'I'm giving back to the place that changed my life'

When Isabella first came to Birkbeck in 2008 to study a BSc in Psychology, she had a successful career in project management training but longed to follow her dream of going to university. Going freelance gave her the flexibility to study, and Birkbeck’s evening teaching and part-time structure made it possible. She remembers: “I was studying with people of different ages and walks of life, which for me was an added bonus. I didn’t know many people in London, so it was a lovely way to socialise.”

Isabella described having a “lightbulb moment” during her undergraduate research project with Jonathan Smith, Professor of Psychology at Birkbeck, which inspired her to continue her studies and embark on a career in research. She went on to complete a Master’s at King’s College London and then a PhD back at Birkbeck.

She successfully applied for a studentship to fund her PhD, which she said was about more than just financial support. She said: “It felt like somebody was investing in me. It was a recognition that I was good enough and that I could get on and do it.”

Since completing her PhD, Isabella has gone on to work as a qualitative research fellow at Birkbeck and University College London. She said: “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Birkbeck.”

Her gratitude and commitment to Birkbeck continues to this day. Following her studies, she joined Birkbeck’s Mentoring Pathways programme and mentored a final-year student who, like her, had decided to make a career change. Isabella is also donating to the Birkbeck Fund, which provides financial support for students who need that help to access and complete their studies. Isabella made the decision to give to Birkbeck after she was contacted by student caller Siya Papneja, who is studying BSc Biomedicine with Foundation Year, during a telephone fundraising campaign.

She said: “I wouldn’t have donated spontaneously if Siya hadn’t rung me as it wasn’t something I would have thought about. In my mind, a philanthropic gift is a big gift, and it didn’t occur to me that it could just be something that actually I could do. I thought, well, why not? I can easily do this and it can really make a difference for somebody who needs that support.”

Isabella is particularly passionate about supporting students who, like her, have returned to education later in life and hopes her giving will provide others with the same opportunity she had. She said: “People may have lost their confidence before arriving at Birkbeck. People should feel that they can study at Birkbeck and that it’s worth their while — and that it will make a difference to their life.”

Student caller Siya, who spoke with Isabella during the Spring 2025 telephone campaign, said: “Hearing Isabella speak about how much she loved her time at Birkbeck was very heartwarming. It was great to hear about how far she has come after Birkbeck. As a fellow bursary recipient, it was inspirational to hear why she is giving back to help more students like me continue their studies.”