University of Hull Alumni

14/10/2026

"I never expected to end up in the same room as Joe Biden and President Macron"

From studying Law and Legislative Studies at Hull to managing visits and events for the then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Eden Barnes OBE's career journey has been anything but ordinary.

A recipient of this year's Alumni Laureate Award, Eden reflects on the Westminster placement that launched her career, the opportunities that followed, and how she has continued to champion University of Hull students and support others from backgrounds similar to her own.

Read the full interview: https://www.hull.ac.uk/alumni/notable-alumni/alumni-stories/eden-barnes

12/10/2026

There's nothing quite like welcoming alumni back to campus.

Whether it's revisiting favourite study spots, old lecture theatres, or the places where lifelong friendships were formed, every campus tour is a reminder of the special role the University of Hull plays in so many lives.

Last week, we welcomed Wendy and Abi back to Hull as part of Abi's birthday celebrations. Together, they revisited the places where their friendship began, including the Brynmor Jones Library, Middleton Hall, one of their former lecture theatres and Asylum in the Students' Union.

We were also delighted to welcome Asif and his family back to campus. Returning to Hull for the first time since completing his MBA more than twenty years ago, he was presented with his certificate by Dr Tom Hoyland from the Hull University Business School as part of a special celebration organised by his children.

Thank you to Wendy, Abi, Asif and all the alumni who return to campus to reconnect with their memories, celebrate milestones and remain part of the University of Hull community. We love hearing your stories and sharing the places that continue to mean so much to so many.

28/09/2026

What are universities for?

Join us for the Inaugural Lecture of our new Vice-Chancellor Professor Tom Lawson.

The fundamental question of the purpose of a university underpins many current debates about their future. At a time when the value of universities is under scrutiny, Professor Tom Lawson will review the history of the idea of the university and offer a vision of their centrality to the future of our planet, our nation and perhaps most importantly, our region.

Wednesday 7th October 2026 | 17:00 | Middleton Hall

https://www.hull.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/professor-tom-lawson-inaugural-lecture

23/09/2026

14/09/2026

Calling all our international HullAlumni! The British Council's Study UK Alumni awards are now open, giving you the chance to showcase your success and let the world know how your University of Hull experience helped you to make an impact.

The awards have four categories: Business and Innovation, Culture, Creativity and Sport, Science and Sustainability and Social Action. A Study UK award can really help you to raise your global profile, and there's also the chance to win a trip to the UK.

To apply for the find out more here:

https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/after-your-studies/alumni-awards

10/09/2026

“I can’t stress enough, this is fiction!”

It was great to talk to Wendy Sacks Jones (pen name of Wendy Jones) about her debut novel 'The Candidate's Husband'. Wendy is a an author and journalist and is a 1971 Hull graduate with an English Literature and Drama BA.

Her novel is about an ambitious working-class headteacher and her husband, a public school-educated deputy editor of the local paper. When she decides to put herself forward as the Labour election candidate, the strains in their marriage start to show…

Find out more about Wendy and her book: https://hullalumni.me/2026/08/21/the-candidates-husband/

07/09/2026

We really enjoyed welcoming two groups of alumni back on campus last week.

Digby, Janet and Barbara first came to the University of Hull as students in 1966. It was a great pleasure to show the facilities available to those studying music today to Janet and Barbara, who graduated with BA Music Degrees in 1969.

We were also delighted to welcome back 1983 Geography and Economics graduates Brian, Clive, Graham and Phil (also known as 'Spooner's Old Boys' after their former tutor, Professor Derek Spooner). They were surprised to find their old academic year photograph was still hanging in the corridors of the Cohen Building. They also posed for photographs in their old lecture theatre.

01/09/2026

“As alumni, we know how much the University gave to us. This is a satisfying way of giving something back while helping future graduates take their next steps with confidence.”

The University of Hull’s Career Mentoring Programme is looking for alumni who want to help current students with career insight, advice and encouragement as they prepare for life after graduation.

Read our interview with alumnus George Zervos, BSc Economics 1981, MBA 1983, to find out more about what it means to be a mentor, the impact you can make, and how you can get involved for the next academic year.

https://hullalumni.me/2026/08/24/mentoring2026/

26/08/2026

Fans of Celebrity Strictly Come Dancing can cheer on 1987 University of Hull graduate Graeme Hall (BA Hispanic Studies) this year. The television presenter and best-selling author, better known as 'The Dogfather', has been announced in the lineup for 2026.

Graeme told the BBC: “I can't believe I am joining the cast of Strictly for 2026. I have always loved dancing, so to have the opportunity to learn from the best in the business is a dream come true."

https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2026/strictly-come-dancing-graeme-hall

24/08/2026

University of Hull LLB Law alumnus Calvin Chew (2014) has built an impressive career as Co-Founder of a Malaysian law firm and Secretary of the University of Hull Alumni Association Malaysia. His story highlights the power of community, alumni connections, and taking opportunities before you feel fully ready.

"There will never be a day when you are ready. You just do it, that's what makes you ready."

Read Calvin's inspiring alumni story: https://www.hull.ac.uk/alumni/notable-alumni/alumni-stories/calvin-chew