Category: City Alumni Stories

Six years ago, Yasmeen Cohen (BA Journalism and Economics, 2014) attended an event that opened her eyes to the destruction of the environment. Today, she is Sustainability & Climate Analytics Lead at Deloitte and about to publish her first novel, The Helix. A fantasy novel for young adults, The Helix falls into the climate fiction (cli-fi)…Continue Reading Raising climate awareness through cli-fi – An interview with Yasmeen Cohen about her YA novel The Helix

When Oreoluwa Shoyinka graduated in 2021, she found it surprisingly difficult to gain graduate level employment, despite receiving a First Class Honours and The City Law School Certificate of Academic Achievement. As experience seemed to trump grades, Oreoluwa turned to City’s Career Service for advice and is now back on track to becoming a barrister….Continue Reading Experience vs academic achievement – The insights of a recent graduate

For Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick MBE (BSc Hons Economics, 1983), the Queen’s Jubilee was an extra special occasion as she was recognised in The Queen’s Birthday Honours with an MBE for services to General Practice and to Ethnic Minority Communities. We talked to Valerie about the work that led to her recognition.  “I am delighted,” Dr Valerie…Continue Reading Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick MBE – A champion for GPs and ethnic minority communities

Mohammad Taqi Yasir (Bar Professional Training Course, 2019) was recently recognised in Forbes 30 under 30 Asia for his work as co-founder and vice-president of Footsteps, a development organisation in Bangladesh. We spoke to Mohammad about the recognition, his goals to provide help and support to other people, and his studies at City.  “Honestly, it feels surreal to…Continue Reading In his father’s footsteps – With ambition to help others

Sulthan Ahmed (BSc Computer Science 2006) knew from a young age he wanted to work with computers. Sulthan also knows it can take some time to find a sense of confidence and fulfilment. As a Senior Developer for the Government and a musician, Sulthan believes he can finally be himself and make a difference.  When Sulthan…Continue Reading From City to Rio (Ferdinand): Sulthan Ahmed’s journey

Khadija Siddiqi (Bar Professional Training Course, 2019) was recently awarded a British Council Study UK Alumni Award for Social Action. Khadija is a human rights lawyer and activist in Pakistan whose conviction in her work grew as she fought for her life, and her rights, after a brutal knife attack.   “Had it not been for…Continue Reading Khadija Siddiqi: Fighting for equal protection for everyone

– In conversation with Ashley Hickson-Lovence Ashley Hickson-Lovence grew up secretly wanting to become a poet. He also wanted to be a football referee. In Your Show, a novel based on the life and career of former football referee Uriah Rennie, Ashley got to embrace both passions, and hopefully inspire children from marginalised backgrounds to break down barriers…Continue Reading Your Show – Pitch perfect novel about the Premier League’s first and only black referee

Amy Baker’s journalism degree launched her into the international language learning industry. After a decade of working in the sector, Amy decided to start her own media company with a focus on international higher education. This year, The PIE, now a global b2b media brand, celebrates its 10th anniversary.  It takes knowledge and grit to…Continue Reading From kitchen table to global brand – an interview with Amy Baker, CEO of The PIE

Dina Aboughazala (Interactive Journalism, 2019) recently won the Business and Innovation award at the British Council Study UK Alumni Awards in Egypt. Dina is the founder of Egab, which focuses on Solutions journalism and empowers reporters in the Middle East to create nuanced, high-quality journalism that provides the world with a different perspective. “I think deep down it was my…Continue Reading Award-winning work with focus on solutions

Dr Fauzia Idrees Abro (PhD, Information Security, 2018) is a Cyber Security expert and a champion of women in STEM. Acutely aware of how difficult it can be for women to get a higher education, she supports women’s success through her non-profit organisation WiSTEM in Pakistan. Fauzia also leads by example as CEO of her own…Continue Reading Championing women in STEM – An interview with Dr Fauzia Idrees Abro