blueprint Staff magazine for the University of Oxford | November 2015

Alice in Oxford | The Vice-Chancellor looks back | Gender initiatives news in brief u An Oxford-led research programme has u The Bodleian Libraries’ collection of launched a new system to help dementia 1.3 million maps and 500,000 printed music researchers make the most of existing study scores can now be discovered by searching data. The Dementias Platform UK’s data SOLO, the Libraries’ online catalogue. In a portal is a secure online research environment three-year project funded by the Andrew W that provides access to large and complex Mellon Foundation, almost half a million datasets. As the first portal with a specific focus catalogue records have been converted to fully on dementia, it will enable researchers from digitised records and added to SOLO. The around the world to share and analyse a wealth collection of music scores includes the original of information on health and lifestyle, with the conducting score of Handel’s Messiah, while iStockphoto /Alex Raths aim of accelerating research into dementia and the map collection includes the Selden Map, ultimately finding a way to treat the disease. a late Ming watercolour map showing trade routes in the South China Sea. u The University has opened a Data

Science Lab in collaboration with Emirates u Are you interested in having a say on issues Rick Mather Architects Mather Rick airline. The new lab, situated within the that may affect equality and diversity within Mathematical Institute, will bring together the University? If so, why not join a new staff mathematicians, scientists, engineers and advisory group, which is being set up by the social scientists to work on Emirates’ datasets Equality & Diversity Unit. The group, which in order to help the airline understand its will meet virtually rather than physically, will processes and customer preferences in greater be used to canvass opinion on issues that may detail. The aim is to use data analysis to make affect equality and diversity, such as caring for the airline’s services more efficient and children or elderly relatives. As a member, you develop products better suited to the will be invited to complete a number of short needs of its passengers. online surveys every year. For further details, email [email protected]. u Keble College is to receive a £25m capital grant from the H B Allen Charitable Trust. u The OXONBIKE self-service bike hire This represents the largest single donation scheme, which enables you to hire bikes on in the 145-year history of the college and a short-term basis across the city, will see 16 the largest grant ever awarded by the trust. electric bikes added to its fleet in the spring The money will go towards a £60m project thanks to a government grant match-funded by to redevelop Keble’s Acland site in central the University. The e-bikes will join 50 cycles Oxford to provide space for research and currently available for short-term rental at graduate accommodation. Construction is due 11 docking stations across the city, including to commence in July 2016, with the building the JR, Old Road Campus and the University scheduled for occupation in October 2018. Science Area. Details at www.oxonbikes.co.uk.

OUI / Public Affairs Directorate

u Keen to make a start on your From top: Data for dementia researchers; Christmas shopping? Why not take Redeveloping Keble; Music goes SOLO advantage of staff discounts and special events at the University

shops in the run-up to Christmas? iStockphoto / Marilyng / iStockphoto On Friday 4 December the Bate Collection shop will be open from blueprint Staff magazine for the University of Oxford | November 2015

Alice in OxfOrd | T he Vice-chancellOr 1pm to 5pm with music, mince lOOks back | G ender initiatiVes pies and hot spiced apple juice on offer. On Thursdays 3, 10 and 17 December the University of Oxford Shop is offering a double discount to staff. Located at 106 High Street, the shop will be open until 7pm and you can claim a 20% discount by presenting your University Card. You can also enjoy the same discount at www. oushop.com – just enter the code Credit:Botanic Garden/Lili Friend OUstaff20 at checkout. And don’t forget that a year-round 10% discount is available to University cardholders at the shops of the Ashmolean, Bodleian and Museum of Natural Cover: Getting into the festive spirit History (on purchases over £5), as well as the OUP Bookshop. at the Botanic Garden (see p11)

2 | BLUEPRINT November 2015 www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint research round-up

u Researchers in the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics have found how to precisely control the waves regulating our heartbeat: using light. Heart Shutterstock cells communicate by electrical signals travelling fast from cell to cell as ‘excitation waves’. Damage in the heart can slow part of the wave, causing re-entrant waves that spiral back around the tissue. The result is the heart beats too quickly, which is potentially fatal. Current options to keep the waves in check can stop or start them but cannot provide fine control over speed and direction, so the team aimed to steer excitation waves using techniques from the field of optogenetics (which genetically modifies cells so they can be activated by light). A protein called channelrhodopsin was delivered to heart cells using gene therapy

techniques. Using a computer-controlled Operating at a reduced capacity - the whale as nutrient recycler light projector, the researchers could control speed and direction of the waves and even the orientation of spirals in real time. School of Geography and the Environment, u ‘Good bacteria’ in the human gut calculate that the ability of whales and compete like trees in a jungle, Oxford u Singing is a great ice-breaker, bonding zoologists have found. Using mathematical groups of people more quickly than other terrestrial megafauna to transport nutrients modelling, researchers showed that activities, according to Experimental around the globe has been reduced to just competition between microbes can be key Psychology researchers. They worked 6% of the capacity before mass extinctions to maintaining a healthy gut – contrary with adult education charity the WEA to and population declines took place. to the popularly held belief that different run courses in singing, crafts and creative u A haul of undelivered 17th-century letters communities of bacteria work cooperatively. writing. Surveys at points during the courses recently discovered in the Netherlands will The team, led by Professor Kevin Foster, asked attendees to rate how close they felt be analysed by an international team of speculates that people may be helping to classmates. ‘The difference between the academics including Oxford’s Dr Daniel to maintain their gut’s natural stability singers and the non-singers appeared right Starza Smith. 600 unopened letters were by acting as ‘ecosystem engineers’ who at the start,’ says Dr Eiluned Pearce, who discovered in a postmaster’s trunk at The intervene in a number of ways – including led the research. ‘In the first month, people Hague’s Museum voor Communicatie the suppression of overabundant bacteria in the singing classes became much closer in 2012, along with 2,000 opened but by the immune system. Understanding the to each other over the course of a single undelivered letters. They date from between massive communities of microbes we carry class than those in the other classes. This 1689 and 1707 – just after William of inside us – the microbiome – is fundamental is the first clear evidence that singing is a Orange’s invasion of England, Scotland and to our health because they provide us with powerful means of bonding a whole group Ireland, known as the ‘Glorious Revolution’. many benefits, including the breakdown of simultaneously.’ The letters will now be analysed by Dr food and protection from pathogens. u A new study by Oxford researchers has Starza Smith and colleagues in a new project revealed that large land animals, whales, called ‘Signed, Sealed, & Undelivered’. X-ray seabirds and fish previously played a vital technology from the field of dentistry will role in fertilising the planet by recycling be used to read the closed letters without nutrients from the ocean depths and breaking their seals in order to preserve spreading them far and wide across the unique material evidence. Dr Starza Smith, a globe. However, massive declines in their British Academy postdoctoral fellow, believes populations, coupled with the extinction the letters could shed important light on of most of Earth’s large mammals, have cultural life in 17th-century Europe: ‘Many disrupted this efficient system of recycling of the writers and intended recipients of these important nutrients – particularly letters were people who travelled throughout phosphorous. The researchers, from the Europe, such as wandering musicians and Environmental Change Institute at the religious exiles,’ he says.

