Leeds Alumni

Fareda stands with her arms folded, smiling in a workshop

Fareda Al Wakeel (Medical Engineering 2024) has helped bring together the @universityofleeds.bsky.social and UK charity REMAP to create bespoke solutions for disabled people. Read more about Fareda's work as a volunteer with REMAP and how students will get involved: www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article...

Mount Everest record-breaker returns to campus After conquering Everest for the 19th time, the world’s most successful expedition leader returned to campus to speak about life on top of the world.

After conquering Everest for the 19th time, record-breaking expedition leader Kenton Cool (Geological Sciences 1994, Hon LLD 2018) returned to campus to speak to students about life on top of the world. Read more about how he honed his skills climbing at Leeds: www.leeds.ac.uk/news-alumni/...

Ghosts lurking outside the Clothworkers Court arch. The Clothworkers Hall Building and courtyard are visible behind. It is dark, the trees are bare and the ground is wet.

Happy Halloween to everyone who’s celebrating! 🎃

We hope you have a fun time with your loved ones during this spooky season.

Ghouls and ghosts have been making themselves comfortable on campus… beware!👻

Profile image of Catherine Connolly

A Leeds alum will be inaugurated as President of Ireland following the country’s election vote. Catherine Connolly graduated in 1981 with an MSc in Clinical Psychology. Catherine then worked as a clinical psychologist and barrister, before entering politics in 1999: www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article...

Thousands of visitors flocked to see the impressive light displays on campus as part of Light Night Leeds this week💡✨
Including a breathtaking collaboration with alum and composer Ilan Eshkeri. Read more about Ilan's return to Leeds: www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article...

A rugged hillside with young trees planted across it

Leeds has reached the final shortlist to receive funding from the European Outdoor Conservation Association, and the winner will be selected by a public vote.

You can support this important work by voting for Leeds: www.eocaconservation.org/vote/

The Alliance for Northern Nature A multi-partner initiative, led by the University of Leeds, is helping to drive nature recovery across the UK

Leeds researchers are working alongside partners at Miterdale and Hardknott Forest – two of the most scenic and remote areas of the Lake District – to show how nature restoration can increase resilience to the impacts of climate change. You can read more here: spotlight.leeds.ac.uk/the-alliance...

A collage of four images, one of a forest landscape, one of a small rodent curled up in a hand, one of a group learning in the outdoors, and a final image of a newly planted forest in a snowy landscape

Leeds researchers are helping to restore native woodland and rare wildlife to landscapes in the UK – and we need your help.

Ilan plays bass on stage alongside a fellow musician playing electric keyboard

World-leading alum composer Ilan Eshkeri is returning to Leeds for Light Night 2025. Ilan has created music for the biggest films, TV series, video games, ballets, concerts and documentaries in the world. Read about his collaboration with Light Night Leeds 2025: www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article...

Dickie Bird in his academic gown plays a cricket shot in front of the University cricket team, dressed in cricket whites

We are saddened to learn of the passing of iconic cricket umpire and honorary graduate Dickie Bird. Dickie was described as "one of the greatest characters in Yorkshire's history", and received an honorary degree in recognition of his contribution to sport and the county.

Duchess of Kent exits a car, with a crowd looking on

Duchess of Kent in academic gown

The University was saddened to learn of the passing of the Duchess of Kent last week. As our 5th and longest-serving Chancellor, Her Royal Highness had an enduring association with Leeds - & many alumni may remember her from graduation ceremonies. 📷 © Cultural Collections & Galleries, UoL Libraries

New research shows price is not a reliable guide to t-shirt durability A new study led by the University of Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC) has found that the price of a t-shirt is no reliable guide to how well it will wear over time.

How much did you pay for your oldest item of clothing? A £4 T-shirt can outperform a luxury £395 item, according to Leeds research. If you want clothes that last, or cherish second-hand bargains, find out how price doesn’t always reflect durability 👇

ahc.leeds.ac.uk/arts-humanit...

“It might well have saved my life." Brian Cookson OBE, former President of British Cycling, participated in a recent @universityofleeds.bsky.social study which found that older male athletes are more likely to have scarring in their hearts than non-athletes: www.leeds.ac.uk/news-health/...

Collage of profile images

From doctors to entrepreneurs, authors to diplomats, we’re proud of our alumni who were successful in the 24-25 Study UK Alumni Awards, which celebrate the achievements of UK alumni living outside the UK. Read their stories, and find out how to apply for 25-26: spotlight.leeds.ac.uk/british-coun...

Burnsall village green with a picturesque river and bridge behind

Happy Yorkshire Day to our global community! This year, we asked our alumni to share their favourite spots in the county - because you'll always belong in Yorkshire, no matter where you go in the world.

Explore the selection - and share your favourites too: spotlight.leeds.ac.uk/yorkshire-da...

A crowd of people dressed smartly and in graduation gowns stood in front of The Great Hall.

That’s a wrap – our summer graduations have come to an end 🎓

Congratulations to the class of 2025 and welcome to the @leedsalumni.bsky.social community 💚

We hope you had the best time celebrating – we can’t wait to see what’s next for you!

