News archive 2021
Jan 2021 - Celebrating our Alumni authors
Massive congratulations to our alumni authors who have had their books published.
Motion sensitivity research could benefit people with inner ear condition
Research into motion sensitivity could lead to improved rehabilitation programmes and an improvement in building designs for people with a rare inner ear condition that affects their balance
Alumnus helps provide IT solutions for COVID-19 testing and booking websites
Alumnus Laurence Leach (Engineering, 2003) has been working as the lead architect on the new NHS COVID-19 national testing and booking websites with the company ACF Technologies where he is Technical Director. We recently caught up with him to find out what the experience has been like.
University of Exeter students affected by coronavirus given £1 million in hardship and emergency funds
The University of Exeter has distributed £1m in hardship and emergency funding to students most significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Exeter alumnus appointed Youth Mental Health Ambassador
Exeter alumnus Dr Alex George (Medicine, 2015) has been appointed as a Youth Mental Health Ambassador to advise government and raise the profile of mental health education and wellbeing in schools
A. G. Leventis Foundation funds new Chair in Classics and Ancient History at the University of Exeter
Classics teaching and research at the University of Exeter will benefit for years to come, thanks to additional support from the A. G. Leventis Foundation.
Alumnus launches new brand of alcoholic sparkling water
Alumnus James Smith (Economics, 2020) and his brother Rob started their drinks business while James was still a student at the University of Exeter.
Exeter alumnus to help restore natural ecosystems as part of pioneering internship
A University of Exeter graduate will help restore natural ecosystems as part of a “rewilding” internship.
Academics congratulate “brilliant first-class” Oscar-nominated alumna
Oscar-nominated University of Exeter alumna Vanessa Kirby was a “genuinely brilliant first-class student”, her lecturers have said.
Alumna shares memories of Exeter
Alumna Marcelle Hoff (French and German, 1981) founded specialist travel company Expressions Holidays in 1989. She shares some of her memories from her time at Exeter and how it helped her career.
Alumnus treats Exeter Medicine students to £30 food delivery, to boost wellbeing during pandemic
Thanks to a generous donation from Exeter alumnus Mr David Higgins (Law 1990), all 913 Medicine (BMBS programme) students at the University of Exeter have been offered a £30 voucher to spend at one of three food retailers.
Alumna releases debut single 'Wild Ocean' for first album
Alumna Victoria Halliburton (Fine Art and English, 2000) is a teacher, painter and also known as the musician Drawn Tide. She has just released a new music single ‘Wild Ocean’ an eclectic mix of ambient vocals, rap and downtempo instrumentals, from her upcoming first fully produced album ‘Archive’.
University of Exeter entrepreneur brings traditional Italian dishes to UK homes
Pasta Evangelists was founded in 2016 by Exeter alumnus Alessandro Savelli (Business Economics, 2002).
Exeter Telethon breaks records with fundraising
The University of Exeter’s spring telethon has raised a record £226,513, an increase of more than £60,000 over the past highest total.
Alumnus involved in prestigious prize win for ‘the Spotify playlist for learning’
Alumnus George Cowell (BA Hons Geography, 2008) is International Director at Rising Academies which has recently won a $90,000 prize in Schmidt Futures Tools Competition with their project proposal of an AI powered chatbot tutor called Rising On Air Interactive, or “Rori” for short. The chatbot is designed to support students from around the world who have had learning harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
April 2021 - Celebrating our Alumni authors
Massive congratulations to our alumni authors who have had their books published.
Earth Day event to explore how finance sector can help save the planet
University of Exeter academics and business leaders will explore how the finance sector can save the planet in a special documentary screening and panel event for Earth Day on 22 April.
Medical School alumnus awarded prize for ‘Excellent Medical Education’
Alumnus Dominic Proctor (MSc Clinical Education, 2019) has won the undergraduate category in the ‘Excellent Medical Education’ Programme.
Exeter alumni recognised with New Year Honours
Congratulations to the Exeter alumni and Honorary Graduates who were honoured in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours earlier this year.
International Alumni Communities Reunite
Volunteers and alumni network groups around the world were brought together throughout the first half of this year in networking reunions, many using virtual platforms to match alumni and student guests for an interactive and fun experience.
Alumni in China Share Employability Insights
The Exeter China Alumni Association (ECAA) organised their annual employability events during March and April, where alumni and student guests benefitted from networking and hearing interactive career presentations from alumni across different sectors.
