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The success of Birkbeck’s ‘On Track’ Summer Programme

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Access Officer, Mona Kadhum, from the Access and Engagement team reflects on revised and improved ‘On Track’ summer programme offered to incoming students every year.  

To support student transition into university, Birkbeck’s Access and Engagement team ran our popular ‘On Track’ Summer Programme once more in July this year. On Track aims to introduce our upcoming students to every part of university life at Birkbeck to give them a boost of confidence ahead of starting with us in October 2023.  

On Track used to be a subject-specific programme that looked very different. This year we altered the way it was delivered and expanded the invitation beyond subjects, to all first year and foundation year students, in order to give them an opportunity to interact with people from all different courses. We ran the two-day intensive programme with a total of 84 students attending at least one day of the two-part event.  

Day 1 started off with a scavenger hunt activity for the students to get to know each other and familiarise themselves with the campus. This activity was a favourite as it sparked a competitive edge in them, knowing a surprise prize for the winning team was on the line!  

“Scavenger Hunt was fab and even better because my team won, let it be known that my team won!!!!!” 

– On Track 2023 Attendee  

We then had an activity called Introduction to Professional Services,with staff from the Library, Student Advice, Study Skills, Disability & Dyslexia, Careers, Student Union, and the Wellbeing Service all present. Students worked together to create a presentation about the key areas of the service to present back to the rest of the group. 

Students returned on the second day and started with a ‘Being Successful in your First Year’ session. This involved Rachel Wood from the Student Engagement and Success team running an activity that encouraged participants to identify their existing strengths and skills. Students were then broken off into smaller groups for their academic focused sessions with someone from their school/department. Students were able to have an immersive experience of how their life at Birkbeck might look and feel utilising the cinema at Gordon Square for Arts students, the biomedical labs for Biological Sciences and having a panel discussion with current students for Law. 

To end the day, we invited all students and staff to our 5th Floor Terrace Café for an end of programme celebration to hand out the all-important prizes for the scavenger hunt (well done Team Spartans!), highlight the successes of the programme, and network in a more relaxed environment with food and drinks.  

“It was an amazing experience throughout. I met classmates, I shared my experience and my goals, and finally, i attended the class with the lecture, which was interesting. However, the best is yet to come. It will be tough, but I will never give up!”

– On Track 2023 Attendee

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Reflecting on the Organizational Psychology Summer Seminar – Existing in Uncertain Times

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The Department of Organizational Psychology recently hosted an inspiring Summer Seminar on the theme “Existing in Uncertain Times”.

a line of six people stood in front of a stage with a projector screen behind them.

Photo of the Summer Seminar Speakers, (L to R) Dr. Uracha Chatrakul Na Ayudhya, Dr. Caroline Kamau-Mitchell, Aretha Rutherford, Cathy Lee, Dr. Hayley Lewis, Dr. Pedro Gomes

The event held on the 12 July at Birkbeck, University of London was filled with thought-provoking presentations and discussions, exploring the complexities of our ever-changing world and the ways we can navigate through uncertainty.

Celebrating Birkbeck’s Intellectual Pioneers

Dr. Caroline Kamau-Mitchell delivered a captivating keynote talk, commemorating Birkbeck’s 200-year anniversary by celebrating the institution’s intellectual pioneers. The audience embarked on a journey through history, paying tribute to inspiring figures such as Rosalind Franklin, Aaron Klug, Patrick Blackett, and others, who made groundbreaking contributions to various fields, from science to the arts. The talk emphasized how connecting with the shared identity of these pioneers can help organizations find meaning amidst change and drive occupational health.

Journey into the unknown

Dr. Hayley Lewis, an award-winning psychologist with extensive experience in occupational and organizational psychology, shared her journey as a first-generation university-educated individual in her family. Her insightful talk shed light on the uncertainties she faced and how these unknowns led her to explore the psychology of women who venture into entrepreneurship, an experience often fraught with uncertainty. Dr. Lewis’ talk inspired many, demonstrating the strength and resilience needed to navigate the uncharted territories of life.

‘Friday is the New Saturday’: The economic benefits of a four-day week

Dr. Pedro Gomes, an Associate Professor in Economics at Birkbeck and author of ‘Friday is the New Saturday’, presented fascinating insights into the economic benefits of a four-day workweek. Drawing from his first-hand experience in designing a four-day week pilot in Portugal’s private sector, Dr. Gomes revealed how this innovative approach can lead to increased productivity and improved work-life balance for employees. The talk sparked lively discussions about new possibilities in reshaping the traditional work model.

Finding my voice: Hitting the highs and lows

Cathy Lee, Head of Internal Communications for a legal regulator in Birmingham, shared her personal journey of returning to academia after more than three decades. Her reflections and findings from her MSc in Organizational Psychology and research project on workplace factors retaining older workers provided valuable insights into enhancing inclusivity and diversity within the workforce.

