Hertford College News

Issue 23, 2013 Showcasing Physics at Hertford Target Schools: Outreach History Fellowship Fundraising Update

48993 Newsletter23 A4 20pp OPTI v2.indd 1 03/04/2013 17:23 48993 Newsletter23 A420ppOPTI v2.indd2 2 Contents 20 18 17 14 12 10 F Hertford Collegeisaregisteredcharity:number1137527 W: www.hertford.ox.ac.uk E: [email protected] T: +44(0) 1865279428 Oxford OX13BW Hertford College Members’ andDevelopmentOffice Produced by: Cover Photo: Editor, Layout & Design:AnnaBaskerville necessarily theofficialviewsofHertfordCollege. The opinionsexpressedarethoseofthewritersandnot Development OfficeformembersandfriendsoftheCollege. Hertford CollegeNewsispublishedbytheMembers’ and tracking downtheBlackHole Contents 8 6 5 4 3 riday 27 Beyond Physics at Hertford at Physics Beyond Dates For Your Diary Student Showcase Physics StudentShowcase Physics Alumni: Where Are TheyNow? Physics, HertfordMatters:InterstellarObservations... A BriefGuide: Target schools-Outreach College News:Hertfordataglance Alumni Events Development News:FromtheMembers’ andDevelopmentOffice History FellowshipFundraising:Update Principal’s Column:PeelingPotatoes th Ian Morison, An Unusual Astronomer Unusual An Morison, Ian

Ian Morison, The Mk II telescope used for The MkIItelescopeusedfor Morison, Ian & S aturday 28 th Bridge Centenary Celebrations S eptember 2013 For moreinformation pleasevisitwww.hertford.ox.ac.uk/bridge100 10 14 12 6 03/04/2013 17:24 4 Principal’s Column 3 03/04/2013 17:24 Principal Will Hutton Will

Peeling Potatoes Peeling

There’s a memorable scene in Joseph Heller’s scene in a memorable There’s 22 one of Catch when favourite one of his explains it is potatoes peeling the airmen with dull to fill it it is imperative life down want to slow if you occupations: time here –Hertford – a third of my terms have elapsed at tasks. Five Oxford think I need the so fast that I sometimes and it has gone Two; War US air base in World peeling potatoes on a equivalent of orAllocation Mechanism the Joint Resource perhaps recalibrating Excellence Framework. page papers on the Research reading 250 and Peace) yet certain to (but they are not War They may be important Part of the reason for the speed withmake time pass more slowly! amount of change at Hertford. In Michaelmaswhich time flies is the new Fellows, Dr Jamie Lorimer in Geographyterm we welcomed two a new Bursar to only to begin hiring in History, and Dr Giora Sternberg whose watch our finances had beenreplace Simon Lloyd under his whom the attractions of working in forestry, restored to health but for advertised for Then we impossible to resist. first love, had become a of the ever-increasing administrative workRegistrar to take charge life, and an Outreach Officer/Careerassociated with academic drive forward our commitment to promotingDevelopment Fellow to for the balance of hisaccess and who would double up as a scholar process for a secondtime. Hard on their heels came the appointment cap it all Hilary term To Engineering Fellow and second Medical Fellow. deciding not to seek ended with Paul Dryden, Development Director, Paul laid solidre-election as a Fellow and thus leaving the College. Within twelve monthsfoundations for us to lift our fund raising efforts. entirely rejuvenated andthe top team at Hertford will have been almost website! have even launched a new expanded. We be normal: in anIn many walks of life, this degree of change would One are in order. Oxford college it is pretty unusual. So more welcomes embraced his new roleis to James Lazarus who as our new Bursar has Another is to Jamie Castell, Outreach with extraordinary enthusiasm. and taking delegations around the who is visiting schools Officer, who is seeminglyCollege with enormous zeal and charm – a man in a house boat on thealways smiling despite (or because of?) living work on p.10.There is more information about Jamie’s Oxford canal! short months hasAnd a third is to Matthew Hiscock who in a few the College academicallyimposed himself on the multiple issues facing charm. Nor should Iwith calm professionalism – and again with great Accountant who is overlook the arrival of Graham May as our new legacy with considerable skill.building on Philip Dickson’s the Hertford Conversations to organise.There have been Nor is that all. visit to give a candid andwere Hugh Grant’s notable events Two amusing explanation of his advocacy of greater oversight of the press, who Tucker, and the Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Paul ills. assessment of our current economic if sober, gave a masterly, the founding shareholder of the giant and dynamic Hasso Plattner, Bill and often described as Europe’s German software company SAP Gates, visited in December to begin his exploration of what Hertford and his company – and we to learn what his companyOxford might offer Hong Kong for a week in January: a us. I visited Japan and might offer toAccounting, in Tutor Suzuki, Fellow and Tomo visit master-minded by connect with some notable Japanese companies. In Hong Kong, I enjoyed meeting a number of alumni at a lunch at Jardine Mattheson, 1987), with breathtaking views over hosted by Mark Greenberg (History, the city and a very good discussion about the likelihood of a Chinese Spring in the next decade. I cannot allow this opportunity to pass without alerting you to our as centenary celebrations of the Bridge of Sighs later this year – or, some would have it (dropping any reference to sighs), the Hertford The centrepiece will be talks, events, lectures, drinks and foodBridge. on the 28th September to which we invite all our alumni – but we are also aiming to hold events promoting outreach and access. So please all happening at Hertford! come. It’s 48993 Newsletter23 A4 20pp OPTI v2.indd 3 Eighteen months ago, Hertford was faced retirement and in 2012 we were delighted with the prospect of losing the University’s to welcome Dr Giora Sternberg (p.9) as the History share of funding for Toby Barnard’s post when new Fellow in History. However, although the he retired as Fellow and Tutor in History. new post-holder would be in receipt of a joint Therefore, the College started raising money appointment, all the costs would be borne by Fellowship to endow a History Fellowship in perpetuity to the College for the first five years or until we ensure the future of this vital subject. The post secure £1.2m and the matched funding is was named in honour of Drs Geoffrey Ellis and awarded. Fundraising: Toby Barnard in recognition of their combined The deadline for the teaching fund has been service of over seven decades; between them, extended by a year to the 30th September they have taught around a twelfth of our living 2014 in recognition of the difficulty that many Update alumni. supporters have in committing to the project At the same time the University acted to at the moment. Of the 75 teaching fund posts deal with the crisis in academic funding by across the University, only 22 have already putting aside £60m of its revenue from Oxford been fully endowed. If we are to receive the University Press to allow for matched funding benefit of the matched funding and guarantee, of 75 existing core teaching posts across the we must meet the deadline and we are collegiate university. Fifty of these posts are making every effort to secure these funds. in Humanities and each college was invited to A number of Hertfordians are working hard to join this scheme whereby if £1.2m was raised help us find external support for the project. from alumni and friends then the University We would especially like to thank Carol would provide matched funding of £800,000 Sennett (History, 1982) for her tireless efforts to fully endow the post and guarantee that it and, of course, to everybody who has given would be filled whenever it became vacant. to this project so far; your support has made a Since 2011 we have been fortunate to receive real difference and we are most grateful. just over £600,000 in donations towards If you would like to know more about the this project. As we have been making good History Fellowship Fund or think you might be progress with the fundraising, it was agreed able to lead us to other supporters then please between the College and History Faculty that contact us in the Members’ and Development we could refill the post after Toby Barnard’s History Fellowship Fundraising Office. 4

48993 Newsletter23 A4 20pp OPTI v2.indd 4 03/04/2013 17:24 Development News 5 03/04/2013 17:24 Hertford College News and that you are gift to the College, the amount secured has fallen below the previous year’s total. While we understand the economic pressures which are besetting the majority of people, we hope that you will feel able to continue to support the College and its present and future students. Many of you were lucky enough to receive an undergraduate education that was entirely free; most of our students are now facing prospective debt of at least £50,000 and there is some evidence that the fear of debt is detering applicants. counter this, the College has employed its To spearhead to Fellow Development Career first At the same time its outreach programme. we are striving to maintain our Bursaries Programme, which has been entirely funded through the generosity of our Old Members. At the London Drinks in November last year, the Principal announced that he wished to fund a bursary himself, and then auctioned need to secure £120,000another nine. We each year to maintain these bursaries. within the Development Office, Peter Finally, Harris has completed his fixed term contract and has moved onto a career in publishing welcome Helena We & Francis. Taylor at Jones as Database Officer who has joined At the end of us from the Faculty of Music. this term, after four and half years as Director of Development, Paul Dryden will be leaving Hertford. Having built up development and alumni relations and helped to lay foundations for future success at Hertford, he is now pursuing other opportunities. He will be sorely missed and we all wish Paul every success in his future endeavours. very much hope that you enjoy this issueWe of able to join us at one of our future events.