For more information, visit www.ox.ac.uk/news and www.ox.ac.uk/staffnews Signed, sealed and undelivered – a postmaster’s treasure trove www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint November 2015 BLUEPRINT | 3 people and prizes lms prizes Six Oxford mathematicians are among the 2015 London Mathematical Society Dr Tessa Baker, Peter Read, Professor prizewinners. postdoctoral research of Physics, has been fellow in the awarded the Lewis Jon Chapman, Professor Department of Physics, Fry Richardson Medal of Mathematics and has won the Women of of the European its Applications, was the Future Award for Geosciences Union awarded a Naylor Science. for his exceptional Prize and lectureship in contributions to non-linear geosciences. Applied Mathematics Dr Molly Crockett, for his contributions Associate Professor Stephen Roberts, to modelling and methods development in of Experimental Professor of Machine applied mathematics. Psychology, has been Learning, has been given an Early Career elected a Fellow of Boris Zilber, Professor Award by the Society the Royal Academy of Mathematical for Social Neuro- of Engineering. He Logic, was awarded science. is recognised for his a Polya Prize for his work in developing methods for automated contributions to Benjamin Davis, reasoning and decision-making in complex model theory and Professor of Chemistry, engineering problems, especially those in its applications. has won the 2016 which noise and uncertainty abound. Roy L Whistler Whitehead Prizes were awarded to the International Award Robert Saxton, following: in Carbohydrate Professor of Chemistry, presented Composition, has been Peter Keevash, by the International Carbohydrate shortlisted for a British Professor of Organization. Composer Award 2015 Mathematics, for his for his work Sonata work in combinatorics, Nicole Grobert, for Brass Band on a in particular his proof Professor of Prelude of Orlando Gibbons. The award of the existence of Nanomaterials, ceremony on 9 December will be hosted and combinatorial designs has been elected broadcast by BBC Radio 3. for all parameters satisfying the obvious Chair of the Young necessary conditions. Academy of Europe, Rajesh Thakker, an international, May Professor of Dr James Maynard Eleanor Grant Eleanor non-governmental association of individual Medicine, has been for his results on scientists and scholars who are experts and awarded the Dale gaps between prime leaders in their respective fields, as recognised Medal by the British numbers: he simplified by their peers. Endocrine Society in and extended the work recognition of research of Zhang on bounded Hugh Jenkyns, which has changed gaps between primes, Professor of our understanding of endocrinology in a then made the most substantial advance Stratigraphy, has fundamental way. for 75 years on how large the gap between been elected a consecutive primes can be. Foreign Member of Ian Walmsley, Pro- the Milan-based Vice-Chancellor Mason Porter, Professor of Nonlinear and Lombard Institute (Research and Complex Systems, in recognition of his Academy of Science Innovation) and interdisciplinary contributions, particularly and Letters in recognition of his research Hooke Professor of to the emerging field of network science on Italian geology that led to a greater Experimental Physics, where he has combined unique analysis of understanding of global climatic and has been elected to the biological, social and political datasets with environmental change in deep time. Board of Directors of novel methods for community detection and the Optical Society of America. He will serve other forms of coarse graining. as President in 2018. Dr Dominic Vella, Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics, for his contributions

viewfinder found to the modelling

constellation visible on the night of 14 September 1264, the day the college was founded. was college the day the 1264, September 14 of night the on visible constellation of instability and The theatre, which opened in June 2010, offers conference facilities. The lights pick out the shape of the the of shape the out pick lights The facilities. conference offers 2010, June in opened which theatre, The interfacial phenomena

honour of the Nobel-winning poet and playwright who studied philosophy as a graduate student at Merton. Merton. at student graduate a as philosophy studied who playwright and poet Nobel-winning the of honour in fluids and solids. These lovely lights (p20) can be seen in the foyer of the T S Eliot Theatre at Merton College, named in in named College, Merton at Theatre Eliot S T the of foyer the in seen be can (p20) lights lovely These

4 | BLUEPRINT November 2015 www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint british Academy awards 6 Oxford academics in the humanities and social sciences were among the 23 people who received prizes and medals from the British Academy this year. Oxford is the only institution to have more than one academic on the list of awardwinners.

Patricia Clavin, Ankhi Mukherjee, Ralph Hanna, Professor of Professor of Emeritus International English and Professor of History, received World Literatures, Palaeography, a British received the Rose won the Academy Medal Mary Crawshay Sir Israel for landmark Prize for her book Gollancz academic What is a Classic? Prize for ‘his achievement for Postcolonial contribution her book Securing Rewriting and to, and the World Economy: The Reinvention of Invention of the Canon. prolific research in medieval book the League of Nations 1920–1946. history and paleography’. Nigel Wilson, Roy Foster, Fellow of Lincoln Dr Brian Carroll Professor College, won the A’Hearn of Irish History, Kenyon Medal for of the also received Classical Studies Department a British and Archaeology of Economics Academy Medal for his ‘significant won the for landmark contributions to Serena Medal academic the study of Greek for Italian achievement for palaeography Economics for his book Vivid and the history of Byzantine and later his ‘reputation Faces: The Revolutionary Generation in scholarship, and his editing of Greek texts’. in, and contribution to the study of Ireland 1890–1923. Italian economic history’.

