Mark Robinson, criminal barrister

To commemorate the College’s bicentenary, we’re sharing incredible stories from our vibrant and diverse community, highlighting their achievements and impact on the world. Capturing inspirational people, transformational stories and excellent research, 200 Birkbeck Effects have been contributed by our Birkbeck community and selected to feature on our website, across social media and on campus.

Mark Robinson

 

Mark’s work, life story, and support for youth justice charities and gang prevention programmes, help to inspire those facing the same challenges he once did and prove that a career in law is accessible to people from all walks of life.

After being raised in care in East London and getting in trouble with the police during his childhood, Mark left school with no GCSEs or A-Levels before embarking on a successful 20-year career as a dance DJ and music producer, which included presenting a show on BBC Radio1 Xtra.

Mark left the music industry in 2012 wanting more from life, before being falsely accused of assault. Forced to represent himself in court when his barrister couldn’t do so because the previous case he was working on overran, Mark’s experience sparked his interest in law and drew him to Birkbeck. He was called to the Bar just 18 months after graduating.

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Birkbeck’s First Christmas

Jerry White, Emeritus Professor in Modern London History, takes us on a trip down Christmas memory lane, reflecting on the College’s inception nearly two hundred years ago and considering how Christmas in 1823 might have looked.

Crown and Anchor Tavern

There probably wasn’t much talk of Christmas when the London Mechanics’ Institution was founded at a famous meeting at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, Strand, on 2 December 1823. Unlike today, when Christmas shopping and advertising begins around mid-November if not before, Christmas preparations then only began in mid-December: ‘The note of preparation is now sounding through all the different places of public Amusement, to gratify the visitors to London during the festive time of Christmas,’ the Morning Post told its readers on 19 December, and little seems to have been done up to that point. The weather didn’t help this year, with much of December unseasonably warm and humid till just a day or two before the festival, with a marked ‘mildness of weather in and about London; so mild, indeed is the season, that the writer, on Sunday [the 21st], saw, in a private garden at Hammersmith, a wall-flower in blossom, out in the open grounds….’[1]

A festive marketplace

But once the great day approached then all minds were turned to how Christmas might be celebrated: ‘Probably there is no country where Christmas is more enjoyed by the community than in Great Britain’, patriotic newspapers claimed.[2] The real opening announcement of Christmas to Londoners had come a few days before with the first of two Monday ‘Great Christmas Markets’ at Smithfield, where the country’s cattle farmers paraded their best beasts for sale, knocked down to the butchers of Smithfield, Leadenhall, Newgate and Whitechapel. The markets were packed tight with cattle and sheep, driven on the hoof for weeks before; the animals had their last stop for grazing and rest in the fields of Islington to get them to market in peak condition. Once sold at Smithfield, though, ‘the crowded state of the market’ presented ‘an unusual difficulty in getting the Beast out; their heads are battered by two or three drovers at a time, and their eyes in numerous instances knocked out; and this from sheer necessity….’[3]

Beef was, indeed, the favourite food for Christmas dinner, with turkey (driven in flocks from Norfolk), geese, hams (from Yorkshire, Westmorland, even Westphalia) and mutton (for poorer families especially) also in much demand. So much roast meat could pose a problem to some. ‘There is no period probably when persons sympathize with those who have lost their grinders, more than at Christmas, when stews and wishy washy messes are excluded from the festive board, and the loss of teeth is felt as the greatest misery and affliction.’ Boiled plum pudding, though, could be enjoyed by all, the toothless included, and was a Christmas necessity. Great care was essential in getting it just right: ‘If the plum-pudding, from being too rich, should crumble or break, the misfortune never fails of agonizing and fretting the worthy hostess – all the eyes of the company are instantly and most unkindly directed towards her, as if darting reproach, to add to her embarrassment, and aggravate the calamity.’[4] Wine with dinner for the middle classes was followed by madeira, sherry and ‘good old Port’ after the pudding; in poorer households, beer or porter would have to suffice and the whole dinner might have to be taken to the baker’s shop for roasting in the bread oven, though a plum pudding could be boiled in the copper or in a pan on the range. But probably all homes could enjoy some after-dinner games: ‘hunt the slipper’ a great favourite, and ‘snap-dragon’ in richer families, which involved the unlikely pleasure of snatching almonds or sultanas and raisins from a shallow bowl of burning brandy. In all houses, churches and shop windows Christmas decorations seem to have relied mainly on branches of evergreen, especially holly, and candles, though no doubt the theatres and places of public resort were able to put on a bigger display. Mistletoe seemed a little out of fashion in 1823, no longer said to be hanging from drawing-room ceilings but ‘sent down stairs’ to the kitchen ‘for the benefit of rubicund cooks and rosy house-maids.’[5]

