blueprint Staff magazine for the University of Oxford | May 2015

Meteorology record | Magna Carta 800 | Oxford’s poetry professors news in brief u The University has gained accreditation u Have your say about the quality of services as a living wage employer. This means the provided by University Administration and University is not only committing to pay the Services (UAS) by completing a short online living wage to all its employees but also to survey. The survey, which runs until 26 June,

contractors who work regularly on University involves completing a brief evaluation of each OxfordUniversity Images/Greg Smolonski premises. Contractors will be moved over of the administrative services you have worked to the living wage within the next two years with over the past year. The findings will be when contracts are retendered or renewed. The used to help identify strengths and areas for living wage, which is intended to allow people improvement in UAS. To participate, visit to provide for themselves and their families, http://po.st/z0TInY. currently stands at £7.85 per hour, around 20% more than the national minimum wage. u The Sheldonian Theatre may be a familiar Oxford landmark, but did you know you u New targets have been approved by can enjoy one of the best indoor panoramic

Council to support the University’s objective of views of the city from the theatre’s cupola? iStockphoto/gmutlu increasing the proportion of women in senior You can access the cupola on a self-guided

roles. By 2020 women should comprise 20% tour (just show your University Card for free Alcock Robotics / Ed Aldebaran of statutory professors and 35% of associate entry for yourself and up to four guests) or professors. In addition, women should account on a one-hour guided tour. Priced at £6 for for at least 30% of the membership of Council University Card holders, the guided tours and its main committees; selection committees include the Ladies’ Gallery and attic, as well as should aim for a representation of at least the Clarendon and Bodleian Quadrangles and one-third women; and at least 50% of the Radcliffe Square. Details atwww.ox.ac.uk/ names presented to Congregation for honorary sheldonian. degrees should be women and/or members of minority groups. u Could you spare some time on 1 or 2 July to help at the undergraduate open days? If u Changes are being made to central IT so, join the Undergraduate Admissions and support to improve support for users. April Outreach team in welcoming prospective saw the introduction of a single system to students and their families at key locations manage all support calls, which allows you across Oxford. No specialist knowledge is to check on the status of your request via a required – the role simply involves giving self-service portal on the IT Services website. directions and you will be invited to a briefing Additional staff have been recruited and a beforehand. To volunteer – whether for a dedicated phone number will be introduced couple of hours or a full day – phone (2)70745 for the service desk later this summer, along or complete the online form at http://po.st/

with a move to provide a 24/7 first-line support z5kUBu (for 1 July) or http://po.st/zvb3qS OxfordUniversity Images/John Cairns service in due course. (for 2 July).

From top: Enjoy Sheldonian views; share your UAS thoughts; give some guidance u An important milestone has to visitors been reached by the Oxford Thinking Campaign with the blueprint announcement that £2bn has been Staff magazine for the University of Oxford | May 2015 Meteorology record | Magna raised. The fundraising campaign carta 800 | Oxford ’s poetry professors

Oxford University Images University Oxford was launched publicly in 2008, with an initial target of £1.25bn. This was surpassed in 2012 and a revised target of £3bn was agreed. In a challenging economic climate, there is still much to be done to achieve this goal. The impact of Oxford Thinking is transforming lives across the collegiate University and indeed the world. The past few years have seen major capital projects come to fruition, such as the new Mathematical Institute building and the

redevelopment of the Weston Library (above), as well as important student support initiatives Credit: Martin Parr such as the provision of more than £120m for undergraduate support and outreach, and the Cover: Hands-on engagement Oxford Graduate Scholarship Matched Fund, which aims to build an endowment to fully with a real dinosaur egg at Oxford’s fund over 165 graduate students for the expected duration of their courses. Museum of Natural History (see p5 and pp14-15)

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

u Babies experience pain much like adults, a pioneering Oxford brain-scanning study has reported in the journal eLife. Led by Dr Rebeccah Slater of the Department of

Paediatrics, the study placed ten newborns iStockphoto/Kemter and ten adults in an MRI scanner while they were poked on the bottom of their feet with a retracting rod – described as similar to being poked with a pencil and mild enough not to wake the babies. A comparison of scans showed 20 areas where adults’ brains ‘lit up’ when experiencing the pain; babies’ brains were active in 18 of those. The study also suggested that babies could be more sensitive to pain than adults – brain activity in babies was similar to that of adults experiencing four times the force. Dr Slater says: ‘Some people have argued that babies’ brains are not developed enough for them to really Are babies more sensitive to pain than adults? “feel” pain, any reaction being just a reflex – our study provides the first really strong evidence that this is not the case.’ She adds underlying trend in Europe is upwards, and English Language and Literature and Balliol that the findings suggest that where pain that population ageing, although inevitable, is College, discovered a 12th-century copy of relief is given to older children undergoing likely to be ‘manageable’. The paper appears the ‘Consolation of Philosophy’ by Boethius, medical procedures, it should also be in a special supplement, ‘Population – the a statesman of the late Roman Empire, at considered for babies. long view’, for the journal Population Studies, the University of Glasgow. Although the which is guest-edited by the Oxford authors manuscript was known and had previously u The resolution of a decades-old debate with Professor Francesco Billari from the been catalogued, scholars had believed it to be about the oldest fossils on Earth has inspired Department of Sociology. English, with Durham being the most likely new approaches to the search for early life. An place of origin. However, closer inspection has Oxford-led team analysed 3.46bn-year-old u Genetic factors have been found to make revealed that the manuscript’s handwriting and rocks containing structures once thought to be a greater contribution to the risk of sexual illustrations do not match those of Durham, Earth’s oldest microfossils. The team report in offending than family environment, according or other English books, from this period. Dr PNAS that high-spatial resolution data show to researchers at Oxford University and Murray argues that the manuscript suggests that these ‘Apex chert microfossils’ do not Sweden’s Karolinska Institute. Their study, in a connection with the Scottish kingdom. She match younger fossils of microscopic life and the International Journal of Epidemiology, says: ‘Glasgow’s Boethius manuscript allows instead comprise peculiarly shaped minerals. analysed data on 21,556 convicted sex a fresh understanding of Scotland’s early Genuine microfossils from other rocks offenders in Sweden. The team found that responses to key intellectual works in the analysed in the study give fresh insights into 2.5% of brothers or fathers of convicted sex Middle Ages, and provides a snapshot of how the diversity and strangeness of ancient micro- offenders were themselves convicted of sexual Scotland’s literary culture as we now know it organisms. The publication embodies one offences. This compared to convicted sex first began to emerge and develop.’ of the key achievements of author Professor Martin Brasier of the Department offenders making up about 0.5% of men in of Earth Sciences, who died in December the general population. Statistical modelling 2014 and was a driving force behind a suggests that around 40% of this difference revaluation of early life. in risk is due to genetic factors. ‘We know that current tools are not very effective at u A new demographic study suggests the predicting who might commit sexual offences West is not in decline and countries in and it could be that taking family risk the developing world are facing a variety into account would lead to more accurate of different challenges that have been predictions,’ says Professor Seena Fazel of the ‘understated’. A paper by Professor David Department of Psychiatry, who co-authored Coleman and Dr Stuart Basten, from the the paper. Department of Social Policy and Intervention, says birth rates in Western Europe, the USA, u An Oxford academic has discovered the Canada, Australia and New Zealand are oldest surviving non-biblical manuscript from now relatively close to replacement, that the Scotland. Dr Kylie Murray, of the Faculty of