big Data building shortlisted The Big Data Institute building, which forms part of the University’s Old Road Campus research site, has been shortlisted for the Buildings & Energy Efficiency awards (previously known as the Greenbuild awards). The BDI building, which is due for completion in November 2016, will accommodate two research departments plus seminar rooms and a data processing facility. Its passive design seeks to achieve

energy savings without the use of a power SmolonskiGreg plant or mechanical equipment, and uses natural ventilation principles wherever possible to reduce the energy consumed by ebola medals for research team mechanical ventilation and active heating A University of Oxford Ebola medal has been presented to researchers from 14 countries and cooling systems. The design also seeks who worked with an Oxford-led team to combat Ebola in West Africa and find an effective to capture energy once it has been used and treatment for the virus. continuously recycle it where possible. The Prime Minister announced in June that UK staff who had worked to fight Ebola would receive an Ebola Medal for Service in West Africa; the University decided to also recognise the contributions of the Oxford-led international teams who carried out clinical trials of two possible Ebola treatments. The trials were set up within a few months – far faster than usual – despite the challenges of working in countries affected by a highly contagious disease. Medal recipients included staff from Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia – the three nations hardest hit by Ebola. The medals were presented by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andrew Hamilton, and the head of the Nuffield Department of Medicine, Professor Sir Peter Ratcliffe. The ceremony in September took place at a conference that reunited the volunteers to discuss the lessons they had learned from the trials. Make Architects

www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint November 2015 BLUEPRINT | 5 arrivals board

Waynflete Professor of Metaphysical 1 October. She also science and technology in the ‘Rise of the Philosophy became a Fellow of West’; the roots of the current environmental Ofra Magidor, All Souls College. crisis; historical interactions between science Associate Professor Professor Seth’s and religion; the theological and scientific of Philosophy, research focuses on work of Isaac Newton; and the theory and Fairfax Fellow and the long eighteenth practice of digital editing. Tutor in Philosophy century. She has at Balliol College, published extensively took up the post on fiction, poetry notice board of Waynflete and autobiographical writing, as well as Professor-elect of on the history of ideas – in particular in u Sarah Whatmore, Metaphysical Philosophy in the Faculty of the field of medical humanities. She has Professor of Philosophy on 1 September and will become edited numerous texts, including Laclos’ Environment Waynflete Professor of Philosophy on Les Liaisons dangereuses for Gallimard’s and Public Policy 1 October 2016, when she will also become authoritative Pléiade series, and is currently in the School of a Fellow of Magdalen College. working on Germaine de Staël’s novels. Geography and the Professor Magidor’s research interests are Environment, has in Metaphysics, Philosophy of Logic and Professor of the History of Science been appointed as Language, Epistemology, and the Philosophy Robert Iliffe, the University’s Academic Champion for of Mathematics. She has published work Professor of Public Engagement with Research. on a wide range of topics including the Intellectual History She will lead on developing a strategy metaphysics of persistence, category and History of for public engagement with research and mistakes, arbitrary reference, the problem Science at the increasing the visibility of the University’s of vagueness, possible worlds semantics, University of Sussex, commitment to this agenda, with support and strict finitism. will take up this post from a network of academic champions in the Faculty of and staff. She will also play a key role in Marshal Foch Professor of French History on the project grant awarded to Oxford by Literature 1 January 2016. He will also become a Research Councils UK under its Catalyst Catriona Seth, Professor of Eighteenth- Fellow of Linacre College. Seed Fund, which aims to help universities Century French Literature at the Université Professor Iliffe’s main research create a culture where excellent public de Lorraine, took up this post in the Faculty interests include the history of scientific engagement with research is better of Medieval and Modern Languages on instrumentation 1550–1850; the role of embedded within the institution.

Have you met Lynda? Teaching Manager. ‘You can use it to master a new program from scratch, but you can also go online for a quick answer to a software problem, such as how to use a particular function in Excel.’ All of the content on lynda.com is easily searchable. You can bookmark individual videos or full courses for future reference, and you can create and save lists of courses you want to watch and share your playlists with colleagues. Playlists featuring content relevant to personal and professional development will also be created by the Oxford Learning Institute, with the lists being featured on the Lynda.com, a large online library of The lynda.com library contains over 4,000 institute’s website. instructional videos covering the latest online tutorials aimed at all levels; new The video-based training has been software, is now available for University content is added each week. Not only can introduced by the IT Learning Programme staff and students to access for free. you access the videos from any computer, to sit alongside its classroom-based courses. With presentations by industry experts and tablet or smartphone using your Oxford Scheduled classes cover over 200 topics, from experienced teachers, lynda.com is a useful single sign-on, you can also set your own understanding the basics of Microsoft Office resource for those looking to develop skills in learning pace – whether that’s viewing a to advanced programming, and are held at IT a wide range of topics – from commonly used complete course in a single sitting or opting Services’ offices at 13 Banbury Road. software such as Microsoft Office to specialist for a bite-sized video when you need it. To browse the courses on offer with lynda. applications in areas such as photography ‘The great thing about lynda.com is that com, visit courses.it.ox.ac.uk/lynda. For a and video, as well as more general topics such it offers a really flexible way to learn,’ says list of classroom-based courses run by IT as project management and social media. Dave Baker, the IT Learning Programme’s Services, visit courses.it.ox.ac.uk/catalogue.

6 | BLUEPRINT November 2015 www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint so much more than stones Dr Emma Cunliffe tells Maria Coyle about her work protecting endangered cultural heritage sites

Every day Dr Emma Cunliffe, Research Associate in the School of Archaeology, goes online to scan satellite images of areas in Syria and Egypt. It is painstaking, systematic work, scrutinising each and every grid square, primarily using Google Earth to spot signs of cultural heritage sites. Her expertise lies in