Christmas presents were no doubt personal and varied, just as now. Diaries and ‘illuminated pocketbooks’ were much in demand if the advertisers were to be believed, like ‘Friendship’s Offering; or, The Annual Remembrancer: a Christmas Present and New Year’s Gift for the Year 1824’, at a whacking 12 shillings. Dancing at Christmas was all the rage and many advertisements were directed at helping people look their best: Mrs Bell, of 52 St James’s Street, offered  a ‘variety of novel and beautiful millinery, Head Dresses of almost every description, Ball and Evening Dresses’, as well as her ‘Patent Corsets, unrivalled and universally admired’; W. Rowe, at the Magasin de Nouveautes, 72 Oxford Street, offered an ‘assortment of Trinkets’, ‘just received from Paris’ and ‘adapted for Christmas present,’ like bead purses, red mohair bracelets, bone fans plain and painted, ornamental combs and much else; ‘Rowland’s Macassar Oil’ guaranteed ‘a beautiful arrangement of the Human Hair,’ for ‘the Youth of both Sexes … “To dance on the light fantastic toe”’; and music publishers offered fresh arrangements for solo piano and duets as Christmas presents, like Boosey & Co’s new editions of Rossini and Mozart operas, ‘with Italian words’. And there were Christmas foods on offer as presents, some exotic and reflecting London’s reach as the centre of world trade, like ‘Muscatels, in boxes; new Jordan Almonds … Spanish Grapes, very fine Normandy Pippins in baskets, Guimaraen or Portugal Plums, fine New Smyrna Figs in small drums,’ and much more from Hickson & Co’s Foreign Fruit Warehouse at 72 Welbeck Street.[6]

Dancing and riotous behaviour

Dancing could be everywhere, not just in the homes of the middle classes and above, and could no doubt spill into the streets, which were at their liveliest at Christmas. Perhaps this was the cause of ‘an unusual number of dissolute women brought before the [Bow Street] Magistrates yesterday morning from the watch-houses, charged with riotous behaviour in the public streets on the preceding night [the 23rd]. They pleaded the season in their defence. They had only indulged in a little Christmas festivity. The Magistrates told them that no season could justify drunken riots in the streets; and sent two of the most obstreperous among them to spend their holydays [sic] in Tothill-fields Bridewell – Mary Baskerville for one month, and Ann Davis for fourteen days.’[7] The streets had other dangers too. For a day or two before the 25th, apprentices, artisans of one kind or another and shop assistants would go house-to-house soliciting pennies and sixpences for their ‘Christmas boxes’. This year the ‘housekeepers in and around the metropolis are cautioned against a set of men who go about in the assumed character of Bow-street Patrol, soliciting Christmas Boxes. It is proper that it should be known such persons are impostors, and that the Bow-street Patrol are strictly prohibited from soliciting Christmas Boxes and are liable to be dismissed their situation if it be known that they do so.’[8]

Christmas boxes were one indication that charity was then as now one of the defining characteristics of Christmas, publicly lauded in the press and from the pulpit. Charity sermons were preached everywhere, with particular sections of the deserving poor in view, or for the benefit of charitable institutions like the Magdalen Hospital for ‘rescuing fallen women’, or the Asylum for Female Orphans, both in south London. There was an unusual Christmas tradition in a fast-growing part of west London where every year ‘according to annual custom, a large quantity of bread and cheese was distributed at Paddington Church amongst the poor by tickets; the assemblage was immense: until within these last three years the custom was to throw it in baskets full [sic] cut into square pieces from the belfry of the Church amongst the crowd, but owing to the confusion and many accidents occasioned by the scramble, that custom was abolished and the present mode substituted in its stead.’ This was paid for by an endowment from ‘two old maiden sisters (paupers), who travelling to London to claim an estate, in which they afterwards succeeded, and being much distressed were first relieved at Paddington on that day.’[9] The sisters were luckier than some in London that Christmas of 1823. At Marlborough Street Police Court on Christmas Eve, an ‘elderly woman, who stated that she had scarcely tasted food for the two last days’ told the magistrates that the St Pancras relieving officer had denied her relief until her case went before the guardians of the poor, who would now only meet after Christmas. The magistrate ordered that she be given temporary relief, presumably in the workhouse, until the committee should meet.[10]

christmas scene from 19th century

Pantomimes and Christmas cheer

Of all the pleasures of Christmas 1823 it was the London theatres who offered the richest dose of Christmas cheer. Pantomimes then began on Boxing Day and ran into the early New Year. Very few opened in the run-up to Christmas, in contrast to today’s extended festival, now often beginning at the start of December. But on Boxing Day the theatres – even the grand Theatre Royal, Drury Lane – let their hair down. This year there were Harlequin and the Flying Chest (Drury Lane), Harlequin and the House that Jack Built (Covent Garden) where the action travelled from the London parks to the Tuileries in Paris and back again, Fox and Geese, or Harlequin the White King of Chess (Surrey Theatre, Blackfriars Road), Harlequin’s Christmas-box, or the London Apprentices (Olympic Theatre, Wych Street, Strand), and Doctor Faustus and the Black Demon, or Harlequin and the Seven Fairies of the Grotto (Adelphi, Strand). At the last, all did not go according to plan. Despite ‘some pretty scenery’ and ‘a lively Clown and Columbine’, the pantomime ‘tried the patience of the audience severely through a number of scenes, throughout the whole of which there were not three clever tricks, and those that were attempted were for the most part bungled…. Good humour, however, which had more than once … begun to give way, was completely revived by the introduction of a panoramic view of the British fleet under Lord Exmouth bombarding the town of Algiers, which … was warmly applauded.’[11] The patriotic fervour of a London theatre audience was a sight to behold long before ‘Jingoism’ was ever invented.

By the time the London Mechanics’ Institution opened its first premises at Southampton Buildings, Holborn, late in 1824, this first Birkbeck Christmas was just a faint memory. Among those founders at the Crown and Anchor that December, who would have thought that another 200 Christmases would be celebrated with Birkbeck still providing adult education in London that is second to none?

