BUILDING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER

FOUNDATION THIRTY NINE I am delighted to share with to deliver an industrial strategy aimed you our latest news and at combating climate change. I am sure hope that you enjoy reading that many of you will have seen that the University has made a public pledge to about our activities in recent become carbon neutral by its centenary months. year of 2027. We firmly believe that all individuals and organisations have In October, we were honoured to host the a responsibility to preserve our planet return of an inspirational group of alumni for future generations and certainly the donors who have been raising money University of Hull is doing its best to help over the last three years in memory of in that effort. their good friend Wiseman Khuzwayo. A tremendous £90,000 was pledged by We also held our annual donor ‘thank this group of friends and graduates from you event’ in November when Professor the late 1970s. Monies raised will fund Brad Gibson, Director of the E.A. Milne a PhD student and visiting fellowship Centre in Astrophysics, gave a unique and programme, both of which directly fascinating insight into the Wonders of and positively influence outcomes for the Universe. His Trip Adviser style guide refugees. We are working closely with featured some of the scariest, loudest and the group as they plan their next project, smelliest places in the Universe! and we thank them for their sterling efforts. May I again extend my sincere thanks to those of you who were able to join us for A number of you will have received a our Annual Supporter Thank You Event – letter from my colleague, Dr Angela and, indeed, those who could not but have Gardiner, asking for your support as given their time or have donated. Your we look to provide the best possible generosity enables us to achieve so much Professor Susan Lea, Vice-Chancellor wellbeing resources for our students. and impacts positively on so many. You will be able to read more about the project in the newsletter, but I wanted to Please know that you are always wel- take this opportunity to thank you and come to visit us in Hull, and I hope that let you know that your contributions many of you will be able to do just that have allowed us to make a real difference over the coming year. to our students’ experience. With my very best wishes to you for the THANK YOU The second meeting of the All Party Polit- Holiday Season and the New Year, ical Group (APPG) was held in November I would like to take this opportunity to when Professor Dan Parsons, Director of thank you for your support of the the Energy and Environment Institute, gave a rousing and very well received talk University. around the University’s partnership with Professor Susan Lea global businesses in the Humber region

1 2 Your generosity during our annual telephone and direct mail campaigns, means that when someone does reach “YOU STAND out the right people can be there ready to WHERE I ONCE STOOD” help them. For students struggling financially, or for care-leavers embarking on their university journey, we are able to provide and support. Your kind words included Following on from last year’s hardship packages, food vouchers, bus personal wisdom, motivational quotes campaign, our 2019 telephone cards and UniKitOut codes. appeal maintained a focus on and practical advice on how to keep going when things are tough. funding student wellbeing To ensure our staff are prepared to provide crucial support we have intro- and mental health support. Around World Mental Health Day (held duced suicide awareness and prevention annually on 10th October) we set to Alongside our student callers training. Thirty-eight staff members, displaying the postcards in the Students’ reaching out to you by phone across a range roles and departments, Union for everyone to see. While no card we sent a direct mail asking have completed the course so far and is the same, the bottom line is clear – this training will become mandatory for 10,000 selected alumni to people care. ‘light up a student’s day’. certain student facing roles.

