Alumni stories
From LS2 to every corner of the world, every Leeds graduate has a story to tell. Through podcasts, blogs and features, meet the alumni making their mark.
Leeds magazine
Explore the annual magazine for alumni of the University of Leeds. From alumni stories – featuring astronauts, musicians, Olympians, journalists and scientists – to the latest campus and research news at Leeds, explore the online Leeds magazine:
- Where leaders are made – Leeds magazine 2025
- Made in Leeds – Leeds magazine 2024
- Moscow calling – Leeds magazine 2023
- Reach for the sky – Leeds magazine 2022
- A global perspective – Leeds magazine 2021
Thanks To You magazine
The Leeds supporter community are doing incredible things. From those who give their time and expertise in volunteering, to the many who make regular financial gifts or have pledged to remember the University of Leeds in their will, discover the difference they make in our annual Thanks To You magazine:
Global impact
Climate conferences, sporting showdowns, national celebrations – Leeds alumni play their part all around the globe. Read about those featured in our celebrations.
- Africa Week – Read about the successes of Leeds alumni in, or from, Africa.
- Leeds at the World Health Organization – To mark the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organization, we celebrate the impact on global health made by members of the University of Leeds community.
- International Women’s Day – Meet women from the global Leeds community who are inspiring others across the world, as featured in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
- Leeds at the Commonwealth Games – Meet the alumni who made their mark at Birmingham 2022.
- Independence Day of Pakistan – To mark the 75 year anniversary of independence, we shine a light on the achievements of our Pakistani community.
- Indian Independence Day – We meet our global Indian alumni community to celebrate 75 years of independence.
- Leeds at COP26, Leeds at COP27 and Leeds at COP28– Meet inspiring Leeds alumni around the globe helping to combat the climate crisis.
- Celebrating Leeds engineers – On World Engineering Day, read the stories of Leeds engineering alumni across the globe.
Alumni memories
- Thanksgiving in Leeds – On Thanksgiving 2023, Leeds alumni share their memories of celebrating the holiday in Leeds.
- Love at Leeds – read hundreds of heart-warming stories of Love at Leeds, shared from around the globe in our Valentine’s Day stories 2022, Valentine’s Day stories 2023, Valentine’s Day stories 2024 and Valentine’s Day stories 2025.
- The Edward Boyle Library – On what would have been Edward Boyle's 100th birthday, Leeds alumni share their memories of his iconic library.
- Your journey to Leeds – As a new term starts in Leeds, alumni look back on their journey to the University.
- Remembering Queen Elizabeth II – Leeds alumni share their stories and memories of the Queen.
- Leeds in the war – Look back on stories from Leeds in the first world war and Leeds in the second world war.
Alumni features
Read our alumni features
- Mark Gatiss (Drama 1989): “You may call me doctor”: Sherlock star and Doctor Who writer awarded honorary degree
- Helen Macintyre (PhD Atmospheric Science 2011): The health impacts of climate change
- Sigourney Bonner (Human Physiology 2014): Reducing cancer inequalities for Black people
- Craig Jordan (Pharmacy and Pharmacology 1969, DSc 1985, PhD 1973, Hon DMed 2001): Founding father of ground-breaking cancer treatment leaves a lasting legacy
- Craig Poku (PhD Environmental Sciences 2019): Bake Off, science and LGBTQ+ activism: The many colours of Craig Poku
- Brook Driver (English Literature and Philosophy 2014): Directing the stars: Alum film director on latest release
- Phil Sesemann (Medicine 2017): Paris-bound: 'Mileage mutts' help Leeds marathoner achieve Olympic dream
- Hatty Carder (English 2017): Atlantic rowing record smashed by Leeds alum
- Tiegan Handley (Fine Art 2023): Quiltmaker dresses the entrance to pioneering exhibition
- Kim Daybell (Medicine 2018): The Paralympic doctor who sacrificed sport for the NHS
- Anna May (English Literature and Sociology 2020): Supporting students through grief
