HERTF collegeRDnews
Issue 27, 2015
Atlantic Endeavour Data: Oxford volunteers An ocean rowing world the new oil of the digital A hub for volunteer groups record attempt economy? Issue27 ATA DATADATA DATA D DATA D ATA DATA DATA D D DATAD DATAD ATA ATA ATA DATADATA DATA DA ATA ATA D ATADATAD TA D ATAD DATA ATA D ATA ATAD ATA D D D D ATAD ATA D ATA D D D ATA ATA DA ATA ATA ATA D ATAATA D ATA ATA D D D D TA D ATA ATA ATA ATA ATA ATA ATA D D ATA D D ATA D D D ATA D D D ATA ATAD D ATA ATA ATA D ATA ATA D D ATA ATA ATA D D D D
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ATA D ATA ATA ATA D D D D FROM 12 WILL HUTTON 10 16 This summer finds me in a ruminative mood at the half way mark in my term of office as Principal, pondering on how quickly four years has gone and how even faster the next four years will go. Blink and Contents you’ll miss me! It’s not really a job, more a way of life being around so much sheer intelligence and appetite for life; it’s constantly exciting. I wrote after my first 100 days in the job about how Hertford has ‘ideas 3 From Will Hutton 14 Computer programming and me worth spreading’, and I remain thoroughly impressed by the diverse range of research and study taking Turtles, Philosophy and J.K. Rowling place under our roof, the inter–connections this institution can nourish, and the young lives it can inspire. 4 News Peter Millican
8 Oxford volunteers 16 Access and outreach Our university really is not bad. The Our John Donne lecture this year was a Joining the celebrations will be our first thing to note in this column is that wonderfully thought-provoking talk newly-appointed Honorary Fellows: A hub for volunteer groups Catherine Redford and Archie Jones (2013) Oxford has been ranked number one on liberty delivered by Shami Miles Vaughan Williams, Charlotte Hogg Makena Löhr (2013) in the UK for the quality of its research Chakrabarti, whilst Law Fellow Alison (1988; Chief Operating Officer at the 19 Hertford online by the 2015 Research Excellence Young has recently co-published a Bank of England) and Tom Fletcher 10 Atlantic Endeavour Framework. The quality and impact paper on the Human Rights Act and the (1994; British Ambassador to Lebanon). of research across all disciplines An ocean rowing world record attempt 20 Dates for your diary Conservative Party. Lucie Burgess (1993; Associate Director is examined during this official for Digital Libraries at the Bodleian) Kate Hallam (2001) assessment – 48% of the University’s Access has long been a priority for has also joined us as a Senior Research research was rated in the top 4* Hertford, and next time you are in Fellow (you can read about Lucie’s 12 Data: the new oil of the digital category, while 39% more was rated 3*. college take a look at the new plaque work in issue 25 of Hertford College for the 2014 Bridge to Bridge bicycle News when she was working for the economy? Hertford contributed to the REF ride (many thanks to Rob Lusardi (1975) British Library). Andy Morris (1994) assessment and, as you’ll see, research and Sabina Wu for generously funding taking place within Hertford has it). Catherine Redford has been stepping The college remains a wonderful been thriving recently. Two Hertford up our access work, with plans for a environment for learning, supporting historians were among the six British summer school in Hertford in 2016 connections across disciplines and authors shortlisted for the Royal (read more on pp. 16-18). We’ve also challenging expected modes of Hertford College News is published by the Historical Society’s 2014 Gladstone Feedback on our last issue Development Office for members and friends appointed Mary Curnock-Cook (Chief thinking. This was ably demonstrated by of the college. The opinions expressed are Prize – Giora Sternberg (our inaugural Executive at UCAS) as an Academic the alumni weekend in Vienna recently those of the writers and not necessarily the Ellis Barnard Fellow in History) for his Visitor at Hertford for the academic – a great blend of incisive academic official views of Hertford College work on Status Interaction during the year 2015-16 – she’ll be undertaking events, social receptions, and even a Compliments on the new style mag. Great Editor: Claire Blake Reign of Louis XVII and Home Bursar a data-driven project to evaluate our chance to learn the Viennese waltz! Design: www.dougdawson.co.uk Andrew Beaumont for his book Colonial approach to outreach, and hopefully to see portrait of beloved Prof. Julia Briggs, & Cover photo: Hilary Wynne America and the Earl of Halifax, 1748- establish some new projects we can I encourage you to get involved: visit 1761. Jamie Lorimer (Geography Fellow) trial at Hertford. Throughout 2015-16, the college, come along to one of our excellent piece by David Hopkin – @LalinePaull Produced by: Development Office has just published his first book, Wildlife we’ll also be celebrating how Hertford events or join us online. Hertford College in the Anthropocene: Conservation after spear-headed new approaches to access Hurrah! New Hertford College mag! Cover Oxford OX1 3BW Nature, which draws on over ten years under Neil Tanner from the 1960s Very best T: +44 (0) 1865 279428 of fieldwork in the UK, Sri Lanka and the onwards. Plans are well underway for makes me wish I could’ve biked to Venice with E: [email protected] W: www.hertford.ox.ac.uk Netherlands to discuss the potential of a fundraising bike ride, a new display ya’ll. Love the twitter page – @CleaDesjardins Hertford College is a registered charity in England and rewilding for wildlife conservation. Even of portraits in Hall, and Tanner Day on Wales, number 1137527 I made a contribution to the already 5 September which will pay tribute to groaning shelves of Blackwell’s with Neil’s legacy by showcasing Hertford’s my latest book How Good We Can Be. commitment to outreach and access.
