Alumni Festival 2021

11 May 2021, 12.00 AM - 24 May 2021, 12.00 AM

Alumni Festival 2021 banner with headshots of speakers

This year we commemorate our alumni award winners through the Alumni Festival, an inspiring series of online events where we meet our winners and other influential alumni and explore the ways they transform the lives of those around them.

We’ll be talking to our guests about the connections in their lives, how they adapt to change and the lessons they’ve learnt from mistakes they’ve made. Whether you’ve recently graduated, you’re a long-established member of our community or you’re still studying, this is an opportunity to learn, be inspired and expand your network.

The Alumni Festival is hosted on a dedicated online platform where you can navigate all the information you need and tune-in to the live digital events. 

Baroness Hale DBE with Eboni Usoro-Brown
Tuesday 11 May 2021, 1 – 2 pm
Alumni Award 2021: Lifetime Achievement

One of the most outstanding and celebrated jurists in recent times, The Rt Hon the Baroness Hale of Richmond DBE (Hon LLD 2002, Hon Fellow 2017) is recipient of the University of Bristol’s 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award. Joined by lawyer and athlete Eboni Usoro-Brown (LLB 2009, LLM 2011), winner of the 2019 Alumni Award for Achievement in Sport, these two trailblazers open the Alumni Festival, uncovering some of the ways they stay inspired and resilient. 

This is an in-conversation hosted by Jon Phillips (BSc 1994), Chair of the Alumni Association Committee. We will also be broadcasting video content from Georgie Twigg MBE (LLB 2012), double Olympian champion who is this year’s winner of the Alumni Award for Achievement in Sport. 

SOLD OUT - Post-event coffee and chat
Tuesday 11 May 2021, 2 pm – 2.30 pm

Do you like to share notes or network? While we can’t be there in-person, we’d love for you to join us for a post-event catch-up online where you can meet fellow alumni in small groups to discuss the event you've attended. The sessions will not include our speakers but are hosted by University staff and Alumni Association Committee members. Places are limited.

Dr Jackie Cornish OBE FRCP (London) Hon FRCPCH with Dr Katya Adler
Monday 17 May 2021, 6 pm – 7 pm
Alumni Award 2021: Community Impact

Join Dr Jackie Cornish OBE FRCP (London) Hon FRCPCH (MBChB 1972, Hon DSc 2014) for an illuminating insight into the remarkable life and career of one of the NHS’s most influential paediatricians. National Clinical Director for Children and Young People at NHS England 2013 - 2019, Dr Jackie Cornish speaks candidly about establishing her career in what was a male-dominated profession, the advice she would give to her younger self and others starting out, and her work promoting mental health in the community.

Hosted by BBC Europe Editor Dr Katya Adler LLD (BA 1995, Hon LLD 2017), this dazzling interview will include insights from Rhea Singhal (BSc 2004), this year’s Alumni Award winner for Sustainability, who runs India’s first and largest sustainable food packaging company, Ecoware.

Paul Lindley OBE
Thursday 20 May 2021, 12.30 pm – 1.30 pm
Alumni Award 2021: Business and Industry

Paul Lindley OBE (BSc 1989, Hon LLD 2019) shares invaluable insights into his life and career as an award-winning entrepreneur and children’s welfare campaigner. Motivated by compassion and inspired by the people in his life, Paul Lindley demonstrates how relationships and community have been the driving force behind his internationally acclaimed organic baby food company, Ella’s Kitchen.

Join this inspiring in-conversation, hosted by Neil Coles, Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Partnership Manager at the University of Bristol, with insights from Dr Tom Carter (MEng 2011, PhD 2017), CEO of Ultraleap and this year’s Alumni Award winner for Innovation and Enterprise.

Sir Paul Nurse
Monday 24 May 2021, 1 pm – 1.30 pm

Nobel Prize winner and Chancellor of the University Sir Paul Nurse FRS FRSE HonFRSC (Hon DSc 2003) delivers our closing  event, sharing candid insights into his life and career as a geneticist. Director of the Francis Crick Institute and formerly Head of Cancer Research UK, Sir Paul Nurse has recently released his first book, What is Life?, that explores five ideas that form the basis of biology and life more broadly. This is a unique opportunity to hear from an influential public figure and award-winning scientist on lessons learnt and reflections from his own life. Sir Paul will be in conversation with Sky News presenter Isabel Webster (BA 2005) and the session will be hosted by Jon Phillips (BSc 1994), Chair of the Alumni Association Committee.

Our 2021 Alumni Award winner for Transformative Philanthropy Dr Bhikhu Patel (BA 1973, Diploma 1975, Hon LLD 2006) also shares some poignant reflections on the source of his inspirations and drive. 

SOLD OUT - Post-event coffee and chat
Monday 24 May 2021, 1.30 pm – 2 pm

Do you like to share notes or network? While we can’t be there in-person, we’d love for you to join us for a post-event catch-up online where you can meet fellow alumni in small groups to discuss the event you've attended. The sessions will not include our speakers but are hosted by University staff and Alumni Association Committee members. Places are limited.

For more information on the Alumni Award winners, click here 

With huge thanks to the Bill Brown 1989 Charitable Trust whose commitment to education and philanthropic support of the University has enabled us to put this festival on.

Booking To book, email bristolalumnifestival@firstsight.media with your name, email and whether you are alumni/staff/student or a member of the general publc

Contact For further information please email alumni@bristol.ac.uk

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