Birkbeck Inspires: Conversations with Alumni

Birkbeck alumna Sofia Desbois studied an MA in Arts Policy & Management at Birkbeck. She has worked at some of London’s leading cultural institutions including the Royal Academy of Arts, Barbican Centre and The London Library. She is currently Press Relations Manager at Reiber PR, the international public relations and communications consultancy, working across the visual arts and design. She recently managed the European Press Campaign for the Anthony Gormley RA exhibition.

Sofia (pictured) talks about her lockdown experience
  • Hi Sofia. Thanks for sharing your lockdown experience with us. so tell us, what’s life like for you at the moment?

I live in North London with my boyfriend, so this is where I’ve been staying. I’m lucky enough to have a garden so I’ve been spending plenty of time there, especially during these incredibly sunny weeks. I’ve actually been enjoying spending so much time at home. I’ve been able to work here without any problems nor distractions. I’ve been cooking and exercising a lot. I’ve also been able to do loads of work around the house and garden which I’d been postponing, having previously prioritised social outings.

  • What are you missing the most during lockdown?

My family. They live in Brussels (which is where I’m from) and I wasn’t able to go there for Easter as originally planned. Something as quick and easy as taking the Eurostar seems so impossible in these uncertain times! I also miss my friends, of course. Zoom is great but isn’t quite the same as hanging out face-to-face.

  • What is an unexpected thing lockdown has taught you?

I suppose what I’ve learned is not to take certain things for granted, to slow down and appreciate having more time for myself.

  • What made you choose to study on the MA Arts Policy & Management course at Birkbeck?

I was working at the London Library in Press and Marketing, when I realised that there were certain elements of the arts world which I wasn’t familiar with or didn’t fully understand. I thus decided to go back to university and gain specialised knowledge in theories and principles of arts and cultural management. Birkbeck was perfect for me, as it offered a great balance between teaching both theory and practice.

  • What were the highlights of your time at Birkbeck?

For me, learning practical skills was just as important as learning theoretical ones and Birkbeck did this very well. I enjoyed being taught high-profile case studies that used leading arts institutions as examples, as well as meeting key industry professionals. Another highlight was getting to know my peers, all of whom came from a variety of countries and backgrounds. Birkbeck created a fantastic learning environment where all students were able to learn from each other’s richly diverse experiences.

  • Did your studies at Birkbeck help your career?

Absolutely. Not only is it a key addition to my CV, Birkbeck also taught me skills in strategy and management applied to current trends and debates regarding the day-to-day running of arts institutions and projects – all of which has been applied to my professional experience.

  • How has your job changed during the lockdown?

It hasn’t actually changed that much in the short term. I can do all my tasks from home without any problems. The biggest change has been not being able to see my colleagues every day, which is the main downfall. We’ve all started using Slack and Zoom though, which has been great to keep closely connected. In the long term however, who knows! The art world is changing and it looks like it will become more and more digitalised. This seems to be the way forward so it will be interesting to see how it evolves.  

  • Are there any resources/podcasts that are helping you at the moment?

I’ve been a lot more active on Strava! More than just an exercise app, it sort of works as a social network in which you can benchmark yourself against others and see what routines your friends are up to. I do both cycling and running and Strava has been great to keep track of my activity. I’ve also started listening to the BBC Global News podcast every single morning. It’s highly informative about what’s going on around the world, especially with coronavirus, and it’s become part of my routine.

  • What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been told?

If you’re not passionate about it, don’t do it. This is the advice my cousin gave me when I was considering journalism as a career. My cousin is a journalist in Spain, and he told me that while it is a great profession, it’s tough and not always rewarding. It turns out that I wasn’t passionate about it and I’m glad I listened to him. Identify your strengths and don’t be stuck in something you don’t enjoy.

  • What’s is the best film, TV or book you’ve watched or read during the lockdown?

I’m currently reading Marina Abramović’s memoir. Her autumn exhibition at the Royal Academy was going to be my next big work project but has now been postponed. I recommend it if, like me, you don’t know much about performance art. It’s a good insight into what it’s all about. In terms of TV, I’m late to the party, but I’ve finally started watching Breaking Bad. It’s amazing! I’m on the last season now and it’s been consistently good throughout.

  • Which living person do you most admire and why?

At the moment, I think that would have to be New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern. She is such an inspiration. The compassion, strength and determination she’s showed when dealing with crises such as the Christchurch shootings and the Coronavirus pandemic are utterly inspiring. Not to mention the fact that she is one of the youngest female country leaders, who gave birth in office and powered through!

  • What is your next project on the horizon?

When the lockdown is lifted and freedom of movement is allowed again, I plan to go on a week-long cycling trek with my boyfriend and explore a beautiful area somewhere in the UK.

If you would like to tell us what you are doing during lockdown and be featured on our next blog, please email alumni@bbk.ac.uk

Published by

ubasti001

Alumni & Student Ambassador Officer

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