Good News Stories and Events

October 2025

History Masters Student Wins Research Prize to Curate Exhibition

When Woolton resident Simon Payne was going through his late stepfather Ernest Bailey's possessions, he uncovered an archive illustrating a lost episode of Liverpudlian philanthropy. 

Ernest Bailey was a senior manager at Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive (the predecessor of Merseytravel) and every year used his extensive business connections to organise a Christmas outing on the Mersey ferry for disadvantaged kids from local children's homes.

When Ernest died he left a treasure trove of photographs and 'thank you' letters from the 1970s and 80s detailing how local children met Santa Claus, received presents, and were treated to live music and slap-up meals aboard the MV Royal Iris.

Thanks to a donation from Mr Payne, and following a competition amongst History Masters students, Mathilda Naulleau was selected to work with the archive and to produce an exhibition - Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime - which will be launched in the SimLab in the university's i3 building in time for Christmas.

Bryce Evans, Professor of Modern World History, said: "This generous bursary and accompanying archive has enabled us to capture an important slice of local history: homegrown philanthropy during a tough period in the city's past. The digital exhibition will also provide Mathilda with an invaluable opportunity to gain experience in curating an exhibition."

Professor Bryce Evans, Professor of Modern World History

Hope graduate publishes book

Adam Beattie, Liverpool Hope Alumni has transformed his lifelong passion for storytelling into a published tribute to one of football’s most influential managers.

After earning an English Language degree in 2016, Adam began his career through the university’s internship programme with Northern Power Women before moving into a series of marketing and content roles. He is currently the Marketing Campaigns Manager for PHOENIX Medical Supplies. 

“The ambition to write a book never really left,” he explained, but everyday responsibilities “put it on hold until the pandemic reignited [his] passion.” He soon began contributing both freelance and full-time to Liverpool FC fan site This Is Anfield, a role that honed the storytelling skills now showcased in his debut book.

The new release ‘Jurgen Klopp: Power of the Collective’, offers both personal reflections and journalistic analysis of Klopp’s nine-year tenure at Liverpool. It charts how the charismatic manager “reassembled the broken pieces of a global superpower,” while celebrating the cultural impact of his era.

He credits his time at Liverpool Hope University studying English Language as giving him the confidence to pick up long-form writing again and said ‘there were various modules within the degree that boosted [his] understanding of how to structure [his] work, Stylistics being one of them. In particular, Manel Herat was extremely helpful and always willing to go above and beyond in supporting her students throughout the course.’

The book is available in paperback on Amazon and in hardback through Legends Publishing, just in time for football fans seeking the perfect early Christmas gift.

November 2025

Ambient Receiver

One of our PhD students, Andrew Mears has been editing Ambient Receiver online magazine as part of his PhD research with support from Hope. This magazine had a poem in the "Best Written Poem Prize" which is a huge achievement and act of editorial judgment.

You can access the magazine using this link:  Ambient Receiver | Journal of Creative Ecologies 

Students head to Chatham House for climate negotiation simulation

We’re thrilled to share that Liverpool Hope University has been selected to take part in this year’s Undergraduate Climate Negotiation Simulation, hosted by BISA and Chatham House on Monday 1st December at Chatham House, London.

Hope will be joining delegates from 46 other universities across the UK in this exciting, hands-on learning experience that brings global climate diplomacy to life. Representing the University this year are Laura Christmas (Level H Conservation Biology and Politics) and Amalie Smith (Level H Politics & International Relations).

Laura and Amalie were chosen through a competitive selection process that looked at their engagement, leadership, academic performance, and statements of interest  with input from our Politics and International Relations teaching team.

During the simulation, students will take on the role of UN member states negotiating updates to international climate agreements. Hope’s team will be representing Nigeria, tackling issues like reducing greenhouse gas emissions, climate finance, and shared principles for action. This year’s event comes right after Brazil hosts the 30th UN Climate Conference (COP30) in Belém,  a perfect moment to explore the real-world politics of climate change.

The simulation is led by Professor Mark Webber (University of Birmingham and former BISA President) and offers an incredible opportunity for experiential learning, giving students a real taste of international negotiation and policy-making.

Check out highlights from last year’s event here: Watch the video

A big congratulations to Laura and Amalie from the School of Humanities! 

Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime

The above exhibition curated by postgraduate History student Mathilda Naulleau from the Ernest Bailey Archive took place on Thursday 20th November 2025. The event was a huge success and Mathilda worked extremely hard to bring the exhibition to life! All of us in the School of Humanities wish to congratulate her on this huge achievement!

See what Ernest's family thought of the exhibition by clicking here. You can also see some photos of Mathilda enjoying a Mersey Ferry experience.