Reading through the messages is truly For many students it can be easier to moving especially when you consider We received an incredible response, with approach their peers for support, this is that these words could reach someone support pouring in in the form of both evident anecdotally but is also supported just when they need them. A strong donations and messages of strength by research. Our student Wellbeing recurring theme was advice not to suffer Champions are trained to provide an White Wall, an online initiative that our alone but to ‘reach out’ to friends, family approachable on-the-ground service, students can access at any time 24/7 to “I chose to become a or support services. looking out for new and returning talk about their problems and get the Wellbeing Champion students who may need a helping hand. support they urgently need. because I wanted to increase student Outside of daylight hours the Hull Thank you for providing these valuable awareness of the University Angels are recognisable resources for students to access, to ensure that they have the support available to importance of good in their blue jackets, ready to help students who may be vulnerable during make the most of their time at university. mental health and night-time activities. Whether the issue “If you are reading this, you ensure that students is related to mental health, intoxication stand where I once stood. I are aware of the or simply a general concern for safety – graduated, but I didn’t services available to such as walking alone – the Angels are graduate without help and them on campus so that there to ensure that everyone ends the night safely. support. Ask for help. I did.” all students can have a positive experience at This year, with funding from our alumni, Postcard from a graduate university.” we have also been able to launch our Big Lisa 3 4 You might think that a sign Summer school scholarships for 6th stating ‘women welcome here’ formers provide an opportunity for WOMEN IN STEM students to gain hands-on experience of wouldn’t be necessary what undertaking a STEM degree entails. CHALLENGING PERCEPTIONS, anywhere in today’s society. Sian from New College, Doncaster spent However, there are still a her summer holiday gaining insight CREATING OPPORTUNITY number of invisible signs and into degree level Astrophysics and barriers that divert women improving her coding skills. Sian had away from the study of initially doubted her abilities but left the programme feeling excited and enthused science, technology, engineer- about her future choices. ing and mathematics (STEM). The reasons behind this Summer Internship placements facilitate reality are complex, but one 3rd year degree students in honing the contributing factor is a lack of skills required to successfully transition into STEM sector employment or a career overt representation of women in research. within the STEM sector. With your support we are breaking Hull has a history of advocating for the barriers and making a difference. Thank underrepresented and we believe that you once again. Next year we want championing talented and passionate to continue and grow this support to women in STEM is a step towards encourage more and more girls and addressing the gender inequality women into STEM subjects. within these subject areas. Our Breaking Barriers: Women in STEM and Changing “It’s proper hands-on the Face of Physics fundraising has “I really wanted to improve research, things have gone helped us to do just that – thank you. my programming skills, wrong and I’ve fixed them. and this internship has not I’m even working on a paper With your help we have been able to only allowed me to do that provide additional encouragement and but it has also improved that may be published support to women and girls in schools before I graduate – that’s a and 6th form colleges as well as those my confidence with the big deal! This experience coming towards the end of their software”. makes me so much more university degrees. employable”. – Kiri Newson School outreach programmes, headed by BSc Physics women in STEM, challenge – Kate Womack (pictured) preconceptions early on and encourage BSc Physics young women to consider STEM subjects for further study.

5 6 Kiri Newson is a shining time learning why, and then fix it. THANKS FOR AN AMAZING example of how alumni donations are supporting “Being based in the PhD lab means I’ve OPPORTUNITY - I WOULDN’T been able to make connections and ambitious, driven and talented networks with postgraduate students. students to huge success. The lecturers were able to spend more HAVE HAD IT WITHOUT YOU time with us, and allowed me to make Her pathway to academic success has my own mistakes, learn from them and come via the non-traditional ‘Foundation figure things out for myself. Normally Year’ route. Driven to succeed and make a there would have been far more people difference, Kiri has been rewarded for her and therefore less time. This experience hard work with an Agrawal Scholarship was more flexible and relaxed. I could (story below) and with a Women in STEM lead rather than it being too prescriptive, summer internship. Here, she tells us her it was a much less pressured story: environment. I travel over an hour to get here, so if I hadn’t been supported “I really wanted to improve my financially to do this internship, then I programming skills, and this internship just couldn’t have done it. has not only allowed me to do that but it has also improved my confidence with I’m now exploring my future options, but the software, which will really support either way my experience this summer my ability to undertake modules in my will certainly help to open doors. So final year. After this summer I am better thanks for an amazing opportunity - I able to undertake the work accurately; simply wouldn’t have had it without you.” I’ve been able to get things wrong, spend Agrawal Scholar and recipient of a Women in STEM Internship, Kiri Newson

the completion of an gone on to gain a full PhD scholarship, AGRAWAL SCHOLARSHIPS additional pre-degree year. Nicole Farrier published a lead-authored paper in the European Journal of Physics Celebrating the achievements of Many Foundation Year students do not as an undergraduate student and 2019 Foundation Year Students take this opportunity lightly and go on to joint recipient Kiri Newson has become achieve wonderful things. Thanks to the an active advocate of gender equality in Exams can be stressful. the case for students who generosity of Dr Jagdish Agrawal we have STEM. Kiri and her team’s contributions Especially when there’s a lot embark on a course via a been able to recognise the outstanding were named ‘Best Practice in the Country’ riding on them. Sometimes Foundation Year programme. achievements of five Foundation Year by the UK Equality Challenge Unit. Physics students. one bad day during an exam Foundation Year courses allow Congratulations to all our scholarship period can mean that a students who do not meet These students have all demonstrated recipients: student’s grades don’t reflect the standard A-level entry consistently high performance, self-mo- 2016 Stephen Wilkinson their true passion and drive requirements to embark on tivation and the drive and passion that 2017 Tamsin Barnard for a subject. This is typically their chosen course through their A-level results did not reflect. 2018 Nicole Farrier Past recipient Stephen Wilkinson has 2019 Kiri Newson & Jessica McDermott

