Category: City Alumni Stories

What TV competition show would you take part in? For Alice Hafer (MA Creative Writing (Playwriting & Screenwriting), 2016), HBO Max’s show “The Climb”, produced by Jason Momoa, was a perfect fit. An experienced rock climber with a passion for screenwriting, Alice wanted to see how far she could get competing against nine other climbers from around the…Continue Reading “The Climb” – Alice Hafer finds her footing in HBO Max’s new TV competition for rock climbers

Co-founder Kate Samuelson (MA Magazine Journalism, 2015) was delighted when digital newsletter Cheapskate won the Georgina Henry Award for Digital Innovation at the 2022 British Journalism Awards. Kate’s passion for the newsletter format and helping people access culture means around 10,000 readers receive tips on free London events every week.  “Winning the award meant so much to me –…Continue Reading Cheapskate – Award-winning Newsletter helping you save money and enjoy London

Barrister Hamna Zain (Bar Professional Training Course, 2012) returned to her home country, Pakistan, after completing her training at The City Law School. Having worked in the legal profession for over a decade, Hamna has made it her mission to provide legal training to those who have the least access and especially women. “Being a…Continue Reading Fighting injustice through legal training

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