December 2025

Students Participate in Flagship Climate Negotiations Simulation 2025

Politics and international relations students at Liverpool Hope University recently participated in the prestigious British International Association Studies (BISA) and Chatham House 2025 Climate Negotiations Model.

Laura Christmas and Amalie Smith took part in the annual flagship event, which reproduces the negotiations held under the auspices of the United Nations COP meetings.

Liverpool Hope was one of 46 UK universities in attendance at Chatham House London on Friday 1 of December 2025.

The climate simulation reproduces the negotiations held under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Students represented one of the ‘parties’ that have signed up to current international agreements on climate change.  

Hope’s students represented Nigeria and were required to agree refinements to these agreements – looking at reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the raising of climate transition finance, and agreement on a statement of principles.

The simulation was overseen by Mark Webber, Professor of International Politics at the University of Birmingham and former BISA President.

Amalie Smith, third year student in Politics and International Relations said: “It was an unbelievable experience and a very valuable one. Following my experience, I believe that simulations such as this are excellent at enabling you to learn new skills and mix with new circles.”   

“This was a great experience for the students in a context also marked by current COP negotiations being held,” said Dr Catalina Montoya Londono, Associate Professor in International Relations and Academic Lead of History, Politics and International Relations, who leads the organisation of LHU delegations to this event. 

“The Climate Negotiations Model provided a unique opportunity to learn about COP through a simulated crisis scenario, but also to apply key transferable and academic skills in politics and international relations.

“It was an extremely valuable experience which enhanced the students' confidence and interest in their learning journey as well as their curiosity and willingness to take part in future challenges and progress their careers.”

Many congratulations to our students selected and thanks to those who applied for this wonderful opportunity.

Dr Catalina Montoya Londoño, Associate Professor in International Relations and
Academic Lead for History, Politics and International Relations

Alumna Mia Thornton inspires Media and Communications students

Since completing her degree in 2019, Mia has carved out an impressive career, starting in our very own recruitment team before moving on to the BBC, working for CBBC and ultimately launching her acclaimed podcast series, Instrumental: Black British Trailblazers. 

The session with our students was both insightful and motivating. Mia offered practical advice on what makes a podcast truly compelling, shared tips for capturing and keeping an audience’s attention, and highlighted the wide range of career opportunities available in the growing podcasting industry.

During her talk, Mia shared the story of her journey in audio, from her first recordings at the University’s student radio station to her acceptance into the BBC Sounds Audio Lab, the BBC’s prestigious accelerator programme for emerging podcasters and audio creatives. She spoke about the nine-month process of creating her podcast, which celebrates the pivotal contributions of Black artists to Britain’s most beloved music genres. Mia’s dedication has not gone unnoticed, earlier this year, she received the Rising Star award at the British Podcast Awards; a remarkable achievement. 

Reflecting on Mia’s achievements, Media and Communications lecturer Salman Al-Azami said, “It gives me immense pleasure and pride to see how well Mia has done in her short career so far, and how far she can go in the years to come. She worked very hard during her time here, and I can see how much effort she put in to attain this success. Our current students can take inspiration from her story that, through hard work and having a creative mind, the whole world is open for them to explore when they finish their studies.”

January 2026

Mathilda Naulleau & Professor Bryce Evans have featured on broadcast TV following the exhibition of Liverpool philanthropist and former Mersey Ferries employee Ernest Bailey. Watch online here.

February 2026

English Language Annual Honours Conference 2026

English Language students had their annual Honours Conference on 22nd January 2026, where they presented their Research Projects and Dissertations.

Students enjoyed hearing about each other’s' research.

March 2026

October 2025

Senior Lecturer in Modern History Receives Royal Historical Society Fellowship

Dr Jody Crutchley, Senior Lecturer in Modern History, has been a successful recipient of a Jinty Nelson Teaching Fellowship with the Royal Historical Society (RHS) for 2025-26.

The award has been made so that Jody can use the SimLab to create a session for History students concerning settler colonialism. The title of her project ‘Using Interactive LED Wall Technology and VR to Teach the History of Settler Colonialism’ comes with an award of £1,250 for expenses which the University will receive.

The fellowship will support a significant boost to the Unit 28 History REF people, culture and environment statement for REF 2029.

Further details can be found on this website.

Dr Robert Booth Presents New Book Published by Ohio University Press

Rob's recent book, Becoming a Place of Unrest: Environmental Crisis and Ecophenomenological Praxis, has just been made available open access by Ohio University Press. 