Alumnus supports some of China’s brightest students to study at Exeter
A new scholarship fund to support Chinese PhD students during their time at Exeter has been launched thanks to alumnus James Goulding, founder of investment management company LimeTree Capital Partners, which has offices across China.
Students produce new EP thanks to Alumni Annual Fund support
A wide range of projects are supported by the Alumni Annual Fund every year which includes students societies such as the University of Exeter's award-winning, all-male a cappella group ‘Semi-Toned’ who in the 2020-21 round received funding to support the recording and release of their new EP: Infrared.
Two of our new alumni reflect on graduating early and joining the NHS during a pandemic
We recently caught up with alumni Owen Rhys Foster and Molly Dineen, who opted to graduate from the College of Medicine and Health early to join the fight against COVID-19, to find out what graduating early and joining the NHS during a pandemic has been like.
English alumna wins distinguished literary prize
University of Exeter alumna Ruth Gilligan (PhD English, 2014) has won the 2021 Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize for her book The Butchers. This annual prize of £10,000 is awarded for a distinguished work of fiction, non-fiction or poetry, evoking the spirit of a place.
Catching up with Mehmet Yilmazo
Mehmet Yilmazo (Master of Public Administration, 2015) is Group Director of HR & Strategy, Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA) in Istanbul, Turkey. Here he reflects on the highlights of his time at Exeter and how the skills and experiences it gave him have helped in him in his career to date.
Catching up with alumna Aastha Tyagi
Here Aastha Tyagi (International Relations with Study Abroad, 2017) tells us what she’s been doing since graduating and reflects on the highlights of her studies at Exeter and the skills and experiences it gave her.
PhD students researching forest degradation and recovery are funded by the A.G. Leventis Foundation
Two complementary PhD studentships have been funded thank to donations from long-term University of Exeter supporters, The A.G. Leventis Foundation.
Continued support for Widening Participation Scholarships
Alumnus Mark Waghorn (Law, 1988) established two scholarships in 2017, named after his parents, to support individuals coming from low income backgrounds to study at Exeter.
Alumni donate £20,000 to support students affected by the pandemic
In partnership with its alumni community, the University created the Success for All Fund, set up to support students experiencing unexpected financial challenges. Since March 2020 the University has provided financial support in the form of rent rebates, payments for IT equipment, travel bursaries and assistance for other unexpected bills. Over £1million has been disbursed amongst the student community.
2021 Volunteers of the Year named!
After a tough decision making process, the Alumni Volunteers of the Year for 2021 have been announced.
Exeter achieves global top 150 status in influential rankings
The University of Exeter has broken into the top 150 in the QS World University Rankings for the first time.
Catching up with alumnus Sam Jackson
Here Sam (BA Philosophy with advanced proficiency in French - 2016) tells us what he’s been doing since graduating and reflects on the highlights of his studies at Exeter and the skills and experiences it gave him.
A day in the life with alumna Gemma Joyce
Here Gemma Joyce (Philosophy and Sociology, 2015) shares 'a day in the life' of her work as Senior Content Manager at Brandwatch a digital consumer intelligence company.
Santander Universities UK support entrepreneurial talent
Alumnus Quinn Leatherbarrow-Stokes (Business Management with Industrial Experience, 2020) spent lockdown launching his own business QWERTY Beer Box, bringing together craft beers from local brewers in regional ‘best of’ collections to provide regionally focused independent craft beer experiences. The SETsquared Exeter Student Startup Team have provided advice and mentorship to Quinn, and he secured funding for his business through the generous support of Santander Universities UK.
Alumni funding to support research in to the relationship between COVID-19 and ageing
PhD student, Merlin Davies (Medical Studies, 2020) is the recipient of a generous gift from an anonymous donor which has enabled his PhD looking at the relationship between COVID-19 and ageing to be fully funded.
Support for students impacted by COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected students in many ways including financially, emotionally and practically in terms of their learning. Our supporter community has provided support for impacted students in several ways through their generous donations. You can read about several of these stories online. Thank you for your support.
Alumnus pens book about life in Russia
Craig Ashton (German and Russian, 2005) has published a book in Russian about his experiences living and working in St Petersburg since graduation.
New CPR manikin for the Exeter University First Aid Society thanks to alumni support
A wide range of projects are supported by the Alumni Annual Fund every year which includes student societies such as Exeter University First Aid Society who in the 2020-21 round received funding to purchase an advanced CPR manikin for their group.
