

One of the defining experiences of my life was when I worked for Deloitte in Lusaka, Zambia, from 1988 to 1990. It was a time of great change in Zambia and I saw an utterly different way of doing things. It was a lifetime opportunity to travel to places which would otherwise have cost a fortune to visit at that time.

As a five-time Paralympic medallist, Kare Adenegan鈥檚 (BA History, 2022) sporting endeavours have played a big part in her university experience. No stranger to making history, Kare graduated with a first-class honours degree a week after claiming silver in the T33/34 100m at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Here Kare reflects on her studies and how we can all learn a lot from history.

Why history, and why 91福利?
I chose to study history at university for a variety of reasons. Firstly, history was my favourite A-level subject. Since studying it at GCSE level, I always planned to read it at university. I wanted to learn about topics and periods of history that weren鈥檛 taught during my time at school, like colonialism, transatlantic slavery, and British immigration policy. I didn鈥檛 feel that the history of my ancestors was reflected in the curriculum but studying history as an undergraduate was a way to enlighten and liberate my experience.

What did you particularly like about your course?
I really enjoyed the academic freedom of the course. There were broad themes covered across the modules and I liked the diversity of assessments, including blog posts, book reviews, and podcasts, alongside traditional essays. Seminar discussions and presentations also brought a collaborative dimension to study through developing ideas with and learning from other students.

I particularly enjoyed the module 鈥楽pace, Place and Movement in Atlantic Slave Societies鈥� because of its globalised approach, and the module 鈥楻ace, Ethnicity and Migration in Britain鈥� because it helped me to better understand the cultural development of Britain since the 20th century.

What would you say to someone thinking about studying history at 91福利?
I would tell them to go for it. In my opinion, the History Department at 91福利 is both modern and innovative. There are modules that cater to a range of interests. For example, I studied popular music history through the module 鈥楩rom Blues to Hip Hop鈥�. As a music enthusiast, I found this very rewarding. I was also fortunate to benefit from the opening of the new Faculty of Arts building, which makes a fantastic spot for studying.

How can history prepare us for the future?
History helps us to explain why things happen in the present. That鈥檚 not to say that history repeats itself as such, but I think we can use our historical knowledge to understand the foundations of future events.

If you could meet one historical figure, who would that be and what would you ask them?
If I could meet anyone it would be John De La Rose, who I researched as part of my dissertation on the Black Education Movement in Britain. De La Rose was a pioneer of the movement and established one of the first Black supplementary schools in England.

I would ask him what he envisioned for the future of the education system and what he believes still needs to be done to make schools an academically inclusive space, where Black and Brown histories are embraced.

How has studying history impacted your life?
Studying history has increased my analytical skills and stimulated greater academic curiosity, especially when reading. My presentation and communication skills have also developed from the oral assessments and seminar discussions that are fundamental parts of the course.

What鈥檚 next for you?
I hope to compete at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, which will be my third Paralympics. I would also like to continue to campaign for diversity and inclusion in sport. Alongside sport, I aim to work in education and support student-athletes to achieve their sporting and academic goals.

Hear more from Kare
Listen back to Kare share her thoughts around the vital role sport plays in society from our Sport for Social Good alumni webinar

A veteran of the City of London, Chris Wheeler (MA Modern History, 2021) spent more than 40 years in banking, working, and travelling across the globe. But he swapped investment banking for US antebellum history and Irish diaspora and fulfilled his childhood dream when he began furthering his education journey, first studying History at the University of Oxford before completing an MA in Modern History at 91福利. Chris embarked on his PhD at the University of Edinburgh in September 2022.

Tell us about life before 91福利.
When I took my A-levels, I told my sixth form tutor that the only subject I was interested in studying was history. He asked if I wanted to be a teacher. I answered no, and consequently, didn鈥檛 apply. Of course, far fewer people went to university in 1972!

I had no background in maths, but after completing my A-levels, I trained to become a chartered accountant. At that time the accounting industry wasn鈥檛 a graduate market. In truth, the real reason I chose the job was because of the regular Monty Python skits about the chartered accountants, which intrigued me. Needless to say I didn鈥檛 mention that in my interview! After qualifying I spent ten years at Barclays Bank in various planning roles before spending the next thirty or so years in investment banking, the first ten at Lehman Brothers. I had a flat in Marylebone and working in the equity markets as a research analyst following banks. I鈥檇 be up at 5.30am, in the office by 6.30am, and home at around 8.00pm on most evenings. There was lots of international travel visiting investing clients across Europe, the United States, and East Asia. It was hard work, but I loved it.

