College bulletin: 18 November
Today St John’s has launched a new podcast series inspired by Lady Margaret Beaufort, a student fundraiser has helped raise £12,000 for charity and old candles are being set aflame again.
Read on for more…
College news
Introducing ‘Souvient’ – a new Cambridge podcast series
St John’s is today launching new podcast series Souvient to intrigue, inform and inspire listeners.
In each episode host Heather Hancock, Master of St John’s, will be joined by a notable person from the St John’s community for a lively and thought-provoking conversation about their life and work.
To mark the 40th anniversary of the admission of women as members of St John’s, the first guests to be interviewed on Souvient will be pioneering female alumnae of the College.
Listen to the first episode of Souvient
St John’s College announces Christopher Gray as its new Director of Music
‘Exceptional musician’ Christopher Gray has been named as the new leader of The Choir of St John’s.
Gray, currently Director of Music at Truro Cathedral, will conduct the world-famous choir which is renowned for launching the careers of many globally recognised musicians.
Synthetic biology meets medicine: ‘programmable molecular scissors’ could help fight Covid-19 infection
Cambridge scientists have used synthetic biology to create artificial enzymes to target the genetic code of SARS-CoV-2 and destroy the virus, an approach that could be used to develop a new generation of antiviral drugs.
Dr Alex Taylor, a Sir Henry Dale Fellow and Affiliated Researcher at St John’s, and his team at Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease successfully ‘killed’ live SARS-CoV-2 virus in their research, published in Nature Communications.
Academic awarded prestigious fellowship
Dr Vincent Fortuin, a Fellow of St John’s, has been selected for The Branco Weiss Fellowship, a programme for outstanding postdoctoral researchers hosted by ETH Zurich.
Undergraduate takes Snowdon by storm for Charity Week
Geography student Rayyaan Hector swapped fieldwork for mountain effort when he climbed Snowdonia in Wales in aid of charity, helping to raise a staggering £12,349.
The third-year St John’s undergraduate was among around 50 members of Cambridge University Islamic Society (ISoc) on the trek, part of the annual Islamic Relief UK Charity Week.
Other news
Annual Fund applications now open to students
Applications are now open for the Annual Fund but in a change to previous years, the projects can only be initiated by students.
Money in the Annual Fund is raised through the College’s Telethon, which this year prioritised attracting contributions to the Dobson Free Places endowment scheme. In anticipation of there being a smaller amount in the Annual Fund, Council has agreed to limit its applications to undergraduates and postgraduates.
Junior College members may apply for funding for projects that will bring an overarching benefit to the academic, social and cultural life of St John’s. The deadline to submit applications is 27 January 2023. The application form is available via the student homepage on the College website.
If you have any queries on the application process or the Annual Fund itself, please contact Jo Beatty, Senior Development Officer.
Johnian magazine goes live online
The autumn 2022 issue of Johnian magazine is now available online.
Editor Ellie Collingwood, Alumni Relations Officer – Publications, says: “This issue aims to celebrate the revival of things that we had missed during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, and includes articles which discuss international travel, live music and theatre performances and the return to work places.”
Countdown to Staff Photography Competition deadline
The closing date for entries in the Staff Photography Competition is fast approaching.
The Library will be accepting entries until Wednesday 30 November. The first prize is £100 and £50 will go to the runner-up. The student Art and Photography competition will be held later this academic year.
Find full details on the staff intranet
Make a date to buy your 2023 St John’s charity calendar
St John’s 2023 charity calendar, featuring photos by the College community, is now on sale at £10 each.
All profits will support the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), which provides support for blind and partially sighted people across the UK.
Order by midnight this Monday 21 November to receive your copy before the end of Michaelmas Term. If you miss the deadline you can still use the form to place an order but it may arrive after 2 December.
Order using the online form: https://forms.gle/tADEz4exxpjHFYQs6
‘Birdgirl’ Mya-Rose speaks about changing the world
What can students and young people do about climate change?
In a new video interview, environmental campaigner Mya-Rose Craig, aka ‘Birdgirl’, a second-year undergraduate in Human, Social and Political Sciences at St John’s, speaks about her hopes for COP27 and her thoughts on student engagement in issues changing the world.
Mya-Rose will be appearing at Cambridge Literary Festival in the Palmerston Room tomorrow (Saturday 19 November) to discuss her book, Birdgirl.