For more information, visit www.ox.ac.uk/news The 12th-century ‘Consolation and www.ox.ac.uk/staffnews of Philosophy’ manuscript www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint May 2015 BLUEPRINT | 3 people and prizes isis Enterprise wins Dapo Akande, Professor for his discovery of the structure of the plant of Public International nitrate transporter NRT1.1. Queen’s Award Law, has been appointed Isis Enterprise, the technology and to an international Deborah Oxley, Professor of Social Science innovation management consultancy advisory panel of the History, has been elected a Fellow of the based within Isis Innovation (the American Law Institute, Academy of Social Sciences. University’s research and technology working to develop the commercialisation company) has won Dame Carol Robinson, Restatement of the Law a 2015 Queen’s Award for Enterprise – Professor of Chemistry, (Fourth) on the Foreign Relations Law of the the UK’s highest accolade for business has been named the United States. He has also been appointed to success. 2015 European Laureate the International Group of Experts for the Isis Enterprise won the award for its in the 17th annual development of the 2nd edition of the Tallinn success in international trade, working L’Oréal–UNESCO Manual on the International Law Applicable to with University researchers, corporates, For Women in Science Cyber Warfare. investors and governments worldwide Awards. The €100,000 to provide training and to accelerate the awards recognise one exceptional female Dr Bungo Akiyoshi development of technologies into new scientist from each continent. Professor of the Department of products and services. Robinson was chosen for creating a Biochemistry has been Established in 2004, the organisation revolutionary method for studying how awarded both the is now a £2.8m business employing 17 proteins function, particularly membrane R R Bensley Award full-time consultants. Over 88% of Isis proteins, and establishing the new scientific in Cell Biology by the Enterprise’s consulting revenue comes field of gas phase structural biology. American Association from working with clients outside the of Anatomists, for Dr Elina Screen of the Faculty of History UK. Notable projects include developing his important contributions to the field of has received a prize from the Dr Philos Hans an entrepreneurship Master’s course anatomy and specifically in cell biology, and Holst’s Memorial Fund for her work on two for founders of technology ventures the 2016 Early Career Research Award: Cells illustrated catalogues of coins in the SCBI series with the University of Malta; working by the Biochemical Society, for his work on on Norwegian Collections. with a group of LED lighting companies mechanisms with relevance to cancer and in Malaysia to boost their international organismal homeostasis. Rajesh Thakker, May growth and product development; Professor of Medicine, and securing investment from Chinese Professor Sir Gordon Duff, Principal of St has been appointed as regional governments and private Hilda’s College, has been appointed chair a National Institute for investors to identify and license of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Health Research (NIHR) technologies and products that they can Research Council. Senior Investigator. further develop and make available to Roger Goodman, Nissan Senior Investigators are Asian markets. Professor of Modern the NIHR’s pre-eminent Isis Enterprise also has offices or Japanese Studies and researchers and represent the country’s most expert local consultants in Hong Kong, Head of the Social outstanding leaders of clinical and applied Spain, Japan, UAE, Oman and Australia Sciences Division, will health and social care research. and has provided expert consulting to become chair of the Colombia, Argentina, France, Chile, Monica Duffy Toft, council of the Academy Mexico, South Africa and Thailand. Professor of Government of Social Sciences in July. and Public Policy at Claire Holden of the Faculty of Music is to the Blavatnik School of receive an ACU Centenary Award from the Government, has been editor’s note Association of Commonwealth Universities. named the 2015–16 World Politics Fellow at Further to the article on OUSU’s Student Advice The awards are made to early career Service published in the March issue, we would like researchers and are intended to facilitate travel the Princeton Institute to clarify that the University’s Disability Advisory to other Commonwealth countries. for International and Regional Studies (PIIRS). Service is a dedicated service available to support students with disabilities. It provides information The journal World Politics sponsors this and advice to students and assists with disability- Rana Mitter, Professor of annual visiting fellowship. related study support. Further information is the History and Politics available at www.ox.ac.uk/students/welfare/ disability. of Modern China, has Tony Watts, Professor been awarded the 2014 of Marine Geology Duke of Westminster and Geophysics, has Medal for Military been awarded the

2015 Harold Jeffreys viewfinder found

Literature by the Royal more. once time keeps United Services Institute Lecture of the Royal now it where Library, Weston the into building the

for his book China’s War with Japan 1937– Astronomical Society. of transformation recent the during protected

The award recognises stone surrounding its and refurbishment for

1945: The Struggle for Survival. removed was clock The architect. the was he

his contributions to the teaching and mentoring which of Library, Bodleian New the for Scott

Dr Simon Newstead of the Department of of young scientists and his research on Gilbert Giles Sir by 1930s the in designed was Biochemistry has won an early career prize the mechanical strength of Earth’s lithospheric (p20) clock Deco Classical/Art lovely This from the British Crystallographic Association plates.