London Mechanics Institute

[1] Morning Herald, 23 December 1823

[2] Morning Advertiser, 25 December 1823

[3] Cobbett’s Weekly Register, 20 December 1823

[4] Morning Advertiser, 25 December 1823

[5] Sunday Times, 28 December 1823

[6] Morning Post, 22 December 1823 (capitalisation simplified) and Bell’s Weekly Messenger, 22 December 1823 (macassar oil)

[7] Morning Herald, 24 December 1823

[8] Morning Post, 25 December 1823. The Bow Street Patrol were a small force of police run by the Bow Street magistrates, before the formation of the blue-uniformed Metropolitan Police in 1829.

[9] New Times, 23 December 1823

[10] Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser, 25 December 1823

[11] The Times, 27 December 1823

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A very London Christmas… My first time experiencing Christmas in the capital.

BA Global Politics and International Relations student, Aditya Mukherjee, shares what his experience of Christmas in London has been like, and what made it so special.

Winter is the season we all wait for, it is the time Christmas brings all the joy. Those who live up North especially, experience Christmas in the snow; the building of snow men, and for the flexible amongst us, ice skating. This is the season I certainly allow myself to indulge in cheese fondues, baileys Irish creams in several flavours, and a range of foods in addition to spending evenings in front of a fireplace with loved ones.

The Christmas lights in London is a must see for anyone that has not been to this magical city. Every borough has its own Christmas theme and adds to the festive feeling. The Christmas Markets always spark the magical joy of seeing folks enjoying the festivity with food and drink. Christmas is also the time of year that most travel to be with their families.

Last year was my first Christmas in the UK and I was invited over by a close friend. Despite offering to help with cooking, I was asked to come in the late afternoon and bring some drinks and desserts. My friend had planned everything in detail and made sure all groceries were bought before the 24th as shops have limited opening times or can run out of stock through the days leading up to Christmas.

We enjoyed a meal with multiple courses, including a traditional roast with trimmings and Christmas pudding and watched one of the classic Christmas movies ‘The Grinch’, along with aperitifs and drinks. There are many brands that have their own Christmas flavors, and I was sure not to miss the Baileys red velvet cupcake – a symbol of the festive period.

As some of you may be celebrating your first Christmas in the UK this year, I have a few tips for you. I recommend staying over if you plan on visiting a friend in London, or arranging your mode of transportation in advance. Public transport will be closed on the 25th: this includes trains, the tube, and buses. Luckily, my friend lives walking distance from my house, so I decided to go by foot last year.

Also, if you plan to go out to a restaurant, book in advance as most of the restaurants are booked and have limited availability. As I mentioned earlier, many supermarkets have limited operating hours, so plan your Christmas meal in advance and get those groceries in a few days prior to Christmas. The same goes for present shopping, as one of the greatest joys is you never know what gift might be waiting for you under your Christmas tree.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a successful 2023!

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10 places to visit in London during the Christmas season 

Join MSc Political Communication student, Mariam Baladze, for a whistle-stop tour of London’s most festive spots.

London is a huge city, with many spectacular sights and sounds to take in. So, if you are uncertain about what to see in London during Christmas, don’t worry – I’ve got you covered. Let’s unravel the magic together, shall we?

Skate at Somerset House
Who doesn’t fancy a twirl on the ice? If you go skating at Somerset house you’ll get a magical ice rink, a 40-foot eye-catching Christmas tree, and sparkling decorations that will make you feel like you’re on cloud nine. And as an added bonus: what if I told you that several scenes from the Christmas film ‘Love Actually’ were shot here?

Kew Gardens
At Christmas time, the beautiful greenery in the 300-acre botanic gardens is filled with an eye-watering assortment of glittering lights. The twisting and turning path, neon swirls, and festive projections make this Christmas experience unlike any other.

Winter Wonderland
Located in the heart of London in Hyde Park, Winter Wonderland takes you on Christmas journey that includes a Ferris wheel, loads of funfair rides, ice skating, and much more. Especially popular at night when the festive spirit is in the air, make sure you get a Bavarian beer and tour the Bavarian village for an extra dose of cosiness.

Covent Garden
The legendary 60-foot British-grown Christmas tree outside the Apple Market in Covent Garden is decked with nearly 30,000 lights, making it spectacular. If you enjoyed the early snow this year, you’ll absolutely love the flurry of snow in Covent Garden’s Piazza!

Trafalgar Square
In 2022, Trafalgar Square not only has a massive Christmas tree, but also a Christmas market for the first time. Set in front of the National Gallery, with energising festive treats and handcrafted offerings in the heart of London, this spot will always get you in the festive mood.

Winter Festival at the Southbank Centre
Southbank Christmas Market is the ideal place to spend the night wandering among the Christmas lights and alpine wooden huts without worrying about being cold or hungry. Set next to the iconic Thames river, there are plenty of food and drink options to keep your hands warm, your belly happy, and your spirits jolly.

Christmas at the Churchill Arms
If you fancy a drink during the festive period, don’t think twice about popping into the Churchill Arms. Covered with illuminated Christmas trees and 22,000 lights, this spot will lift your spirits even before you’ve had anything to drink.

Christmas lights in central London
A highlight of the holiday season is walking around the city to see the Christmas lights on Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street, and Bond Street. Five thousand suspended angels are adorned with LED pea lights that shine in tandem to provide a ripple effect along the roadway. A truly magical sight to behold!

