College bulletin: 8 March
This week we have news of a prestigious teaching prize won by the President of the College, the Buttery, Bar and Café development has been crowned as the winner of a top design award, and we have a round-up of Cambridge Festival events featuring our academics.
College news
President of St John’s scoops Pilkington Prize for his exemplary teaching
Professor Steve Edgley, President, Director of Studies and Tutor at St John’s, and Head of Teaching at the Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience has been awarded a Pilkington Prize for making a substantial contribution to teaching.
Professor Edgley was praised for his excellent communication skills, his ‘enviable’ record of introducing new approaches to improving student wellbeing, his ‘remarkable’ teaching, and for receiving consistently high feedback. He was also commended for providing mentorship to several generations of new lecturers in the department.
Buttery, Bar and Café wins top design award
The College’s Buttery, Bar and Café building project has won a prestigious engineering and sustainability prize in the Greater Cambridge Design and Construction Awards, beating nominees across all categories.
Lady Margaret Boat Club’s M1 retains Headship in the Lent Bumps
Five Lady Margaret Boat Club took part in this year’s Lent Bumps with M1 retaining Headship and W1 going up one place and finishing third overall.
W2 went down two, M2 went down four and M3 went down two.
Environmental economist awarded prize for pushing frontiers of knowledge
A Fellow from St John’s has been honoured by one of the largest financial institutions in the world for his pioneering work on the interaction between economic life and the natural environment.
Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta, Frank Ramsey Professor Emeritus of Economics, has received the Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentina (BBVA) Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Economics, Finance and Management.
Exhibition, talks and lectures at Cambridge Festival
Cambridge Festival 2024 promises a feast of free events across the University from 13-28 March, including a new exhibition in the Old Library of St John’s and a lecture by the College’s own ‘Professor Sunshine’.
Curated by Dr Adam Crothers, Special Collections Assistant, the exhibition ‘To Make Much of Time’: Calendars, chronicles, coyness and clocks takes place on Saturday 23 March. Meanwhile, Professor Erwin Reisner, Professor of Energy and Sustainability and Fellow of St John’s, is giving a lecture called Capturing sunlight for a sustainable future at the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry on Saturday 16 March, from 12.15-1.15pm and again from 2.45-3.45pm.
On Friday 22 March, PhD student Prerna Bindra will give a talk at the Whipple Museum (3-4pm) called Wild neighbours: Living with elephants and tigers. On Thursday 28 March (6-7pm), Dr Sally Raudon, ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow, is speaking at the Old Divinity School on Last call: how different cultures deal with death, which follows her PhD research at St John’s.
View the full festival programme.
Fellow to give memorial lectures on Renaissance artist
St John’s academic Professor Ulinka Rublack is giving memorial lectures in Austria this month on the subject, Dürer’s Dress: Subject and Object in the Renaissance – and people can attend online for free.
Professor Rublack, who is Professor of Early Modern European History and Fellow of St John’s, is giving two talks for the Central European University’s (CEU) Departments of History and Medieval Studies. The lectures and subsequent round table event follow her work on the German artist, Albrecht Dürer, and the significance of clothing in a Renaissance culture.
The lectures take place on Wednesday 13 March and on Thursday 14 March.
Register for in-person or online attendance
Call for academics and staff to row in May Bumps
An appeal has been launched for rowers and would-be rowers among the Fellows, College Research Associates and staff of St John’s to make up a Fellows’ VIII boat for the May Bumps.
The boat will mixed-sex. Any Fellows, CRAs or members of College staff who are interested in rowing in, coxing or coaching the crew should email Professor Alexander Bird with the following information: what rowing experience you have (if any), when you last rowed, which side of the boat you can row on, and anything else you think would be helpful.
Chance to view revamped guest rooms
College members are invited to an open morning on Monday 25 March to view refurbished guest accommodation at 9 Pound Hill.
Fellows, students and staff will be able to visit the guest rooms – which are a three-minute walk from the Northampton Street Porters’ Lodge – between 9am and noon (map reference).
Students and Fellows can book the guest rooms for visitors by emailing the Accommodation team.
Old fabric up for grabs for craft projects
Channel your inner Maria von Trapp and upcycle some old curtains from College rooms.