From the Members’ and the Members’ From Office Development

Anna Baskerville Baskerville Anna Helena Jones Helena

matriculands from 2002 and 2003 braved the cold and January blues to come to their first Gaudy. Looking forward, this year marks the 100th There will bebirthday of the Hertford bridge. a series of events on the weekend of the 27th September marking this occasion to which all are invited. Plans are still developing, but we hope that this will allow several hundred alumni, friends and family to come and take part. It will be the start of a year where the future will be vision for the College’s launched, and this will culminate later in 2014 with an event to mark the 40th anniversary of admission of women into the College. In the more immediate future we will be holding our second Economics Summit to theApril thanks the 5th on York in New generosity of Rob Lusardi (Engineering We & Economics, 1975) and Sabina Wu. are also in the early stages of planning the next Hertford London Lecture to follow Dr tour de force, held at Tyerman’s Christopher Willis Ltd last June. Both of these events are aimed specifically at raising money to endow the Economics and History Fellowships, and underpin the tutorial system. 2012? Telethon you contacted in the Were If so, you were part of one of our most successful campaigns and we thank you for raised £96,185 and 90%your support. We of this has already been fulfilled. Our six student callers said that over the two weeks they enjoyed speaking to over in September, 250 of our alumni about their memorable moments at Hertford whilst gaining valuable experience, confidence and career advice. Despite this success, fundraising has been Although last steady but not spectacular. year more than 12% of Hertfordians made a

Claire Blake Claire Paul Dryden Paul

Then, to start this year off with a bang, 82 Then, to start this year off reception at Nabarro LLP in November. in November. reception at Nabarro LLP we held an extremely popular London Drinks With thanks to Glyn Taylor (English, 1979) Taylor With thanks to Glyn experience to date. and candid accounts of their careers and (History & Economics, 1980) for enlightening Russell (PPE, 1983) and Jeremy Heywood 1983), Jacqui Smith (PPE, 1981), Steve grateful to our speakers Ian Weston (EEM,grateful to our speakers Ian Weston with the Economics Summit; we are very time. The marathon spectacularly concludedThe marathon spectacularly time. events with such fondness in four decades hope that people will be talking about our 1974 have certainly impressed us. We only1974 have certainly impressed us. We accounts of the Hertford Centenary Ball in outside the particular year groupings, the speeches do not often mean much to those between 1971 and 1973, and although Gaudy held a Gaudy for those who matriculated is unquestionably worth a listen. We thenis unquestionably worth a listen. We can be found on the Hertford website and and his impromptu Hertford rap. The latterand his impromptu Hertford rap. Quad with his mastery of the saxophone Kinch entertained almost 200 guests in OB Seppl restaurant. The following week, SowetoSeppl restaurant. a spectacular feast in the atmospheric Zum University about the Euro crisis, followed by with the Principal lecturing in Heidelberg event-marathon month of September started To welcome in Michaelmas term, our To Hertford in the 1960s. Physics Fellow, who pioneered access at Physics Fellow, trademark interests of the late Neil Tanner, Tanner, trademark interests of the late Neil and Physics at Hertford: incidentally two whilst showcasing our outreach initiatives exhibit the changes since Michalemas term, edition of Hertford College News we hope to it is typically measured in terms. In this measured in light years whereas at Hertford, Time is relative. In Physics, change can be is relative. In Time 48993 Newsletter23 A4 20pp OPTI v2.indd 5 48993 Newsletter23 A420ppOPTI v2.indd6 6 Alumni Events with SowetoKinch Jazz & Pimm’s Jazz &Pimm’s (1971-1973, 2002-2003) Heidelberg Hertford in Hertford in y d u a G Lucy and the musicians, underthebannerLucyand was thecurrentgenerationofHertfordjazz Warming uptheappreciativecrowd forhim and enjoythelastPimm’s ofthesummer. to hearSowetoplayaconcertinOBQuad beautiful SaturdayafternooninSeptember It wasgreattoreturnHertford,then,ona him I’dbeenatHertfordwithhim. seeing hisjawhitthefloorwhenIairilytold called SowetoKinch,Iparticularlyenjoyed from thisup-and-comingBritishsaxophonist was talkingaboutanalbumhe’djustbought been closertothemusicalpulsethanmine, younger brother, whosefingerhasalways comes upinconversation.Butwhenmy occasionally baskwhenoneoftheirnames I illustrious alumni,inwhosereflectedglow I havealwaysbeenproudofHertford’s Aidan Liddle(LiteraeHumaniores,1997): filled tower walls provide evidence that the filled towerwallsprovideevidencethatthe drinking toomuch.Butneverfear, thegraffiti- behaviour, suchasfailingtoworkdue misdemeanours closetotypicalstudent recently, studentscouldbelockedupfor was thestudentjailwhere,untilalarmingly much mayhem.Butformany, thehighlight of theHolyGhost,witnesstoandsurvivor oldest partoftheUniversity, andoftheChurch countries. We beganwithabrieftourofthe various partsofGermany&neighbouring retired totherecentlygraduated,camefrom Forty Hertfordiansandpartners,fromthe cosmopolitan placeinanhistoricsetting. in commonwithOxford,notleastasalively its riverandcastleonahillsharesmuch hot Septemberday, thisuniversitycitywith understood. Nevermorebeautifulthanona Why Heidelberg?Ifyou’dcome,have Rosalind Atkins great weekend. of Oxfordistremendous. All-in-all, itwas a Magdalen and Teddy Hall.Charles’ knowledge of thelocallanestoseeNewCollege, Merton, Mackenzie andmeonafabulous guided tour was crispandsunny-CharlesNixon tookNeil had foodthisgoodbackthen.Next morning must havechangedsince1971-wenever old timestogetherinCollege.Ithinkthecook catching uponnewsandsharingtalesofthe on theorgan.OverdinnerIhadagreattime, Dart’s stupendousperformance ofBuxtehude really moving-anditwastoppedoff byPeter me. The Evensongservice inChapelwas Kyberd, MattDurcan, Tim Moorhouseand (1971) camealong:NeilMackenzie,Paul Five ofthesixPhysicsstudentsmyyear Absolutely everythingwasjustdelightful. 2012 anditwasatrulymagicalevening. I attendedtheGaudyon21September Peter Friend(Physics,1971): (Physiological Sc.,1975):

my brother’s copy of that album. copyofthatalbum. my brother’s ideas. And hewasevenkindenoughtosign faces, andtochatSowetoabouthisnext always, tocatchupwithsomefamiliarold is traditional,downthebar. Itwasgreat,as And sowewentinfordinnerandthen,as to helpSowetoinsomelovelyjazzclassics. last fewsongs,theSimpkinSextetreappeared them intoanextendedimprovisedrap.Forthe each ofthelettersin‘Hertford’ andweaving taking wordsthrownoutfromtheaudiencefor hip-hop influences.Histourdeforcewashim playing, histrademarkblendingofjazzand occasion. The crowdenjoyedhissmooth looking relaxedandobviouslyenjoyingthe Soweto cameouttoarapturousreception, music, inallitsforms,wasstillfinefettle. Simpkin Sextet,whoshowedthatHertford argumentative Hertfordsouldesire? and with food. What more could the gregarious company andofcoursegoodGermanbeer- subterranean partandfeltrightathome.Good hearty fare,wechasedthelocalsoutof the programme. A traditionalBierkellerwith Zum Sepplprovidedtheperfectendingto we adjournedtothebar. were defendedwithincreasingvigour. And so differing opinions,astocauseandsolution, this gaverisetoanimateddiscussioninwhich an impassionedtalk. As befittingtheoccasion, aspects ofthecontinuingeconomiccrisisin as WillHuttonenlightenedusonsome We proceededfromthearcanetoerudite, involuntary residents! to bewinchedupfortheamusementof all mannerofgoods(andpeople)managed Heidelberg Proctorscouldbethwarted,and only thingsmissing? PangosandHassan’s. opportunity tocatch-up witholdfriends. The times hadatHertfordandprovided theperfect Gaudy servedasareminderofall thegreat Housing Officerinchargethesedays). The remember (clearlythere’s abetterFood & I was asignificantimprovementon what Facebook wasstillcool,duringamealthat tuition feetop-ups,JackWillsandbackwhen reminisced aboutthegoodolddaysbefore to theimpactHertfordhadonourlives. quad, climbingthestairstoHall;atestament a roomwithtinymirror, millingaboutthe how familiaritfelttobedonningblacktiein still thesameunderneath.Itwassurprising looking, scrubbedcleaner, butfundamentally we were(onthewhole)alittlebitsmarter on acolddayinearlyJanuary. LikeHertford, phrase oneveryone’s lipsattheGaudy, held ‘I can’tbelieveit’s beentenyears’ wasthe Kelly Lin(Economics&Management,2003): 03/04/2013 17:24 We We Enese Lieb-Doczy (PPE, 1991): Van Noorden Memorial Workshop the next Economics The first Economics Summit took place on morning saw us turn into test subjects the 28th and 29th September 2012. About in the interest of furthering behavioural 70 Hertfordians turned up. It was testimony economics. We found out that our character Summit to the interest in the event (and final proof had already been ruined thoroughly by to my geeky contention that few things are previous game theory lectures and that more interesting than economics) that quite if everyone tries to outwit the group, the a few of the guests had not actually studied overall test results look very strange. I doubt economics. We all had a stimulating time that we made it into any research paper, but finding out about the latest developments we had great fun along the way. in economic research and catching up with each other. Overall, the event was an excellent community-building exercise, which Jacqui Smith gave a spirited and witty demonstrated the formative impact the speech on how she benefitted from her intellectual curiosity and slight irreverence economics training as a government instilled in us by our tutors has had on minister, while Jeremy Heywood’s each one of us. I hope that this Economics conversation with the Principal, Will Hutton, Summit will be the first of many such events Economics Summit left no doubt that Politics and Economics and that we economists are as generous Friday 28th & Saturday 29th September 2012 Hertford College Oxford continue to go hand-in-hand. The Roger with Hertford as Hertford has been with us.