4 | BLUEPRINT May 2015 www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint among the greats

Denis Noble, oUMNH shortlisted Emeritus Professor of Cardiovascular for Museum of the Year Judges Rob Physiology in the The Oxford University Museum of Natural Department of History (OUMNH) has been chosen as Physiology, Anatomy and one of six finalists in the Art Fund Prize Genetics, was honoured for Museum of the Year 2015. at a Royal Society event in The annual prize, which is widely March celebrating 350 years of the world’s first regarded as the most prestigious award scientific journal,Philosophical Transactions. for UK museums, selects museums Two special issues of Phil Trans A and Phil and galleries across the UK that have Trans B published commentaries on a highly demonstrated exceptional creativity and selected set of papers from the whole 350-year ambition over the past 12 months. history – just 17 articles from Phil Trans B and The winning museum will be announced 16 articles from Phil Trans A were selected for on 1 July and will receive £100,000. The this honour. A 1985 paper entitled ‘A model other shortlisted museums are Dunham of cardiac electrical activity incorporating Massey (National Trust), Altrincham; ionic pumps and concentration changes’ by IWM London (Imperial War Museums); Denis Noble and Dario DiFrancesco (a former The MAC, Belfast; HM Tower of London; member of the department) was selected for and The Whitworth, Manchester. the celebration’s Phil Trans B theme issue. In February 2014 OUMNH reopened The selected articles included papers by after 14 months under wraps while its household names such as Newton, Lister, iconic Victorian glass roof was restored. Priestley, Herschel, Davey, Telford, Faraday, This £4m project literally cast the museum’s won a Museums + Heritage Award. Joule, Maxwell, Reynolds, Eddington, main court in a new light, both through the The museum re-emerged in 2014 with Leeuwenhoek, Turing and Medawar. Just cleaning and replacement of some 8,600 a new voice and an expanded programme three articles amongst those honoured were glass tiles, and also thanks to a new LED for a wider audience. by living authors, of whom only Professor lighting scheme. Noble was present at the event. The museum used its closure to u As part of the Art Fund Prize for experiment with innovative and creative Museum of the Year 2015, the Museum forms of public engagement, such as the of Natural History is taking part in a ‘Goes to Town’ trail in Oxford city centre. photography competition judged by more SWANs for That initiative – a playful and creative Magnum photographer Martin Parr and campaign which included the installation the public. Visitors are invited to capture Oxford of 12 museum specimens in locations across the many aspects of the museum and the city centre (such a penguin visiting a submit their photographs to the Art Fund Three further University departments fish stall in the Covered Market) and the for a chance to win a photography holiday have been granted Athena SWAN Silver ‘Goes for a Pint’ series of natural history- in Berlin. Details at www.artfund.org/ awards: the Department of Physics, the themed quizzes in local pubs – has just prize/photo-competition. Department of Psychiatry and the Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine (NDM). The Athena SWAN scheme recognises commitment to advancing distinctions ellows women’s careers in science, technology, nAS rISE F engineering, maths and medicine Two Oxford academics Peter Edwards (top), (STEMM) employment in higher been elected to the US Professor of Inorganic education and research. A Silver award National Academy of Chemistry, and Lionel recognises continued commitment and Sciences in recognition Tarassenko, Professor of actions to advancing women’s careers and of their distinguished Electrical and Electronic it is particularly significant that two of the and continuing Engineering, have been University’s largest departments (NDM achievements in awarded the accolade and Physics) have achieved this status. original research. by the Engineering The Department of Computer Science Steven Balbus (top), and Physical Sciences also gained a Bronze award in the latest Savilian Professor of Research Council of round of the awards, announced recently Astronomy and Head being appointed EPSRC by the Equality Challenge Unit. This of the Sub-department RISE Fellows. means that all the University’s science and of Astrophysics, has The RISE scheme is medicine departments now hold awards: a been elected a Member aimed at Recognising total of 9 Silver and 19 Bronze awards. of the NAS. Inspirational Scientists Professor Alex and Engineers working Halliday, Head of the in the UK. RISE Fellows Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences are renowned scientists and engineers who Division, has been elected as a Foreign are fellows of the Royal Society, the Royal Associate (a non-voting member of the Academy of Engineering and the Academy Academy, with citizenship outside the US). of Medical Sciences. www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint May 2015 BLUEPRINT | 5 arrivals board Eat out for less Professor of Orthopaedic has also written about interpretive authority Trauma Surgery and revelation, and is currently studying the Matthew Costa, author function in Jewish antiquity: how, Professor of Trauma for example, did ancient Jewish authors and Orthopaedic understand what they were doing when Surgery, Warwick they were writing texts that were typically Medical School, anonymous or ascribed to authoritative University of figures? Her most recent book isLosing Warwick, and the Temple and Recovering the Future: An You may be aware that your University Honorary Consultant Analysis of 4 Ezra (2014, CUP). Card brings a number of benefits, such Orthopaedic Surgeon at University Hospital as a 10% discount at the museum and Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Director of the Botanic Garden Bodleian shops, the OUP bookshop and took up this post in the Nuffield Department and Harcourt Arboretum the University of Oxford shop. But did you know that you can also enjoy a range of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Simon Hiscock, of discounts at local cafés, restaurants and Musculoskeletal Science on 11 May. He also Professor of Botany food suppliers? Here’s just a taster. became a Fellow of Wolfson College. and Director of the In Jericho, Loch Fyne Oxford (55 Professor Costa’s clinical interest lies in Botanic Garden, Walton Street) offers 20% off your à la musculoskeletal trauma, including patients University of Bristol, carte food bill when you present your with multiple injuries. His primary research will take up this University Card. The offer is valid any interest is in clinical trials and clinical trial post in Academic University of Bristol time Sunday to Thursday as well as methodology, especially the clinical and Services and Friday and Saturday before 6pm. If you’re cost effectiveness of musculoskeletal trauma University Collections on 6 July. eating in or taking away, both Natural interventions. Professor Hiscock’s research centres on Bread Oxford (29 Little Clarendon plant evolutionary genetics and he is currently Street) and Maison Blanc (3 Woodstock Professor of the Interpretation investigating the genetic and genomic basis Road) offer a 10% discount to University of Holy Scripture of adaptation and speciation in two ‘model’ Card holders – whether you’re after a Hindy Najman, systems – Senecio (ragworts) and Sorbus wild yeast sourdough loaf or beautiful Professor of Religious (whitebeams and wild service trees) – and French patisserie. Studies, Judaic Studies, the role played by hybridisation and Cut-price cake and coffee is also on Classics and Divinity polyploidy in these processes. Other work offer at Java&Co, an independently at Yale University, on plant reproductive biology focuses on owned café at 35 New Inn Hall Street. USA, will take up this the molecular genetic and biochemical Just present your University Card for post in the Faculty of basis of pollen-stigma recognition and 10% off your bill. You can also sign up Theology and Religion subsequent molecular interactions between to their VIP club for extra discounts on 1 July. She will also be a Fellow of Oriel pollen and pistil. College. As Director of the University of Bristol’s (www.javaandco.co.uk/vip_uni) – Professor Najman’s areas of expertise are new Botanic Garden, he oversaw its design it’s free to join and you’ll receive free Second Temple Judaism, Hellenistic Judaism, and delivery and the development of its cake on your birthday. Hebrew Bible, early Rabbinics and the history strategic mission. Through the Botanic If you prefer cooking at home and like of Jewish interpretation, particularly the Garden he also undertakes many outreach sourcing locally grown ingredients, why history of concepts in Ancient Judaism. She and public understanding of science activities. not try The VegVan, Oxford’s mobile greengrocer. Run by Cultivate, a community-owned social enterprise, the VegVan stocks fruit and vegetables grown without artificial pesticides and fertilisers new Head of MPLS on ten acres of land just outside Oxford, Professor Donal Bradley CBE FRS has been appointed as the together with other local produce such new Head of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences as eggs and honey. The van stops on (MPLS) Division. He will take up the post on 1 September. Magdalen Road (outside The Rusty Professor Bradley is currently Lee-Lucas Professor of Bicycle pub) on Thursdays 4–7pm; Little Experimental Physics, Director of the Centre for Plastic Clarendon Street on Fridays 12–3.30pm; Electronics and Vice-Provost for Research at Imperial College and outside Barclays Bank, Old High London. His championing of cross-faculty research has included Street, Headington, on Saturdays coordination of impact acceleration activities, the successful launch of a pan-college 10.30am–2pm. From now until 31 July PhD scholarships programme, pump-priming new research initiatives and overseeing the 2015 you can receive a 10% discount formation of 12 Imperial-led EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training. on your first shop by showing your Professor Bradley’s own research focuses on plastic electronics and encompasses University Card or by using the discount fundamental studies on low-temperature/solution processed semiconductor materials and code oxuni10 when you shop online at their application in a range of fields including energy-efficient displays, lighting and solar https://shop.cultivateoxford.org. panels. He is a co-inventor of conjugated polymer electroluminescence and a co-founder of For details, visit www.admin. Cambridge Display Technology and Molecular Vision. He has more than 25 patent families ox.ac.uk/personnel/staffinfo/ to his name, and is ranked in the top 1% of most highly cited physicists in the world. discountsforstaffand www.ox.ac.uk/ staffnews.

