Convocation: Your global alumni community
Shaping the future of your University and alumni community
What is Convocation?
Convocation is the formal name for our 250,000-strong alumni network.
The Meeting of Convocation occurs once a year and gives you an opportunity to join discussions with our Vice-Chancellor and President and other members of our leadership team about the latest developments at the University and future plans.
Here, you can share your unique perspective as a graduate with the University, influencing key decisions in our policy and future direction.
Announcing our Chair and Deputy Chair of Convocation
Following a recent election process, we are pleased to announce that your alumni community have appointed a new Chair and Deputy Chair of Convocation. We caught up with them both to find out more about their experience as Newcastle graduates, and their plans for the next three years.
Chair of Convocation: Nick Richardson (BSc Zoology, 1977)
Nick has been a keen advocate and supporter of Newcastle alumni since graduating. Following a year in office as Union Society President, Nick went on to found Newcastle University’s Alumni Association. He is also a benefactor and life-long champion of the University’s boat club.
Deputy Chair of Convocation: Clare Talbot-Jones (PGCE, 2005)
Clare is a Newcastle University graduate twice over, first studying French and Spanish before returning to complete a PGCE in 2005. Today, she is a North East-based business owner, charity leader and mentor passionate about empowering women facing intersectional challenges.
Day of Convocation 2022
On Saturday 26 November, 100 Newcastle graduates – from the Class of 1964 all the way to Class of 2022 – joined us for our Annual Meeting of Convocation with many joining us from around the world via Zoom.
Alongside the Meeting, alumni were invited to attend a lecture by TV presenter and political journalist Steve Richards, titled 'Trust and politics in a period of global change'. Steve is one of Britain’s leading political commentators and broadcasters. He has written columns for the Guardian, Independent, FT and Sunday Times and is a presenter for BBC Radio 4. The lecture is now available to watch on YouTube (see below).
Newcastle University Advancement would like to extend their thanks to all alumni who attended the 2022 Day of Convocation, many of whom are now staff at the University. Special thanks to alumnus Andy Haddon (of Shieldfield bakery The Big River Bakery) for catering the event.
Read the Meeting of Convocation 2022 minutes
Images from the day can be viewed on the Newcastle University Alumni Facebook page.
We have 250,000 Newcastle University alumni around the world – a milestone we’re celebrating this year!
Our alumni community is made up of Newcastle graduates and honorary graduates, staff (both current and retired) and people who spent part of their time studying at Newcastle. Because we were part of the University of Durham before 1963, this also includes some members of Durham’s alumni community.
If you meet one or more of the below criteria, you’re part of our alumni community!
- I hold a degree or other award from Newcastle University.
- I am an alumnus of the University of Durham who was registered at the Newcastle Division of the University during my course.
- I am an alumnus of the University of Durham who was a matriculated student at Sunderland Technical College during my course.
- I completed one term at Newcastle University or the Newcastle Division of the University of Durham (before 1963) but didn't take an award.
- I am a current or retired member of academic and academic-related staff of Newcastle University.
- I hold an Honorary Degree or Honorary Fellowship of the University.
- I am a Life Member of the Union Society.
If you’re part of our alumni community, you’re automatically a member of Convocation – there’s nothing extra you need to do!
If you want to be involved in the annual meeting of Convocation each October, then you just need to sign up when registrations open in August each year.
We’ll send you an email inviting you to the meeting, and the registration link will also be available on our website and social media channels. To make sure you don’t miss it, update your details with us so we know how best to reach you.
The annual meeting of Convocation is your opportunity to hear about and have your say on the latest news from Newcastle University. The University’s Vice-Chancellor and President and other members of the Executive Board will update you on the past year, sharing our successes as well as the current issues facing the University and future challenges we anticipate.
You’ll be able to ask questions of our leadership team and connect, or reconnect, with members of our University community.
With the backing of other alumni, you can also raise matters with the University Senate, Council or Court, as appropriate, helping to shape our future.
Under the statutes, Convocation can discuss and make representations on any matter relating to the University.
Any member of our alumni community can nominate themselves as Chair of Convocation, as long as they are not a salaried member of staff at the University.
We elect a Chair of Convocation every three years, with the next election taking place in October 2025.
All alumni have the opportunity to vote for the next Chair in an online election. You’ll be notified when voting opens via email, so please make sure you have provided us with your up-to-date contact information.
We elect a Chair of Convocation every three years, with the next election taking place in October 2025.