Fellow to speak at United Nations forum
Dr Marie Chabbert, Early-Career Researcher in French Studies and a Fellow of St John’s College, will be in Fes, Morocco, next week to take part in the 9th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC).
The event, entitled Towards an Alliance of Peace: Living Together as One Humanity, takes place from 21-23 November against the backdrop of a wide array of global challenges, ranging from hate speech to terrorism.
Dr Chabbert is a delegate and Inter-Faith Ambassador for UNAOC and will chair a breakout session on 22 November called Forging a New Social Contract: Combating discrimination and intolerance based on religion or belief anchored in human rights (with focus on combating Antisemitism, Islamophobia and Christianophobia).
Feeling philosophical
A new academic society has been launched at St John’s.
The Philosophical Society aims to promote the study and popularisation of philosophy. All students, Fellows and researchers in Philosophy at St John’s are automatically members of the society but anyone with an interest in the subject is welcome to attend its events.
What’s on
Chapel
Student communion – Sunday 20 November, 8.30am
Student Communion takes place every Sunday at 8.30am, followed by a subsidised cooked breakfast in Hall.
Sung Eucharist – Sunday 20 November, 10.30am
Open to all, admission free.
Organ recital – Sunday 20 November, 6pm
James Anderson-Besant, of Exeter Cathedral, will be performing works by Mozart, Bartok and Bach.
Open to all, admission free.
Sunday Evensong with Sermon – Sunday 20 November, 6.30pm
The preacher this evening is Dr Sarah Maxwell, Lay Chaplain, St John’s College School.
Open to all, admission free.
Morning prayer – weekdays, 8.30am
Taking place in Ante-Chapel every weekday morning, lasting about 15 minutes.
Evensong sung by St John’s Voices – Monday 21 November, 6.30pm
Open to all, admission free.
Advent Carol Services – Saturday 26 November, 6pm, and Sunday 27 November, 3pm
Organ music will be played by George Herbert, Assistant Organist, and Alex Robson, Herbert Howells Organ Scholar.
The Sunday service will be broadcast live by BBC Radio 3.
Applications have now closed.
Andrew Nethsingha’s final Evensong and Reception – Thursday 1 December, 6.30pm
This will be the final Evensong for Andrew, the College’s current Director of Music. It will be followed by a drinks reception in the Ante-Chapel. This will be an opportunity to thank Andrew for his wonderful leadership of the Choir over the past 15 years and to wish him well for his new role at Westminster Abbey.
To help with logistics, kindly indicate your attendance at the reception by completing the form at https://bit.ly/3E0ogv5
Follow the Facebook page, SJC Chaplain, for Chapel service updates; and Andrew is on TikTok @thedetoxpriest. The Chapel is always keen to hear from more volunteers to read in services or assist in other ways: please contact Andrew.
Other events
Mya-Rose Craig, ‘Birdgirl’, at Cambridge Literary Festival – Saturday 19 November, 2-3pm
Palmerston Room, Fisher Building.
Mya-Rose Craig, author of Birdgirl and second-year BA student at St John’s, will be appearing at the Winter Festival in conversation with fellow birder and nature writer Helen McDonald.
Full-price tickets are £12; concs tickets are available to under 25s, the unwaged ‘and those feeling the pinch’.
Time is of the Essence zine launch – Sunday 20 November, 8pm
New Music Room, First Court.
Time is of the Essence is the first edition of a new print zine publishing works of writing and photography by Cambridge students. The launch event will include performances from student musicians and poetry readings exploring the idea of time.
The zine is designed and edited by St John’s student Isabella Bottle and includes work by fellow St John’s undergraduates Sarah Adegbite, Daniel Livermore and Anna Strazda, among others from Colleges across Cambridge.
Open to all, admission free, booking is not required.
Live lunchtime meditation – Monday to Thursday, 1.15-1.30pm
Via Zoom.
Spend 15 mindful minutes relaxing or meditating with the University’s mindfulness practitioner, Dr Elizabeth English, in these weekday sessions, free to students and staff.
Drop-in dissertation support group – Monday 21 November, 2pm
Via Zoom.
Weekly online group run during term time by the Library, offering a structured study space, support and encouragement for any undergraduate student who is taking on a dissertation next academic year.
Email Rebecca for the Zoom link or if you have any questions.
Maths for Everyone lecture series: Gravity and principle of least action – Monday 21 November, 5.30pm
Boys Smith Room, Fisher Building.