In the book, Rob argues that the key to mitigating the environmental crisis isn’t just based on science; it depends upon a profound philosophical revision of how we think about and behave in relation to the world. In it, Rob draws upon an array of philosophical approaches (ecofeminism, new materialism, speculative realism, and - especially - phenomenology) to outline and justify why and how a specifically ecophenomenological praxis may lead to the disruption of the environmental crisis at its root. You can now find out whether he's right about that, for free on this website.

Published Article on the Virtues of Rewilding

Rob has just had an article on the virtues of rewilding published in the latest issue of Environmental Values. In 'Herding Katz: Rewilding, Paradox, and Domination', Rob focusses on Henry David Thoreau's conception of 'the Wild' to argue that, contrary to some influential recent thinking, practical rewilding initiatives might help us to cultivate an anti-domination mindset corrective to our default anthropocentrism. That too is available, for free on this website.

Dr Manel Herat Hosts Interdisciplinary Conference on Approaches to Migration, Language and Identity and has newly Published Book 'Metalanguage and Identity' 

Manel Herat, Senior Lecturer in English Language, hosted the International, Interdisciplinary Conference on Approaches to Migration, Language and Identity from Monday 8th September to Tuesday 9th September 2025. There were participants from different parts of the world including New Zealand, Japan, Sri Lanka, US, Canada and parts of Europe.

There were four invited plenary speakers from different disciplines: Prof. Charlotte Taylor (Professor of Discourse and Persuasion) from the University of Sussex, Prof. Neli Demireva (Professor of Sociology) from the University of Essex, Prof. Francisco Rowe (Professor of Geography and Population Data Science) from the University of Liverpool and Associate Prof. Catalina Montoyo Londono (Associate Prof of International Relations and Peace Studies) Liverpool Hope University.

You can find out further information in the programme and you can see photos of the event here. 

Manel Herat and Dave Evans have a newly published book in September 2025 entitled: 'Metalanguage and Identity' by Bloomsbury. Further details about the book can be found on this website.

November 2025

Launch of new book on Irish Prime Ministers 

MBRG Podcast Series

The Muslims in Britain Research Group (MBRG) is excited to share a new podcast series with its first audio and video podcasts. This series will include interviews with academics who have published works on Muslims in Britain. The purpose is to know the person behind the publications, their academic journey, their reasons for choosing academia, their motivations for researching Muslims in Britain, their perspectives on the past, present, and future of British Muslims, and their views on current political debates related to Muslims. 

The first interview in the series features Professor Ron Geaves, former Professor of Comparative Religion at Hope and a current Visiting Professor in Humanities. In this candid interview, Professor Geaves shares his 40 years of experience researching Muslims in Britain, his academic journey, his work at different institutions, his travels, his fascination and experience working on Abdullah Quilliam, who established the first Mosque in Britain in Liverpool in 1887, and his opinions on the current political climate, Islamophobia, and the future of British Muslims. 

A reflection on St. John Henry Newman's influence in education and link to Hope 

December 2025

Professor Bryce Evans Addresses Liverpool Jewish Forum

Professor Bryce Evans recently addressed the Liverpool Jewish Forum, which is the leading public forum for Jewish communities in the North West.

Professor Evans' talk was about social reformer Flora Solomon (1895-1984) and her work with the UK Government and Marks and Spencer plc to improve food policy. The research was funded by the Business Archives Council and supported by M&S archive, Leeds.

January 2026

Professor Stephen Kelly Signs Book Contract with Bloomsbury Press

Professor Stephen Kelly, Head of the School of Humanities, signs book contract with Bloomsbury Press for his forthcoming monograph: 'The Broken Emerald': Edward Heath and the early years of the Northern Ireland Troubles, 1968-1975.

Stephen has now completed the manuscript for this new book, with an anticipated publication date of November 2026, just in time for Christmas!

Creative Writing Lecturer Publishes Short Story Collection With New York Based Publisher Spuyten Duyvil

Bernadette McBride, Lecturer in Creative Writing, has just had her short story collection Birds Are Liars published by New York-based publisher Spuyten Duyvil.

"Birds Are Liars is a sharp, lyrical collection of short stories that confronts the fragility and ferocity of a world in crisis. At once timely and timeless, these stories invite the reader to face the end times with intimacy, rather than look away." Further information can be found HERE.

In addition to this, one of the short stories (called Sea Monster) in Bernadette's collection has now been selected for 8 international film festivals, with most recent selections being for the 9th edition of the International Folklore Film Festival (IFFF). The festival is organised by the International Film Festival of Thrissur (IFFT), Bhoumam Social Initiative, the Centre for Media Studies, St. Thomas College in Kerala, India.

