Boston alumni welcome students to the city, November 2019

Posted on by clare.young


Alumni gave a warm welcome to our students undertaking their study abroad year in Boston, at a welcome event this November. Hosted by the Boston Alumni Network, alumni helped welcome students as they navigate their first few weeks in Boston.

The evening was a great success, students enjoyed the chance to meet alumni and hear about their experiences, both in Bristol and Boston. Alumni had the opportunity to catch up with old friends as well as meet and connect with alumni who were new to the city.

A special thanks to Jon Kanter (BA 1992), who helped co-ordinate the get-together held in a lovely space in Central Boston. The group was updated with plans of a new space – Connect Boston – within the University’s new alumni engagement platform, Bristol Connects. Bristol Connects is an exclusive, online space for alumni, students and staff.

A very big thank you goes to all Bristol Volunteers who give up their time to support the University by helping students and keeping the Boston alumni network connected.

Find out more about our volunteer-led groups and networks and about Bristol Connects.

Sydney alumni get-together, 14 October 2019

Posted on by clare.young

Alumni and friends gathered in central Sydney for an alumni get-together this October. Hosted by University of Bristol Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement), Dr Erik Lithander, the evening was a great success.

Alumni and friends from around Sydney were warmly welcomed to a drinks reception, alumni had the chance to catch up with old friends and meet alumni new to the city. Erik provided alumni with updates on the exciting new developments happening in Bristol.

Events such as these are central to building a strong network of alumni in Australia, and our special thanks go to Izzi Barnes (MSci 2015) and Lorna Whitwam (MSc 2005) for all their help in coordinating the event and making it such a success.

If you would like to organise an alumni get-together in your city, please contact us at alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.

 

Eastern Canada Reunion Weekend 2019

Posted on by Natalie Hill

Heater Proctor (BSc 1964):

Our 2019 reunion was convened in Niagara-on-the-Lake at the Pillar and Post Inn, 17 to 19 September. This is a deluxe hotel with a great variety of amenities and wonderful food, in a very picturesque small Ontario town near Niagara Falls.

14 of us enjoyed fine dining at the Inn, lunch at a local restaurant, and dinner at Trius Winery, one of many delightful wineries in the Niagara area. Some of our group visited the heated outdoor pool and the hot springs at the Inn. At the local Shaw Festival Theatre we took in a performance of The Ladykillers, a hilarious farce.

During our first evening Heather Proctor (BSc 1964) brought greetings from the Development and Alumni Relations Office at Bristol, giving us an update on the new buildings at the University. George Plant presented an interesting talk about his examination of lunar rocks from the first moon landing in 1969.

Our reunion dinner at Trius Winery was exceptional. After an outdoor champagne reception, we were seated in a private room, and each course was explained and presented with theatrical precision by a flight of waiters!

This was a reunion to remember. Sefton Haisz (BSc 1967) and George Plant did a wonderful job organising this, and we thank them very much.

Next year’s event has been planned for 21 to 23 September in Kingston Ontario. We look forward to welcoming as many alumni as possible to the 2020 reunion. We plan on inviting particularly those alumni in our area who graduated between 1970 and 1990.

Bristol alumnae rowers set their sights on world-record win

Posted on by Ellie
(L-R) Hannah, Georgie and Flo will attempt the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge in December 2020

A trio of rowers are attempting to break not one but two world records next year, by taking on the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge – a 3,000-mile race which will see them row from the Canary Islands to Antigua.

Made up of Georgie, Flo and Hannah, team Atlantic Antics are hoping to make history by becoming the fastest and youngest female rowers to ever complete the race.

Two-thirds of the trio, Georgie and Flo, began their rowing journey at the University of Bristol. Flo attended a rowing taster session in Fresher’s week and fell in love with the sport immediately, going on to join the University of Bristol Boat Club. Hannah was also a member of UBBC and even went on to captain the women’s team. After university they joined up with Georgie, a former Lincoln University rower, and the Atlantic Antics team was born.

The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge takes place annually and is considered to be one of the toughest rowing events in the world. Individuals and teams battle 20ft waves and treacherous weather conditions, rowing for two hours and then sleeping for two hours in 24-hour cycles, to reach the ultimate goal: crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

The rowers are aiming to smash the current record of 60 days by a full 10 days and will be following a gruelling training plan throughout the year in preparation.

