A buzzing sense of pride and laughter filled the Orangery at Goldney House last weekend as the 2025 Alumni Award winners came together to celebrate their achievements.
The winners travelled from far and wide – in some cases journeying from as far as California! – to reconnect with the University and forge new relationships across the alumni community. Joined by staff from across the University, as well as student leaders from Bristol SU, there was a warm atmosphere as our winners congratulated each other. Many made it a family affair, with some inviting their grandchildren and others attending with spouses whom they had met while studying at Bristol.
Dr Michelle McDowell MBE (BSc 1984, Hon DEng 2012) was honoured for the immense impact she has had on the world of Civil Engineering. From her first job on a multi-storey car park to the redevelopment of the Royal Albert Hall, she defied the odds in what was a male-dominated industry to emerge as one of the most influential figures in structural engineering.
Raghad Al-Abboodi (MSc 2016) was celebrated for putting empowerment at the heart of her remarkable work, and for ensuring that the young women following in her footsteps are not held back by challenges she has overcome herself. Guests heard Raghad speak passionately about her journey to becoming a Founder from Bristol, pushing past limited opportunities and societal expectations to succeed.
Also recognised as a role-model for the next generation, Dr Una Ryan OBE (BSc 1963, Hon DSc 2009) was described as a “tireless advocate” for scientists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. As she was celebrated for her numerous achievements and relentless pursuit of discovery, Una reminded all guests that true progress is not only measured in discoveries but in the opportunities each person creates for others to build upon them. In her words: ‘Success lies in the good you do for others, no matter the scale.’
The event celebrated our winners’ unwavering commitment to their communities, and particularly work led by Ben Barker MBE (MSc 1981) across the local area. Ben’s tireless work as a community developer across multiple projects improves Bristol neighbourhoods in Bedminster and beyond.
That similar dedication to giving back and supporting Bristol’s community was also reflected in Chris Wallis (BSc 1978), who has spent countless hours helping students as a mentor. His dedication and belief in progress continue to inspire all who have worked with him, and other attendees.
Although some of our winners could not be in attendance, each was honoured for their remarkable achievements, including the prolific success of writer David Nicholls (BA 1988, Hon DLitt 2016), the sector-leading brilliance of entrepreneur Dr Victoria Johnson (BVSc 1998), and the incredible season Dr Simi Pam (MB ChB 2019) has had on and off the rugby pitch with the Bristol Bears.
Discover how the 2025 Alumni Award winners are all making the world a better place.
Images (c) Dave Pratt Photography.
Congratulations to all…in particular Una Ryan who i seem to remember was living in Clifton Hill House in her first year when I was Senior Student. Best wishes Una.
From Jill Wakefield (previously Sadler).
I needed to thank you for this fantastic read!! I definitely loved every bit of it.
I have you book-marked to check out new things you post…
After checking out a number of the blog posts on your blog, I seriously appreciate your way
of blogging. I saved it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Take a look at my website
too and let me know what you think.
What’s up to every body, it’s my first pay a visit of this blog; this web site includes awesome and truly fine material designed for visitors.
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this post
and the rest of the site is really good.
Take a look at my blog post: Kiara
Howdy! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to look it over.
I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting thus to my followers!
Fantastic blog and amazing design.
Here is my web blog – replica bags
I all the time used to study post in news papers but now as I am a user of web thus from now I am using net for articles or reviews,
thanks to web.
I like how you ended the submit — it gave me a clear takeaway
I can use immediately.
This publish gave me one thing to consider for the
remainder of the day.
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I
get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing
to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently fast.
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your site.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more
often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?
Fantastic work!
You’re so interesting! I do not think I have read a single thing like this before.
So wonderful to discover another person with
a few original thoughts on this subject. Really.. thank you for starting this up.
This site is one thing that is needed on the internet, someone with some originality!
Right now it seems like Expression Engine is the best blogging platform out there right now.
(from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your
blog?
Attractive element of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to
claim that I get actually loved account your blog posts.
Any way I’ll be subscribing on your augment or even I fulfillment you access constantly fast.
Beloved the examples — they helped make the point stick.
I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure of your website?
Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with
it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two images.
