HERTF collegeRDnews
Issue 25, 2014
Oxford to Venice: Into the mix: Royal Institution: Bridge to Bridge bike ride, Celebrating 40 years of Reflections on the July 2014 co-education Christmas Lectures 2013 Issue25
Paul Wilkinson FROM 12 WILL HUTTON I hope you like the new look Hertford was one of the first five Hertford’s academic community colleges to introduce co-education at is also looking to the future: we 16 Hertford College News. We’ve Oxford by admitting women in 1974 are currently embarking on an 6 10 updated our design but many (p. 10) – a fact echoed evocatively evaluation of the educational of the themes we cover will be when Alison Woollard delivered the and community experience that Royal Institution’s Christmas lectures we provide for graduates. Part Contents familiar. We carry on pushing at in 2013 (p. 12), only the fifth woman of this will involve a review of the boundaries that hold back to do so since their inauguration in the support we give to emerging fair opportunity. Equality and 1825. We currently have ten female academic talent as they navigate 3 From Will Hutton 12 Of worms and (wo)men: reflections Fellows at Hertford, a quarter of the a new world of digital publication access remain central Hertford fellowship, which despite being one and information sharing. Lucie on the Royal Institution Christmas values. But for all our pioneering of the more balanced gender ratios Burgess’s article (p. 16) about the 4 College news in Oxford, is still far from where we British Library touches on some of Lectures 2013 initiatives, I am constantly struck would like it to be. Student numbers the themes that our own graduates Alison Woollard that there is so much more we 6 Bridge to Bridge bike ride tell an intriguing story: of the current are facing, from preserving want to do. undergraduates, 232 are female and our academic heritage to the Farzana Aslam (1991), Jonathan Beckett 16 Libraries in the digital age 171 are male, a 58:42 percentage importance of curation in an age of (2007), Jamie Castell split. Amongst graduates, the ratio digital information dominance. Lucie Burgess (1993) is reversed – of our 206 graduates, 121 are male and 85 are female. Our most ambitious venture in 10 Into the mix: celebrating 40 years 18 Hertford rugby in Mongolia Does a career in academia pose a recent years is without doubt the of co-education at Oxford less attractive prospect to female decision to cycle 1,100km between John Collis (1989), Richard Foord (2011) students, or is there something else Oxford and Venice to raise funds Kate Stross (1974), Ellen Cheetham (2012) going on? for student support (p. 6). Again, this project emerged from one of 20 Dates for your diary When it comes to crossing Hertford’s longstanding convictions: boundaries, the Hertford rugby that it must continue to admit the team took this quite literally as best students, regardless of their they travelled across continents to financial background. We pioneered become only the second foreign team the outreach work that is now being to play in Mongolia (p. 18). As well as carried out across all Oxford and Hertford College News is published by being an unforgettable experience Cambridge colleges, and the bike the Members’ and Development Office for those who took part, it galvanised ride is the next step towards making for for members and friends of the college. an interest in Mongolian affairs at these access projects bigger and The opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily the official Hertford as the team prepared for the bolder than ever. Hertford is using Call news trip, opening up discussions about its history to inform its future, and views of Hertford College. the global economy and a focus on a the funds raised by the bike ride Do you have a story you would like featured in the Editor: Claire Blake part of the world that does not often will allow us to build a system of Design: www.dougdawson.co.uk next issue of Hertford College News? Cover photo: Paul Wilkinson feature in our news. Perhaps it was student support that is essential Hertford’s tradition of supporting the for a new era of tuition fees, ever- Produced by: under-dog that led to the team being increasing competition for places, Email us at [email protected]. Members’ and Development Office beaten by the locals in their far- and uncertain job prospects after Hertford College Eastern matches! graduation. I’ll be cycling the full Oxford OX1 3BW distance, along with dozens of other T: +44 (0) 1865 279428 E: [email protected] Hertfordians – and I very much hope W: www.hertford.ox.ac.uk you will support us along the way!