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COLLEGE NEWS
Will Hutton: How Good We Can Be
Will Hutton published his latest book, How Good We Can Be: Ending the Mercenary Society and Building a Great Country in February, arguing Hertford star in Star Wars Christopher Zeeman that British capitalism Hertford alum Maisie Richardson-Sellers (2010) will be appearing in Star Wars: at 90 needs to be fixed. The Force Awakens, the latest film from the Star Wars franchise, scheduled for Former Principal Sir Christopher release on 18 December 2015. Zeeman recently celebrated his 90th birthday. The growth of inequality is both a warning of the Since landing her first acting job with Star Wars, Maisie has taken on larger roles growing dysfunctionality of our capitalism and the in American TV show The Originals (a spin off from The Vampire Diaries) and new The special occasion was marked by the principal obstacle to addressing it series Kings and Prophets, a biblical epic in which she plays the daughter of King launch of an online archive of his work Saul (acted by Ray Winstone), due to air in the autumn. at the London Mathematical Society. Will also featured in the Private Eye’s ‘Diary’, a Maisie commented: ‘In the past year I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some Hertford was the first Oxford college to receive accreditation as a In the above image, he is pictured with parody diary entry written by satirist Craig Brown extremely talented and inspiring people, both on and off camera. Working within Living Wage employer. former Principal Sir Walter Bodmer and in the style of a chosen celebrity. In this fictional a wide range of cultures, periods and genres has been an ever evolving adventure Principal Will Hutton. Since receiving the accreditation in November 2014 staff have account he remonstrates with a customer trying to and education. My anthropology and archaeology degree has definitely enriched been paid the Living Wage, which is independently calculated buy a Kellogg’s variety pack of cereal: the experience!’ every year to take into account the basic cost of living in the UK. It is currently set at £7.85 per hour outside London, whereas the ‘The packaging and supply of miniaturised national minimum wage is £6.50 per hour. boxes of breakfast cereal or cereals is clearly unsustainable in the long term and the drive Bursar James Lazarus noted ‘it has been so good to have students, to phase them out represents a fine line that Elusive Simpkin fellows and staff united in supporting this excellent campaign.’ must be grasped with both hands as a matter of Simpkin has recently been diagnosed lay ahead of me. Simpkin, with back Harry Coath (2012), who campaigned for accreditation, hoped it principle...’ He reports ‘the consumer in question with an enlarged thyroid gland. It’s a leg raised in some sort of feline would be ‘the first step towards a closer campaigning relationship was clearly grateful for this free summary of the common disorder in older cats (sorry, salutation, fixed me with a steely between students and staff.’ first laws of economics because she immediately Simpkin!) which can be managed stare, the same stare that has been replaced the Variety Pack and, silenced on all with regular medication. known to strike terror into the The University and Mansfield and St Cross colleges have all since the key questions, exited the shop without rodent population of Oxford. ‘Do received accreditation, whilst a number of other colleges are further quibbles.’ Accordingly, the brave folk of your worst’, he seemed to say. So currently applying for accreditation. the Porters’ Lodge have been I approached with pill cunningly administering medication to him concealed in a chunk of turkey. twice daily, although Simpkin often Our moggy was hit by a moment has other ideas. Lodge Manager, of uncertainty on whether to run, David Haxell, has often appealed to show total contempt or sample college members for information on the tasty morsel being offered Pat Roche and the ESO Simpkin’s whereabouts, and kept us by your narrator. Capitalising updated with the latest tussles: on his hesitancy I proffered Pat Roche, Hertford’s Physics Fellow, has and will include a 39 metre diameter the aforementioned piece and been appointed President of the Council telescope (the European Extremely Having heard our revered Simpkin natural gluttony won the day, of the European Southern Observatory Large Telescope) which will be the was sunning himself in the quad I resulting in the pill being safely (ESO). Pat describes the appointment largest optical/near-infrared telescope sallied forth, full of trepidation but delivered and another victory as ‘both a great honour and a daunting in the world when it goes live in 2024. still confident of the challenge that for the man in black polyester. challenge’. ESO’s telescopes are used for the full The ESO is an intergovernmental range of astronomical research, from organisation which builds and operates observations of objects within our own Simpkin is named after the cat in world-leading astronomical facilities. solar system to the identification of Beatrix Potter’s The Tailor of Gloucester These include a suite of telescopes in galaxies forming within a few hundred Image © Tate the Atacama desert in northern Chile, million years after the Big Bang.
