Meet the MCR

Hi, I’m Rebecca the MCR House Chair. I’m responsible for the MCR space and its amenities (such as the air mattress lending scheme), together with providing biscuits and tea. I hope to green up the space a little and am always happy to hear suggestions how we could contribute to your wellbeing in the MCR! Otherwise I am a DPhil student in Medieval German, researching healthcare in medieval German convents. I like to go on long rambling walks, have a (supposedly) questionable obsession with peanut butter, and enjoy meeting friends and new people for shared food and nature excursions!

Originally from a Franco-Nepali background, I spent my formative years moving between Nepal and France, an experience that sparked my passion for global politics and cross-cultural understanding. This unique upbringing, paired with my multilingualism in French, Nepali, English, and Spanish, has driven my academic focus on migration, identity, and human rights. After earning a BA in International Politics and French in Paris and gaining hands-on experience in refugee support work in Greece, I am now pursuing an MSc in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies at the University of Oxford. My long-term aim is to contribute to inclusive migration policy and advocacy through research and collaboration with international organizations. Being the Social Secretary of the Somerville MCR is one of the most fulfilling parts of my time at Oxford. I love bringing people together in creative, welcoming, and meaningful ways, whether through formals, brunches, film nights, or cultural celebrations. It’s a joy to help cultivate a strong sense of community, especially in a graduate environment that can often feel academically intense. Creating spaces where students can relax, share laughs, and feel at home has shown me the value of connection, and I’m proud to be part of a team that makes Somerville such a warm and vibrant place to be.

Hello, my name is Harry and I’m the MCR Secretary. I’m a first year DPhil in Engineering Science, studying how Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOF) can improve electrical output from Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG), for net-zero sensing and energy harvesting applications. As MCR Secretary, I’m on hand to help out with the MCR administration tasks, alongside organising general meetings and the mailing list. Please feel free to reach out for any questions or queries about the MCR.

Hello there! My name is Sanjana Choudhary and I am reading for a Master’s in Modern South Asian Studies as an OICSD scholar. My research tackles colonial censorship of Indian magazines and banned literature in the 20th century. I am a writer and journalist, which makes me naturally passionate about the workings of the library and academia. As your Library & Education Rep, I will be coordinating as a bridge between the Education Committee of the College and the graduate academic community (MCR). I will also be organising the MCR research symposium for interested members. Feel free to reach out to me with any academic or library related concerns, suggestions and feedback! I can be reached out at sanjana.choudhary@some.ox.ac.uk anytime!

I am a DPhil student in the Faculty of Law. My research explores the intersections between intellectual property, medical AI, data protection, and ethics. I grew up in Wales and in my spare time I enjoy playing tennis, puzzling, and watching TV (mostly Dragon’s Den and Made in Chelsea). As IT Officer, I’ll be helping to set up and maintain the MCR website, making it a useful resource for everyone in the college community. If you ever spot anything on the site that needs fixing or if you have ideas for improvements, feel free to get in touch!

Ghaith is a former Msc student who read Radiobiology in 2023/24.

As the previous MCR treasurer, he was involved in running MCR finances, and helped organise events and activities. As the current associate member representative, he aims to improve accessibility of associate members to college and MCR life. He is also the first point of contact for MCR associate members, and communicates closely with college. Ghaith’s proudest college achievement: the first ever student at Somerville to successfully borrow and drive the college van, bringing the MCR our lovely foosball table (with the help of Tim of course, see picture).

Hey, I’m Chloe the First Generation and Low Income Student Rep in the MCR.

I am a first year DPhil Student in Primary Healthcare Sciences, exploring Sarcoma and AI using social science research methods, I’m a Sociologist by background. I am also a first-gen student! In the coming year I will be running some events and workshops within the MCR to support the first gen and low income graduate students. Outside of my DPhil I am a powerlifter, coffee lover and reader.

Feel free to contact me with any concerns or queries.

My name is Wantoe T. Wantoe, and I am from Liberia. I am currently an MSc candidate in Comparative and International Education at the Department of Education, University of Oxford. Previously, I completed a Master in Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford.  

