As part of our Student Hour series, Leeds Trinity Students' Union invites you to join Andi Brierley for an open and honest conversation about overcoming adversity and finding your own path in life.
Andi's journey into higher education has been far from conventional. Having experienced removal from his family as a child, addiction and imprisonment, few would have imagined that he would one day become a university lecturer, published author and PhD researcher. But his experiences also shaped a different direction.
After leaving prison, Andi began working with young people in Leeds Youth Justice Service, drawing on his own experiences to support others facing difficult circumstances. That journey eventually brought him to Leeds Trinity University, where he now teaches criminology, writes books and conducts research into the criminal justice system.
With his PhD now nearing completion, Andi will share some of the experiences, people and opportunities that helped change the direction of his life, alongside the challenges that came with that journey.
This isn't an academic lecture. It's an opportunity to hear a personal story, ask questions and reflect on adversity, education and the possibility of change. Whatever you're studying, come along and join the conversation.