Charles Gibson (Literae Humaniores, 1959): Andrew Breeze (English, 2000): London Drinks Hertford put on another in the series of Ever wish you could go back to College? Well, sociable drinks receptions in London you can’t. Even if you finally commit to doing generously hosted again by Glyn Taylor that DPhil to prove that Elizabeth I and Shake- (English, 1979) of Nabarro LLP. The event was speare were the same person, it just won’t be for a most worthy cause, the Undergraduate the same: the Simpkin patrolling OB won’t be Bursaries Programme. your Simpkin. And, your mates won’t be DTB.

This occasion attracted a substantial crowd But don’t despair. Once a year, if you can and the Principal led a substantial cohort make it to London, College will come to you. from the College. So the room, for all its I joined the happy crowds in the Nabarro spaciousness, was crowded indeed and in LLP bop cellar for the annual London drinks. spite of half a century’s experience of locating My old tutors remembered me, apparently the wine I took an uncomfortably long time on fondly. (If they didn’t, they did a good job of this occasion. The presence of a podium in pretending). I saw students, faculty and staff the room presaged a characteristically lively I remembered, and I met lots of people from address from the Principal. Were he to need other years and decades who, like me, had an alternative employment, Will Hutton would been lucky enough to call Hertford home for flourish as an auctioneer, for within a few a while. And when last orders had rung at minutes he had raised promises of funding for Nabarro, we went across the road to the pub some ten bursaries. for another, and College came with us.

Paul Sharrock (Engineering Science, 1980): time, the concert went extremely well. Best Alumni Concert We started arriving from eleven-thirty and of all, the Chapel was at capacity with a full congregated in the Old Hall for sandwiches audience. The choir, orchestra and much of (a great improvement on the Chapel porch the audience went straight from the Chapel used in previous years in the cold-depths of to drinks in the Principal’s Lodgings – pretty January). At one o’clock rehearsals started: crowded and loud with chatting, but a good orchestra and choir separately. Rehearsal stage for a drinks party, nonetheless. Come time had been divided up to allocate time to eight o’clock it was time for dinner in Hall.

the different pieces – with Nick Graham, Andy The seating plan mixed players, singers and Alumni Events Warnock and Ed Whitehead efficiently taking audience whether they were students, tutors the baton (or playing various instruments) at or alumni (and their guests): it worked very the appropriate times and places. Following well. This was probably because, irrespective a break for tea in Hall for both singers and of whether we knew anyone previously, we all players rehearsals continued, including knew we were there because of our desire to Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus involving both take part in music at Hertford again (including the choir and orchestra. With rehearsals as audience). I certainly think through the completed there was just enough time to get long list of musicians I possibly might meet changed in to our best. again – but I know that even if none of my contemporaries come I will have a great Considering we were essentially a scratch day playing music with and meeting current choir and orchestra with very little rehearsal members of the College and other alumni. 7

48993 Newsletter23 A4 20pp OPTI v2.indd 7 03/04/2013 17:24 Hertford at a glance

Physics alumnus: prestigious award winner Roderich Moessner (Physics, 1991) is one of the recipients of the 2012 Europhysics Condensed Matter Prize and the 2013 Leibniz Prizes. The European Physical Society Condensed Matter Division Europhysic Prize is one of Europe’s most pres- tigious prizes. It is awarded every two years for work in the area of physics of condensed matter, specifically work Robert Hooke’s Micrographia: or, some physiological descriptions of minute bodies from 1665 leading to advances in the Hertford’s antiquarian book collection fields of electronic, electrical and materials engineering. Kirsty Taylor became Hertford members, both past and present, may be The prize was awarded to Librarian at Hertford in April unaware of the rich heritage contained within the Roderich Moessner, along 2012, but was no stranger to College’s antiquarian book collection. The collection with Steven Bramwell (LCN), Oxford having started off her was built upon those of Hart Hall and Magdalen Castelnovo (RHUL), Santiago career as a Bodleian trainee Hall and contains works by notable alumni such as Grigera (St Andrews), Shivaji before moving to the Saïd William Tyndale, John Donne and Thomas Hobbes. Sondhi (Princeton University) Business School and then The books occasionally generate interest from and Alan Tennant (Helmholtz- Nuffield College. Immediately prior to Hertford, Kirsty researchers but, for the most part, remain unnoticed Zentrum Berlin), for their was the Deputy Librarian at the Business School in and unused. Kirsty is keen to change this and is prediction and experimental Cambridge but fully admits that Oxford is a far better planning regular exhibitions to showcase some of the observation of magnetic place to be. treasures otherwise hidden away on the shelves. She monopoles in spin ice. would be happy to hear from any member with an Kirsty is responsible for the modern library housed interest in the collection. The Leibniz Prize is an annual in the former Chapel and spends a large amount of research prize awarded by time ensuring that the students have access to their Contact [email protected] if you would like to the Deutsche Forschun- course texts. She is also responsible for the care and arrange a visit to see some of these historic titles for gsgemeinschaft to scientists conservation of the College’s historic texts. yourself. working in Germany. Roderich was awarded the prize, with Hertford to support Bridging Programme Gift to Student Ambassadors Achim Rosch, for outstanding contributions to research into Hertford is delighted to announce that it will co-host, The Hertford Society, a interactive quantum systems. with Pembroke, this year’s Bridging Programme group run by alumni for He is considered to be one of for students with places to read Mathematical, alumni, has made a gift the world’s leading research- Physical and Life Sciences starting in October. of £2,000 to the Hertford ers on frustrated quantum spin The transition from school to higher education can JCR. The gift will be used systems. present a number of challenges, both academic and primarily to support a social, especially for students who have previously Student Roadshow for Roderich laid the groundwork experienced educational or social disadvantage. The potential applicants from Hertford’s linked schools in for his research during his aim of this programme is to give further assistance to Essex and north Kent. The roadshow is a student- studies at Oxford, followed students who may experience the greatest transitional led initiative and will be a collaboration between the by postdoc work in Princeton difficulties. In addition to academic content, there will Hertford Ambassadors and the OUSU Target Schools and at CNRS in Paris. After a be a strong focus on pastoral and broader academic Campaign. Dr Jamie Castell (the Outreach Fellow) period as a lecturer at Oxford, matters, e.g. critical thinking and independent learning was ‘delighted at the news of this generous gift’ and in 2007 Moessner became skills. Sessions will include problem solving, time thanked both the Hertford Society and all the Hertford director at the Max Planck In- management, an Oxford tutorial, information skills, undergraduates prepared to devote time and effort to stitute of Physics of Complex a debate, group discussions and opportunities for outreach and improving access to Oxford. Systems in Dresden. socialising with fellow students. College News 8

48993 Newsletter23 A4 20pp OPTI v2.indd 8 03/04/2013 17:24 Ave atque vale: a warm welcome to... and a fond farewell to...

