Happy new year and a warm welcome to this Hilary Term issue of the Somervillian!

We’ve always thought it wise to look both ways as you cross the threshold of a new year. As we reflect on 2022, one thing that emerges clearly is the extent to which your support gave us the resilience to turn challenges into opportunities. With your help, we made further progress on our path to net-zero; held our first in-person open days since 2019; and secured our position as one of Oxford’s most affordable colleges for our students, despite the rising cost of living.

We were also delighted to welcome you, our alumni, back to College to tackle the issues that matter and celebrate the progress we have made in securing our values. Our Celebration of Sanctuary enabled us to reflect on the role we can play in extending academic opportunities to refugee and displaced scholars. Our alumni Carol Concerts saw us celebrate the impact of women composers with the Somerville College Choir’s new ‘Dawn of Grace’ LP. Our packed calendar of events, reunions and Gaudies saw us welcome stellar speakers such as Dame Dr June Raine, Dame Kate Bingham and Professor Emma Smith for occasions rich both in intellectual content and Somerville warmth.