Also recently for 2026, Bernadette had an official selection in the best woman filmmaker category for Stockholm City Film Festival. She adapted and directed this film herself from her short story. 

The story collection is research-informed and was part of Bernadette's former creative writing PhD "On Climate and Changing"

February 2026

Associate Professor Simon Podmore Publishes Chapter in New Book 'Kierkegaard and Mysticism: Reception, Influence, Resonance' by Routledge

Dr Simon Podmore, Associate Professor in Theology, Philosophy and Religious Studies, has recently published a chapter in a new book, Kierkegaard and Mysticism: Reception, Influence, Resonance, Edited By Hjördis Becker-Lindenthal (Routledge, 2025).

Simon's chapter is titled: 'The Mystical Horizon: The Temptation of Mysticism and the Transfiguration of Unio Mystica'. The book explores the previously neglected issue of Kierkegard's relation to mysticism - an area that has recently become a vital focus in Kierkegaard studies.

With an international range of established and emerging scholars, this provocative book contributes to a greater understanding of the mystical dimensions of Kierkegaard's thought.

Professor Guy Cuthbertson Judges the Edward Thomas Essay Competition

Professor Guy Cuthbertson, Professor of British Literature and Culture, was the judge again this year for an annual essay competition for sixth-formers. The winners were announced last week.

The Edward Thomas Essay Competition had over one hundred entries and there was some excellent work. 43 schools took part. The winner was from the Henrietta Barnett School, and the runners up from Tiffin Girls’ School and Fettes College.

Full details, including the winning essays, are available HERE.

Dr Eleanor Rees Delivers Poetry Reading at Year of Reading Launch

Dr Eleanor Rees, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing, gave a public poetry reading in the busy central atrium at Liverpool Central Library on 24th January 2026 as part of the Year of Reading Launch.

This region-wide initiative is led by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Barbara Murray, and includes literary organisations from across the city to promote reading and literacy.

Eleanor also hosted a wonderful reading from creative writing students from Liverpool Hope, from the first to third year, who read to a large audience as part of a packed programme of events. She also a ran a stall with Liverpool Hope course information hosted by students. The tote bags were especially popular as was conversation about PGT courses in English subjects.

Associate Professor Catalina Montoya Contributes to UK Parliament's Call for Evidence: 'Soft power: A Strategy for UK Success?'  

This inquiry, which closed in March 2025, explored the extent and effectiveness of the UK’s soft power in what is an increasingly challenging global environment. The inquiry considered the UK’s unique soft power strengths and asked how the UK might best measure and actualise the benefits it accrues from its soft power. This inquiry also scrutinised the work of the Government’s new Soft Power Council and any subsequent strategy to strengthen UK soft power. Further information can be found HERE.

Written evidence has been published in the webpage in January this year, and Dr Montoya's contribution is based on her research on public diplomacy efforts via-a-vis peacebuilding in Colombia since 2016. Her contribution is based on the premise that soft power used for the enhancement of public goods, including peacebuilding, is key for the UK’s political leadership as a member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and outspoken defender of multilateralism democratic and humanitarian norms, through the consolidation of multilateral identities, collaborative networks and aligned narratives at local, national and international levels. 

Please see the link to Dr Montoya's evidence HERE.

'Transforming and Empowering Future Educators: Perspectives on Climate Action Through a Wider Perspectives Project'

Just published in the practice-orientated, teacher-facing journal Environmental Education is the first publication from an interdisciplinary research project team at Liverpool Hope University, who are exploring how critical ecopedagogical innovations might impact learner and teacher attitudes to the climate and ecological crisis.

The piece, entitled 'Transforming and empowering future educators: Perspectives on climate action through a wider perspectives project', outlines the main contours of the project and some preliminary findings, which will be further disseminated as part of the upcoming Festival of Futures.

The paper was drafted in collaboration by: Lucy Dunne, Nichola Preston, Céline Williams, Zofia Wolniakowska-Majewska, Philip Bamber, and Lavinia Brennan (all Education); Robert Booth (Philosophy); and Andrea Bullivant from the Liverpool World Centre.

Further information can be found HERE.

Nuremberg 80

The University will host a commemorative event on 25th October - the 80th anniversary of the first Nuremberg war crimes tribunals.

This externally funded event will feature a commissioned digital exhibition by a History Masters student, a musical performance by the descendants of British prosecutor David Maxwell-Fyfe, and a panel composed of prosecutors' descendants and academics, to be chaired by television personality Anne Robinson. Any enquiries to Professor Bryce Evans: evansb1@hope.ac.uk

Special Series on ‘Differentiated Integration and the European Union’ Accepted for Publication in the Journal of Contemporary European Studies

Dr Anthony Costello, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations and Professor Mike Mannin (research fellow - formerly of Portsmouth) have had their special series on ‘Differentiated Integration and the European Union’ accepted for publication in the Journal of Contemporary European Studies by the end of 2026.