Jamie started at Hertford in 2012 as a After 13 terms as Bursar, Simon Lloyd Geography Tutorial Fellow and holds a (Geography, 1977) has handed over the University Lectureship. Jamie completed his bursarial reins and moved on to the Royal PhD at the University of Bristol in 2005 and Society of Forestry where he has become has previously held posts at Oxford and King’s their Development Director. Simon brought College London. He is a cultural geographer an incredible energy to the College and Dr Jamie Lorimer with research interests in the politics of nature. Mr Simon Lloyd quickly restored its parlous finances from Fellow & Tutor in His work explores the implications of the Fellow & Bursar deficit to surplus. He was a very effective Geography Anthropocene for Western environmentalism. and visible figure head in the College and his work in building the team spirit of the staff Giora began his studies at the Adi Lautman was particularly appreciated. Simon was an Interdisciplinary Program for Outstanding executive at BP before coming to Hertford Students at Tel Aviv University, where he and brought with him the professionalism of a completed a BSc in Computer Science world-class organisation. and Humanities, and an MA in History. He then came to Oxford for a DPhil in History. Philip Dickson, Deputy Bursar and College Dr Giora Sternberg Following three years at the Harvard Society Accountant since 1999, retired at the end of Fellow & Tutor in of Fellows, he returned to Oxford in 2012 to 2012. Generations of undergraduates will History take up his position at Hertford and at the remember with fondness the calm, sensible Faculty of History. and kind way with which Philip dealt with their financial issues. We all wish Philip James comes to Hertford after a career in Mr Philip Dickson well for a retirement filled with golf, coastal banking. James’ responsibilities are to manage Deputy Bursar walks, and family - and will miss his courtesy, the internal workings of the College and professionalism, experience, and the nicest ensure that everything works well to support wool jumpers in college. the academic ambitions of the Principal and Fellows. He has enjoyed his first term and Paul Dryden has been at Hertford since Mr James Lazarus finds the contrast with the City to be very 2008 and is the College’s longest-serving Fellow & Bursar striking. He is impressed by the energy and Director of Development. He has championed commitment of all staff and looks forward to fundraising within the College and has being an active supporter of College activities. achieved success in re-engaging with Old Members, building a great programme of As a student in Oxford, Matthew used to Mr Paul Dryden events both in Oxford and around the world. come to Hertford to play in the orchestra and Director of Working closely with his colleagues, he has the College was as open and friendly then as Development helped to establish a number of important it is now. He will support the new Outreach fundraising projects whilst building-up Fellow, in his work with schools, and the development and alumni relations and helping Senior Tutor with the task of organising the to lay foundations for future success. A few of Dr Matthew Hiscock College’s teaching and Admissions. Matthew many things we, in the Development Office, Academic Registrar worked for a decade as a freelance Opera/ will miss are Paul’s encyclopedic general Theatre Director before studying for a PhD at knowledge and good humour. Cambridge. He then taught both in Cambridge and at UCL before coming to Hertford. After a combined total of 34 years at Hertford,

Jamie will divide his time equally between Anne and Dave Timermanis have certainly College News research in English Literature and co- earned their retirement - and the admiration ordinating the College’s outreach work to of colleagues and friends in college. At a encourage applications from the very best toast to the couple, Home Bursar Andrew students at a broad range of schools. As an Beaumont spoke of our respect and affection Essex boy, he is looking forward to building Mr Dave Timermanis for them and their work, before breaking into Housekeeper at a passable impression of Anne’s favourite, Dr Jamie Castell relationships with Hertford’s link schools Abingdon House & Elvis. The end of an era? Yes and no: we Career Development there and to exploring Kent and Camden. annexes and Mrs say goodbye to Anne and Dave, but their Fellow & Outreach He studied at both Homerton College and St Anne Timermanis daughter Stacey now works for the college, Officer John’s College, Cambridge, where he recently finished his PhD thesis on the poetry of Domestic Manager so the Timermanis name lives on. William Wordsworth and animal life. 9

48993 Newsletter23 A4 20pp OPTI v2.indd 9 03/04/2013 17:24 48993 Newsletter23 A420ppOPTI v2.indd10 10 A Brief Guide talented students. offer toawiderangeofthemostacademically institutions liketheUniversityofOxford can to thelesseasilymeasurableadvantages that instrumental benefitsare,ofcourse, inaddition in business,scienceandculture.Such more totheproductivecapacityofsociety They canalsobeexpectedtocontribute their lifetimesthannon-graduatepeers. can expecttoearnconsiderablymoreacross that studentsarestillmoreemployableand prosperity ofthenation.Evidencesuggests essential tosafeguardingtheeconomic to studentsfromallbackgroundsremains However, theaccessibilityofhighereducation reversed overthecomingyears. ties forsociallydisadvantagedgroupsmaybe recent progresstowardswideningopportuni- There arealsoconcernsthatsomeofthe applications evenforthebestinstitutions. degrees hasledtoadiminishingnumberof prospects facedbygraduatesaftertheir to £9,000peryearandtheemployment for university. The increaseintuitionfees particularly intimidatingtimetobeapplying The presentmomentmightbeconsidereda Target Schools:Outreach Outreach Officer Career DevelopmentFellow& Dr JamieCastell the verybeststudents canapply, gain aplace, Hertford Collegecontinuetobeplaces where education, theUniversityofOxford, and My aimwillbetodemonstratethat higher processes. demystify theinstitutionanditsadmissions and inschoolsacrossthecountryorderto also beontheroadathighereducationfairs class teachingatOxfordhastooffer. Iwill for applicantstoexperiencewhattheworld- undergraduates, andoffering tastertutorials organising Q&A sessionswithcurrent with studentsinHall,takingthemontours, taste ofCollegelife. This will involvedining Hertford togiveprospectiveapplicantsa of Camden.Iwillbeinvitingschoolstovisit areas inEssex,northKentandtheBorough state schools,particularlyintheCollege’s link building anddevelopingrelationshipswith research inEnglishLiterature,Iwillbe As wellasbeingengagedinacademic academic excellence. friendliness, fairness,socialmobilityand sustaining itsexcellentreputationfor commitment fromtheCollegetowards and outreachroleatHertfordisastrong establishment ofaninnovativenewaccess to applytheverybestuniversities. The encourage studentsfromallbackgrounds It isthereforeimportanttocontinue [email protected]. I wouldbedelightedtohearfromyou -email: teacher andwouldlikemetovisityour school, in futureeditionsofthismagazine. Ifyouarea College websiteandforreportsonprogress Look outforanewaccesssectiononthe adventurous enoughtobenefitfromthem. who arehardworkingandintellectually the bestpossibleopportunitiesforstudents possible poolofapplicantsfortheCollegeand the country. Itwill do sotoensurethebest students andalumnihavewithschoolsacross relationships thatacademicstaff, current both tomaintainandbuilduponexcellent are neglected.Instead,theaccessteamaims other schoolswithconnectionstoHertford on theCollege’s linkareaswillnotmeanthat funded bytheHertfordSociety). The focus OUSU’s Target Schoolsandgenerously (including aroadshowincollaborationwith younger studentsandtostudent-ledinitiatives university schemesaimingtoraiseaspirationin the Collegealsooffers appropriatesupportto Ambassadors. They willallbeensuringthat Anna McIntyre,andtheHertfordStudent the JCR Access andOutreachOfficer Academic RegistrarDrMatthewHiscock, I willbeworkingcloselywiththeCollege’s and flourishregardlessoftheirbackground. 03/04/2013 17:24

Photos: Philip Nash © A Brief Guide 11 03/04/2013 17:24

Tale Anna McIntyre Jurisprudence, 2011

Ambassador’s face to those who are ever more intimidatedface to those who are ever at a time whereto apply to Oxford - especially and universitythe job market is so uncertain fees seem frighteningly high. Hertford operates a casual ambassador scheme, where those interested in represent- ing the College volunteer at the beginning of the academic year and join a group of around They promote equal opportuni- 40 students. ties to those who have the ability to apply to Oxford, or other prestigious universities. It has been amazing to be involved with work lives. I onlythat really changes people’s applied to Oxford when my misconceptions about studying here, which are so often portrayed in the media, were dispelled when have worked withI was in sixth form. We groups from the ages of 14 upwards, taking them on tours of Hertford and showing them the reality of studying here. age groups tend to be affected I find different Those in younger year ways. in different groups, such as year 9 and 10, are shown that university life is something to aim towards, and we try to inspire them to work harder and 12 11 Year in their upcoming GCSE’s. pupils, on the other hand, have benefitted first-hand knowledge from the ambassadors’ of what it is like to go (successfully!) through the Oxford admissions process and study here unscathed, dispelling any worries about scary aptitude tests and the interview procedure. my old school was extremely effective; Visiting seeing someone from their region seemed to make the idea of applying more conceivable. Schools Target I am also chair of the Campaign; I am now combining my roles to help Hertford reach out more effectively with its target area (Essex and Camden) by providing the College with volunteers from across the University to visit in the summer term and cover as many schools as possible. I am a 2nd year Law student at Hertford, andI am a 2nd year Law student and outreachhave been involved in access I am nowwork since I arrived in Oxford. and believe that we Access Officer, Hertford’s by a huge difference as a student body make enthusiastic, normal presenting a relatable,

facilities, social life and friends, the application The studentsprocess and finances. appreciated being enlightened by someone that went to their own school, from a similar background to most of them, who returns home to an address just a few streets away from their school, someone that has pursued his language studies to this high level and who has been taught by the same teachers. in Tutor Professor Bjarke Frellesvig, Fellow & Japanese, gave a short talk focusing on study and what they are looking for when students apply and during the interview process. Following lunch, Japanese studying students whilst the to the Oriental Institute headed off German and Spanish students were given Taylor a tour of the library and rooms of the Institute. GHS is a large, high performing, multi- ethnic, inner-London school with a truly comprehensive intake; it takes its role in ensuring the best for all students and allowing students to achieve their potential very seriously and the day was a great opportunity. are looking forward to working with theWe University to arrange similar events in the future.

be missed’. He spoke about his course, the university life in general - ‘opportunities not to Hertford and Oxford has to offer, plus Hertford and Oxford has to offer, Students heard Lawson speak about what of course, be a bonus. language-related course, although that would, not just Oxford and not even just to pursue a all their subjects to gain a place at university, all their subjects to gain a place at university, inspire them to continue to work hard across stepped inside a university. It was meant to stepped inside a university. many this would be the first time that they behind-the-scenes look at the University; for and four in 2010). The day gave students aThe day gave and four in 2010). entrant for this academic year, three last year entrant for this academic year, (Greenford High School had one Oxford some potential Oxford University applicants and German. Amongst these students areAmongst and German. class and dual-linguist classes – Spanish The students were drawn from the Japanese student of GHS helped to co-ordinate the visit. student of GHS helped to co-ordinate the visit. Lawson Lancaster (Japanese, 2010), a former to hear and see what university life entails. Hertford College in February 2013, in order Assistants and I had the opportunity to visit Greenford High School Foreign Languages Mrs Middleton (teacher of Japanese), two Twenty three students, accompanied by Twenty recent school visit by talented linguists to Hertford College. recent school visit by talented linguists Paul Nock (Assistant Head Teacher at Greenford High School) discusses a at Greenford Paul Nock (Assistant Head Teacher 48993 Newsletter23 A4 20pp OPTI v2.indd 11 Interstellar Observations: as clear as dust Professor Pat Roche, Fellow and Tutor in Physics

In common with most areas of science, research in astrophysics is mountain tops rise above the clouds and perturb the atmosphere much pushing the boundaries of knowledge at faster and faster rates. This less than continental mountain ranges, again providing superb observ- is largely driven by new capabilities in telescopes and instrumentation, ing conditions. Most of the current large telescope projects are focussed supported by increasingly sophisticated modelling and new understand- on Hawaii and Chile, the best observing sites available. ing in physical processes and theories. Technological advances have revolutionised the way astronomy is conducted. Large-format detectors Judging by their personal statements, applicants to read Physics mounted on state-of the art telescopes survey large swathes of the at Oxford are most often inspired by the ideas underlying quantum night sky, allowing rare and unusual objects to be identified, and then mechanics, the search for fundamental particles and the nature of followed up with large aperture telescopes to provide more detailed matter and by astronomy and cosmology. These topics encompass the information. Space telescopes complement measurements from tradi- enormous range of scales and conditions over which the laws of phys- tional ground-based observatories, increasing coverage to most of the ics operate and can be tested. My research is in astrophysics, probing electromagnetic spectrum and providing increasingly complete pictures star-formation and the nature and abundance of the most feeble stars of astronomical phenomena. and the properties of interstellar matter and cosmic dust, exploiting new techniques and novel instrumentation. Through its membership of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and the European Space Agency (ESA), astronomers in the UK have These topics may seem an odd choice compared to the grand sweep of access to many of the most powerful observatories in the world. cosmological studies, which probe the history and evolution of the whole Universe. Indeed cosmic dust is often viewed as a nuisance as the tiny Throughout my career, I have been involved in the design, construction particles absorb and scatter starlight, blocking our view of the dense and deployment of new infrared instruments and in the last few years regions where stars are formed or the nuclei of galaxies harbouring I have been very fortunate in participating in the development of new massive black holes. However, understanding the formation processes telescopes. Their deployment on the best observing sites in the world and the boundaries between low-mass stars, brown dwarfs and planets has powered the technological revolution in astronomy. The availabil- are a very important component of the fast-growing field of exoplanet ity of large format, highly-sensitive detectors operating at visible and research. Similarly, most of the heavy elements in interstellar space are infrared wavelengths has led to huge increases in data rates with com- locked up in tiny grains of cosmic dust. These nanoparticles in space mensurate growth in the productivity of astronomical observatories and are the building blocks of asteroids and planets, provide formation sites spectacular advances from exquisite images and detailed spectra. for certain interstellar molecules and have fascinating chemical and physical properties. For example, some of the smallest dust particles I currently sit on the ESO Governing Council, chair the UK Infrared have been identified as aromatic hydrocarbons which are almost cer- Telescope (UKIRT) Board, and I am Vice-Chair of the Atacama Large tainly key to the formation of much more complex pre-biotic species. Millimetre/ submillimetre Array (ALMA), which is approaching comple- tion at 5,000-m altitude in northern Chile. Although these duties reduce The enormous interest in astronomy is illustrated by the success of the amount of time available for data collection at the telescopes, they the Zooniverse citizen science programme, which now has more than mean that I do spend time at the observatories, which are all in very 500,000 contributors and, on a more local scale, by the successful spectacular locations. The ESO telescopes are in the Atacama desert, Stargazing Oxford events run in January 2012 and 2013. Over 1,100 chosen because of the remoteness of the sites, away from cities and people visited the Physics department at each of these events, which the attendant light pollution, and the stable, dry atmosphere above the showcased some of the research conducted at Oxford and provided mountains of La Silla and Paranal. The dry atmosphere of the Atacama opportunities to talk with astronomers as well as observing the night sky. is particularly crucial for ALMA as water vapour absorbs microwave radiation very strongly. Complementing the location, the Residencia at The research landscape is changing rapidly. Over the last five years, Paranal Observatory is built into the side of the mountain. It is archi- funding cuts have reduced the number of postdoctoral research posi- tecturally striking, with an indoor tropical oasis used to humidify the tions supported by the UK Research Council, STFC, and substantially air and make it more comfortable for the astronomers, engineers and reduced the UK domestic astronomy programme, leading to increasing other support staff. It was used as a film location in the James Bond reliance on international collaborations. Fortunately, grants from the movie, Quantum of Solace. The next major ESO project will be the very European Research Council have provided much needed support for ambitious 39-m diameter European Extremely Large Optical-Infrared many areas, and are increasingly critical for the health of our science Telescope, which funding–willing, will begin construction in 2014. It will programmes. have 800 hexagonal mirror segments whose alignment needs to be The students of today can look forward to using the new facilities cur- maintained to extraordinary precision in the face of wind buffeting. It will rently under development, which will detect fainter and further objects be built on Cerro Armazones, a 3,000-m peak about 20km from Para- and provide more detail on the ever-widening range of astrophysical nal, and will be operated using the current observatory infrastructure. objects. Many discoveries undoubtedly remain to be found and they will UKIRT sits on the summit ridge of Mauna Kea a 4,200-m high volcano be able to reap the rich and growing returns from astronomy in the era of big data.

Physics, Hertford Matters rising out of the Pacific ocean on the island of Hawaii. The isolated Background photo: At the ALMA observatory by Cerro Chajnantor, Chile. By the end of 2013, ALMA will have 66 antennas working interferometrically to produce revolutionary views of solar systems around other stars, galaxies in the throes of formation and pretty well everything inbetween. 12

48993 Newsletter23 A4 20pp OPTI v2.indd 12 03/04/2013 17:24

Physics, Hertford Matters 13 03/04/2013 17:24 48993 Newsletter23 A4 20pp OPTI v2.indd 13 An Unusual Astronomer

