Category Archives: Uncategorized

200th Anniversary Birkbeck Effect: Kevin Teo, lecturer in organizational psychology

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Dr Kevin Teoh is a Chartered Psychologist and the Programme Director of the MSc Organizational Psychology at Birkbeck. He is also the Executive Officer for the European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology.  

His primary research interests are around developing healthier workplaces, and the translation of research into practice, policy, and public dissemination. Kevin has collaborated extensively with the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work and the Society of Occupational Medicine and has a particular interest in the working conditions and wellbeing of healthcare workers.  

Kevin has also worked with organizations in the private and public sectors. These projects have primarily been around workplace wellbeing, management training, recruitment and retention, and safety. Kevin has published in journals such as Work & Stress and the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, and is a regular speaker at academic, professional, and public events.  

200th Anniversary Birkbeck Effect: Lara Bloom, president and CEO of Ehlers-Danlos Society

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A graduate of Birkbeck’s BA Global Politics and International Relations, Lara Bloom is President and CEO of The Ehlers-Danlos Society and responsible for raising global awareness of rare, chronic and invisible diseases, specialising in the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, hypermobility spectrum disorders and related disorders.  

As someone with an EDS diagnosis, before joining the Ehlers-Danlos Society Lara ran EDS UK from 2010-2015 and currently works with a range of umbrella organisations lobbying governments internationally. Lara played a key role in the recent international effort to re-classify EDS and create management and care guidelines. She co-authored the subsequent classification publication in the American Journal of Medical Genetics and serves on the steering committee of the International Consortium for EDS and Related Disorders. 

Commemorating ten years in the field of patient advocacy, Lara was appointed a Professor of Practice in Patient Engagement and Global Collaboration at Penn State College of Medicine in 2020. 

200th Anniversary Birkbeck Effect: Thomas Hodgskin, lawyer, Lord Chancellor and defender of London Mechanics’ Institute

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Thomas Hodgskin was an English socialist writer and a defender of free trade and early trade unions.  

In 1823, Hodgskin joined forces with Joseph Clinton Robertson in founding the Mechanics Magazine. In the October 1823 edition of the Mechanics Magazine, Hodgskin and Francis Place wrote a manifesto for a Mechanics Institute 

Hodgskin was a pioneer of anti-capitalism and his criticism of employers appropriation of the lion’s share of the value produced by their employees went on to influence subsequent generations of socialists, including Karl Marx. 

He contended that the “landlord and the capitalist produce nothing. Capital is the produce of labour, and profit is nothing but a portion of that produce”.  

Although relatively unknown today, Hodgskin deserves to be recognized as one of the founders of British socialism. 

200th Anniversary Birkbeck Effect: Nadia Wassef, co-founder of Diwan bookstores and author

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A graduate of Birkbeck’s MA Creative Writing, Nadia had already co-founded Egypt’s leading chain of bookstores, Diwan, with her sister. Prior to founding Diwan, she worked for a non-governmental organisation but she realised that the pace of change in Egypt was going to be too slow: “My sister and I both had post-graduate degrees in literature, and we were amazed that the modern style bookstore hadn’t come to Egypt yet. So, we decided to create it.” 

She has recently finished writing her first novel, telling her personal story as an entrepreneur and is a social history of Cairo during the twenty-first century. She is also a longstanding campaigner for women’s rights, having been involved with the Female Genital Mutilation Task Force in the 1990s. 

 Nadia regularly appears in the Forbes list of the Most Powerful Women in the Middle East. 

200th Anniversary Birkbeck Effect: Jennifer Chen, Classical musician and social enterprise founder

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After finding out she was pregnant with twins on the first day of her MBA at Birkbeck, Jennifer Chen chose to study the first module before taking a year out. During the Covid pandemic, she was raised her twins in Taiwan where she was disappointed with the experience of early years music. The children were expected to be obedient and not touch any instruments. It was assumed they wouldn’t like classical music.

“So I applied the mantra I’d learned at Birkbeck: if you don’t like something, change it.”

She and her business partner performed their first children’s music class at the National Taichung Theatre, which was a resounding success. That’s when Fugue Children’s Music was born. They have since received interest-free funding from the Ministry of Culture and are expanding their work into other cities.

200th Anniversary Birkbeck Effect: Alan MacKay – Scientist

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Professor Alan MacKay is a British crystallographer and spent his scientific career at Birkbeck. He has made important scientific contributions related to the structure of materials and has been called “one of the most fertile scientific minds of this. or any other era.”

Professor MacKay decided to study for his PhD and joined Birkbeck part-time, from 1949, in the crystallography laboratory of J.D. Bernal, later moving to full time. He stayed at Birkbeck for the rest of his professional life.

In 1962 he published a manuscript that showed how to pack atoms in an icosahedral (a solid figure with 20 place faces) fashion; a first step towards five-fold symmetry in materials science. These arrangements are now called Mackay icosahedra.

He became a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in1988 and a Fellow of Birkbeck in 2002.

Meet the international student: Saheed Ajibola, from Nigeria 

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Recipient of the International Excellence Scholarship, Saheed Ajibola came to Birkbeck to study MSc Geographic Data Science. Here he shares more about his background and experience.

Saheed Ajibola

Embracing Birkbeck’s unique flexibility 

One of the standout features of Birkbeck, University of London, is its flexibility. This institution offers evening and part-time courses, making it a perfect fit for students like me who want to strike a balance between studies and other commitments. It’s been a game-changer, allowing me to pursue higher education without completely disrupting my existing routines. 