6 | BLUEPRINT May 2015 www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint Rob Judges Rob

a life of enlightenment The definitive scholarly guide to the writings of Voltaire is nearing completion, Professor Nicholas Cronk tells Matt Pickles

Professor Nicholas Cronk can see the finishing was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society!’ keep on finding out new things about Voltaire. line. The director of the Voltaire Foundation Voltaire kept notebooks while on his travels In the last few months, one of my graduate has been editing the Complete Works of in England, but these have never been used students has discovered what may be an Voltaire since the late 1990s. The project, to throw light on the letters. ‘So I want to unknown Voltaire work in a library in Italy, which will create a definitive scholarly guide to re-examine these notebooks and try to find and I have just identified a letter from Voltaire all known writings and correspondence by the to England’s Queen Caroline, which was great literary figure of the Enlightenment, began misattributed in a German library.’ 30 years before that, in 1968. If all goes to plan, ‘Unknown editions and The Voltaire Foundation was established Professor Cronk and his team will complete the previously undiscovered after a bequest from Theodore Besterman, edition, in over 220 volumes, by 2019. letters by Voltaire turn up who died in 1976. He left a sum of money to It seems surprising that a complete edition the University to publish a series of monographs of the works of one of Europe’s most iconic all the time’ he had started, which is still underway as literary figures has not already been done and Oxford University Studies in the Enlightenment. even more surprising that it is being compiled at out more about Voltaire’s social networks in It was also Besterman who launched the an English university. ‘Editions came out after England, to try to rethink this formative period.’ Complete Works of Voltaire, and he himself he died, but they are unreliable because, in the The fellowship will last for two years, ending collected and edited the 21,000 letters to years before and after the French Revolution, in 2017. and from Voltaire that form a large part of Voltaire’s name was used to support particular Prior to becoming director of the Foundation, that edition. political agendas,’ explains Professor Cronk. Professor Cronk was a University Lecturer in This year marks the 300th anniversary of the ‘Then there is the sheer scale of his writings. French and the French tutor at St Edmund Hall, death of Louis XIV and the Voltaire Foundation He lived a long time and wrote a huge amount and he still enjoys teaching students. ‘So much is collaborating with the Château de Versailles in every possible genre. Unknown editions and primary material is now available on the web, to publish Voltaire’s account of Louis’s reign. previously undiscovered letters by Voltaire turn which is really helpful, but we have to use it ‘Voltaire wrote the first major overall account up all the time.’ with care – a lot of information on the internet of what he calls “the century of Louis XIV”. Can there really still be new things to find is unreliable,’ he says. ‘At different times, people This book created the myth of the Sun King that out about Voltaire? Professor Cronk thinks have tried to portray Voltaire as an anti-Semite, endures to this day,’ Professor Cronk explains. so, and the Arts and Humanities Research or pro-slavery, for example. I have had students What next for the Voltaire Foundation when Council agrees. They have just awarded him a tell me in tutorials that Voltaire was anti- the Complete Works of Voltaire is completed? fellowship for his project to edit and reinterpret semitic. But they are relying on a book, widely ‘It’s essential for us all to begin planning a Voltaire’s Letters on the English Nation, which accessible on the web, that was published in digital edition,’ says Professor Cronk. ‘My he wrote on his travels in England. France during the Nazi occupation. ambition is to create a Digital Voltaire that ‘Voltaire’s Letters on the English Nation ‘It’s important we don’t lose the skills of will make our discoveries as widely available were enormously influential in setting the archival research,’ says Professor Cronk. ‘We as possible.’ direction of the Enlightenment,’ says Professor Cronk. ‘The book introduced English thinkers like Locke and Newton to France and all of More information at www.voltaire.ox.ac.uk/www_vf/default.ssi Europe. The English liked Voltaire so much he www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint May 2015 BLUEPRINT | 7 iStockphoto/ Warchi School of Geography and the Environment come rain or shine Maria Coyle reports on the Radcliffe Meteorological Station, currently celebrating 200 years of continuous service

