Women – WEST | Alumni Blog

UWS Graduate Wins Scots Writer o the Year Award

1Oct

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Alumni Stories, Featured

UWS Graduate Wins Scots Writer o the Year Award

University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate Lucy Beth has been named Scots Writer o the Year at the Scots Language Awards 2026. Previous winners of the award include Morna Young, Liz Lochhead and Rona Munro. Lucy Beth BA (Hons) Performance (2020) A native Doric speaker (the traditional dialect of the Scots Language spoken in the North East of Scotland), Lucy graduated from UWS in 2020 with a BA (Hons) degree in Performance and seeks to make and perform work in Doric as a means of continuing to render the dialect present. Her recent credits include solo show Ma Name is Isabelle, performed at The Scottish Storytelling Centre as part of the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe, and a spoken-word poem celebrating the 120th anniversary of His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen. Reacting to the aw...

Building Community Through Whisky and Conversation: Meet Alumna Pamela Dobbin

15Sep

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Featured, Profiles

Building Community Through Whisky and Conversation: Meet Alumna Pamela Dobbin

UWS Tourism Management graduate, Pamela Dobbin, has built a successful career in Canada’s beverage industry while co-founding the Dram Fine Podcast. Created to challenge stereotypes and make whisky more inclusive, the podcast has grown into a thriving community that hosts festivals, events and whisky experiences. Her love of whisky started with a dram from her Granny but her family connection to Islay meant that whisky has always been part of her life. Pamela Dobbin, BA Tourism Management (2011) Your podcast Dram Fine Podcast has been rated as the number 1 whisky podcast in Canada. Can you tell us how the idea for the podcast came about? My friend and I were sitting in a pub together in our mid-30s, initially joking about starting a band or finding a creative project to collaborat...

Turning Challenges into Achievement: Adele Mullan’s UWS Story

10Sep

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Profiles

Turning Challenges into Achievement: Adele Mullan’s UWS Story

In this alumni profile we speak to Summer 2026 Events Management graduate, Adele Mullan, about her experience at UWS. “This journey has been far from easy, but it has been worth every challenge. Not only have I achieved more academically than I ever thought possible, but I've also reached a place I never thought I'd be personally.” You graduated with a First-Class Honours degree and awarded the Court Medal for being the top-performing student. How did that feel? To be honest, I really didn't know anything about the Court Medal. It wasn't until I received an email confirming my award that I had a read on the UWS website explaining what it was and what it was given for, so it did come as a huge surprise for me. I felt very proud of myself and incredibly grateful to receive such ...

Graduate Awarded OBE for Services to Maths Education

8Sep

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Alumni Stories, Featured

Graduate Awarded OBE for Services to Maths Education

University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate Dr Rashmi Mantri has been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours for services to Mathematics Education. Dr Rashmi Mantri OBE Rashmi, who studied a PhD at UWS and is founder of Glasgow's British Youth International College (BYITC) which offers after school classes for 5-14-year-olds, was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the summer. Rashmi commented: “I am deeply honoured and humbled to have been awarded an 𝐎𝐁𝐄. It is difficult to put into words what this recognition means to me. “I accept this honour with immense gratitude and humility, and I am thankful to everyone who has supported, encouraged and believed in me throughout my journey.” Growing up in a small town in India, Rashmi dreamed...

Alumna Awarded for Advancing Equality and Anti-Racism in Education

31Jul

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Alumni Stories, Featured

Alumna Awarded for Advancing Equality and Anti-Racism in Education

A UWS alumna and professor has been awarded by the UK’s leading educational research authority for her work in driving equality and embedding anti-racism practices within the Scottish education system. Professor Khadija Mohammed, University of West of Scotland Dr Khadija Mohammed, Professor of Teacher Education and Associate Vice-Principal (Inclusivity), has won the 2026 British Educational Research Association (BERA) Equality in Education Award. Describing her as “a leading voice in anti-racist education”, BERA has recognised Professor Mohammed’s impact on educational policy and professional practice, as well as her work in challenging systemic barriers affecting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) educators and students. Her work has informed policy development, curriculum r...