“6am training sessions and gruelling training camps put us through our paces and pushed us beyond our limits. Sport has given us the confidence to always try.”
– Atlantic Antics

The team hope that that by taking part in the race they will inspire other women. They will be raising funds for Women in Sport, a charity which aims to give women and girls in the UK the chance to experience the wide-ranging benefits that sport has to offer.

Throughout their epic challenge, the trio will also be supporting Rowing Together for Healthy Minds – a charity which is dedicated to changing attitudes around mental health in the rowing community.

To wish the Atlantic Antics good luck or to follow their training journey head to: www.atlanticantics2020.com

Message from the US Foundation Chair: engagement drives philanthropy

Posted on by tabitha.haydon

Lesley Silvester, Chair of the US-based University of Bristol Foundation, reflects on the importance of  the US Foundation giving in making Bristol great. 

To quote our Vice Chancellor and President Hugh Brady, ‘Philanthropy will increasingly be a critical determinant of Bristol’s success’, asserting that it is a key component in supporting students, recruiting world-class staff and funding research. The Board of the US Foundation understands that such giving can make the difference between a good university and a great one. To that end we are playing an increasingly significant role through our focus on several specific philanthropic goals.

A primary objective has been and continues to be to increase both the amount of support and the number of alumni donors within the US based alumni community. A second goal – complementing the first – is the development of an increasingly strong and vibrant alumni community. Happily, though not surprisingly, the more we reach out and expand our alumni network in the States, the more it becomes apparent that we have a wide and accomplished group with whom to engage. At best count, which we believe in all probability is understated, we have over 5,500 alumni residing here. And we’d like to connect with every one of you.

Key to us achieving our goals is the University’s Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) strategy of significantly growing engagement and volunteering partnerships not only in the UK but internationally. The relationship between DARO and the US Foundation has been considerably strengthened over the past few years, as we have aligned around shared goals, communications and events. We can clearly see the powerful mutual benefits to both Bristol and its alumni by building community across all University stakeholders.

At our September Foundation board meeting, Jim Rucker – who has served as a Foundation Director for ten years and has contributed to many of our efforts – retired, and two new directors were elected and welcomed to the group. They are Tim Richie (BA 1978) who resides in Massachusetts and California and Tim Parton (BSc 1986) who lives in the New York area.

During the week of 11 November alumni events were held across the US, in New York, San Francisco and Boston in connection with the Vice Chancellor’s visit. We were delighted that many of you joined us, and hope that you are enjoying being part of the University’s burgeoning community, and are as excited as I am about the University’s vision for its future.

On behalf of the entire Foundation Board we wish you a very happy holiday season and look forward to further engagement in 2020.

 

 

A celebration of all your support

Posted on by Clare

Grace Kendrick (BA 2017, MA 2019) and Julius Ogayo, International Students Officer (Bristol SU), at the event

On Saturday 9 November the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) had the honour of being the first team at the university to hold an event in the beautiful newly refurbished Fry building. The occasion was our Supporters’ Celebration, where we took time out to thank our alumni and friends who support, donate, mentor, volunteer or otherwise give back to the University.

It was a fantastic afternoon hosted by the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Hugh Brady, and ably supported by many academics, students and staff who gave up their time to showcase their work and how alumni and friends’ support makes a big difference.

In the year 2018/19 £15,824,502 new philanthropic funds were raised for the university. In addition, over 1,300 alumni and friends volunteered through DARO to support students and the university.

The impact of the support given by alumni and friends continues to grow and flourish and we’re proud to feature just some of the staff and students who’ve benefited from this support in our latest Impact Report.

If you’d like to see the photographs from the event they are available now on Flickr.

 

Fantastic painting donated to Theatre Collection

Posted on by Ellie

An incredible piece by acclaimed artist, Walter Sickert, is now on display at the world-famous Theatre Collection in Park Row. It will become one of the first works of art to be shown at the new University Library when it opens in 2023 -24.

The stunning oil painting is one of a series Sickert created depicting Peggy Ashcroft, who is considered to be one of the 20th century’s greatest actresses.

Sickert himself worked as an actor during the late 1870’s and early 1880’s and his love of the theatre saw him go on to paint several theatrical stars during his lifetime. Here, he captures Ashcroft playing the mischievous Kate Hardcastle in Oliver Goldsmith’s comedy, She Stoops to Conquer – a play which ran during the 1932-33 season at the London Old Vic theatre.