I serve as the Oxford Student Union Representative for the Middle Common Room (MCR) at Somerville College, where I ensure inclusivity and advocate for the voices of Somerville students within the larger Oxford Student Union. My role focuses on fostering a supportive environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and students’ needs and concerns are effectively represented in university-wide decision-making. 

Hi, my name is Aparajita (She/Her), and I am a graduate student reading for the Bachelor of Civil Law. 

I am an intersectional feminist and aim to view the world from this lens to be conscious of, and reveal, the various ways in which our policies, infrastructures and values reflect and perpetuate women’s oppression. I enjoy studying both private and public law issues from a feminist perspective, ranging from insolvency law to domestic violence.  

As the MCR Women’s Representative, my aim is to ensure that Somerville is and remains an inclusive space that champions women from all walks of life. This ranges from organising events that celebrate women to ensuring that women feel safe and comfortable on campus. 

I am always available for a quick chat, coffee, or if you just need a study partner. 🙂 I am happy to discuss any concerns with full confidentiality and an open mind. 

Hello there, I’m Gladson Vaghela, and I’m delighted to serve as your MCR Welfare Officer. I’m currently reading for my MSc in Global Health Science and Epidemiology. 

In my capacity as Welfare Officer, I’m dedicated to being your ally in navigating the challenges that may arise during your time at university. Whether it’s a health-related concern, a mental well-being issue, or if you just need someone to talk to, I’m here to provide a listening ear and guide you to the appropriate resources. Think of me as your personal signpost, directing you to the vast support network we have, from counselling services to health centres and all essential support groups. Additionally, I come from a background in medicine, which I hope brings an added layer of understanding and empathy to our interactions.

Reaching out for help can sometimes feel daunting—trust me, I’ve been there. But please know that I am always happy to hear from you, and confidentiality is a cornerstone of our interactions. Remember, no problem is too big or too small. University life is a journey with its fair share of ups and downs, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

So whether you need assistance or simply fancy a chat over a cup of coffee, my offer stands—don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s create an inclusive and supportive community where each one of us can truly thrive.

Mahek Bhatia is reading for the MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice in the Faculty of Law. She is interested in the intersections between feminist legal theories and criminal justice, specifically within the context of marital sexual violence.

Previously, she served as an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer at Warwick Law School during her LLB, where she actively engaged with various departments and committees to represent student concerns.

As your Disabled Students’ Representative, she is interested in making available resources more accessible to students, and building a community and forum for students to voice their disability-related concerns. Please feel free to reach out to her to voice any issues you may be facing, or if you just want to chat.

Hi! I am Jairus, a third-year DPhil student in Experimental Particle Physics working on one of the four main experiments at the Large Hadron Collider. I like techno, Common Ground Oat Flat Whites, and thrifting. During my time at Somerville, I’ve been active in Committee – previously as Social Secretary and one of the a Equality & Diversity Rep’s – and I’m now honoured to be the MCR President. In my role, I oversee the MCR committee, ensuring everyone responsible in committee is fulfilling their roles effectively. Therefore, I oversee the social, welfare, and financial aspects of the MCR as a whole. From this, I lead meetings within the MCR and MCR committee, have regular updates with the Principal and other senior management, and represent the MCR within the College and the Oxford SU. But most importantly? I’m here to listen. Our MCR is wonderfully diverse, and I’m committed to ensuring everyone feels heard and supported. If you’ve got ideas to make our community even better (big or small) I’d love to hear it.

Hey! I’m Francess and I’m a graduate entry medical student at Somerville. I am based mostly in the John Radcliffe hospital, but you can often find me in the library or in any of the wonderful cafés we have in Jericho.

As Vice President, my role involves supporting the president in the running of the executive and representative committee. I also play a role in organising initiatives with focuses ranging from social conscience to promoting personal and academic development. My goal is to work collaboratively with the committee to provide sufficient opportunities for postgraduates to thrive and leave Oxford with a fulfilling, memorable experience.

I always love to hear from you, whether that’s to share ideas about future events or to grab a coffee – do not hesitate to reach out for a chat! 

