THE EXETER COLLEGE MAGAZINE ISSUE 14 AUTUMN 2011 WWW.EXETER.OX.AC.UK/ALUMNI

LESSONS FROM A MASTER PHILIP PULLMAN ON WHAT MAKES A GOOD STORY REINVENTING TELEVISION JON GISBY ON HOW TECHNOLOGY AFFECTS COMMUNICATION THE TWO AFRICAS KOFI ANNAN VISITS EXETER

PLUS: EZEKIEL EMANUEL ON US HEALTHCARE REFORM, TWITTER CO-FOUNDER BIZ STONE TALKS BUSINESS, FRANK CLOSE GETS A FRONT ROW SEAT AT THE BOAT RACE, AND MORE… WELCOME TO EXON

Contents Editorial Rector’s Letter

Frances Cairncross, Rector College News ince arriving in post three months ago, I Fundraising have been aware of a tremendous S A Day in the Life of the Junior Dean Philanthropy in the Fee-paying Era responsibility to deliver Exon on time and to a t seems appropriate that this year’s ending a successful tour by singing at We began with a talk on the prospects for Michelle Fernandes p4 Katrina Hancock p32 standard of which the College can be proud. issue of Exon is built around the mass in St Mark’s Cathedral. Africa by that great Ghanaian and public A Very Exonian Boat Race Not So Different, After All Punctuality can be measured, but what of theme of communication, since Now we are looking forward to two servant, Kofi Annan, former Secretary- Frank Close p5 Katharina Neill p33 I quality? The question I have tried to consider one of the main tasks of the College is milestones. One will be our occupation, General of the United Nations. We are A Tale of Two Africas Happy Holidays throughout has been “what is Exon’s purpose?” to teach and promote the skills that in autumn 2012, of our new site on planning more over the next three years. Christine Cheng p6 Alice Loughney p33 To entertain, certainly. Unquestionably to communicating requires. In a tutorial, Walton Street. True, it will be some time We will try to make sure that we Finding the Real America The Power of Matched Giving educate as well (in my first meeting with the students have many opportunities – before the buildings are refurbished or continue to communicate with you as Luke O’Leary p8 Emily Watson p34 magazine’s long-standing publisher, Jonathan vastly more than in any other kind of rebuilt and ready for our students. But both these moments arrive. Apart from Bringing the US Air Force to Exeter Student Hardship Bursaries Simmons, I was told that Exon was university education I know – to learn we are now choosing and briefing the this magazine, you receive the Register, Bradford Waldie p9 Becca Rees and Karl Dando p34 “unashamedly academic”). But Exon’s true to present their arguments in writing architect, and so we feel as though we a publication with a different flavour Communicating in a New World raison d’être is, I believe, to keep the channels and in speech. And the best tutors are are at last really on our way to creating and role, intended to be more of a record Josie Thaddeus-Johns p10 Campaign of communication open between Exeter the ones who communicate to their Morality and Story-telling Exeter Excelling Campaign Update College and her Old Members and friends. students a passion and deep Antony Eagle p11 Mark Houghton-Berry p36 How fitting it is then, as if to keep this understanding of their subject. Where a Language Lives on Love Teaching Fund Offers Hope for Kent Li p12 Humanities purpose permanently in mind, that the theme This year, their work has borne fruit: Katrina Hancock p37 of this year’s Exon should be communication. we have had the best crop of Firsts for a Tapping the Secrets of the Universe Sarah Livermore p13 Walton Street Update In a rapidly changing world of blogs and posts, decade. That is gratifying for our William Jensen p38 on-demand media and 24/7 news feeds, students, and not just because it shows BizStone@Exeter Matthew Baldwin p14 online petitions and pay-per-view TV, not that they are clever and hard-working: Opinion forgetting newspapers and novels (both some of those don’t get Firsts, but go on Inspirational Alumnus Returns Rhys Maliphant p15 The Eye of the Storm available digitally, lest they should fall behind), to do very well in the world. More Dancing in the Quads David Warren p40 Exon is contributing a verse. This year the important, the knowledge that you have Arthur Sawbridge p16 A Revolutionary Moment magazine features news of noteworthy College a First from Oxford gives a self- La Vita è Bella for the College Choir Ezekiel Emanuel p42 visits from alumnus and author Martin Amis, confidence that few other achievements Rhian Wood p16 The Death of the Newspaper? the co-founder of Twitter, Biz Stone, and the can