David N.
About me
| David N. | |
| Archaeology | |
| Archaeological Research | |
| Undergraduate | |
| 2005 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Proposals and Development Writer | |
| University College London | |
| United Kingdom | |
| 2012 |
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A day in the life of a Proposals and Development Writer in the United Kingdom
My career history
Having completed my MA at York (where I also completed my BA, 2001-2004), I moved to the University of Birmingham for my PhD (Oct 2006 - Jan 2010). In 2009 I won an international research prize for early career researchers in my discipline, and in 2011 I published an edited volume with Oxford University Press. Despite moving out of academia I still maintain a reasonably high research profile; I have written numerous chapters and articles since graduating, and have travelled to workshops in Rome, Oxford, and London to present my work.
However, since finishing my PhD I have taken a step into a different area - development and fundraising. I worked as a Major Gifts Officer (trusts and foundations) at the University of Birmingham from December 2009 to July 2012. During this time my work secured over £20 million of philanthropic funding for the University. In August 2012, I moved to a new post at University College London, where I am responsible for 'professionalising' the written fundraising material used to encourage, solicit and close gifts for University's priority projects.
Courses taken since graduation
PhD in Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Birmingham
Where I hope to be in 5 years
First to help develop and deliver the next UCL campaign. Then, if I am still here in 2026, to play an integral role in the development of the bicentenary campaign. I now feel confident in my skills and abilities and would consider doing more formal consultancy work on writing for philanthropic campaigns.
My advice to students considering work
I would suggest that current students engage with their Development and Alumni Relations Office while they are there. Don't wait until after you've left. The networks and experiences that they provide can be invaluable in planning the next step after graduation.
My advice about working in my industry
As the funding landscape for higher education in the UK changes, the role of development and alumni relations will be increasingly important. This is a rare growth area within higher education and I would recommend that current students engage with it sooner rather than later.
What I do
My main responsibility is for the development of written materials in support of UCL's fundraising priorities, from one page summaries to large and complex proposals. The purpose of my post is to professionalise written output from UCL DARO in order to maximise fundraisers' ability to make compelling and persuasive asks, and in turn to maximise positive responses and increase gift income.
Skills I use and how I developed them
York provided the foundations for my critical thinking. Writing an archaeological paper might seem a million miles from writing a fundraising document, but the basic principles are the same - gathering evidence, interpretation, and the presentation of a robust and convincing argument.
What I like most
I get to use my old research skills, developed at York, to find out as much as possible about a given area before using this knowledge to build an argument (in this case, to convince someone to support the university financially). With every project, I find out new things about an entirely new area to me. I am always learning. I also like the responsibility that is given to me, and the chance to use my creativity (in writing and in publication formatting/design) to engage people.
What I like least
What would I change? I would have liked to have been involved with Development and Alumni Relations as a student. It was only something I really became aware of after I left.
Next steps...
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