It is with tremendous sadness that we must inform you that Dame Fiona Caldicott, our former Principal, passed away in the early hours of this morning.

Dame Fiona was a brilliant, dedicated, and empathetic leader of this college. She led us confidently into the future as a newly co-educational institution, and also served as Pro-Vice Chancellor.

Both during and after her time here, she worked tirelessly to regulate and reform the use of data in healthcare. One of the early figures to realise the importance of patient privacy in the new digital age, she became the UK’s first National Data Guardian in 2014. But, despite her increasingly busy post-Oxford life, she always had time for Somerville.

We are gathering tributes, and we would love to hear any stories, photographs or memories you might like to share. You can contact us on communications@some.ox.ac.uk.

We are so lucky to have known Dame Fiona. She will be greatly missed.

Further reading?

Gardener’s Blog: Spring at Somerville

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25 April 2025
Gardener’s Blog: Spring at Somerville

Somervillian shortlisted for Commonwealth Short Story Prize

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15 April 2025
Somervillian shortlisted for Commonwealth Short Story Prize

Dr Barbara Everett (1932-2025)

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07 April 2025
Dr Barbara Everett (1932-2025)