deliver. But it is also gratifying for New Graduate Accommodation Opens Frances Cairncross p44 former Secretary-General of the UN, Kofi our tutors. Each year, I am impressed by Barbara Havelkova p17 Has Government Changed for Good? Annan; details of the University’s recently the amount of effort and energy tutors Lady Bannister Opens Renovated Gym Michael Hart p45 launched online video channel and the new devote to their students to ensure that James Misson p18 Power in an Information Age Blavatnik School of Government; and they do their best in University exams. Sports Reports Joseph Nye p45 discussion of the future of communication for Joshua Brocklesby, Charlie Howell, Tom Blight BAA, newspapers, television, and novelists. The College’s p18 Alumni Of course the communication has been 700th birthday is University News A Culture on Thin Ice two-way. I should like to thank the Old Stephen Leonard p46 Members, students, and staff who have now just three years Keeping Oxford Exceptional Letting the Leopard Cross the Road contributed to this year’s Exon, most notably Helen Watson p20 Quentin Macfarlane p47 the student interns Matt Stokes, Katharina away. I have now Blavatnik School of Government Behind the Veil Neill, and Joel Richardson. I also encourage been Rector for Unveiled Herman Salton p48 Alexander Barrett p21 readers to send in their news and feedback; exactly 1% of the life Breaking the Goldfish Bowl both are received with pleasure. I hope after New Pro-Vice-Chancellor Patrick Heinecke p48 Mark Gilbert p22 reading the magazine you feel entertained, of the College, and I Translating the Prophets enlightened, and wholeheartedly part of feel a certain awe as our new quadrangle in the heart of of the passing years, and the Donors’ Women’s Rugby at Oxford Alison Dight p49 Victoria Elliott p23 the Exeter community. that milestone Oxford. We want, of course, to fill it with Report. If you are online, we can send Exeter Floret in Saskatoon Floreat Exon! many more activities than it will hold – you a quarterly electronic news bulletin. Eccentricity Exhibition Robert Sider p49 Matt Stokes p24 approaches. “It’s not the TARDIS,” we keep telling This year, we experimented with a short Matthew Baldwin ourselves. But that merely adds to the film about the Annual Fund, made by one Oxford on YouTube Back Section Communications Officer Christopher Eddie p25 [email protected] Our students have had other triumphs sense of excitement and creativity that of our former graduate students who was Old Members’ Association How to Write the Bible this year. Perhaps the most striking were this wonderful project generates in us all. once herself a television presenter. Hannah Leadbetter p50 Tim Hele p25 on the river. For the first time ever, we The second milestone will be the And we have, in the past year, given University of Oxford Alumni Benefits had a student in each of three winning College’s 700th birthday, now just three our web site a new look. Do let us know Rachel McDonald p52 Features University boats: Benjamin Myers in the years away. I have now been Rector for if you like it. How to Tell a Story Published Exonians p53 A Public Zone Production Blue Boat, Benedict Snodin in Isis, and exactly 1% of the life of the College, and We hope that, as a result, you will feel Philip Pullman p26 The Year in Pictures p54 www.publiczone.co.uk Tel: 020 7267 4774 Rhian Wood in Osiris. But we also had I feel a certain awe as that milestone still fully involved in the College and its Publisher: Jonathan Simmons Writing the World Managing Editor: Becky Lee musical triumphs. For instance, Alexei approaches. We are working on ways to plans. You are an Exonian for life. You Amy Sackville p28 Assistant Editor: Joel Richardson Kalveks led Out of the Blue, Oxford’s ensure that we greet the next century may miss those tutorials and the fun of Story-telling in a Crisis Designer: Gemma Fountain excellent male a capella group, to the with suitable ceremony. One part of the rowing and singing with other students. Nigel Milton p29 Assistant Designer: Sarah Welton Exeter College Editorial Team: semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent (you celebrations will be a number of lectures But just be grateful that you no longer Stories in an Internet Age Matthew Baldwin, Frances Cairncross can watch it on YouTube). And the by distinguished guests, some of them have to take those exams! Jon Gisby p30 Interns: Katharina Neill, Matt Stokes Chapel Choir took Venice by storm, alumni or friends of the College.