Professor Ian Morison is soon to be decommissioned. Perhaps the the Gresham Chair of Astronomy. This is the Physics, 1962 most exciting day in the 1970’s was when I world’s oldest astronomy chair, dating from led a small team to track down the location of 1597 and once held by Christopher Wren. what we now know is the closest Black Hole to Over four years in this role, I gave 25 lectures the Earth, some 3,500 light years distant. in London covering all aspects of astronomy. I had to start wearing quite thick spectacles at I remain a Fellow of Gresham College on the age of 11 but good came out of this as my I spent much of my time in the late 70’s whose website these lectures may be found. optician gave me lenses with which I was able and early 80’s designing, building and to make my first telescope to view the Moon commissioning the MERLIN array, the largest So, why unusual? I never lost my love and planets. I still have my father’s copy of fully linked array in the World, stretching some of visual observing, helping to found the Fred Hoyle’s book The Nature of the Universe 217 km across the UK and now linked by Macclesfield Astronomical Society in 1990 that perhaps spurred me on to become an optical fibres. It was most gratifying, when in and acting as President of the UK’s Society astronomer. 2003, an asteroid was named after me citing for Popular Astronomy some years ago. I my work with MERLIN and also in the Project remain on its council as instrument adviser I was lucky enough to spend three wonderful Phoenix SETI search – the most sensitive helping members with their choice and use of years at Hertford and took the first astronomy Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) telescopes. I write a monthly night sky guide course that had been given in Oxford since ever undertaken. Sadly, ET did not phone for the Jodrell Bank website and also record the war and then went on to study radio- home and I now believe that intelligent life is it for their podcast - the Jodcast. I have been astronomy at Jodrell Bank. My PhD was to rare and we are likely to be the only advanced writing about telescopes and observing in study the surface of the Moon by radar. Partly civilisation within our Milky Way galaxy. astronomy magazines for some years and as a result, when the Russians soft landed am now putting the finishing touches to an the first spacecraft on the Moon in 1966, I Most lecture courses that I was asked to give amateurs observing handbook to be published helped process the images we received - so I at Manchester University related to electronics by Cambridge University Press. was one of the very first in the western world and computing, but for six years I was allowed to know what the Moon’s surface looked to give a new course, An introduction to In recent years I have been lucky enough like! Much of my career at Jodrell Bank was Astronomy and Cosmology, to all our first year to have taken groups of astronomers to see designing and building the computing and students. This was very well received and eclipses of the Sun in Turkey and China, electronic systems to control the telescopes has been turned by John Wiley & Sons Inc. to Lapland to view the Aurora Borealis and and provide highly accurate timing systems into a successful textbook of the same name. to give astronomy talks on cruises across to allow the observations to be made. One Perhaps the nicest thing that has happened the world – it’s a pretty tough life being an computer that I designed, installed in 1978, to me was when, in 2007, I was appointed to astronomer! Are They Now? Physics Alumni: Where Physics 14

48993 Newsletter23 A4 20pp OPTI v2.indd 14 03/04/2013 17:24 Image: Ian Morison. Left - the Sun in H-alpha. Right - ‘Moon and Jupiter’. Both images used in Ian’s astronomy handbook Physics Alumni: Where Are They Now? They Where Are Physics Alumni:

Case Study: Tracking down a Black Hole

8th August 1976. I was the only member of the academic staff not on holiday so a call from Professor Ken Pounds of Leicester University was put through to me. Their satellite, Aerial IV, had discovered the largest X-ray flare ever seen (and even now not exceeded) emanating from the constellation Monocerous, just to the left of Orion. In those days X-ray telescopes could not give accurate positions - the object that caused it could not be found - so they were giving its approximate position to observatories across the world in the hope that its position could be precisely located.

I immediately took over our MkII radio telescope and used it to scan the sky in the region they had indicated but, sadly, nothing was seen. No other observatories were able to detect it in the radio or optical parts of the spectrum either. But I did not give up and a week later we were given back the use of a second similar sized telescope, the MkIII, some 15 km distant from Jodrell Bank. With my research student I had been using the pair of telescopes to study the structure of radio sources and, at the time, it was one of the most sensitive interferometers (a telescope pair) in the world which could also provide very precise positions of the objects that it detected.

We set out to survey the region around the nominal position. In those days we used paper charts which were 20 ft long with 15 traces along it, one above the other, to indicate position in what is called Declination whilst the position along the chart indicated the position in Right Ascension - these being the two co-ordinates that we use to define positions on the celestial sphere.

Hour by hour we surveyed the sky and almost gave up hope but finally, we spotted a small blip on a chart just two inches from the end – well away from the notional position! Then, concentrating on this position, we observed it for the next week as it first grew in brightness and then faded away. We had used the International Astronomy Bureau to give its position to others and the object was extensively studied for some time afterwards. It was good to have a letter in Nature describing our results, immediately following that from the Leicester group. What was it? At the position we had found was observed a K2 type star just a little smaller than our Sun. Observing its motion in a circle away and towards us indicated that it was orbiting an unseen object. Their combined mass was calculated to be about 10.5 solar masses so, by subtracting off the maximum mass of a K type star, 0.8 solar masses, gave the mass of the unseen object of 9.7 solar masses. This has to be a black hole as a star of that mass would far outshine its companion. Currently it is the second most massive stellar mass black hole known and also the nearest to Earth, lying at a distance of 3,500 light years. Quite an exciting week! 15

48993 Newsletter23 A4 20pp OPTI v2.indd 15 03/04/2013 17:24 Beyond Physics at Hertford

At the end of my DPhil, I knew that a career in research and to be able to analyse large amounts of information wasn’t for me, but I wanted to continue to use my is very important. As well as that, it is imperative to be scientific knowledge and the skills I’d built up over my able to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally years at Hertford. A friend suggested that a career as a and in writing. I think that the tutorial system in Oxford, patent attorney might suit me. Two and a bit years later, and particularly the excellent tuition provided at Hertford, I’m preparing to sit the first in a series of professional taught me those skills. Even more than that, Hertford exams, which will (hopefully!) eventually lead to my taught me to think critically and to keep an open mind. qualification as a UK and European Patent Attorney. Aside from the more academic aspects of life, my time Katie Oliver at Hertford taught me to have confidence in my own As a trainee patent attorney, many of the skills that I’d Physics, 2002 abilities, whilst being aware of my own limitations and built up as an undergraduate and PhD student have knowing that there’s always more to learn. stood me in good stead. The ability to think logically

Hertford, Stanford, University of Virginia, University am fully prepared to answer questions about my family of Chicago. That’s ten years of Physics, almost all background (limited) and my favourite cricketer (Sir theoretical... I will be forever grateful to Frank my lab Viv). Mary Gillan is smiling. Robin is not smiling. Robin partner at Hertford for taking care of all the fiddly bits. produces a matchbox and asks me to find its moment of inertia. Me (frozen, empty, lifeless): ‘I can’t do that’. McKinsey, Microsoft, Google. A completely unplanned, Robin (still not smiling): ‘I think you can’. And that made 14-year stint in corporate America – most of it spent all the difference. making investments (including some in the UK) and Salman Ullah buying companies (e.g., YouTube). Now, Merus Capital Mary Gillan, Robin Devenish and Neil Tanner not only Physics, 1982 - five years ago I co-founded this venture capital firm in taught me a fair amount of physics but more importantly Palo Alto. (Yes, it really is sunny year round). they taught me how to learn: draw bigger pictures (Mary), write faster (Robin), and work more, a lot more But how did it all begin? A very cold day 30 years ago in (Neil). Thank you. Professor Devenish’s room in OB. First interview and I

I am now an Associate Professor of Physiology and I would never have imagined. Those with physics Chair of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics degrees are well represented in the PhD programme Graduate Group at the University of Pennsylvania I direct, and it is not an uncommon background for my Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia, directing faculty colleagues in the Physiology Department here at the Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Penn. However, when I left Hertford I knew I wanted to Biophysics and running my own research laboratory. My incorporate scientific research in my life, but had no idea research focuses on how alterations in cellular recep- how. In truth, too much time on the river (no regrets) plus tors can create cancer drivers. We seek fundamental insufficient aptitude for physics limited my immediate Kate Ferguson understanding of the molecular mechanisms underly- options in the UK. Underlying my subsequent choices is Physics, 1984 ing the specific changes that occur in these proteins, a drive that I must credit to my time at Hertford. I was not information that is a key in development of personalised a good student and I know I never impressed my tutors. cancer therapies. But they impressed me. They impressed me enough that, although I never dreamed I would end in academia, Is my current focus on cancer research a far cry from I could not imagine wanting to do anything else. physics? No, not really – although, it is a career path

As Head of Digital at Manchester City Football Club, my for digital media. Thanks to the arrival of the web as a remit is to grow the club’s media and digital content and mass-media channel in the late 90s, I was able to start channels by driving product development online and on my first company at 26 and ever since have been able to social and digital media channels, plus increasing local find roles which match my desire to innovate: Executive and global audiences. MCFC is now a leader in digital Chairman of GlowLabs, Chief Creative and Technol- and media innovation in global sport, winning the Sports ogy Officer of Met Film and Creative Director of Magic Industry Award for Best Website in 2012. Lantern.

