Outstanding alumni

A degree from Sheffield paves the way for graduates to do some truly amazing things. From scientists and writers to politicians, sports stars and business leaders, here are just a few alumni who have achieved success in their field.

Sheffield in the spotlight

Dan Walker smiling against a backdrop of trees in Sheffield Botanical Gardens, head and shoulders shot with mid-length blond hair and navy blue t-shirt

Dan Walker

BA History 1998, MA Journalism Studies 1999, Hon LittD 2019

Journalist and presenter. The former Football Focus and BBC Breakfast host now presents Channel 5's 5 News, and a weekday Classic FM breakfast show. Dan lives in Sheffield, and is an active Department of Journalism member.

Bryony Page in Team GB colours with Olympic rings in the background

Bryony Page

BSc Biology 2015

Athlete. History's most successful British female gymnast, Bryony won Olympic gold in trampoline at Paris 2024. She's the first British trampolinist ever to win an Olympic medal, and the first British female individual Olympic champion in gymnastics.

Eddie Izzard

Suzy Eddie Izzard

Former student, Hon LittD 2006

Comedian and campaigner. Her glittering career as a leading UK comic and actor began in Sheffield at the Drama Studio. Also known today for her political activism and fundraising achievements, she once ran 43 marathons in 51 days in aid of Sport Relief.

Jessica Ennis-Hill

Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill

BSc Psychology 2007, Hon LittD 2010

Athlete. Sheffield-born Jessica Ennis-Hill is one of Great Britain's most decorated athletes. Her achievements include winning heptathlon gold at the 2012 London Olympics, followed by silver at Rio 2016  - the same year she was made a Dame.

Law alumnus Lee Child

Lee Child

LLB Law 1977, Hon LittD 2009

Author. A globally beloved crime writer, Lee is the creator of the Jack Reacher novel series, which has sold over 100 million copies all over the world. His philanthropic work includes funding more than 50 Jack Reacher Scholarships at the University.
 

Urooj Mumtaz Khan smiling on a cricket field and wearing a long white shirt

Urooj Mumtaz Khan

MMedSci Restorative Dentistry 2012, Hon LittD 2025

Presenter, dentist, former cricketer. Urooj found fame as Pakistan captain at the 2009 ICC Women's World Cup, and is widely known today as a TV commentator alongside her successful dentistry career.

Hilary Mantel

Hilary Mantel (1952-2022)

BJur Law 1973, Hon LittD 2005

Author. Hilary twice won the Booker Prize with bestsellers Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies, which have sold over 5 million copies globally. She was made a Dame in 2014 for services to literature.

Tim Key wearing a light blue denim jacket against a pink wall

Tim Key

BA Russian Studies 2000

Comedian, poet and actor. The Edinburgh Fringe stalwart is best known as Alan Partridge's sidekick Simon, although his darkly comic verse has regularly featured on BBC Radio 4 since 2006. He also co-wrote and starred in hit 2025 indie film The Ballad of Wallis Island.

Lucy Prebble with long brown hair, pictured from the waist up in a maroon velvet dress on an orange chair

Lucy Prebble

BA English Literature 2002, Hon LittD 2025

Screenwriter and playwright. Lucy wrote on HBO smash hit Succession, earning her three Primetime Emmys. Her other TV credits include I Hate Suzie and Secret Diary of a Call Girl, and the plays ENRON and A Very Expensive Poison.

Shaping the future

Jeremy Grantham and wife Hannne in background. Image credit Filip Wolak

Jeremy Grantham

BA Economics 1961, Hon DSc 2012

Finance expert and philanthropist. A leading global environment advocate, Jeremy and his wife Hanne set up the Grantham Foundation for environmental research, whose gift to the University created the Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures.

Munya Chawawa smiling in a patterned shirt against a plain pink background

Munya Chawawa

BSc Psychology 2014

Actor, comedian and writer. Munya built a huge online following with his viral parody videos, going on to feature as a series 14 contestant on hit TV comedy show Taskmaster, and later competing in Channel 4's Celebrity Bake Off Stand Up to Cancer.

Zanna Van Dijk smiling against a backdrop of rolling hills, wearing walking gear

Zanna Van Dijk

BMedSci Speech Science 2014

Blogger and content creator. An award-winning Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur with a passion for the outdoors, Zanna has hosted a BBC podcast, written a book, built a sustainable swimwear brand, and spoken at the UN about using her platform for good.

Trailblazers and influencers

Chemistry alumna Helen Sharman

Helen Sharman CMG, OBE

BSc Chemistry 1984, Hon DSc 2017

Scientist and astronaut. Helen made history as the first Briton in space, spending eight days aboard the Mir Space Station. The Sheffield-born scientist is a leading ambassador for STEM subjects, and President of the Institute of Science & Technology.

The Rt Hon the Lord Blunkett

The Rt Hon the Lord David Blunkett

BA Politics 1972, Hon LittD 2016

Former MP and Home Secretary. David was the youngest ever councillor in Britain while studying at Sheffield. He later served as the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, Home Secretary, and finally Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Amal Al Quabaisi speaking at a dais with national flags in the background

Dr Amal Al Quabaisi

PhD Architecture 2001, Hon LittD 2016

Politician. As former speaker of the United Arab Emirates Federal National Council (2015 to 2019), Amal was the first female leader of a national assembly in the UAE and the wider Arab world. Prior to taking on that role, she held an appointment as chair of the Abu Dhabi Education Council.

Ann Cairns smiling with a window and a cityscape in the background

Ann Cairns

BSc Mathematics 1978, Hon LittD 2018

Executive and gender equality advocate. Ann finished her incredible executive career as Vice Chair at Mastercard, and was Global Chair of the Financial Alliance for Women. She and husband Jim generously support Sheffield scholarships and medical research, with particular interest in the field of neuroscience.

Sir Harry Kroto lecturing

Professor Sir Harry Kroto (1939-2016)

BSc Chemistry 1961, PhD Chemistry 1964, Hon DSc 1995

Chemist. Sir Harry won the 1996 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, having discovered the Buckminsterfullerene carbon form. He greatly advanced research into the molecule, and has two University buildings named after him.

Amy Johnson

Amy Johnson (1903-1941)

BA Latin, French and Economics 1925

Aviator. After her studies Amy trained as a pilot, obtaining her licence and also qualifying as the first British female aircraft ground engineer. In 1930 she made history again, becoming the first woman ever to fly solo from Britain to Australia.