2 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 3 College News

A Day in the Life of the Junior Dean A Very Exonian Boat Race

From herding Darth Vaders into the Chapel, to tackling harassment, Physics Professor Frank Close raises a glass to the success of Exeter’s outstanding the Junior Dean describes the challenges of her rewarding first year. University rowers. Michelle Fernandes, Junior Dean (2008, Psychiatry) Frank Close, Emeritus Fellow in Physics

hen I took up the position hardship – that I am most grateful for xeter College was better recommendation I decided (to mix of Junior Dean last October, When things can the support of the people I work with: exceptionally well represented a few metaphors) to push the boat out They’re away, and W I was convinced that there go wrong, they most the Rector, Sub-Rector, Chaplain, porters E in the University boat crews and take the plunge. I had to agree with I take half a dozen was little left in this world that could certainly will, and and indeed all the staff of the College. this year. Rhian Wood (2008, Classics Mr Clarke’s excellent judgment. surprise me. Having lived in six cities Be it discipline or welfare, at midnight and English) rowed for Osiris, Benedict Isis and Goldie prepared to begin. rapid photos as the across three continents, worked 36-hour usually all at once. or at dawn, being a Junior Dean is one Snodin (2007, Physics) for Isis, and The day was cold and breezy, the water shifts as a hospital intern, and endured of the most fulfilling, interesting and Benjamin Myers (2008, Physics), in choppy. I stood on the deck, poised to crews head into the six months of secluded existence during (though largely in retrospect) was a eventful experiences I have ever had. the Blue Boat, was also President photograph Benedict either as he made grey distance. my field work in a tiny village in rural “Light Side versus Dark Side” bop in The good-cop, bad-cop routine may of the University Boat Club. his first strokes in the race or as the boat India, I was confident that I had seen it Michaelmas. Essays, November rain not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I enjoy all. Now, however, I am convinced that and a watchful porter notwithstanding, my work, getting to know the Exeter I was aware of Frank Close toasts Exeter’s three University rowers, one of the only certainties in this job is, the bop was a success until the stroke of College community and helping out the boat containing as sketched by Max Mulvany (2009, Fine Art) paradoxically, surprise. Ten months midnight. And then it began. There was whenever I can. My responsibilities as the race referee, down the line, I live to tell the tale. a scurry and a panic, music was being Junior Dean have broadened my together with a Junior Deans are a fundamentally turned off and turned on again, students horizons and made me think about couple holding Oxonian concept where senior graduate ran amuck across the grass, some sang, things very differently. I now realise families and students are given the responsibility of some danced and others wept while an that there is much more to running a dignitaries. But I had managing a college’s disciplinary and agitated porter and an even more college than meets the eye. The not expected the welfare issues in conjunction with the agitated Junior Dean tried desperately experience has helped me grow second tranche administration. These positions are hard to institute some semblance of order. as a person and honed my abilities to trying to keep up, sought after and most Oxford colleges It was then that the deafening sound multi-task, exercise resourcefulness the group of military now have at least one Junior Dean. of the fire alarm stopped everyone in and be flexible to the opinions of others. security personnel However, juggling pastoral care, their tracks. Within minutes, bemused On a more practical note, however, (the race presents committee meetings, fire marshalling, firemen informed the 200 Star Wars there was once a time when I believed enormous security first aiding, disciplinary action, and bop characters filling the Chapel that it was that where there is smoke, there is fire. risks), or the RNLI patrolling is as demanding as it is a false alarm. But not everyone wanted Now, after countless false alarms, speedboat. rewarding. I dare say that few have the to leave, as I found Darth Vader at the I wholeheartedly acknowledge that As the armada privilege of witnessing more student acts piano, Master Yoda waltzing with there is a rather greater probability of surged up the of resourcefulness, innovation and Queen Padmé by the altar, and the toast or cigarettes being involved. Thames, their wash creativity than a Junior Dean. pews lined with rows of Luke combined in a way To me, a day in the life of a Junior Skywalkers, Princess Leias, Obi-Wan that Physics students Dean is a testimony to Murphy’s Law. Kenobis, and Han Solos. will recognise as For when things can go wrong, they However, it is in the less light side “resonance”. The most certainly will, and usually all at to the job – student health, academic resulting walls of once. One of my fondest memories problems, harassment and financial water kept hitting our barge, rocking it violently. At three storeys high, with a Traditionally, Heads of Colleges with sank beneath the waves. Not only did well-stocked bar, we were massive. At the students in the crew join the Chancellor the crew stay afloat, but they were past start line, however, the stake boats were and assorted dignitaries at the Boat Race us at remarkable speed. News came being tossed to and fro, their occupants in on a barge moored just 20 metres from through that Isis had won and we danger of going overboard. the start of the course. The Rector was prepared for the main race. The RNLI boat did an impressive unable to attend and kindly invited me, The two stake boats held on while the U-turn to rescue them. By the time this as Physics tutor to Benjamin and coxes played chicken – hands up, hands dramatic spectacle had ended, the crews Benedict, to take her place. down, not ready, ready. That much can were nowhere to be seen. Across the The Chancellor, Lord Patten, greeted be seen on television. But I soon saw Thames, a huge screen displayed the

Photo: Eleanor Franzen us with an optimistic assessment of what the television doesn’t show: what television image, showing Oxford in the Oxford’s prospects, toasting the happens just after the race has begun. lead. And so it remained. Oxford won. anticipated success with champagne. They’re away and I take half a dozen Cue more champagne. One of the guests was Oz Clarke, rapid photos as the crews head into the Well done Rhian, Ben, and Ben. whose annual Wine Guide is a regular grey distance. And then our barge is Christmas present. He took one sip, said, rocking as a flotilla of powerboats races “That’s good,” and as one can’t have a off in hot pursuit. From offering support to marshalling Jedi, no day in the life of a Junior Dean is the same