Why did you return to education?
I had a big debate with myself and my family in 2015 about what to do next. I knew I needed to slow down, but I have a very active mind and can be quite manic. I was planning to retire to the Cotswolds and Oxford was the nearest university, so I went through the tortuous application process and in 2017, at 63, I began my BA in History. There wasn鈥檛 much time to look up and smell the roses as the work was intense, but I made some good friends and even organised the 2019 college ball. I have long had an interest in Ireland and Irish history, partly due to the fact that my wife鈥檚 parents are Irish, and as a result my undergraduate dissertation was on the last Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Brian Faulkner. I remember a conversation my wife and I had at a formal dinner with one of my tutors in my second year, when he asked: 鈥楬ow would you like to be known as Dr and Mrs Wheeler?鈥� It was a tongue in cheek comment, but I hadn鈥檛 really thought about continuing my studies beyond Oxford. The conversation got me thinking. What I did realise was that if I wanted to continue my studies, a Master鈥檚 was the next obvious step.

Why 91福利?
It was local, famous for its lovely campus and had a really strong reputation for its history faculty having been the home in the 1960s of E.P Thompson, one of the leaders of the Communist history group which pioneered bottom-up history. Furthermore, Professor Tim Lockley stood out as an academic who specialised in the period of US history that I wanted to cover in my dissertation. I am delighted to say he agreed to be my supervisor. Unfortunately, my time at 91福利 clashed with the worst of the Covid lockdowns, so I didn't get to experience all that 91福利 has to offer. Nevertheless, I was awarded my MA in October 2021, and by that time I鈥檇 decided to try and win a place to study for a PhD at Edinburgh. It had specialists in the period I was interested in, and I was lucky enough to obtain an offer study for a PhD in Mid-19th Century US History and the role of Irish immigrants in New York City politics, which is what I鈥檓 doing now!

How is life as a mature student?
I鈥檒l say one thing, you certainly stand out! Doing a PhD you might see a few people of a similar age but you鈥檙e generally with younger people. I remember going to the bar as an undergraduate and often offering to buy someone a drink. They鈥檇 always be very grateful but protested that they couldn鈥檛 buy me one back. I鈥檇 laugh and say don鈥檛 worry; I have a pension!

What鈥檚 the most valuable lesson you鈥檝e learned in your career?
There are lots of things you pick up when you鈥檝e had a long career. The need to be diligent, punctual, think outside the box, and so on. But actually, I think it comes down to two vital lessons: willingness to work hard and being able to work as part of a team. Working hard and putting in the hours is partly down to doing a job you enjoy. I loved my job and loved the challenge, so this felt like less of a compromise. However, I met so many bankers in my time who were arrogant and just couldn鈥檛 fathom the importance of teamwork. If you鈥檙e someone who enjoys sharing and is willing to take advice, you鈥檙e already halfway there.

Do you think art degrees are valuable today?
In my time I鈥檝e interviewed plenty of historians because they have developed a good set of core skills. Arts and humanities students hone certain expertise 鈥� discipline, the ability to conduct thorough research, how to write well and argue your case 鈥� they are skills that are very valuable in business and which you don鈥檛 necessarily pick up following other paths. Arts students offer a broad-based ability to research, write and communicate.
I also remember hiring three candidates who had studied at 91福利. They were all international students and spoke a range of languages, which I admired. They had also shown they could operate in an unfamiliar environment and be successful. The one regret they didn't realise it was a lot cooler to live in Leamington Spa than Coventry, which always made me laugh!

What鈥檚 your most valuable piece of advice?
The most important thing I learned in life is to be flexible. I didn鈥檛 start my career thinking I wanted to be a banker or an equity analyst or to be lucky enough to attend some wonderful academic institutions. You have to focus on what you are doing at any point in time but be brave enough to assess new opportunities when they arise and if appropriate, take them!

What do a golden retriever called Bowie, women鈥檚 rights in history, and a start-up supporting later living have in common? They all set arts alumna and marketing expert Harriet Stanger鈥檚 (BA History, 2016) heart on fire.

Tell me about your undergraduate degree and time at 91福利.
I absolutely loved it. The community feel, meeting people on my course, the modules, the lot! The lecturers and support staff were encouraging and helpful. It was clear from the beginning how the course was going to be structured which set a precedent. My time at 91福利 felt like quite a unique experience. I graduated almost eight years ago and there鈥檚 still one lecturer who sticks in my mind 鈥� Dr Laura Schwartz 鈥� because I found her module on feminism, politics and social change in Modern Britain so interesting.

