Graduates' Association

AlumniThe Department of Politics and International Studies prides itself on the success of the careers of our former students. Not only is the Palace of Westminster teeming with our graduates, the Media, Public Affairs, MOD, Banking and Education, both nationally and internationally, are all common areas of employment.


We like to keep in touch with our graduates and do so by facilitating the Graduates Association. Members are notified of interesting news and events occuring in the world of Politics as well as receiving an annual copy of the Graduate Directory.


Below are some examples taken from the 2011 edition Graduate Directory, including comments. The menu on the left is a more extensive list and is divided by decade. Read on to see some of the fascinating careers of our graduates!

Class

Name, job, comment

2003, 2010

Stacey Frier, Senior Parliamentary Advisor, RSPCA
Every public affairs professional or politician I deal with knows about how prestigious being alumni from the University of Hull Politics department is. I often deal with people in my job that I later find out were fellow Hull graduates.

2010  Ashley Adams Amidon, Political Fundraiser, Virginia, United States of America
I really enjoyed the chance to study in the United Kingdom. I came back to America with a renewed appreciation for civil academic discourse as well as an increased understanding of the international community.
2008  Thomas Heap, Cost Analyst, Experian Ltd
I would strongly recommend any course within the department and University as a whole, my time at Hull and within the Politics department helped me develop a transferrable skill set (in particular communication and analytical skills) which I have been able to apply in the world of Finance at a FTSE 50 company proving that there is scope to apply grounding a politics degree provides in a number of different fields other than the discipline itself.
2006  Edward Winstanley, Office Manager to Fiona Bruce MP, House of Commons
Even five years after graduation there isn’t a week that goes by with me meeting someone with a connection to either the Department or the University. Indeed, within the immediate vicinity of my own office there are two other Hull Politics graduates!
2006   Alex Davies, Parliamentary Assistant to Lord Tyler, House of Lords
BPLS gives you both a thorough grounding in the academic discipline and the practice of politics.  The year working in Westminster is an unrivalled opportunity to learn how MPs do their jobs in everything from legislative procedure to campaigning in the media.  The placement is longer than that offered by any of the competitor universities and courses, and really allows students to absorb themselves in the Westminster environment while building knowledge, confidence and contacts.  The internship is about the best springboard to employment in the political world available in higher education.
2004 

Gareth Goldsmith, Policy Advisor (industry, energy, research, development), European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Parliament

1995, 2003 Matthew Mowthorpe, Analyst, Ministry of Defence
2003  Ben Gascoigne, Assistant Private Secretary to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, City Hall
A fantastic experience with incredibly helpful and supportive staff and lecturers throughout.

2001 Alex Dalgleish, Head of Public Affairs and Issues Management – West Europe, The Wrigley Company Ltd
1999 Chris Bonfield, Executive Manager, Group Advisory, Commonwealth Bank of Australia   

1996 Tracey Crouch, Member of Parliament, House of Commons  

1995 Rory Sherwood-Parkin, Research Executive, Tees Valley Unlimited 
Fantastic time at University and always remember my days at Hull very fondly.  I loved studying politics at Hull and having the opportunity to work in Parliament as part of the course was an unforgettable experience.   
1995 Sarah Brookes, Head of Public Affairs, Manchester Airport Group Plc

1995 Joe Brice, Head of Government and Industry Affairs, Bayer Plc 

1993

Adam Vandermark, Editor, This Morning, ITV1  

1993

Kevin Shinkwin, Head of Public Affairs, The Royal British Legion 
Excellent course that definitely gives you an advantage in an increasingly competitive jobs market.   

1992, 1993

Tim Hancock, Campaigns Director, Amnesty International UK  
Great university, great department, great course – still drawing on what I learnt 20 years ago.  
1992 Floyd Millen, Director, Yes Minister   

1992 Joanna Manning-Cooper, Head of PR/Media, The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games   
1992   Lucie Hass, Head of Development - Factual Programmes, BBC

1991  Professor Jon Tonge, Professor of Politics, University of Liverpool

1985

Neil Medlock, Head of Credit Policy, Global Banking and Markets, Royal Bank of Scotland Risk Management

1984

Cliff Grantham, Vice-President and Head of CEO Office, Unilever PLC
1983     Julian Joyce, Journalist, BBC News Online

1981  Phil Kenny, Civil Servant, Home Office
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Hull and it is fair to say the course got me where I am today.

1981

Neil Pepin, Deputy Head of Legal and Compliance, Channel Four Television
Very fond memories of my time at Hull. Stimulating course and really enjoyable social life too. Thoroughly recommended.
1979 Nigel Aston, Head of Competitive Intelligence, Amadeus IT Group SA
1977 John Parker, Consultant Policy Advisor, ParkerconsultingNZ
I have fond memories of my time at Hull. My first degree course at Hull laid a thorough foundation for what became a life-long preoccupation with the political process, both theoretical and ‘hands-on’.
1965  

Harold (Harry) Barnes, retired (ex Sheffield University Lecturer 1966-87, Member of Parliament 1987-2005)
I studied in the Politics Department from 1962-65. So I was initially interviewed for a place to study in the Department as an adult student by Prof Birch during its very first session in 1961-2. Although I would not be the first politics graduate from Hull to become an MP, I was probably the earliest of its graduates to eventually do this.