Ray French holds up his MBE medal

2/2 Ray became known as the voice of rugby league as a BBC commentator from 1979 to 2008. He also gave up countless hours of his spare time to support charities and rugby at all levels, and donated to support students from underrepresented backgrounds at Leeds. He was awarded an MBE in 2011.

Rugby players line up on the pitch to shake hands with Howard Wilson, British Prime Minister

1/2 We were saddened to learn that one of the best-known and best-loved characters in rugby league Ray French (Arts Joint Honours 1961) died last week. Ray began his playing career in rugby union whilst studying at Leeds, before switching to rugby league in 1961.

Quartet receive Honorary Degrees Sports stars Steph Houghton MBE and Jack Maitland are among those to have been recognised with honorary degrees by the University of Leeds.

Four individuals received honorary degrees this graduation week, including triathlon coach Jack Maitland (PGCE 1984) and literary activist, theatre maker and poet Khadijah Ibrahiim (MA Theatre Studies 2001). Read more about the recognition👇

www.leeds.ac.uk/main-index/n...

Two individuals sit on a bench outside the NEXUS building at the University of Leeds

As the UK government prioritises the growth of the AI industry, two Spark alumni are at the forefront of the technology revolution. Find out how the @universityofleeds.bsky.social helped Saile Villegas and Reo Ogusu launch their business, SeeAI: spotlight.leeds.ac.uk/thanks-to-yo...

Leeds alumni and Live Aid Twenty-five years after the Live Aid concert galvanised the world’s approach to aid, two alumni recall their involvement behind, and in front of, the scene.

Live Aid's 40th anniversary took place last weekend. We delve into our archives to learn how Leeds alumni played key roles in helping galvanise the world's approach to aid - discover stories from behind the scenes, and read expert academic views on the event: spotlight.leeds.ac.uk/leeds-alumni...

Bunting flutter in the breeze on the University of Leeds campus

For our Leeds alumni, take yourself back to your own graduation day. What words of wisdom do you have for our graduates as they take their next steps? Let us know! #LeedsGrad 👇
leeds.fillout.com/t/nkMRNYqXh1us

Graduates in gowns walk towards a red brick building on the University of Leeds campus

Graduation is here🎓 🎉To everyone celebrating, a huge congratulations from everyone at Leeds. We're excited to welcome you to the Leeds alumni community - find out what it means to become a @universityofleeds.bsky.social alum #LeedsGrad #ForeverLeeds 👇 spotlight.leeds.ac.uk/graduation/

People in smart clothes and graduation gowns stood outside the Clothworker's Court archway.

Our summer graduation ceremonies begin today 🎓🎉

A huge congratulations to everyone celebrating over the next few weeks, whether on campus or virtually!
Graduating is a big achievement, and we are so proud of you ✨

We are so excited to welcome you to our @leedsalumni.bsky.social community 💚

Dawit leans against the wall, wearing a rucksack over his shoulder. He is stood in front of Clothworkers' Court gate at the University of Leeds

Dawit arrived in the UK alone as a 17-year-old refugee, fleeing from religious persecution and unable to speak English. The support of the Leeds supporter community helped him turn his dream of studying biomedical science into reality. Read his incredible story: spotlight.leeds.ac.uk/your-time-at...

The Laidlaw Library from across a busy road

The Laidlaw Library sign on the side of the library building

The Laidlaw Library is 10 today! 💸 2,300 alumni and supporters contributed to its £26 million cost - and a £9m gift from Lord Irvine Laidlaw was one of the biggest ever received by the University. Discover 10 fascinating facts about the Laidlaw Library: library.leeds.ac.uk/news/article...

Two people interacting at a market booth at the International Medieval Congress with other visitors and festive decorations in the background.

Greetings to everyone joining us for @imc-leeds.bsky.social 2025 - we hope all attendees have an amazing week 👑⚔

One of the biggest academic conferences in the world is here, and we’re sure it’ll be an enjoyable experience for all once again 🌍

Find out more 👇
www.imc.leeds.ac.uk

#IMC2025

Brotherton Circle Newsletter 2025 Newsletter to recognise the impact and generosity of those remembered the University of Leeds in their will.

Read more about our 1925 campaign in our Brotherton Circle Newsletter 2025, which thanks those who have pledged a gift to the University in their will: spotlight.leeds.ac.uk/brotherton-c...

YouTube video by Leeds Alumni University of Leeds 1925 campaign film

It's the 100th anniversary of a major @universityofleeds.bsky.social fundraising campaign. Watch our first ever fundraising film, which resulted in Lord Brotherton's £100,000 gift to fund our magnificent library - the most significant legacy we have ever received: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJYI...

A hilly landscape in the Lake District National Park

Volunteers plant trees in a leafless woodland

A deforested landscape of tree stumps under a blue sky

New support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund is helping Leeds researchers restore biodiversity to a crucial area in the Lake District National Park. Read about the restoration work which is proving transformative for nature, communities and the planet: spotlight.leeds.ac.uk/thanks-to-yo...