knowing what they look like from the top; Judges Rob most people are used to seeing things at ground level. What seems like a patch of soil to the governments and other agencies on the best Durham, she completed a Master’s in Museum untrained eye may be a scattering of ash, pottery way of protecting them. Last month she helped Studies at Newcastle University. and smashed roof tiles. She has recorded forts, organise the Conflict and Cultural Heritage Syria, like many countries in the Middle crusader castles, nomadic tents and even roads Conference at St John’s College – an event to East, has never had a single sites and monuments dating back to the Bronze Age. raise public awareness of the issues around record that collates all sites. The Endangered Emma’s interest in archaeology was piqued protecting heritage sites at risk from armed Archaeology database is a pioneering initiative by a childhood trip to Egypt, but in recent conflict. She is also involved in coordinating the that will eventually be publicly available. years her love of Syrian history has grown procedures around documenting the damage to Emma hopes it will literally provide a roadmap exponentially. ‘Syria is where you get some of buildings, with a view to long-term restoration for developments so new roads and buildings the oldest churches and mosques in the world: and rebuilding, ensuring that in the future people will avoid important sites or ensure, at least, mosques that were built and visited by the will have all the information they need without that the land is properly surveyed and recorded Prophet Mohammed; churches that date back there being duplication of effort. She is about to before the diggers move in. She is also a to 59AD; Jewish synagogues built where the board member of UK Blue Shield, a charity Prophet Elijah is supposed to have visited,’ she ‘If cultural heritage is ignored, encouraging the UK government to ratify explains. ‘You can walk down a street where the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection sections of the population have reputedly lived the mismanagement of a of Cultural Property in Armed Conflict, and for 7,000 years. It has some of the oldest people’s heritage can spark working to assist in the protection of cultural writing, poetry and law codes in the world. heritage during conflict and natural disasters. The list goes on.’ riots and violence’ After the war broke out, Emma met Emma is a member of the Endangered Syrian people at an archaeological conference Archaeology in the Middle East and North start a new project which examines how people in Jordan, who were passionate about how they Africa (EAMENA) project, based at Oxford respond to propaganda videos filmed by Daesh could protect their country’s heritage. ‘You can’t University and funded by the Arcadia (IS) featuring the destruction of cultural heritage. help but be drawn in and want to help,’ she Foundation. The project uses satellite imagery Her interest in old buildings and cultural says. ‘Archaeology is not just about stones. If to document and study damage to archaeological heritage was perhaps passed on from her cultural heritage is ignored, the mismanagement sites in peace and conflict across the region. parents. Her father, a software salesman, of a people’s heritage can spark riots and Many of the sites are currently inaccessible on travelled around the world on business, but at violence. Conversely, it has led to the only peace the ground due to ongoing conflicts – although weekends she and her mother often joined him conference that had people from opposite sides the research team has found that, despite the to do some sightseeing. By the time she was in Syria sat around the same table. Every time headlines about damage due to the conflict, 12 years old she had visited 17 countries at people tell me that I shouldn’t care about the the biggest threat to archaeological sites is least twice, and was particularly drawn to the stones because people are dying, I think of all the pace of development and agricultural ruins and statutes of Greece, Egypt and Turkey. of my Syrian friends who care so much about practices, with many of them disappearing After a BA in Archaeology at the University of their heritage.’ soon after the advent of the tractor in the 1960s. Emma and her colleagues not only record More information at EAMENA project at http://eamena.arch. the sites on a database, they also assess the likely cause of damage in order to advise ox.ac.uk

www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint November 2015 BLUEPRINT | 7 oxford through the looking glass Just as Lewis Carroll drew on Oxford for inspiration, so the city reflects his books, says Matt Pickles

26 November marks 150 years since the Oxford carefully you can see it everywhere in Oxford.’ mathematician Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, Mr Gibb is not exaggerating. The Sheep Shop

Oxford University Images under the pen name Lewis Carroll, published mentioned in Through the Looking Glass is Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. still open on St Aldate’s and now sells Alice If you delve into the origins of the characters memorabilia. Alongside the paintings of its and adventures in the book, it becomes clear great academics, Christ Church’s dining hall has what a big influence Oxford, its colleges a stained glass window featuring Alice Liddell. and its inhabitants had on Carroll’s writing. And St Margaret’s Well in Binsey was the model This is perhaps not a surprise, given that he for the Treacle Well. matriculated as an undergraduate at Christ This year the 150th anniversary of the book’s Church in 1850 and remained at the college in publication was marked with Wonderday, a various positions until his death in 1898. special event held on 13 November by Christ Carroll came up with the idea for Alice’s Church and the Story Museum. Visitors heard talks about Alice and were taken around Christ ‘Wonderland’s influence Church to see places and objects that related is massive – if you look to Alice and Lewis Carroll, including Alice’s Nursery, the Deanery Garden, the (mock) turtle Alice Perez/Untapped Cities Perez/Untapped Alice carefully you can see it shells in the kitchen, and the long-necked ladies everywhere in Oxford’ in the fireplace in the dining hall (see picture). Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has even Adventures and wrote the book while he was inspired an interesting research idea. Franziska a tutor and lecturer in maths at Christ Church. Kohlt, a DPhil student in English Literature and Alice is based on Alice Liddell, the daughter of the History of Science at Oxford, is one of the Carroll’s friend the Revd Henry George Liddell, scholars who discussed Lewis Carroll and the who was Dean of the college. Carroll would tell latest research into his writing on Wonderday. stories to amuse Alice and her sisters Lorina and She is investigating links between the Edith, and these ultimately led to him writing development of the psychological sciences in the the famous book. His visits to the Museum 19th century and Victorian fantastic literature. of Natural History with Alice and her sisters ‘Lewis Carroll – like many other writers of inspired some of the animals in Wonderland fantastic literature such as Charles Kingsley or

– most notably the dodo, which is believed to H G Wells – was actually a scientist, and even Oxford University Museum of Natural History Natural of Museum University Oxford have been based on Jan Savery’s 17th-century worked for the Natural History Museum as a painting of the animal in the museum photographer for a short time,’ she explains. (pictured left). ‘He owned a large number of books on the Carroll was a keen photographer and often emerging “sciences of the mind”, and the “Mad took pictures of specimens from the Museum of Tea Party” draws on many (then) popular Natural History. He loved to write logic puzzles ideas of madness and dream theory. Such links and the museum still has a small collection of are absolutely crucial to the story and make these games and other memorabilia. it far more than just a children’s book – it is Although Oxford influenced Carroll, his an incredibly complex document of Victorian books have also left their mark on the city intellectual culture.’ as it stands today. Every 4 July the Bodleian Although Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Libraries and the Story Museum celebrate was already celebrated during Carroll’s lifetime, ‘Alice’s Day’. This is the anniversary of the first he surely could not have predicted that Oxford time Carroll told the story of Alice’s adventures, would devote two separate days to celebrating while on a river trip on the Isis with Alice his life 150 years later. But it seems unlikely Liddell, her two sisters and his friend the Revd that his success would have gone to his head –

Ralph Williamson Robinson Duckworth in 1862. once Alice’s Adventures began to sell a lot of ‘Wonderland’s influence is massive,’ says copies, Carroll asked Christ Church to reduce Right: ‘Alice’s Day’ adventures; From top: The David Gibb of the Story Museum. ‘If you look his salary. Christ Church window dedicated to Alice Liddell; Carroll’s original book, now in the British Library; the delightful dodo; More information at www.storymuseum.org.uk/about-us/what- long-necked ladies adorn the fireplace in we-do/alices-day Christ Church dining hall

8 | BLUEPRINT November 2015 www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint May 2015 BLUEPRINT | 9 Oxford University Images/Botanic Garden Images/Botanic University Oxford join The Conversation A free news website allows academics to inform public debate, reports Carolyne Culver

