In our latest My Leeds Story: Class of 2020, read about computer science graduate Ahmed El Ghazawy, his journey from Egypt to Leeds, and why he went on to become a Link to Leeds Ambassador.

Two Leeds alumni have been nominated as finalists in the Entrepreneurial Award category of the British Council Study UK Alumni Awards in Saudi Arabia.

Growing up as a refugee, Dr Madan Luthra (PhD Biochemistry 1972) soon learnt that education would prove his lifeline. We discover his astonishing journey.

A hundred years on, we look at the curious tale of the Cottingley Fairies, and how a childhood prank fooled even the creator of Sherlock Holmes.

Three alumni are celebrating their success in the inaugural Leeds Early Career Publishing Prize, which celebrates PhD research.

Could you be the star of our next University of Leeds postgraduate guide? We are looking for Leeds Alumni who studied for a postgraduate degree at Leeds to share their stories with our future students. Get in touch. 

The Big Get Together (BGT) is back. And we’ve got some catching up to do. Check out all the BGT events and activities happening this year, as alumni come together all around the globe in-person or online.

Dr Joanne Yeoh (MA Music 1999) has been awarded the Professional Achievement Award in the British Council Study UK Alumni Awards in Malaysia.

Catch the latest episode in our Class of 2020 podcast series as sociology graduate Maria Marqués discusses her experience of swapping Spain for Yorkshire and reflects on the challenges of finding work as a 2020 graduate. 

Dr Hifza Rasheed (PhD 2018) has been awarded the Professional Achievement Award in the British Council Study UK Alumni Awards in Pakistan following her work to improve water quality for millions.

Dr Cat Scott (MSc Energy and Environment 2009) is working to put more trees back on the landscape, helping the nation achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

In this podcast episode, Ed catches up with Lucy Holehan, a Plus Programme Officer at the University. Find out more about Lucy's role, and exactly how the Plus Programme is making a difference.

Engineering pioneer Dick Barr OBE (Mechanical Engineering 1941), who built early jet engines during the Second World War before going on to found Centrax, has died at the age of 100.

Discover the University’s rich history as we share a series of online exhibitions from the Library exploring stories from the past.

Leeds alum Peter Dorey, one of the co-founders of London's iconic Gay's the Word bookshop, has died at the age of 73. Read his obituary. 

Alumni will be greatly saddened to learn of the death, on 20 January 2021, of Dr Jeremy Toner, Senior Lecturer in the Institute for Transport Studies. Read his obituary.

As part of our My Leeds Story series celebrating the Class of 2020, we spoke to Meri Croft, a Fine Art graduate who used her art to capture the uncertainty she faced after graduation. Her work went on to feature in the Guardian, and was later sold by New Blood Art.

Tributes have been paid to popular teacher, Dorothy Foulds (History 1954), who has died at the age of 87. Read more here.

From blossoming romance during lectures to dances at the Saturday night hop, read the heart-warming stories of love found at Leeds this Valentine's Day.

Listen as we catch up with PhD student Fay Walsh, finding out how a PhD scholarship has changed her life, allowing her to pursue a passion for biological sciences and produce research with real-world implications.

Discover how married couple Charlotte (Biology 2010) and Darran Miller (MSc Advanced Clinical Practice 2016) have ventured into the land of chocolate with their new vegan choco bar, Caroboo.

From LS6 to every corner of the world, so many of our Leeds alumni have a story to tell. Explore just some of their journeys by visiting our alumni spotlight page.

As part of our My Leeds Story series celebrating the Class of 2020, we spoke to Jonas Kitadi, a sociology graduate who recently started working for the social work charity Frontline.

Former Leeds lecturer and astrophysicist Shashikumar Madhusudhan Chitre, who is known for his extensive work on solar physics and research into gravitational lensing, died on 11 January. Read about his work and legacy.

Despite graduating in the most challenging of circumstances, we know our Class of 2020 will go on to achieve great things. Hear from some of our most recent graduates about graduating during a pandemic and their plans for the future.

A number of Leeds alumni have been recognised in the New Year Honours 2021 lists.

Catch up on the video and written messages of congratulations for the Class of 2020.

Discover how artist and designer Bobbi Rae (Textile Design 2013) is using her talent to improve public spaces in the city.