Hogwarts in the snow
Experience the magic of Harry Potter amplified, by visiting the Warner Bros studio tour around Christmas. The beautiful details of the Gryffindor common room and the Great Hall will be enhanced by amazing festive decorations, sparkling snow and dripping icicles. Wow!

Attend Christmas services
For those wanting to experience some of the more spiritual elements of Christmas, there are plenty of beautiful, old churches and cathedrals dotted around the city. For an extra special experience, you can attend Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services at St Paul’s Cathedral, Southwark Cathedral, or Westminster Abbey.

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“There’s no doubt that the MSc got me to where I am today.”

MSc Management with Marketing graduate Sophie Attard took home a prestigious Worshipful Company of Marketors award for her dissertation ‘Listening to Branding: Proposing a method to evaluate consumers’ perceptions of sound in branding.’ She shares how she transformed her career through evening study.

Sophie receiving her award. Photo by Harry Pseftoudis Photography .

I’d been working in music management for about four years when I was furloughed during the first Covid lockdown. It was the first time since leaving university that I’d time to think about my life and where it was going. I realised that I hadn’t been happy in my old job and started to look at other options.

I wanted to study and work at the same time and keep that momentum, so Birkbeck was an obvious choice. I chose MSc Management with Marketing because the management side would open up new opportunities and broaden my skills, while marketing appealed to my creative background.

The teachers at Birkbeck are outstanding: I got great support and it always felt like they really cared about the lectures and our learning. A particular highlight was working with Benedetta [Crisafulli], my dissertation supervisor. I picked quite a niche topic for my dissertation and she was really encouraging and took the time to understand what I was trying to achieve and to push me to write something I was passionate about.

When you do a master degree, regardless of the topic, it trains you to think differently and that is something you can apply to any field and role. I’ve learned how to back up everything I say with facts, to extract key information from large repertoires or datasets, to make up my own mind and make my own decisions. Building that sort of confidence is so important in management positions. I’d advise anyone to do a masters in any field that they’re passionate about to gain those skills.

Birkbeck’s Careers service gave me a way into the job I have now. I applied for a traineeship role in a start-up, which was a lower level than my previous role, but allowed me to switch industries while not interfering with full-time study. I now work for the same company as a product and brand manager, in charge of launching multiple different products, and there’s no doubt that the MSc got me here. The training in areas such as market research, brand development and thinking from a consumer point of view has equipped me with the skills to know what to expect and think about all these different areas while we develop and launch products.

For someone considering a masters, I’d advise to pick a topic that you’re really passionate about, because you will work on it a lot! Be clear on your ‘why’ – do you want career progression, to transition to a new field, or to increase your knowledge of a topic you love?

I’m now working with Benedetta to convert my master dissertation into a published paper. Winning the award from the Worshipful Company of Marketors has been the thing that keeps me going through the hard work. Benedetta encouraged me to apply for the award – collecting it at the ceremony will be the first time we meet face to face, as all our work together was done online due to the COVID lockdowns!! It will be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate. I’m really happy with where my life is now and Birkbeck has played a big part in that process.

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How can we be accommodating of neurodiversity in dance?

This is an interview with Professor of Organisational Psychology, Almuth McDowall, that appeared in One Dance Magazine UK.  

Jessica Lowe spoke to former classical ballet dancer, Almuth McDowall, Professor of Organisational Psychology at Birkbeck. Almuth specialises in diversity and inclusion, occupational health psychology and professional competence at work. 

In your experience and work, how might a neurodiverse dancer be experiencing dance differently to someone who is ‘neurotypical’?  

Can I start by clarifying what we mean by ‘neurodiversity’? The term originates from the work of hugely influential sociologist Judy Singer. Her writing argued to frame all human functioning as biodiversity, including how we think, feel and act. There are conditions (or neurominorities, or neurotypes) that make people different, such as autism, dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or mental health issues. Judy’s work encouraged everyone to look at strengths, not just deficits. I suspect that many dancers are ADHD-ers – hands up who was sent to dance school because they would not sit still? A dancer who has a different neurotype might be particularly good at experiencing the world in a sensory way – hearing music differently or more poignantly, having a real need to express through movement and not through words. 

From your own work, can you give some examples of how the dance sector can be thinking about, and accommodating neurodiversity? 

A good place to start is your own observations – how do you observe that dancers are doing their best work? What are good practices that help everyone? One of the features of a neurodivergent mind (although I don’t like this word too much!) is great sensory sensitivity. A cluttered, noisy studio where music mixes with voices can be distracting. A calm environment with good lighting benefits everyone. Regular breaks are important, too, as is giving people the opportunity to take solitary time out – their social batteries might be empty.  

Our research shows that there is a big gap between what people think neurodiversity is, and what it means in practice. Take the example of dyslexia. Most think that it’s about reading and writing difficulties. We find common challenges are forgetting things, self-organisation and managing stress levels. So, a holistic approach to dance and education is vital. We should ensure that dance educators and leaders have some knowledge and know when to consult professionals as appropriate. 

What advice would you give to those seeking to make their dance business, school, or organisation more inclusive and accessible for neurodiverse dance students or professionals? Where might somebody start? 

