University of Bristol

Notable alumni

• Asitha Ameresekere (UK/Sri Lanka)

  Graduated from the University of Bristol

  Earned a BA in Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures and Linguistics in 1993.

  Lifetime achievements

  A filmmaker and writer, Ameresekere won the Best Short Film Award at the BAFTAs for his 29-minute film, Do Not Erase. He is currently writing a novella and planning for further films.

• Laura Bechtolsheimer (Germany)

  Graduated from the University of Bristol

  Earned a BSc in Philosophy and Politics 2007 and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2013.

  Lifetime achievements

  Two-time medallist in the 2012 London Summer Olympics for Equestrianism. She won gold for Great Britain in the Team Dressage, the first ever Olympic team gold for her country in the discipline, and bronze in the Individual Dressage.

• Nizar Ibrahim (Germany/Morocco)

  Graduated from the University of Bristol

  Earned a BSc in Geology and Biology in 2006.

  Lifetime achievements

  The first palaeontologist TED fellow. Ibrahim was an integral member of the team that discovered the largest predatory dinosaur to walk the Earth: the Spinosaurus.

• Patrick Aryee (UK)

  Graduated from the University of Bristol

  Earned a BSc in Cancer Biology in 2007.

  Lifetime achievements

  Presenter of the BBC wildlife documentary, Super Senses: The Secret Power of Animals. He has also worked on the Sky One production Cats: The Amazing Animal Family.

• Simon Pegg (UK)

  Graduated from the University of Bristol

  Earned a BA in Theatre, Film, and Television in 1991.

  Lifetime achievements

  Simon Pegg is a British actor and comedian. His films include The World’s End, Star Trek, the Mission: Impossible series, Paul, Run Fatboy Run, Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead and the cult television show, Spaced.

• Vicki Ooi (Hong Kong SAR)

  Graduated from the University of Bristol

  Earned a PhD in Drama in 1970.

  Lifetime achievements

  Vicki Ooi was one of the first directors to introduce translated plays to the Hong Kong stage. During more than 20 years in the industry, Ooi has won several theatre awards and served on the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. Her research on theatre and cultural policy has been widely published.

• Will Dean (UK)

  Graduated from the University of Bristol

  Earned a BSc in Economics and Politics in 2003.

  Lifetime achievements

  Co-founder of Tough Mudder, an endurance event series in which participants attempt to complete a 12-mile-long obstacle course. The obstacles can include fire, water, electricity and of course, mud.