St John’s Fellow Professor Nick Manton presents the seventh in a series of eight maths refresher lectures aiming to broaden and deepen understanding of what maths can do and how it works. This lecture looks at Newton’s 2nd law of motion, solution using differential equation, and law rederived from principle of least action.
It will help if you have some familiarity with A-Level maths topics.
Open to all College members. Admission free, booking not required.
Pre-dinner lecture series: Notes on Cinema’s Hotels – Tuesday 22 November, 6.15pm
Lightfoot Room, Old Divinity School.
In this talk Dr Jules O’Dwyer, Fellow in Modern and Medieval Languages at St John’s, looks into how the hotels we encounter in the cinema often serve as much more than the mute backdrop against which a film’s action transpires. Rather, hotel spaces actively scaffold cinema’s formal and narrative possibilities. Dr O’Dwyer explores the entwined relationship between the spaces of the hotel and the cinema, to uncover both how and why the institution of the hotel holds such a strong purchase in the cinematic imaginary.
The lecture will last for about 20-30 minutes and will be followed by questions from the audience. Drinks will be served afterwards in the Lightfoot Room.
Open to all Fellows and Affiliates. Free admission, booking not required.
St John’s College Music Society end-of-term concert – Tuesday 22 November, 8pm
Chapel.
Conducted by St John’s undergraduate Max Todes, with works by Beethoven and Tchaikovsky.
Open to all, admission free.
View Old Library collections – Wednesday 23 November, 2-4pm
Old Library.
Explore the College’s historic 17th century Library; highlights from the collections will be on display including medieval manuscripts, pioneering photography and books that changed the world.
Open to all College members and their guests, admission free. Entry is via E staircase, Second Court.
UniVox rehearsals – every Wednesday during term, 5.15-6.30pm
Palmerston Room, Fisher Building.
UniVox is a non-auditioned contemporary choir for students across the University run by the new Centre for Music Performance (CMP) and hosted by St John’s.
Places are limited so must be booked via the UniVox page of the CMP website.
Questions & answers with Vona Groarke – Wednesday 23 November, 7pm
Teaching Room 1, Old Divinity School.
St John's Poetry Society is hosting a questions and answers session with Vona Groarke, St John’s Writer in Residence. This is an opportunity for College members to hear Vona speak about her own work, inspiration and process when it comes to writing.
Open to all College members, admission free, booking is not required.
St John's College Music Society (SJCMS) lunchtime recital – Thursday 24 November, 1.15pm
Lightfoot Room, Old Divinity School.
Performed by Daphne Delfas on violin, and Daniel Liu on piano.
Open to all, admission free, booking is not required.
Careers Service Barrister Fair – Thursday 24 November, 2.30-3.30pm
The Careers Service is holding a final Career Fair this term to help with applications and preparation. Registration opens a week in advance at 9am.
Further details and to register
Visit the Careers Service website for more information.
Ghost walk – Thursday 24 November, 5.45pm
Meet in the Third Court Cloister by the Bridge of Sighs.
With Fellow Dr Mark Nicholls.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, visiting Fellows and their guests. Admission free, booking not required.
Johnian Society Careers Forum: Academia – Thursday 24 November, 6.30pm
Imperial College London.
Are you thinking about where your next steps in an academic career might take you? St John’s Fellow and alumnus Professor Nick McCave (1986) and alumnus Dr Oliver Buxton (2003) host an informal discussion on how to build and sustain a career in academia.
Nick and Oli will share the benefit of their extensive, international research careers in their respective specialisms of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Fluid Mechanics. Topics will include the academic job market, funding your research, and finding valuable networks and mentors.
Open to St John’s students, admission free, booking required by Tuesday 15 November.
Further details and to register
St John’s Book Club (undergraduates) – Monday 28 November, 5.30pm
Merton Hall Cottage, behind The School of Pythagoras.
This is the launch meeting of the new book club for undergraduate students set up by Vona Groarke, the College’s Writer in Residence. The first book is Claire Keegan's Foster.
A second book club for postgraduates, College staff and members of the English Faculty, is taking place on Tuesday 6 December at 5.45pm.
Email Vona for more information.
Precarious lives: inequalities in health through the lens of the film maker – Wednesday 30 November, 1.15pm for 1.45pm start
Palmerston Room, Fisher Building.
