Category: City Alumni Stories

Award-winning work with focus on solutions

A photo of Dina Aboughazala next to a photo of a laptop with the Egab logo and tagline on the screen.

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

Championing women in STEM – An interview with Dr Fauzia Idrees Abro

A photo of Dr Fauzia Idrees Abro next to her quote "I strongly believe that women can be equally outstanding in STEM professions if given the same opportunities."

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

To support and protect – An interview with Steven Walker

Steven walker next to the quote "My studies at City University reinforced my belief about facts and accuracy and gave me critical skills to assess current affairs and news management."

Steven Walker (Journalism, 1981) worked as an Investigative Journalist in the 1980s with a special focus on social justice and anti-discriminatory practices. The contact he had with poor and vulnerable families at a difficult time encouraged him to change career and become a Social Worker. Steven recently published his 14th book “Children Forsaken”. “The book…Continue Reading To support and protect – An interview with Steven Walker

“I was told several times by teachers at school that university ‘wasn’t for me’…”

Gary Abbott

Gary Abbott (International Politics, 2021) was the first in his family to attend University. He was discouraged to apply due to “past misbehaviour and low grades” but felt driven to understand the world around him better and be socially mobile. Gary completed his degree at City last year and is now studying for his postgraduate…Continue Reading “I was told several times by teachers at school that university ‘wasn’t for me’…”

Textbook research demanded genre-crossing adventure thriller

The cover of the book Upload.

After five non-fiction publications and founding her own writing company, Elesa Zehndorfer (Exercise & Health Behaviour, 2000) loved every minute of writing her first novel; Upload. Research for a neuropolitics textbook became the catalyst for her story, and the novel was published in December 2021.   “The entire plot for Upload ended up being inspired…Continue Reading Textbook research demanded genre-crossing adventure thriller

US patent for AI invention “could be a game-changer”

An interview with alumnus Dr Mazen Al-Sinan (PhD, Civil Engineering; Construction Management), 2004) about his invention, which was recently patented in the US.   Dr Mazen Al-Sinan, based in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, spent years working on an Artificial Intelligence-based solution of his own that could make a real difference. “This invention was a dream for…Continue Reading US patent for AI invention “could be a game-changer”

City Journalism alumni celebrated at British Journalism Awards 2021

Kit Chellel, Sophia Smith-Galer, Kevin Crowley

City’s Journalism alumni are well known for their excellent work, and this was demonstrated at the British Journalism Awards 2021 with several awards and special mentions. We caught up with some of the recognised journalists to hear their thoughts about the Awards, journalism today, and their time at City.   The British Journalism Awards, organised…Continue Reading City Journalism alumni celebrated at British Journalism Awards 2021

Medal awarded for fast-paced work in a complex environment

Dimitrios Mavridis.

Dimitrios Mavridis (International Politics, 2010), Media Relations Manager for the UK Mission to the European Union, was recently awarded a British Empire Medal for services to British Foreign Policy. Dimitrios talked to us about his fast-paced job in Brussels, his time at City, and both the personal and professional challenges he has faced.  “I won’t…Continue Reading Medal awarded for fast-paced work in a complex environment

Peter Papathanasiou brings us “Outback Noir” in his first crime novel

The cover of Peter's novel The Stoning, held by Peter.

Peter Papathanasiou’s debut crime novel, The Stoning, was published this autumn and has already received impressive reviews. The novel started as coursework at City but depicts a small community in the scorchingly hot Australian outback. To Peter, a child of migrants and grandchild of refugees, it was important to write something that went beyond the identity of…Continue Reading Peter Papathanasiou brings us “Outback Noir” in his first crime novel

Push Partner – A new way to find a workout buddy

George, sitting outside, shows the camera the app on his phone.

When George Molyneux (Organisational Psychology, 2018) realised he would make better progress and have more fun if he had someone to work out with, he decided to find a solution. Push Partner, his new app that connects people who want to exercise together, had its soft launch in March with the goal to grow so…Continue Reading Push Partner – A new way to find a workout buddy