Why 91福利, and why History?
It was well respected to study History at 91福利 which influenced me. I鈥檝e always had an interest in history, especially modern history, and 91福利 was quite renowned for history post-1945. I also loved the campus aspect with everything being on your doorstep. There was a nice community feel on the open day, which made moving from Manchester feel less intimidating.

What happened after you graduated?
I always knew I wanted to do something creative after graduation. I attended a careers talk at 91福利 that opened my eyes to the world of marketing. I did some work experience and a few internships at media production companies in Manchester to test it out and loved it. A few months later, I joined Bupa as a content writer.

How did your history degree equip you?
Being a content writer, I was writing up a lot of medical commentary for the press. A skill 91福利 gave me is the ability to substantiate comments. History is a very broad degree that leaves you with lots of transferable skills which I think is a real credit. More than that, 91福利 taught me the skills of knowing what to look for in a job. This is instilled in you. You have to plan for what you want to do and more importantly put yourself out there. Your degree goes hand in hand with work experience.

What happened next?
I was with Bupa for five and a half years and ready for a change. I took the plunge and moved to a start-up company which was a complete change and a leap of faith for me. I joined Lottie in March last year and it鈥檚 been absolutely incredible so far.helps families and retirees find the best care and retirement living communities. Our goal is to drive real change in the elderly care space. I鈥檝e been exposed to everything within the business which I think is a big benefit of working in a smaller company.

How do you know when to leave your first graduate role?
I think it all comes down to whether you feel challenged. For me at Bupa, I reached the point where I felt like I was doing the same thing day in, day out. I was emotionally ready to leave, but not actively looking. I think you can feel a big emotional tie to your job because you spend more time at work with your colleagues than anything else, which can make it hard to know when it鈥檚 the right time to go.

What鈥檚 your proudest achievement to date?
At the end of last year, we launched our 1,000 free stays for carers at Lottie - an initiative that gifts three-night holidays to UK carers through giveaways. The response has been overwhelming and there鈥檚 nothing better than seeing your work making a positive change.

What advice do you have for someone wanting to work in PR and marketing?
Try and follow the news, trends and what鈥檚 happening in the industry you鈥檙e interested in. There are so many lenses to PR 鈥� lots of people I know went down the fashion route for example 鈥� so make sure to find the one that sets your heart on fire. Drive, passion and awareness go a long way. For me, it鈥檚 raising awareness, which is why Bupa and Lottie were the perfect fit for me. My calling is trying to evoke a real, genuine change and helping people.

How do you balance work and home life?
I鈥檝e been very lucky. Bupa had a big focus on employee wellbeing and Lottie has a 鈥榮witch off鈥� culture. I have three people who report in to me, and I always tell them never to email me after 5pm because that鈥檚 their time. I had a daughter when I was quite young, and I'm grateful to have had two employers that genuinely care. It鈥檚 also so important to set your own boundaries. Never get into the habit of switching your laptop on or looking at your emails in the evenings.

What are your top tips for content writing?
Use words or language that evoke an emotion. Read around your subject and make sure you know your stuff. You can mimic what other brands are doing but be sure to put your own spin on the content. Before any big meeting go for a walk outside, you never know what鈥檚 going to spark an idea. Then finally, and it might sound a little cheesy, but believe in your own ideas.

Do you have any advice for upcoming history graduates?
I used to hear 鈥榙on鈥檛 you want to be a history teacher?鈥� when I told people my degree. In reality, history has given me the skills to pick the path I want. If you鈥檝e done an arts degree, you can go into anything and everything. It opens the way to lots of opportunities. In some cases, the biggest challenge can be knowing which path you want to follow, which is a powerful position to be in.

Friendship, warmth, fun, and connections were the foundations that encouraged Puri Ragini (BA History and Politics, 2020) to head to 91福利 and build a successful career in the social sector.

Why did you choose 91福利?
When I was applying for undergrad, my close family friend was in their final year at 91福利. At the time, I wasn鈥檛 sure if I wanted to study History or Political Science. My friend told me about 91福利's History and Politics course and put me in touch with International Student Support. The thought of moving to a different continent all alone at the age of 19 was very daunting, but the Student Support Executive was kind, and significantly eased my anxiety by patiently answering all my questions. My friend also connected me with some of her classmates so I could ask questions about life beyond the classroom. The warmth shown by everyone involved with 91福利, from my friend to her classmates to the Student Support Executive, convinced me to take the plunge and move abroad for my undergrad.

