A summer of celebrations

This summer, hundreds of students entered Senate-House and stepped out into the next chapter of their lives.

Graduation season at Cambridge is always a time of celebration, reflection, and anticipation.

As Colleges and the city's streets fill with proud families, flowing gowns, and joyful farewells, the University of Cambridge welcomes a new wave of graduates into its ever-growing global alumni community.

From first-generation scholars to PhD researchers, meet some of the remarkable graduates who are now part of Cambridge’s global alumni community, and discover where their journeys are taking them next.

Meet the graduates

Katie Marshall

History, Newnham College

For Katie, studying History at Cambridge was more than just learning about the past; it was about questioning how history is written, who gets to tell it, and how narratives are shaped.

“You’re encouraged to question history as a discipline. The more you study it, the more you realise it’s less about set facts, and more about making evidence-based arguments about the past.”

One of her standout experiences was serving as Membership and Alumni Officer at the Cambridge Union, where she hosted her own alumni debate.

“We welcomed back former presidents, including Lord Smith, now the University's new Chancellor, to debate the motion ‘This House Believes in the Wisdom of the Past’. It was one of my proudest moments.”

As she prepares to begin her MPhil in Early Modern History, Katie reflects on her undergraduate journey with pride. Her message to fellow new alumni:

“Be proud of everything you’ve achieved at Cambridge. There are so many things you will have learnt during your time here, both academic and otherwise, that will serve you well throughout your life.”

Katie on graduation day

Katie at Newnham's Graduands’ Feast. Photo: @katiehistory

Photo: @katiehistory

Shaira Berg at her graduation

'Gaslight' written and produced by Shaira Yasmin Berg

Dr Shaira Berg

Psychology, Trinity College

Dr Shaira Berg recently completed her PhD in Psychology, specialising in Behavioural Neuroscience.

Shaira’s research took an innovative turn through a collaboration with BAFTA-winning video game studio Ninja Theory, where she explored how threat affects learning in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) using virtual reality.

“I designed behavioural experiments using horror scenarios to investigate why threat can push some people’s brains into a habitual 'autopilot' mode, offering insight into how problematic and compulsive habits may develop.”

However, her time at Cambridge wasn’t defined solely by academic studies.

“I was nominated for an Off West-End award for my play 'Gaslight', which was staged in both Cambridge and London and adapted into a short film last summer.”

Shaira's Cambridge journey is a testament to the benefits of embracing every available opportunity to students, not just those directly related to their field of study.

"Your passions outside of your degree can lead to unexpected career-defining moments.

“I was able to blend neuroscience with cinema and theatre, and attend industry networking events and premieres for Netflix, Disney, and Marvel alongside my academic work."

For those who have recently graduated, she offers this advice:

“Think about how you can bridge your academic knowledge with your creative passions to forge your unique path. Your research and skills can have a powerful impact when applied in unconventional and multidisciplinary ways, which is how we redefine and expand our fields.”

Shaira will begin a Postdoctoral Fellowship this September at the University of Texas, where she will investigate fear extinction and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Dr Noah Chamberlain

Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic, Queens' College

Over his final two years, Noah completed two dissertations, which he proudly describes as "of immediate, daily relevance to the great many burgeoning scholars of early medieval stenography and ritual."

“Documenting the shocking developments of the thirteenth century will have to wait,” he quipped.

Noah’s time at Cambridge was defined by so more than academic achievement.

"Queen's has been more than a place of study; it has been a home. And, at the risk of sounding overly platitudinous, I leave it with the best of friends and the best of escapades."

He served as JCR President, joined the BATS committee, captained the rugby club, and participated in a wide range of extracurricular adventures, from playing American Football in the Varsity team to acting as the Chancellor’s train-bearer during the annual Honorary Degree Ceremony. He even moonlighted as a thespian at the ADC Theatre.

“I am very grateful for the opportunities offered to me over my time at Queens’, it is as close, I suspect, as one can get to the pinnacle of the collegiate experience without developing an unhealthy addiction to rowing.”

Reflecting on the friendships and memories forged through “gyp-hopping, frepping, balloting, Bop-ing, punting, brunching, blagging,” and more, Noah leaves Cambridge with a deep sense of gratitude.

Though he may not pursue ASNaC professionally, he remains proud of his academic path:

“Even if it means explaining my degree for the rest of my days, it was unequivocally worth it.”

Dr Noah Chamberlain

Photo: @DrSydneyConroy

Dr Sydney Conroy

PhD Education, Christ's College

Dr Sydney Conroy recently completed her PhD in Education, focusing on how play therapy can support children recovering from the collective trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My work looked at how play therapists around the world are thinking about mental health recovery for children and young people. I also ran a study using play to hear directly from children about their experiences.”

Beyond her studies, Sydney’s time at Cambridge was filled with memorable moments:

“It feels impossible to choose! From the May Balls to presenting my research at my College to being invited to Disney HQ in London for a paper on intergenerational trauma, to grad halls to matriculation, there were so many moments to hold onto.”

Sydney also offered advice to recent graduates or those nearing the finish line:

“Rest and play might seem counterintuitive right now, but make time for them, feeling better helps you do better.”

Looking ahead, Sydney’s next chapter is as multifaceted as her time at Cambridge:

“A little bit of everything, from supervising research and seeing therapy clients to writing, consulting, and creating mental health tools for academics.”

Sydney is determined not to let her research sit untouched in a library. She’s actively working to bring her findings to life through public engagement and educational initiatives, including a Substack series and a SXSW EDU 2026 workshop proposal.

Congratulations to everyone who graduated this summer!