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A Tale of Two Africas investment company, pointed out in In February the College hosted Kofi Annan as he spoke about the future of Africa. a recent talk he gave in Oxford that The Bennett Boskey Fellow discusses his speech and the continent’s prospects. “detailed analysis by the World Bank, IMF, global investment banks and, Christine Cheng, Bennett Boskey Fellow in Politics and International Relations most recently, McKinsey & Company, means that there is now little debate on the speed, breadth and other key or the inauguration of its 700th dimensions of Africa’s economic Anniversary lecture series, renaissance thus far.” F Exeter College was honoured Yet even as Mr Annan was giving his to welcome Kofi Annan, Nobel Prize speech on Africa’s future of prosperity, winner and former Secretary-General of the headlines from the continent at the the UN. Mr Annan spoke on “The Future time focused on the then-president of of Africa: Challenges and Opportunities” Côte d’Ivoire, Laurent Gbagbo, and his in the Sheldonian Theatre before visiting refusal to cede power to his rival, the College for a formal dinner. A central Alassane Ouattara. That country was thrust of the speech was deconstructing subsequently plunged back into a brief, the perceptions of the continent in the but very bloody civil war. For the citizens “developed” world. of Côte d’Ivoire, Mr Annan’s optimism When most Westerners think of Africa, would have looked wildly misplaced the images most likely to spring to mind And yet these two Africas clearly are those of child soldiers, malnourished co-exist. How can the narrative of the children, blood diamonds, and dictators optimistic and soon-to-be prosperous The real Africa? who have been unwilling to give up Africa be reconciled with that of the power. From colonialism to the dangerous and dysfunctional Africa? disproportionately to African political instability and insecurity in some cases. Rwandan genocide to the spread of Let me offer two possibilities. elites. In many (but not all) cases, these Nigeria is a case in point. It has AIDS to the exploitation of the The first one comes directly from Mr elites abused their political power and experienced sustained real GDP growth continent’s vast mineral resources, the Annan’s speech: there is enormous made themselves and their family for at least a decade, but those gains story of Africa that has been told in variation across Africa’s 54 nations. members very rich. have not been equitably distributed the West has usually been one of Botswana, with its stable democracy and across society. Indeed, a recent New victimisation and despair. four decades of impressive economic How can the York Times article has suggested that This is a narrative that Kofi Annan, a growth rates, receives scant media about $22bn of government oil revenues native of Ghana, has long been familiar attention compared to the Democratic narrative of the has vanished into thin air. In the with. In his speech at the Sheldonian, Republic of Congo with its stories of optimistic and soon- meantime, this fight for resources has led Mr Annan presented a different Africa: mass rape, Coltan looting, and recurring to-be prosperous to persistent low-level conflict between one of economic success and optimism. civil war. Stereotypical news stories well-armed local militia groups and the He made a convincing case that Africa about the problems of one African Africa be reconciled government in the Niger Delta region. should be seen as “a continent of country tend to infect people’s opinions with that of the With new investment coming from opportunity – the last emerging of the continent as a whole, but China and other high-growth economies, investment frontier.” curiously, as Mr Annan pointed out, the dangerous and a worldwide commodities boom, and reverse is rarely true. The fact that good dysfunctional increased political stability, there is news rarely makes the headlines Africa? ample opportunity for all Africans to When most contributes to our skewed perspective of benefit from this newfound prosperity. Westerners think of Kofi Annan in the Sheldonian Theatre what Africa is like and how dramatically It is these kinds of abuses of power However, the question of whether Africa it has changed, even in the past decade. that sow the seeds of future discontent will ultimately fulfil its potential is best Africa, the images You might think that Mr Annan, Direct foreign investment has soared But there is also a second explanation among the young men (and some summed up by Mr Annan: most likely to spring as an African, is predisposed to see his from $9bn in 2000 to $52bn in 2011 that may prove to be more useful for women) who might consider taking up “Wherever people live, they want their to mind are those of continent favourably, but here is some understanding this supposed dichotomy arms against the government. The utter voice to be heard, their rights respected, compelling evidence (taken directly The IMF predicts the continent will – corruption. Even as the continent has failure of the state to care for its citizens and to have a say in how they are child soldiers, from his speech) to buttress his case: have as many as seven of the ten benefited from huge gains in GDP, the even while others have grown obscenely governed. They yearn for decent jobs, malnourished fastest-growing economies in the world distribution of that wealth has accrued wealthy has only perpetuated political opportunity, and a secure future for their children, blood Real GDP in Africa grew by nearly over the next decade children. They believe that the rule of 5% annually between 2000 and law must apply to everyone, no matter diamonds, and 2008 – twice the level of the These statistics suggest fantastic levels how powerful… It is this generation ­– dictators who have previous two decades of economic growth spread across the their dynamism, their determination and continent. ambitions – which is, I believe, the major been unwilling to According to the African Development Mr Annan is not the only one who reason for confidence in Africa.” give up power. Bank, six African countries are forecast believes that Africa offers enormous to enjoy growth this year above 7%, investment opportunities. Stephen Dr Cheng writes a politics blog at 15 countries above 5%, and 27 Jennings, the chief executive of christinescottcheng.wordpress.com countries above 3% Renaissance Capital, a research and

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Finding the Real America Metallic to Medieval: The North American Travel Scholar gets to grips with corporate law Bringing the US Air Force to Exeter across the United States, but still finds time for tennis and Tex-Mex. Luke O’Leary (2007, Literae Humaniores) Between an early morning trip to watch the Royal Wedding and the opportunity to escort Kofi Annan, the Alberta Bart Holaday Scholar takes full advantage of his time at Exeter. Bradford Waldie (2010, African Studies) efore coming to Oxford, told, it comes down to a lifestyle kayaking on Lake Austin, a Motown gig, North America was, in my choice. Whilst I am currently desperate a BBQ at The Salt Lick, and a major B mind, a continent of to experience the East Coast corporate shooting trip. The sense of local pride stereotypes. Living in Williams House in lifestyle, later in life I might find myself that I observed in Boston and Seattle was Oxford allowed me to see deeper, and desiring the greater quality of life in even greater here, and my host was the aim of my scholarship was to San Francisco. delighted that a travel scholar had explore American corporate law and In Boston I attended a class on ventured inland. experience for Contract Law with My final internal flight took me to myself the culture a friend at Harvard. Washington, DC. Working at Patton I had heard so The “Authentic The Socratic Boggs, I was glad to experience DC’s much about from Texan” included teaching method vibrant, young professional scene. I was my friends. Tex-Mex cuisine, was interesting, taken to a Nationals baseball game, but The scale and being similar in the highlight was the morning I came pace of everything College Football, some ways to a into work out of a tropical rainstorm and in New York is kayaking on Lake tutorial. Harvard’s was greeted with the words, “Here’s an striking; I am enormous umbrella, we’re going to the Hill.” accustomed Austin, a Motown endowment means The Hill turned out to be Capitol Hill, to the hustle and gig, a BBQ at The Salt the facilities are top where I attended a meeting with staffers bustle of London Lick, and a major quality – the Law for House Representatives Spencer but New York is Library alone is a Bachus and Phil Gingrey. US Air Force Cadets; Bradford Waldie on the far left different and it is shooting trip. giant four-storey I had mixed feelings about returning addictive. My building. This home. I was leaving behind friends and year ago, I took my last look undertaken an MSc in African Studies, love learning. As I look to the upcoming conversations with alumni in the law education comes at a hefty price but the a country I had come to love, not least at the vaulted metallic spires the Rector asked me to assist in escorting year and the opportunity I will have to industry and in finance provided me quality of it is undeniable. because of the hospitality I had received. A that adorn the United States Mr Kofi Annan around the city during take up another degree programme in with a down-to-earth view. In the My penultimate stop had received I would like to thank all the alumni who Air Force Academy’s celebrated chapel. his visit to the College. The multiple Global Governance and Diplomacy, I corporate world, especially in New York, quizzical remarks along my journey, but went out of their way for me. Was A few months later, my eyes turned opportunities to talk to him about his look forward to another year filled with work comes first: long, hard hours and Austin provided the most pleasant American corporate law for me? There upward again as I admired the soaring experiences and his thoughts on the unparalleled experiences. family and social sacrifices must be surprise of the trip, and the real are certainly many appealing aspects to spires that define the Oxford skyline. future of Africa are cherished I am not the first student to shift expected. As long as you are conscious American experience I was searching it. As the 38th governor of California Since that first day, my time in Oxford recollections. The sound of the roaring my focus from metallic to medieval of this and prepared to put in the extra for. The “Authentic Texan” included once said: I’ll be back. has been filled with opportunities and applause that erupted for Mr Annan as spires. Thanks to the great generosity effort, I was told, you can make it to Tex-Mex cuisine, College Football, excitement that I never expected. I followed him into the Sheldonian and continued kindness of Bart the top. Whether it was sporting, academic, Theatre is a memory that will not Holaday, Exeter College and the How to get that career started? On a or extra-curricular activities, Exeter soon fade. Air Force Academy have enjoyed trip to Cape Cod I received a memorable has been at the centre of a year of Finally, Exeter provided a fair amount years of association. piece of advice: if you want something, unforgettable experiences. of fun to round off an already extremely go and get it. This sounds A heavy emphasis on athletics at rewarding experience. The bops, balls The sound of the straightforward, but such a go-getting the Academy instilled an appetite for and Formal Halls all made an already attitude is far more prevalent across the competition that Exeter more than wonderful year even more pleasant. roaring applause Atlantic. Following this advice in the satisfied. An early introduction to the Informal get-togethers with other that erupted for past nine months has transformed my Boat Club during Freshers’ Week and Exonians were also enjoyable, even approach to work, life, and especially a quick time-trial on the erg landed when it called for a 3am bus ride down Mr Annan as I the milkround. me on the Exeter Men’s Novice Boat to Westminster Abbey to watch the followed him into the My hosts in New York were extremely and filled my mornings with serene Royal Wedding. The students of Exeter Sheldonian Theatre is hospitable, taking me to a box at the US outings on the Isis. The old hands of College are of the most extraordinary Open tennis and introducing me to the the Exeter College Boat Club managed quality and our activities resulted in a a memory that will city’s nightlife at the West Village pub to work out the many kinks in our camaraderie that matched the calibre of not soon fade. Kettle of Fish and a midtown jazz bar. technique and transformed eight new friendship I had enjoyed at the Academy. Just as the culture of a US and UK law Exonians from novices to Nephthys After only one year my time in Oxford Without hesitation I can speak on firm differs, the culture of law firms Regatta champions in a matter of has provided unrivalled opportunities for behalf of all of the former and future across the US differs, too. This was weeks. The chance to represent Exeter growth in all areas of my life. Despite Holaday Scholars in expressing gratitude conveyed to me by my host in San out on the river was a fantastic way years of dedication to my studies, only to the faculty and staff at Exeter College Francisco, who had started out with a to start off my year. after completing a Master’s degree in and especially to Mr Holaday for making London firm before moving to several Exeter also provided the highlight of Oxford did I finally understand how to all of these opportunities possible. locations in the States. Ultimately, I was my academic experience. As I had Luke O’Leary surveys Columbia University, New York

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Communicating in a New World An Open Tutorial: Morality and Story-telling

A College-funded internship gives Josie Thaddeus-Johns the spark of inspiration Why is giving to charity right? The William Kneale Fellow discusses the needed to move from panicked graduate to digital media professional. controversial links between fiction and moral discourse. Josie Thaddeus-Johns (2006, Literae Humaniores) Antony Eagle, William Kneale Fellow in Philosophy