Life in the heart of London 

Birkbeck’s location in London is a dream come true for many, including me. London is a diverse and vibrant city with a rich cultural scene, historical landmarks, and a global atmosphere. What makes it even more special is the multicultural aspect, fantastic networking opportunities, and the presence of esteemed educational institutions like Birkbeck. As a student, I’ve loved being able to immerse myself in London’s unique blend of academic excellence and cultural exploration.  

Tips for international students 

Adjusting to life in the UK can be both challenging and rewarding! Here are some tips to make the most of your time at Birkbeck and in the UK: 

  1. Familiarize yourself with the campus and resources: take the time to explore the university building and get to know the available resources, including libraries, study spaces, and student support services. This will help you feel more at home and better prepared for your studies.
  2. Build relationships: connect with your tutors, classmates, and fellow students. Networking can be incredibly valuable for your academic and future career endeavors. Attend seminars, workshops, and conferences related to your field of study as much as you can.
  3. Explore the city: London is a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be discovered. From museums and parks to historical sites and cultural events, there’s something for everyone. Trust me; you’re in for a great treat.
  4. Seek help when needed: don’t hesitate to seek assistance if you face academic, personal, or health-related challenges. Birkbeck offers so many student support services, including counselling and academic advising, to assist students in various aspects of their lives.

Academic challenges and preparation 

While your academic journey at Birkbeck can be immensely rewarding, some courses may be academically demanding. Expect coursework that challenges you to think critically, engage with complex concepts, and demonstrate a deep understanding of the subject matter. To thrive, develop effective study habits, master time management skills, and refine your note-taking techniques. Remember, your tutors are there to guide you, and Birkbeck has numerous academic resources like sessions to improve study skills and essay writing. 

My favourite London gem: St. Pancras International 

Amidst the hustle and bustle of London, one place that truly captivates me is St. Pancras International. Its historical significance and architectural excellence make it a remarkable destination. This iconic location houses international, underground, and overground rail services, making it a hub of connectivity and as well as an architectural masterpiece. 

Future endeavors and aspirations 

While I haven’t worked in a field directly related to my course yet, I’m actively applying for jobs. I have my eyes set on the Graduate GIS Analyst Role at Stantec, where I hope to work after completing my course. The journey continues, and I’m excited to see where the future takes me! 

Further information 

Avtar Brah, founder of Southall Black Sisters

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To commemorate the College’s bicentenary in 2023, we’re showcasing 200 ‘Birkbeck Effects’ which capture the incredible stories of our vibrant and diverse community, highlighting their achievements and impact on the world. 

Avtar Brah

Avtar was a Professor of Sociology at Birkbeck; a specialist in race, gender and ethnic identity issues and was awarded an MBE in 2001 in recognition of her research.

Born in India, raised in Uganda, and made stateless by the anti-Asian policies of Idi Amin in the 1970s, she was made a refugee overnight and forced to extend her stay in the UK into a long-term residence.

She attended a thousands-strong demonstration organised by women’s collective Southall Black Sisters against the National Front in the mid-1970s which gathered national media attention and resulted in hundreds of demonstrators being arrested.

Avtar lectured and researched at Birkbeck for over twenty years from 1985 until her retirement from professorship. Her most seminal works are Cartographies of Diaspora, which takes a feminist, post-structuralist lens to analysing ‘difference’ and ‘diversity,’ and Hybridity and Its Discontents, exploring the history of ‘hybridity’ across multiple continents.

Isabelle Habib – Access and Engagement Access Manager

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To commemorate the College’s bicentenary in 2023, we’re showcasing 200 ‘Birkbeck Effects’ which capture the incredible stories of our vibrant and diverse community, highlighting their achievements and impact on the world. 

Isabelle Habib

As Access Manager (Forced Migrants), Isabelle’s work is key to Birkbeck’s commitment to its founding principle of supporting adults who would not otherwise be able to access education.

Isabelle engages with, inspires and supports forced migrants and asylum seekers to access education through Birkbeck’s award-winning, donor-funded Compass Project, which dramatically improves the lives of some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in the UK. She joined Birkbeck following time as a volunteer supporting forced migrants. She says Compass is a vital way to “resist the negative rhetoric on migration.”

Her work contributes to Birkbeck’s recognition as a University of Sanctuary, the first higher education institution in London to be awarded this status, in 2021, for its work to provide safety, solidarity and empowerment to people seeking sanctuary.

Elaine Hawkins, programme director of Higher Education Introductory Studies

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To commemorate the College’s bicentenary in 2023, we’re showcasing 200 ‘Birkbeck Effects’ which capture the incredible stories of our vibrant and diverse community, highlighting their achievements and impact on the world. 

Elaine Hawkins

Elaine Hawkins was Programme Director of Birkbeck’s Certificate in Higher Education Introductory Studies from 2003-2012, which helps to get people back into studying who might lack the required entry qualifications or who need a course to help them prepare for degree-level study.

In addition to pathways in the arts, humanities and social sciences, Elaine developed new modules in nursing and business and established agreements with degree programmes across Birkbeck to enable students to progress within the College to continue with evening study.

Thanks to her drive and enthusiasm, the programme grew from around 30 students in 2003 to over 450, running in eight different centres across London. Some classes were delivered in Sure Start centres which tapped into the aspirations of women in hard-to-reach communities and this initiative won the Times Higher Education award for Widening Participation in 2008.