Alumni share their career insights within Education

Posted on by sophie.davison
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

On Tuesday 26 January, our alumni volunteers shared their career stories with students and recent graduates. The event was part of our Bristol Connects Live series- our online series of career and professional development events. The session focused on careers within Education and our alumni experts shared their career stories and experiences to inspire students and recent graduates to help them understand more about the sector.

The event was hosted by Shanice Swales (BA 2014) who works as a Senior Policy Advisor in Higher Education Access and Admissions at The Department for Education. Shanice was joined on the panel by Abbigael Bainton (PGCE 2014/MSc 2018), Assistant Principal at the the Cabot Learning Federation. Mark Barrow (BSc 1995), Chief Executive Officer at the Seckford Education Trust and Dr Nigel Newton (PhD 2016), Lecturer, Education Consultant and Writer.

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‘We make sense of the world through stories’: Tim Gregory (PhD 2020) on life as a scientist, writer and TV star

Posted on by Grace

Tim Gregory (PhD 2020) is a man of many talents. At any moment you might find him teaching children through BBC Bitesize revision classes, presenting BBC4’s The Sky at Night, or hosting online stargazing events for Bristol alumni.

Since graduating from the University of Bristol last year with a PhD in Cosmochemistry, Tim has worked as a postdoctoral research associate at the British Geological Survey, published his first book Meteorite: The Stones From Outer Space That Made Our World (2020), and started a new job as a nuclear chemist. He’s achieved an astonishing amount, no doubt helped along the way by his infectious enthusiasm and passion for his subject.

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University of Bristol Alumni in Queen’s New Year Honours List 2021

Posted on by Ellie
Photo by Mark de Jong on Unsplash

Every year, we’re always delighted to hear about the University of Bristol alumni who have been recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours list for their brilliant contributions to society. Amongst those celebrated this year are many alumni who have worked incredibly hard to relieve the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic – whether that’s through volunteering, their role in the NHS or through medical research. We’ve rounded up the alumni who featured on this year’s list alongside their awards below:

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‘The University of Bristol is where I discovered my passion for the space industry’

Posted on by clare.young


On Tuesday 2 December, Adina Godeanu (MEng 2019) shared her career story with Engineering students. She shared her experience from studying at Bristol as an Aerospace student, to moving to Sweden to work at Saab.

Adina began her journey in 2015 when she moved from Romania to study Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bristol. Adina commented that she had a “truly amazing experience” at Bristol and felt supported by academic staff, career staff and friends. She highlighted that the “University of Bristol is where I discovered my passion for the space industry”.

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Alumni interview: Jonathan Phillips (BSc 1994), Head of Consulting at Simply Communicate

Posted on by Clare

 Jonathan graduated from Bristol with a degree in Geology and is now a digital strategy consultant, focusing on communication, collaboration and digital workplace technologies. With 25 years’ blue-chip experience, he is a regular keynote speaker, contributor to the digital community and a recognised global expert. He is also Chair of the Alumni Association Committee at the University of Bristol. (more…)

Alumni gain exclusive insight into China job market 

Posted on by clare.young

This November, we were pleased to bring a series of events online to our Chinese alumni and students, as a response to the cancelled central delegation to China.

As part of Bristol Connects Live– our online series of career and professional development events, members of our Chinese alumni community shared their experiences at two webinars focussed on Top Accounting firms, and Entrepreneurship to an audience of students and recent graduates.

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Alumni Association Medal winner: Charlie Gunter (BSc 2006, PGCE 2007, MSc 2009)

Posted on by clare.young

Charlie volunteering with Helena Lee, 3rd year Electrical and Electronic Engineering student

Many congratulations to Charlie Gunter (BSc 2006, PGCE 2007, MSc 2009) who was awarded the Alumni Association Medal in 2020 recognising his outstanding contribution to the Association and its activity.

Charlie began volunteering for the Alumni Association in 2007, and as well as holding three degrees from Bristol, is also currently working in the Faculty of Life Sciences in student administration.

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Alumni around the world share their post-grad study stories

Posted on by sophie.davison

In a challenging year for making decisions about your study, 130 alumni around the world offered their words of advice to over 5,000 students considering Bristol at our postgraduate open week, 16-20 November.

Our international community of alumni volunteers responded to a call for their stories, memories and experience, explaining the impact their post-graduate study at Bristol has had on their career, the support offered during their time here and tips for making the most of life in Bristol over more than 100 different sessions during the week.

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Alumni Association Medal winner: Julian Metcalfe (BSc 1978)

Posted on by sophie.davison
Julian with members of the London Branch Committee (picture taken in 2018).

Many congratulations to Julian Metcalfe (BSc 1978) who was awarded the Alumni Association Medal in 2020 recognising his outstanding contribution to the Association and its activities.

Julian has been Chair of the London Branch of the University of Bristol Alumni since 2016. He is now settled in London after an international career in diplomacy, which took him around the world after completing his studies at Bristol.

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