The Radcliffe Meteorological Station, based at The weather station operated out of measure the levels in the rain gauges and Green Templeton College on Woodstock Road the Observatory until 80 years ago when estimate cloud cover at the weather station. and maintained by the School of Geography it relocated to a site on the ground a few They also check the atmospheric pressure on a and the Environment, holds the longest series metres away. The early weather observations barometer inside the Observatory and note the of temperature and rainfall records taken at made by Hornsby even pre-date those of sunshine and wind speed, as well as visibility one site in Britain. Its daily full records date Kew Gardens, which later became the from the top of the Department of Engineering back to 1815, with less frequent observations central weather station for the newly formed Science. The Met Office relies on these data to from 1767. Meteorological Office. Kew’s observatory support automated observations and climate The first Radcliffe Observer was Dr only started its weather measurements change calculations. Thomas Hornsby, the University’s Savilian in 1773. By comparing recent data with the Professor of Astronomy. He is acclaimed long-term averages, the Observers have for his observations of the transit of Venus ‘This day wine keg in my discovered the combined winter rainfall total across the sun’s disc – a rare astronomical for December 2013–February 2014 was a phenomenon – and was also instrumental in study froze’ record-breaker as the wettest ever of any of founding the Radcliffe Observatory, where he Thomas Hornsby the three winter months since full records carried out Oxford’s earliest meteorological began in 1815. January 2014 was the wettest observations. 27 January 1776 of all winter months with rainfall of 146.9mm The observations of Hornsby, a Fellow which, although below the national figure, of Corpus Christi College who taught At a presentation on 15 May, Phil Johnson, was nearly three times the month’s long-term experimental physics, reveal he had a Regional Network Manager for the Met average in Oxford of 52.9mm. Last year was meteorological interest that went beyond noting Office, presented a commemorative shield to also Oxford’s warmest since 1815, part of a air temperature to calculate astronomical the University ‘in recognition of 200 years of very warm trend since 1990, with September refraction. He was meticulous, making tens of continuous climate observations’. Richard 2014 being the second driest on record. The thousands of observations from 1767 until his Washington, Professor of Climate Science, average annual temperature for 2014 was death in 1810. On one particularly cold day, received the shield on behalf of today’s 11.5 ˚C, 1.8 ˚C higher than the 200-year 27 January 1776, he read his thermometer Observers, commenting: ‘Ours is an old planet average of 9.7 ˚C, a significant difference in twelve times instead of making his usual three yet one with a very young observational weather terms. observations, noting in his journal ‘this day record. But without those 200 years of data, Although today’s students use mobile wine keg in my study froze’. nature – and the way we are influencing it – phones rather than big ledgers for filing their Hornsby requested money from the would be so much harder to understand.’ meteorological data, the core duty remains Radcliffe Trustees in 1768 to establish the Since 1925 the Radcliffe Observers have largely unchanged. A University decree requires Observatory. The full cost of the building taken measurements at 9am GMT every that they continue for as long as the data are was £30,000 and its central feature is the day. Today’s Observers are doctoral students ‘deemed to be of scientific value’, so it is likely octagonal tower, 108 feet high, which is from the School of Geography and the that this role will go on well into the future – an adaptation of the Tower of the Winds Environment, who read the thermometers, come rain, snow or shine. at Athens. This is where Hornsby made his astronomical observations, but he also used its small, flat roof to erect a rain gauge, More information at www.geog.ox.ac.uk/research/climate/rms thermometers and wind-speed recorders. www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint May 2015 BLUEPRINT | 9 poetry’s public place Oxford’s Professorship of Poetry, once a province of classical erudition, is now one of the literary world’s pre-eminent posts, discovers Charlie Tyson

Billett Potter Billett Norman McBeath Norman

Rob JudgesRob Norman McBeath Norman

Norman McBeath Norman A plethora of poetry professors: (left to right) Geoffrey Hill, W H Auden, Seamus Heaney, Christopher Ricks, Paul Muldoon and James Fenton

Poetry makes nothing happen, W H Auden Incumbents originally lectured in Latin and recognised as a titan of postwar American tells us. But at Oxford, poetry sets into motion devoted their attention to classical poetry. poetry, and Edmund Blunden, a British campaigns for the Professorship of Poetry – a Matthew Arnold’s tenure, which began in pastoral poet who today is rarely read. Sir lecturing position that writers such as Matthew 1857, marked a turning point. Arnold lectured Maurice Bowra, then Warden of Wadham Arnold, Robert Graves and Seamus Heaney in English and lectured about English poetry. College, backed Lowell. But Starkie wanted the have held. Auden, who served as Professor His lectures about translating Homer caused post for Blunden. She gathered 301 signatures of Poetry from 1956 to 1961, recognised the controversy. ‘He’s talking about contemporary supporting him – well in excess of the 50 now post’s strangeness. ‘What is a professor of attempts to translate Homer and finding fault required for a candidate’s nomination. ‘This poetry?’ he asked in his first lecture. ‘How can with them in an acerbic and funny way,’ says was a serious academic affair until Dr Starkie poetry be professed?’ Perry. ‘It’s classically minded still, but it’s turned it into something like the Oxford– Oxford’s Professors of Poetry are elected deeply involved in contemporary use of English Cambridge boat race,’ Bowra told the New and any member of Convocation (anyone poetic language.’ York Times. ‘We’ll be standing on Magdalen who has had an Oxford degree formally Bridge selling rosettes next.’ conferred or is a member or retired member People do sometimes place bets on candidates of Congregation) can vote. Elections typically The professorship, created in with local bookies, Perry says. In 2009 the happen every five years, but Geoffrey Hill, 1708, was once described as horse-race excitement turned bitter, when Derek the current Professor of Poetry, may be the offering ‘no power, little work, Walcott, a Nobel laureate and the perceived last to serve a five-year term. Future poetry frontrunner, withdrew from consideration and professors will serve for four years each, says and less money’ the winner, Ruth Padel, resigned nine days after Professor Seamus Perry, chair of the English she was elected. The position remained vacant Faculty Board. The professorship transformed again after for a year until Geoffrey Hill was elected in Hill’s last lecture as Professor of Poetry fell World War II, reshaped largely by a formidable 2010, in the first election to permit electronic on 5 May. Elections to choose his successor Somerville academic named Enid Starkie, a voting. In that election, 2,455 votes were cast; begin on 22 May and end on 17 June. Rimbaud scholar noted for wearing red trousers in Padel’s election, which required voting in Candidates need 50 signatures from members and a French sailor’s cap. Starkie pressed to get person, 426 people voted. of Convocation to earn a place in the ballot. working poets – rather than poetry scholars and There are five nominations for the imminent The professorship, created in 1708, was critics, as was then the case – into the job. Her election: poet, playwright and novelist once described as offering ‘no power, little vigorous campaigns on behalf of candidates lent Simon Armitage; poet, novelist and critic work, and less money’. The job is now one heat to what had been a quiet, donnish affair. Ian Gregson; poet, crime writer and clinical of the most sought-after positions in the world In 1966, for example, the contest neuropsychologist Seán Haldane; playwright, of letters, thanks to the eminence of writers determining who would succeed Robert poet and Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka; and who have filled the chair in the past. Professors Graves as Professor of Poetry narrowed to poet and translator A E Stallings. Candidate give a public lecture each term and deliver two candidates: Robert Lowell, now statements are available via the website below. the Creweian Oration at Encaenia, Oxford’s honorary degree ceremony, in alternate years. The post comes with a £12,000 annual More information at www.ox.ac.uk/poetryprofessor2015 stipend.

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

Exhibitions Lectures and talks

Great British Drawings The changing face of elections and television Until 31 August 2015 Friday 5 June, 5pm Ashmolean Museum Butler Room, Nuffield College Tickets £7 / £6 / free for under 12s https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/ www.ashmolean.org/exhibitions/ page/media-politics greatbritishdrawings Talk by Michael Crick, political editor of Exhibition showcasing over a hundred works Channel 4 News. by some of Britain’s greatest artists, from Turner and Gainsborough to Gwen John and Code breaking at Bletchley Park David Hockney. Saturday 6 June, 2.30–6pm Auditorium, Magdalen College ‘Dear Harry…’ Henry Moseley: A Scientist Tickets £10 Lost to War www.magd.ox.ac.uk/alumni-event/code- Until 18 October 2015 breakers-at-bletchley-park Museum of the History of Science Talks by former head of MI6 Sir John Scarlett; www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/moseley historian and author Ben Macintyre; and A centenary exhibition about Henry ‘Harry’ author Dr Andrew Hodges. Moseley, an exceptionally promising physicist whose life was cut short in Gallipoli in 1915. Malaria control: past, present and future Thursday 11 June, 6pm Concerts E P Abraham Lecture Theatre, Green Templeton College English Chamber Orchestra www.gtc.ox.ac.uk/whats-on-calendar.html Saturday 13 June, 7.30pm Professor Nicholas J White will deliver the Sheldonian Theatre Archie Cochrane Lecture. Tickets £42 / £37 / £21 www.admin.ox.ac.uk/sheldonian/concert_ Managing the crises in Ukraine and elsewhere: tickets_and_forthcoming_events lessons for leadership As part of the Sheldonian’s 350th anniversary Friday 12 June, 5pm season, the English Chamber Orchestra Pichette Auditorium, Pembroke College performs Haydn’s ‘Oxford’ Symphony in the www.pmb.ox.ac.uk/events glorious setting for which it was conceived. Ambassador Jack Matlock, former US ambassador to the Soviet Union, will deliver Twelfth Night Monday 29 June–Saturday 15 August Harry Moseley, a physicist of the fifth annual Oxford Fulbright Distinguished Wadham College great promise Lecture in International Relations. Tickets £23 / £18 / £13 Conferences www.oxfordshakespearecompany.co.uk Outdoor production of Twelfth Night by the Physics and the Great War Oxford Shakespeare Company, with music by Saturday 13 June, 10.30am–5.30pm Nick Lloyd Webber. St Cross College www.stx.ox.ac.uk/happ/events/physics- Family friendly and-great-war-one-day-conference A conference to review the key ways in which Send a message SOS physics and its mathematics changed the Thursday 28–Friday 29 May, 1–4pm nature of conflict from various points of view: Museum of the History of Science technical, historical and sociological. www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/events/family- friendly-events Drama Discover Morse code and use the museum’s telegraphic apparatus to unravel the mystery As You Like It message. Suitable for children aged 7 upwards. Wednesday 3–Saturday 6 June, 7.30pm Christ Church Meet the mummies Tickets £7 / £5 Wednesday 27–Friday 29 May, 1–4pm http://asyoulikeitoxford.wix.com/2015 Ashmolean Museum Oxford students present Shakespeare’s www.ashmolean.org/families classic summer comedy in the Christ Church Travel to ancient Egypt – make a mini-mummy Cathedral Garden. and pyramid.

www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint May 2015 BLUEPRINT | 11 liberties fit for a king JosephTurp The Bodleian Libraries hold four 13th-century reissues of the Magna Carta, says Matt Pickles

