Bert was a famous disability rights campaigner, himself a wheelchair user, dedicating his life to advocating for improvements to the daily life of those with disabilities. He was also an alumnus of the Liverpool Polytechnic, later becoming an Honorary Fellow and serving as a governor, while working closely with the university on its equality and diversity policies.
Catherine is a Professor of Creative Writing and Associate Dean Research at LJMU and in 2023 released her own memoir documenting her family’s move to Australia for a better future, as many Brits did in the ‘50s and ‘60s. With the help of an LJMU grant she was able to travel to her parents native Yorkshire to conduct research for the book, bringing a personal perspective on migration to audiences around the world.
Mariama undertakes outreach work for the university, working with schools across the country to establish meaningful connections that help young students to realise their academic and personal potential. Inspired by her early life experiences, moving from Africa to Northern Ireland, and then the opportunities afforded to her by LJMU during her own studies, she is determined to help others and act as a role model.
Áine won the Individual Teaching Excellence Award at our Teaching Excellence Awards held in our Bicentenary year, recognising how she has provided amazing real-world learning experiences for students across the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, all while being an active supporter of women in STEM.
From bricklayer to the first elected Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram is not only a former LJMU student but works closely with the university on initiatives that benefit the 1.6 million people he represents. This bicentenary year he becomes our first Alumni Ambassador Fellow in recognition of his achievements and how he embodies the values of LJMU.
Valeria completed her PhD in antimicrobial resistance with LJMU having fallen in love with the city during her Erasmus project. She became one of only five winners of the inaugural Pandemic Institute Student Excellence Awards 2022.
LJMU is proudly named in honour of Sir John Moores, a successful businessman who founded Liverpool’s famous Littlewoods retail and football pools company.
James is a mental health nursing graduate, and one of many nursing students who went above and beyond during the Covid-19 pandemic, putting their training into practice to support the NHS during their studies.
Pooja is a Reader in Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention in the School of Psychology, having joined LJMU in 2018. For more than a decade, her dedication to researching suicide has taken her out of the lecture theatre and into the field, playing a vital role in helping to establish James’ Place, the first safe, accessible service for suicidal men in community settings.
Jo is a finance officer and in 2023 celebrated 35 years of working for LJMU. She’s worked across many different departments during her career, and as the university has evolved. During more than three decades of dedicated work, Jo has made lasting friendships along the way and even met her husband here too.