Durham University Student Leadership Framework

📣 Interested in mentoring the leaders of tomorrow? The Leadership Academy takes pride in fostering a strong culture of community amongst our students past and present. Our programme provides the opportunity for senior global leaders and alumni to invest in some of our most accomplished student leaders, providing 1:1 support to aid their personal, professional and leadership development across the academic year. Click on the link to find out more about how you can get involved: https://bit.ly/4dsUaRP

New publication! 🆕 Have you ever wondered how Arts and Humanities research influences public policy? This new publication by UPEN Vice Chair (Arts and Humanities) Professor Prof Arlene H. and Laidlaw Scholar Luke Sewell (both Durham University) collates case studies from researchers in diverse institutions, spread across the UK, and shares their experiences of working with policy professionals in parliament, national government, devolved administrations, local authorities and policy-adjacent organisations. It is also full of advice on how to establish and deepen relationships with policy colleagues. Take a look and share with your colleagues 👇 https://lnkd.in/gCF8S4fm

This summer has been nothing short of transformative. As a Laidlaw Foundation Scholar, during my Leadership-in-Action (LiA) project with Point North Community Foundation, I found myself rethinking the essence of leadership—not just as a role but as a continuous conversation. What started with a simple coffee chat evolved into a profound exploration of how leadership can foster community resilience. Throughout the project, I realised that leadership isn’t about imposing solutions but about listening—to the team, to the stakeholders, and to the needs of the community. It’s about fostering an environment where trust, patience, and collaboration take root, ensuring that change happens with people, not for them. Whether it was working on investment research, shaping communications strategies, or delving into the intricate web of relationships that sustain Point North, I learned that the most impactful leadership often lies in the quiet moments of reflection and responsiveness. I am dedicated to making sure the work we began will have a lasting impact on Point North and the communities it serves, even after my direct involvement concludes. By advancing this work through the Volunteering Committee at St Mary's College, Durham University and deepening my research in financial modelling, I’m confident that this initiative will expand and succeed in ways that transcend our original vision. I am quite grateful to everyone who directly contributed to the success of this project. Thank you to Emma, Michelle, Chris, Sarah, Sophie, Jacquie, Jane, Loujane, Laura, Sharon, Peter, Kate, Axel, Iris, Phoebe, Sam, Katie, Emma, Corey, Anjali, Kelci, Princess, and Susanna. Your guidance, mentorship, and collaboration will prove instrumental in shaping the impact we are able to achieve moving forward. Additionally, I want to extend my gratitude to the Durham University Business School faculty, whose teachings equipped me with the tools to bring real value to teams like Point North. Michael, Ian, and Baback, your courses in finance and programming, and Sara, your supervision in research methodologies have laid a solid foundation that allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical, impactful way.   For a more detailed reflection on these contributions, the full report offers deeper insights into the invaluable support each of you provided.

Today I attended an ‘Introduction to Leadership’ session as part of the Durham University Student Leadership Framework - here’s what I learned: 📍George Connolly’s session on leadership styles got me thinking about my current working habits - I often prefer details over the bigger picture and working alone, but I will seek to turn off this ‘autopilot’ approach in my role as Charities Officer, creating a strategy for the year in collaboration with the wider committee. He also touched on the pillars of trust, which will be crucial in assembling an effective new committee. 📍Next up was Claire Bennett’s talk on motivation. After explaining the differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, she asked what motivates us and how we can use this to drive others forward. Indeed, raising money for charitable causes is a sizeable motivator for the committee, but Claire also asked us to bring an object which motivates us personally. I brought along my Jellycat Pain au Raisin (see photo) - a reminder that the world beyond my comfort zone, which took the form of Paris this summer, can hold some of life’s best experiences. 📍Finally, George Sturge spoke about goal setting, using techniques such as SMART goals and SWOT analyses to give direction, enable growth and improve accountability. He challenged us to differentiate between goals, vision, aims, objectives and missions - words I’d previously treated as synonyms - which ultimately gave me a better idea of how to transform aspirations into achievable outcomes. This was the first in-person Leadership Academy event, and it was brilliant to meet fellow student leaders filled with the energy of a new academic year. I look forward to developing these connections and implementing my learnings over the coming weeks and months.

I’m pleased to share that I have started as a Trainee Investment Consultant at First Actuarial. I am looking forward to applying my mathematical and economics knowledge to the real world and developing professionally with such a welcoming company. This week I have also submitted my MSc Economics dissertation, signalling the end of my time at Durham University. The piece investigates quantitative easing's original (but forgotten) purpose of stimulating business investment in the non-financial sector, and has led me down some very interesting and unorthodox routes regarding monetary policy and the role of the financial sector. Durham will hold many special memories including representing the newly-created Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition team and the development opportunities offered by the Durham University Student Leadership Framework. Good luck to all the brilliant people I've met in their future endeavours, and thanks for making it such a good year!