Get inspired: Our Alumni Festival starts tomorrow

The Festival, which starts tomorrow and runs until May 24, celebrates the talented individuals who studied at Bristol and have gone on to make a lasting impact on the world.

The series of online events also marks those alumni who have received awards from the University over the past year. The events are open to students, alumni, staff and the general public.

The line-up includes jurist Baroness Hale DBE, top paediatrician Dr Jackie Cornish OBE and Nobel Prize winner Sir Paul Nurse, among others. See below for more details.

Click here to register for the Alumni Festival.

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 with fellow alumni, hosted by University of Bristol staff. 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.

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 with fellow alumni, hosted by members of the Alumni Association Committee and University of Bristol staff.

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 your tickets please click here

Contact For further information please email [email protected]