Hertford College is a registered charity in England and Wales, number 1137527
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Frost Included Top scientists Stephen Frost Two of Hertford’s scientists, Professor (1995) was the Dame Kay Davies and Professor Hagan first ever Head Bayley, were named in the Science of Diversity and Council’s Top 100 Scientists list. Inclusion for the Kay was recognised for her research Olympic Games into molecular analysis of human at London 2012. genetic disease, particularly the
COLLEGE His new book genetic basis of neuromuscular and The Inclusion neurological disorders, and as co- NEWS Imperative founder of the Oxford Centre of Gene examines how real inclusion creates Function, of which she is also the Terry Hughes (1964-2013) better business and builds better co-Director. Terry Hughes, who passed away on 24 October We welcome our societies, building on his success in 2013 at the age of 49, was a staunch supporter new Director of achieving unprecedented workforce Hagan was praised for his ground of Hertford. His tireless enthusiasm and energy inclusion across the 200,000 staff breaking research into the structures was valued enormously by the college, as well Development supporting the Olympics. and properties of biological as his financial support towards the boat club In January, molecules, especially proteins, and and student bursaries. Hertford their relationship to biological welcomed Julia evolution and disease. Hertford hosted a celebration of Terry’s life Thaxton as the in April with 38 of Terry’s friends, family and new Director of colleagues, as well as Hertford fellows and Development. representatives of the boat club. Over tea, we She was Anthony Harvey heard light-hearted stories from Terry’s time previously at St at Hertford and reminiscences about the many John’s College, lives he had touched. Even the weather reflected the mood of the day, with Cambridge, bursts of sunshine tempered by April rain showers. where she was Head of Major In tribute to Terry, his old room will be named after him and a plaque installed Gifts for their successful £50 to remember him. The boat club will also name their annual AGM dinner, when million fundraising campaign. current and past members gather together for a meal in Hall, in Terry’s memory. “I’m absolutely delighted to be A memorial fund for Terry has been established to provide bursaries and joining Hertford at such an exciting financial assistance for students in need, as well as continuing his support of time. The college, students and the boat club. In addition, Terry’s wife Maria will be joining us for the bike ride alumni have all given me a very this summer, cycling the full 704 miles (see pages 6-9). To make a contribution warm welcome, and together with We Day to Terry’s memorial fund, or to sponsor Maria on the bike ride, please contact Anna, Claire and Helena, I look Marc Kielburger (2000) and his brother Craig are co-founders of the international development and youth the Development Office. forward to building ever-stronger empowerment organisation, Free The Children. On 7th March they celebrated We Day, an event to inspire young relationships with old members.” people to become agents of change. They were joined by Prince Harry, Al Gore, Malala Yousafzai and Hertford’s Law Fellow Dr Alison Young, who is also a trustee of the UK branch of the charity.
New Hertford film Hertford talking We’ve been delighted with the response from alumni who have watched our new Recent speakers at our Hertford video on Hertford (tinyurl.com/hertvid). Current students, Fellows and alumni Conversations have included Ian (including Natasha Kaplinsky and a few other familiar faces) all discuss what McEwan (author) who shared makes Hertford stand out from the crowd, especially our work on open access. anecdotes from researching his novels, Charlie Mayfield (Chairman Our thanks go to Anthony Geffen (CEO and Executive Producer at Atlantic of John Lewis partnership) on the Productions) for his generosity and talent in producing the film for us. Anthony advantages of a partnership model, came to the college for Geography tutorials with Professor Andrew Goudie whilst and Ben Summerskill (former CEO studying at St Benet’s Hall. Law books of Stonewall) on equality in the the 2016 date for renewal of the twenty first century. BBC’s Royal Charter draws closer. It’s not all about sponsored Hertford’s cyclists… Hertford is extremely grateful We were also The lecture was supported by an to Mayer Brown International The Oxford University Darts team delighted to exhibition on John Donne in the LLP for generously sponsoring recently won the 2014 National welcome Tony Hall Bodleian Library’s Proscholium, textbooks for law students for University Championship, ably (Director-General arranged by Hertford student Alice the next five years. Many students supported by two team members of the BBC) to give Rhodes, which included the only find it difficult to purchase all the from Hertford: Jamie Tong (Assistant the John Donne surviving poem by Donne in his textbooks that they need for their SCR Butler) and Jack Shirley (Bar Lecture in April on own handwriting. law course, especially since they Supervisor) the subject of Living with creativity. often cannot be bought second- Lord Hall spoke about the challenge All Hertford members are welcome hand. Since the start of February Congratulations to Zoe Lee (2004) of recognising and encouraging to join us at these conversations; over one hundred new books who came 4th in the women’s eight at creativity in a corporate keep an eye on our website for have been ordered for our 23 the World Rowing Championships in environment, a topical speech as future dates. undergraduate Law students. Chungju.
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We have 32 cyclists signed up already, Who would cycle including our Principal, Will Hutton, 1,100km from Oxford who will be cycling the whole route. to Venice? A Hertfordian legacy Hertford would. The whole concept of the bike ride came from Hertford alumnus and True to its reputation for standing out generous supporter of the college, from the pack, Hertford is doing things Terry Hughes (1982). Terry was the differently: dynamo behind the entire adventure • In 1965, we were the first college and was the first to sign up for the to proactively encourage applicants challenge. Tragically, Terry passed from grammar and non fee-paying away in October 2013 at the age of 49. schools His widow Maria will be cycling the entire distance in his place and will be • In 1974, we were part of the first fundraising in Terry’s memory. cohort of five Oxford colleges to become co-educational What you can do Come and join us! If you’re a cyclist, • In 2014, we will be the first Oxford take a look at the route and if you’re up college to cycle from Oxford to for the challenge get in touch. You can Venice to raise money for student sign up for the entire distance or just support one of the legs.
The challenge of a lifetime If you’re not a cyclist, we urge you This July, Hertford College to sponsor those taking part. You will be issuing a can sponsor an individual cyclist to challenge to cycle help them reach their personal goal, 1,100km between or support the bike ride overall. All Oxford and Venice to proceeds will go towards student raise funds for student support. support. Venice was chosen as the ultimate We will also be seeking corporate destination in order to sponsorship to help cover the costs make the journey from of running the event – this will our own Bridge of ensure that all of the funds raised Sighs to its original go to student support. If you can namesake, in its centenary year.
Oxford Stage 1 Oxford to Paris 403km BRIDGE Portsmouth
Le Havre Paris
Dijon Stage 3 Lake Garda TO BRIDGE to Venice 355km Annecy Oxford Lake Garda Stage 2 to Venice Dijon to Annecy 336km Venice bike ride Jonathan Beckett
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Victoria CadmanVictoria We caught up with three of our cyclists to see how Now you’ve heard The Hospices de Beaune: a sight en route for the they were preparing for the challenge. about the bike ride, stage two cyclists meet some of our cyclists and supporters.
Will Hutton: full route journalist, Why did you decide to Jamie: The opportunities offered political through studying at Hertford should take part? be accessible to students from all economist – Farzana: It appealed to me as a backgrounds. As Outreach Fellow I see and Hertford’s challenge. Before I had children my how extra funds make a big difference. Principal holidays were always adventure holidays, like white water rafting Jonathan: Money shouldn’t be a through the Grand Canyon or trekking deciding factor when you apply to Farzana Aslam (1991) Macchu Picchu. This was a chance to Oxford, people shouldn’t be priced out put us in touch with a company that matter what their financial situation Principal Lecturer & Associate Director reconnect with my old self. of having a brilliant education. Jacqui Smith: could be a sponsor, please contact the may be. The June 2014 telethon will of the Centre for Comparative & Public Development Office. be encouraging gifts towards the bike Law at the University of Hong Kong; What are you most, and What is the greatest supporter Chair of the Board, Hong Kong Refugee ride, and we ask you to support our distance you have cycled former Home The ultimate goal riders in any way you can. You can Advice Centre least, looking forward to? Secretary sponsor individual cyclists to help Jamie: I’m most looking forward to previously? Certainly, part of the attraction of cycling in the Alps, and to the cold this scheme is the bike ride itself: the them reach their personal goals, or Jonathan: 280 miles in 23 hours and 5 donate to the scheme overall. beer that I hope will await me at minutes! I was one of the ride leaders physical challenge of cycling 1,100km every stage! in 11 days; the beautiful scenery of for the SCOPE London2Paris24 in 2013. France and Italy; two weeks making DONATEONLINE: I’m least looking forward to that Farzana: 750 km in 6 days through new friends and catching up with moment every day when I’ll have to old. But every one of the cyclists has • via the University donation page Southern China. (www.giving.ox.ac.uk/hertford_ pull on sweaty lycra and swing myself committed to raising significant sums back into the saddle. for student support, and it is the huge college) How are you preparing for Krishnan impact that this bike ride will make • on Kritical Mass (kriticalmass.com/p/ Jonathan: I don’t think there is the challenge? Guru-Murthy: that is the real adventure. If each of b2bbikeride) Jonathan Beckett (2007) • through JustGiving (www.justgiving. Research associate in Sir Walter anything I’m not looking forward to. Farzana: I’ve just started getting on our 32 cyclists raises £8,000, that day one com/hertfordcollege) Bodmer’s Cancer and Immunogenetics The part I’m most looking forward to my bike after a six-year hiatus. It is Newsreader would mean £250,000 going towards would have to be our day in the Alps proving painful, but I always knew that student support. You can also follow our progress on Lab at the Wetherall Institute of for Channel 4 our blog: www.bridge2bridge.org Molecular Medicine near Annecy. the initial few weeks of getting back Evening News into any training regime was going to Cycling for student Why is fundraising for be hard (hence the first few months of support denial!) It can have escaped no one’s Oxford students important notice that financial support for to you? Jamie: A lot of cycling! students is becoming an urgent The route Farzana: I struggled financially Tom Fletcher: issue. Hertford currently gives out through my student years, and almost What tips would you give 100 student bursaries a year, and Day One: Saturday 19 July dropped out for this reason, so I know stage three an increasing number of hardship Oxford to Portsmouth: 100 Years, 100 what a difference support of this to our other cyclists? Jonathan: Train, train and train some Ambassador to grants. Our graduate scholarships Miles, 100 People nature can make. more! Get used to riding for entire Lebanon are underfunded: we give out We’re going to have 100 cyclists Jamie Castell days, because every day is a massive between four and six graduate ‘senior joining us for the big send off Hertford’s Career Development Fellow distance. Get a good bike fitted too. scholarships’ each year of £5,000, & Outreach Officer; he divides his time
which barely touches the true cost Stage One: 19 July to 21 July between outreach work and research of postgraduate study. For us to be Oxford to Paris into Romantic poetry, in particular the able to attract the very best students, From dreaming spires to the iconic poetry of William Wordsworth regardless of background, Hertford Eiffel Tower will need to raise at least £250,000 for student support, with the hope of Stage Two: 22 July to 26 July Carol establishing an endowed fund in the Dijon to Annecy longer term. Our experienced cyclists can tackle the Sennett: optional Semnoz climbs (as featured in supporter Donating to Hertford 2013 Tour de France) Commissioning Your gift in support of the bike ride Stage Three: 27 July to 29 July Editor for will make all the difference. Not only Lake Garda to Venice Factual will it give an all-important boost to Skirting the Italian lakes to finish in the cyclists undergoing this extreme Programmes style with a gondola ride under the challenge, but it will also allow us to for the BBC Bridge of Sighs continue to admit the best students, no
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Hall portraits: This is a central and iconic space in the college; these plans all change make a strong statement that women can fill these walls…I now have new faith and pride in the college, knowing that The college is planning an exciting new it plans to recognise the successes of female alumni in such exhibition in Hall for the academic year a striking way – Georgina Green (2000) 2014-5. 21 photographic portraits of Hertford women will replace the current portraits.
Hertfordians past and present have been invited to nominate sitters, and the names of those selected will be published over the summer.
Our current portraits recognise achievement across a rather narrow sphere: we are keen that the women represented offer a more rounded picture of achievement for current Hertford women and men. We hope to include people whose successes have not been widely recognised as well as those who are more publicly acclaimed.
It’s a brave and bold move and I hope it will show the young women currently studying there that their achievements deserve just as much celebration – Claire McGowan (2000)
The five colleges who went co-educational in 1974 (Brasenose, Hertford, Jesus, St Catherine’s and Wadham) are celebrating the 40th anniversary of mixed education at Oxford throughout How much has really changed in the last forty years? 2014. As part of this anniversary, the university will not only applaud the achievements of We spoke to Hertford members past and present to alumnae in all spheres of life, but also offer insights into some of the challenges that remain compare notes. for women, both personal and professional.