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Subfusc referendum College renovation Double blades victory at Torpids Oxford University Student Union Hertford rowers made college (OUSU) recently held a referendum on history as both Men’s and subfusc. 75% of students voted to keep Women’s 1st boats won Division it, whilst 24% voted against. Separately, 1 blades in Torpids 2015. 78% voted to keep the gown and mortarboard and 22% voted against. Hertford mounted up a total of 20 bumps over the four days The referendum had a turnout of 40%, of racing, and emerged with its the highest turnout on record for any two top crews back in the first English university student union cross- division and newly crowned campus vote. The Ferrar Room blades champions. This referendum follows a previous The college’s ongoing project of room referendum in 2006, and was triggered Boat Club President Emily Wilkes expressed her delight with the renovations has seen several rooms on by a request from a group of examiners achievements of the boat club this term: ‘I am thrilled to have been a part the main site benefit from an upgrade. to remove the requirement to wear full of such an amazing term of rowing for Hertford, not only have a record As well as working through student sub fusc. number of students been involved but we have shown that Hertford accommodation, newly refurbished really is capable of excellence while at the same time encouraging all to rooms include the Ferrar Room and take part’. the Boyd Room, which are used for teaching and seminars. The latest HARTfest 2015 True to tradition, their achievements have been chalked on a college wall project to commence is the Old Hall, in Holywell Quad. Leverhulme Award with renovations planned to the kitchens in 2016. The Hertford JCR recently celebrated its David Hopkin, History Fellow, first ever Arts festival at the beginning has been awarded a prestigious Upgrades of a very different kind are of Trinity term. ‘HART Fest’, a celebration Leverhulme Trust Fellowship. From currently being planned in the Library: of all things creative in Hertford, was In this year’s Eights rowing, five crews plus a joint W3 with St Peters raced January 2016 to April 2017 he selected books in our antiquarian set up and run by students, with all up and down the Isis totalling up nine bumps between them. The highlight will be researching the songs of collection are being treated with members of college encouraged to for many came on Saturday in Men’s Division IV when Hertford’s M2 European lacemakers: specialist conservation work. One such get involved. The programme ranged bumped into St Catherine’s College so decisively that the bow of the M2 book is the Hortus Sanitatis from 1517, from musical performances and a boat, Graham Topping Too, came off. ‘It is often assumed by historians one of the oldest books in Hertford’s scratch orchestra to film screenings, that domestic women workers collection. It describes various plants, life drawing and a panel on the Holly Redford-Jones, Women’s Captain, summed up for us: ‘Overall it was are subjects “without a voice”… animals and stones and includes representation of youth in literature a fantastic end to what has been a great year of rowing for Hertford with However, hundreds of lacemakers annotations dated to the 1580s. chaired by Emma Smith. the women’s squad doubling in size from previous years while our two have left some testimony to their Repairs will be carried out by expert 1st boats retained their position in Women’s Division I and head of Men’s lives, in their songs. Lacemakers bookbinders and are projected to cost Division II respectively.’ were amongst the most prominent £720. Donors wishing to fund these informants of folksong collectors in restoration projects will have their France, Belgium and Italy: we have generosity noted in a plate inserted in thousands of texts and hundreds the restored book. Hertford in the House of Commons of audio recordings in which Congratulations to the three Hertford alumni elected as MPs in the recent lacemakers expressed their views general election: Jeremy Quin (History, 1987) and Anne Marie Morris (Law, on marriage, poverty, the Church, 1976) won Horsham and Newton Abbott respectively for the Conservatives, sexuality, exploitation and faith.’ and Labour’s Bridget Phillipson (History & Modern Languages, 2002) won Scholarship in Houghton & Sunderland South. Commiserations to Steve Webb (PPE, 1983) You can read more about David’s who lost his Liberal Democrat seat in Thornbury and Yate. work in the last issue (number 26) Computer Science of Hertford College News. and Philosophy Our fast-growing Computer Science Jeremy Quin Anne Marie Morris Bridget Phillipson and Philosophy course has been David presents his research at the latest given a further boost following Warnock Society lunch a generous donation by a former lecturer at Hertford, Ed Grefenstette. This donation will provide a full graduate scholarship for three years of study from Michaelmas 2016, and has been named the Oxford Mary Jane Grefenstette Scholarship after Ed’s grandmother.
Established in 2012, Computer Science and Philosophy was the first new Philosophy degree programme at Oxford since 1973; you can read more about this course on pages 14-15.
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Makena Löhr (2013) Oxfordvolunteers Rebecca Carr Makena is a second student charitable groups, our information about opportunities to on with no profit, thus making more a campaign to illustrate vision was of a network that would get involved and supports around ethical food affordable to students. Run student and staff support year Human Scientist connect students working across 600 student volunteers with weekly out of Hertford (using the Van Noorden of the Oxford Hub: a at Hertford College and different causes to share insight, training sessions, speaker events and room as a base) with a weekly pop up student petition gained President of Oxford Hub, knowledge, and experience. Oxford conferences. In 2014, our work was shop at the Oxford Hub on Turl Street, 1,800 signatures, 18 JCRs Hub provide training sessions, support honoured with the Queen’s Award for OxCoop takes between 10-30 orders passed motions of support a network which brings student-run community volunteering, Voluntary Service, the highest award every week – often including from within ten days, many together and supports run conferences on social and given to local volunteer groups across Hertford’s Chaplain Gareth Hughes. moving testimonials were voluntary work by students. environmental issues, provide a social the UK to recognise outstanding work written and a ‘fighting impact internship scheme and help done in their own communities, a sort The Homelessness Action Group was fund’ is being launched to students find jobs in the third sector. of MBE for volunteer groups. pioneered by Alice Drew (2012) and is help bridge the funding Oxford Hub is transforming students’ It’s really struck a chord, and led to the currently headed up by Huw Spencer gap. We are currently involvement with social and creation of Student Hubs (a national (2013). It works to forge stronger links looking into finding new environmental challenges in Oxford Oxford Hub projects charity) and the development of Hubs These are student led and student between students and community means of funding the Hub and around the world. at other universities including Bristol, powered, and almost always set up by services for the homeless that need for future years. Florence Kettle (2013) one or two individuals their support, by coordinating and We’re a student-led who once said ‘I facilitating student volunteering in The Oxford Hub exists charity who believe wonder if we could partnership with local charities such as because there’s value A fresh OxCoop delivery in Hertford that students have the do something about Aspire, Crisis and St Mungo’s Broadway. in connecting voluntary L-R: Luke (St Antony’s), Nic Patni power and potential It was an amazing experience starting that?’ Hertford students groups of similar and (2013), Makena Löhr (2013) to shape a better up an entrepreneurial organisation have been key players Other Hub projects include LinkAges wildly different types world – both during in the development group (who visit the elderly at Isis across the University, the their time at university whilst at university; I’m working for the of the Hub through House), Food Justice (who work with city, and nationally. We and in the future as taking on key roles in the Oxford Food Bank), Schools Plus hope that the continued we become leaders, Bristol Hub supporting other students the exec, and several of (a group which trains Oxford students support of students, thinkers and decision the projects have been to support, tutor and mentor school staff, alumni and the makers. Our vision is of to do the same at the moment, but founded by Hertford children) as well as groups that focus Oxford community will a time where Oxford students. their energy further afield such as support our work making University students ultimately I aim to start something Oxford for Syria, Oxford Aid to the volunteering effective and are fully embedded in One example is the Balkans and many others. We are very sustainable in the future. the wider community, myself, given the skills and confidence fortunate to have a huge number with every single one Oxford Student Food that founding OxCoop has given me (OxCoop) set of committed students, and very engaging in social Co-op Find out more, join our up by two Hertford enthusiastic community partners, who mailing list, or donate to and environmental Claire Fenner (2011), co-founder of OxCoop students, Claire Fenner truly value the work Oxford Hub does. issues during their the fighting fund at and Vera Wriedt, in time here. We aim to www.oxfordhub.org 2012 and passed on to Recently Oxford Hub’s funding has empower students to get involved in Brookes, Cambridge, Imperial, Kingston, an enthusiastic second generation of come under stress as university a practical and direct way with local SOAS, Southampton, Warwick and Hertford students including Rebecca funding, which made up 40% of our communities and further afield. Winchester. Carr, Miriam Chapman and Nic Patni budget, ended. The remainder of our (all 2013). OxCoop is a student run budget is made up through fundraising Founded in 2007 by a group of Today Oxford Hub reaches over food cooperative which buys fairtrade, and the support of trusts, foundations students who felt the need for 7,000 students every week with organic and local foods and sells these and corporate partners. We’ve launched better coordination between
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Kate Hallam (2001)
Kate aims to break two ocean women) of 45 days. Doing two-hour marginalisation and poverty as a shifts round the clock and battling the result of war and conflict in some of rowing world records whilst elements of the ocean makes it one of the poorest countries in the world. We racing 3,000 nautical miles the toughest challenges on the planet. also recognise what a tough mental across the Atlantic in the challenge this will be, and so also aim 3,000 4 girls I’m fascinated by the psychology of to raise awareness of mental illness as Talisker Whisky Atlantic demanding environments and pitting well as £10,000 in donations for the world nautical Challenge later this year. myself against nature and so I’m mental health charity Mind. always trying to find ways to blend my record miles Blisters, salt sores, sleep deprivation thirst for adventure with an extreme It was ten years ago when I got blades 2attempts and the fear of shark attacks – not physical challenge. This has led me at Summer Eights with Hertford 1boat something most women dream of to undertake expeditions to some College Boat Club – one of the experiencing – but this December the of the world’s wildest and toughest highlights of my time at university. dream will become a reality as I set off places since leaving Hertford – from I remember the cheers from the in a seven metre long boat with three summiting Mont Blanc and Kilimanjaro towpath, the click of the blades, other women to row 3,000 miles across to diving with sharks, ice-climbing and the whoosh of the seat. I also the Atlantic ocean. in Kyrgyzstan, trekking the Inca Trail, remember the pain of the aching legs wild camping in the Borneo jungle, and blistered hands! I hadn’t rowed Last summer I raised the idea of and mountaineering in Iraq. With my again until a few months ago when an ocean row with my friend Sarah job in international development I’ve Fulham Reach Boat Club supported Hornby. Sarah and I have known each also been fortunate enough to work all us in getting out sculling on the other for years, albeit from drinking over Asia and Africa, often in remote Thames in pairs. With two of the in West London rather than any and under-developed areas. Although team having never rowed before, our type of ocean adventure, but having mountaineering is my first passion coach, Olympic athlete Al Heathcote, previously been a full time offshore (I’ll also be attempting to climb the has been instrumental in getting the sailor I knew she would relish the Matterhorn in September), the race team up to speed with their rowing challenge. We both knew the Talisker captured my imagination and will be skills. On top of this, training includes Whisky Atlantic Challenge from some an ideal opportunity to venture into erging on machines (building up to mutual friends who had completed it the unknown and push my limits! two hour sessions) and strength and last year and had a niggling feeling conditioning with weights, deadlifts, that it was something we wanted But it’s not only for the personal and squats. We also have a nutritionist to do too. I immediately thought of challenge that we are doing this. to help us fuel effectively and pile on my friend Becky Charlton, who I’d Through the row we want to the pounds in anticipation of burning met on a mountaineering expedition inspire other women to push their over 8,000 calories a day during the in Kurdistan earlier in the year, and boundaries. From that first 5k run to row. We have been fortunate enough Sarah invited her friend Charlie Best, a long distance bike ride or trek up to receive support from a number of a marine biologist and endurance a mountain, we want to show other