Dr Mollie & Dr Bradley

Hertswood Academy offers its congratulations to former students, Dr Mollie Georgiou and Dr Bradley Hopkins, on earning their doctorates. Mollie and Bradley completed their studies at Hertswood in 2016, having served the school community as Head Girl and Head Boy in their final year with us.

We are very proud of what they have achieved and caught up with both of them to find out about their academic journeys and the vital work they are now undertaking.

After Hertswood, Mollie headed to the University of Cambridge to study Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, graduating in 2019. Following a year working in an administrative role, Mollie started her Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology, while also working at Hertswood as a tutor for A-Level Psychology. These experiences helped her to discover an interested in early development and what makes a real difference for children and young people. She explored the interests further by working as an Assistant Psychologist in a north London primary school, while spending a few evenings each week as a Youth Support Worker.

Motivated by these experiences, Mollie applied for the doctorate in Professional Educational, Child and Adolescent Psychology at the UCL Institute of Education and was successful, receiving her degree in August 2025. She is now stepping into her role as a newly-qualified HCPC registered Educational Psychologist, and is keen to address social exclusion and support positive outcomes for children, young people and families through her career.

Bradley was awarded his Master’s Degree in Chemistry from the University of Nottingham in 2020. During his degree he was engaged in the Chemistry Society and Taekwondo team, eventually being elected president of both. He remained at Nottingham to complete a PhD in Sustainable Chemistry, with research focusing on exploring new ways to recycle plastics -- particularly the type used to make water bottles, that don’t produce large amounts of hazardous waste. He found this work to be really interesting, and was lucky enough to visit research facilities in Dublin, Valencia and Tennessee.

'At the moment, I am undertaking a research fellowship between UoN and AstraZeneca where we are looking to find ways to regenerate materials they use to make drugs. I have been able to travel regularly between Nottingham and Cambridge while working on this project, and we are making real progress!' -Dr Bradley Hopkins

Above -- Mollie and Bradley meeting with former US Ambassador to the UK, Matthew Barzun, during their time as Head Girl and Head Boy in 2016.