TV Host and Graduate Awarded an Honorary Doctorate

17Jul

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Featured, Honorary Graduates

TV Host and Graduate Awarded an Honorary Doctorate

Scottish television personality and broadcaster Jean Johansson has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate at University of the West of Scotland’s summer graduations. Known for hosting hit Channel 4 show A Place in the Sun, Jean was celebrated on 10 July during a ceremony at Paisley Abbey for her remarkable career in television and radio, where she has become one of Scotland's most recognisable and respected broadcasters. Jean is an alumna of the University, graduating in 2010 with a degree in broadcast journalism. Known for presenting a range of popular programmes, Jean has built a reputation for engaging storytelling, professionalism, and connecting with audiences across the UK. Beyond her broadcasting career, Jean has been a passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion...

14Jul

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Alumni Stories, Featured

Mother and Daughter Graduation Success

A family celebrated a double success at the UWS Graduation ceremonies at Paisley Abbey in July, with mother and daughter graduating together in the summer. Nicola and Kendall Kane Nicola and Kendall Kane, from Kilmarnock, both completed their undergraduate degree programmes at UWS, with mum Nicola from the Events Management degree and daughter Kendall earning her degree in Sports Coaching and Development. Kendall, who has applied for postgraduate study at UWS, said: “Graduating at the same time as my mum made the achievement even more meaningful and it’s a memory we’ll always cherish. “Studying at UWS has been such a positive experience and it’s given me the knowledge and confidence to follow my goal of becoming a primary teacher. “I’m looking forward to continuing my journe...

Eight influential figures to be honoured at summer graduations

2Jul

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Honorary Graduates

Eight influential figures to be honoured at summer graduations

Eight prominent figures will be celebrated at University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) summer graduations. Paisley Abbey Jean Johansson, Laura Montgomery & Carol Anne Stewart, Fiona Campbell MBE, Paul Andrew, Manira Ahmad, Brian Cannon and Evelyn McDonald will be given Honorary Doctorates as part of the University’s graduation ceremonies, running from Tuesday 7 – Friday 10 July. Evelyn McDonald, CEO of business funding enterprise, Scottish Edge. Tuesday 7 July 2pm. Brian Cannon, owner of graphic design company, Microdot, and creator of Oasis’ debut album cover for Definitely Maybe. Wednesday 8 July 10.30am Manira Ahmad, Chief Officer of Public Health Scotland. Wednesday 8 July 2pm. Paul Andrew, Vice-Principal of Public Affairs and Communication at Harvard Un...

Shaping Strategy, Driving Change: Meet Alumna Kirsty Gaudet

1Jul

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Featured, Profiles

Shaping Strategy, Driving Change: Meet Alumna Kirsty Gaudet

In this alumni profile we speak to Kirsty Gaudet, an accomplished senior executive with extensive experience in global operations, strategic planning and sales enablement based in Switzerland. Lanarkshire born Kirsty graduated in 2000 with a BA (Hons) in Business Economics. Kirsty Gaudet BA (Hons) Business Economics (2000) Could you tell us a bit about your current role with Nexthink? I am the Revenue Operations strategic business partner for EMEA at Nexthink, a high growth SaaS company. In practical terms, my role is about driving growth through strategic planning for sales and other go to market teams, and continuous improvement through data, process and technology. It's a role that spans teams and combines strategy and execution, which keeps things interesting - no two days loo...

Graduate Has Falkirk Landmarks Lit Up in Honour of Scottish Charity

30Jun

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Alumni Stories, Featured

Graduate Has Falkirk Landmarks Lit Up in Honour of Scottish Charity

Campaigner and University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate Kerry Reid has helped to shine a light on the impact of drugs and alcohol on communities and their families, by having the Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel illuminated. Kerry who graduated from UWS in 2022 arranged for iconic landmarks in Falkirk to be lit up on Monday 22nd June 2026 in honour of Charity Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs and the families they support. Aligning with Scottish Families Week, the light was a message of hope for families seen and unseen. Kerry commented: “My degree in Community Education at UWS helped shape my passion for supporting people, communities and creating positive change, and through my own experience, I have seen the importance of the support that Scottish Families...