The Bedford Society Scholarships are funded by alumni and former staff members of Bedford College. By supporting talented students, these scholarships ensure that the name and heritage of Bedford College is continued and celebrated.
A warm welcome to the new 2025/26 Bedford Society Scholars listed below. A list of previous Bedford Society Scholars is available here.
Sarah, MSc Social Work
Interests: Trauma-informed care, family support, community mental health
'I am Sara, a postgraduate student beginning the MSc Social Work at Royal Holloway this September. My academic path started with a BA in Sociology, where I developed an understanding of inequality and social systems, and continued with an MSc in Cognitive Psychology, where I investigated how trauma affects memory and emotional resilience. My dissertation focused on mothers of children undergoing bone marrow transplants, and I designed a short-term intervention to help them reconnect with specific, positive memories. Participants described feeling more grounded and emotionally balanced, an experience that confirmed my desire to move into social work practice.
Since 2018, I have also volunteered with Khaneh Emad, a charitable foundation in Tehran. Initially supporting the daily needs of families, I later facilitated therapeutic activities for mothers coping with displacement, uncertainty, and chronic stress. This hands-on experience has shaped both my research and my professional ambitions.
At Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, I hope to strengthen my ability to integrate psychological insight with systemic and community-based approaches. My long-term goal is to become a registered social worker in the UK, specialising in family and mental-health services, and to contribute to community-based programmes that support resilience in families affected by illness and trauma.
The Bedford Society Scholarship makes this step possible. It not only reduces financial pressure but also connects me to a tradition of pioneering education that I deeply admire. I am honoured to be part of this community and eager to give back in the future.'
Gaby, MA Creative Writing
'I am incredibly appreciative to be a recipient of the Bedford Society Scholarship. This scholarship has given me the freedom to dedicate more time to my writing and produce work at the peak of my potential.
After receiving my degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Birmingham in 2020, I plunged headfirst into a career in the community arts sector. I have run writing and storytelling workshops for companies such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, Aston Hall and the Birmingham Hippodrome, and organised local writing groups and events. Leaving education and working, especially with communities, has taught me a lot about my writing and the environment I’m writing in. I have found a passion for novel writing, as well as a more developed and concentrated love of literature. I have watched my writing develop in leaps and bounds over the last few years and am excited to re-enter an intensive writing environment.
Through this MA, I hope to hone my authorial voice and create high-quality fiction. I am interested in using the creative freedom of magical realism to explore themes of migration, identity, and friendship. I would love to be published one day and potentially go on to further study. However, my initial aim is to bring my knowledge and research back to community groups through workshops and events.'
Qingan, MSc Applied Neuroscience (part time over 2 years)
'My name is Qingan Huang, and I am a part-time student on the MSc in Applied Neuroscience programme. My academic and professional background spans psychology, management, and higher education, with teaching and research experience in both the UK and China. I have always been driven by a deep curiosity about the neuroscientific foundations of human behaviour.
Receiving the Bedford Society Scholarship has made it possible for me to begin this important new chapter. As a mature student balancing professional and personal responsibilities, this support has removed a major financial barrier and allowed me to focus on my studies and academic development.
This scholarship enables me to pursue research that combines neuroscience with leadership and well-being. I aim to use this training to design evidence-based interventions addressing issues like executive burnout and ethical decision-making, and to mentor future scholars in this emerging interdisciplinary space.
I am deeply grateful for the Bedford Society’s generosity. This scholarship represents not only financial help, but a strong encouragement for my adventure. Hopefully, I can further develop myself and contribute to the Bedford Society’s activities in the future.'
A Bedford Society Scholarship can be life-changing for students and we are enormously grateful to everyone who supports them. Find out more about supporting the Bedford Society Scholarships Fund.