  • Engage a specialist for introductory training.  
  • Don’t make assumptions about why someone is not performing – forgetting a rehearsal time might not mean they don’t want to do it; perhaps their mind finds it hard to remember. 
  • Put genuine inclusion at the heart of your practice. What benefits neurodiverse dancers benefits everyone. 
  • Ensure that you canvass what people’s needs are and listen attentively. Commit to action plans and put these into practice. 
  • Remember your legal obligations – the Equality Act 2010 says that when someone reports a protected characteristic (and several neurodiverse conditions are recognized disabilities) then the environment must adapt to the individual. Not the other way around. 

In your experience, what might be some simple approaches that we as a sector could adopt to better accommodate people’s individual differences?  

Greater schedule flexibility, both formally and informally, paired with clear communication and considered scheduling of work. Often, rehearsal times are changed at short notice, and casting decisions announced with little lead time. Our research has shown that this needs careful consideration to make the sector more inclusive. 

What kinds of support are available for dancers who suspect they might be neurodiverse? 

It can be difficult as an adult to get a diagnosis, as waiting lists on the NHS are long. Think about a private diagnosis – might your employer or school even pay for this? An alternative consideration could be a cognitive assessment to profile your strengths and weaknesses. This is done by a psychologist. They can recommend onward referrals, and specialist providers will link in with government schemes such as ‘Access to Work’ (see link below). A few sessions with a specialist workplace strategy coach can be beneficial.  

I am less keen on some of the self-diagnostic tools out there (although we are developing a better one!) and please all be cautious with non-professional mental health advice on TikTok! 

Further information 

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Wonder inside and outside the classroom: an international student’s first month in London

Emi Nguyen came to the UK from Vietnam to study a Master’s in Culinary Innovation Management at Birkbeck. Here she talks about her discoveries during her first month in the capital 

The beginning of something new
It’s my fourth week living and studying in London and sometimes it still feels a bit surreal. I have visited London dozens of times before but it’s completely different to live here and be a part of the innovative current flowing through this multicultural city. I’m truly grateful for choosing this journey, especially when I have supportive staff and friends at Birkbeck going through this with me. 

A welcoming orientation
I must be honest, though I have been regularly travelling abroad from my home country of Vietnam since the age of 16, this time I felt quite anxious leaving my nest. A million questions popped up in my head during the twelve hour flight. Will I fit in? What’s it like being a student in the UK? Is being a Master’s student different to being an undergraduate student? But all of those worries were eased on the orientation day. Yes: orientation is important! I got to meet all my course mates who share a passion for culinary innovation with me. The staff at Birkbeck were dedicated, kind and helpful throughout the orientation and since then too. Before orientation I didn’t know how best to construct an academic paragraph, or how to make the most of the library. The whole event was not just useful, but also heartwarming and reassuring; Birkbeck gave us the kindest welcome. 

When learning feels magical
What’s better than a warm welcome? Two warm welcomes! As a Master’s student in Culinary Management, I have contact with both Birkbeck academics and teachers from Le Cordon Bleu. If Birkbeck staff support me to aim for and achieve a high academic standard, the chefs and lecturers at Le Cordon Bleu open the door for me to explore the colourful culinary world. It feels like a dream come true to explore my passion for food in this way. Walking into Le Cordon Bleu for the first time, I felt like a child visiting Disneyland. Everything is so dynamic, lively and full of wonders, and my lessons continue to feel this way. What a magical place! 

The surprises of the capital
I knew that London offered a lot to do outside of classes. For an art enthusiast like me, there are plenty of artistic activities and exhibitions to dive into outside of my studies. I had the opportunity to look at Cezanne’s paintings at Tate Modern and it was an extremely emotional experience for me. All that I have watched and learned from books about this legendary artist and his work… was suddenly there in front of me! And I was looking at his brush strokes and vivid colours in a crowded room, with others also sharing the experience! What a time to be in London.  

Final words for the first month
Change can be scary. Moving to a new city, starting a new course, and following your passion are not always easy things to do. But learning to embrace fear and diving in can lead to a world of wonders. 

More Information: 

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An international student’s life changing experience of living, studying and interning in a law firm in London

Eucharia Chikodi Egemole came to the UK from Nigeria to study LLM General Law at Birkbeck. Here she shares her experience so far, including highlights, tips and things she wished she knew before coming to the UK.  

Eucharia looks into the camera. Behind her the Thames is visible and in the distance, Tower Bridge.

Exploring London

When I decided to do a Master’s in Law, I chose to do so in the UK because of the quality of education and also because the legal system of my home country, Nigeria, was largely developed from the English legal system. What better way than learning the law directly from the source? 

I applied to Birkbeck because, amongst other qualities, it was an evening university that allowed me the freedom to intern at a law firm during the days to gain legal experience. After being offered a place, I was swiftly issued with my Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Compared to the experiences my friends had when they applied to other universities, getting my CAS from Birkbeck was a very smooth experience.  Below is my account of how it’s all gone so far – hopefully it can be helpful for any other international students!  

The visa process
For international students wishing to study in the UK and in need of a visa to do so, time is of the essence. It is advisable to apply for a visa at least three months before the course commencement date. This allows enough time for you to get the visa, plan for any delays and prepare for travel. It’s also essential to submit all required documents as not doing so could lead to visa delay or denial.  

Moving to London
I arrived in London on 6th October 2022, excited to be in the great city and ready for new experiences. It was my first time in the city and I’d never left my country before. My accommodation is in Chiswick, an area of West London, and I found it with the help of a fellow student who I met in a Facebook page created for Birkbeck international students called the ’Pre-departure Lounge for BBK 2022 International’. The page was very helpful as it gave information on how to collect the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), open a bank account, the times and dates of study events, and a lot of other helpful information for international students.  