partners – from Mars chocolate, to athlete, to join us. From that moment women that with some hard work and Mountain House food, Victoria Jeffs Team Atlantic Endeavour was born! determination anything is achievable. Estate Agents, and law firms, however Hertford has been celebrating the still have some way to go to raise the We did some research and found that anniversary of co-education in Oxford much needed funds and equipment to more people have climbed Everest (love the new Hall portraits!) and get us across the Atlantic. or been into space than rowed the this is also the first year women have Atlantic. In 1966 Sir Chay Blyth and raced on the same course as men for With six months to go the pressure is The Atlantic Endeavour mission: To John Ridgeway became the first men the Oxford and Cambridge boat race. on and the ocean is in sight. We look to row the Atlantic. During their 92 Now is the time for women to shine! forward to Hertford alumni following inspire women to push their boundaries. day passage they faced hurricanes, Working with disadvantaged women us on our journey! 50ft waves and near starvation. This across the world and seeing what they We aim to break two ocean rowing world all images © sportography.tv laid the foundation for the Talisker overcome on a daily basis has been Whisky Atlantic Challenge – a 3,000 both humbling and inspiring. We are records whilst raising awareness and mile race from La Gomera to Antigua therefore encouraging supporters to To find out more about how to support with around 30 teams participating ‘sponsor a sister’ through the charity the team and further information funding for our chosen charities from around the world. We are aiming Women for Women International, about the challenge please visit to beat the women’s four record of 67 which, through a year-long programme, www.atlanticendeavour.com or email L-R: Sarah Hornby, Charlotte Best, days and the women’s team record (five helps women facing violence, [email protected] Kate Hallam, Becky Charlton
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Andy is YouGov’s Chief What are the new innovations you’ve been working on in market research? Innovation Officer. It boils down to using the technology of the He is responsible 21st century to change the way we think about for the design and research. Creating continuous conversations, listening passively (of course strictly architecture of their permissioned), knowing so much more and data, and has been putting that to use for clients. YouGov Profiles working in market is the prime example – allowing clients to understand their stakeholders in a level of research since 1998. detail that they could never previously have imagined. In the final year at university some people have a clear career plan DATA: Where do you see the industry moving in the mapped out and others are less next five/ten years? certain what they will do; I certainly Moving from the idea of a single survey fell into the latter camp. After with necessarily limited data to an ongoing graduating in the summer of 1997 I the new oil of the conversation with almost unlimited data. headed off to Australia for a year of Moving to a place where when clients ask a travelling and working with two other question we don’t have to ask it because we Hertford alumni. In a youth hostel on already have the answer. Manly Beach I saw an advertisement digital economy? for market research interviewers What do you enjoy most about your job? and thought ‘that will be a good Being at the heart of change – the feeling way of earning some money’. I soon Andy Morris (1994) every day that we are creating something, and caught the bug for discovering what something that is of real value to clients and ATA game-changing for the industry. people think and do, and how market DATAD DATA D researching can be used to drive ATAD the decisions made by companies, DATA ATA What would be your desert island disc for a governments and institutions. ATA long day in the office? D Noah and the Whale. It was a moment of luck that set me DATA D D DATAD Are there any life lessons you learnt at on my career path, but it is a moment DATAD ATA ATA ATA that I have never had cause to regret. DATADATA DATA Hertford that have been particularly useful? DA ATA ATA D It taught me to think independently and not When I returned to the UK I took ATADATAD TA D ATAD DATA ATA D ATA ATAD ATA D be afraid to challenge the perceived wisdom a graduate job with Taylor Nelson D D D ATAD ATA D ATA whilst carefully thinking through Sofres (now part of WPP) where I D D D ATA ATA DA ATA ATA ATA D ATAATA D ATA ATA the consequences of each scenario. learnt the ropes of market research, D D D D TA D and since then have been involved ATA ATA ATA ATA ATA ATA ATA D D ATA with three fast-moving companies D D ATA D D D ATA D D D ATA across a variety of roles from client ATAD D ATA and account management, sales, ATA ATA country office management and now D heading up YouGov’s innovation drive. ATA ATA D D As a fun example take a look at what peopleATA want and better ATA ATA D D D It is an exciting place to be. YouGov we know about readers of Will Hutton reach the ones that want D ATA D ATA ATA D is not only the highest profile market via the YouGov Profiler – they are more it. Companies can better D ATA
ATA research company in the UK but likely than the general population to serve their customers, and D ATA ATA D
ATA be older, well-off, left wing males. They that is great news for both D ATA also a fast-moving, cutting edge ATA ATA D D D organisation that is redefining the are more likely to read The Guardian the companies and the D research sector in the UK and across (no surprise) and eat lentil casserole, customers. the world. to love hiking and Formula One, and to regard themselves as ethical, well- At YouGov we continue In the time I have worked in the educated and arrogant! They are more to preach the power industry, market research has likely to shop at Waitrose, wear Levi’s of participation and changed rapidly. It is often said that and drive a Toyota. They watch Channel collecting more data ‘data is the new oil’ and it is easy 4 News, love House of Cards (both that benefits our to see that here. Previously clients versions) and Fargo. members, our clients could know around one hundred and their customers. things about an aspect of their All a bit of fun and mildly interesting The world is more target consumers lives, whereas now (if you are Will Hutton) but imagine connected than it has they can understand hundreds of how useful that information can be ever been, there is more thousands of points about their entire when the data points explode and data available, we are lives. The hottest property in research you are looking at a brand’s target all better informed. now are ‘data scientists’ (a job title customer or a candidate’s potential The more we know, that barely existed when I left voters. Knowing who they are, how they the better our university), who use high powered feel, what they want, what they read decisions are and mathematical skills to pull insight and watch on TV, what they do online the better all our from a vast sea of data. means that you can better create what lives are.
