Leeds Alumni

16/10/2026

Light Night Leeds is back! Return to campus to enjoy research-inspired artworks and performances for Light Night, taking place 28 and 29 October from 6pm.

From revisiting the libraries where you used to study, to enjoying hands-on activities for the whole family in LUU, we've gathered five things you should look out for at Light Night Leeds: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/6036/five-things-for-alumni-to-look-out-for-at-light-night-leeds

13/10/2026

Do you remember the moment you knew “Leeds is for me”?

Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and supporter community, more students are experiencing that sense of belonging.

For Morgan, it made starting a Master's degree an exciting new chapter rather than an overwhelming challenge. For George, the community he found at Leeds helped build the confidence he needed to kickstart his career as a probation officer.

Support does more than ease financial pressures. It helps students feel valued, included and confident that they deserve to be here.

Hear more from scholars and the wider Leeds community on why Leeds is for them: https://spotlight.leeds.ac.uk/thank-you-for-everything-you-do

09/10/2026

Did you know... Sagal Abdi-Wali, the new MP for Holborn and St Pancras, also studied at the University of Leeds.

Sagal graduated in Politics and International Studies in 2005. The by-election was triggered when Leeds alum and former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Law 1985, Hon LLD 2012) stood down as an MP for the constituency in September.

Read more about the by-election results:

Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali beats Green Party leader Zack Polanski to hold the north London seat.

24/09/2026

Campus is buzzing this week as the newest cohort of students step down University Road for the first time.

Remember your first steps onto campus?

It's not too late to share your advice for our new students - what's the first place they should visit in Leeds?

Let us know, and we'll share your tips with them 👇👇

https://leeds.fillout.com/t/5fbZoWSa34us

10/09/2026

Last week, triathlete Jonny Brownlee MBE (History 2012, Hon LLD 2013) retired from professional sport.

🥇🥈🥉Olympic medals
🥇1x World Champion
🥇2x World Sprint Champion

Over a career spanning nearly two decades, Jonny became the most decorated triathlete in Olympic history. After bursting onto the international stage whilst studying at Leeds, Jonny maintained close ties to the University throughout his career.

His unprecedented success alongside brother Alistair led to the growth of the renowned Leeds Triathlon Centre - which won 17 Olympic medals between 2012 and 2024. The brothers were key to the development of The Brownlee Centre in 2017, the UK’s first purpose-built triathlon training base.

Beyond the finish line, they set up the Brownlee Foundation, which has helped nearly 100k children get involved in sport.

Listen to Jonny in our Leeds Alumni Voices podcast from 2023, and hear him talk about his career, as well as his time at Leeds: https://leedsvoices.captivate.fm/episode/episode-4-olympic-triathlete-jonny-brownlee-mbe

27/08/2026

The student AstroSoc society held a special event outside Leeds University Union to capture the partial solar eclipse in the UK this month.

Our alumni community have been sharing some of their own, too.

From campus to the Peak District, from Otley Chevin to Spain, enjoy some of our favourites - and add yours to the collection: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/6019/alumni-share-their-views-of-solar-eclipse

10/08/2026

It's oh so quiet...

Campus is eerily quiet through the summer months, but it won't be long until the newest cohort of students step down University Road for the first time.

What's the first place you'd visit if you came back to campus tomorrow?

01/08/2026

Happy Yorkshire Day to the global Leeds alumni community!

You’ll always belong in Yorkshire, no matter where you go in the world.

Over the last couple of years we've asked our alumni to share their favourite spots in the county.

Whether it's exploring Brimham Rocks, sitting on the Parkinson steps, or climbing Malham Cove, you've handed us a mighty selection of Yorkshire's finest.

Think we’re missing one? We're always happy to add to the list... 👇 👇

https://spotlight.leeds.ac.uk/yorkshire-day/index.html

30/07/2026

"Uni really was the best time in my life, largely because of you."

There's no friend like a Leeds friend. For International Day of Friendship, we asked you to take yourself back to the good times and pay tribute to your Leeds friends.

Take a read of alumni memories, and discover the part Leeds has played in countless friendships over the years: https://spotlight.leeds.ac.uk/international-day-of-friendship/index.html

16/07/2026

A number of alumni were among those recognised with honorary degrees from the University this week.

Peter (Bacteriology and Biochemistry 1969) and Susan Cheney are long standing supporters of the University. They have made generous contributions over the years to to widen access and advance research excellence at Leeds - including the new Cheney Biomedical Accelerator, a state-of-the-art interdisciplinary imaging facility.

Rachel Lord, a Senior Managing Director and Head of International at BlackRock, has driven equality and opportunity in her industry. She works with government on gender issues, and was a founder signatory to the women in finance charter.

BBC Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg has earned widespread respect and praise over the years. He is well known for his defiance in holding authorities to account - including leaders such as Vladimir Putin and Aleksandr Lukashenko.

Congratulations to all those honoured - read more about this year's honorary graduates: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/6000/honorary-degrees-recognise-success