Academic Registrar at Birkbeck for 30 years, Brian Harwood retired in 2008 and was then elected as a Fellow. He notably recalled the challenge of fighting government funding cuts through the 1980s, a situation that recurred more than once during his tenure.

Brian said that what made him stay so long at Birkbeck was recognising the value of adult education on students: “They were admirable – they were mature, the great majority of Birkbeck’s students had jobs, they did not have time to waste and they were business-like and courteous.”

During his time, the student body increased threefold. He established Birkbeck’s disability service, a vital department supporting students with disabilities, both visible and invisible and ensuring they were able to study without hindrance. The disability service continues to provide ongoing student support today