Living in London
Living in London so far has been quite amazing. I thought I would feel homesick, but that is far from the case. London is so multicultural that even though it is miles away from your country, the chances are that you could meet someone from your background on the street or even bump into someone that speaks your language while strolling in the park. It is a home away from home.

Eucharia stood on the concourse of a station with a sign reading St Pancras behind her.

About to ride the tube for the first time at London St Pancras

Here are some highlights for me:  

  • Sightseeing: there are so many famous landmarks and places to visit, like London Bridge, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace or any of the museums and galleries.  
  • Food: London has an exceptional offering of different cuisines from all over the world including African, Chinese, Italian, and not forgetting English dishes too! I love good food and any time I am about to have a good multicultural food experience, I borrow the biblical verse and tell my soul to “eat and be merry”.  
  • Transport: the public transport system of tubes and buses is commendable. The network is designed so that a person can connect to anywhere across the city quickly and with ease.  

While there are opinions that London is quite an expensive city to live in, I have found a way to manage my expenses and still have a good time. I have Railcard and an Oyster card that offer me discounts on transport; I try to do my shopping in stores that are having clearance sales; and I also prepare many meals at home. I am having an amazing time in London on a minimal budget.  

Things I wish I knew before I travelled
If I were to prepare to travel all over again, I would not have packed and paid for extra luggage of foodstuffs. I could have got the same items in any African shop in London (there are many!) and at affordable rates too, saving myself the trouble, time, and money.  

The native clothes and attire I brought with me also ended up as decoration in my suitcase, because I don’t wear them. If I knew, I wouldn’t have packed them as they mostly don’t suit any occasion here in London.  

Eucharia looking into the camera with the London Eye visible just behind her

At the London Eye

Another big thing is timekeeping. For an African like me, an hour or two past the agreed time is still within time. But that is not so in London. An appointment fixed for a particular time starts at that time and not a minute later.  

And finally, in the UK, people queue up for services. In my home country, there are hardly any queues as a person takes their turn depending on how sharp or smart they are, or if they can pay their way.  

My experience at Birkbeck so far
The learning experience at Birkbeck has been a highlight. Courses are taught by class discussions and lectures, and I have found this to be a great way for me to assimilate and retain information. It has also honed my communication skills.  

The staff have been amazing, especially those working for the Student Advice Service. They are always available to listen to students, decipher their problems, and offer lasting solutions, which I have benefitted from. 

Another highlight has been interacting with my fellow students. Chatting with them and hearing about their diverse cultures and backgrounds is fascinating and adds to the whole experience.   

Conclusion
Living in London for me has been a life-changing experience. Meeting and interacting with people from diverse cultures has contributed to my personal growth and development – I now understand more about the world and myself. I had the challenge of coming to a new country and meeting new people, and I rebuilt myself to do this. Now, I am all I was before, but I have also acquired the confidence of a Londoner. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything in the world.  

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How studying in my 40s gave me much more than new knowledge and skills

Fabien Littel did an MSc in Organisational Psychology at Birkbeck. Here, in a blog post that originally appeared on his personal site in October, he talks about his experience studying whilst in his forties. 

Fabien sitting in front of an open laptop looking at the screen with a dog sitting on his lap.

It’s only been two weeks since I handed in my dissertation, the final step in completing my MSc in Organisational Psychology, at the end of a life-changing 2-year adventure. It’s only been two weeks, and it will be another good few weeks before I get my final results and know if I’ve been awarded the Masters. Still, I already know just how much I have learned and how I developed a new perspective on work, and life in general, which no grade won’t take away. I have often used the term “life-changing” to refer to this experience, very mindful of how cliché and over-hyped it may come across. It is however merely a fact: through these studies, my life has changed. I am now embarking on an academic path I would have only dreamt of a few years ago, and most importantly have developed the courage and confidence to understand, accept and express my individual beliefs and views on the world around me, and to move away from the comfort and convenience of general blind acceptance.

From jigsaw puzzles to research journals
Looking back at September 2020, why did I suddenly decide to get back to university? My light-hearted answer to this question is usually that, during the first few months of covid-19 lockdowns, I had developed a dangerous addiction to jigsaw puzzles, and needed to find something else to occupy my free time. This was only partly a joke; I had genuinely built a large collection of jigsaw puzzles, was on them before, after – and sometimes during – work

(I’d argue that it helped me focus my mind…), and they frequently invited themselves in my dreams too. Aside from that, I was increasingly interested in what motivates people to work, what makes them feel good about their job, and what might they feel more conflicted about. The pandemic played a part in this too, as companies had to take responsibility for their employees in a way they never had before, and many employees had opportunities to contribute, in one way or another, to the response to this crisis, and gain a new sense of purpose in the work they were doing. I started reading on the topic, and gradually felt that I wanted to develop some more in-depth foundational knowledge to shape my own thinking. From there on, it became a relatively quick process, and probably just a matter of days until I enrolled onto my MSc. Organisational Psychology quickly appeared like the most appropriate choice for my area of interest, and to build on my first Masters in HR by approaching work from a different angle. And the choice of university was quite straightforward too, once I had narrowed down the options for part time online learning. Birkbeck, which I ended up joining, stood out with its mission of supporting lifelong learning, designing classes for people who study alongside work, and for its longstanding expertise in organisational psychology – a choice I never regretted, quite the opposite.