- Paul Le Blond (MSc Transportation Engineering 1972): Helping the aviation sector to reach net zero
- Tananarive Due (MA English Literature 1988): The power of horror
- Dirk Mischendahl (Psychology 1995): An ice cream revolution starting in Leeds
- Peter Watters (Pharmacology 1980): Leeds alum becomes paramedic at 64
- Dr Keith Brownlee (Medicine 1984): Transforming cystic fibrosis care
- Naga Munchetty (English Literature and Language 1997): Asking the right questions
- Dhionis and Marineo Llanaj (Medical Sciences 2022): Recognition for nursing twins on 75th anniversary of NHS
- Jonny Brownlee (History 2012, Hon LLD 2013): From Leeds to the top of the world: Brownlee brothers inspire the next generation
- Karina Antram (Business Management 2007): How to fix your fatigue
- Jamie Crummie (Law 2014): Protecting pockets and the planet
- Hind Hassan (Medicinal Chemistry 2007): Reporting from the epicentre of the story
- Charlie Jardine (Design 2013): Powering the future
- Joanna Lester (History 2006): The rise of women’s Rugby League in Papua New Guinea
- Sherika Whitelocke-Ballingsingh (MPh Public Health 2016): Using Leeds knowledge to save lives
- Joe Mason (Broadcast Journalism 2014): One Leeds graduate’s road to success in the song contest
- Toyin Jegede (PhD Engineering 2018): Toyin wins award for her work in engineering
- Caroline Abel (Economics Studies 1999): Ten years leading the Seychelles economy
- Trevor Klein (Political Studies 2006): BAFTA-winning producer learnt his trade at Leeds Student Television
- Nina Brown (Healthcare Science 2018): Leeds alum captains Great Britain to Bandy World Championship silver
- Geoff Boxshall FRS (BSc Zoology 1971, PhD 1974): Geoff identifies 300 new species of aquatic creatures
- Annalise Coady (Materials Science and Engineering 1992): Changing the story
- Peter Cullimore (French and Spanish 1976): Former TV journalist delves into the past
- Ryan Bell (Geography 2018): Ryan finds a winning balance
- Brian Kokoruwe (MA Education 2014): Against all odds
- Namrah Shahid (Chemistry 2016, MSc 2017, PhD 2021): Changing the story with Hijabi Runners
- Olivia Cotes-James (English Literature 2013): Talking taboos
- Jonathan Wild (Hon LLD 2011): A million tree promise
- Cec Thompson (Economics, 1968, Hon MA, 1994): The most remarkable of graduates
- Olivia Strong MBE (Politics and Sociology 2015): A £7 million idea
- Lucy Clayton (English Literature 2003): How to go to work
- Dr Madan Luthra (PhD Biochemistry 1972): Escaping poverty: the learnings that shaped Madan Luthra
Leeds Voices
Leeds Voices is a podcast for anyone who went to Leeds, has children or relatives at Leeds right now, or is thinking of applying to study at Leeds themselves.
Meet famous alumni with stories to tell, discover the latest Leeds research, and hear from current students as they shape the future.
My Leeds Story
In this podcast, you can hear stories from before, during and after your time at Leeds from fellow alumni who have gone on to make a world of difference.
My Climate Story
This podcast mini-series is a chance for the Leeds alumni community to meet fellow alumni who are leading the world to a more sustainable future.
Leeds Alumni Voices
In this blog series, Leeds alumni experts have their say. From how to create a more sustainable future to the magic of volunteering, learn from the Leeds alumni in the know:
- Inspiring positive change in the world of corporate sustainability – By Louis Gruber
- The secrets behind the world’s first global economic hubs – By Ira Gupta
- Fair trade partnerships – by Anne Tallontire
- Five ways to a more sustainable wardrobe in 2022 – by Rob Greenland
- How to make a wreath like a professional – by Jenefer Baker
- Climate commitments in Indonesia: the dilemma between economic growth and the environment – by Adila Alibasya
- The time is now — What will you do to help ensure a successful COP26? – by Simon Kirkland
- Volunteering — Activism That Changes Lives – by Heather Conboy
- Volunteering: the myths and the magic – by Emma Douglas
- Campaign volunteering: the voices for our countryside – by Crewenna Dymond
If you would like to contribute a guest blog post to Leeds Alumni Voices, email your proposed topic to the Advancement team at alumni@leeds.ac.uk.