Right: Penguinologist Tom Hart took part in

The Conversation Jim Wilson

Dr Tom Hart is a penguinologist in Oxford’s competitors, mean journalists have less time interested, put them in touch with the Department of Zoology. He spends several to write stories and often lack the expertise relevant editor. The researcher and editor months a year in Antarctica maintaining needed to understand the detail and context shape the focus of the article between time-lapse cameras for citizen science project of what they are writing about. The founders them and nothing is published without the Penguinwatch. Millions of these images are also wanted an antidote to the traditional researcher’s final approval. studied by members of the public every year media’s focus on bad news and drama, Tom Hart’s article was about how plants to help Tom monitor the health of penguin believing that academics and researchers can and animals might colonise an ice-free colonies. offer a more rounded view, be more honest, Antarctica. ‘I found this a really positive Just as the internet has allowed thousands and outline potential solutions rather than experience,’ he says. ‘It was a chance to think of people to contribute to scientific research, about something peripheral to my main it has also seen a proliferation of news ‘The project was established research, but a very interesting aspect of websites and blogs that many people read as change in Antarctica. I’d encourage anyone an alternative to print and broadcast media. by former journalists interested in engagement to look at this, These vary in quality, but one such website, frustrated with the particularly if they don’t have too much time.’ The Conversation, offers an interesting Dr Carlos Vargas-Silva, a senior researcher alternative because it’s packed with articles increasingly politicised at the Centre on Migration, Policy and written by expert academics and researchers agenda of traditional mass Society (COMPAS), recently wrote about how – including Tom, who recently co-authored media’ many overseas students stay in the UK after an article with Pete Convey of the British completing their studies – a good example Antarctic Survey about the potential impact leaving the reader with a sense of doom of how The Conversation tries to set the of climate change on Antarctica. and gloom. record straight about issues that can become Launched in Australia in 2011 and in the Oxford researchers are among the most politicised in the traditional media. ‘The UK in 2013, The Conversation has millions prolific contributors to the website. To date editors understand the need for balancing of readers worldwide. Articles are free to more than 200 Oxford researchers have “newsworthy” material with academic read and the website is free of advertising contributed articles, read by more than rigour,’ confirms Carlos. ‘If the content is too – a welcome relief from subscription-only 8 million readers. Academics and researchers technical, they also make suggestions to make paywalls or being distracted by the visual at all stages of their career are encouraged to it more accessible.’ bombardment of pop-up adverts. Topics contribute: being an early career researcher He is also pleased with the impact include health, science and technology, arts is no barrier. Indeed, The Conversation’s his articles have had. ‘My pieces on The and culture, and politics and society, and the editors are keen to promote the website as Conversation have been re-posted on several site is curated by journalists with expertise in an opportunity to develop writing skills and other websites, including The New Statesman these areas. practise writing for a generalist audience. and the BBC. Much of the reaction to the The project was established by journalists Oxford is now a formal member of The articles comes from people reading these other frustrated with the increasingly politicised Conversation, having joined in August, and websites. Having these websites republishing agenda of traditional mass media. Their will enjoy the added bonus of training and The Conversation articles is a way of reaching intention was to inform public debate about support for researchers who would like to a broader audience without the extra work.’ the big issues of the day by publishing contribute but do not feel confident enough evidence-based comment pieces written by to start typing straight away. One such event experts. Concerned that academics were is being held on Friday 27 November, when Tom Hart’s article is at theconversation. withdrawing from engagement with the editors from The Conversation will visit com/polar-invasion-how-plants-and- media, they wanted to give them a platform Oxford to kick off a training programme (see animals-would-colonise-an-ice-free- where their words would not be twisted to po.st/TheConversation). antarctica-47369. Carlos Vargas-Silva’s suit a particular narrative. Writing for the website is a collaborative article is at theconversation.com/hard- The quality of reporting about major process. The Conversation contacts member evidence-how-many-foreign-students- issues of public concern also concerned The universities each day, listing the topical stories stay-in-the-uk-45506. Conversation’s founders. Cutbacks in news that they would like an expert to comment rooms, including specialist reporters, and on. The academic divisions then contact You can join in The Conversation via the need to get stories online quicker than relevant expert researchers and, if they are theconversation.com/uk.

10 | BLUEPRINT November 2015 www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint what’s on

Exhibitions Concerts

Titian to Canaletto: drawing in Venice Family cushion Until 10 January 2016 concert: festive folk University Museum of Natural History Ashmolean Museum Sunday 6 December, Tickets £10 / £9 / £5 / free for members and 10am and 11am for under-12s under 5s; noon for www.ashmolean.org/exhibitions/ over 5s titiantocanaletto Jacqueline du Pré First major exhibition of Venetian drawings Music Building, in the UK, which traces the role of drawing in St Hilda’s College Venice and its importance over three centuries. Tickets £5; £16 for family of 4 Handwritten in stone www.st-hildas.ox.ac.uk/jdp-music- Until 31 January 2016 building/familyed The travelling Santa problem and other Upper East Gallery, Oxford University A festive version of the cushion concert seasonal challenges Museum of Natural History series, which introduces children to different Wednesday 16 December, 4.30pm www.oum.ox.ac.uk/visiting/current.htm instruments and styles of music. Exhibition celebrating the 200th anniversary Mathematical Institute, ROQ of the publication of William Smith’s first Christmas by candlelight www.maths.ox.ac.uk/events/public- geological map of England and Wales. Saturday 19 December, 8pm lectures-events Christ Church Cathedral Professor Marcus du Sautoy will Armenia: masterpieces from an Tickets £15 / £8 examine an aspect of Christmas not enduring culture cathedralsingers.org.uk often considered: the mathematics. Until 28 February 2016 Seasonal carol concert by the Cathedral Singers Britain’s black debt: reparatory justice S T Lee Gallery, Weston Library of Christ Church, directed by John Padley. and the restoration of ‘moral nation status’ www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/whats-on Tuesday 26 January, 5pm The Bodleian’s winter exhibition celebrates MASH marathon Oxford Martin School over 2,500 years of Armenian history, from Friday 29 January, 6.30pm www.race-and-the-curriculum.eventbrite. its first mention in the reign of King Darius I Jacqueline du Pré Music Building, St Hilda’s co.uk (c550–486 BCE) to the modern Republic of College Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor Armenia. Tickets £5 www.st-hildas.ox.ac.uk/jdpevent/mash- of the University of the West Indies, will deliver marathon the inaugural Race and the Curriculum in A new music marathon featuring a wide Oxford Lecture. range of experimental, minimal and electronic music created by UK-based Family friendly composers.