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Peter Millican is Gilbert Ryle Fellow and The subjects have very close links, ranging over logic, teachers with the new curriculum. My system uniquely artificial intelligence, philosophy of science and social The Turtle System is a wonderful combined both coding and computer science and, thanks Professor of Philosophy, and has been our science etc. But most fundamentally, the computer to generous co-funding from Bill and Weslie Janeway (the Tutor in Philosophy since 2005. provides a wonderful tool to embody and exploit the educational tool to develop parents of one of my PPE students, Charles) and my two automation of reasoning, an aspiration of philosophers faculties, we were able to secure a £100k project. down the ages including Aristotle, Hobbes, Leibniz, young people’s thinking, giving Peter has introduced a new Oxford degree Frege, Russell and Turing. It thus holds the promise of a vision of the beauty and joy of This project has radically extended our ambitions for programme - Computer Science and extending our powers of thought-experiment, analysis, the Turtle System, bringing in technical consultants Philosophy - and is currently working calculation and investigation within almost any field of Computer Science by offering a and teachers to develop it further and add resources. human enquiry: a tireless, reliable, and fantastically quick It now supports four programming languages – BASIC, on a major project to promote computer assistant for anyone with the ability to program. very approachable introduction to Java, Pascal and Python – a flexibility offered by no programming in schools. other system, which empowers pupils by showing the Not surprisingly, computer scientists are in huge demand programming and much more easy transferability of programming skills. My Hertford throughout the economy, but employers often bemoan colleague Henry Merivale, another philosopher with Roger Davies, Editor of Computing At School (CAS) Although my research has always focused on central areas their weakness at communicating with non-‘techies’. computational interests, has implemented a version of magazine SwitchedOn of philosophy (often connected with the thought of David Graduates from the new degree, however, will powerfully the Turtle Machine online, thus enabling Turtle programs Hume), I really enjoy the creativity and utility of being combine deep technical understanding with excellent to be run on the web and mobile devices. He has also able to write software, especially to support my teaching. verbal skills. They will have a wide career choice at the developed a web forum where teachers can exchange Programming gives the buzz of a constant sequence of boundaries of research in most disciplines, from language editable teaching materials, sign up students, and review solvable problems, and I’m particularly excited by the that translates the user’s written program into numerical processing or looking for patterns in historical texts, to ‘machine code’ which is then executed by an underlying their work online. possibility of exploring philosophical ideas through modelling the early universe or searching for medicines computerised thought-experiments. ‘Turtle Machine’. Users can ignore all this (they just write in genetic data banks. their code, click ‘RUN’, and see their program in action), but By a pleasing coincidence Hugh Wallis, the consultant who wrote the Turtle compilers for BASIC and Python When I came to Hertford in 2005 I was keen to promote it allowed me to design the system for easy learning, with Teaching computer programming in schools: error messages that are simple and very precisely targeted. (a task unthinkable in this timescale without funding this synthesis of the two disciplines, which I see as support), happens to be my first ever Computer Science extremely fruitful – even vital – for the future of both. the Turtle System It also means keen students can take a look at what’s happening ‘under the bonnet’. and Philosophy student from back in 1987 when I was Computing became a compulsory part of the national Computer Science and Philosophy teaching at Leeds University! curriculum in September 2014; learning to code is I put the Turtle System on the web, making gradual In 2012, Computer Science and Philosophy became increasingly seen as a vital skill, and should benefit improvements in response to users (including my own the first new Philosophy degree programme at Oxford children whatever their ultimate career. children), until Michael Gove announced in January 2012 Find out more about Computer Science and Philosophy at since 1973, representing a significant commitment by the complete overhaul of the ICT/Computing curriculum to www.philocomp.net the University to this exciting area. Hertford College is The best way to start learning to program is to have include both coding and computer science. Then in early the leader in this new degree, offering four places each fun: to experience the pleasure of intellectual creation 2014, the UK Department for Education invited bids for View the Turtle system online at www.turtle.ox.ac.uk year and attracting highly impressive and interesting as you capture your imaginative ideas in computer matched funding of projects to develop materials to support If you have any questions please contact me at applicants. code. A wonderful way of facilitating this was [email protected] invented by Seymour Papert with his idea of Turtle Graphics, based on the metaphor of a ‘turtle’ moving around the computer screen and drawing as it goes, all under the Literary signature: J. K. Rowling unveiled control of instructions typed by the user (a Another system I wrote to interest Humanities students in computer applications has twice got me list of which forms the ‘program’). This sort into front-page Sunday Times stories. Signature does ‘stylometric’ analysis of texts, calculating and of programming, and the results it produces, graphing statistical measures and comparisons on frequencies of words, phrases, letters, punctuation, are easy to understand because they are so sentence and paragraph lengths etc. immediately visual, and can include animations and interactive games as well as graphics. Shortly before the presidential election in November 2008, the Republicans tried to use Signature The approach is hugely popular, but usually to support the claim that Barack Obama’s autobiography had been