The entire Somerville community is sad to say farewell to our outgoing Principal, Jan Royall, who will end her term in September 2025 after leading the College with vision, compassion and implacable Somervillian values since 2017.
Somerville’s students have already begun to express how much they will miss Jan in ways both personal and public. To date, two students have conducted interviews with Jan. Third-year Historian Lucy Pollock published an excellent, in-depth interview with Jan in The Oxford Blue, which you can read here. We are also glad to share with you the interview conducted by second-year PPE student Samuel Drew, which was recently published in The Somervillian student newspaper. You can read Sam’s full interview below.
Sam: My first question is the most important: How did you find the bop? Was it your first?
Jan: It was my first bop, and in my last term! I loved it, and I wish I’d been to more! I didn’t want to stay too long because I didn’t want to impinge on your freedom – it’s pretty weird, after all, having this ancient principal among you. I thought it was great and a lovely atmosphere. I love dancing, but not so sure about the bop juice. I didn’t try it, but I did serve it!
Sam: Coming up to eight years as principal, has the job been what you expected? Or did it surprise you?
Jan: When I arrived, I knew very little about Oxford University. I’d been to the city a couple of times, and my husband went to Exeter a long time ago, but I didn’t understand the university. And I knew far too little about Somerville. When I was encouraged to apply for Somerville, at first I was very reluctant and said no, no, no, but when I found out more about it, the ethos, it being a former women’s college, then I got enthused!
Before I arrived, I thought that Oxford University was a completely elitist institution. And whilst it is elitist in academic terms, which is fine, it was far less elitist than I had anticipated, and over the years it’s got more and more democratic in terms of the admissions. And that’s a real joy, because Oxford University, rightly or wrongly, produces leaders in politics, business, and every walk of life. As a consequence, it’s really important that people who might well take up leadership positions look like, and understand, the diversity of our population.
Sam Drew interviewing Principal Jan Royall in her study
Sam: And do you feel like encouraging that diversity is what you’re proudest of achieving in your role? Or is there something else you’re particularly proud of?
Jan: I’ve enjoyed lots of things. I’m glad that we are a College of Sanctuary. Somerville throughout its history has welcomed people who are displaced from areas of war or tension, and I like the fact that we’re carrying on that tradition.
I’m perhaps most proud of something people always say, which is that the college feels like a real community. Coming to Oxford is quite a challenging thing to do, so it’s lovely to have that supportive community in which I hope every person, staff and student, feels welcome. I hope they feel at home and that it’s a place that they can be themselves.
There’s also Covid, which was quite unexpected and took up two years of college life. I co-chaired a committee with the Head of Humanities that helped our university to reopen after the pandemic, and I’m proud that we got through it as a college, and as a university. It was a scary time, but that was fulfilling in a way.
Another thing I’m proud of is the number of scholarships we have. I think amongst all of the colleges we have one of the greatest number of scholarships. Talent is everywhere but opportunities are not, so scholarships are very necessary. Finally, I’m very proud of the fact that we’ve raised money for a new building! That is so exciting.
Sam: And what do you think you’ll miss most from Somerville?
Jan: The students! Absolutely, it’s the students. I love my colleagues, and the gardens, don’t get me wrong, but I get so excited by students’ energy and their enthusiasm. The education that we are privileged to have gives us all power, and you’re going to go out into the world and do amazing things. You might not transform the country or the world, but I think that everyone has the potential to go out into their communities and do more than they might have without this education.
I hope that students leaving Somerville will be confident, because that’s extremely important. But I also hope that they will have some humility, and use their power wisely.
Sam: You mentioned the gardens; do you have a favourite spot in Somerville?
Jan: Firstly, I love my house! The Principal has access to the very beautiful Radcliffe House, which is tucked away past the Chapel, and where I’m often able to put up guests visiting Oxford. And I do love the gardens, all of them, but there are certain spots and beds that I love. I love the flowerbed that goes up to the Chapel, it’s gorgeous, and the new pond and memorial garden are going to be glorious.
I also really like our Chapel, which is beautiful and very simple. I like that it is non-denominational, the fact that it’s a house of prayer for all people. And I very much enjoy the choral contemplations on a Sundays. It’s a time of peace and beautiful music and it stretches your mind somewhat. It’s not religious, but it’s just lovely, and I find it special. I wish more people went!
Sam: Have you got anything planned for after you finish at Somerville? A long holiday perhaps, or something else?
Jan: I’ll have a holiday in August, and that will be enough for me! As for what’s next, I’m a member of the House of Lords, which is a bit weird and wonderful. After I finish at Somerville, I will do more there, taking up issues that I care deeply about, like violence against women and girls, international development, young people, and many other things. I’m also hoping to chair a couple of charities, which is exciting.
Sam: And as you talk about your next steps, would you have any advice for students thinking about their own futures?
Jan: I think that the Oxford system of education, the tutorial system, gives people an enormous advantage, because it feeds your intellectual curiosity and teaches you how to think. And as we confront the opportunities and challenges of AI, that ability to think is going to become more and more important.
I hope that the students leaving Somerville will be confident, because that’s extremely important. But I also hope that they will have some humility, recognising that they have spent three of four years in a place of great privilege. That gives them power, and I hope that they will use that power wisely.
Sam: And would you give any advice to your successor, Catherine Royle?
Jan: Enjoy it! It’s a great place with wonderful people. It’s got a fantastic history, a great present, and her job will be to prepare it for the future!
Fellows, staff and students gather on the Quad for a farewell photo