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Close to 2,500 students set to graduate this week

Students from 47 different countries have been invited to take part in the virtual celebrations, being held from 27 to 29 April.

This week, 2,481 students will graduate across online ceremonies streaming live via YouTube from Tuesday 27 April to Thursday 29 April. 

The Spring graduation marks the second time that the bi-annual event has had to take place online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Professor David Latchman, Vice-Chancellor of Birkbeck, commented: “Many congratulations to the students who are graduating this week. It is an exceptional achievement to have completed your studies during a global pandemic with all the challenges it has brought. We wish you every success in the future and encourage you to maintain your links with the College by being an active member of our alumni community that includes over 60,000 former students worldwide.”

Ella Michalski, LLB Law student graduating next week, said: “I’ve hired a gown for my graduation and I can’t wait to spend the day celebrating with my family – we’ve hired an outdoor space to make the most of it!”

The ceremonies are designed to reflect the spirit and format of the usual in-person ceremonies, with the graduates due to be addressed by Professor David Latchman CBE, Vice-Chancellor; Baroness Joan Bakewell, President; Professor Joanna Bourke, College Orator; academic staff; alumni; and two new Fellows of the College.

Fellows

Honorary Fellowships are elected annually and are awarded to individuals who have given outstanding service to the College, or have attained distinction in the arts, literature, science or public life. The newly elected Fellows are:

Costas Douzinas

Costas Douzinas studied at the University of Athens (LLB), the London School of Economics (LLM, PhD) and the University of Strasbourg. He joined Birkbeck in 1992 to help set up the Department of Law where he taught Public Law and Jurisprudence until his retirement. He was Head of the Department of Law, Dean of Humanities and Pro-Vice Master International Relations. 

In 2003, Costas established the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities which he directed until 2015. Costas is a managing editor of Law and Critique and of the publishing house Birkbeck Law Press. Costas has published extensively in legal and political philosophy, human rights, aesthetics, literature, art and critical theory. His books have been translated in 12 languages. 

Liz Meek CBE

Liz Meek chairs Twining Enterprise, a charity that provides intensive one-to-one support into work for people of all ages with mental health problems. In her civil service career, Meek advised ministers on London issues. She was the official responsible for the policy and legislation that created the Mayor of London, and a range of major regeneration programmes in London such as the Hungerford Bridge and the London Youth Crime initiative. 

As Head of the Government Office for London, Meek was the main link with the first Mayor of London and was instrumental in the decision to bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics. She was awarded the CBE for services to London. Following this, Meek became head of the Government Office for the North West where she delivered government policies and programmes for 12 Whitehall departments. Meek was a governor of Birkbeck for nine years becoming vice chair towards the end of that time.

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