Spring graduation 2019 — Birkbeck, University of London

New Fellow: Kit de Waal

Author and new Birkbeck Fellow Kit de Waal explains why she is delighted to be associated with our College.

Scroll down for videos and blogs from our Spring 2019 graduates

Around 1100 graduates are celebrating their achievements at ceremonies this week. They will receive personal congratulations from the Master of Birkbeck, Professor David Latchman CBE.

The 2019 graduating class will be addressed by Birkbeck President, Baroness Joan Bakewell and the three new Fellows of the College: author Kit de Waal, who set up scholarships for underrepresented students on Birkbeck’s MA Creative Writing programme; Professor Jan Etienne, former Associate Lecturer in the Department of Geography who was responsible for a number of initiatives to widen participation to underrepresented groups and promoting staff development; and the Rt Hon Baroness of Frognall, Sue Garden, who has been a tireless advocate for mature and part-time learners throughout her career.

New Fellow: Dr Jan Etienne

Birkbeck was delighted to award Dr Jan Etienne with a Fellowship. Jan is former Associate Lecturer in the Department of Geography who was responsible for a number of initiatives to widen participation to underrepresented groups and promoting staff development, and is now co-Chair of the College's 'Decolonising the Curriculum' working group.

Survival story: Jodie was diagnosed with cancer four times while studying

For Jodie Cole, who graduated with an MSc Organizational Behaviour, the path to graduation has been longer and harder than she could have envisaged when she applied to study at Birkbeck in 2012, 16 weeks before being diagnosed with stage four cancer. Given a 23% chance of survival, Jodie was determined that she would get the degree she’d always dreamed of having.

How Birkbeck helped Marisa reach her goals

Marisa Ewers, graduating with an MSc in Sports Management and the Business of Football, juggled her studies with a professional football career, playing midfield for Birmingham City Women’s FC.

From one GCSE to a Master of Science degree

In 2013, Shekira sat down and wrote a five year plan that would transform her from a 33 year old with one GCSE to a Master’s degree holder and enable her to have the career that she’d always wanted. Five years of hard work paid off, and in April she was offered her dream job.

Combining postgraduate study with raising six children

Bioinformatics graduate Rudo Supple returned to education after spending 15 years out of the workplace while she raised her children.

“The more I learn, the more I want to learn” – from ‘left behind’ to law degree

Firhana wasn’t sent to school as a child and only learnt to read and write at 15. With years of hard work, persistence and dedication, she’s achieved the extraordinary feat of gaining a master’s degree in Law – and now has plans for a PhD.

“Age is just a number – but studying keeps the mind active”

Ghana born Anthony Mensah is graduating with an LLM Human Rights aged 78, and plans to devote his time and energy to fighting Female Genital Mutiliation (FGM) in sub-Saharan Africa.

Museum Cultures course led to a new job for Uli

Uli undertook an internship at the V&A as part of his MA Museum Cultures at Birkbeck, which has helped him to land his new role as a project curator at the Crafts Council.