Leeds alumni in 2023

A year to remember

We started in Russia, with the BBC’s man in Moscow Steve Rosenberg (Russian 1991) taking powerful leaders to task. We progressed across the globe, to the alumni tackling global disease with the World Health Organization and those helping to fight the climate crisis at COP28. We finished in Leeds, with the alum who could become the UK's next Prime Minister.

Join us this festive season as we take a trip through the Leeds alumni highlights from 2023.

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Love at Leeds

Love was in the air in February – in fact it’s been blossoming across all walks of life at Leeds over the last 70 years.

A dance at a Union gig, a chance encounter on Red Route, a seminar buddy who became something more – Leeds has seen it all.

On Valentine’s Day, you sent us your stories of finding love and falling in love with Leeds over the last 70 years.

International Women's Day 2023

On International Women's Day, we met women from the global Leeds community who are inspiring others across the world.

We featured award-winning journalist Hind Hassan, who chose her career path after working on the Leeds student newspaper. She spoke about broadcasting from the most hostile environments in the world – from the conflict in Ukraine, to the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria – elevating the voices of those unheard.

World Engineering Day 2023

On World Engineering Day, we gathered the stories of Leeds engineering alumni across the globe - from early days studying in the Leeds labs, to changing the world for the better across industries.

Thanks to You: The annual magazine for all supporters of the University of Leeds

We discovered the difference our supporter community makes in our recent Thanks To You magazine.

We discovered the extraordinary story of SPARK scholar Charlie Jardine, whose company EO Charging is now transforming our transport network.

We learnt about the world-leading research that could spark new therapies for liver cancer, and provide bed-ridden people with the life-enhancing benefits of exercise.

And we met Mirror editor Alison Phillips, who returned to Leeds for a special event to inspire journalism students and talk about how she became one of the most recognisable figures in newspapers.

Leeds at the World Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) celebrated its 75th anniversary in April. The international agency has been at the forefront of tackling global disease; from the eradication of smallpox, to the international response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Leeds and its alumni have played a pivotal role within the WHO. We explored how the University and its graduates have shaped global health policy for decades.

Leeds Voices podcast

Meet famous alumni with stories to tell, discover the latest Leeds research, and hear from current students as they shape the future.

A brand new weekly podcast as launched in May. Catch up on some of the highlights from Leeds Voices, including:

• BBC Breakfast host and 5 Live presenter Naga Munchetty (English Literature and Language 1997)
• Leeds' own gold medallist Jonny Brownlee (History 2012, LLD 2013), the most decorated triathlete in Olympic history
• Honorary graduates Anita Rani (Broadcasting 1999) and Ondrej Krivanek (Physics 1971)
• Nutritionist Karina Antram (Business Management 2007) on how to fix your fatigue

Pride in Leeds

In June, Leeds announced its ambitions to become the world leader in LGBT research with a major fundraising project.

Leeds wants to build on that and become the world leader on LGBT research. Academics announced plans to raise a significant seven-figure sum to fund the Pride Scholarships programme, addressing global inequalities.

Volunteers' Week 2023

June meant Volunteers’ Week 2023, and a chance to hear your volunteering stories.

This year, we highlighted just some of the ways our alumni and supporter community have given their time, knowledge and expertise to our University community.

Summer graduation 2023

In July, we headed out onto campus to congratulate the Class of 2023. Watch as we ask about their Leeds memories

Honorary graduates

University of Leeds alumni Anita Rani (Broadcasting 2000) and Professor Ondrej Krivanek (Physics 1971) were awarded honorary degrees by the University. Watch, as they share their advice for graduating students.

Study UK Alumni Awards success for Leeds graduates

In 2022 and 2023, 14 Leeds alumni from 12 different countries were named national or global finalists and winners in the British Council Study UK Awards, more than from any other UK institution.

Cainã Perri de Souza (MEd Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) 2018) was named a global finalist in 2023 for his social impact.

When he was younger, Cainã's mother sold her house in order for him to learn English. Now a teacher trainer, he’s ensuring thousands of Brazilian children don’t have to make sacrifices to access education.

Discover his story, and meet more of our recent winners.

Take yourself back to the Edward Boyle Library

In 1975, the doors opened to a brand new library on campus, and what many consider a brutalist masterpiece of concrete and glass.

Love it or hate it, generations of Leeds students have tapped into the ‘Eddy B’s’ vast collections, studied there late into the night, and used it as a meeting point with friends.

On what would have been the 100th birthday of Lord Boyle of Handsworth, known to us as Edward Boyle, we shared your memories of his library.

The new home of student enterprise at Leeds

September saw the launch of the new HELIX facility, a £3.6m playground for creativity, enterprise and piloting new ideas.

HELIX is a learning innovation space for students, staff, and the local community. Alongside its professional standard media studios, podcasting booths, 3D-printing and laser-cutting and creative facilities, HELIX has the UK’s first virtual reality Omnideck, which allows users to explore an unrestricted virtual world. Its makerspaces offer the tools to build, make, and experiment.

Leeds Student Television (LSTV) society students – who are just one of the groups to benefit from HELIX – filmed the action from the launch event, where local business owners and alumni explored the space.

Read more about how the new enterprise programme at Leeds will equip students to become the innovators and problem-solvers of tomorrow.

Your journey to Leeds

As a new term started in Leeds, we asked you to look back on your journey to the University. By car, by bus, by train, even by plane, read the adventures of arriving in Yorkshire from across the globe.

Second time around

Sadie Augier’s first time at university was something of a false start. Two decades on, with the support of a scholarship she is thriving at the University of Leeds. We share her story.

The power of horror

Award-winning horror writer Tananarive Due (MA English 1988) knows how to scare. She's been a leading voice in Black speculative fiction for more than 20 years.

At Halloween, Tananarive explained what attracts us to the genre, how she creates horror, and how her time at Leeds played a key role in her success.

Leeds Alumni Voices: In Conversation with Corinne Bailey Rae

Grammy award winning musician and songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae (English 2000, Hon DMus 2011) returned to the University for an exclusive event in November.

She spoke renowned academic of postcolonial literature and long-time friend Dr Emily Zobel Marshall about art, culture and music, and the impactful inspiration behind her critically acclaimed new album, Black Rainbows.

Leeds alumni and COP28

In November, we met inspiring Leeds alumni from around the globe who are helping to combat the climate crisis.

Learn more about the UN climate conference, and how members of the Leeds community made a difference.