Ishani is a candidate for the D.Phil. in Law at Somerville College. Her doctoral research aims to evaluate the present paradigm on disability-selective abortions in India and develop an ‘indigenous’ normative and legal framework for governing such abortion in India. In contrast to sex-selective abortions, which are prohibited in India, disability-selective abortions are positively sanctioned under the Indian legislative and judicial framework. She seeks to underline how the present paradigm reduces women to ‘gatekeepers of perfection’ and disregards the State’s duty of non-discrimination and reasonable accommodation towards disabled people. Given the unique context of evolution of reproductive rights and disability rights in India, she will attempt to highlight the limitations of Western intellectual tradition and develop an ‘Indian’ framework to address this debate in India. In doing so, she will endeavour to fill a theoretical gap in Indian feminist and disability-rights scholarship and make appropriate recommendations for legal reforms.

Ishani is keenly interested in analysing rights-based frameworks through feminist and critical legal scholarship and undertaking comparative and inter-disciplinary study of human rights and corresponding State obligations. Prior to the DPhil, Ishani read on the Bachelor of Civil Law programme at the University of Oxford as a Cornelia Sorabji Scholar. She opted for public law courses, like Medical Law and Ethics and Comparative Equality Law. She also graduated with the B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) degree from Jindal Global Law School, India.

As the Welfare Officer, she hopes to make the MCR a more comfortable, welcoming and inclusive space for all members of the MCR, through different events, initiatives, and schemes. If there is anything that the MCR can support you with, please feel free to reach out to her. 

Hello all! My name is Juliette, I am a DPhil student in Economics where I work on environmental economics. As Music rep, I am in charge of organising all the music events such as music lessons, karaoke, open mics and charity concerts! 

When I’m not doing these things, chances are I’ll still be behind a piano… in the kitchen maybe, as I am a fond baker of French pastries. 

Mounir comes from a lovely small city on the east coast of the Mediterranean: Saida, Lebanon. Mounir received his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering – Design, Materials, and Manufacturing track along with a minor degree in Arabic and Near Eastern Languages from the American University of Beirut (AUB). His interest in language goes far to the study of classical texts in the early Arabic Grammar and Lexicography. 

Mounir has worked with the Insight Club AUB to construct a supportive community to university students by balancing between physical intellectual and spiritual needs. Mounir is interested in the field of solid mechanics and mechanics of composite materials has published in reputable journals and received faculty awards.

Mounir aims to apply his experience to Metal Organic Framework Materials (MOFs) in studying their mechanical properties and their composites in polymer matrices and different geometries. This includes exploring the time dependent properties of MOFs and composites at different length scales. In addition, the fracture of MOFs and their toughness is of interest for designing damage-tolerant structures for energy absorption applications.

Beyond engineering, Mounir is interested in walking and in reading classical and folk literature.

I’m a DPhil student in History, researching memory, identity in postcolonial nation-states. As Welfare Officer, I care deeply about fostering an inclusive and supportive MCR where everyone feels welcome and heard. Whether you’re looking for someone to talk to, advice on resources, or just a quiet cup of tea, I’m here to help. I’m also a big believer in small but sustainable joys—so expect occasional sweet bites, helpful scheme plans (feel free to share ideas) and low-pressure events to keep spirits up. Please feel free to reach out anytime!

Hello! I’m Bethan, the 2024/25 House Chair for Somerville MCR.

I’m an Experimental Psychology DPhil student, working in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience. My research aims to explore differences in neural recruitment for executive function and mathematics by children from diverse socio-cultural contexts, and how protective factors support development.

As House Chair, I will be overseeing our physical MCR spaces here at Somerville. If you have any thoughts on what you would like to see in our MCR, please get in touch!

Hi there! I’m Callum and I am currently reading for the MSc in Mathematical Sciences. Originally from Greater Manchester, I am a big Oldham Athletic supporter. You can probably tell that I enjoy football, but I also spend a lot of time reading and going to the gym. I believe sport is a great way to keep fit whilst building social connections and having fun! My aim as MCR Sports Rep is to make this as easy as possible for everyone to get involved.

Please do feel free to contact me for anything regarding sports/physical activities.