Leeds Alumni

27/05/2026

She did it!

Leeds researcher Dr Shaunna Burke has become the first woman with stage four incurable cancer to summit Mount Everest, after reaching the peak at 3am on Saturday 23 May.

As an exercise psychologist at the University, Shaunna has dedicated her career to researching how exercise can be used in cancer treatment.

Shaunna said: "I dedicate this climb to everyone who has been touched by cancer. No matter what you are facing, continue to believe, hold on to hope, and do the very best you can each day."

Find out more: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/5970/summiting-everest-with-incurable-cancer

A Leeds researcher is aiming to become the first woman with incurable cancer to summit Mount Everest.

21/05/2026

Irish President Catherine Connolly returned to the University of Leeds for the first time since she graduated, as part of her first official visit to England 🎓

Catherine Connolly graduated in 1981 with an MSc in Clinical Psychology, going on to work as a clinical psychologist and then barrister, before embarking on a political career.

During her visit, the President met students from the Leeds University Union (LUU) Irish Dance Society committee, as well as LUU Sport Lead Matty Walsh, who is setting up a Gaelic Football Society ️👯⚽

She also had the opportunity to view items from the University Library’s Cultural Collections, including a rare first edition of Dracula, a copy of Seamus Heaney’s ‘Station Island’, and some Brontë manuscripts 📜

President Connolly was welcomed to the University by Alastair Da Costa CBE, Chair of the University’s Council, its governing body, and Professor Kenneth McDowall, Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor: Student Education and Experience.

Read more about Catherine Connolly's journey from Leeds in the latest Leeds magazine 👇

https://spotlight.leeds.ac.uk/leeds-magazine-2026/features/irelands-new-president/index.html

Picture credit: Simon Lewis, Simon and Simon photography.

20/05/2026

Good luck to alum Frankie Dunn (Chemistry 2010, PGCE 2011), who takes part in the knockout stage of MasterChef UK tonight.

Those lucky enough to live with Frankie during her time in Leeds enjoyed some high-quality student meals, courtesy of Frankie's expertise. She's now progressed through the heats and the quarter finals of the reality TV show with some mouth-watering gnocchi, a "perfect" rib-eye steak, and an experimental sherry, fig and Manchego tart.

Read all about her love of cooking, cooking for housemates during her student days, and her experience on MasterChef UK - and make sure to tune in later: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/5967/leeds-alum-stars-on-masterchef-uk

13/05/2026

“The support I’ve received from the University and its donors has changed the landscape for my whole career,” says Dr Eden Page (MSc Molecular Medicine 2022, Medicine 2024).

Raised in Coalville, Leicestershire, Eden was 14 when her dad was diagnosed with cancer.

“We had a lot of pressures and stress, which coincided with my GCSEs and leading up to my A-levels. I know now that Leeds does lots to take in students from my kind of background and they approached me about Access to Leeds. I qualified because of my school, my postcode and my family income. Sadly, by this time my dad had died.”

Read how alumni and donor support gave her the opportunity to thrive – and could help her to save lives years into the future.

https://spotlight.leeds.ac.uk/thanks-to-you-2026/scholar-stories/eden-page/index.html

05/05/2026

After a career researching how exercise can be used in cancer treatment, Leeds researcher Dr Shaunna Burke was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in 2024.

She now hopes to become the first woman with incurable cancer to reach the summit of Mount Everest – an attempt which will double as a research project by providing data on how her body adapts to low oxygen levels.

She's currently on day 17 of her attempt. Shaunna has previously climbed four out of the seven highest peaks in the world, and ran the Everest Marathon last year.

Read more about her attempt this spring:

A Leeds researcher is aiming to become the first woman with incurable cancer to summit Mount Everest.

01/05/2026

Using talents honed at Leeds, two alumni produced Stanley Tucci’s latest series in Italy.

Tucci in Italy takes viewers on a journey to discover the real Italy through its cuisine. From gaining access to Italy’s most famous horse race with an entire film crew, to keeping Tucci’s presence a secret in the bustling streets of Florence, read about the joys and challenges of life on set with Hollywood royalty - and how Leeds helped to prepare them for the role: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/5953/two-leeds-alumni-behind-tucci-in-italy

28/04/2026

High above the Parkinson steps, a pair of peregrine falcons are tending to their eggs.

Peregrine falcons are capable of reaching top speeds of over 200mph when diving for prey, making them the fastest animals recorded on earth. Historically, they were found mostly in the uplands of the north or around sea cliffs, but they can now be spotted using tall structures in urban areas – such as the Parkinson tower.

The birds are oblivious to their growing global fanbase. They appear on screens in offices, seniors’ residences, public transport, schools, pubs and even directly below the nest on the Parkinson steps.

With the eggs due to hatch any day now, you can watch a live stream of the nest: https://sustainability.leeds.ac.uk/our-work/biodiversity/university-of-leeds-peregrines/

27/04/2026

Did you study abroad during your time at University of Leeds?

Our alumni and supporter community are creating a world of opportunities for Leeds students and early-career researchers to travel overseas.

Whether part of their course, or as an experience beyond the curriculum, generous support is helping students expand their horizons, develop language and leadership skills, and gain vital insights into foreign cultures and the world of work.

Explore some of their photos, and read about their journeys to become true global citizens: https://spotlight.leeds.ac.uk/thanks-to-you-2026/scholar-stories/a-world-of-opportunity/index.html

17/04/2026

The Leeds community is saddened to hear of the death of former BBC DJ and Live Aid presenter Andy Kershaw (ND Politics 1981, DMus 2005).

Andy, who was a familiar voice on Radio 1 for 15 years, became Ents Secretary at Leeds in 1980. He helped to put on shows like Dire Straits, Elvis Costello and Duran Duran during his time at the University.

He also played a key part in the return of The Who for a special concert at the Refectory in 2006, 36 years after their Live at Leeds gig. He donated archives of his time as Ents Sec to the University's Special Collections.

The broadcaster was known for his eclectic taste and for helping champion world music on BBC Radio 1.

15/04/2026

The 20th Leeds Varsity Rugby Union Finale takes place on Wednesday 29 April at Headingley Stadium - and alumni are invited too.

Come along to cheer on the Gryphons in the annual inter-university sports tournament between the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University.

The event is sold out for students, but there is still availability in the alumni and staff zone.

Complete the form to request your tickets: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=GqoogmUNj0WHsimhgSyTAPIv4cz21D5HqClUU_1uZjFUMFZDQTZIWlg4RU8wVkpFNzk5NzBSQldJWiQlQCN0PWcu

10/04/2026

An unrivalled arsenal of imaging technologies is helping scientists and clinicians to turn discovery in the lab into new treatments for patients.

The Cheney Biomedical Accelerator facility brings together clinicians and biological researchers to develop diagnostic techniques and treatments for a range of diseases.

And it wouldn't be possible without the exceptional generosity of Peter Cheney (Bacteriology and Biochemistry 1969) and his wife Susan who donated towards the project.

In the latest Leeds magazine, you can read more about how the new facility will accelerate the development of medical treatments that can benefit people in the future: https://spotlight.leeds.ac.uk/leeds-magazine-2026/big-questions/foot-on-the-biomedical-accelerator/index.html