n the last few months of my degree tories needn’t display their encourage you to share that motivation. a community of hunter-gatherers, where I was, like most finalists, a frantic I learned about “fictionality” on their surface. The view that moral discourse is, a successful hunter can either gorge I ball of energy, trying to cram as all sorts: from the SWritten in ordinary natural in some relevant respects, like fictional himself, thus feeding one member of the much work as possible into 24-hour creative director’s languages, they generally needn’t discourse is called, obviously enough, community to excess, or share with chunks. Four years of studying Classics exhibit any distinctive grammar or “moral fictionalism”. Perhaps the most others, thus granting survival to every had made me a lot clearer on the ideas for upcoming meaning. One could imagine a pressing problem for the moral member.) But selfish individuals have no significance of women in the Roman pitches to an account naïve but precocious child personal incentive for such imperial family in the first century BC, picking up a copy of Bleak altruism, regardless of the but hadn’t given me a sense of where I manager’s take on House in Blackwell’s and overall outcome. So how could could fit into a world of work that was, the ownership of mistaking it for a historical helping behaviour evolve and by all accounts, becoming tough to enter data by social work on the Court of Chancery. persist in a community? into. With a clear idea of what I didn’t Their mistake is not one of Joyce’s answer is: because want to do, which inconveniently networks. linguistic competence, but moral judgments claim that enough seemed to include almost rather that of erroneously certain actions are objectively all of the milkround companies, I However, one of the great things I thinking that Bleak House was and impersonally encouraged found myself approaching my finals learned from working with Public Zone believed by Dickens to be or forbidden, someone who with a mild panic about what lay is how important it is to believe in what factual. Their mistake is to take hears a moral judgment is beyond trashing. you’re doing. I worked with Bleak House to consist of prompted to believe that My first step after returning to London Horsesmouth, an online mentoring assertions, when it does not. certain behaviours are was an internship for Exon at its design forum that allows people to resolve This rather prosaic objectively demanded of agency, Public Zone. I had worked on problems by chatting to people who phenomenon opens up them. If the actions that are Isis magazine in my time at Oxford, and have been through similar experiences. an intriguing possibility. encouraged include the had done an internship with British It’s great to This showed me how the web is If grammar and meaning alone helping behaviours, then Airways’s High Life one summer, so I know that your uniquely able to connect people. It’s are insufficient in determining making moral judgments will felt this would be a great opportunity work is going to great to know that your work is going to whether a sentence is an tend to cause the presence of that could give me a chance to work help others, even if what you’re doing is assertion, then perhaps helping behaviour in the out what else was out there. help others, even if only a small part of that process. some sentences are, despite community. So – in a nutshell Public Zone mainly works with digital what you’re doing is I was therefore overjoyed when my appearances, not assertions – the practice of making moral clients from charities and governmental manager sent me a tweet (how very at all. Perhaps some ordinary judgments in the form of organisations, so when I wasn’t only a small part of new media!) telling me he knew of a discourse is rather more declarative sentences exists subediting articles for Exon, I was able that process. job at Mumsnet that would be perfect like story-telling than we because it encourages helping to soak up the “new media” atmosphere. for me. Mumsnet is all about the normally assume. behaviour in individuals, Friday breakfast meetings were a real collective wisdom of parents helping Some philosophers have which in turn generally treat, where someone in the company others to overcome parental challenges, thought this about moral enhances the relative would give an insight into recent although they also do a sideline in discourse – talk about which success of communities developments in their area, and I asking politicians awkward questions. actions are “right”, or in which it exists. learned about all sorts: from the creative I’ve worked at Mumsnet for six “virtuous”, or “permitted”. This evolutionary account of director’s ideas for upcoming pitches to months now, and have just played While moral claims look like moral judgments is very an account manager’s take on the an integral part in launching Gransnet, ordinary declarative sentences – First edition of Bleak House, by Charles Dickens controversial, of course. And ownership of data by social networks. which aims to provide advice, support, “Giving to charity is right” is attentive readers will already It fascinated me, making me wonder and representation for the UK’s 14m rather like “Giving to charity is fictionalist is: if the point of moral be devising objections to the proposal why I hadn’t considered a career in the grandparents. I get to use my editorial popular” in structure – the aim of utterances is to motivate certain I described. Though I have my doubts, digital world before. I began to feel that nous and I’m helping people to help making moral claims appears not behaviours, why do they take the moral fictionalism is a potentially looking for work in the traditional media others. It’s a great place to work, and to involve stating truths, but rather potentially confusing form of a promising way to retain the distinctive of paper and ink was investing time they’re always on the lookout for involves motivating certain behaviours. declarative sentence? grammatical and regulative character in the wrong business when my talents, people who want to get behind the The meaning of “Giving to charity is Richard Joyce, in his 2006 book of our moral discourse, without simply by virtue of being young and scenes of a digital revolution. Upon right” is that there is a certain queer The Evolution of Morality, suggests committing ourselves thereby digitally aware, could be better realised graduating, I had no idea where my kind of property, rightness, and that a that consideration of the evolution of to any queer moral facts. elsewhere. My writing and editing skills path would lead, but it’s great to think certain type of action possesses it. “helping behaviour” can help answer began to seem less important, and digital how quickly things can change. Who But when I utter that sentence, I need this question. Helping behaviours are technology became paramount in my knows where it will lead next? not commit myself to any beliefs about acts that are beneficial to others, but job search. the existence of such a property – somewhat detrimental to the actor. instead, perhaps, I express my They can be of great benefit to a motivation to give to charity, and to community as a whole. (Think of

