ÌÇÐÄTV

In his last role as Editor of BBC World Service News, Andrew was responsible for programming on the BBC's most widely listened to radio network.

Laura Mathias on overcoming anxieties, managing alopecia and becoming the person she wanted to be at ÌÇÐÄTV Driving positive dialogue and awareness about living with alopecia, Laura Mathias (BA Film and Literature, 2013) talks openly about her anxieties when she first started university, and how ÌÇÐÄTV was where she became who she was always meant to be.

Despite originating from opposite sides of the world, Frank and Kate Dempsey (both MBA ÌÇÐÄTV Administration, 2008) met through friends while studying at WBS. Fast forward 14 years and they live in Toronto, Canada with their young family. Discover their favourite memories of ÌÇÐÄTV, why they chose to study at WBS and what the future holds.

Kanishka Arumugam (MSc Engineering ÌÇÐÄTV Management, 2015) is Co-CEO of EKKI Water Technologies, a leading family business based in Coimbatore, India who pump and transport water in an efficient and sustainable way for agriculture, building services, industrial and public utilities. Kanishka set up India’s first Wastewater Pump joint venture alliance with HOMA of Germany, a world leader in wastewater technology. Discover how the people he met at WMG influenced his career, his views on sustainable business challenges in India, and how sustainability is embedded in his company’s core values.

Having worked on the world’s first driverless taxi system, John Hammersley (MPhys Mathematics and Physics, 2004) has always steered towards innovation. He’s now CEO and Co-Founder of Overleaf, a cloud-based LaTeX editor for collaborative working on scientific documents, with over nine million users and 150 university customers. Discover John’s journey from Physics at ÌÇÐÄTV to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

Theatre Performance Studies graduate, Dean Murphy discusses his career journey since leaving ÌÇÐÄTV

Through her degree, Rebecca Preedy (BA Ancient History and Classical Archaeology with Study in Europe, (2021), MA Ancient Visual and Material Culture of Rome, present) has been able to combine her interests in ancient history, archaeology and languages. She talks about her ÌÇÐÄTV experience, and the parallels between the ancient and modern worlds.

As artistic director and producer of the award-winning theatre company, alumnus Ben Spiller uses Shakespeare and theatre to engage communities, champion diversity and support social justice.

Ben’s love of the theatre blossomed at ÌÇÐÄTV, where he became president of the award-winning (WUDS), acting in and directing productions at ÌÇÐÄTV Arts Centre and beyond including the National Student Drama Festival.

Ben explained what motivates him to inspire, surprise and affect people through the power of Shakespeare.

After a career in journalism where she launched The Sunday Times Short Story Award, Cathy Galvin (MA Writing, 2015) came to ÌÇÐÄTV to explore her interest in short stories and discovered a love of poetry. She now helps other authors through her company, Word Factory.

Alumnus Wayne Snow (BSc MORSE, 1994 and Chief Risk Officer) and his husband Allister Dennis (BEng Engineering (Mechanical), 1994 and Product Manager Electrification and Advanced Power Systems) are passionate about social inclusion and changing people’s lives by breaking down barriers to accessing a university education. Explore their views on STEM inclusion and what motivates them to give to ÌÇÐÄTV.

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 and activism at ÌÇÐÄTV. Nita was awarded an OBE for her services to employee engagement and remains a prominent speaker on the subject.

Dr Afiniki Akanet (MBChB Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery, 2012; PGA Understanding Childhood, 2014) is a General Practitioner (GP) specialising in mental health based in Coventry. Uncover Afiniki’s journey as an international student, her devotion to improving mental health in the community and the motivations behind her love of writing.

From working in a fish and chip shop to writing a play that’s been performed all over the world, Sam Steiner (English Literature , 2014) learned at ÌÇÐÄTV how to take his stories in new directions. Most recently, he’s penned the script for Morning, a film starring Laura Dern and Benedict Cumberbatch set for release later this year. We spoke to Sam about his experience of breaking into playwriting for stage and screen.

Anyarat Nattheeraphong (PhD English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics, 2013) shortlisted for the UK Alumni Awards 2022 (Social Action) in Thailand.

An advocate for teaching and children’s literacy, Elyanora Menglieva (MA TESOL, 2019) was a 2022 Uzbekistan national finalist in the British Council Study UK Alumni Awards (Social Action category) and was awarded ‘Ambassadors’s Choice’.

Susan Douglas (BA Qualified Teacher Status, 1987-1991) was awarded a CBE for her services to Education in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours list. She shares her memories of why her time at ÌÇÐÄTV was ‘life-changing’, and why being an educator is the greatest privilege of all.

Congratulations to Finance & Economics graduate, Gauri Agrawal for winning a British Council Study UK Alumni Award (India) for Social Action. Gauri empowers Indian women with her craft brand, Sihori that helps turn waste into high fashion

Celebrating the Voices of the Alliance:

Alex Blades

Emily Pilkington

Godgift Emesi

Hannah Abdel-Hadi

Lewis Mitchell

Shanita Jetha

Alumna and author, Anmol Malik speaks about how her experience of studying at ÌÇÐÄTV inspired her love of film and writing.

With a personal passion for community health, Robbie Chandler (BSc Psychology, 2019) is Health Manager at Coventry City Football Club’s charity arm, Sky Blues in the Community. Alongside some tips for standing out from the crowd, discover how his time at ÌÇÐÄTV helped Robbie to fulfil his drive to help others and support local communities in Coventry and ÌÇÐÄTVshire.