Kate Stross (1974) worked me at the time, with the benefit of Ellen: Generally the current
‘Women in the Arts’ panel debate at Ofcom for 8 years from hindsight I think the limited numbers undergraduate community’s perception of its start up, initially as of women did detract from my Hertford is of a place of equality between Thursday 19th June Commercial Director and experience. the sexes, especially when compared to then regulating television other colleges or universities. However, as Director of Content. She is now a Hertford had decided to mix staircases the fact that gender equality is not at the • Catherine Bennett (1975) Observer freelance management consultant, non- rather than having all women forefront of most people’s minds does not columnist executive and pension fund trustee. staircases. I was studying Biochemistry, mean that total parity exists. • Kerensa Jennings (1989) Head of which was particularly male Strategic Delivery at the BBC Ellen Cheetham (2012) dominated – across the university as a Many female undergraduates have • Robin Norton-Hale (1999) Theatre is the current JCR Female whole, our year of 48 people included suggested that they feel ‘feminism’ is and opera director, winner of 2011 Welfare Officer. only three women. The combined a dirty word and that when they bring Olivier Award for Best Opera (La effect was that it limited contact with up feminist issues they are subject to Emma Catherine Kerensa Robin Liz Bohème) other women. disparaging looks and comments. Others Smith Bennett Jennings Norton-Hale Forgan • Liz Forgan (St Hugh’s alumna) Kate: When I arrived at Hertford in see feminism as irrelevant now that there Former Chair of Arts Council October 1974 I found myself one of I think as a result I made a few close is equality before the law. A series of events on pioneering Hertford will be hosting a panel England women has been arranged, with debate on ‘Women in the Arts’ on only sixteen women in an intake of friendships with other women, which around 90 undergraduates. Of course I in my experience are the ones which University level campaigns, such as each of the five colleges hosting an Thursday 19th June in London. This event is open to all Oxford had not known Hertford as an all-male have survived best over the long term. WomCam and Everyday Sexism, are event each. Emma Smith (Fellow and Tutor in alumni; please visit institution and so was not conscious That said, I found the men of Hertford, appreciated by the student body but are English) will chair the discussion tinyurl.com/womeninthearts of any change. Nevertheless, the particularly the second and third years, low profile compared to other groups with our guests who include: to sign up. women were rather a small minority at generally civilised, urbane and friendly. such as LGBTQ. Hertford and, though it didn’t trouble
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Of and (wo)men: worms Reflections on the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures 2013
Hertford’s Dean, Fellow and Tutor in Biochemistry, Dr Alison Woollard, was chosen to deliver the Royal Institution’s 2013 Christmas Lectures. Alison is only the fifth woman to deliver the lectures, but the third person to come from Hertford – the others being Sir Walter Bodmer and Sir Christopher Zeeman, both former Principals.
The Christmas Lectures, which are as much a fixture in the Christmas television scheduling as the carols from King’s College, Cambridge, were inaugurated by Michael Faraday in 1825. Former Lecturers have included Nobel Prize winners, such as William and Lawrence Bragg, and illustrious science communicators such as Sir David Attenborough.
Alison presented a three-part series, filmed in front of a live audience, called Life Fantastic which was aired on BBC Four in late December. Below she shares her reflections on the process. Paul Wilkinson Paul
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I moved to London, abandoning the the lectures as ‘assistants’ – the ‘Oxford letters. Although life is now more or less family, at the beginning of December Glams’ – as they were known in the back to normal, my involvement with The longest when the theatre rehearsals started. production office! It was also fantastic the Ri, and Science Communication in neuron in Rehearsal is a very odd experience to be able to share the experience general, continues. I’m also planning some us is over a for a seasoned seminar-giver; I had with some other scientists, not least involvement with the Cheltenham Science never really rehearsed anything before, Paul Nurse, my old PhD supervisor, who Festival and am looking forward to metre long, and also had never worked with a joined me in the first lecture to talk summer when the Ri Lectures go on tour stretching from the script. Scientists usually prefer to ad about his Nobel Prize-winning work on to Singapore and Japan. base of the spine to lib around a powerpoint presentation, cell division. the toes; giraffes have but that won’t