Join our 25-day celebration of our University community, packed with stories, videos, quizzes – and the chance to win some exclusive prizes! 

Researchers, schoolchildren, donors and volunteers alike are helping to restore one of Britain’s largest oak woodlands. Now, through a simple comment on social media, alumni around the globe can make a difference too.

Find out how poet Beth Calverey (English Language and Literature 2015) is helping others to experience the power of poetry.

As part of our My Leeds Story series to celebrate the Class of 2020, we spoke to George Higginbotham, who studied medicine. Hear about his experience of graduating early to join the NHS frontline in the fight against Covid-19.

Col Needham has been described by The Guardian as the most powerful Brit in Hollywood. We found out more about the Founder and CEO of IMDb ahead of his Leeds Alumni Voices event in November.

Watch, as curator Layla Bloom takes Leeds alumni on an exclusive tour of three highlights from The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery – featuring the oldest pub in Leeds, and one of Yorkshire's finest beauty spots.

As part of our My Leeds Story series to celebrate the Class of 2020, we spoke to Maria Marqués, a Sociology graduate from Spain who swapped the sunny streets of Barcelona for the buzz of Leeds, and has no plans to go back anytime soon.

With companies across the world adopting new working practices to combat the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, the role of internal communications has never been more important. We caught up with Katy Davies (Management Studies 2003), Senior Employee Communications Manager at the global professional networking site LinkedIn to find out more.

A number of Leeds alumni have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Set designer Alison Harvey (Fine Art 1988) has helped to shape some of the biggest films and TV series of the last 20 years. Now, she has received an Emmy for her work on The Crown.

Rupa Ganguli (MSc Textile Management 2001) is passionate about making sustainability part of our everyday lives. Discover her story, and watch her Leeds Alumni Voices event.

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Anne-Marie Hutchinson (International History and Politics 1980; Hon LLD 2016). Anne-Marie was recognised as the leading lawyer of her generation.

As part of our My Leeds story series, read how 2020 geophysical sciences graduate Victoria Purcell overcame several challenges throughout her degree, balancing study and assignments with raising her son.

Read about Reverend Roger Quick (Music 1979; Theology 1996) and his journey from client to chaplain at St George's Crypt, a charity for the homeless, in our latest alumni feature.

Dr Ronald Turner (Medicine 1957), a GP who volunteered in Africa and worked with refugee children in Kosovo, has died aged 88. Read his obituary here.

With the Class of 2020 facing uncertainty and anxieties over their future, we ask those who have walked this path before: What advice do you have for those embarking on their careers?

Ellen Manning (English 2004) has come a long way since her days as a student reporter at the Leeds. From the Royal Wedding to London 2012, explore her fascinating story journey in our latest alumni feature.

Each month, 'My Leeds story' shines a spotlight on a member of the Class of 2020 to celebrate their journey. First up, we spoke to Gina Baker, an engineering masters graduate who made history at Leeds and ended up going viral on Twitter in the process. Discover her Leeds story.

Across the University, from arts and humanities to fundamental science and engineering, teams are developing new ideas and redirecting existing research to help the world cope with the pandemic. Discover some of the work here. 

Showing true determination to lift the nation’s spirits this summer, Alumni band Hyde Park Brass embarked on a tour of streets across the UK. Find out more about life on tour in the middle of a pandemic. 

Sir Ken Robinson (Performance and Cultural Industries 1972) died on Friday 21 August. He was a leading thinking on education who drew 66 million viewers to watch his TED talk "Do schools kill creativity?"

"We seek to understand the past by determining and ordering ‘facts’; and from these narratives we hope to explain the decisions and processes which shape our existence." Francesca Morphakis, PhD Candidate in History at the University of Leeds, considers the most fundamental question of all. Read her fascinating thoughts on "What is History?"

We were sad to hear of the passing of Jim Wright, who has died aged 83. An inspirational and gifted teacher, Jim was a member of academic staff in the department of psychology at the University of Leeds for more than 30 years. Read about a dear friend and colleague to all who knew him during that period.

July 2020, Blackbaud data security incident

When assistant lecturer in Spanish Ted Purver danced two jigs at a carnival on Leeds campus in 1950, it would be the beginning of Leeds Morris Men, a club that this year is celebrating its 70th anniversary. Read their wonderful story.