ghost-written by a domestic embedded within standard programming systems terrorist, a plot that I reported and debunked in The Sunday Times. whose complexity and sophistication make it hard for the novice in other ways (eg. error Then last summer the paper contacted me again after receiving a tip-off that J. K. Rowling was messages can run to dozens of lines for a missing the real author of The Cuckoo’s Calling, recently published under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. bracket). I compared the book with two of her known works (The Casual Vacancy and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) and with six other thrillers (by Ruth Rendell, P. D. James, and Val McDermid). The Back in 2000 I started developing my own ‘Turtle Cuckoo’s Calling came out closest, on virtually every measure, to the Rowling texts, corroborating System’. As far as I know, it is unique in being strongly that Robert Galbraith was, indeed, J. K. Rowling. entirely self-contained, with its own ‘compiler’
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‘Link’ regions To simplify communication between the University and schools in the United Kingdom, each Oxford college is linked to a Local Authority. Hertford’s linked Local Authorities are Camden, Essex, Medway and Southend on Sea. This has no bearing on the admissions the editorial changes made to the process, but provides a Frankenstein manuscript by P. B. Shelley geographical focus to our and comparing some early nineteenth- outreach work century texts that imagine the end of the world. It’s wonderful to see the students – some as young as 14 – relishing the challenges of these topics and becoming really excited and animated in their discussions. Catherine Redford, our apply to Oxford; the following year, I Access & took up my place to read English at St I’ve consistently been impressed by new Access and Outreach Hilda’s. the college’s attitude to access and Career Development Fellow, outreach work, and it’s great to be describes her current I’ve been involved in various access surrounded by a team of Fellows, and outreach schemes both as a activities and plans for the administrative staff, and students who student and, later, during my time are keen to support access initiatives. future. spent as a lecturer in English, so I In the first few months of my role, I’ve was thrilled when, at the end of last attended various Higher Education fairs outreach I have a deep commitment to access Michaelmas term, I was offered the and evenings, participated – along with at Oxford University, not least position of Access and Outreach Fellow other Hertford Fellows – in regional because I benefitted from such at Hertford. The way in which this role ‘Stretch Days’, been on numerous visits work myself. Some fourteen years is structured means that I spend half out to schools in our college link ago, as a very unsure sixth former, I of my time on academic research and regions (Camden, Essex, and Medway), came up to Oxford for a week on an the other half on access and outreach and run a series of Taster Days in During the next academic year (2015- access summer school. Nobody in work; this means that when I work college. my family had been to university, with potential applicants, I can deliver 16), we’ll be celebrating the pioneering and my perception of Oxford was genuine and, hopefully, inspirational Taster Days see groups of 15-20 approach to access which Neil Tanner that it was for the posh and the academic content. Rather than just students from state schools come had at Hertford from the 1960s onwards wealthy; indeed, several people telling school students how fantastic into college for the day in order to had told me that Oxford wasn’t our university is, I’m able to engage experience life at Oxford first hand. – and you can read more about that in our for someone ‘like me’. From the them in an exciting academic session The students are able to take part in next issue. moment I arrived at the summer that will leave them wanting to come an academic session before having school, however, I was struck by and study at Oxford. a tour of the college, lunch in hall, a how friendly, encouraging, and talk from our Admissions Officer, and a But what are we doing in college to support normal everyone was. After a Such sessions also give students Q&A session with some of our current access and outreach efforts today? week of lectures and tutorials confidence, showing them that they undergraduates. These events are a with some incredibly inspirational can hold their own in an academic really effective way to go about ‘myth tutors from across the English conversation and come up with some busting’, and over the course of the day department (including Hertford’s original ideas. Recent seminars I’ve the participants often go from looking Emma Smith), I left determined to held have seen students examining
16 www.hertford.ox.ac.uk [email protected] 17 Issue27
unsure and apprehensive to being chatty and enthused. I’m able to address Archie Jones (2013), any worries that students may have about affording Oxford, and tell them JCR Access Officer about the generous undergraduate Hertford online bursary scheme that our college Archie Jones, our current JCR Access Officer, Since the launch of our twitter page @HertfordCollege, we’ve offers students from lower income enjoyed staying in touch with more people online. backgrounds. They get to see that describes student initiatives to support access. Hertford is full of young people just like them, and Oxford goes from being an Hertford’s access & outreach work was recently nominated for And if Instagram is more your thing, we now have an account alien place to an achievable goal. OUSU’s ‘Campaign of the Year’ award (2014-15), an acknowledgment of both the deep commitment to widening access that runs there too: have a look at www.instagram.com/hertfordcollege. It’s very important to me to spend throughout our undergraduate body, and the particular efforts of Evie time meeting students face to face, Howorth (JCR Access Officer, 2014). Over 60 current undergraduates There’s also an account for access too @HertfordAccess. have volunteered ‘internally’ this year, leading events from college whether in college or at their schools; Remember: we’re always happy to answer questions, so if we need to show these young people tours to Q&A workshops with constant enthusiasm and friendliness. that Oxford cares enough to make JCR