Over the past two weeks they have held three online workshops gathering all eight contributors to the series to discuss their individual papers and foster constructive working relationships to see the series published by the end of 2026.

The importance of the series lies in its novel approach to theoretical and empirical analyses of Europe's trajectory in the 21st century with authors deepening knowledge of the phenomenon from dimensions and perspectives yet untouched by the literature or not fully covered within the existing literature.

March 2026

October 2025

Join us for the The Matt Simpson Memorial Poetry Reading 2025

This year the reading is held at the Open Eye Gallery on 30th October 2025, 6pm - 8pm as part of the literary programme organised by Liverpool Poetry Space and The Windows Project. 

Influential Liverpool-based poet Deryn Rees-Jones (pictured) will give an extended reading from her new collection, Hôtel Amour.

Tickets are FREE online. All staff and students are welcome.

This is the seventh year of the reading series which Eleanor Rees, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing, established to celebrate the poetic culture of Liverpool and remember the Liverpool poet, Matt Simpson. 

Dr Eleanor Rees, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing

November 2025

Professionals in Politics and International Relations - Councillor Carl Cashman 

Students had the opportunity to gain first hand insight into the world of politics and public service from a guest lecturer delivered by Carl Cashman, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Liverpool and Leader of the Opposition on Liverpool City Council.

You can see photos of the event here. 

Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime

An Exhibition curated by Mathilda Naulleau from the Ernest Bailey Archive will be taking place as below:

Thursday 20th November at 3:30pm
SimLab, i3 Building (first floor), Hope Park, L16 9JD
Should you wish to attend please RSVP to Professor Bryce Evans via evansb1@hope.ac.uk

Award-winning Podcaster and Hope Alumni coming to talk to Media Students

Mia Thornton, a graduate in English Language at Liverpool Hope and the winner of this year's British Podcast Awards Rising Star, is coming to speak to first-year Media and Communications students on Monday 24th November at 2pm to share her experience in podcasting and give them tips for their own podcasting work. Mia will also meet the Learning and Teaching team after the session to discuss the development of the podcasting facilities in the I3 Building. 

December 2025

Students Invited to Apply for Internships in Collaboration with Everton FC and Rugby Football League Worth £1,300 Each

Students in the Faculty of Creative Arts and Humanities are invited to apply for two Hope Internships in collaboration with Everton FC and the Rugby Football League (RFL). The Internships will offer the successful candidates the opportunity to gain real world experience of working alongside a professional sports organisation in a communications role.

The Everton FC Internship will support Hope's partnership with the football club to promote educational and football development opportunities. The RFL Internship will help to promote awareness of Inclusion Rugby, in particular around participation in Physical Disability Rugby League.

The Interns will work alongside colleagues from Everton and the RFL during their projects, with Hope tutors also offering support as mentors.

As well as gaining valuable Employability experience, the Interns will be paid for their time. Hope is funding each Internship with a bursary of £1,300.

The Internships are being advertised on Hope's JobTeaser platform. The deadline for applications is Friday 16th of January 2026.

Dr Anthony Cawley, Senior Lecturer in Media and Communication

January 2026

February 2026

Visit from the Dean of St George's College

On 19th and 20th February, Dr Yazid Said is hosting a couple of events, one at Liverpool Cathedral (19th February) and the other at Hope Park campus (20th February), which the university has approved, with the visiting Dean of St George's College, in Jerusalem, Richard Sewell. Please see the event flyer for further information.

The event at Hope Park on Friday 20th February will take place at 12.30pm-2pm in the EDEN Arbour Room, Hope Park. It will take the shape of a panel discussion, with two of our colleagues, Simon Podmore and Danny Rye responding to the Dean's reflection on the political situation in the Holy Land, the Church's response, and how it has affected public life in Britain, both in politics and among local communities.

This event will be of interest to students across the School of Humanities, especially those in politics, international relations, history and TPRS. Media students might also find it relevant.

Registration is required for both events. 

To attend the Cathedral event on Thursday 19th February at 4pm, please register HERE. To attend the panel discussion at Hope Park on Friday 20th February, 12.30-2pm, please register HERE.

Dean Richard will also preach on Sunday 22nd February at 10am for the Eucharist at Liverpool Parish Church, Pier Head, and at 3pm at Liverpool Cathedral for Choral Evensong. These do not require registration. 

The Revd. Canon Dr. Yazid Said, Senior Lecturer in Islam

March 2026