Bags of curtains are available for free to anyone who would like to repurpose the material.
Joanne Smith, Superintendant of Housekeeping, said: “The fabric is mostly in good condition, but the linings are ripped or worn with age and the sun, so they are not fit for hanging any longer. The patterns and colours vary from a traditional to florals and stripes and some have one solid colour.”
Anyone interested in taking a bag of random material should email the Housekeeping Department.
Chance to win photography and film prizes
The College’s Photography Society has launched a photography competition for all members of St John’s. Entrants are invited to submit their best photograph of St John’s or Cambridge to be in with a chance of winning one of five camera and/or film bundles. The photo can be film, digital or just taken on a phone camera.
If you're interested in developing your own film using the College’s darkroom and the PhotoSoc’s free materials, or joining the Society’s committee, email Imogen.
Open to all College members, maximum one entry per person. Email entries to Imogen. The deadline for submission is midnight on Friday 15 March.
College sport fixtures
This weekend’s fixtures include Ladies’ 1s and 2s netball Cuppers group stage tournament matches. Pitch-side supporters are welcomed.
For more fixtures, visit College sport – fixtures and results 2024 (login required), compiled by The Eagles’ and Flamingos’ Clubs.
What’s on
Chapel
Note, The last service of this term will be on Friday 15 March at 6.30pm, and the first Evensong of Easter term is at 6.30pm on Tuesday 23 April.
From the Desert to the Cross: A Lenten Meditation – Saturday 9 March, 6pm
A popular service of readings, poetry and music for Lent and Passiontide. Booking is now closed but limited additional seating may be available on a first come first served basis.
Student Communion – Sunday 10 March - 8.30am
Students are warmly invited to attend Holy Communion on the last Chapel Sunday for Lent Term. Stick around after this half-hour service for a subsidised cooked breakfast in Hall.
Sung Eucharist – Sunday 10 March, 10.30am
Chaplain Andrew Hammond preaches, and the service features music by Tomkins and Drayton's Missa Brevis.
Organ recital – Sunday 10 March, 6pm
Professor Iain Quinn, of Florida State University, plays Tournemire, Quinn and JS Bach. Organ recitals are open to all and admission is free.
Evensong with sermon – Sunday 10 March, 6.30pm
On the last Sunday Evensong of term, the sermon series concludes with the last instalment of the Four Laments.
The music includes canticles by Herbert Howells.
Choral Evensong with St John’s Voices and College members – Monday 11 March, 6.30pm
Members of the College community sing with St John’s Voices. Email Graham with any queries.
Stainer’s The Crucifixion – Wednesday 13 March, 9pm
This devotional performance of John Stainer’s masterful oratorio The Crucifixion is directed by St John’s College Choir member Matthew Monaghan. Fellow choir members Carlos Rodriguez Otero (tenor) and Henry Montgomery (bass) are soloists, and Director of Music Chris Gray plays the organ. Admission free, no tickets required.
Pre-recording concert by St John’s Voices – Thursday 14 March, 8pm
Russian choral music by Nikolai Golovanov and Sergei Rachmaninov is being performed by St John’s Voices.
Open to all, tickets from £5 are available on the door or from Eventbrite.
Other events
Jazz workshop 2024 – Sunday 10 March 3-6pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
Jazz workshop featuring Tim Lapthorn and Steve Rose. Audience members are also welcome to attend.
Graduate Research Symposium – Saturday 9 March, from 10.30am
Lightfoot Room, Old Divinity School.
This SBR’s all-day symposium will see presentations from 22 postgraduate students on a wide range of topics, from tiger conservation and solar energy to eating disorders in children. Research posters will be displayed in Central Hall and the event will be followed by a drinks reception in the SBR.
Email Ross Shepherd, SBR Academic Officer, for more details.
Open to College postgraduates, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of the Sans Frontières programme.
POSTPONED: St John’s Picturehouse: The Old Oak – Sunday 10 March, 6pm
Palmerston Room, Fisher Building.
The St John’s Reading Group in collaboration with St John’s Picturehouse presents a screening of The Old Oak (2023). Followed by a discussion – led by guest speakers – on the change to mining towns and the status of refugees in this context, and the relevance to inequalities in health and the north/south divide. All films are shown with a cinema-grade DCP projector.