Ashmolean Museum Ashmolean Pitt Stop: jingle beads Saturday 5 December, 1–4pm ectures and talks L Pitt Rivers Museum Brexit seminar: conclusions; political www.prm.ox.ac.uk/events.html considerations Make your own beaded Christmas Thursday 3 December, 5.30pm decorations and jingle all the way. Old Library, All Souls College Lightning strikes! www.asc.ox.ac.uk/event/brexit-seminar- Saturday 5 December, 2–4pm series-conclusions-political-considerations Museum of the History of Science Panel discussion featuring Professor Sir www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/events David Edward, Lord O’Donnell and Dr John Find out about the story of electricity Redwood MP. and Benjamin Franklin’s life-saving Sylvia Pankhurst, feminism and social justice invention. Drop-in event for children Friday 4 December, 5pm aged 7 upwards. Lecture Theatre, Mansfield College Recycled Christmas www.mansfield.ox.ac.uk Saturday 12 December, 10.30am–12.30pm Talk by writer and historian Dr Rachel Botanic Garden Holmes. www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk/whatson Get in the festive mood and make From top: Colourful geology; some Christmas decorations from

Venetian drawing; Armenian culture natural materials. Bodleian Library Bodleian

www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint November 2015 BLUEPRINT | 11 gender equality takes centre stage Julia Paolitto reports on current interventions to embed gender equality into university life Oxford University Images/Rob University Judges Oxford

The appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor application form and action plan is just the first the University conducted a comprehensive is always a highly anticipated event, but the step in a continuing process of culture change review of recruitment procedures for statutory appointment of Louise Richardson as Oxford’s over many years.’ And thanks to work across professorships and approved a set of gender 272nd Vice-Chancellor was seen as something the Medical Sciences and the Mathematical, equality targets to support its aim of increasing special well beyond Oxford. The arrival of the Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Divisions, the proportion of women in senior roles – to first female Vice-Chancellor at one of the world’s Oxford is one of the very few universities in 20% of statutory professors and 35% of most recognisable educational institutions has the country to hold awards in every STEMM associate professors by 2020. The effects are been met with excitement and optimism, as well department. already being felt: only a year after revising the as the sense among many that the change was While the under-representation of women in process for statutory professor recruitment, long overdue – both at Oxford and in a sector the social sciences and humanities is less severe, the proportion of women appointed has where leadership remains 80% male. the proportion of women at more senior levels significantly increased. The change of leadership at Oxford comes remains relatively low and is an area of work Change at Oxford rarely happens overnight, at a time when gender equality initiatives for both divisions. The Social Sciences Division but pressure and funding from the top certainly across the University are gathering momentum. is preparing its departments for Athena SWAN helps speed up the process, and to that end The last decade has produced a series of the £1m Vice-Chancellor’s Diversity Fund interventions to embed gender equality into ‘The University has signed was created in 2013. Established to promote university life and the University’s engagement diversity across the University, the fund has with the Athena SWAN charter since 2005 has up to the UN’s HeForShe helped take forward practical initiatives such as had a defining impact on its work to further campaign as one of ten the Women in Science project, launching early gender equality in the sciences in particular. next year. Conceived by Sue Ziebland, Professor Established originally to combat the under- international universities to of Medical Sociology, the project is an online representation of women in STEMM (science, commit to promoting gender resource showcasing the personal experiences technology, engineering, maths and medicine) of 40 female scientists in Oxford through more subjects, Athena SWAN awards recognise equality across the higher than 200 video and audio clips. The project practices and achievements supporting the education sector’ highlights many of the concerns common career development and progression of women among women making career development in academia. awards (newly open to non-science subjects choices – from applying for fellowship funding The awards have been successful in engaging as of May), while Humanities is reviewing to approaching maternity leave, through the many people across the University dedicated hiring practices to achieve ambitious targets for achieving culture change in the sciences. to pursuing gender equality in activities that leadership by women in its faculties. The fund also makes possible the Returning are structured and effective, says Trudy Coe, The huge amount of work is undoubtedly Carers’ Fund, which provides small grants head of the University’s Equality and Diversity helping raise awareness of gender equality as to support women and men returning to Unit (EDU). ‘Engaging with Athena SWAN a priority across Oxford. For all the steady work following a period of leave for caring enables the whole department to take a view on progress being made, however, the academic responsibilities, to help them re-establish their what matters locally in terms of recruitment, gender balance remains an area of concern: the research. It can be used, for example, to provide progression and retention – of women and proportion of female teaching and research staff research assistance or bring collaborators to men – at every career stage, from outreach at Oxford remains well below the sector average Oxford for a period of time to reduce the with prospective students to the most senior (26% compared with 30% in the Russell Group travel burden on those with demanding professorial appointments. Completing the and 39% nationally). To address this, in 2014 responsibilities at home.

12 | BLUEPRINT November 2015 www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint High-profile women (clockwise from bottom left): Robyn Norton, Professor of Global Health, gives the Oxford India lecture; Dr Phumzile Mlambo- Ngcuka, UN Under Secretary-General, in Oxford as the University commits to the HeForShe campaign; Susan Jebb, Professor of Diet and Population Health, gives the Oxford London Lecture; Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer; Vice-Chancellor- elect Professor Louise Richardson; Guardian Editor Kath Viner