Think you know London inside-out? You may be surprised. A new book release from writer, jazz musician and London cabbie Ian Beetlestone (English 2000) features enough trivia about the capital to surprise even born and bred Londoners. Pit your wits against the world’s smartest taxi drivers.

Some people simply enjoyed the beauty of a viral photo of Australian cockatoos gathering on five phone lines. BBC Moscow correspondent Steve Rosenberg (Russian 1991) did more - he thought the birds looked like musical notes, so he played their song. 

Composer Ilan Eshkeri (English and Music 1999) dipped into traditional Japanese music to write the score for the new action-adventure video game 'Ghost of Tsushima'. With film scores and composition for The Sims behind him, Ilan faced the challenge of writing sword fighting music.

Professor John Ashtington (English 1966), scholar, actor, outdoorsman, and Grandad. John published influential books and many papers on Shakespeare and his contemporaries. He sadly passed away on December 11 2019 - obituary.

When the work stopped coming in, Rhian Hughes (Music 2016) decided to focus on creating her own. Rhian organised the Multi Story Picture House Drive-Up Cinema – a socially distanced outdoor cinema experience to allow people to enjoy that ‘going out’ feeling in a safe manner.

It is with sadness that we hear of the passing of Dame Ingrid Roscoe (History of Fine and Decorative Arts 1985, PhD 1990, Hon LLD) who taught art history and supported the University and West Yorkshire in many ways. Obituary

A University of Leeds study, funded by the Jon Moulton Charity Trust, aims to provide invaluable insights into the transmission of COVID-19.

Congratulations to Hannah Cockburn-Logie OBE MVO (MA Social and Public Policy 2000) who has been announced as the Private Secretary to Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge. Hannah was awarded an OBE in 2017 for services to the relationship between the UK and India.

The food we eat is vital to our health and wellbeing. Yet as Edward Rosen (International History & Politics 1971) has proven, food can enrich our lives in ways far beyond simply filling our stomachs.

The Lambeth GP Food Co-op, an innovative scheme which Edward helped to pioneer, improves the health and wellbeing of NHS patients in Lambeth.

In celebration of Volunteers’ Week 2020 we shine the spotlight on some of the great work being done by our alumni community.

Ambleside’s first woman priest, the Reverend Doreen Harrison, has died aged 87. Having graduated in Geography from Leeds University in 1953, Doreen devoted her rural ministry to caring for the scattered farming community, visiting farming families, schools and parishioners. Read her obituary here.

When she performed in York Minster with the LUU Chamber Choir in 1992, Sophie Jelley (Theology and Religious Studies 1993) never imagined she’d be invited to return to the same spot for her ordination as Bishop of Doncaster 28 years later. Read about Sophie’s journey from Leeds, to Uganda, and back again

Winston Liew (Law 2011) has been nominated as a global finalist in the British Council Study UK Alumni Awards 2020. It follows his work as a placemaker and curator, designing community spaces in his home country, Malaysia, and across the globe.

Renowned Kenyan professor Mohamed Hyder (PhD Biology) has sadly passed away. Amongst other things, Mohammed was a leading figure in the management of the country’s national parks. Read his obituary here.

In celebration of World Bee Day 2020, we spoke to Sustainability Research Institute Lecturer and Campus Bee Network Founder Dr Jen Dyer, to learn more about what is being done to help the bees here on the University of Leeds campus.

Professor Monty Losowsky (Medicine 1955), has died at 88. Under his oversight as the University liaison, St James's Hospital became the largest teaching hospital in Europe. Read his obituary here.

The Student Support Fund has been launched to help students succeed in their studies despite barriers they may face as a consequence of the pandemic.

Find out more about how you can help vulnerable students during the crisis.

Run 5K, donate £5, and nominate 5 others to do the same. Read about the campaign that began as a challenge between friends and family members, and has gone on to raise over £5 million for NHS Charities Together.

In December 2007 Kat Hawkins was a first year student spending most of her evenings with the dance society. Then she contracted meningitis B, and things changed forever. Read her remarkable story to rediscover her love of dance.

Leeds postgraduate students are playing a crucial role in climate change research across the globe, helping communities to adapt to a changing planet.

