Alumni volunteers face a grilling from current PR students
Members of our alumni community recently sat in the hot seat for quick-fire interviews with current Global PR students on campus.
31 March 2025
Covering wide-ranging topics from marathons and scuba diving, to working abroad and realising childhood dreams, the interviews were assessed and contributed towards the Global PR students’ degrees.
Read on to meet the alumni who featured in the interviews and read some of the finished articles by our current students.
Alan Griffin (BSc Botany with History, 1990)
Alan’s experience of researching and writing for his history modules as a student developed his interest in journalism. In his interview with student Holly Bentley, he credited the sociable nature of Newcastle as a city and the encouragement on campus to get involved for helping him flourish in his career. Since graduating, Alan has worked on the news desk at the Financial Times and for Reuters in Beijing. He now lives in Abu Dhabi with his family but hopes to return to his northern routes in the near future and “have a nice farmhouse with lots of dogs”.
Alexandra Crouch (BA Hons Politics and Sociology, 2014)
Alex is Partnerships Manager at Cancer Research UK and a keen athlete, working towards completing the Abbott World Marathon Majors: a series of seven of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world - Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago and New York. In her interview with student Olivia Bagge, she reminisced on nights out in the Students’ Union and living in Marris House, plus shared how she found her people and her calling in the non-profit sector.
Felicity Lambert (BA Hons Social Policy, 2001)
A chance encounter at Fresher’s Fair kickstarted Felicity’s lifelong commitment to volunteering and making a difference. From supporting a kid’s club in nearby Walker to running summer camps in Barbados, her experience has shaped her career in the third sector. In Felicity’s interview with student Elizabeth Metge, she shared her experience of managing volunteers during the pandemic for The Breastfeeding Network and becoming the first and sole fundraiser for charity Action on Postpartum Psychosis.
James Foley (MSc Tropical Coast Management, 2007)
Having fallen in love with scuba diving during a motorcycling trip in Cuba and seeing the serious health conditions many faced from unsafe diving practices in the lobster industry, James decided to return to university to make a difference. Thanks to the skills gained during his Master’s at Newcastle, James was able to join The Nature Conservatory in Belize and support their efforts to protect the marine world.
Kate Weston-McDowell (BSc Marine Biology, 2015)
Kate’s time at Newcastle University helped her turn her childhood passion into her dream job. In her interview with student Tilly Scovell, Kate described seeing marine researchers monitor a pod of bottlenose dolphins on a family holiday to Cardigan Bay as a pivotal moment for her future. As a Newcastle student she enjoyed her own marine research in Mexico, observing nesting turtles under the night sky. Today, Kate works for dolphin and whale charity ORCA as a Conservation Manager, where she works with cruise lines from the British Isles to Antarctica, conducting research and promoting dolphin and whale conservation.
Lucy Francis (BA Hons Ancient History, 2017; MA Heritage Studies, 2019)
Recent graduate Lucy benefitted massively from the rich cultural sector we have here in Newcastle, presenting a heritage panel at Newcastle Castle and enjoying a two-month placement at Segedenum Roman Fort and Museum during her student days. In her interview with student Louie Loseby, Lucy shared how her first steps into the cultural sector during the pandemic led to an interest in fundraising. Today, she project manages £30m campaigns for The Dog’s Trust.
Malvika Bhatia (MA Heritage, Education and Interpretation, 2012)
Having grown up in Mumbai, Malvika moved to the UK to complete her Master’s at Newcastle University. Now, she dedicates her career to uncovering untold stories in her home nation and ensuring the voices of the past continue to resonate in the present. In her interview, Malvika shared her memories of performing with Choir Club on campus and visiting Beamish for the first time.
Mark Ord (BA Hons History, 1981)
Mark joined Speke’s Training and Education Centre, a charity based in his hometown of Liverpool that aims to provide education and reduce poverty in the area, seven years after graduating from Newcastle University. Today, he is CEO of the organisation. In his interview with student Kat Hatton, Mark talked about how he has brought the charity into the 21st century with digital inclusion programmes, and his pride at returning to campus to see his niece graduate from Newcastle in summer 2024.
Rachel Turnbull (BA Social Policy, 1994)
Rachel’s time at Newcastle laid the foundation for her career dedicated to social impact. In her interview, Rachel recalled the student experience before computers were readily available and how her course opened her eyes to the real complexities of poverty, housing and social care. After graduating and starting a family, Rachel began her career with Citizen’s Advice Northumberland and now leads a team of 200 as Operations Manager.
Saffia Solomon (BA Hons Geography, 2016)
Receiving a warm Geordie welcome from Freshers’ Crew when she first arrived in Newcastle inspired Saffia to give back in her later years as a student, helping other lost students feel at home. And this desire to support others has continued in her career as an educator and community champion. In her interview, Saffia discussed her pride in being a part of Newcastle’s alumni community and shared her advice for others looking to start a career in the third sector.
Thomas Monaghan (BA History, 2018; MA British History, 2019)
Recent graduate Thomas’s journey to university wasn’t straightforward. As a self-described ‘nightmare student’ in school due to difficult home circumstances, it wasn’t until he arrived on campus and saw that others believed in him that Thomas believed in himself. Now, he gives back to those struggling with social exclusion in his role at Citizen’s Advice Northumberland. In his interview with student Rosie Scott, he credits the ‘student-centric’ approach at Newcastle University for his approach in the workplace, supporting both his colleagues through mental health training and the charity’s beneficiaries.
Venita Eng (MSc Palliative Care, 2018)
Venita spoke to student interviewer Jess Lawson from over 7,000 miles away, in her home in Bali, following a busy shift at her hospital. During their conversation, Venita revealed how she was drawn to study in the UK as the home of the modern palliative care movement. Now using her learning to give back to Indonesia, Venita is Head of Social Care at the Indonesian Cancer Foundation. In her interview, she discussed what it means to help underprivileged communities in her homeland, and her five-year plan to complete a PhD.
Reconnecting you to campus
A huge thank you to our alumni volunteers for spending time with our current students and sharing their stories – and well done to all our interviewers on some fantastic articles!
If you’re interested in reconnecting with the university and giving back as an alumni volunteer, get in touch via the form below.