The University of Bradford is an institution I am proud to have earned a Development and Peace Studies BA Degree from. The relationships that stem from the University have nurtured and grown my professional experiences; I worked at Theatre in the Mill, and completed a graduate internship in the Volunteering Department at the Student Union before working for a Bradford alumnus, Dr Bainomugisha – Executive Director of ACODE, in Uganda for two years.
TedXTalk 2014
Having been elected onto the Alumni Association Executive Committee as a member earlier in the year, I was able to join the first meeting remotely. The Committee brings together a range of alumni and provides a forum to shape the future of how the University engages with alumni and maintain that #TeamBradford pride through relationships between alumni and the University.
Why is this important?
The University of Bradford gave me the key to ‘Making Knowledge Work’ with inter-disciplinary and analytical skills, underpinned by a strong understanding of the human experience of global issues by connecting me with diverse peers. In East Africa, I was part of the organisation of the 40th Anniversary of Peace Studies Africa Regional Conference, attended the 50th University Anniversary celebrations in Kampala, wrote for Braduate Blogs, and contributed to ’ 50 Years, 50 Stories’. Relationships between alumni after graduation can really grow where connections are known!
Thanks to the broad spectrum of student experience in Bradford and learning together, my understanding of race, LGBTQ issues, migration, ethnicity, privilege, gender, inequality, peace, conflict, politics, and international relations took place both within and beyond the classroom. The University of Bradford is the type of institution that will continue to stand the test of time in educating well-rounded, intelligent, critical, aware, and empathy-filled citizens of the world. It’s this kind of educational experience that ‘Makes Knowledge Work’.
Intermural 2014
This blog is one of the first steps in engaging #TeamBradford through the Alumni Association. We, a group of alumni acting as a voice for the Bradford alumni community, are led by an elected Chair promoting ongoing connections between graduates and the institution. The Alumni Association Executive Committee support the Alumni and Development Office to shape the future of how alumni can maintain mutually beneficial relationships with the University. I sit on the Alumni Association Executive Committee because I want to be as proud of graduating from the University of Bradford in fifty years’ time as I am now.
Kexgill (Student Accomodation) 2011
Now, what can we do for you?
We love to hear about achievements, alumni parties, new jobs, plans, ideas, and good memories. If you are fundraising, planning a reunion, saw any alumni on the news, looking for a job, moving to a new city, want to write for the blog or just want to reminisce about #TeamBradford – get in touch.
Contact Jonaid Khan, the Alumni Relations Manager via J.Khan12@bradford.ac.uk or myself via LinkedIn. We can go further together.
About the author
Emma Jones, BA Hons Development and Peace Studies 2013
Emma Jones graduated from the University of Bradford with a degree in Development and Peace studies in July 2013 and went on to complete an internship with the Students’ Union in January the following year. Between 2014 and 2016, Emma worked as a Programme Assistant with Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE) in Kampala, Uganda, where she helped support the peace and democracy programmes run by ACODE on national governance, regional peace and security, and public policy issues. After returning tot he UK, Emma decided to pursue postgraduate study in International Commercial Law at the University of Aberdeen in 2017 having received a scholarship from the Scottish Government. Since completing her masters in Law, Emma joined KPMG as a Tax Advisor in July 2018. Find and connect with Emma on her LinkedIn.
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