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Good News Stories and Events

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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.

two students stood next to each other and a map

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

February 2026

March 2026