The Diversity Fund is, through EDU, also our students, and thinking about what gender seriously,’ she says. ‘For good and bad we get taking a cue from Hertford College’s decision equality means in practice for them is an lots of attention, but it means that we can use to temporarily replace its hall portraits with important part of this work.’ To that end, in this platform to provide leadership because photographs of female alumni. A major June the University signed up to the United what we do matters – and thanks to a strong portraiture project will electronically capture Nations’ HeForShe campaign for gender commitment to evidence-based policy and portraits of women across the University equality as one of ten international universities practice, our initiatives and activities reflect and place them in an online repository. This to commit to promoting gender equality across a good understanding of best practice and will be followed by a series of commissioned the higher education sector. what works.’ photographs of women of achievement from As part of the University’s pledge to promote All these activities are just the tip of the across the University, and eventually a portrait gender equality and create a safe University iceberg – gender equality is clearly on the of a prominent woman will sit in the entrance environment, Oxford has funded or helped agenda all over the University, driven from to Wellington Square alongside Harold develop a range of student-led activities, the bottom up as much as from leadership Macmillan, Roy Jenkins and Lord Patten. from sexual consent workshops in all commitments at the top. There’s undoubtedly February 2016 will see the launch of undergraduate colleges to engaging male more to do, but Oxford today looks decidedly ‘Women of Achievement,’ a lecture series students in promoting positive masculinity. different from when Sally Mapstone arrived in that Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education Sally Other initiatives have included substantially 1975. Her first evening at Wadham College, Mapstone describes as ‘using the lecture revising the University’s policy and procedure she remembers, featured a women-only talk concept to do something different’. A pop-up on sexual assault and harassment, including from the college doctor about contraception. nursery at each lecture – Chief Medical Officer recruiting and training more college- and ‘My peer group still recalls that because we Dame Sally Davies and Guardian editor Kath department-based staff in how to respond were so horrified by it. It showed that “mixed” Viner will deliver the first two in the series – appropriately to incidents of sexual assault. colleges had some way to go to understand will make them more accessible to those whose In February 2015 Dr Rebecca Surender was what being “mixed” really meant,’ she notes. childcare commitments would otherwise rule appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Advocate ‘Fast forward 40 years and our student them out of attending evening lectures. for Diversity – a new position signalling that union is running sexual consent workshops Gender equality as it plays out in the student equality and diversity are important enough in colleges. Some people might worry that experience is another important priority for to merit a senior representative who will that should be necessary; I think it shows the University’s work. Centuries of (largely all- coordinate and promote initiatives across enlightened progress and responsibility, and a male) traditions have contributed to Oxford’s the University. ‘Oxford takes its position whole institution approach.’ unique status in Britain. They also arguably make it more important to ensure that female students feel supported, and that men across the University are engaged in promoting a Further information: positive environment for female students. Athena SWAN: www.admin.ox.ac.uk/eop/gender/athenaswan ‘Diversity enhances Oxford as an institution,’ HeForShe: www.admin.ox.ac.uk/eop/gender/heforshe says Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Equality and Diversity Unit: www.admin.ox.ac.uk/eop/gender Hamilton. ‘To make progress we need students who will eventually be leading our institutions VC Diversity Fund: www.admin.ox.ac.uk/eop/inpractice/vc-fund to be engaged with equality. Ensuring that Gender equality targets: www.admin.ox.ac.uk/eop/policy/equalityobjectives Oxford is a safe and inclusive space for all

www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint November 2015 BLUEPRINT | 13 the day job – and other observations Departing Vice-Chancellor Andrew Hamilton tells Stephen Rouse about his Oxford experience Oxford University Images/John University Cairns Oxford

Challenging one’s DPhil supervisor is a common ensuring I stay connected with my subject and response to inevitable government funding occurrence for postgraduate Oxford students. also giving me the pleasure of talking to students cuts. In the face of the economic gale, the In fact, it’s positively encouraged. But what if about research, feeling the excitement when one University has achieved annual income growth that supervisor is also the Vice-Chancellor? For of them points to a finding that helps with part of 6–7% and an even higher increase, 8–9%, for Professor Andrew Hamilton, leading a research of the puzzle we are pursuing. They actually research income. That distinctive, challenging, group at the frontiers of organic and biological help me do my job as VC – not least because Oxford education system has been protected chemistry has been a vital break from the ‘day they keep me sane in what can often be the very with a £120m pot for undergraduate teaching job’ of being VC for the past six and half years. surreal world of academic administration.’ and more than £100m for graduate student Reflecting on his time at Oxford, two months Fortunately for any student wishing to scholarships. before he is due to depart to become President challenge the VC’s assessment of new data, There are also more tangible results of the of New York University, Professor Hamilton Professor Hamilton has never been one to perpetual modernisation of the University says: ‘I try hard to get to the lab two or three stand on ceremony – in the lab or in the office. infrastructure: new buildings for Mathematics times a week. I don’t always make it but it’s ‘I hope I follow a style of leadership that and Earth Sciences; the transformation of the been an important part of my life in Oxford, welcomes challenge. That can be my Pro-Vice- Radcliffe Observatory Quarter. Two vitally Chancellors, who are perfectly willing – even important areas of study – China and the jump at the opportunity – to challenge me. Middle East – have been enhanced by striking Or it can be my students, who I have always new buildings at St Hugh’s and St Antony’s. encouraged to be critical thinkers.’ Oxford has been number one in the world ‘This University is great because it works on in medicine for the past five years, with new consensus. If an idea for a new project, a new developments like the Big Data Institute building, a new degree, isn’t good enough to set to keep it there. build consensus among academic experts, then The ever-evolving city has given Professor it doesn’t deserve to see the light of day. So, Hamilton a lot of pleasure. ‘I walk past to me, the building of consensus is not a the ROQ every day, watching it change in weakened model of leadership, it the very front of my eyes. To me, it sums up Oxford epitome of how to achieve things.’ – the cutting-edge 21st-century scholarship The achievements of this consensual style represented by the Mathematical Institute have indeed been significant. Taking up office and, reflected in its windows, the 18th-century with the UK economy in deep recession, scientific endeavour represented by the Professor Hamilton impressed upon the exquisite Radcliffe Observatory.’ Oxford University Images/Rob Judges Images/Rob University Oxford collegiate University the importance of a united Less visible, but no less remarkable, are the

14 | BLUEPRINT November 2015 www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint

Oxford University Images/Rob Judges Oxford University Images/Rob Judges Images/Rob University Oxford