In order to capture the leading lady’s likeness, Sickert would attend performances of the play with a photographer in tow, documenting Ashcroft’s poses and characteristics which he later recreated through his artwork. Jo Elsworth, Director of the Theatre Collection said:

We are delighted to receive this gift of such a significant artwork; it is particularly relevant to hold it alongside the archives Old Vic, where the performance depicted took place and where Dame Peggy Ashcroft spent her formative years.

The painting is from the collection of Lord and Lady Attenborough and was acquired by the University of Bristol’s Theatre Collection via the Arts Council England Acceptance in Lieu Scheme. This scheme places pre-eminent culture in museums, archives and galleries, opening them up to the public and allowing them to be enjoyed by art enthusiasts up and down the country.

The University of Bristol’s Theatre Collection is free to visit and can be found at 21 Park Row, Bristol. In 2009 it was awarded full Accredited Museum status by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. For more information head to: www.bristol.ac.uk/theatre-collection/visit/

Bristol is powered by people like you

Posted on by Grace

Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Hugh Brady and Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Stephen O’Connor, reflect on your remarkable generosity over the last year

As University of Bristol alumni, you are the power behind some of the most extraordinary people at Bristol and their achievements. Without the invaluable expertise, advice and involvement of our alumni, the incredible personal stories that you can read about in our Impact Report 2019 would not be possible. On their behalf, and from me personally, thank you.

During a time of great change, our students, academics, researchers and alumni are making the world fairer, safer and more prosperous. In this report you can read how Bristol’s people are designing new technologies to support the health of older people, overcoming challenges to build a future through education and creating stronger international communities fit for today’s connected world.

It is people like them, with you, that together make our University what it is today and will be tomorrow. Thanks to your support, people here at Bristol can reach further towards their potential, whether that is pursuing answers to some of the world’s grand challenges or taking up educational opportunities that previously seemed out of reach.

I am determined that Bristol continues to lead through ground-breaking research and a first-class education that reflects and changes the world around us. We aspire to be more connected, more relevant and more impactful than ever before. As we reimagine and redevelop the University for the 21st century, the support of the worldwide Bristol community of alumni, supporters and friends has rarely been so important.

It has been a pleasure to have met many of you over the course of the last year, whether here in Bristol or in London, Beijing, San Francisco or the many other places that Bristol’s people call home. We have a truly global perspective, an outlook that is enriched by every member of the Bristol community.

Thank you once again for all you have done, on behalf of the people featured in the report, from me personally and from everyone at the University of Bristol, your University. I hope you enjoy reading about the difference you have helped create.

Professor Hugh Brady
Vice-Chancellor and President

Your generous philanthropic support, gifts of time through volunteering and invaluable advice are helping to power our researchers, our academy, our students and the enduring impact we have in improving the lives of local communities in the city, nationally and worldwide.

I am very fortunate to meet many of those whose lives and work have been transformed by the amazing support of our alumni and friends, a selection of whom are featured in this report. What strikes me most is the talent, enthusiasm and sheer dedication of our research investigators and students alike, whether they are seeking new knowledge to ultimately tackle the crisis of antimicrobial resistance or studying at Bristol thanks to securing a scholarship. They remind me that Bristol’s people, with your help, are building for the future.

Through an innovative use of new technology, Dr Róisín McNaney has helped people with Parkinson’s Disease to combat feelings of social isolation. Simi Modupe has overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges and is now studying Economics at Bristol. And Grace Kendrick’s approach to nurturing good mental health and wellbeing saw her graduate with an MA in Law and ready to start her career.

It is vital that we continue to build a community which fosters diversity, cultivates talent and enables more people to thrive and flourish. Excellence is central to research, teaching and the student experience at Bristol.

The University is investing significantly, along with your philanthropic support, in further growing our capability and enhancing our standing in an increasingly competitive worldwide Higher Education sector. Across the University, we are investing in new buildings and facilities, including the new University Library and developing our curriculum and programmes to ensure the academy and our students can realise their shared ambitions and full potential.

I hope that you will feel inspired by the personal stories in our latest Impact Report, and renewed in your confidence to continue your support and build together for the future.

Thank you once again for your tremendous support this year; we cannot do it without you.

Stephen O’Connor
Director of Development and Alumni Relations

You’re bringing students and alumni together

Posted on by Grace

Siyan Ruan (MSc 2014), Beijing alumni network Leader, explains why Bristol networks are so important for students and graduates to feel connected.

The Beijing alumni network is a volunteer-led group that works closely with the University of Bristol to host events and activities for graduates based in Beijing. Our first meeting back in 2015 brought together more than 250 graduates, and we now support Bristol’s China Graduation Celebration, sit on Career Panels and organise meetings and events.

Studying at Bristol is a very precious memory in my life. I can still remember the nights we spent in the library, the excitement when I delivered an assignment, the sense of relief when I finished my exams, the fulfilment when I handed in my final thesis. It was challenging, but so worth it. I still benefit now from my experiences at university.

As an international student arriving in Bristol, everything was so fresh to me. I can recall the first day I arrived, staying in a hotel and thinking ‘It’s like being in a British film!’ Banksy’s artwork and trip-hop music were so amazing and new to me. I also made a lot of friends in Bristol who I am still in touch with now. Bristol gave us the opportunity to tackle some of our challenges together.

The University of Bristol has a community of over 12,400 alumni in China and over 2,000 Chinese students at Bristol, making it the largest international network. There are volunteer-led networks in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, which nurture and support a family of graduates, and there are other international alumni networks based in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and the US.

When you have shared memories of a place, you have a shared language. The Beijing alumni network – and the alumni network more broadly – gives graduates the opportunity to meet other people who have experienced Bristol, who have been shaped by the same city, the same university, and perhaps by the same memories. It provides a significant connection for those who studied together.

As part of the Beijing alumni network we also meet current Bristol students who are doing placements, internships or who are studying abroad in China. I often recognise myself in these students, excited and sometimes a little bit shy in a new and unfamiliar place. I was so supported when I moved to Bristol that I feel moved to pass on that kindness to current students and do what I can to ensure they have a positive international experience.

Bristol alumni networks are based all over the world, keeping graduates connected with Bristol and each other. These groups enable members to connect and network with like-minded alumni, share advice and expertise, and attend exclusive events.

 

You’re advancing technology to improve lives

Posted on by Grace

Dr Róisín McNaney talks about some of the new technologies being developed at the University of Bristol to support the health of older adults.

In the last ten years I’ve explored how new and emerging technologies can support people with chronic health conditions. My research focuses on ageing and older adults, and I’m interested in promoting self-care and self-management to equip people with a better understanding
of their condition.

One year ago I started at the University of Bristol in a new Lecturer post within Digital Health Engineering, generously funded by The Anchor Society. Bristol is an incredible place to work because of the focus on digital health, and it is amazing to be a part of this health community, supporting older people to live healthy and happy lives.

Technology has enormous potential to support people in functional ways, with the speed of innovation, ease of use and capacity for automation and personalisation. I recently published on a trial for participants with Parkinson’s who wore a cuing device on their wrist to remind them to swallow more often. Regular swallowing prevented saliva management issues, which can be a common symptom of Parkinson’s, and many people said they consequently felt more comfortable eating and drinking in public, which inspired them to meet friends again and combat feelings of social isolation. This piece of technology had enormous impact in a very discreet and meaningful way.

‘Technology is the fastest moving opportunity for innovation we have. My work at Bristol has enabled me to design and develop technologies that make an incredible difference to people’s lives’

Much of my work at Bristol is done using SPHERE technology (Sensor Platform for Healthcare in a Residential Environment) to help monitor symptoms of Parkinson’s. Developed by the University of Bristol, SPHERE is a platform of supporting technologies which include a wearable wrist device, silhouette cameras and ambience sensors that are used in the home to help paint a picture of someone’s daily movements, behaviours and sleep and eating patterns. We are currently collecting data from over 50 homes across Bristol that have SPHERE technologies installed, allowing us to chart changes in an individual’s daily life which might indicate health deterioration.

The more we understand, the better equipped we are to put things in place to help people with chronic conditions, like Parkinson’s. The longitudinal studies we are running give us an expansive knowledge we wouldn’t otherwise have and allow us to collect data without needing much effort from the participant, providing us with valuable insight into the effectiveness of someone’s healthcare plan and any interventions or medications they might be taking.

This post has really enabled me to develop vital research, engage with innovative projects like SPHERE and, with invaluable support from alumni and friends, participate in a community of people invested in improving the quality of life for older adults.

The University is proud to partner with many local trusts in Bristol, including the Anchor Society. The Anchor Society was established in 1769 to support older adults in the Bristol area, and works with organisations, charities and individuals on projects that encourage wellbeing and alleviate loneliness
for older people in the region.