Alumni Association : University of East Anglia (UEA)

In celebration of upcoming graduation ceremonies, we are offering 50 alumni the chance to win UEA merchandise.

Any grads updating their details with us via our webform between now and 1 July 2026 will have the opportunity to opt in to the competition draw and have the chance to win one of 5 hoodie and graduate tote bag sets, or one of 50 graduate tote bags only. The competition is open to all UEA alumni.

On 3 July, the UEA Alumni Team will randomly select 5 names from those who entered and will send a winning prize pack directly to the postal address the graduate included in their update form. 50 runners-up will also receive a graduate tote bag only as a runner-up prize, again sent directly to the postal address the graduate included in their update form.

Good luck and, if you've recently updated your details, you're still welcome to enter the competition with the same info again!

Enter now: https://www.uea.ac.uk/about/alumni-and-supporters/keeping-in-touch/update-your-record

*Note actual colour of winning hoodie may vary!

“Curiosity will take you a long way.”

A fitting line from Sir Michael Palin at last week's event at the University of East Anglia, where he spoke with Nina Nannar about his new book and TV series, Michael Palin in Nigeria.

Palin reflected on a career built on adventure, storytelling, and genuine human connection. One of the most fascinating parts of the evening was hearing him touch on Around the World in 80 Days (1989), the groundbreaking series that helped redefine travel television. Rather than presenting a distant, scripted travelogue, Palin pioneered a more personal approach - injecting his own humour, uncertainty, and personality directly into the journey itself.

An inspiring evening, and another reminder of UEA’s ability to attract such high-profile cultural figures and create opportunities for students, alumni, and supporters to engage with world-renowned voices.

Photo credit: Norfolk Screen

We’re delighted to share the news that University of East Anglia has received an extraordinary £91.2 million philanthropic donation from Lord David Sainsbury, through his Gatsby Charitable Foundation, to revitalise the Sainsbury Centre for future generations.

Since opening in 1978, the Sainsbury Centre has brought art, people, research and learning together in one of the UK’s most distinctive cultural spaces. Designed by Lord Norman Foster and home to a world-class collection, it continues to inspire students, researchers, visitors and communities.

This once-in-a-lifetime gift will help protect the legacy of this Grade II* listed architectural icon, while supporting its future as a place where people can encounter art in new and meaningful ways.

The revitalisation will enhance the visitor experience, improve energy efficiency and make an important contribution to UEA’s commitment to a net zero campus by 2045.

As the Sainsbury Centre approaches its 50th anniversary, this generous support will help ensure that one of the jewels in the crown of our Norwich campus continues to inspire generations to come.

Congratulations to everyone involved in making this possible 👏

Read more: https://www.uea.ac.uk/about/news/article/university-of-east-anglia-receives-major-philanthropic-donation-to-revitalise-the-sainsbury-centre-art-museum

Photo credit: Donovan Jones.

A collection of photos from our Alumni Networking Event held yesterday evening. Thanks so much to all our alumni who made it such a special evening, and we hope to see more of you soon.

Photo Credit: Charlotte Gray Photography

This International Nurses Day, we’re celebrating the impact of University of East Anglia graduate Lesley Williams (ARE85).

Through the Lesley Williams Scholarship, Lesley’s support is helping nursing students at UEA grow in confidence, develop their skills and pursue their passion for compassionate care.

We’re proud to look back at just a few of the scholars whose journeys have been shaped by her generosity.

Read more about Lesley’s remarkable nursing legacy:
https://www.uea.ac.uk/about/giving-to-uea/blogs/sixty-years-of-compassion-and-care-honouring-lesley-williams-nursing-legacy

Join us this afternoon from 4.15pm UK time for a fascinating talk and discussion with Nobel Prize winner and UEA graduate Professor Sir Michael Houghton (BIO69). Join via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/97359440145

Want to ask Michael a question? Submit a question via our form in advance and we will try to put it to him during the event: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=lYdfxj26UUOKBwhl5djwkOjZwFhfOelBmAKL6U0PgHVUQjFTVzlCM0JGTEdaRFowT1dNTDdJNlVVMi4u

Join UEA graduate and Nobel Prize winner Professor Sir Michael Houghton (BIO69) in a special free online lecture on Tuesday 5 May.

Prof Houghton was jointly named the 2020 Nobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine in recognition of the discovery of the hepatitis C (HCV) virus. He remains deeply committed to researching diseases with unmet medical need in order to improve healthcare. This lecture will begin at 4.15pm and your Zoom link will be sent after registering.

Book your free ticket now: https://www.alumni.uea.ac.uk/booking-page-alumni-events-online-2

“In my third year, I wrote a short play for Minotaur’s Shorts Festival. It really wasn’t very good in hindsight, but it was my first real taste of writing for the stage. Everything since then stems from that experience. Being in the Drama department for three years was totally game‑changing. It gave me a huge understanding of writing, of different texts, and even the practicalities, lights, stage management, all of it. And it also set me up for my journalism career, which has run alongside my scriptwriting."

Shaun Kitchener (LIT08) graduated in 2011 with a BA in English Literature and Drama. Shaun is now a journalist, stage and screen writer, and has written for Hollyoaks, produced several plays, and penned a made‑for‑TV movie. His new jukebox musical Here & Now, based on the iconic pop group Steps, has just arrived in Norwich: https://norwichtheatre.org/whats-on/here-now/

"I was a big Steps fan as a kid - and, let’s be honest, an adult too. So, I felt like I understood the vibe they wanted - party with a heart. Camp and shiny, sure, but grounded in something real. I’m really influenced by comedy‑dramas that make you laugh but also genuinely resonate. That was my starting point - with plenty of great songs thrown in."

Read more on our website: https://www.uea.ac.uk/about/news/article/uea-graduate-stepping-up-in-the-world-of-theatre

Here & Now Promotional Photo Credit: Pamela Raith

University of East Anglia will be closed for Spring Break from Thursday 2 April to Tuesday 7 April inclusive.

Wishing everyone a relaxing break this long weekend, and Happy Easter to all who celebrate!

We’ll be back soon with more updates and stories from our alumni and supporters community.

In the meantime, please enjoy these springtime snaps captured recently on campus. We love this time of year 🐣 🌸