members are also actively engaged with a broad range of there’s anything you’d like to know about Hertford/Oxford the effort to engage with them. Over University-wide programmes (such as Target Schools, Schools Plus, please get in touch! the coming months and years, I also UNIQ, Oxford Pathways Programme, Widening Participation, Jacari) in want to pursue some wider and more numbers unrivalled by other colleges. ambitious access initiatives. This June, A rare view of the Hertford staff we’ll be holding our first ‘Women In addition to our support of Hertford’s own initiatives (particularly in STEM’ event, which will see a school visits and subject tours), the spring of 2015 has seen inside of our bridge, a are supporting group of 70 Year 11 girls from state preparations commence for our Summer Outreach Roadshow to the schools coming to Hertford for a free Medway region of Kent – one of Hertford’s ‘link’ regions. Teaming well known #Oxford #wearahatday & day of exciting science, technology, up with the student-run Target Schools campaign, the JCR hopes landmark which raising funds for brain engineering, and maths sessions. I’m to reach around 1,000 sixth formers during the week-long event – also planning to launch a Hertford delivering talks and workshop to schools with little or no history of connects two Hertford tumour research access summer school, which will sending students to Oxford. Our relationship with Target Schools College buildings allow us to bring gifted students has also seen the JCR host ten of its Shadowing Day workshops this from less privileged backgrounds academic year, catering for 300 Year 12 students while also providing into college for a few days to follow a large number of volunteers to be shadowed during the morning. an inspiring programme of academic, Working alongside Oxford University African-Caribbean Society, cultural, and social events. This will OUSU and Target Schools, the JCR also supported Oxford’s first give the participants a real flavour African-Caribbean Access day. Clouds cleared at just Congratulations @ of what being an undergraduate at Hertford is like, and will hopefully Following on from the work of Evie and Matthew Hiscock (Academic the right moment bodleianlibs on raise their aspirations. Hertford has a Registrar) on our most recent ‘Alternative Prospectus’, the JCR is also to get the shot. public opening of long history of innovative and effective looking to further expand the reach of the ‘student voice’ through outreach work, and I’m committed to the production and release of a number of online videos in the run Eclipse over Oxford, the beautiful Weston using my time at the college to build up to the July open days. These will aim to cover daily life in Oxford from the roof of @ Library on Saturday on this excellent record. and Hertford through student eyes, working to debunk myths and quash stereotypes. This growing emphasis on online outreach work HertfordCollege (via Want to find out more? Follow us has also seen a number of JCR members trial a new ‘online debate’ @DrBeauBeaumont) on Twitter (@HertfordAccess) or format with Waddesdon School, Buckinghamshire – for which we are like our Facebook page (Hertford indebted (as ever) to the organisation of Matthew Hiscock. Our very College Access). own Dan Martin (2012) has also been at the forefront of a number of excellent films produced by the OxVlog project. Happy Alumni @Tom_ #WorldBookDay! Shennan & @ Stretch days Here’s a Hertford- OliverCoward are A special event which themed image from working on a short allows us to reach potential a book in our library, film, That Lizard Laden applicants from a variety of Conrad Gesner’s Death Feel different schools. Arranged in ‘Historiae Animalium’ collaboration with Cambridge University, pupils from multiple schools attend We are celebrating It’s been a snowy start this day which includes academic taster sessions, a #PancakeDay with a to the day in #Oxford talk on applying to university race around OB Quad! and writing a competitive Congratulations to application Jamie for winning! #ShroveTuesday
18 19 THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT HERTFORD THIS SUMMER WE HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US FOR ONE OF OUR EVENTS
MINECRAFT ® CABARET our de hertford celebrating the AC ADEMIC TALKS tanner 335 k Family revolution day in Hertford and oxford admissions BIKE RIDE Tanner Day | Saturday 5 September 2015 10 – 12 JULY 2015 1.30 pm – 5.00 pm 12.00 pm – 6.00 pm Saturday www.hertford.ox.ac.uk/tannerday MORECAMBE TO ROBIN HOOD’S BAY 1 August 2015 COME TO HERTFORD FOR A FAMILY DAY OF FUN RAISING MONEY FOR STUDENT ® SUPPORT LEGO GAMES FACEPAINTING www.hertford.ox.ac.uk/tourdehertford WWW.HERTFORD.OX.AC.UK/FAMILYDAY
LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD
2015 2016 DEAR18 September: Gaudy for matriculation years 2004-05 8 January: Gaudy for matriculation years 1977-79 12 November: London Drinks 18 March: John Donne lecture TOM5 December: Christmas drinks for donors 6 May: Warnock Society lunch THERE’S 28 May: Eights’ Week buffet lunch SOMETHING Dr A Baskerville Hertford College Alumni Hertford CollegeDept Alumni Of Electronics & FOR EVERYONE Electrical Engineering Rankine Building, AT HERTFORD@HertfordCollege THIS SUMMERHertfordCollege – 74 Oakfield Avenue WE HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US FOR ONE OF OUR EVENTS! Glasgow University Glasgow Dunbartonshire We don't have an email address for you – so you are missing out on the G12 8QQ news and invitations that we email each month! If you'd like to stay connected with Hertford, send your details to [email protected]
Best wishes Julia Thaxton, Anna Baskerville, Claire Blake, Sabina Bi and Helena Jones
Hertford College Alumni Hertford College Alumni @HertfordCollege HertfordCollege Development O ce, Hertford College, Oxford OX1 3BW | +44 (0) 1865 279428 www.hertford.ox.ac.uk
DEAR TOM THERE’S SOMETHING Dr A Baskerville Dept Of Electronics & FOR EVERYONE Electrical Engineering Rankine Building, 74 Oakfield Avenue AT HERTFORD Glasgow University Glasgow THIS SUMMER – Dunbartonshire WE HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US FOR ONE OF OUR EVENTS! G12 8QQ
Best wishes Julia Thaxton, Anna Baskerville, Claire Blake, Sabina Bi and Helena Jones
Hertford College Alumni Hertford College Alumni @HertfordCollege HertfordCollege Development O ce, Hertford College, Oxford OX1 3BW | +44 (0) 1865 279428 www.hertford.ox.ac.uk