Learning about yourself while learning about others
The nature of the course and what we were studying meant that it enabled us not only to learn about careers and organisational behaviours of others, but also to reflect on our own. And this started quite early on, as we looked at career development, or employee motivation. A large part of the learning was about reading required lists of weekly research journals and additional material in support of essays and other work. And we weren’t short of additional recommendations from lecturers.

One of the first ones I took up was to read Herminia Ibarra’s book Working Identity. It provides a perspective on the sense of identity attached to people’s careers, and importantly how a change of direction and transition in one’s career can help reinvent this identity, or how Ibarra calls it, “becoming yourself”. She describes a process consisting of experimentations and sensemaking to define your new self, and a long process of transition made up of small steps, taking place through the course of several years. The book is illustrated with examples which bring to life these experiments, and steps people have taken to lay the foundations of a new career, and indeed reinvent themselves. It was a fascinating read, which I did just as I was beginning to envisage what a different second half of my career might look like, therefore couldn’t help seeing it both as a complement to the course, and a self-development book for myself. From that perspective, it made a great difference to read it when I did; while I was at first concerned about this perspective on career transition as taking years, requiring deep-level self-reflection and experimentation (especially when feeling a certain sense of urgency for change), it helped me take a more measured and long term view on a process which I am still only just probably half way through, and helped me come to terms with the fact that you shouldn’t just expect to wake up one day with a clear view of where your career, and life more broadly, should go, but that it requires time and effort.

“Resistance is fertile”
From the very start of the MSc, we were told that one the main skills we should develop was our critical thinking, and that we needed to find our voice. At first, this might have seemed like a contradiction as we were also told to base our writing and arguments on existing research and scholar literature – so how can we be critical, and find our own voice, if we can only repeat what has been said before? It turns out we were vastly underestimating the spectrum of ideas and perspectives already out there, and still learning the art of taking existing views, organising them and building on them in a way that becomes deeply personal to you (an art I am still working on…). The most energising and stimulating side of the reading we were doing was to read papers with opposing views and paradigms, particularly those highlighting the shortcomings and challenges with what had been seen and applied as most mainstream theories for decades. This came through particularly in a couple of modules, including one looking at selection and assessment, led by an inspiring lecturer who was committed to providing insights on not only the widely accepted theories and processes, but also the challenges of racism and social injustice which came with them, including issues such as racial bias in cognitive ability testing, and perpetuation of social inequalities via practices mostly developed through the lens of white western men.

Her teaching took inspiration from Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed, particularly in rejecting the “banking” view of education, whereby someone in position of power imparts the knowledge they are the custodian of, to others in a position of inferiority who are expected to receive and accumulate this knowledge. Instead, it advocates for co-creation of knowledge, which is something we experienced through this teaching. Of course, some concepts and ideas were presented and shared with us, however through discussions opened up by the lecturer, there was a clear acknowledgement and respect of everybody’s individual experiences, and how much these experiences contributed towards everyone’s learning, and provided much richer perspectives.

I was fortunate to also get the opportunity to join this lecturer, together with a couple of other students, in a collective writing project, which I hope to share more about in due course, and was for us an amazing way to bring co-creation to life, and constructively share and bring together our lived experiences and beliefs, in an environment of solidarity and support.

Becoming a truer version of myself
University, and studying in general, is a time for exploring, exchanging, and experimenting with ideas, developing your own thoughts and beliefs, your hopes for the world. Too often, for young people, this risks getting quashed when confronted with the reality of the corporate world. One of the benefits of experiencing this after twenty or so years working, observing the dynamics of corporations, getting satisfaction from achieving things and bearing the scars of burnout, is that it enables you to pause and revisit those twenty years with a little bit of distance, and some new perspectives. What it did for me, was to bring out views on the world of work, and systemic injustice or harmful phenomena, as well as hope for meaningful and fundamental change, which I would have briefly thought about and kept well hidden in the past. It gave me permission to think these ideas through, resist the sense of inevitability I had felt up until that point. Learning, reading and discussing new concepts such as neoliberalism, social constructionism, social Darwinism, moral disengagement, and many more, which wouldn’t have meant much two years ago, put names on what had only been until then passing thoughts, and opened up the door for even greater exploration, and knowledge that not only did others share similar thoughts, some had actually spent much of their careers defining and studying them.

Practically, unearthing and embracing these views throughout the MSc, together with conducting my research project on matters related to moral reasoning at work, contributed to me questioning in more depth my own contribution to the world through my work. This led to my decision to leave the defence industry (which I have talked about in an earlier article), and to find a way to continue on this academic path. “Following your dreams / passions” is an easy piece of advice often given, however remains a very privileged thing to do, when the reality of daily life and cost of living hits, and prevents many from exploring a path of their choosing. And so I do feel privileged that I was able to find arrangements I could put in place to enable me to follow this path further through starting a full-time PhD.

I am only a couple of weeks into my PhD with the University of Southampton, grateful, energised and excited about what the next three years will enable me to learn and do. And I remain very mindful that I wouldn’t have reached this point if it hadn’t been for the opportunity to conduct part-time studies online while working. Both the practicality of what Birkbeck had to offer, and the commitment and dedication of its staff to deliver a truly transformative learning experience, despite some of the challenges they may have faced in trying to safeguard this level of quality and acceptable conditions for themselves, is to be applauded. At times when careers are stretching longer and many people will look to transition part-way, enabling access to higher education to the working population should be seen for the powerful and genuinely life-changing impact it can have.

