Introducing Leeds University’s real life answer to Van Wilder – Dr. Tim Stevenson. Tim might be a 28-year-old PhD graduate, but he’s still every bit the party-going fresher that arrived in Leeds back in 2001. I decided to sit down with Tim to find out how he’s spent his last 10 years in Leeds and just why the city and university have had such a hold over him for so long.
HC: Where did you live in your first year?
TS: I was a Dev boy back in the day. I had a great time there but never quite felt like a deserved my place after twisting the truth on my application. The odd trumpet lesson is the same as being in the school orchestra, right?
HC: So I’m guessing you didn’t stick to your musical roots while at uni then?
TS: Not exactly. I tried my hand at pretty much anything and have always encouraged anyone else to do the same. I started off by joining the Boxing Club followed by a less than successful stint with the Breakdancing Society. Being an undergraduate was all about just getting stuck in to everything and anything. I tried my hand at Rugby Union after enjoying playing at school but in 2006 I found my calling…as a cheerleader.
HC: A Cheerleader? Wow. So how did that work out for you?
TS: Being on the Leeds University Celtics Cheerleading Team was a real highlight of my university career. Not only do you get to hang out with an awesome group of people, but the competitive side is addictive. During my time as a Celtic I managed to earn the title of National Champion at team level and as part of group stunt. I also had the most amazing opportunity to appear on Britain’s Got Talent in front of Simon Cowell with the Aviator Allstars, a local Leeds team.
The Celtics picking up yet another set of trophies.
HC: So it’s pretty clear that your extra-curricular timetable was jam-packed, but tell me more about the academic side?
TS: Well I started off by studying a four-year Masters course in Materials Science and Engineering, which then lead onto a PhD in Magnetoelectric Materials at the Institute for Materials Research at Leeds University. Although achieving my doctorate has been a hard slog, the travel benefits have made it all so much more worth it. I recently totted up that I had been to 97 cities – visiting most of these as part of my PhD studies. I’m so lucky to have been given the opportunity to travel the world while writing my thesis and in a longer stint spent abroad, I attended the University of Illinois for one semester as part of my research.
Checking out the sites and heights of Sestrierre, Italy on a research trip
HC: What was it like studying at a US college compared to Leeds Uni?
TS: UofI really was something else. The place is so stereotypically American you have no choice but to revel in it and just go with the flow. Everyone was so welcoming to me and with a bit of the old English charm to aid me along the way, I made a great group of friends whom I know I’ll always stay in touch with. While I was out in the states I was even able to carry on cheering which was a fantastic opportunity not only to be around top athletes but also from a social perspective. Can’t beat an old-style American kegger!
The amazing Illini cheer team!
HC: What has been your greatest achievement while at Leeds Uni?
TS:Earlier this year I was presented with the Early Research Career Engineer of the Year Award a £3,000 cash prize and a gold Medal. It was a real honour receiving the prize at the House of Commons and a day I’ll never forget.
The Medal!
HC: What have you been up to since graduating this summer?
TS: I have set up my own company in conjunction with the Uni with the aim of commercializing the research I conducted over the last four years. It’s going really well so far and being able to stay at the Leeds campus has obviously been a dream since, if you hadn’t noticed, I love Leeds!
HC: Really? We’d never have guessed. But what exactly do you think is so attractive about Leeds as a place to study?
TS: Campus life since day one has always had a buzz about it and unlike other uni’s; Leeds’ location in relation to the city and the student area’s (Hyde Park, Headingley etc.) is so ideal. Being an Engineering student at an institution recognised worldwide for my area of expertise has also been a plus.
HC: Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? Still living the life in Leeds?
TS:As much as I’d like to while away the next 10 years in the Terrace, I’ll ideally still be MD of my own company and hopefully have moved back to Chicago, IL – still as proud alumni of the University of Leeds of course.
Best city in the world (after Leeds).