From the Kenyan savanna to Canadian Arctic, as part of our sustainability themed Big Get Together, find out how alumni-supported bursaries have helped the students to make a difference

Alumnus Sir Keir Starmer has been elected leader of Labour Party. Read about his journey from the University, how he maintains close ties with the School of Law, and the thoughts of lecturers and students who have worked with him along the way.

As the University steps up to tackle coronavirus, alumni, staff and students are at the forefront of this fight. We share the stories of our community members who are making a difference in the fight against COVID-19.

Social Historian Malcolm Chase has sadly died aged 63 after suffering from a brain tumour.  During his time at Leeds, Malcolm explored British labour history and political radicalism during the 19th century, and his pioneering work on Chartism is particularly well known. In addition to his outstanding scholarship, he was an enthusiastic and inspiring educator. Read his obituary here.

Visually impaired activist and campaigner, Amy Kavanagh (History 2010), has used social media to create a positive movement across the globe. After encounters with overenthusiastic helpers did more harm than good, Amy’s campaign – #JustAskDontGrab – was born. Read about her journey from Leeds here.

With its roots in textiles, Leeds is spearheading a £5.4 million project to transform the UK fashion industry.

How can we feed a growing global population in a changing climate? A farm packed with smart technologies will help us find out.

From a kitchen table to the Royal Albert Hall: how three Leeds alumni turned some dubious content into comedy gold.

Adam Lowe has been writing since he was a child. Now a published author of five chapbooks of poetry, LGBT+ History Month Poet Laureate, and with his first full-length collection nearly finished, he’s come a long way...

Professor Simone Buitendijk has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds.

14 February marks 50 years since The Who recorded their album Live at Leeds right here in the Refectory. Listen closely to the album, named by Rolling Stone magazine as the best live album ever, and you'll hear an audience full of our very own alumni. What was it like 50 years ago, when bands like The Who, the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin played at Leeds? Our alumni tell the story of these legendary days. 

Jake Warren (Social Policy 2013) finds himself in illustrious company. He will soon line up alongside the likes of Emma Barnett, Frank Skinner, Peter Crouch, Greg James and Zoe Ball at the Audio & Radio Industry Awards, where his podcast, Conflicted, has been nominated for the Best Independent Podcast. Explore Jake's story - from Bakery 164 sandwich recommendations, to his top three favourite podcasts, to his founding of a multimedia story telling company, Message Heard.

Toronto Wolfpack are the world's first professional transatlantic sports team, competing in rugby league's top-level professional club competition. Wolfpack Vice President, Commercial Jon Pallett (MBA 2011) shares his insight about the challenge of marketing a club that is based more than 3,000 miles away from their competitors.

Class Central’s Best Online Courses of 2019 uses learner feedback to rank online courses from around the world. The University of Leeds stood out with four courses in the line-up – more than any other institution in the world

Students at the University of Leeds are among the UK’s top ten most targeted by leading employers.

Dr Eileen Burns (Medicine 1981), has been awarded an MBE for her services to medicine. 

The deaf community risks being excluded from aspects of modern science because the number of new advances is outpacing the development of sign language to explain them, a leading researcher says.

For the first time in the show’s history, a Leeds team was crowned University Challenge Champions after winning last year’s Christmas special. Find out more. 

Greenland is losing ice faster than in the 1990s and is tracking the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s high-end climate scenario.

Walking and cycling to work were associated with fewer heart attacks across 43 million adults in England, according to a new national study.

Introducing fungi to wheat boosted their uptake of key nutrients and could lead to new, ‘climate smart’ varieties of crops, according to a new study from Leeds.

The White Rose universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York have received renewed Government funding for 150 PhD researchers in the biological sciences.

Sir Alan Langlands is to step down as the Vice-Chancellor of the University during 2020 after seven years in post. He will continue to undertake his full duties and responsibilities at the University until a new Vice-Chancellor formally takes up post.

A confluence of art and biology forms part of University's Light Night offering this year. Light Night is the UK’s largest annual arts and light festival. It will see the transformation of some of the Leeds' most recognisable spaces over 10-11 October, with artworks and performances.

Expensive high-tech air mattresses are only marginally better at preventing pressure sores and ulcers than a specialist foam mattress, according to the results of a major study by Leeds.