Skip to main content Skip to navigation

Latest Alumni Updates

Select tags to filter on

The secret world of publishing

Emily Wells (BA English Literature and Creative Writing, 2013) has a job many booklovers would envy: she gets to read for a living. As Senior Editor for a division of world publishing giant Hachette, her week is spent dissecting what makes a story sell and succeed on the market.

Wed 22 Nov 2023, 13:05 | Tags: Faculty of Arts English Alumni profile Undergraduate

Quickfire questions with CEO Jo Todd

Earlier this year, alumna and activist Jo Todd (BA English and European Literature, 1990) received a CBE in recognition of 30+ years’ service to the victims of domestic abuse. From volunteering at a refuge in the outskirts of London, to more than 20 years as CEO of Respect - the pioneering charity tackling the root of the problem - Jo has dedicated her life to making a positive difference. And she’s not finished yet.

Mon 06 Nov 2023, 12:00 | Tags: Modern Languages Faculty of Arts English Alumni profile

Five minutes with award-winning author, activist, and alumna Olia Hercules

If you enjoy Ukrainian cuisine, you may own a copy of Olia Hercules’ (BA Italian and International Studies, 2006) recipe books. But, you may be surprised to hear that Olia’s journey started not in the kitchen, but in the corridors of Warwick.

Mon 06 Nov 2023, 10:50 | Tags: Modern Languages Faculty of Arts Alumni profile

A change in direction

With nearly a decade in the British Army including tours of Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan before coming to Warwick, Lee Kemp (Film with Television Studies, 2007) had an unusual path to his degree. But it was a simple truth that made his decision.

Wed 11 Oct 2023, 09:45 | Tags: Faculty of Arts Alumni profile Film and TV

The story of Jean Renwick

After a long career in public relations, Dianne Page (Dipl History of Art, 2007; MA History of Art, 2009) took the plunge to pursue her passion for the arts via Warwick. Now with three novels under her belt and a fourth in the works, Dianne reflects on the milestones that got her here.

Tue 10 Oct 2023, 09:05 | Tags: History of Art Faculty of Arts Alumni profile

Quick Q&A with Arts alumna, Kaya Patel

Growing up in northwest London, Kaya Patel (BA Film and LiteratureLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, 2020) considered universities around the UK. But she chose to move to the Midlands for her undergraduate experience because she trusted her intuition.  

Thu 14 Sep 2023, 17:10 | Tags: Faculty of Arts English Alumni profile Careers Film and TV

A journey to be seen as human again

What happens when you have no choice but to flee your home and leave all you know behind? Can you ever utilise your experiences and turn them into opportunities for others? When Attal Shams’ journey of conflict, displacement, and resilience became the focus of his dissertation, he didn’t think anyone would be interested. But now, those experiences have become the driving force to him making a real difference to others.

Tue 12 Sep 2023, 16:40 | Tags: Sociology Alumni profile Faculty of Social Sciences

Art is where the heart is

Recent graduate Carolina Sagardoy Saavedra (BA History of Art, 2019) always knew she had a passion for fine art. She turned that passion into a reality – graduating from Warwick and moving to New York to study a Masters’ degree in Art Business at the world-renowned Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Today, she uses the knowledge she gained at Warwick to help art be bought and sold across the world.

Tue 05 Sep 2023, 11:48 | Tags: History of Art Faculty of Arts Alumni profile

The good, the bad, and the science of communication

What makes a good communicator? We may think we know, but how many of us really excel when communicating? A successful career in sales and marketing led Tim Pollard (MBA, 2003) to a career-defining curiosity where he sought to understand and capture the underlying “science” behind communication.


A cause for good with supervillain foundations

Making a difference is what drives Kate Frost (BSc Management Sciences, 1997). She left her financial career to pioneer a charity that turns pennies into pounds to make a big impact.


Your memories of Warwick in Venice

For more than half a century, Warwick has forged a deep relationship with the city. The Faculty of Arts has taught generations of our students during their Venice terms. Since 2007, we have had a physical base in the Palazzo Pesaro Papafava.

From May 2023, our undergraduates, postgraduates and staff will have a new base - a wonderful late 17th century building in Palazzo Giustinian Lolin, right on the Grand Canal of Venice. As we get ready to open the building, we would love to share some alumni memories of studying in Venice over the years.

Tue 27 Jun 2023, 10:22 | Tags: History of Art Faculty of Arts History

Quickfire questions with PhD Scholarship student, Dr Kimberley Thomas

We caught up with Dr Kimberley Thomas (BA History 2010, MA History 2011, PhD Caribbean Studies, 2020) to talk about her time at Warwick, ahead of her return to deliver a Caribbean seminar series.

Tue 09 May 2023, 10:17 | Tags: Caribbean Studies Faculty of Arts History Alumni profile

How the past informs the present

Features writer and editor for The Boar, Vice President of Warwick HisSoc and Deputy Editor of Warwick Politics Society’s Perspectives, alumna Celia Bergin (BA History and Politics, 2022) certainly made the most of her time at Warwick. Graduating with a first-class degree, she jumped straight into the world of journalism. Now working as a reporter for Bloomberg News, Celia reflects on how these experiences helped her get there.

Tue 02 May 2023, 11:37 | Tags: Faculty of Arts History Alumni profile

Playing the long game

Journalist, author, higher education professional, proof-reader, and editor Annette Rubery (PhD English and Comparative Literary Studies, 1999) has spent the 30-plus years since graduating honing her editorial and marketing skillset.

Tue 02 May 2023, 11:01 | Tags: Faculty of Arts English Alumni profile Postgraduate

From open day to netting a perfect job

Balraj Dhingra (BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics, 2019) had knew sport would play a huge part of his time at Warwick. From meeting lifelong friends to lifting the 2019 Varsity Cup and becoming SU Sports Officer, his experiences helped him score his current role leading sport at UCL.

Thu 27 Apr 2023, 14:50 | Tags: Economics Alumni profile Faculty of Social Sciences

A true Warwick family

For Vera Okojie (BA Philosophy, 2020) choosing to come to study at Warwick was a decision made all the easier by our impressive alumni community.


The results of a Warwick ‘run in’

From never running a long-distance race in his life to becoming New York’s fastest runner in his age group, David Hill (BSc Mathematics, 1978) garnered a brand-new hobby that he didn't expect to excel at. All thanks to a catch up meeting and drink with a fellow Warwick alum and friend, Piers.

Thu 27 Apr 2023, 10:30 | Tags: Faculty of Science Mathematics Alumni profile

Older news