Catching up with alumnus Joshua Clarke
Here Joshua tells us what he’s been doing since graduating and reflects on the highlights of his studies at Exeter and the skill and experiences it gave him
Twin doctors graduate from Exeter together after training during pandemic
Twin brothers Adam and Jack Tremlett have defied the odds by graduating in Medicine at the University of Exeter together.
How my PGCE at Exeter helped guide my author journey
Here Alumna Sophie Kirtley traces how her learning at Exeter and experiences as a teacher inform her writing for children.
University of Exeter recognised for “financial lifeline” support for students during coronavirus pandemic
The University of Exeter has been recognised for offering a financial lifeline and practical support for students facing hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic
Alumni support helps LGBTQ+ society reach more students
The student society LGBTQ+ and Law Exeter was founded in March 2019 to create a community of students (with a law or non-law background) who are interested in pursuing a legal career, supporting their journeys, and providing networking opportunities with other LGBTQ+ legal professionals.
Catching up with alumna Megan Rhodes
Alumna Megan Rhodes (BSc Sociology and Criminology, 2020) works as an eVOLve Project Coordinator at JLGB, and here tells us what she’s been doing since graduating and reflects on the highlights of her studies at Exeter and the skill and experiences it gave her.
Exeter Extreme Medicine graduates to tackle 3,000 mile Atlantic row as first married couple
Two University of Exeter graduates in Extreme Medicine are preparing to tackle a 3,000 mile row across the Atlantic as the first ever married couple to race in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge (TWAC).
Housebuilder funds climate study into future of home construction
Vistry Group, a top five national housebuilder, is funding research at the University of Exeter to explore the impact of climate change on homes and housebuilding in the future.
University of Exeter Paralympians aiming for glory in Tokyo
University of Exeter Alumna are aiming for glory at the Tokyo Paralympics having combined their studies with international sporting commitments.
Students interact with folk music artists thanks to Alumni Annual Fund support
Thousands of alumni and supporters of the University of Exeter help current students through generous donations to the Alumni Annual Fund, by giving gifts of time or money in order to enhance the student experience.
Alumna provides sustainable alternative to fast fashion
Alumna Frankie Theakston (Mathematics, 2017) and her sister Nicole are taking on the fast fashion industry with their new app encouraging clothes swapping.
Sept 2021 - Celebrating our Alumni authors
Massive congratulations to our alumni authors who have had their books published.
Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation partner with University of Exeter in £2.3 million programme to support environmental leadership in Africa
A six-year programme to research land management and ecosystem resilience in Africa was initiated in October 2021 thanks to philanthropic support from the Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation.
Alumni set up new student exclusive carpooling app
James Campion (BSc Economics and Politics, 2020) and William Line (BSc Politics, Philosophy and Economics, 2020) have partnered up with University of Bath graduate, William Hughes, to launch STAXY, the first student-exclusive ridesharing app which aims to save students money whilst reducing their carbon footprint.
Tributes paid after death of creator of revolutionary Exeter hip, a global success story
Heartfelt tributes are being paid to a pioneering University of Exeter engineer who co-created an implant that has revolutionised hip replacements for millions.
Exeter launches Green Futures Scholarships
Talented students from low-to-middle-income countries will study at the University of Exeter thanks to new Green Futures Scholarships.
Disney supports Exeter lobster conservation project
A programme to protect the Caribbean spiny lobster is being launched thanks to a $50,000 donation from the Disney Conservation Fund.
Catching up with alumna Sophia Adey
Alumna Sophia Adey (Politics and International Relations with Study Abroad, 2019) works as a student midwife at the University of East Anglia. Here she reflects on the highlights of her studies at Exeter and the skills and experiences it gave her in her chosen career.
Alumna's social enterprise helps women in Kenya
Exeter alumna and current masters student, Sarah Habib (International Relations, 2021), is working with other students and graduates to support women in Kenya through a new social enterprise.
Dec 2021 - Celebrating our Alumni authors
Massive congratulations to our alumni authors who have had their books published.
Exeter Extreme Medicine graduates heading off to 3,000 mile Atlantic row as first married couple
This Sunday, two University of Exeter graduates in Extreme Medicine will head off to tackle a 3,000 mile row across the Atlantic as the first ever married couple to race in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge (TWAC).
Alumnus made Member of the Order of Australia
Exeter alumnus Robert Estcourt (MA Finance & Investment, 1973) was this year recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours list and awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to the financial management sector.
First degree apprentices graduate from the University of Exeter
The first degree apprentices have graduated from the University of Exeter.