Graduates Association

The 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 occurring in the world of Politics as well as receiving an annual copy of the Graduate Directory. If you would like to join the Graduates Association, contact Hannah Cooper.

Below are some examples taken from the 2012 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
2012	Michael Stephen Chick, Teacher - TEFL, Chatteris Educational Foundation "Brilliant - enjoyed every minute of it!"
2012	Joshua Atkins, Political Advisor, Greenpeace UK "The best three years I could have asked for."
2011	Ben Miller, Senior Parliamentary Assistant, Office of Jamie Reed MP "I cannot recommend the department enough. Nowhere else can there be the expertise and support to guide you through the most formative years of your education. I owe a debt of gratitude to all who work to make the department what it is. I look forward to returning in the future."
2011	Christopher Hares, Programme Co-ordinator, Future First "The best politics undergraduate course around, I couldn’t have done it anywhere else!"
2003, 2010	Stacey Frier, Senior Parliamentary Advisor, Government Advice Team "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, Manager, Government & Public Affairs, International Wood Products Association, Virginia, USA "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	Rocky Lorusso, Government & External Affairs Manager, EEF, The Manufacturers' Organisation
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."
2007	Richard Jackson, Head of Operations, Conservative Party
2007	Jerome Bouyjou, Political Advisor, EU External Action Service, Brussels "Great course, learned plenty ... and had a very good time. Lovely professors and support staff."
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	Ed Taylor, Head of Public Affairs, Telegraph Media Group "The BPLS course at the University of Hull equips graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge required by employers. Not only does the course teach you about specialist political topics, it also provides the opportunity to gain practical knowledge and contacts though the Westminster Hull Internship Programme (WHIP). The placement year is a good selling point when searching for employment and ensures you stand out from other potential candidates."
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
2001	Richard Blakeway, Deputy Mayor for Housing, Land and Property, Greater London Authority
1999	Chris Bonfield, Executive Manager, Group Advisory, Commonwealth Bank of Australia
1996, 1998	Craig Beaumont, Former London 2012 Government Relations Manager
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, Director of Communications and Marketing, England 2015 World Cup (former Head of PR/Media, The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games)
1992	Lucie Kon, Head of Staff Engagement, BBC
1991	Professor Jon Tonge, Professor of Politics, University of Liverpool
1985	Neil Medlock, Global Head of Credit Policy, Markets & International Banking, Bank of Scotland
1984	Cliff Grantham, Vice-President and Head of CEO Office, Unilever
1983	Julian Joyce, Journalist, BBC News Online
1983	John Fallon, Chief Executive, Pearson PLC
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, Spain
1977	John Parker, Consultant Policy Advisor, ParkerconsultingNZ, New Zealand "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."