Open to all University members and staff, tickets £4. Full details and tickets
Exhibition, St John's College Old Library 1624-2024: A Celebration of 400 Years – Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
Library Exhibition Area.
View rare archives marking four centuries since the Old Library was built. Runs until 19 April.
Quiz – Monday 11 March, 8pm
Bar.
It’s the classic Monday College Bar quiz with a twist to celebrate Women’s History Month. Get clued up on women’s history and influential women to be in with a chance of gaining the top spot. Additional prizes are going to be up for grabs.
Open to all, admission free.
Big Lips: a multimedia concert – Tuesday 12 March, 8pm
St John’s College Music Society’s end of term concert includes Berio and Schubert’s Rendering,
Michael Nyman’s Miranda, In Re Don Giovanni, An Eye for Optical Theory, Fish Beach, and Knowing the Ropes, Jacques Brel’s J’arrive and Au Suivant, and Sohan Kalirai’a Government Lake, The Child, and Rothko Monologue. Admission free, no tickets required.
Wellness walk – Thursday 14 March, 2pm
Meet at the Great Gate.
A weekly opportunity to get outside and appreciate nature, the city sights, and enjoy companionship. The day of the walk alternates between Tuesdays and Thursdays. If it is raining heavily, it will be cancelled. For queries email Karen, Health & Wellbeing Nurse.
Open to College members and their guests, free to attend, no booking required.
Aquila rehearsal – Tuesday 12 March, 5.15-6.45pm
New Music Room.
Aquila is a friendly a cappella singing group for female students, Fellows and staff, led by Music Director Dr Chloe Allison. It welcomes new members – no audition is necessary, simply drop in to one of its weekly Tuesday evening rehearsals to try before joining.
Aquila concert – Tuesday 12 March, 6-6.30pm
New Music Room.
Aquila, the College's female a cappella ensemble, will sing arrangements of popular film, pop, and folk music.
Open to all, free admission.
Old Library opening – Wednesday 13 March, 2-4pm
Enter via E staircase, Second Court.
Open every Wednesday afternoon in term time, view manuscripts and rare printed books from the collections in the Upper Library. Requests for material to be exhibited can be emailed to Special Collections
Open to College members and their guests. Admission free, no booking required.
Poetry reading – Wednesday 13 March, 5pm
Lightfoot Room, Old Divinity School.
An evening of poetry presented by St John’s Writer-in-Residence Vona Groarke and students of English. There will be a reading by Momtaza Mehri, Poet in Residence at Homerton College, and Padraig Regan, Fellow Commoner in the Creative Arts at Trinity College. Momtaza and Padraig will read from their prize-winning first collections. Reception to follow.
Open to all, admission free, no booking required.
Only Girls+ Allowed pyjama party – Wednesday 13 March, 8pm-11pm
SBR.
Celebrate Women’s History Month in your pjs and enjoy some chocolate fondue, cheese fondue, snacks and drinks. Additionally, help create a women+ celebrating space by adding women+ artists to the night’s playlist. Wear whatever you feel comfortable wearing, pyjamas are encouraged.
Open to SBR women+, admission free, register. Any queries please email Rhiannon.
Caribbean extravaganza – Thursday 14 March
Buttery, Café and Bar.
Themed lunch and dinner in the decorated Buttery. Tropical offerings in the Café will include coconut and mango cheesecake, banana, rum and coconut mousse, Caribbean smoothies, and coconut iced coffee. There will be an evening Bar karaoke with Caribbean mojito cocktails and mocktails.
St John's College Music Society lunchtime recital – Thursday 14 March, 1.15pm
New Music Room.
Imaan Kashim (violin) and Alex Robson (piano).
Open to all, admission free, booking not required.
Short Book Club – Thursday 14 March, 6.15pm
Merton Hall Cottage (behind the School of Pythagoras).
Join Vona Groarke, St John’s Writer-in-Residence, to discuss the 2020 debut novel by Elisa Shua Dusapin, Winter in Sokcho. Tonight’s book club meeting is a joint event for College undergraduates, postgraduates and staff, plus English Faculty staff.
Newcomers always welcome. If you are interested in attending, email Vona.