7 8 Thanks to “The Alumni Fund: Breaking Barriers” we were able to award bursaries, to cover the costs of conference attend- CULTURAL ance, to 20 students. This allowed them to join in the three-day event alongside a TRANSFORMATIONS diverse cross section of academics, policy makers, creatives and cultural specialists.

Victoria Bissett Lee Fallin is a PhD student Photo: Nadira Hendarta Photos: Nadira Hendarta (lower centre) with a focus on how libraries are defined and experienced by people. Victoria Bissett is a PhD student looking at how “I loved the focus on the intersections socially engaged arts can between wellbeing, learning and influence a city’s develop- culture. As someone working in a library, it was great to reflect on ment and regeneration. the benefits of culture not just for individuals, but for communities and “It has benefitted me by broadening the city as a whole.” my networks and enabling me to think about the impacts of Hull 2017 on the artists’ community further, by talking to them at the conference.” Lee Fallin Photo: Nadira Hendarta

Nadira Hendarta is an MSc student currently research- ing the human and nature How can a cultural mega-event transform a city’s image? What values of Hull’s urban green happens when the party leaves town? And how can cultural spaces. investment be used as an effective tool for urban development and regeneration? “Networking in the event has helped me to meet new people from different These were some of the questions asked at the Cultural Transformations, What’s Next? backgrounds and exchange contacts Hull UK City of Culture 2017: Evaluation Conference. for further meetings. Before coming to the conference, I was not even The Culture, Place and Policy Institute (CPPI) at the University of Hull were tasked aware of some of the attendees’ with delivering a full evaluation of the impacts and processes of Hull City of Culture professions. I had the opportunity to 2017. Cultural Transformations served as the stage to deliver these findings, with understand their roles and how they reflections, reports and debate presented alongside creative performances from local make an impact in the community.” artists.

