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Welcome to the Trinity edition of the Somervillian, which arrives this year amidst a blaze of sunshine and new growth.
Thanks to the weather, all the familiar signs of Trinity are already on display here in College. Our students are flocking to the Quad in droves, the library is crammed with perspiring finalists, and the gardens have erupted in their full technicolour beauty (including the return of our mistle thrushes).
Such sights are a welcome reminder of continuity. But look a little closer, and you will see more than just beauty. As ever at Somerville, quiet revolutions in learning and practice are happening just below the surface.
Read on for a selection of news highlighting some of those recent innovations. Then join us after the jump for more highlights, plus a look-ahead at this term’s events.
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Old dog, new tricks.
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Our JRF Dr Lachie Scarsbrook has revealed new data that pushes back the earliest evidence for dogs by more than 5,000 years – and gained himself the cover of Nature in the process. Lachie told us the whole story in the company of his new friend, Peach. |
READ MORE ➟ |
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| A Lifetime of Linguistic Achievement | Somerville SRF and co-founder of the Linguistics Faculty Professor Aditi Lahiri has received a lifetime achievement award recognising her many accomplishments, including a record-breaking six European Research Council grants. |
READ MORE ➟ |
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“Behind the Lines” Comes to Somerville | Listen as former diplomat and hit podcaster Arthur Snell meets the Somerville Sanctuary Scholars, young academics displaced by conflict who are now pursuing their studies in Oxford while simultaneously making change in their own countries. |
READ MORE ➟ |
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Honorary Fellow Addresses Royal Society | Our Honorary Fellow Afua Kyei (2000, MChem) invited Somerville students to join her at the Royal Society as she reflected on the role Somerville played in her journey to become CFO of the Bank of England.
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READ MORE ➟ |
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Work commences on the site of the Ratan Tata Building, April 2026 | "Endless Forms Most Beautiful" |
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As usual, innovation comes in many forms at Somerville. Earlier this month, contractors started work on Somerville’s new teaching and learning hub, the Ratan Tata Building. Ingeniously designed to make the most of the last, very compact plot of land in our estate, Somerville’s new building will strengthen our academic edge for years to come.
The college is now also starting to benefit from its unrivalled proximity to the new Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities. This month, three Somervillians appeared in the Schwarzman’s first ever ‘Open House’ programme, in what has been acclaimed as a triumphant meeting of town and gown.
Innovation with purpose has always been fundamental to Somerville’s ethos, and that tradition continues today. This year on Earth Day, MCR Environmental Rep, Ashima Gulati, launched “Green Fridays at Somerville”, a term-long collaboration spotlighting the sustainability work being done by Somerville students, alumni, academics and staff. |
| Forthcoming Events |
| As always, we have a packed calendar of events to cater for Somervillians of all ages and interests this term. |
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All About the RadCam 10th May 2026 | | Join Dr William Aslet (History, 2013) as he explains the origins, and paths not taken, behind one of Oxford’s best-loved buildings for his talk ‘James Gibbs and the Creation of Eighteenth-Century Oxford'. |
BOOK HERE ➟ |
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The James Bryce Memorial Lecture 15th May 2026 | | Join us for a rare opportunity to hear from diplomat extraordinaire Dame Karen Pierce as she reflects on a career that includes serving as the UK’s first woman ambassador to the USA - stories are sure to follow!
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BOOK HERE ➟ |
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David Bowie: You’re Not Alone30th May 2026 |
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A few seats remain for this immersive encounter with the many worlds of David Bowie at Lightroom London. Entry includes networking drinks and an introduction by curator Tommy Wide (2003, Classics).
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BUY TICKETS ➟ |
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Somerville College Commemoration 13th June 2026 | | Join us at our annual service to remember all Somervillians who have died in the preceding year, which this year includes Professors Averil Cameron and Carole Jordan, and Dr Frank Prochaska.
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BOOK HERE ➟ |
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The Last Princesses of Punjab Until 8th Nov 2026 |
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Discover the story of the Duleep Singh sisters who came to Somerville in 1890, then defied convention to become icons of suffragist and LGBTQ freedom in this new exhibition at Kensington Palace.
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BOOK HERE ➟ |
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Family Day5th Sep 2026
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It’s back! A firm favourite for Somervillians young and old, the Somerville College Family Day will once again feature all manner of fun and frolics, as well as curiosity-cultivating masterclasses with Somerville's tutors. |
WAITING LIST ➟ |
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| ALL EVENTS |
Well done for making it all the way to the end of this term’s Somervillian! As a special thank you, please allow us to give you the inside line on a couple more exciting events coming up soon.
The Penrose Society Lunch, 23rd May | Members of the Penrose Society, which celebrates those who plan to remember Somerville in their wills, are joining us on Saturday 23rd May for a special luncheon, featuring a music recital and talk by acclaimed author Prof Kate McLoughlin. If you wish to learn more about this special form of giving, please contact our Senior Development Executive Becca Coker.
Alumni Formal Hall, 19th Sep | Established in 2022, the all-years alumni formal is fast becoming an evening not to be missed. Save the date in your diaries, and we’ll write soon with more details.
That’s it from us until next time! Thank you for reading and we hope to see you soon, either in Somerville or out and about.
Warm regards Somerville Alumni Relations
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