Multi Story Edinburgh

About this special episode 

One thing all Multi Story Edinburgh guests have in common is their love for their alma mater. This is no exception for all our mentors on Season 7. Join Nilufer as she walks down memory lane with Robin, Maria, Tim, Safoora, Juan, Jimmy, Hana, Giselle and Hammed, listening to stories spanning 30 years of studies, friends, trips and laughter.

About Multi Story Edinburgh

Multi Story Edinburgh is a student-produced podcast that brings you the stories, experiences and wisdom of University of Edinburgh alumni. We hope they will inspire you, reassure you and remind you that you are part of the global University community that is here to support you as you make your own way in life.

The podcast is run by the Alumni Relations team at the University of Edinburgh. 

All opinions expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Edinburgh.
 
Music
Detective Begining Adventures by KonovalovMusic. Sourced from Tribe of Noise.

Featuring the four finalists of the 2025 Being Edinburgh Alumni Award 

The Being Edinburgh Alumni Award is given every year to an exceptional alum, who’s work has created undeniable, transformative change in their local or global communities. This season, Nilufer was beyond thrilled to be able to talk to the four finalists of the 2025 award; Jimmy Paul, Giselle Gonzales, Hana Mahmood and Hammed Kayode Alabi. These amazing alumni compose our special episode, sharing their advice, insights and stories on all things motivation.

Jimmy Paul, MA Geography 2012 | MSc Integrated Service Improvement: Health and Social Care 2015

Jimmy’s life and career has been driven by one mission - to affect real, lasting change for people whose voices are too often unheard. Growing up around violence, and spending much of his childhood in the ‘care system’, his passion is rooted in his own journey, which is why he works to ensure others experience love and care in their early years. In 2023, aged 33, Jimmy became the youngest ever Head of Scotland’s critically acclaimed Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), drawing on his wide range of professional and personal experiences to oversee prevention programmes and to break cycles of harm. 

Giselle Gonzales, MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation 2019

Giselle Gonzales is the Founder and CEO of EqualReach, an award-winning social enterprise connecting vetted teams of displaced tech talent with dignified digital work. Having worked for some of the most well-known companies in the world - including Amazon.com, AWS, the Walt Disney Company, and National Geographic - Giselle leverages technology, storytelling and impact sourcing to empower displaced communities and form bridges between the public and private sector.

Hana Mahmood, PhD Global Health 2022

Hana is a public health expert and researcher specialising in health informatics and mHealth (mobile health) technologies. One of her most ground-breaking contributions was leading fieldwork for Pakistan’s first national psychiatric morbidity survey, which involved months in the field, hundreds of team members, and late-night data checks. The survey gave voice to more than 11,000 households and forced mental health into the spotlight of national policy. Hana has led over 35 large-scale studies, but more importantly, she has turned research findings into national health policies that impact millions of children.

Hammed Kayode Alabi, MSc Africa and International Development 2021 

Hammed Kayode Alabi is an EdTech (education technology) leader and social entrepreneur, TEDx speaker and author, dedicated to advocating for education, youth empowerment, and sustainable development. Originally from Nigeria, he overcame a challenging upbringing marked by personal loss and financial struggles, which inspired him to empower young leaders in his community through education.  In 2023, Hammed founded Skill2Rural.Org, an EdTech start-up, which reached over 415 users in just eight months and educators signed up on the platform are currently reaching 128,000+ young people across Africa. And his work doesn't end there.

About Multi Story Edinburgh

Multi Story Edinburgh is a student-produced podcast that brings you the stories, experiences and wisdom of University of Edinburgh alumni. We hope they will inspire you, reassure you and remind you that you are part of the global University community that is here to support you as you make your own way in life.

The podcast is run by the Alumni Relations team at the University of Edinburgh. All opinions expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Edinburgh.
 
Music
Detective Begining Adventures by KonovalovMusic. Sourced from Tribe of Noise.

Maria Modigh (MA Law and Business, 2002) joins Nilufer to discuss her action-packed career and reminisce on her time at Edinburgh as a Law and Business joint honours graduate! 

The extensive practical skills of this degree have helped Maria endlessly through her time as a finance lawyer to her non-profit work in sustainability and wellbeing, all the way to her current position as the Innovation Specialist in Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing at UNICEF. 

Join us as Maria describes her career since graduating in 2002 and her incredible journeys since - both growing and remaining true to her core. 

"Remember, you always have a choice—even a wrong choice teaches you something, and you can change course." - Maria

About Multi Story Edinburgh

Multi Story Edinburgh is a student-produced podcast that brings you the stories, experiences and wisdom of University of Edinburgh alumni. We hope they will inspire you, reassure you and remind you that you are part of the global University community that is here to support you as you make your own way in life.

The podcast is run by the Alumni Relations team at the University of Edinburgh. 

All opinions expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Edinburgh.
 
Music
Detective Begining Adventures by KonovalovMusic. Sourced from Tribe of Noise.

Juan Venegas (PhD Physics, 2013) joins Nilufer to talk all things balance, exploration and cultivating a passion. 

Having graduated with Physics PhD from the University of Edinburgh in 2013, working in technical science communications all while publishing two sci-fi novels - Juan knows a thing or two about balance! Juan believes that order gives structure to our life, but chaos gives it beauty - and that phrase guides many of his philosophies. 

