Left disabled after taking part in a failed drug trial, and needing to pivot from his intended career path as a plumber, Ryan Wilson enrolled on an undergraduate Economic and Social Policy course at Birkbeck. Alongside studying, he raised his young son and worked as an independent prison monitor, ensuring the decency of prisons and humane treatment of prisoners.  

On his experience at Birkbeck, Ryan paid tribute to the disability and mental health service as well as the academically rich environment in Economics: “I worked so hard and loved the lectures – my favourite modules were Economics and Public Policy, and Macroeconomic Theory and Policy. I struggled in my second year with studying for my degree and overcoming some personal hurdles, but the support I received from the disability team and the mental health service really increased my confidence and drive to succeed.” 

He graduated in 2020 with first class honours.