Our graduation ceremonies for the classes of 2020 and 2021 have continued this Spring, and gave our students the in person celebrations they thoroughly deserved after the disruptions caused by Covid-19.
Students from across the Faculty graduated in the new Yoko Ono Lennon Centre, which was officially opened by Sean Ono Lennon on 25th March 2022.
Studying during a pandemic has not been easy, and has thrown many challenges at our student community. Student speakers praised their fellow graduands, their University teachers and staff, and thanked them and their families and friends for their continued support. A special tribute to DClinPsych student Ben Campbell - who suddenly and unexpectedly passed away in 2021 - was given by Dr Laura Golding. You can read an excerpt from Dr Golding's touching speech and also from our fantastic student speakers below:
Navika Naicker: School of Life Sciences
'My degree has felt like both a short and a very long three years. Long, because of the 9ams, 6-hour lab sessions and 30-page research articles, often written in the most convoluted form of prose possible, but short due to the lasting memories and friendships made. Looking back though, it is the latter that comes to mind first. Some of the highlights for me were trips to the farms on the vet campus, as I have always loved being around animals, finding it to be particularly calming and restorative. This unfortunately wasn’t always the case, however, as whilst attempting to catch a tip a sheep, I learned the hard way that that they are deceptively strong, so I suppose it's a good thing I plan on going into small animal medicine.
This cohort represents a variety of ethnicities, sexualities, cultures and backgrounds, however it is widely known that the STEM field is much less diverse. When moving forward on your new journeys, whether continuing in your chosen area of study or not, don't underestimate your ability to make a change. Emulate all that the University of Liverpool has taught us and build on the foundations developed here by confronting the underrepresentation of different races, genders and abilities whenever you can. Help others gain a similar sense of pride you hopefully feel as a Liverpool graduate, by helping them obtain a seat at the table.'
Kathryn Ramsay: School of Life Sciences
'When applying to university and deciding where to study, Liverpool was my first and only option. It was the first open day I attended and the first university I visited when I still had no idea what I wanted to do or what it was like to live in a city. Instantly I felt at home, and despite high rankings and interesting courses, no other university gave me the same feeling. Liverpool is a diverse, welcoming, and friendly city in which I have always felt accepted ...Our cohort more than any other has been pushed to be more independent and take control of our own learning. Despite all the disruption, the Department of Life Sciences and all its staff have gone above and beyond to support us over the past few years despite the many challenges they themselves have dealt with. I would like to thank the lecturers and researchers who have encouraged us to improve and succeed. Their passion and interest in the subject they teach has inspired and engaged us, enabling us to develop the knowledge and skills required to complete our degree and continue into the workplace. They care about us and our success because they value the contribution we will bring to the field and to the wider community. They can see our potential and the extent of our capabilities. I hope that sitting here today having graduated, we can all see the same potential and the same value that we possess. The fact we have all made it to this point shows that we are able to achieve the things we aim for.'
Libby MacLaren: Psychology and Public Health
'For me, Psychology as a degree does not just set you up for one job or career path – ultimately, many of us will be taking varying routes into the world of psychology - our knowledge of human behaviour sets us apart from other graduates as we can understand humans on an individual level. Moreover, psychology has opened our eyes to many career paths that we have never previously considered ... I’d like to thank our core teaching lecturers who enhanced our knowledge on a range of psychology topics. From biological psychology, to cognitive, to stats classes.
Further to this, as a cohort, we have been lucky enough to receive lectures from guest speakers from specialist fields. A couple that stuck in my mind were when we heard from a forensic psychologist about her day to day jobs and more specifically a moving lecture regarding the London bridge terror attacks and their strategic decision making during this time.
And our academic advisors, who were there for us when we needed not only academic support but sometimes someone to just listen – which is especially important when we’re so far away from home. I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank our family and friends – who have supported us from the very start: from helping with UCAS forms helping us to move into university, to doing our washing (don’t deny you didn’t take your washing home at least once), to a FaceTime call to see a friendly face at home – up until helping us move out just as the pandemic began. We are very grateful to all of you.
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Dr Laura Golding paid tribute to DClinPsych student Ben Campbell
'Ben’s values shone out of him as did his commitment to helping others and fighting for the people who are the most marginalised in society. That was his passion. This was reflected in his words and actions and his research. His doctoral thesis asked “What constitutes a good enough life for someone with lived experience of homelessness and drug or alcohol addiction?”. His research was published in July 2021 and would, no doubt, have been the first of many such publications from him in this field of research and practice. At the beginning of his thesis, Ben quotes the words of Morgan Harper Nichols: ‘Tell the story of the mountain you climbed. Your words could become a page in someone else’s survival guide’. Without a doubt, Ben did this and his words live on ... On behalf of the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme and the University of Liverpool, I offer my sincere condolences to Ben’s family, friends and colleagues.'
Dr Golding presented Ben's stepfather Brian with a framed front page of Ben’s research publication together with Morgan Harper Nichols’ words that Ben cited: ‘Tell the story of the mountain you climbed. Your words could become a page in someone else’s survival guide’.