Maybe you could space it out better?
I couldn’t refrain from commenting. Well written!
Hi there outstanding website! Does running a blogg such as
this take a massive amount work? I have virtually no understanding of
computer programming but I was hoping to start my own blog soon.
Anyways, should you hafe any ideas or techniques for new blog owners plwase share.
Ikno this is off subject however I simply wanted to ask.
Kudos!
Feel frse to visit my web blog; Replica designer bags
If you would like to take a great deal from this article then you have to apply these techniques
to your won website.
Hello, just wanted to tell you, I liked this article.
It was inspiring. Keep on posting!
Thanks for a marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you might
be a great author. I will always bookmark your blog and definitely will come back in the foreseeable future.
I want to encourage continue your great work,
have a nice day!
Everyone loves it whenever people get together
and share opinions. Great site, stick with it!
An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. I think that
you need to publish more on this subject, it may not be a taboo subject but typically people do not
talk about such subjects. To the next! Best wishes!!
Today, while I was at work, my cousin stole my apple ipad
and tested to see if it can survive a forty foot drop,
just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she
has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share
it with someone!
I truly love your website.. Great colors & theme. Did you make this site
yourself? Please reply back as I’m wanting to create my very own site and would
like to know where you got this from or just what the
theme is named. Many thanks!
I like it whenever people come together and share ideas.
Great site, keep it up!
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my
weblog so i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find
things to improve my web site!I suppose its ok to use
some of your ideas!!
I was recommended this web site by means of my cousin. I’m no longer certain whether or
not this submit is written by way of him as no one else recognise such designated about my trouble.
You are incredible! Thanks!
Thanks in favor of sharing such a pleasant idea, post is fastidious,
thats why i have read it fully
Hi there colleagues, nice piece of writing and good arguments commented at this place, I am truly enjoying by these.
Hi there to every one, the contents existing at this site are genuinely remarkable
for people experience, well, keep up the nice work fellows.
I do accept as true with all of the ideas you have
introduced in your post. They are really convincing and will definitely work.
Still, the posts are very short for novices. Could you please
extend them a bit from next time? Thanks for the post.
Hi everyone, it’s my first pay a quick visit at this site,
and paragraph is truly fruitful designed for me, keep up posting such articles or reviews.
I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills as smartly as with the layout in your
blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it your self?
Either way stay up the nice high quality writing, it
is uncommon to look a great blog like this one nowadays..
Greetings! Very useful advice within this article!
It is the little changes that produce the largest changes.
Thanks a lot for sharing!
My developer is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP.
I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses.
But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on a variety of websites for about a year and am worried about switching to another platform.
I have heard fantastic things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can import all my wordpress posts into it?
Any help would be really appreciated!
Hi there! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 3gs!
Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to
all your posts! Carry on the fantastic work!
I savor, result in I found exactly what I used to be looking for.
You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day.
Bye
Thanks for any other magnificent article.
The place else could anyone get that type of information in such an ideal method of writing?
I have a presentation subsequent week, and I’m on the search for such info.
You made some really good points there. I looked on the web for more info about the issue and found most people
will go along with your views on this site.
After going over a handful of the blog articles on your web page,
I truly like your way of writing a blog. I book marked it to my
bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Please check out
my web site too and tell me what you think.
If you would like to increase your experience only keep visiting this website and be
updated with the latest gossip posted here.
Loved the examples — they helped make the purpose stick.
Hello! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog.
Is it difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast.
I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where to begin.
Do you have any points or suggestions? Thank you
Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your site in internet explorer,
would check this? IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and a big section of other people will miss your
magnificent writing because of this problem.
I read this article completely regarding the difference of hottest
and earlier technologies, it’s awesome article.
Hello colleagues, pleasant piece of writing and nice argumentts commented here, I am really enjoying bby these.
Feel free to surf to my web page: Fake designer bags
Somebody essentially help to make critically articles I might state.
This is the very first time I frequented your website page and
thus far? I surprised with the analysis you made to make this particular post amazing.
Wonderful task!
Hi there, for all time i used to check webpage posts here early in the morning, because i love to
learn more and more.
Very good article. I certainly love this website.
Thanks!