Russell Stopford After graduating in 1993, followed by a brief spell study- The benefits given by a Hertford education have helped Physics, 1990 ing Artificial Intelligence at Edinburgh, I began working enormously; building confidence while raising invest- as a TV editor and multimedia designer (while flirting ment, developing networks of contacts, having the self- with the idea of becoming a film director). At that time, belief not to give up and providing a rigour in analytical before the dot com boom, studying Physics gave me the problem solving. My degree in Physics set me up for

Physics Alumni: Where Are They Now? problem-solving skills to invent and create new ideas what I have achieved and I’m eternally grateful for that. 16

48993 Newsletter23 A4 20pp OPTI v2.indd 16 03/04/2013 17:24 Physics Student Showcase 17 03/04/2013 17:24 these alien worlds made of? This is whereworlds made of? these alien Exoplanet CharacterisationEChO - the This space telescope, Observatory - comes in. in around a decade,that will hopefully launch mission to study thewill be the first dedicated planets. It will useatmospheres of extrasolar light intensity as aspectroscopy (measuring to look for identifiers offunction of wavelength) order to work out theparticular molecules, in atmosphere.composition of the exoplanet’s a particular planet’sThis would tell us whether by nitrogen (likeatmosphere is dominated and Mars) Earth), carbon dioxide (like Venus Thisor hydrogen and helium (like Jupiter). the gas is useful for several reasons. Firstly, atmosphere cancomposition of a planet’s formation – by accretion of solididentify it’s matter or by gravitational collapse of gas. be used to look spectroscopy can Secondly, for biosignatures; levels of certain gases potentially associated with the presence of living organisms. Should we find a super-Earth with atmospheric biosignatures located in a star’s temperate zone, it would be a huge step towards discovering life on another planet. Before this can happen, EChO must be prepared to obtain as much information as possible. My project involved using simulated absorption and emission spectra, proposedand information about EChO’s measuring instruments (their spectral resolution and the estimated noise) to determine what information could potentially I would generate a test be extracted. Firstly, planet with a given mass, size, temperature profile and atmospheric composition. NEMESIS, a programme developed in the Atmospheric Physics department at Oxford, synthetic spectrum. I wouldthen produces it’s then add noise according to EChO estimates, and use NEMESIS in reverse to attempt to information. original retrieve the test plant’s By comparing the input information with the output, we were able to see how well we would be able to constrain the atmospheres types of planets. Unsurprisingly, of different the process works better for larger planets, so although EChO should be able to characterise larger planets, it may struggle to classify super-Earths in detail. Exoplanet research is a booming field with plenty of future missions, each one will bring us closer to answering some of the biggest questions in science: why are we here, and are we alone?

Rohini Giles Physics, 2009 A good example is an experiment we good example is an experiment A where a very low intensity performed recently, kicked away fromLHC particle beam was amplitudesits equilibrium orbit to various important to do this with low intensity(it’s beam has enoughbecause a nominal LHC 500kg of copper). Byenergy to melt around the beam resultingstudying oscillations of to learn a greatfrom these kicks it is possible For exampledeal about the LHC dynamics. changeshow the frequency of oscillation kick tells us aboutwith the amplitude of the certain non-linear restoring forces to which the beam is subjected. Data such as this can be compared to simulation to assess how well we understand the sources of these effects. on the LHC has been an incredibleWorking experience, and it is a fascinating topic to research. Perhaps the only downside is that being based out in Geneva has made it slightly harder to attend the termly Hertford dinners! physics society (Tanner) In the summer after my 3rd year, I was given In the summer after my 3rd year, the opportunity to work as a summer intern in As I’ve Astrophysics department at Oxford. the always been interested in academic research, it seemed like the perfect way to experience life as a researcher before embarking on My project PhD applications in 4th year. was supervised by Dr Jo Barstow and Dr involved studying theAigrain, and Suzanne atmospheres of exoplanets – planets outside our Solar System. Since the first detection in 1992 more than 850 exoplanets have been discovered, and astrophysicists now estimate that there may be hundreds of billions of planets in the Milky Those that have already been alone. Way detected range from massive gas giants like down to smaller planets like Earth. Jupiter, some of these Earth-like planets Excitingly, (known as super-Earths due to their size) are located in the temperate zones around their stars, where water remains in liquid form, making them potentially habitable. Now that we know for certain that other planets exist, the planetary science community is turning its attention to next big question: what are generation

Ewen Maclean Physics, 2006

corrections to improve its operation. models, and ultimately develop methods and discrepancies between observations and our LHC, allowing us to identify and understand understanding of the forces at work inside the of techniques we aim to piece together our this is the focus of my DPhil. Using a variety complicated dynamics of the machine, and from the LHC, it is vital that we understand the To achieve the best possible performance To hotter than the centre of the sun. accelerator generates can be 100,000 times On the other hand, the collisions that the reach temperatures colder than outer space. magnets in the LHC using superfluid helium to cryogenics which cool the superconducting opinion coolest) machine ever built: indeed the probably the most complicated (and in my and its associated experiments make up also given us the world wide web). The LHCalso given us the world wide web). with the famous Higgs boson, however it’s is the recent discovery of a particle consistent discoveries to its credit (not the least of these scientific endeavour, with a host of remarkable scientific endeavour, CERN has consistently been at the forefront of dynamics of the LHC. Established in 1954, Geneva, where I mainly study the non-linear Organization for Nuclear Research) in Today I’m based at CERN (the European Today accelerator physics department. was accepted to a DPhil position with the studies for my MPhys project, and ultimately of my college tutors. I chose to continue these summer research project supervised by one when I had the opportunity to participate in a during my penultimate undergraduate year physics, a field I first developed an interest in My doctoral research is in particle accelerator as an undergrad, and now for my DPhil. opportunity to study Physics at Hertford both myself incredibly fortunate to have had the the years I doubt I would be. I consider from both the College and department over of teaching and support I have receivedof teaching and support you, and was it not for the incredible levelyou, and was it not for research I’m not sure I would have believedresearch I’m not sure I (LHC) writing an article about my DPhil(LHC) writing an article the control room of the Large Hadron Colliderthe control room of the if you had told me I would now be sitting inif you had told me I would Back in 2006 when I first arrived at Hertford,Back in 2006 when I first next Background image: ESO/IDA/Danish 1.5 m/R.Gendler and A. Hornstrup. Background image: ESO/IDA/Danish 1.5 m/R.Gendler and 48993 Newsletter23 A4 20pp OPTI v2.indd 17 pinkacappella Miranda Essex chocolate; as well as interesting speakers, Shifting my gaze onto my studies, my Geography, 2010 free gifts always help to boost attendance! Geography degree has been particularly Alongside this, I have been keeping up interesting this term due to my African my interest in singing, rehearsing with Societies module. This focuses on the Hertford Chapel Choir for a performance economic processes underpinning under- My 3rd year at Herford has been just as of Rachmaninov’s Vespers. Having sung a development and exploring the legacy of busy as the first two: despite an increase in cappella all last year, doing a serious choral colonialism and Western interventionist workload due to fast-approaching Finals, I work makes a nice change. development policies: a crucial matter for our have still been lucky enough to be able to fit times and highly topical. in many other activities! Looking back at my time at Oxford thus far, I would say that one of the most rewarding As a college, Hertford provides a warm, A considerable proportion of my time is and interesting roles I’ve had was as welcoming atmosphere, and the opportunity spent playing lacrosse and working towards President of In the Pink acappella group, to spend time with a variety of great people, the annual Varsity Match that takes place which I held throughout my second year. whether informally in the bar or JCR, through in 7th week. A weekend in Cambridge is an I organised a tour to Berlin, a first for the essay-writing companionship in the library, exciting prospect, and we are all looking group. Enthusiastic audience reactions, or through multiple college activities (in my forward to what will hopefully be a dark blue which (to our great surprise!) led to repeat case particularly Mixed Lacrosse, Orchestra, victory and enjoyable occasion after the standing ovations, mean that the group is and singing!). match. sure to go back this year - a tradition which I’m very lucky to have spent time here as a I am also currently Marketing Director of the I hope will remain in place. A successful run to Edinburgh Fringe in August 2012 student, and I hope that many others enjoy Oxford Women in Business Society, which their time here as much as I have. involves promoting the society to the widest consolidated a great year of singing and possible audience. A highlight of the term so cemented many friendships with the girls far has probably been a talk from Amanda who I spent so much time with during Davies, the HR Director at Mars, whose visit rehearsals and social occasions. was accompanied with large boxes of free musicalmemoirs Steven Fiddaman one of the largest of its kind in Oxford, conductor. Overseeing proceedings will be Biological Studies, 2010 boasting perhaps the highest standard the recently appointed HCMS President, non-auditioning orchestra and wind band Ellie Sims, who takes over from Olivia in the university. Every term, HCMS McDermott after an excellent term in office. organises a concert to showcase the two Coming to the end of my time at Hertford, larger ensembles. Michaelmas 2012 saw The influence of HCMS percolates much aside from the occasional bouts of angst the orchestra perform Haydn’s London deeper in College life than organising large- regarding forthcoming finals, I find myself Symphony, while a typically eclectic wind scale concerts. In recent years, the Society reflecting on the three years I have spent band performance included Anderson’s has supported open-mic nights in the here. One of the things that will stick with Sleigh Ride and Global Variations by Nigel College bar, as well as organising the highly me most – and which was one of the Hess. The concert was held in the Holywell successful Jazz and Cocktails evening, reasons for choosing Hertford over deer Music Room, a venue in which Haydn which is to receive its second incarnation in parks and meadows in the first place – is himself is known to have performed. the coming weeks. Furthermore, building on its music. the success of last year’s Carols in the Quad Michaelmas saw the last HCMS concert event, the wind band raised over £550 for Music has always meant a lot to me; to be conducted by the College’s Senior the Stroke Association before Christmas. I started playing the piano from a Organ Scholar, Edmund Whitehead. young age, and the flute followed soon Although there is no requisite to be an All of these events, from weekly lunchtime afterwards. Although having never been organ scholar to conduct the orchestra, recitals to impromptu late-night renditions particularly talented at either, both have Hilary term sees Ed ably succeeded by of Mozart’s Requiem, have helped to been a welcome distraction, and have his junior, Nick Graham. Hilary also marks shape my experience of Hertford. I will enabled me to meet many of my good the beginning of the handover of the baton be sad to no longer play an active role in friends. Several of these friendships have from Tom Sears, mastermind and first HCMS (although the alumni concerts will come about through a mutual passion conductor of the wind band. Although it will certainly have a new recruit), but I can for music, facilitated by Hertford College be sad to see Tom leave us, his legacy is feel reassured that it continues to go from Music Society (HCMS). The Society is in safe hands with Tom Fleming, our next strength to strength. Student Showcase 18