Director Ken Loach is due to appear at this rare afternoon workshop and screening of his acclaimed 2019 film Sorry We Missed You.
St John’s Reading Group on Health Inequalities has organised the event, which comes at a time of deep concern about the impact of rising poverty on child health and development, in association with the University’s Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (CRASSH).
Free of charge. Donations will be collected at the event for Cambridge City Foodbank and Cambridge Aid.
Book your place via the CRASSH events page
An eclectic musical collage of classical/folk music – Thursday 1 December, 8pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
This short concert is a rapid tour of arranged and recomposed music, including Beethoven, Carmen, Webern, and Rossini. Featuring soloist Imaan Kashim playing Hubay’s Carmen Fantasie, and a new student composition and a contemporary take on the Overture to the Thieving Magpie by Sohan Kalirai.
Complementing this tightly wound blend are new arrangements of traditional Soviet accordion pieces.
Open to all, admission free.
Christmas concert – Friday 2 December, 6.30pm
St John’s College Chapel.
The Choir of St John’s College Choir perform a 50-minute concert of music for the Christmas season, with festive favourites together with contemporary works by Chilcott, McGlade and Farrington.
Open to all.
Ticket prices £10 (front of Chapel), £7 (rear of Chapel) and £5 (Ante-Chapel). All seating is unreserved. College members and the families of Choir members may apply for a £2 per ticket discount on the top price tickets; add the discount code CHRISTMAS10 at the check-out stage when making your booking.
Tickets can be purchased from the ADC Theatre Box Office by phone (01223 300085) or online
Behn Quartet concert – Friday 2 December, 8pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
In this term’s final concert to mark the 40th anniversary of the admission of women to St John’s, the Behn Quartet – whose cellist is Johnian alumna Ghislaine McMullin – takes its name from the 17th-century playwright, political activist and philanthropist of the arts, Aphra Behn.
Its recital places two refined Neoclassical string quartets from the 20th century alongside one of Haydn’s most effervescent and soulful contributions to the medium.
Tailleferre’s only string quartet gained her an invitation to the group of young composers that became known as Les Six, while the fourth and most widely performed of Bacewicz’s seven quartets draws eloquently on elements of Polish folklore.
All welcome. Register for free tickets
St John’s Book Club (postgraduates, English Faculty and College staff) – Tuesday 6 December, 5.45pm
Merton Hall Cottage, behind The School of Pythagoras.
This is the launch meeting of the new book club for postgraduates, English Faculty and College staff set up by Vona Groarke, the College’s Writer in Residence. The first book is Claire Keegan’s Foster.
Email Vona for more information.
Ghost stories – Wednesday 7 December, 8.45pm
Combination Room.
With Professor Patrick Boyde.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, visiting Fellows and their guests. Admission free, booking not required.
Close-up with manuscripts – Thursday 8 December, 6pm
Online.
St John’s postgraduate Lewis Roberts will be among several speakers exploring the emotional, creative and social stories behind their favourite manuscripts in the Wordsworth Trust’s collection at Grasmere, the former of home of William Wordsworth, St John’s alumnus.
Lewis, whose PhD is on the value of line-endings in poetry of the long 19th century and manuscript revision, will focus on the drafts of what became Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Dejection: An Ode.
Tickets cost £5.
More information, including how to book
Book launch, Snapshots of Women in COG: Scientific excellence during the Covid-19 pandemic – Thursday 19 January 2023, 11am-3pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
A book presentation by St John’s Honorary Fellow Professor Sharon Peacock, Professor of Public Health and Microbiology in the Department of Medicine and Executive Director and Chair of the Covid-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK). The presentation will be followed by a roundtable discussion, lunch and networking.
Open to all, admission free. Further details and to register.
Registration closes on Monday 5 December.
And finally
The Catering department is relighting the fire of the latest College sustainability initiative.
More than 7000 candles are used by the Catering department every year and the unused stubs used to be wasted but now they are being collected and turned into new scented candles.
The fragrance has been chosen to be reminiscent of the magical dining experience at St John’s – port, dark wood and aged leather. The stubs of the 100 per cent clean burning candles are collected by bike and returned by The Candle Company Cambridge packaged and ready to sell.
The St John’s Candles, which cannot be used in bedrooms onsite, are ideal Christmas gifts and will be available to purchase from the Buttery for £7.50 each on Monday.
Jack Glossop, Deputy Fellows’ Butler, came up with the idea and is pictured with the candles.