Oxford University Images/Rob Judges

stories of the Moritz–Heyman undergraduate a sometimes overly devolved approach to being applied to a very real-world challenge in scholars, whose first cohort has recently philanthropy and remind people that we are automotive vehicle design.’ graduated. The internet investor Sir Michael at our strongest when we work together.’ A small toy lion sits on the Vice-Chancellor’s Moritz and his wife, the writer Harriet Professor Hamilton highlights those meeting table. It’s a ‘Cecil’, created to raise Heyman, endowed the University with £75m graduation ceremonies, and the expressions funds for the Department of Zoology’s to support students from the lowest income on the faces of graduates, family and WildCRU team. The researchers attracted families in the UK. worldwide support earlier this year after the Professor Hamilton is credited with bringing ‘I hope what I have done real-life Cecil, a lion they were studying, was about the Moritz–Heyman gift and, more shot dead in a Zimbabwean nature reserve. widely, the collegiate University’s record is build in Oxford a Noticing Cecil, the Vice-Chancellor smiles. success in reaching £2bn of philanthropic sense of strength for ‘You might say he reflects the changes I’ve seen donations. But he rejects the notion that, as here. There was worldwide, 24-hour media a former Provost of Yale, he has brought the the challenges to come’ coverage of Cecil’s sad death and WildCRU’s US style of fundraising to Oxford: ‘I hope response. There is the excellence of the Oxford what I have done is build in Oxford a sense friends, as one of the particular joys of his research itself, its impact around the world in of strength for the challenges to come – but post. The excellence, diversity and global many significant ways, and the range of ways a strength based firmly on Oxford’s own reach of Oxford’s research has been another: in which it can be funded. And that brings character and values.’ ‘I’ve talked often about a very rainy day at me full circle. The financial challenges of my He adds: ‘I also like to point out to all our Begbroke Science Park. Instead of cutting time at Oxford have reinforced the importance students, on graduation day in the Sheldonian, a ribbon for the new road, as any sensible of a diversity of income streams to underpin that philanthropy is not a new phenomenon. university might do, I was placed in the everything we do in teaching and research. Yes, They are sitting in a wonderful building funded passenger seat of a robot car and driven at it can be philanthropy; yes, it can be corporate through the generosity of Gilbert Sheldon, with around 40 mph through the ribbon. But that and charitable sponsorship; and it can even be the philanthropy of John Radcliffe evident just research project is a wonderful example of the profits from a cuddly lion called Cecil.’ next door. All I have done is help co-ordinate Oxford’s scientific and engineering excellence Professor Hamilton’s enthusiasm for the University’s research and education is infectious. Yet he has always been equally clear about the importance of administrative staff in supporting the brilliance of the academics and students. ‘The 21st century is a complex place for administrators, with an increasing regulatory burden, greater media scrutiny and sometimes demanding academics. Contemporary scholarship – in the labs, in the complex modern libraries or even more complex ancient buildings – would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of Oxford’s administrative staff. For that, and for all the support they have given me over the last six years or so, I am enormously grateful.’

Far left: Congratulating a newly graduated DPhil student; Above, left to right: Installation as Vice-Chancellor, with departing VC John Hood; being introduced to Aung San Suu Kyi by the Chancellor, Lord Patten; presenting the VC’s Civic Award to undergraduate volunteers with Kids Adventure; Left: ‘Cutting the ribbon’ in the driverless car Oxford University Images/John University Cairns Oxford at Begbroke

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www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint November 2015 BLUEPRINT | 19 why am i here?

Robert Quinney Director, New College Choir

Tell us a bit about the choir. Did you always want to be a musician? New College has had a choir since its I was fairly focused on the idea from the age foundation in 1379, with boy choristers of about 12, though the seeds were sown being educated at the associated school. Our earlier, when I sang as a treble – first in the regular team comprises 16 choristers aged 8 choir of Dundee Cathedral, then in a Royal to 13, and there are two years of boys below School of Church Music choir that sang in that being trained up as Probationers. The various northern cathedrals. I think perhaps ‘back row’ comprises four altos, five tenors I was hooked as much by the history and RobJudges and five basses; six of these are professional beauty of the buildings as by the music. Lay Clerks and the rest Academical Clerks I became Organ Scholar at King’s (students at New College). College, Cambridge, a demanding role that involved performing every day with What does being Director entail? King’s College Choir alongside my degree I direct almost all the choral services, all – a great education in managing time! I’ve Blueprint is published bimonthly for the staff of the of which are preceded by a rehearsal; the subsequently worked at Westminster Abbey, University of Oxford by the Public Affairs Directorate boys also come over to college at lunchtime Westminster Cathedral and Peterborough Editor: Sally Croft to rehearse with me. There’s a lot of Designers: Laëtitia Velia/Katy Dawkins Cathedral, before coming to Oxford. Picture research: Janet Avison administration: planning music, auditioning Items for possible inclusion are welcome and should singers, keeping an eye on the boys’ progress What was it like playing the organ at the be sent to [email protected] and welfare, communicating with their wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Subscriptions parents, overseeing arrangements for tours Cambridge? To subscribe to Blueprint either in print or online, visit www.ox.ac.uk/staff/staff_communications/ and recordings, and so on. I’m also Tutorial One of the things I enjoyed about working subscriptions Fellow at New College and an Associate at the abbey was the great variety of special Advertising Professor in the Faculty of Music. events mixed in among the daily services. For details of how to advertise in Blueprint, visit www.ox.ac.uk/staff/staff_communications/ The royal wedding was very memorable, not blueprint/advertising What are the choir’s duties? least because the abbey precincts, where we The opinions expressed in Blueprint are We sing every day except Wednesday in those of the contributors and are not were then living with two small children, necessarily shared by the University of Oxford. University term, and for Gaudies and Advertisements are vetted, but the University were completely locked down for a couple accepts no responsibility for them and their other special occasions. The college chapel of days while the world’s media descended. inclusion does not imply endorsement by the services are popular with tourists and the University of the goods or services advertised. It came at the end of a very intense period wider Oxford community, but they’re also of work – Holy Week and Easter, with (I like to think) the beating heart of the another televised service – but when the day college. Our regular service of Evensong is arrived, it was actually very enjoyable, and viewfinder really what each individual makes of it: you tremendously exciting of course. can enter fully into its devotional purpose, Where should you go to follow these ‘stars’ or use it as space toward the end of the day What will the choir be doing in the run-up – and what do they signify? Answer on p4. to reflect, or as a quick cultural apéritif to Christmas? before dinner! We sing three big services, for which the Outside engagements (mostly out of term) chapel will be jam-packed: the Advent Carol regularly include concert tours beyond the Service on 29 November and Christmas UK. In June we were in Rome as guests of Carols on 6 and 12 December (the latter for the Pontifical Choir, singing with them in Old Members). We also have a concert for both the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica of St the Home Farm Trust in Dorchester Abbey Peter – an unforgettable experience. We also on 8 December. So, while our schedule is make recordings for our in-house Novum not quite the endurance test of a cathedral label: our recent CD of some wonderful choir (they’ll all be singing right up to anthems by John Blow, a contemporary of Christmas Day itself), it’s taxing in that our Purcell, should be ready for release in spring ‘early Christmas’ comes straight after the 2016. In December we’ll be recording carols end of a long term. But it’s also a lot of fun, – for Christmas 2016. and a coming together of the whole college community. What are your own musical interests? I’m fairly omnivorous, but I have a Finally, where can we find out more? particular interest in J S Bach – an All our activities and recordings are inexhaustible well of inspiration and listed at www.newcollegechoir.com, plus fascination. I’ve made three discs of his information on choristerships (which come organ music on the Coro label (the latest has with a generously subsidised place at New just been released: http://thesixteenshop. College School). You can also follow us on com/collections/new-releases/products/ Facebook and Twitter. Failing that, call cor16132). 01865 279108 or come to Evensong! Oxford University Images/Matt Stuart Images/Matt University Oxford

20 | BLUEPRINT November 2015 www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint