SOAS alumni network

08/10/2026

We're especially pleased to welcome Michael Olver back to the SOAS community as a panellist at our upcoming alumni reception in Washington, D.C.

Michael is the CEO of Pacific Strategies & Assessments (PSA), a global risk management firm headquartered in Washington, D.C., which provides human-led due diligence, investigations, and advisory services that support informed decision-making in high-risk environments across more than 170 countries.

As a warm and engaged member of our alumni community, Michael has always been generous with his time, insights, and expertise. We are delighted that he will be joining us to discuss the socio-economic implications of the conflict in the Middle East, sharing perspectives shaped by years of experience working at the intersection of geopolitical, economic, and operational risk.

📍 Monday 12 October, 6 pm - 10 pm; The Watergate Hotel
➡️ Sign up: soas.ac.uk/about/event/soas-alumni-receptions-north-america

Do you know fellow alumni who should be there? Share it with your network!

08/10/2026

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of SOAS alumnus Duane Berian Clifford Jones.

A linguist, political analyst and humanitarian, Duane dedicated much of his life to understanding and supporting communities across Nepal and South Asia. After studying Nepali at SOAS, he worked with the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations and later the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

SOAS Professor Pallavi Roy remembered Duane as "a remarkable human being, whose empathy embodied the very best of a SOAS education and extended far beyond it. Admired by friends and colleagues around the world, including many within the SOAS alumni community, he will be remembered not only for his professional achievements but also for his kindness, curiosity and deep commitment to others."

Welshman who spent three decades in Nepal was eye witness to the country's recent history

08/10/2026

How can universities tackle the higher education funding crisis without leaving institutions behind?

Speaking at the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit last week, SOAS Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Habib called for a collective approach to university funding, warning against solutions that benefit only a select few institutions.

He highlighted opportunities for stronger international partnerships, particularly across Africa, and urged universities, governments and businesses to work together to widen access to higher education.

👉 Read the news article in the first comment.

07/10/2026

SOAS alumni, have your say!

👉Sign up to the QS Survey for the QS World University Rankings 2028: soas.ac.uk/about/news/soas-alumni-take-part-qs-world-university-rankings-2028/2029

The QS Rankings is an international league table, which is used by prospective students to compare universities and decide where to study. Your impartial responses will contribute to the insight and precision of the survey’s outcomes.

06/10/2026

What does the conflict in the Middle East mean for the global economy, governance and international development?

If you live or work in Washington, D.C., New York and Toronto, join fellow SOAS alumni for an exclusive evening with Vice-Chancellor Adam Habib and Professor Mushtaq Khan, one of the world's leading thinkers on political economy, institutional reform and anti-corruption.

Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a scholar whose work shapes policy debates around the world.

Places are limited, register today.

📍 Washington, D.C.: Monday 12 October, 6 - 10 pm; The Watergate Hotel
📍New York: Wednesday 14 October, 6 - 10 pm; Fross Zelnick Offices
📍Toronto: Monday 19 October, 6 - 10 pm; InterContinental Toronto Centre

➡️Sign up: soas.ac.uk/about/event/soas-alumni-receptions-north-america

02/10/2026

“We need to bring human rights back as something that feels vibrant, positive, freeing and relevant to people’s lives.”
Mike Davis

More than 150 alumni, students and recent graduates joined "Human Rights in Action", a thought-provoking panel discussion hosted by the SOAS London Alumni Network.

Expertly moderated by Allison George, the panel featured Jane Kinninmont, CEO of UNA-UK, and Mike Davis, CEO of Green Alliance and former CEO of Global Witness.

Drawing on their careers across diplomacy, advocacy and environmental justice, the speakers reflected on how human rights can remain relevant and effective in a rapidly changing world. They discussed climate justice, international law, AI governance, corporate accountability and the future of human rights.

The audience asked thoughtful questions on careers in human rights, global conflict, climate change, food security and the role of international institutions. It was a pleasure to continue these timely conversations at the Students' Union Bar bar with fellow alumni, students and speakers.

Thank you to our wonderful speakers, to Allison George for asking the right questions, and to everyone who joined us and contributed to such a lively and engaging evening.

Special thanks to the SOAS London Alumni Group, particularly Co-Chair Darius Billimoria and committee member Richard Brow, whose work and support were instrumental in making the event possible.

01/10/2026

Join us in North America! 🇨🇦 🇺🇸

There are only a few days left to sign up to our Alumni Receptions in Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York and Toronto.

In Chicago, Professors Adam Habib and Leslie Vinjamuri will join international affairs expert Frances Brown to explore how African countries are navigating shifting geopolitical dynamics and building new strategic partnerships. This event is organised by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs in partnership with SOAS.

In Washington, D.C., New York and Toronto, we’ll explore the socio-economic implications of the conflict in the Middle East with Professor of Economics Mushtaq Khan.

These evenings offer a chance to reconnect, hear updates from SOAS, and engage in timely conversations about global change.

📍Chicago: Wednesday 7 October, from 5.15 pm; Chicago Council Conference Center
📍Washington, D.C.: Monday 12 October, from 6 pm to 10 pm; The Watergate Hotel
📍New York: Wednesday 14 October, from 6 pm to 10 pm; Fross Zelnick Offices
📍Toronto: Monday 19 October, from 6 pm to 10 pm; InterContinental Toronto Centre

➡️Sign up now!: soas.ac.uk/about/event/soas-alumni-receptions-north-america

30/09/2026

We are delighted to share the latest episode of the Inspire Us Podcast, launched in 2024 by SOAS alumni to learn about the world through meaningful conversations with the people shaping it.

For the founders, alumni Alex and Dara, Inspire Us is “an extension of the SOAS community”.

“Our aim is to make complex and interesting ideas accessible, encourage curiosity and create space for thoughtful conversations. As public conversations become increasingly divided and polarised, we try to bring an open-minded and balanced approach to the topics and guests that we interview.

SOAS has been at the heart of the project from the beginning. We both studied an MSc in Development Economics at SOAS, and the idea for the podcast grew from the inspiring conversations we had with our classmates about the world. Many of our guests have since been SOAS alumni and academics.”

In this episode, they spoke to SOAS Vice-Chancellor Adam Habib about his life and career, what it felt like to grow up under apartheid in South Africa, and how UK universities can survive current financial headwinds.

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Adam Habib is Director and Vice Chancellor of SOAS University of Lo...

28/09/2026

The new SOAS Gallery exhibition is about to open!

Experience 留白 – BEYOND EMPTINESS, an exhibition by Raymond Fung exploring the connection between architecture, Chinese ink painting and the natural world.

Through art, design and installation, discover a vision of space that celebrates tranquillity, cultural heritage and harmony with the environment.

📅 Friday 2 October – Saturday 12 December, from 10.30 am to 5pm
📍 SOAS Gallery
👉 Find out more: soas.ac.uk/about/event/liubai-beyond-emptiness

24/09/2026

For SOAS alumni, leadership often means creating opportunities for others.

This is certainly true of Lucia Hanmer (BA Economics and Geography, 1985), whose career has taken her from grassroots activism in London to senior leadership roles at the Department for International Development, UN Women, and the World Bank Group (WBG).

Her progression from activist to economist and global leader shows the value of combining passion with rigorous research and professional knowledge.

Across multiple continents, she has focused on tackling poverty, improving lives, and levelling the playing field for women and girls.

At WBG Lucia led the production of the landmark report Voice and Agency (2014), which broke new ground in addressing gender disparities and highlighting the barriers that prevent women from exercising their voice, choice, and influence. Voice and Agency continues to resonate among scholars and development experts around the world.

👉 Discover Lucia's remarkable journey via link in the first comment.