Nottingham is more than a place. It shapes who we are and the people we become. It's a way of thinking and of being.
Your Nottingham Alumni Awards celebrate you – our alumni community – and share the stories of how you carry Nottingham's values into the world. No two paths or experiences are the same; that's what makes our community so special. Our awards are designed to reflect this rich diversity and the amazing contributions being made in so many different ways. The awards actively seek nominations of alumni from all communities, particularly those within often underrepresented groups.
Our 2025 winners
The hundreds of nominations we received this year were truly inspiring, spanning many different countries, sectors and achievements and demonstrating impact in such a huge range of spheres and communities. We're proud of the positive impact that our alumni make – meet our 2025 winners.
Professor Ruth Chambers OBE, FRCGP, MD
(Medicine, 1975)
Ruth Chambers graduated in medicine from the University of Nottingham in 1975. She has written 84 books – mainly for clinicians (some translated, for example Japanese); including her insightful memoir of working for the NHS for 50 years. She has presented at national and international conferences, and aided national guidance such as rebutting prescribing fraud, combatting doctors' stress; and led on enhancing the quality of care and digital primary care transformation across Staffordshire (being awarded an OBE in 2014). Alongside these at scale achievements, Ruth created a local scheme for refugee doctors from 2004, six of whom now practice in the UK as GPs or psychiatrists.
Comment from the judges:
This nominee has supported refugees to start a new life in the UK, at a time of a great shortage of NHS doctors. She guided six refugee doctors through this process, and the number of patients who will benefit will be vast.
The judges selected Ruth for embodying the value of ambition for her support of refugee doctors.
Dr Arta Istrefi
(Economics Development and Policy Analysis, 2014)
Arta Istrefi is a leading voice in women’s entrepreneurship in the Western Balkans. She holds a PhD in Business Administration with a focus on women entrepreneurs in the region. Arta is the Co-Founder of Narwhal Network, Country Program Officer at the Swiss Entrepreneurship Program, and a lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Heimerer College. Her work spans startup mentorship for women across Southeast Europe, digital transformation, and advocacy for marginalised groups, including survivors of gender-based violence. With an MSc in Economic Development and Policy Analysis from the University of Nottingham, she brings both academic insight and practical leadership to the ecosystem.
Comment from the judges:
This nominee’s work helping women start businesses, supporting survivors of trauma, and improving education has made a real and lasting difference to people’s lives, inspiring others to take action and make a positive impact.
The judges selected Arta for embodying the value of inclusivity for her commitment to women’s entrepreneurship.
Lauren Leyva
(Architecture, 2023)
Lauren Leyva is a multi-award-winning campaigner, creator, business owner, and home cook, with a mission to inspire eating well and conscious living. Collaborating with charities, supermarkets, global brands and non-profits, including The King’s Trust, she champions independence through cooking workshops, while campaigning to raise awareness of global food poverty, overconsumption and waste. During the pandemic, she led BBC Radio’s “Tasty Tuesdays”, advising the public on how to cook nutritious meals throughout national food shortages and panic buying. Her work has earned her a Thought Leadership Tastemaker Award, Top Woman to Watch title, and UK Youth Awards finalist recognition.
Comment from the judges:
This nominee, a recent graduate, has made significant impact through educating and inspiring young people. Issues such as global food poverty, food waste, and environmental consciousness are tackled through her platform.
The judges selected Lauren for embodying the value of openness for her zeal in tackling food poverty both locally and globally.
Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp
(Medicine, 2010)
Deepali Misra-Sharp is a GP, British Menopause Society Advanced Menopause Specialist and Trainer, and a passionate advocate for women’s health. She works full-time as an NHS GP and Women’s Health Specialist, where she has led the development of dedicated menopause services and upskilled clinicians in holistic care. In recognition of her impact, she was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) for her contribution to women’s health. She regularly comments on national media articles, helping to raise awareness and improve understanding of menopause and midlife women’s health.
Comment from the judges:
Support for those going through the menopause is crucially important. The impact this nominee has had is long-term and tangible, from working in hospitals, providing workshops, and the publication of articles.
The judges selected Deepali for embodying the value of inclusivity for her passionate advocacy for women’s health.
Dr Yakubu Salifu
(PhD Nursing Studies, 2019)
Yakubu Salifu, a nurse and lecturer in Palliative Care at Lancaster University, is a dedicated advocate and researcher committed to improving access to compassionate care in Ghana and beyond. As the co-founder of COMPASS-Ghana, a charity developed from his PhD, he has played a pivotal role in integrating palliative care into healthcare systems, ensuring holistic and dignified support for patients. His internationally supported work contributes to policy development and capacity-building. A proud University of Nottingham alumnus, he embodies inclusivity, ambition and fairness, making a global impact. He has co-authored three book chapters, including a chapter on Death and Dying.
Comment from the judges:
This nominee’s work is life changing for both recipients and families. There’s a critical unmet need for end-of-life care in Ghana, so establishing COMPASS-Ghana as a recent graduate is both impressive and impactful.
The judges selected Yakubu for embodying the value of fairness for his pivotal role advocating for improved integration of palliative care.
Rajesh Talwar
(Human Rights Law, 1997)
Rajesh Talwar, the author of 42 books spanning multiple genres, has served the United Nations for over two decades across three continents. Assignments include working as Executive Officer, chairing the Secretariat to the Human Rights Advisory Panel for the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). He studied an LLM in International Human Rights Law at the University of Nottingham on a British Chevening Scholarship. Notable publications include The Third Sex and Human Rights, based on his LLM dissertation, Courting Injustice: The Nirbhaya Case and its Aftermath, and most recently, The Mahatma’s Manifesto: A Critique of Hind Swaraj.
Comment from the judges:
This nominee has had a global impact, contributing to human rights and sustainability through policy change and education, such as writing a play on toxic terror and a book on caste discrimination.
The judges selected Rajesh for embodying the value of respect for his dedication to the cause of human rights.
Our previous winners
Meet our 2023 and 2024 winners and discover what receiving an award means to the recipients.