9 10 “This season has gone really well so far. I qualified for the most nationals I ever had and managed to get a silver BOOST ATHLETIC TALENT medal at the swim England summer meet in 50-meter butterfly in a new FOR STUDENTS WITH ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT personal best time. This year I have Boost is the official University also qualified for the Olympic trials in April next year which are taking place of Hull crowdfunding platform The Talented Athlete “I got into American Football by in the London Olympic swimming where students plan and write Programme (TAP) is funded watching YouTube clips of highlights pool.” their pitch, direct, edit and by donations from alumni and from games when I was 15 years old. upload a video and oversee Then one Sunday at the age of 16 I Holly, Swimmer their own projects from con- friends. All prospective and saw the Huddersfield Uni team play current students who compete against the Leicester Uni team, we ception to completion. at a regional, national or talked to one of the parents of the players and they gave us a contact for The principle concept of crowdfunding international level in their is that a large number of people each sport can apply. Awards are the local team, the Leeds Assassins and from there the rest is history! So donate a small amount. This means that based on evidence of past far this year has been interesting. I once a page goes live fundraisers have achievements and future have represented Great Britain twice to flex their promotion skills – usually potential. this year, travelling to play France and through harnessing the power of social playing at home against Norway. In media – to ensure the donations keep addition I won Defensive player of the coming in. At this point, the pressure “The Talented Athlete Programme year for my local club.” is on, and it’s important that our crowd- has benefitted me in many ways. Luke funders have demonstrated realistic From giving me access to outstanding Luke, American Football budgeting skills because in order to get facilities like the new strength and a penny the project has to reach its target. conditioning suite, to physiotherapy When a successful project reaches support that has allowed me to return “I am half Greek half British and I it’s deadline our fundraisers gain the back to form following a serious injury grew up on the island of Lesvos. I was obvious – money. They also walk away in my 2nd year at university. All of inspired by Olympic champion Kostas with something a bit less tangible but which will hopefully culminate in me Kenteris who is also from Lesvos and a lot more long term - clear examples achieving my short-term goals and quickly started to evolve in my chosen of skills, gained whilst overseeing their being part of the journey in achieving event. The talented athlete pro- project, that are essential for building a Olympic status. My ultimate goal is gramme has benefitted me by giving stand-out CV. to be selected for the 2024 Olympics, me the chance to continue training which my coach thinks is realistic whilst studying with the guidance of The most recent Boost bids were based on my current performances qualified experts who are there to help launched by Torch TV, our student-led and the progression I am showing.” and advise me on all aspects of my television station and University of sport.” Malliaka Hull Greenpower, a group of engineers Andy, enthusiastic about electric motorsport. 60m, 100m and 200m Runner Malliaka, 100m and 200m Runner To find out more about these projects, including what they are raising money for, visit: www.hull.hubbub.net 11 12 Have there been any other E-MENTORING MOLLY highlights of your mentor- ship? Anything you’re proud of BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN or have particularly enjoyed? What have you gained from DEGREE AND JOB MARKET your mentorship so far? How While in London, I visited the head of has Lambros helped you? BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Support comes in many forms “Having an e-mentor helps bridge the gap Television Arts) which was quite intim- between your degree and the job market. Lambros was able to help me tailor my CV idating, but very useful to experience a and for some, giving their time It has allowed me to better envisage and based on what he looks for in prospective working environment in the industry I is most rewarding. This is the plan for my future. Lambros has taught employees. This helped me secure work aspire to enter. I also particularly enjoyed case for those involved in our me so much about the documentary experience at two different documentary my work experience, which I could not mentorship programme. Men- production industry.” post-production companies in central have acquired without Lambros’s help. tors share their experience – Molly London during my summer holidays. He I talked to people in all levels of the also put me in contact with a production industry and took on board their advice. and expertise so that when our “Her confidence has soared in the time company in Hull which works with the I hope to apply for a job at one of these students come to the end of I’ve known her. She now has convincing university, so I was able to go on shoots post-production houses in the near their degree programme they arguments about her ability and passion with them, gaining practical experience. future. are already one step ahead for the media. She’s taken on work experience which will ultimately help towards achieving their career her in a very competitive industry.” goals. – Lambros What does it take to be a mentor?

LAMBROS The scale of the commitment depends on how much the mentee wants to engage. How has being a mentor Some like to talk once a month and others worked for you? want advice on their CV and the best way to approach a potential employer (which From the mentor’s point of view my doesn’t need much time commitment). expectations are geared around being I’ve been happy to use my contacts in the able to help University of Hull students media to open doors where possible. So progress in their chosen careers. I owe the scale of the commitment depends on a great deal to the University for the what works for the mentee. It might be opportunities it gave me and this is just a few hours discussing CV’s and the basically my way of returning something merits of applying to certain organisa- back to the University and its students. tions or a much greater commitment with It’s been a thoroughly rewarding and regular contact via phone and email. enjoyable experience so far and I’ll Alumni Mentor Lambros Atteshlis continue to mentor as long as it’s useful For more information on mentoring with student mentee Molly McNamara Langton to the students. contact [email protected]

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ALUMNI EVENTS

Over the last twelve months Alumni Reception at Seacontainers we’ve been delighted to meet with so many alumni at some fantastic events.

You joined us in the House of Commons as we advocated for our work on Climate Change; at Lord’s Cricket Ground a week after England won the World Cup; at receptions in Kuala Lumpur and Singa- pore; and at our Women in Leadership event as we unveiled six lecture theatres named after alumni.

In coming months, we have some exciting events coming up that we’d love to give you a taster of: Legal Professional Network Sackers | London | 26 February The Alumni Engagement Team Lord Norton of Louth joins our panel at the House of Commons of speakers for a discussion on the relationship between the courts of law and Britain’s famously unwritten constitution.

Science & Engineering Network Institute of Engineering and Technology | London | 26 March We’ll be launching our Science and Engineering Professional Network in London with a discussion about combatting climate change.

For more details: [email protected]

/hullalumni /hullalumni