Civil service delegation visits Durham to inspire next generation of policy leaders

Civil Service delegation 

The visit was especially meaningful, with two of the four civil service representatives being Durham Humanities alumni, returning to share their experiences and advice with current students. The delegation included Yuki Tsujino (Scottish Government and Lead of the Civil Service Classics Network), Geoffrey Scott (National Records Office of Scotland), and two Durham alumni, Georgie Crowther and Jed Potter, both Civil Service Fast Streamers based in London and former History students at St Aidan’s College. Their varied experiences offered students a rich and authentic view of careers in public service. 

^{Civil Service panel discussion}

Two highly attended events to boost student insight 

The programme featured two distinct events aimed at widening access to knowledge about civil service careers: 

1. “So you really want to be a civil servant?” – A university-wide event 

Hosted at Hatfield College by Durham University’s Careers and Enterprise Centre, the session was open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students across the University. 

The event attracted exceptional interest, prompting organisers to provide a livestreamed overflow room so that every student who wished to participate could do so. 

2. A specialist masterclass for postgraduate students in Classics and Ancient History 

The delegation then visited the Department of Classics and Ancient History for an in-depth discussion with students on the MA module ‘Engaging Policymakers with Arts and Humanities Research’, a new cross-faculty course led by Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson. 

This session also involved colleagues from the Durham University Public Policy Hub, helping students and staff make new connections to boost policy-engaged research. 

Positive feedback from visitors and students 

Civil service colleagues praised the quality of student engagement: 

“We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Durham University. Students asked perceptive and interesting questions. The policy-focussed course is something we wish we had done at university; so innovative and useful!” 

Students also described the visit as informative and inspiring: 

• “I didn’t really know what the civil service was at the start of this talk but now I understand much better and am keen to apply.” 

• “It was good to hear about the variety of roles available in the civil service.” 

• “Our visitors gave us real-life examples of how public policy is developed and implemented. It sounds exciting!” 

Strengthening Durham’s commitment to employability 

Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson reflected on the wider significance of the visit: 

“I know from my own research that Durham graduates are highly employable. I am pleased that this visit to Durham by the Civil Service has opened up new career possibilities for students post university. This engagement also highlights how strongly our students embody Durham’s Graduate Attributes - from intellectual rigour and creativity to ethical leadership, collaboration, and the ability to apply their skills in a rapidly changing world.” 

Find out more 

• Read more about the work of Prof Arlene Holmes-Henderson and our  Policy Hub. 

• Learn more about employability for undergraduate and postgraduate Classics and Ancient History students. 

• Watch a video showing  Arlene discussing how arts and humanities research can influence policymaking. 

• Our Department of Classics and Ancient History is ranked ninth in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025. Visit our Classics and Ancient History webpages for more information on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.