Skip to main content
Queen Mary Alumni

Blog

Montage of alumni voices on our blog. Featured are the Singing Dentist, aka Dr Milad Shadrooh, Dilani Selvanathan, Siti Kasim and Matt Kay.

Our graduates have gone on to do a variety of interesting and exciting things throughout their careers and beyond.

Our blog shines a spotlight on the voices of our alumni and friends and on the transformative effect gifts of time and donations from alumni have had on our students and the wider University.

Headshot of alumnus, Tom Machell, wearing a blue and green plaid shirt, sat against a brick wall Alumni profile - Tom Machell
17 May 2022

(Drama BA, 2012)

If I'm going to do it, I want to make work that is really going to push things and open up conversations. I always use comedy as the way in which I tell the story because we need to laugh as well so then it feels earned. When you're dealing with difficult topics, if you can get people to laugh and then you can make them cry, then you've done something awesome. 

 

Headshot of alumnus, Samuel Head Alumni profile - Samuel Head
18 May 2022

(History of Political Thought and Intellectual History MA, 2021 (joint programme with UCL))

The academic staff at UCL and Queen Mary are highly supportive, respectful, and open-minded. You really feel like you are being treated as an equal and you are encouraged to challenge others in a productive way.

 

Headshot of alumna, Maha Kamal. She is wearing a beige blazer and burgundy top and her hair is swept back in a formal hairstyle. Alumni profile - Maha Kamal
1 June 2022

(International Public Policy MSc, 2016)

What was particularly amazing at Queen Mary was the diversity in our classroom - I studied with students from literally all around the world, and they brought their own experiences of public policy practice to the classroom - whether it was in class discussions or group projects. 

 

Headshot of alumna Holly Brazier Alumni profile - Holly Brazier
1 June 2022

(Degree Apprenticeship in Digital Technology Solutions (Software Engineer) BSc, 2020)

Being able to earn whist you learn is one of the obvious benefits of doing a degree apprenticeship, but I will say one of the most valuable benefits is gaining the hands-on experience during your university degree. My degree apprenticeship has helped me get to where I am today at Goldman Sachs. 

 

Headshot of alumna, Jawying Honey Lyster Pride Alumni profile - Jawying Honey Lyster
14 June 2022

(Comparative Literature BA, 2014)

I hope to facilitate dialogue between civil society, governments, policymakers, human rights advocates, and activists, to promote justice for LGBTI persons who are often excluded from their wider communities and legal systems. In doing so, I hope that we can broaden the diversity of voices in policy debates by strengthening LGBTI civil society organisations and bringing the voices of marginalized groups to the forefront. 

 

Headshot of alumnus Andrew Popperwell Andrew Popperwell – Alumni Profile
10 June 2022

(Physics BSc, 1974)

For World Refugee Day, we conducted a special interview with alumnus Andrew Popperwell (Physics BSc, 1974), whose late mother Beate Popperwell (nee Wiznitzer, 1924-2001), fled Vienna as a refugee and arrived in London at the very end of 1938. 

Read her story. Remember her story. Share her story. 

Headshot of alumna Dilani Selva Dilani Selvanathan – Alumni Profile
21 June 2022

(Degree Apprenticeship in Digital Technology Solutions (Software Engineer) BSc, 2021

In terms of the future, I want to combine my passion for robotics and space and work in the space industry. I want to create technology that can advance human civilisation in outer space and I want to learn more about what is out there in the universe. 

 

Photo of alumna, Mary Ojo, standing between big white 'QMUL' letters on the lawn outside the Queen's Building at her graduation ceremony Alumni profile - Mary Ojo
21 June 2022

(History BA, 2017; MA, 2019)

My time at Queen Mary showed me that I am at my best when serving others, so I plan and hope to engage with organisations delivering innovative solutions, to solve complex issues, for the public good.

 

Headshot of alumna Vidicha Chunilal. Vidicha Chunilal – Alumni Profile
24 June 2022

(Pharmaceutical Chemistry BSc, 2018; Clinical Drug Development MSc, 2019)

Queen Mary has made me realise that no matter your socioeconomic background, all students are equally exposed to all kinds of opportunities. No matter your background, origin or socioeconomic status, every person can achieve their goals in life.

 

Alumna Amandeep Kaur Gill on her graduation day dressed in her cap and gown. Alumni profile - Amandeep Kaur Gill 
7 July 2022

(Pharmaceutical Chemistry MSci, 2019)

Being among the first generation in my family to go university is quite a proud feeling, for myself and my family. All of the hard work my parents have put into raising me and encouraging me to pursue my dreams has been brought to fruition. 

 

Back to top