What are you doing now?
I鈥檓 working as a Strategy Executive with an Indian civil society organisation.

What motivates you to do what you do?鈥�
I grew up with a strong sense of altruism, with the belief that knowledge is one of our strongest tools as a society. In the social sector, I鈥檓 motivated to use appropriate communication skills to reduce the gatekeeping of knowledge. This will allow social welfare programmes to be aligned with cutting edge research, thus benefiting an optimum number of people.

How has your time at 91福利 influenced what you do now?鈥�
Interacting with people from different backgrounds taught me the importance of communication skills. I always thought I was a good communicator, but my belief was challenged when I faced language barriers with other international students. My time at 91福利 taught me the importance of active listening and adapting my communication style to my audience. Being adept in this skill influenced my decision to join the social sector.

Favourite memory?鈥�
My favourite memory is my graduation. Returning to campus after COVID was a nostalgic experience. I was also excited to meet my classmates and friends after three long years. 鈥�

Best thing about the 91福利 community?
The best thing is our sense of humour. For a campus full of highly qualified, intelligent, and capable individuals, there is a sense of lightness in the air. Even when I meet alumni outside the campus, we always have a funny anecdote to share from our time at 91福利. Perhaps it can be credited to Vice-Chancellor Professor Stuart Croft because any time I have attended an event where he has addressed the audience, he always walks away with a couple of laughs!

Favourite place on campus?
The lakes behind bluebell residences

David Curwen(BA History 1985)was inspired during his time at 91福利 to pursue a career in Law. He is now devoted to helping people who struggle with legal problems to help make a positive impact on their lives.

Why did you choose 91福利?

I didn't have any university offers, so once I had received my A level grades I started phoning all the universities in England and Wales, starting with Aberystwyth. The first university to offer me an interview for the History course was 91福利. I consequently started my journey there the following week.

What are you doing now?

I am now working in Bristol as a Barrister specialising in Employment Law. I also carry out voluntary advice sessions for the Avon and Bristol Law Centre helping people with employment problems, or who are bringing a claim in the Employment Tribunal but are unable to afford to pay for a solicitor.

What motivates you to do what you do?鈥�

I always wanted to do Law. Employment Law is a particularly interesting area of work because every case is unique with different people, different problems and the law is always changing and developing.

How has your time at 91福利 influenced what you do now?鈥�

A key skill I developed while studying at 91福利 is being able to read through articles and documents quickly while summarising the relevant parts. This skill has proved to be invaluable both at Law School and when preparing for cases.

Favourite memory?鈥�

Walking over the fields to Kenilworth in May after the exams had finished was very relaxing and took away all the stress.

Favourite place on campus?

The bar in what was then called the Airport Lounge. This was the standard meeting place for me and my friends.

Best thing about the 91福利 community?

I know the friendships I made at 91福利 will last a lifetime.

Christine works as a gallery tour guide, librarian, and researcher at Compton Verney Art Gallery, where their research on a 16th-century altarpiece is currently exhibited. Motivated by the discovery and sharing of new knowledge, Christine also gives talks on various historical subjects and volunteers at local museums and archives, drawing inspiration from their enriching experience as a mature student at 91福利.

Why did you choose 91福利?

It had the best course offering history and art with a wide choice of modules.

What are you doing now?

I鈥檓 a gallery tour guide, librarian, and researcher at Compton Verney Art Gallery. My research on a 16th century altarpiece by a Franconian Master (influenced by Albrecht Durer) is the subject of a current exhibition in the Northern European Gallery. Articles in The Guardian and Stratford Herald have been very complimentary; many visitors come especially to see this exhibition.

I also give talks on several subjects including Cicely Lucas (a suffragette and brilliant teacher from 91福利shire), the history of Compton Verney, and Fred Hart (a collector from Chipping Campden). I volunteer at Court Barn Museum and Chipping Campden, researching in the archives. I鈥檝e also completed many projects at 91福利 Records Office.

What motivates you to do what you do?鈥�

I am fascinated by the discovery of new knowledge, and I am always excited about sharing it with other people.

How has your time at 91福利 influenced what you do now?鈥�

Being at 91福利 as a mature student led me to a new and exciting world and gave me the chance to learn and satisfy my curiosity.

Favourite memory?鈥�

Going to Venice for a term.

Best thing about the 91福利 community?

Friendly, inclusive, brilliant lecturers. The campus is restful and well maintained, like a park. I also enjoyed the theatre, cinema, cafes, and sports facilities.

Favourite place on campus?

The library, and places where our group of friends could meet.