10 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 11 College News

Valencia and Catalonia: Tapping the Secrets of the Universe Where a Language Lives on Love The Large Hadron Collider is at the forefront of current scientific research. Graduate student Sarah Livermore introduces her work as one of several An undergraduate linguist uses the JL Gili Bursary to visit Spain and research Exonians involved in the project. Sarah Livermore (2008, Particle Physics) the resilience of the Catalan language in the face of oppression and globalisation. Kent Li (2009, Modern Languages) n the past five minutes, 100 metres At CERN we are very aware of the released. I recently took a group of below the Swiss-French border, keen interest that the public has in our Greek teenagers to the ATLAS control I around 500bn sub-atomic particles research, and there are some excellent room. After a brief stunned silence, they orque la gente lo quiere. speakers about the language’s history in Catalan speakers against Castilian have been smashed together at nearly interactive exhibits and a strong soon returned to a non-stop flow of “Because the people love it.” the 20th century. speakers, or presuppositions about the speed of light. Impressive numbers outreach programme. Our dedicated questions, some of which I struggled to P This is how Señora Selva linguistic and political affiliations, are par for the course here at CERN’s Press Office ensures results are answer. Particle physicists of the future, explained to me the enduring vigour Presuppositions do not reflect the complex reality. Large Hadron Collider (LHC). disseminated as clearly, yet as no doubt! of Catalan when faced with the severe The official prohibitions of Catalan, For this reason, since I moved here in accurately, as possible. This is of utmost Exeter is certainly one of the most repression of Francisco Franco’s about linguistic and as I discovered to my surprise, did autumn 2010, life has often seemed importance for allaying fears that the well-represented Oxford colleges here: dictatorship. I was spending a month political affiliations not ultimately impede its growth and surreal, but always incredibly exciting. I LHC could create black holes. Professor Frank Close, an Emeritus of the Easter vacation doing research development. Many Catalan people will be leaving next spring, when I The Press Office was very busy Fellow, is currently working on the on the reasons for the survival of Spain’s do not reflect the naturally continued to use the language submit my thesis on the search for new recently when the ATLAS collaboration production and study of antimatter and second language, and Señora Selva was complex reality. at home, where their children also particles which live for such a brief suspected that the Higgs boson, the Christina Williamson (2006, Physics) one of the most informative Catalan learned it. In some cases, people who period of time that we have to detect so-called “God Particle”, had been took part in the highly competitive respondents to my questions. As a Hispanist and linguist, this were kind enough to answer my their presence through their unique observed, but further analysis of the summer student scheme last year. The generous provisions of the JL research was of paramount significance questions in Spain’s parks and plazas signature of decay products. results revealed this to be a false alarm. As CERN continues to explore Gili Bursary in Catalan Studies enable to me. It allowed me to speak in did not claim to be exclusively Catalan, In the understandable rush to be the first previously untouched realms of high Exeter students to undertake research Spanish with people directly involved but rather both catalán y español. Exeter is certainly to publish results, findings must still be energy physics, Exeter physicists will projects in any region where Catalan in the controversial perpetuation of a At the same time, many of them avidly fully verified before they can be continue to be at this cutting edge. is spoken. Following discussions with repressed language, which not only professed their love for the local culture one of the most well- my tutor, Dr Tyler Fisher, I decided to meant linguistic practice for me but also and language. represented Oxford conduct research on the linguistic valuable experience handling highly In our increasingly globalised world, colleges here. situation of the Catalan language during sensitive matters at the heart of a larger dominant cultures threaten to and after the decades of Franco’s local culture. engulf smaller, local ones. Such cultural Although the UK is one of the largest regime. How did it survive a period As I collected native speakers’ erasure also means the disappearance member states of CERN, I work with when speaking Catalan in public views of the language, I gained insight of minority languages. Señora Selva’s people from across the globe, including could lead to arrest? To carry out such into the current situation of Catalan. moving proclamation of the Catalans’ Canadians, Swedes, and Spaniards. Most research, I visited several towns and The language itself is bound up in love for their language – a love of their of my work involves writing software to cities in eastern Spain - Valencia, Catalan regionalism, national politics, cultural heritage – compelled me to analyse the vast amounts of data flowing Castellón de la Plana, and even personal identities. I learned reflect on how local traditions endure in out of the detector, amounting to a Barcelona, and Girona - to that facile assumptions which pit our society. In the face of homogenising 40-mile high stack of CDs per year. interview elderly, pressures, they survive only when However, the data are actually stored at local Catalan sustained by the sort of strong affiliation computing centres across the world, I found among my Catalan respondents. which are all part of “The Grid”. The Several of them fervently results are ready a few hours after we identified with their cultural send them to these remote computers – heritage, claiming Catalan to and hopefully they will soon contain be an integral parte de nosotros some exciting new findings! (part of us). The LHC and its four particle I would like to take this opportunity detectors are in operation 24 hours a to record my most sincere gratitude to day. I work on the ATLAS detector, the donor of the JL Gili Bursary, the late which requires a team of 11 experts in Elizabeth Gili, who the control room at all times, and many also gave me the more on call around the clock. Since I contact of a close arrived at CERN, I have become trained friend of hers as an expert on the tile calorimeter, a in Barcelona, Amèlia giant barrel weighing over 5,000 tonnes Trueta, without which lies three metres from the whose help this collision point and allows us to measure trip would not have the energies of certain particles. Working been as rewarding. in the control room is a vital job and a great way to learn about the detector operation, although I’m not always so Kent Li at Valencia’s Las Fallas festival, enthusiastic after a night shift! which pokes fun at modern culture Sarah Livermore in front of the Large Hadron Collider

12 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 13 College News

BizStone@Exeter Inspirational Alumnus Returns The co-founder of Twitter, Biz Stone, visits Exeter College to discuss the web site that is changing the world, 140 characters at a time. Rhys Maliphant Matthew Baldwin, Communications Officer (2010, English)