Juan’s latest book 'The Infinite Walk: A Tango Novel for Those Who (Don't) Dance (Yet)'  is now available on eBook and paperback. 

"It's all about discovering tango in Edinburgh and all the necessary adjustments one has to do to survive a PhD. More than anything, it's a love letter to the student life in Edinburgh." - Juan

About Multi Story Edinburgh

Multi Story Edinburgh is a student-produced podcast that brings you the stories, experiences and wisdom of University of Edinburgh alumni. We hope they will inspire you, reassure you and remind you that you are part of the global University community that is here to support you as you make your own way in life.

The podcast is run by the Alumni Relations team at the University of Edinburgh. 

All opinions expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Edinburgh.
 
Music
Detective Begining Adventures by KonovalovMusic. Sourced from Tribe of Noise.

Robin McAlpine (BSc Chemistry, 1994) joins Nilufer to talk all things re-direction, share his undergraduate memories and discuss the importance of trying different things. 

Having worked in the private sector for over 20 years, 1994 Chemistry graduate Robin has recently taken the leap into returning to education, and is now a teacher-in-training! 

Robin has fantastic advice to share on widening your horizons, doing what feels right and the importance of connection.

“Talk to people about where you're stuck, because I have been stuck. I will be stuck in the future. And I guess what I've learned is the key to getting unstuck is working with other people.” - Robin 

About Multi Story Edinburgh

Multi Story Edinburgh is a student-produced podcast that brings you the stories, experiences and wisdom of University of Edinburgh alumni. We hope they will inspire you, reassure you and remind you that you are part of the global University community that is here to support you as you make your own way in life.

The podcast is run by the Alumni Relations team at the University of Edinburgh. 

All opinions expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Edinburgh.
 
Music
Detective Begining Adventures by KonovalovMusic. Sourced from Tribe of Noise.

Safoora Biglari (MA International Relations, 2015) shares her brilliant advice with Nilufer, talking all things community, optimism and hard work in developing a social enterprise. 

Join Nilufer and Saf as they laugh, share anecdotes and discuss student and post-university life - the ups, the downs and the next steps in it all. 

Safoora worked with non-profits such as One Young World before developing her own company, Beyond.Representation, a talent agency working with influential leaders of impact. Safoora joins us ten years on from graduation, with insights, laughs and a confidence only experience can earn! 

“Put the ladder behind you for others to climb up it.” - Safoora

About Multi Story Edinburgh

Multi Story Edinburgh is a student-produced podcast that brings you the stories, experiences and wisdom of University of Edinburgh alumni. We hope they will inspire you, reassure you and remind you that you are part of the global University community that is here to support you as you make your own way in life.

The podcast is run by the Alumni Relations team at the University of Edinburgh. 

All opinions expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Edinburgh.
 
Music
Detective Begining Adventures by KonovalovMusic. Sourced from Tribe of Noise.

Tim Johns (MA Geography, 2007) works with BBC Radio 2 as a Producer on The Jeremy Vine show. He joins Nilufer to talk about all things media, creative industries and the importance of taking a leap of faith. Tim’s work has covered all elements of radio production, and he credits it to his time at Edinburgh’s very own student radio station - FreshAir! 

Tim joins us 18 years after graduation, to share his advice, some jokes and to encourage pursuing your passion. 

“I think the hardest thing is, if you're absolutely committed in your mind and driven towards a very specific thing, and that very specific thing across the course of a number of years is proving impossible to get to. It's totally fine to relax your parameters and look elsewhere. So I just think, take it all with a big dose of big dose of chill. Work hard, but just don't stress about it.” - Tim 

About Multi Story Edinburgh

Multi Story Edinburgh is a student-produced podcast that brings you the stories, experiences and wisdom of University of Edinburgh alumni. We hope they will inspire you, reassure you and remind you that you are part of the global University community that is here to support you as you make your own way in life.

The podcast is run by the Alumni Relations team at the University of Edinburgh. 

All opinions expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Edinburgh.
 
Music
Detective Begining Adventures by KonovalovMusic. Sourced from Tribe of Noise.

The Multi Story Edinburgh podcast is back on 6 October 2025! In Season 7, our student host, Nilufer Aumeerally, catches up with five Edinburgh alumni to chat about their university days and the paths they've taken since. From the BBC to UNICEF, teaching to non-profit work, business to writing - they've done it all and have plenty of wisdom to share. 

Tune into Multi Story Mentors this autumn. This is just a taste of what’s to come...

Find out more about this season: https://edin.ac/4mYROhb

Music
Detective Begining Adventures by KonovalovMusic. Sourced from Tribe of Noise.

Back by popular demand! Matt asks his guests for their top recommendations on spots and cool things to do in and around Edinburgh. Let's face it, there's just so much out there.

Multi Story Edinburgh has been created and produced by the Alumni Relations team at the University of Edinburgh. If you are interested in telling your story, please get in touch and let’s talk!

All opinions expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Edinburgh.

Music
Detective Begining Adventures by KonovalovMusic. Sourced from Tribe of Noise.

In this special episode, Matt talks to Kirsten Roche from the University Careers Service. She helps him answer some of our graduates’ most pressing questions.

Multi Story Edinburgh has been created and produced by the Alumni Relations team at the University of Edinburgh. If you are interested in telling your story, please get in touch and let’s talk!

All opinions expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Edinburgh.

Music
Detective Begining Adventures by KonovalovMusic. Sourced from Tribe of Noise.