I am an endangered species / But I sing no victim’s song

Aretha Rutherford, a recent MSc graduate in Career Management and Coaching, was joined In conversation with Dr. Uracha Chatrakul Na Ayudhya, Assistant Dean for Equalities and Diversity at the School of Business, Economics, and Informatics (BEI) and Senior Lecturer and Programme Director of MSc Human Resource Management. They delved into the complexities of self-perception, social identities, and career development for underrepresented groups. Their intersectional analysis shed light on the cultural and contextual factors that influence career choices.

The Summer Seminar concluded on a high note, leaving attendees with a sense of empowerment and a deeper understanding of how to thrive amidst uncertainty. The conference brought together current students, alumni, and staff to celebrate Birkbeck’s 200-year history.

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Professor Jagjit S. Chadha, Director of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) gives 2023 Ronald Tress Memorial Lecture

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The annual memorial lecture commemorates the founder of the Department of Economics, Mathematics and Statistics and former Master of Birkbeck, Professor Ronald Tress CBE.

On Wednesday 10 May, Birkbeck’s Department of Economics, Mathematics and Statistics welcomed Professor Jagjit S. Chadha, Director of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR), to deliver the Ronald Tress Memorial Lecture, on the topic of “What went wrong with 21st Century Economic Policy – a View from Westminster.”

The thought-provoking lecture discussed the successive failings of recent economic events in the UK, with a particular focus on the mini-budget of September 2022. Professor Chadha, explained the possible effects of Brexit and the decisions taken by monetary and fiscal authorities in why the UK was lagging in its recovery compared to other economies. Professor Chadha was particularly concerned about the income and wealth inequality that persist in the UK. He suggested some possible solutions including reforming the focusses of monetary and fiscal policies and nurturing the supply side of the economy.

The lecture was an opportunity to welcome members of Professor Ronald Tress’s family, as well as staff, students and alumni to come together to discuss the complex issues facing our economy. The lecture also offered guests a chance to meet Professor Jagjit S. Chadha and receive a signed copy of his latest book; The Money Minders: The Parables, Trade-offs and Lags of Central Banking.

Dr Ken Hori, the Head of Department of Economics, Mathematics and Statistics, remarked, “It is reassuring to have someone like Jagjit in this influential role who not only understands the UK economy, but more importantly cares about its issues such as inequality. The lecture was a demonstration of what economists should be doing.”

The Ronald Tress Memorial Lecture is a significant event in Birkbeck’s 200-year history, honouring the instrumental role of Professor Ronald Tress CBE in establishing the Economics Department over 50 years ago. It serves as a reminder of the visionary leaders who have shaped the university as we celebrate our 200th anniversary.

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“Birkbeck is an inclusive, diverse and supportive environment” 

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MA Film and Screen Media graduate, Charlie Gardiner, shares her thoughts on how studying helped her gain both personal and professional confidence, progressing her career in the film industry. 

Getting started in the film industry  

After completing my BA Hons in Film, I worked in and around the film industry: I was part of the studio team at a leading company in the casting world, an assistant at a voice talent agency, and a freelance film journalist. While my career was off to a good start, when the pandemic hit, I felt like I needed more: I felt the urge to go back to education.  

When education fits around life 

One of the main reasons I chose Birkbeck was because of the evening classes. At the time that I decided to study, I was working part-time and partially furloughed due to the pandemic, so I wasn’t sure how my timetable would look if I was called back into full-time work. It was a comfort to know that if my daytime work schedule changed (which it did), I could continue my studies. The fact that I’d always heard good things about Birkbeck was a bonus – I knew it would be a great place to study.  

With studying comes confidence 

Studying for my Master’s gave me the confidence to apply for jobs outside of my comfort zone. Not only did I have more knowledge about the industry, I had also proven to myself that I have excellent time management skills and drive – pursuing a full-time Master’s whilst also working full-time was no small feat! The experience helped me realise that anyone can achieve what they hope to if they set their mind to it. With my degree and new outlook in hand, I aimed to move into a more creative area of the film industry, ideally within the visual effects (VFX) or post-production fields and I achieved my goal – I’ve just accepted a new job as Talent Coordinator at ILM, a leading VFX company!  

A positive learning environment 

The diversity of the student body was also inspiring, with people from all walks of life coming together to learn. The inclusivity from the College was great – no matter someone’s age, background or culture, we were given support and space to share ideas together. I know a lot of students don’t say this, but I actually loved writing my dissertation! I felt completely free and supported to write about whatever I wanted to – I chose a subject very close to my heart which made the process so enriching.  

Education can surprise you 

I never intended to go to university in the first place, let alone go back to do a post-graduate degree. But Birkbeck was there for me when I was in desperate need of some structure and direction. To anyone thinking of studying: if you have the time, energy and patience to dive in, then do it. Why not? Birkbeck is an inclusive, diverse and supportive environment for anyone who wants to better themselves or simply celebrate a passion. I am both grateful and proud to have studied here, and I hope it opens up doors and builds others’ confidence as it has for me. 

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