16 April 2026
"What I love about Sunderland is the people, the places, the culture, and its identity"
Carley Armstrong
The University's partnership with Sunderland AFC launches on 20 April, and on matchday you can see some of the students, alumni, staff and friends of the University on display on the big screen in Keel Square who are “Made in Sunderland”.
Made in Sunderland will be a week-long celebration of the stories, people, businesses and culture that make our city great. Taking place from Monday 20 April, the week will culminate under the lights at the Stadium of Light when the Black Cats face Nottingham Forest on Friday 24 April.
Among those featured in the Made In Sunderland campaign is Sunderland-born Producer, Filmmaker and writer Carley Armstrong. Carley graduated from the University with a First-Class Honours degree in Media Production, was born, raised, and educated on Wearside, and has gone on to build an impressive career in the film and television industry.
Since graduating from the University, she has worked on award-winning productions including Adolescence, Brassic, and Mission: Impossible - as well as producing her own films here in the region - and now teaches at the University.
“What I love about Sunderland is the people, the places, the culture, and its identity,” says Carley. "We're very different from Newcastle, and I'm very keen to create that identity on screen.
"I had a baby as a teenager, and at the University they really supported me with my childcare and studies. Now I'm an academic here, and looking back, coming to the University of Sunderland was the best thing for me. Without that course and without the support of lecturers at Sunderland, I wouldn't be where I am today, teaching and working in film and TV.
“I'm really inspired by all the creativity and changes happening in Sunderland and I'm excited to see it evolve even further.”
Carley is a lifelong Sunderland fan, and earlier this year she was made an Ambassador for the Foundation of Light. As the official charity of Sunderland AFC, Foundation of Light uses the power of football to inspire, educate and support people of all ages across Sunderland, South Tyneside, and County Durham.
"I was really honoured to be an ambassador for the Foundation of Light. I got a letter from Sir Bob Murray, which was so cool. It was a lovely letter saying how proud the Club were of what I've been able to achieve in my career.
“As an Ambassador I really wanted to be involved for people from my background who may be struggling with challenges, I hope they will see my story and be inspired. Everyone thinks that filmmaking is for people who live in London, and that's just not true, and I'm living proof of that.”
And Carley will be at the match at the Stadium of Light on 24 April when Sunderland take on Notts Forest.
“What I love about Sunderland Football Club is cheesy chips on matchday,” she says, "And I just love being there.
“When you're at the match, it's like a community, and I love that community. Obviously, we've got the best fans in the world and the best club in the world, and that's why I love Sunderland.”