Molly Evans: School of Health Sciences
‘What an experience this degree has been, a journey like no other. We’ve had a few bumps along the road but here we are. We’ve had the opportunity to experience university to its fullest but also experienced new learning curves and adapted to a different way of learning all together. We’ve had the joys of online learning and all the technical difficulties that come along with it, but we still managed to keep going. We, as healthcare professionals, have experienced a time in clinical practice like no other and because of it we are resilient.
We as nurses have a unique perspective because of the work we do, and the differences we make in our patients lives no matter how big or small. The hope we encourage and care we provide will always be a privilege, despite our role not always being the most glamorous. Becoming a nurse is calling, and even on the bad shifts, the ones where you find yourself crying in the clinical room, it’s good to remember why you chose nursing and all the patients and families you’ve helped along the way. I found a fitting quote by Charles Dickens that says, ‘have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires and a touch that never hurts.’ Truly fitting words that fit our role well.'
Tanya Horne: School of Life Sciences
'It’s been an enormous privilege to get to know this Class over the last five years – or six, if we first crossed paths during our Foundation Year at Carmel College. At first, it was quite daunting to start a degree as a Mature Student with a family of my own –I always dreaded being mistaken for the lecturer. But I needn’t have worried, because this community has always been very welcoming – no matter your age, background, culture or nationality, and I was never treated any differently to any other student. This meant that I got to experience what I’ll term The Full University Experience. We’re often told on University Open Days that a degree can take you places, and it certainly did in my case – I just didn’t expect some of those places to be McCooley’s or Chicken Bazooka at 4am...
Likewise, it’s been wonderful to see so many of your friends and family join you here to celebrate with you today – those here in person, and also those watching the live stream from elsewhere. I’m mindful, also, of those we’ve lost, or those who couldn’t be with us. I know they played a big part in what you’ve achieved here at Liverpool. This time two years ago, you were probably in lockdown together, but with their love and support, despite it seeming like the world outside was ending, you managed to get your dissertations finished and final exams submitted. I know how incredibly hard that was to do. And this time one year ago, they probably found themselves wondering whether they’d ever get to proudly watch you walk across this stage in your gowns. I’m so pleased that their long wait is finally at an end ...
I’d like to extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks to our Head of School, Programme Directors, Academic Advisors, and Lecturers… as well as those who work so hard to support them, including the Student Experience Team, Technicians, PGR Demonstrators, and Facilities Staff. They were also completely blindsided by the beginning of this pandemic two years ago, and were tasked with introducing – overnight – a new way of delivering an outstanding education.'
Emma Ferris: Psychology and Public Health
'My personal experience at the university was probably somewhat different to most, as I commuted to campus. Living at home and with countless hours spent on the train. I always feared that I wouldn’t feel a part of the student community, with my disengagement in many of the social events. However, as soon as I would step foot onto campus each morning, I felt right at home and included. Despite missing out on the Liverpool nights out, being a Liverpool student was & always will be a part of my identity...
Despite the most significant year of our degree being remote, having to complete our research projects from our bedrooms, relying on zoom for the virtual meetings with our supervisors – we did it! Not only have we graduated from the original red brick university, in the subject field of Psychology which is far from easy in itself – but we did all of that while battling through the pandemic. So, I would like us to take a moment, to appreciate our resilience, determination and strength that led us here today.
One thing I am sure about ... is that I have all of the skills I could possibly need for developing my future. Whether you decide to follow a clinical path, forensic, educational, or even a route completely opposite to your chosen subject – your University of Liverpool degree has set you up to succeed. From learning how to use SPSS software to the DSM diagnosis criteria – it is here, right now, where our careers begin!
I am so incredibly proud of us, and how we successfully overcame the many obstacles & never gave up. Best of luck to you all, in whatever direction you choose to pursue. I hope your day will be filled with celebration, & of course, plenty of prosecco.'
Bethany Blackford-Jones and Ellen Bootes: Psychology and Public Health
'When we sat down to write our speech, I had no idea what I was going to say. But when I remembered we were going to be in this auditorium, a memory from my first year resurfaced. So, I would like to share it with you. Where we are seated today, used to be nothing but an oddly-shaped patch of grass. A small wasteland on the corner of campus. But it just happened to be next door where I, and probably many of you here today, used to live during our first year here as an undergraduate student. I am sure you all remember, being on campus in your first week can be disorienting and daunting. In my first week I went to visit a friend who lived across campus. I knew the general direction, but for some reason, even though I had no idea where I was going, I decided to ignore the signpost situated at the front door of the building. I took a wrong turn straight out the front door and immediately got myself lost. I found myself standing on the corner of campus, in the middle of said grassy patch.
Back then, five years ago, never did I think that the small grassy patch sitting on the edge of campus would one day transform to become the foundations of this auditorium we are now situated in. And I think that transformation is true for many of us in this room. Looking back to my first week on campus, to where I am now, never did I envision the transformation I would undertake. We have made lifelong friends, submitted dissertations rivalling War and Peace, and developed the skills we need to thrive in our chosen field. I am proud of the person I have become, I am proud of the people you have become, and I am excited to see where we all go next.'