Swansea in London 2026

University Library – Past, Present and Future.

Join us in London for our annual alumni networking event, where past, present and future meet. We will take a journey through the University’s archives, rekindling memories you may recognise as your own, while also looking ahead to what the next chapter could hold.

More than a trip down memory lane, this evening is a chance to grow your London network – reconnect with old friends, meet fellow alumni across industries, and build relationships with potential employers, collaborators, employees and business partners in a relaxed and inspiring setting.

The 2026 event will take place from 6pm to 9pm on 26 February at the prestigious Royal Society, 6–9 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG.

The 1937 Library on Singleton Campus has been at the heart of student life for nearly a century. For generations of students, it has been more than just a place to study – it has been a backdrop to late-night revision, chance encounters, lifelong friendships and the first sparks of big ideas.

We’re bringing some of the library archive material to London. You might find material from your time in Swansea, copies of student newspapers, or maybe even catch a glimpse of your younger self in the photographs.

Built in response to a growing student community, the 1937 Library forms the East Wing of a much larger complex designed in 1963 – but for many, it will always be remembered as the place where their university story truly took shape.

As the University has evolved, so too has the library. Today’s shared workspaces, discussion pods and open-plan areas reflect new ways of learning and collaborating. The shelves may be lighter, but the building is still full of energy, ideas and conversation.

So what comes next? What should a library look like for the next generation of students? As digital resources grow and ways of working continue to change, how do we design spaces that still bring people together?