Save the date
Capturing sunlight for a sustainable future: A chemistry lecture by Professor Erwin Reisner – Saturday 16 March, 12.15-1.15pm and 2.45-3.45pm
Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, Wolfson Lecture Theatre, Lensfield Road.
Professor Erwin Reisner, Professor of Energy and Sustainability and Fellow of St John’s, will talk about emerging technologies in a solar-powered economy, making a case for solar energy and the need to produce sustainable fuels and chemicals for energy storage, transportation and the chemical industry.
Suitable for a general audience, no chemistry background is required.
Free event as part of Cambridge Festival, booking is required via email.
Master’s concert series – Saturday 16 March, 8.45pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
With Annemarie Federle on the horn and Marie-Noelle Kendall on piano. To be followed by a drinks reception.
Open to College members and their friends, admission free, no booking required.
Tour of the University Botanic Garden and spring flowers – Sunday 17 March, 2pm
Botanic Garden.
Professor Tim Bayliss-Smith, St John’s Fellow and University Emeritus Professor of Pacific Geography, will lead a two-hour walking tour of the Botanic Garden.
Open to College postgraduates, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of the Sans Frontières programme. Students should bring their University cards for free entry. Maximum 25 people. Further details to be confirmed.
‘Girl Dinner and Decorate’ – Friday 22 March, 8-11pm
SBR.
Celebrate Women’s History Month by expressing your artistic self – decorate a drinking glass (to take home at the end of the event) while devouring snacks and drinks as you chill in the SBR. Enjoy chocolate fondue, cheese fondue and more along with the good vibes.
Open to SBR women+, tickets £5 (paid by bank transfer to SBR account on confirmation of place), register. Any queries, email Rhiannon.
Exhibition, ‘To Make Much of Time’: Calendars, chronicles, coyness and clocks – Saturday 23 March, 10am-4pm
Old Library.
Poet and St John’s alumnus Robert Herrick, best known for his To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time (‘Gather ye rose-buds while ye may…’), died 350 years ago. The Old Library is marking this anniversary with an exhibition on about time, and how humans have for centuries measured, recorded, used and wasted it.
Free drop-in event as part of Cambridge Festival, no booking required.
Talk, Last call: how different cultures deal with death – Thursday 28 March, 6pm
Old Divinity School.
Social anthropologist Dr Sally Raudon, an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow, speaks about what happens to the dead in New York City – where she spent her fieldwork while doing her PhD at St John’s – and in other different cultures. Part of the Cambridge Festival.
‘Swish’ clothes swap party – Saturday 27 April, 10.30am, then 11am-noon
Fisher Building Foyer.
St John’s College is holding another ‘swish’, a clothes swap party that helps you to refresh your wardrobe while going easy on the planet. Doors open at 10.30am for participants to bring their clothes to swap before the ‘swish’ starts at 11am.
Clothes can also be dropped off at Forecourt Porters’ Lodge from Friday 19 April.
Open to all College members and their guests. Admission free.
Real tennis event – Wednesday 17 May, 5-7pm
The Cambridge University Real Tennis Club, Grange Road.
Starting at 5pm with a 45 minute ‘have a go’ session: players will need sportswear and trainers and can turn up at any point during the session. All equipment will be provided. The session will be followed by a short introduction to the courts and the game by St John’s Fellow, Dr Victoria Harvey, with authentic refreshments.
At 6.15pm an exhibition match will be played by two Cambridge Alumni who have recently been UK amateur champions; Jamie Giddins is a St John’s alumnus (Economics) vs Ed Kay (Emmanuel, Engineering).
Open to College postgraduates, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of the Sans Frontières programme. Further details to be confirmed.
And finally
Nearly 100 competitors from St John’s took part in the Cambridge Half-Marathon on Sunday.
Congratulations to everyone who took part including Johnian siblings Delphi and Laurence Mayther who both ran personal bests and raised £1,308.60 in support of Ukraine.
Fay Page, Student Services Officer, was our fastest female member of staff and finished in just over two hours. Cameron Walker, Gyp, was our fastest male member of staff in the race and finished in one hour and 30 minutes.
The route passed through St John’s for the first time which appeared to bring a smile to the faces of the participants.