work when you are I can really feel the vital importance dealing with a large crew, relying on neurons in their neck By the end of the third lecture I was of effective and engaging science split second timing for demos – and of beyond exhausted, although it took communication – particularly biological over five metres long course the whole ‘TV thing’. a surprising amount of time to ‘come science – at a time when Government down’ from the adrenaline trip. I demands ‘impact’ and some have The memories of working with looked forward to the TV transmission issues with the potential implications such a dedicated team of clever, dates between Christmas and New of research in genetics and molecular knowledgeable, funny people (mainly Year with a mixture of excitement and biology. And if six-year olds are inspired women as it happened – we were trepidation. I knew the lectures went to send me beautiful pictures of green dubbed ‘the coven’) will stay with me down well in the theatre with the fluorescent worms then, job done – the for a long time, and the ‘can do’ attitude wonderful audience, but how would next generation of scientists might just be was absolutely inspiring. I was really they translate to TV? I needn’t have inspired to study developmental biology…. lucky to be able to share the whole worried, and was totally overwhelmed experience with my research group, by the positive response on e-mail, Life Fantastic can be seen at who all appeared in one or other of Twitter and even good old-fashioned www.rigb.org/christmas-lectures
In 1869 Swiss biochemist Friedrich Miescher first isolated a new substance from the nuclei of white blood cells, the first extraction of DNA
When I first received the e-mail in 1829, Carl Sagan gave a brilliant model organisms, from yeast to inviting me to submit a proposal exploration of space in 1977, and Chris zebrafish, can teach us about biological for the Royal Institution Christmas Bishop’s “Hi-Tech Trek” delved into the mechanisms are immense – and use Lectures back in March 2013, my first world of Computer Science in 2008. of such organisms would allow the reaction was to delete it! My rough introduction of a whole menagerie of mental calculations, taking into My proposal was to start the lectures entertaining animals throughout the account my usual day jobs of Principal off talking about development – how lectures, and in addition allow me to Investigator, University Lecturer, we all start off as a single cell, the show off my favourite model organism, College Tutor, Dean and Mother of fertilized egg, and to describe the the nematode C. elegans, as a star of two young children, didn’t seem to remarkable process by which this the show, my ‘hero organism’. leave much wriggle room for anything single cell is transformed into trillions – let alone the vision, working-up of cells, all doing the right thing in It wasn’t until early June that I got and execution of three lectures for the right place at the right time; being the official go-ahead from the Royal teenagers on a broad biological topic. liver, for example, or brain. Institution. Rather fittingly, I was at Humans are hugely complicated machines Darwin’s home, Down House, that day, composed of around 40 trillion interconnected cells. Each cell is so tiny Over the next few days I found I envisaged two important themes on our annual outing for biologists and you could fit about 5,000 average sized human cells on the head of a thoughts of the Lectures creeping in, running through all the lectures: biochemists from Hertford. The phone pin – that’s 8 billion pins worth of cells in one person though. It was an honour to have been firstly, an emphasis on molecular call came through on the sand walk nominated to speak at an institution mechanisms, and secondly some – the promenade Darwin took each Photos: page 14 top right and page 15 as venerable as the Royal Institution, insights into how we know all this – evening to reflect on his day’s work bottom right © Paul Wilkinson; all other with its rich history of science and both of which I think are absolutely and think through ideas. That certainly photos © Tim Mitchell engagement, where Michael Faraday crucial to the engagement process. seemed to augur well for the lectures! introduced the public to electricity The lessons that a huge variety of