The Magna Carta – the legal document that those around the boy king following the death established for the first time that nobody in of John seeking to use Magna Carta to bring England is above the law, including the king their enemies back on side. We see different – was sealed 800 years ago on 15 June 1215 liberties confirmed to different constituencies of at Runnymede, near Windsor. Over the next the kingdom at the specific moment of 1217. few years the ‘Great Charter’ was reissued a These liberties are different in detail from those number of times and, of the versions reissued guaranteed in 1215 and in 1225.’ in the 13th century, only 17 originals remain, So how would the Magna Carta have been Above: Artist Cornelia Parker has created a known as ‘engrossments’. Four of those sit in received in Gloucester? ‘It was dispatched replication in stitch of a Wikipedia article the Bodleian Libraries, three from 1217 and to Gloucestershire and read out in the on the Magna Carta; Left: The Gloucester one from 1225, so it is no surprise that the county court before the barons and knights Charter, issued in 1217 University is celebrating the 800th anniversary of the county assembled there to hear this part of the conservation process over the years this summer. dramatic document,’ says Dr Doherty. ‘It has been to open it out and flatten it again.’ The Bodleian opened the Weston Library to was presumably read out in Latin and then The Charter is now in the Weston Library in a the public in March this year, with two public translated into Anglo-Norman French, the beautiful modern oak frame. exhibition spaces created in the Blackwell Hall. language of the aristocratic elite of the English Another problem with folding the charters The ‘Gloucester Charter’ forms the centrepiece kingdom.’ is that, when a rodent bit a small hole in one of the current ‘Marks of Genius’ exhibition, of the 1217 Osney documents, the document which will be on display until 20 September had three holes in it when it was spread out. 2015. Two other charters are being shown in The 1215 document was ‘At least they make a pleasing symmetrical a smaller display in late May and June in the watered down soon after it pattern,’ says Dr Barker-Benfield. Blackwell Hall. Oxford is marking the anniversary in other Exhibiting Magna Carta is not a new event was agreed by King John ways. The Ruskin School of Art commissioned for the Bodleian: the Gloucester Charter was a new artwork from the acclaimed British part of the permanent display in the Bodleian’s There is clearly a large public appetite for artist Cornelia Parker. Almost 13 metres long, Divinity School until the mid-1980s. But it seeing the Magna Carta. In 2010 one of the Magna Carta (An Embroidery) is a replication was only known relatively recently that the Bodleian’s 1217 Charters had an extended in stitch of the entire Wikipedia article on Bodleian Libraries could state that they hold stay in New York after an ash cloud from Magna Carta as it appeared on the 799th four of the 13th-century originals. an Icelandic volcano grounded international anniversary. It has been on display at the ‘In December 2007 a 1297 version of flights. Thousands of New Yorkers flocked to British Library since 15 May. the Magna Carta was put up for auction at the Morgan Library for an impromptu five- ‘Stitched by over 200 people, the artwork Sotheby’s in New York,’ explains Dr Bruce day exhibition. The appeal lies partly in the includes contributions from people whose Barker-Benfield, Medieval Manuscripts historical significance of the charters, but also voices speak to different aspects of Magna Curator at the Bodleian. ‘Prior to the sale, a their beautiful design and condition. Carta and its legacy, from prisoners, judges census of all surviving originals up to 1297 was How were the charters so well preserved? and lawyers to barons, baronesses and MPs,’ carried out by Professor Nicholas Vincent of ‘In medieval times the charters would have says Paul Bonaventura of the Ruskin School the University of East Anglia, who established been kept folded tightly into a small package of Art. that there were 17. His research also revealed with their seals preserved on the inside,’ that a Magna Carta dated 1225 in our says Dr Barker-Benfield. ‘So they have been collections was indeed an original, which had nicely preserved and the seals have sometimes not previously been known for certain.’ survived.’ The Gloucester Charter was Other Oxford events celebrating the The Gloucester Charter, which was issued preserved in this way in Gloucester Abbey 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta to the county of Gloucestershire in 1217, is for centuries, while the other 1217 Charters include: considered the Bodleian’s finest. Along with which were sent to Oxfordshire were kept in u Talk by historian Tim Porter on the the other 1217 Charters, it was produced Osney Abbey. Magna Carta at the Ashmolean Museum, by guardians of the 10-year-old King Henry For the Bodleian’s conservators, the way the Tuesday 16 June, 2pm III to stabilise his reign. It removed clauses documents were folded has brought challenges www.ashmolean.org/events/Lectures from the original charter, which had greatly of its own. ‘This method of storage has left u Talk by A E Dick Howard on Magna reduced the power of the king. So although the creases in the documents to show that they Carta’s American journey at the Weston Magna Carta is known as ‘The Great Charter were once folded into small panels,’ says Dr Library, Friday 5 June, 1pm of English Liberties’, the 1215 document was Barker-Benfield. ‘The Gloucester Charter was www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/whats-on watered down soon after it was agreed by folded to of its full size so an important King John. ‘It is an important moment in the history of the kingdom,’ says Dr Hugh Doherty, a To see the Gloucester Charter, visit the Marks of Genius exhibition former British Academy Post Doctoral Fellow at the Weston Library: http://genius.bodleian.ox.ac.uk in Medieval History at Oxford. ‘Here we have

www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint May 2015 BLUEPRINT | 13 out of the ivory tower The University is committed to promoting public engagement with research, as Charvy Narain explains

One of the core strategies of the University’s a specially written piece of musical theatre, Strategic Plan 2013–18 is to ensure that the composed by the Oxford alumnus Orlando public is aware of and engaged by its research: Gough, and developed through research at ‘The endeavour to widen engagement with the Respiratory Medicine Department at

society pervades Oxford’s activities, informing the Churchill Hospital. A festival attendee PhotographyFisherDavid research, enhancing teaching and learning and enthusiastically commented: ‘This was increasing our impact on society’, the plan possibly the most inspiring whole-day/cross- states. discipline event that I have EVER attended! I Professor Shearer West, Head of the think I’ll move to Oxford!’ Humanities Division, is the University’s first More regular events include the Ashmolean Academic Champion for Public Engagement Museum’s Live Fridays (www.ashmolean. with Research. Her post as Academic org/livefriday), when the museum opens its Champion is intended to help create a culture doors from 7–10.30pm, giving visitors the in which public engagement becomes an chance to see its collections after dark as part integral part of higher education activities. of live performances and creative workshops ‘The University of Oxford is an outstanding as well as lively talks. For Halloween weekend university where world-class research is this year there will be a special DEADFriday conducted across all disciplines,’ Professor bite-sized lecture series, exploring the theme West says. ‘If our researchers engage with of death. Lecture contributors who have an others outside the University, we can inspire innovative take on the topic and an interest in people, stimulate imagination and build trust using an object from the museum’s collections