48993 Newsletter23 A4 20pp OPTI v2.indd 18 03/04/2013 17:24 Student Showcase 19 03/04/2013 17:24 team. Hertford College Women’s rugby, and plan rugby, Women’s Hertford College HCRFC. this summer with to tour Mongolia I enjoy playing and teaching Aside from rugby, DJing, and representing Hertford the guitar, October 2012 I haveat mixed lacrosse. Since representativebeen volunteering as media small Oxford-basedfor Impact on Health, a public health. I blogcharity aiming to improve about publicand tweet (@Impacton_health) at IoH are making tohealth and the steps we of health.tackle the wider determinants fantastic group ofHertford medics have a tutors who have been instrumental in driving our academic and personal development. My year group did particularly well in our first year exams, and two of us were awarded Hertford College Scholarships, which is influential role as well testament to our tutors’ The Vaughan-Williams as our own hard work. dinners are an opportunity for tutors, medical alumni, pre-clinical and clinical students to mix, and illustrate the strength of the medical community here at Hertford; I hope to continue here throughout clinical school as it is a privilege to be a part of this community. exciting as finding out about a last-minute Thursday when the news story at 1am on a paper has to be sent to the printers in an hour! The sheer variety of the responsibilities that come with the role of Editor is amazing: I have found myself involved with legal discussions and communicating with international news channels, as well as dealing with the commercial side of the publication, ensuring that there is sufficient quality content for the paper each week, and organising a variety of meetings and socials. This term Cherwell was the first to show the recent video of George Galloway leaving a debate on the grounds that he doesn’t ‘debate with Israelis’, and the following day we had a team from Sky News in our offices, interviewing one of the Cherwell been an amazing experience, Overall, it’s and I’m so thankful to all of my tutors at Hertford for being so encouraging, and to my friends who haven’t forgotten about me.

fun at the same time. My week is definitely dominated by Cherwell, and in 0th week, when we were preparing for our first edition of term, we spent almost all of our time in the moved on, Things settled as term offices! and I usually spend about four or five days a week working on Cherwell, and the rest of the time I spend working on my coursework (I’m working on the lexicography option this term), and spending time with friends, the reminding them that I haven’t fallen off face of the earth! have a team of over eighty people, who We all work hard to produce quality content both for the Cherwell website and for the within the Cherwell Working weekly paper. team provides great opportunities and has certainly taught me a lot. For example, there are a myriad practical things which I’m sure I will find invaluable in later life, like managing my time and accumulating the technical skill necessary to create a newspaper which Aside looks as professional as possible. from this, I have met such a range of people working with Cherwell, and there is little as 2012. During this time I helped design and this time I helped design 2012. During the 2nd experiments for test new practical BMS courses,year Oxford Medicine and I was assay. including a bacterial killing research interests ofexposed to the current adapted Electricalthe lab, in particular the Sensing (ECIS)Cell-substrate Impedance analysis of leukocytetechnology for real-time It was a fantasticchemotaxis and adhesion. to Professor Greavesexperience which I owe recommend theand his team, and I would any Hertford studentstudentship scheme to interests. I amwho wants to pursue research looking forward to applying the skills I learnt when I undertake my 3rd year FHS project in investigatinglab, Ashcroft’s Frances Professor the changes in pancreatic islet cell types in a mouse model of diabetes. Whilst studying Medicine here is challenging, there is plenty of time to do other things. Rugby has been a big part of my life for over 13 years. I made my Blues debut in February 2013 and I have been lucky enough to start for Oxford at fly-half in two victorious U21 I also coach Twickenham. Matches at Varsity

English, 2010 Medicine, 2011 Imogen Beecroft Will Dace Will

edits cherwell

medicine blue rarely worked so hard and had so much challenging one, but at the same time I’ve good opportunity. The role is definitely a good opportunity. very supportive, and agreed that it was a to finals, but my tutors at Hertford were the responsibility, given my proximity the responsibility, I was particularly wary of undertaking third year Classicist at Corpus. for the job, along with Anthony Collins, a for the job, along with Editor and was lucky enough to be chosen been Deputy Editor for a term I applied for friends into partaking in Fit College. Having people on blind dates and coercing my Lifestyle Editor spending my time sending Reporter, and I then spent two terms as a and I then Reporter, Michaelmas of my second year as a News involvement with the newspaper began in is also its oldest, established in 1920. My independent student newspaper, and it independent student newspaper, is Oxford University’s only Cherwell is Oxford University’s Pathology over four weeks in the summer of Greaves’ laboratory at the Dunn School of laboratory at the Dunn School Greaves’ to gain experience in Professor David applied successfully and was lucky enough and food are provided for up to six weeks. I A weekly living allowance, accommodation A or on a research project with Hertford fellows. undergraduates allowing them to work in labs year awards studentships to three Hertford College Studentship Scheme, which every One such opportunity was the Hertford that would come my way at university. never envisaged the number of opportunitiesnever envisaged the number at Hertford College just over two years ago, Iat Hertford College just families. When I received my offer to study my offer families. When I received problems and how these affect them and their affect problems and how these learning disabilities, understanding theirlearning disabilities, understanding I gained experience caring for children withI gained experience caring volunteer for West Berkshire Mencap, where Berkshire volunteer for West My interest in medicine began as a schoolboyMy interest in medicine 48993 Newsletter23 A4 20pp OPTI v2.indd 19 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2013 - 2014 CONTACT DETAILS

APRIL Principal’s Office FRI US Economics Summit Will Hutton, Principal 5 in New York City Jill Symons, Principal’s P.A.

FRI T: 01865 279405 26 SAT Oxford University European Reunion E: [email protected] SUN 27 in Madrid 28 The Lodge MAY David Haxell, Head Porter T: 01865 279400 FRI E: [email protected] 10 Geoffrey Warnock Society Lunch

SAT Eights Week Buffet Lunch College Office 25 Sue Finch, Academic Administrator JUNE T: 01865 279423 E: [email protected] SAT Summer Reunion 1 Matriculation year 2005 Admissions THU Manchester Drinks Jacquie Chapman, Admissions Secretary 6 at Ralli Solicitors T: 01865 279404 E: [email protected] THU London Lecture & Reception 20 at Willis Ltd, lecture given by Dr Emma Smith Conferences

WED Julie Dearden, International Programmes and 26 THU Admissions Open Day Conference Director 27 T: 01865 279456 SAT The Hertford Society’s AGM & Evening Dinner E: [email protected] 29 at Hertford College The Chaplain AUGUST The Reverend Gareth Hughes SUN Rugby Tour to Mongolia T: 01865 279411 11 Organised by Hertford’s Rugby Club & Old Boys Squad E: [email protected]

SEPTEMBER Members’ and Development Office

FRI Anna Baskerville, Senior Development Officer 20 Admissions Open Day Claire Blake, Development Officer Helena Jones, Database Officer FRI Oxford University Alumni Weekend T: 01865 279428 20 SAT E: [email protected] SUN 21 www.alumniweekend.ox.ac.uk 22

FRI Hertford Bridge Centenary Celebrations 27 SAT 28 www.hertford.ox.ac.uk/bridge100 NOVEMBER WED Hertford Conversations 6 with Sir Roger Carr, President of the CBI THU London Drinks 14 at Taylor Wessing JANUARY Have a break, have a cat nap. FRI Gaudy 10 Matriculation years 1994 & 1995

MARCH FRI The Charnley Law Dinner 7 Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc. FRI www.facebook.com/hertfordcollegealumni 21 SAT Oxford University Far East Reunion SUN 22 http://www.oxforduchina.org/ 23

48993 Newsletter23 A4 20pp OPTI v2.indd 20 03/04/2013 17:24