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Lucie Burgess, née Whitford, future generations. The Library, with access to and preservation of the national five other major libraries in the UK newspaper collection, which consists (1993) is Head of Content and Ireland (the National Libraries of 750 million pages in 59,000 titles Strategy, Research and of Scotland and Wales, the Bodleian, from The Times to the Beano. Thanks Operations at the British Library, Cambridge University Library and Trinity to a £33m grant from the Department College Dublin) has held the legal for Culture, Media and Sport we are where she has worked since 2007. deposit privilege since 1662, which has relocating the collection to state-of-the- empowered them to collect a copy of art low temperature, low-oxygen storage Imagine working with 150 million every significant publication in print. facilities, and 40 million pages are being collection items, unconstrained by However, with an explosion of web systematically digitised by our partner geography, format or language, from the content and data, but the lack of a legal DC Thomson Family History. In April earliest known European bound book framework and technical means to this year we will open a new reading (the remarkable St Cuthbert Gospel) collect it, we risked a huge digital black room – the Newsroom – at St. Pancras, to personal digital archives, like the hole opening up in the 21st century which will provide integrated access to papers of the evolutionary biologist record. print, web, TV and radio news collections W.D. Hamilton. This is a day in the life of in contemporary surroundings. The the British Library, and why it is such a Over the last ten years the libraries newspaper programme was a significant privilege and a passion of mine to work campaigned vigorously to extend achievement and a huge team effort and there. their legal deposit privilege to I am proud to have played my small part digital publishing and, after complex in it. Lucie Burgess Our purpose is to make our intellectual discussions with publishers and heritage accessible to everyone – for government, legislation was passed to One of the most interesting aspects of research, inspiration and enjoyment. We this effect on 6th April 2013. I spent my role is the diversity of the people I achieve this through meet, including eminent the reading room academics, curators, services provided at The St Cuthbert Gospel is the oldest technologists, researchers, our iconic building at intact European book. Made in the archivists, funders and St. Pancras in London, commercial partners. late seventh century, the manuscript through a variety of Recently I met Professor online services, and contains a copy of the Gospel of St John, Robert Darnton after the through a vibrant and was apparently placed in the coffin 2013 Panizzi Lectures, public programme of St Cuthbert (c. 635–687) when he was and was enthralled by of exhibitions and his account of romans- events. Half a million re-interred at Lindisfarne in 698. à-clef composed by researchers used domestic servants in the reading rooms The British Library bought the book the royal courts of 18th in 2013/14, and we in 2012 for £9 million, the highest century Bourbon France. welcomed 11 million Perhaps the strangest unique users to our price they have ever paid for a book, after a occurrence during my website, www.bl.uk. year-long fundraising campaign. time at the Library was being asked by a reader Libraries must to direct her to books continually innovate to remain relevant an exhilarating week in a whirlwind of printed with blue ink. I was able to cite – what’s the point of a library, you might press interviews, including an invitation a copy of Margaret Atwood’s Up in The ask, when every human thought is on to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Tree, originally published in 1978, and a the web? – and we set out ambitious stalwart of bedtime reading to my three plans to reinvent the Library in the The web is fragile, ephemeral and young children. Atwood penned the digital age. I have led our expert fleeting, with the average life of a letters and illustrations by hand using red curators to set out plans for developing web page estimated to be just 75 and blue ink which was considerably less the collection that places an emphasis days; through our archiving of the expensive to print at the time. on connecting, openness and digital as entire UK web space, a momentous well as the unique, precious heritage 1.4 billion pages of content and 3.8 Libraries everywhere are facing enormous collections for which we are so well million websites, and an enormous challenges. Visitor engagement, known. collaborative effort, we will preserve it economic impact, transformational digital forever. technologies, e-lending, open access, the Of course ‘heritage’ and ‘digital’ can need to broaden reach and budgetary be connected, and one of the most It’s fascinating to see the projects that pressures are just a few. Perhaps exciting projects I have led is the I participated in coming to fruition and the vastly superior consumer media British Library’s effort to archive delivering tangible benefits for the experience is the biggest competitor Libraries e-books, e-journals and websites, public. In 2007 I worked on the strategy to the role of the library in the future. I preserving our digital heritage for and business case for transforming would like to do something about that. in the We should cherish our libraries; they are variously our historians, our culture, our celebrations, our community and our future. Those wonderful 150 million collection items belong – to you.
