Two Essex finalists in Study UK Alumni Awards in France

The University of Essex is celebrating another clutch of finalists in the British Council’s Study UK Alumni Awards in France.

Film studies and literature graduate Iglika Nikolova-Stoupak won the culture and creativity category for transforming literature and language education, while LLM International Human Rights Law graduate and Deputy Mayor of Lyon, Sonia Zdorovtzoff, was a finalist in the social action category for championing human rights.

They are following in the footsteps of art history graduate Sarai Lambert who won the the business and innovation category in 2024.

Speaking about her time at Essex, Sonia said: “In one year, I honed my skills as a human rights champion, engaged with some of the brightest minds in the field, and learned from renowned professors and lawyers. My Essex experience opened the door to my next position within a humanitarian NGO and revealed the importance of championing human rights not only internationally but also at the local level.”

Iglika said: "I am grateful to the Study UK Alumni Awards for giving me the opportunity to look back with a smile, knowing that I am exactly where I want to be in my career and that my education has played a major role in this".

Sonia’s story

Sonia Zdorovtzoff is the Deputy Mayor of the City of Lyon, overseeing international relations, cooperation, and solidarity. Her remarkable career and dedication to championing human rights at both local and international levels exemplify the transformative impact of an Essex education and led to being a finalist in the social action category of the Study UK Alumni Awards.

Sonia’s journey began in a small French town surrounded by fields and mountains, but she always aspired to make a global impact. After earning an MA in European Law and Economics at Science Po Grenoble, she worked for NGOs across Brussels, Ramallah, and London, advocating for children’s rights. However, she felt a need to deepen her understanding of international human rights law, which led her to pursue the world-renowned LLM programme at Essex.

Her time at Essex has shaped her future path. After years of working with countries affected by war, humanitarian crises, and natural disasters, Sonia decided to run for office in Lyon, France. In June 2020, she was elected Deputy Mayor, where she implemented a human-rights-based approach to the city’s international relations.

Under her leadership, Lyon has provided first aid to victims of conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, and Gaza, as well as natural disasters in Libya, Morocco, and Türkiye. Sonia has played a crucial role in welcoming thousands of Ukrainian refugees, fostering an inclusive city by reshaping international events, and strengthening ties with Armenian cities to support them through war and displacement.

Sonia’s Essex education was instrumental in drafting Lyon’s human-rights approach, earning the city recognition within global networks such as United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) and the European Union’s Fundamental Rights Agency.

Beyond her achievements in Lyon, Sonia served as an adviser for a presidential candidate in the 2022 French general elections, where her expertise in international human rights law proved invaluable.

She also continues to share her Essex experience widely, inspiring others with her knowledge and leadership. Whether engaging with ambassadors, consuls, or mayors, Sonia proudly credits her Essex education for shaping her career and empowering her to become a voice for change.

Sonia’s story is a testament to the profound impact of studying at Essex, equipping graduates with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to transform their communities and the world.

Iglika’s story

Iglika Nikolova-Stoupak’s remarkable journey is a testament to resilience, passion, and an unwavering commitment to both creativity and academic excellence. Her inspirational work has led to her being named as a finalist in the France in the culture and creativity category of the Study UK Alumni Awards.

Born and raised in Bulgaria, Iglika’s fascination with British culture led her to the UK, where she pursued her BA in Film Studies and Literature, followed by an MA in Literature, both at the University of Essex. She graduated with top honours, achieving a first-class degree and a distinction in her Masters, a reflection of her academic prowess.

Her years at Essex were transformative. It was here that she honed her skills, embracing the independent research culture that the UK and Essex is renowned for. As Iglika recounts: “UK universities respect students’ abilities, interests, and personalities, encouraging them to surprise and innovate. This environment allowed me to specialise in comparative literature and translation, areas that deeply fascinated me.” Her outstanding performance as an undergraduate even earned her a full scholarship for her Masters degree.

For a decade, personal circumstances took centre stage, including raising a son with autism and supporting her family through health challenges. Yet, during this period, she discovered her “happy place” in languages. A true polyglot, she now speaks nine languages and is a member of the Hyperpolyglot International Association (HYPIA).

In 2019, Iglika authored Allistic in Wonderland, a book about autism, and in 2021, she was awarded the Best Film Project prize by the Bulgarian Film Society. That same year, she was granted the prestigious MEXT scholarship by the Japanese Ministry of Education, which allowed her to specialise in natural language processing (NLP) at Kyoto University.

Today, Iglika is pursuing a PhD at Sorbonne University in France, where her research focuses on the automatic generation of abridged versions of literary texts for children and individuals with learning disabilities. She also works as an NLP specialist at the University of Lorraine’s Loria laboratory, one of the largest computer science research institutions in France. Iglika has presented her research at international conferences and has authored around 20 academic publications, contributing significantly to the field of NLP.

Beyond academia, Iglika and her husband run a YouTube channel, Monoglossia, where they share free language lessons and invite speakers of rare languages to provide unique learning experiences. The channel, with over 2,000 subscribers, reflects their dedication to making language education accessible to all.

Iglika credits much of her success to the education and support she received in the UK. “The independence and respect offered to students in UK universities shaped me profoundly,” she says. She now seeks to inspire others, not only through her teaching and research but also by sharing her experiences of studying in the UK, encouraging her students to think independently and pursue their goals with confidence.

Her story is a shining example of the power of education to transform lives and the incredible impact of Essex graduates worldwide.

This story was updated on Monday 17 March 2025