in the work we do.’ She adds: ‘But equally, I are encouraged to get in touch with their Kipp Christian believe researchers gain enormously from this ideas (more details at http://torch.ox.ac.uk/ engagement: the questions asked by members deadfriday). of the public can often provide unexpected insights and help us think about our research in new ways.’ ‘If our researchers engage Many departments around the University with others outside SmolonskiGreg encourage staff to participate in activities the University, we can aimed at schools and the general public, and this summer Dr Lesley Paterson (currently inspire people, stimulate Head of Communications and Engagement imagination and build trust at the Royal Academy of Engineering) will take up the newly created Oxford post of in the work we do’ Senior Facilitator and Coordinator for Public Engagement with Research. She will be based The University also offers regular in Research Services. training opportunities for developing public The University offers a number of ways engagement skills, such as the recently of engaging with the public, ranging from launched series of talks on supporting public being the ‘guest scientist’ on a departmental research engagement, which takes place every Twitter feed (https://twitter.com/ndmscience) fortnight at venues across the University. to getting involved in major collaborative These lunchtime talks offer informal training Ambassador training session. The STEM events, such as the Breath Festival, which and networking opportunities for anyone Ambassador national programme puts people last November marked the tercentenary whose role includes science communication working in STEM (Science, Technology, of the death of the 18th-century physician within the Medical Sciences Division (contact Engineering and Maths) subjects in local Dr John Radcliffe. To mark the occasion, [email protected] for more schools to encourage students to engage with researchers from many different departments information). science subjects. ‘You pick your own level of collaborated with colleagues at the John Many departments and institutes also interaction, and your only obligation is that Radcliffe Hospital and the University’s offer their own public engagement training you volunteer to do something at least once museums on a series of events about breath and support, via their departmental a year,’ says Brian Mackenwells, the Public and breathing (www.ouh.nhs.uk/artlink/ communication support officer. The Engagement Officer at the Wellcome Trust breath). The festival included talks on Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Centre for Human Genetics. ‘It’s a brilliant topics as diverse as the dying breaths in for example, recently organised a STEM way to dip your toes into public engagement.’ Shakespeare’s King Lear and the digital imaging of oxygen in the brain, as well as music and dance performances in spaces such More information at www.ox.ac.uk/research/ as the University Museum of Natural History. support-researchers/using-research-engage The centrepiece of the one-day festival was

14 | BLUEPRINT May 2015 www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint Paul Wilkinson Photography Wilkinson Paul Engaging public interest in research. Above: science fun at a Wellcome Trust event; left, from top: a Live Friday event at the Ashmolean; a dance performance at the University’s Museum of Natural History as part of the Breath Festival; and an Open Doors event opens eyes www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint May 2015 BLUEPRINT | 15 Paul Wilkinson Photography Wilkinson Paul advertisements

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

Zoe Davis-Heaney Administrator, Oxford Martin Programme on Human Rights for Future Generations, and Oxford Human Rights Hub (Faculty of Law)

Tell us about the programmes you administer choice. I went to work at a private IT Both are hosted by the Faculty of Law, but security firm as sales administrator and left we’re based at Pembroke College. seven years later having completed an MBA. The Oxford Martin Programme on Keen to put that into practice, in 2003 Human Rights for Future Generations I became a project administrator in the (HRFG) is a three-year interdisciplinary University’s Finance Division, moving on

RobJudges research programme, fully funded by in 2005 to become Centre Administrator at the Oxford Martin School, that aims COMPAS. Seven years later (after returning to contribute to international academic part-time once I’d started a family) I began and policy debates on human rights with a secondment to the Faculty of Law. When a focus on poverty, armed conflict and the HRFG administrator position was environmental change. It brings together advertised, I got the job; in 2013 I was academics from across the University asked to support the OxHRH as well and Blueprint is published bimonthly for the staff of the by drawing on the disciplines of law, jumped at the chance. University of Oxford by the Public Affairs Directorate Editor: Sally Croft philosophy and international relations. And you’re also involved with Oxford Designers: Laëtitia Velia/Katy Dawkins The Oxford Human Rights Hub Picture research: Janet Avison Legal Assistance? (OxHRH) was initially funded by the Items for possible inclusion are welcome and should OLA works closely with OxHRH and is be sent to [email protected] Higher Studies Fund, but is today funded similarly hosted by the Faculty of Law. It Subscriptions by the Bertha Foundation and the British offers opportunities for undergraduate law To subscribe to Blueprint either in print or online, visit www.ox.ac.uk/staff/staff_communications/ Academy, amongst others. It brings together students to become involved in pro bono academics, practitioners and policymakers subscriptions work and operates two main projects: a Advertising worldwide to enable international and local legal advice clinic focusing on issues within For details of how to advertise in Blueprint, visit exchanges of knowledge and best practice immigration and asylum law (in partnership www.ox.ac.uk/staff/staff_communications/ about developments in human rights law. blueprint/advertising with Turpin and Miller, a local Oxford law The opinions expressed in Blueprint are Innovative information technology is key to those of the contributors and are not firm); and a year-long social policy project necessarily shared by the University of Oxford. delivering this vision. with Citizens Advice Oxford (CAB). Advertisements are vetted, but the University accepts no responsibility for them and their inclusion does not imply endorsement by the So what’s your own role? The CAB has a number of links with the University of the goods or services advertised. I provide administrative support for both University, doesn’t it? projects, their directors and staff. That Yes. In particular, OLA works with CAB includes managing external and internal advisers on cases relating to personal debt awards; ensuring we have the funds, issues. CAB has seen a huge rise in debt viewfinder resources and infrastructure to support cases across Oxford, with living costs key research activities; and organising continuing to rise and wages struggling Where’s this charming clock? Answer on p4. international conferences, seminars and to keep up – impacting on people’s health workshops. I love the diversity of my job and wellbeing and their ability to sustain and being part of this developing area – I’m a regular living wage. CAB is looking to very closely following the plan to set up further understand the societal context the new Oxford Human Rights Institute of these trends by using an evidence- at Mansfield College. I enjoy working with based approach and so, through the work Images University Oxford people who are hugely successful and well CAB does with OLA, we are starting to known for what they do, while being the capture actual experiences through the most down-to-earth people I know. use of questionnaires and subsequent data analysis. CAB will then be able to identify Childhood ambition? specific issues that need readdressing and At the age of 7 I started to learn the flute hopes to widen the local and national and piano. At 15 I had passed my grade 8 debate on the policy and systemic changes flute with distinction. By 16, I was being required to make positive, practical changes taught by the principal flautist of the BBC to people’s lives. Symphony Orchestra, ferried to London by This is also a key year for CAB – its 75th my (very patient!) parents for lessons every anniversary – and OLA is proud to be part week. I later graduated with a BA (Hons) in of it. An anniversary event at Oxford Town Music and then went to the Royal Northern Hall on 21 July, 5.30–7pm, will highlight College of Music in Manchester to study the work of Oxford CAB, its links with composition at postgraduate level – I was all academic programmes within the University set to become a professional musician. and the importance of working with local So how did you get from there to here? government, communities and businesses It became clear to me that though I loved to improve the lives of those who live in and music, it wasn’t going to be my career around Oxford.

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