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Ten traditional Diwali dishes to celebrate the festival of lights

Aditya Mukherjee, BA Global Politics and International Relations student, shares his recommendations for what to eat during the Diwali celebrations this week. 

One of the most popular festivals in India, celebrated all over the world, Diwali, or Deepavali as it is known, is a festival of light that brings family and friends together. Taking place in November (based on the lunar calendar so dates change every year), it is the time of the year that many look forward to, as it brings families together. It is the time when households are lit with ‘diyas’ (traditional Indian lamps) in the evening to mark the victory of good over evil, and to welcome the Gods home. 

In addition, it is also the time when people purchase new clothes, home items, electronics, and cars. More importantly, gifts are given to loved ones.  

Food is an important aspect of the celebration, and many types of delicious dishes are made to celebrate every evening. Let’s discover some of the well-known foods that are almost always prepared during this festival (caution – most of them are desserts and deep fried, so if you have a sweet tooth, you are in for some cravings!) 

1. Jalebi  

“If you haven’t tried jalebi, you have not lived.” (Quote by an ancient Indian scholar) Deep fried spiral shaped batter covered in sugar syrup. This is not for the faint hearted. 

Jalebi

2. Gagar-ka-Halwa (carrot halwa) 

A delicious pudding made form slow cooked carrots simmered in milk along with a lot of jaggery (organic sweetener from sugarcane) and sugar. It usually has cardamom, cashews and raisins for aroma and flavour. 

Gagar-ka-Halwa

3. Gulab jamun (rose water berry) 

Another sweet confectionary and a must have in any Indian celebration. Milk and cheese solids dough heated over a long time, later fried and soaked in sugar syrup. 

Gulab Jamun

4. Kheer (rice pudding) 

Rice slowly cooked with milk, sugar, saffron and cardamom, creates the classic Indian pudding known as kheer. Cooked only on special occasions, it is a must have at a Diwali party. Nuts and dried fruit are also added for stimulating the palate. 

Kheer

5. Burfi (fudge)  

Burfi’s are fudge, that can come in various textures and consistencies depending on the ingredients and spices used. Naturally, Indian burfis come in a pantheon of colors and flavors so there is always something for everyone when it comes to this desert. My all-time favourite is mango burfi and the regular or natural flavor (doodh) milk burfi. 

Mango barfi

Moving on to the savories, the contenders are: – 

6. Samosas  

A staple that is synonymous with Indian identity, samosas are triangular savoury pastries that are irresistible because they are crispy, yummy, spicy and, naturally a must have during celebratory events. Quite literally, a fried or baked pastry with a savoury filling such as a spiced potato mash with onions, lentils and peas. They are often eaten with condiments like mint and tamarind chutney (usually a choice of one sweet and once spicy chutney) for those who aspire to have the authentic experience. 

Samo

Samosa

7. Chakli (spirals) 

A very popular Indian savory, these are made of rice and/or gram flower, that is of course deep fried along with spices and lentils, thus available in many different variations and flavours. Although commonly available and eaten, this is one of those snacks that is a favourite and finds its way onto menus for parties and celebrations very easily. 

Chakli

8. Pakora (spiced fritter) 

Having several variations , pakoras are quintessential, easy to make and, have a lot of variety in flavours depending on the vegetables used that are coated in a gram flour batter, and totally deep-fried to the heart’s content. A mix of vegetables and spices may be added to diversify the palate but the most common are pieces of cauliflower, eggplant (aubergine), potatoes, and mixed vegetables. To enjoy, these are eaten with condiments, such as a mint or mango chutney on the side to fire up your taste buds. 

Pakora

9. Puri – bhaji 

A traditional Indian dish, puri meaning deep fried rounds of flour, and bhaji meaning a potato vegetable, eaten together is an enjoyable and recognizable dish eaten during celebrations and auspicious occasions. Also known as a comfort food, the spices used in the bhaji vary from mustard seeds, onions, turmeric, coriander leaves, salt and pepper, which all  blend to create the perfect mouthwatering vegetable dish. 

Puri – bhaji

10. Papdi chat  

Papdi (deep fried dough) along with potato mash, chickpeas, onions, chutneys, tomatoes and spices, served with spices covered in yoghurt is known as papdi chat. As vibrant in its colour, as it is in its flavour, it is an enjoyable combination of sweet, savory, spices, crunchy and smooth textures to be enjoyed during the festive season. 

Papdi-chaat

Now don’t get me wrong, not everything is about eating!  

Diwali is also an occasion where the art of ‘rangoli’ is made, usually in front of the main door of a house, or perhaps in a prominent place (can be indoors and outdoors as well) in order to welcome Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth. ‘Rangoli’ are traditional Indian designs made by using coloured powders, that are attentively applied on the surface using all but 3 fingers to moderate the flow and fall of the colored powder to create exquisite designs, and are often accompanied with flowers and diyas. Some designs are passed down from generation to generation and it is definitely one of the most unique aspects of Diwali. 

Rangoli

Evenings are marked with ‘pooja’ (prayers offered to the Gods), and thanks are given for all the good fortunes in the past and wishes made for the future. Later the night sky is lit up with firecrackers. So, out with the old and in with the new. This is a festival of lights, joy and togetherness. Wishing everyone a very Happy Diwali. 

 

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