Twitter @LucieCBurgess digital age [email protected] 16 www.hertford.ox.ac.uk [email protected] 17 HertfordCollegeNews Issue25
Since the Mongolian Rugby Football Union was established in 2003, rugby has become one of the fastest growing team sports in the country. In winter the temperature can drop to -40°C, and Ulaanbaatar holds the honour of being the coldest capital city in the world, yet Rugby rugby training continues regardless in mongolia
In 2013, Hertford College Rugby which was attended by all, and it was long table. This press conference was The rugby, country and people were all John Collis remarked afterwards that that was one going out live on national television. Club became the first rugby team The trip continued a long tradition of of the most important parts of the trip. unforgettable, and this has really topped off a to officially tour Mongolia in encouraging cultural and academic links Our record on the pitch was not a One journalist asked the seemingly through sport, and provided both hosts partnership with the Mongolian success but, in truth, it was the most reductive yet perfectly reasonable brilliant first year at university for me and guests with the opportunity to successful of tours. and difficult question: ‘How good Rugby Union. They are only the present and promote their cultures in a are Hertford College?’ After trying second foreign team ever to play friendly and uncontroversial framework. The tour is very grateful for the to explain the intricate workings of Preparation for the trip was cultural as winning points. The try was converted asserted their undoubted dominance in Mongolia (the Hong Kong sponsorship of Michael Watt, without the ‘cuppers bowl’ competition, John, well as physical – the rugby club hosted whom the trip would not have been skilfully pointed to the eight players for a final score of 21-16. in the scrum by lifting up our front Vandals visited in 2012). leading academics and thinkers on possible. Michael is not an alumnus that have gone on to represent England row. The game ended in a well-earned Mongolian affairs and held discussion of Hertford College, but was awarded in Hertford’s history. The fact that most Our next sporting engagement was victory for UB 12-7. Particular mention dinners with political scientists and the Order of New Zealand for his the sevens tournament. Our overriding must go to our front row who faced John Collis (1989), the tour of these caps came at the end of the anthropologists. philanthropy and has for many years nineteenth century was trivial and opinion of Mongolian rugby players two formidable Mongolian national manager, and Richard Foord supported scholars from Australia and hardly worth mentioning. was that they were skilful, agile, and wrestlers, yet fought through a full liked to ship the ball out wide. Naturally eighty minutes. (2011), the tour captain, share The tour itself was characterized by New Zealand to continue their work at good humour and a willingness to go Oxford University. The spotlight would remain on us they were quite good at sevens. We their experiences with us. beyond sports and social activities. We for the duration of our stay: We were played with much greater fluidity and We were exhausted, bruised, and held a visit to the Lotus Orphanage, to play two matches with a sevens composure coming second overall and disappointed. However for a rugby Richard Foord losing only one match to the eventual union that is trying to spread the We had been in Ulaanbaatar for a tournament in between, all of which would be played in the national winners. appeal of the game to a wider audience couple of hours before John Collis and the tense and exciting matches that I were invited to a press conference at stadium and broadcast live on Mongolian television. The final match was against the UB Hertford played a part in couldn’t have It was a truly fantastic experience and without the national TV centre. Expecting to Warriors, a club team full of older, more provided a better advert for this strange, be greeted with a couple of guys and experienced players. The match was an new, and dynamic team game. The a microphone I was slightly thrown Our first game was a close encounter; a doubt the most worthwhile and memorable with ten minutes remaining Hertford evening kickoff played under floodlights disappointment of losing was tempered off guard at the sight of a room full in front of a much fuller crowd, by the sense that we had been a part of journalists; about twenty television looked favourites for a first tour win, experience for me at university leading 16-14. However, within the including the English ambassador. The of something significant; something cameras; and a similar number of UB Warriors played a much more direct adventurous and a little bit strange that microphones bunched together on a final five minutes our opponents broke through on the left flank to record the game than the university team, and had never been done before.
18 www.hertford.ox.ac.uk [email protected] 19 Dates for your diary
2014 Bike ride events: Thursday 19 June: ‘Women in the Arts’ panel Saturday 19 July: Oxford starting line party debate in London Portsmouth finish line party
Saturday 19 – Wednesday 30 July: Bridge to Monday 21 July: Reunion dinner in Paris Bridge, Oxford to Venice bike ride Friday 25 July: Reunion dinner in Annecy Friday 19 September: Gaudy for Tuesday 29 July: Finale celebration in Venice matriculation years 1974-1976 Friday 19 – Sunday 21 September: Meeting 2015 Minds: Alumni Weekend in Oxford Friday 24 – Sunday 26 April: Meeting Minds: Saturday 20 September: Exhibition of new Alumni Weekend in Europe (Vienna) Hall portraits Celebrating 40 years of co-education at Oxford
Saturday 27 September: Gilbert Club 40th anniversary dinner
Saturday 4 October: Bridge of Sighs Commemoration Ball The ball is organised by a committee of MCR and JCR students
Find us on facebook: www.facebook.com/hertfordcollegealumni Follow us on twitter @hertfordcollege Join us on LinkedIn ‘Hertford College Alumni’
Follow the progress of our bike ride: www.bridge2bridge.org