rinity Term saw the return of ou need to be willing to live accounts of witnesses to news Mr Stone’s own the novelist Martin Amis (1968, die to live.” Or, in more events anywhere on the planet. Twitter TTrinity English) Term sawto Exeter the return College of thefor “Y entrepreneurial terms, has even been proclaimed for facilitating definition of a thenovelist first timefter Martin a sinceyear’s Amis his break, graduation.(1968, Exeter English) “in order to succeed spectacularly, you revolutions, including in Moldova, Iran, successful company Theto authorExeterCollege expatiatedCollege Chapel for on the Choir his first experiences has time been need to be willing to fail spectacularly.” Tunisia, and Egypt, as the discontent of a asA sincea writer his once and graduation. again his often touring The scathing authorthe world views That was the first maxim from Biz vociferous few snowballs into mass was one that could onanddescribed literature gaining internationalhisin general. experiences Surprisingly, fame. as aThis year Stone, the co-founder of social demonstrations and activism. change the world, thewewriter wentinfamously andto the his curmudgeonlyLombardy often scathing region author views of Italy networking and microblogging site Whether Twitter is truly a viable build a viable seemedandon stayed literature more in athan insmall general. a little town nervousSurprisingly, called Lazise,to Twitter, when he visited Exeter long-term business is more debatable, Twitter reported on the Hudson River crash 15 minutes before the mainstream media beginjustthe a fewinfamouslywith, hours but relaxedaway curmudgeonly from swiftly the andhistorical College in June. with some commentators questioning business, and have fieldedcitiesauthor of Veronaquestions seemed and morefrom Venice. thethan packed Herea little we Mr Stone’s own definition of the company’s lack of revenue. Indeed, fun while doing it. In 2011 a private market auction valued do all right too. Beyond that, Mr Stone Saskatchewanwerenervous warmly to beginwelcomed Room with, after bybut his the relaxed extrovert a successful company, as he described during a Q&A session after Mr Stone’s the company at $7.8bn. expressed his belief in the fundamental edifyingFranco:swiftly ownerspeech. and fielded and chef questions extraordinaire from of to a fascinated audience in the speech, the question “how is Twitter space. Rather than banner In Mr Stone’s speech, he repeatedly benevolence of man; that giving people ourOnethe hotel packed of forthe the College’sSaskatchewan week, mostAlbergo famousRoom da Saskatchewan Room, was one that going to make money?” was boldly put advertisements, Twitter sells the spoke of the importance of doing a tool like Twitter allowed them to prove Franco.after his edifying speech. could change the world, build a viable to him. The answer is that Twitter made promotion of tweets, trends, and user something meaningful, of believing in this every day, whether using the web OnOne a day-trip of the College’s to Verona, most after famous business, and have fun while doing it. improving uptime (the time that a web profiles. In other words, companies can what you are doing, and of being a force site to overthrow oppressive regimes, enjoyingand wayward gelati and Old admiring Members, the Mr Roman Mr Stone recently left Twitter to focus site operates without outages) its top pay to make their Twitter profile more for good. His messages to businesses: to organise relief during natural amphitheatreAmis has rarely and medievalbeen out ofarchitecture, the on philanthropic activities, but the priority in its early years, ahead of prominent when users browse and that altruism pays compound interest; disasters, or just to share a joke. “If wepublic performed eye since a concert the publication at the Santa of enjoyment that he took from working generating revenue. But in mid-2010, search the site, rather like Google’s that the only deal worth doing is a Twitter was to be a triumph,” he said, “it Anastasiahis debut church novel, which The Rachel was met Papers with, on the web site was evident in every after considerable improvements to the AdWords. The company made win-win deal; that if you do all right was not to be a triumph of technology; muchover applause. 30 years ago.The followingHe has gained day we moment of his speech. He admitted infrastructure of the site, Twitter began revenues of $45m in 2010, and is by your customers, your business will it was to be a triumph of humanity.” spentparticular the afternoon acclaim on for the his beautiful ”London that from a very early stage he had selling unconventional advertising projected to earn $150m in 2011. peninsulaTrilogy,” of including Sirmione Money where, wewhich become emotionally invested in the discoveredwas named the one Scaliger of TIME castle’s “All-Time and the product; that he wanted to work on it remains100 Novels.” of a Roman Following villa coined the talk, the Mr no matter how many people told him GrottoAmis of signed Catullus, books and in swam the Rector’s in the it would fail. clearGarden blue andwaters mingled of Lake with Garda. those In the That Twitter has changed the world evening,who hope we gaveto be a the concert next generationin the village is equally evident. Its 200m users of ofCastelnuovo Exeter’s impressive where the literary local prete generate 350m tweets (text-based posts hadtradition. advertised our coming by means of of up to 140 characters) and 1.6bn search queries worldwide every day. According to Pear Analytics, 37% of these tweets are purely conversational, while 40% are pointless babble, but nevertheless the way that the world’s news is transmitted, digested, and even created has shifted radically in recent years. When US Airways flight 1549 ditched in New York’s Hudson River in January 2009, Twitter users had spread the miraculous story around the globe approximately 15 minutes before the mainstream media began to report it. When asked whether he had any objection to Twitter being used for trivial posts such as what people are eating for breakfast, Mr Stone argued that not only should people follow whatever interests them, but that regular tweeting of even the mundane makes people fluent tweeters when Photo: Joi Ito extraordinary events unfold. Whether natural disasters or political rallies, people are now used to receiving the Mr Amis in the Rector’s Garden

14 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 15 College News

Dancing in the Quads New Graduate Accommodation Opens

Improvised jazz and an unusual treat for Exeter College Chapel, as the Turl Street Following its official opening, the residents of Exeter House are making the most Arts Festival continues to flourish. of their new home. Arthur Sawbridge (2009, English) Barbara Havelkova, Exeter House Warden (2008, Law)

he annual collaboration of Later on Saturday evening, the Ken and Lincoln staged an original play, A tudents, staff, and alumni accommodation at Stapeldon House and two common rooms, laundry facilities, Exeter, Lincoln, and Jesus Colyer Trust Band, joined by Exonian Row of Parked Cars. The Exeter College gathered in east Oxford in close to the University’s sports facilities. bicycle racks, and extensive landscaped T Colleges in Fifth Week of Hilary improvisers after an afternoon workshop, Chapel was also the venue for four S October 2010 to witness the It was formally opened by Mark gardens including a cloistered Term enjoyed another successful year. played to a packed (and dancing) Hall, exceptional vocal and instrumental official completion and opening of Houghton-Berry (1976, Literae quadrangle. There is a Porters’ Lodge Despite the ubiquitous posters around before the crowds enjoyed the newly recitals, and the Festival’s culminating Exeter House. This dedicated graduate Humaniores) and his wife Meganne. and on-site Warden to increase security Oxford, it was the sound of New formed Exeter College Funk Band and event: an amassed choir of Turl Street accommodation is located on the Iffley The Exeter House complex was and further the collegiate atmosphere. Orleans jazz parading through the front the Donut Kings in the Undercroft Bar. students singing Handel’s rarely Road, directly opposite undergraduate designed by Anthony Pettorino, a young Regular social events are organised on quads of the three colleges that finally Meanwhile, Jesus College curated an performed Alexander’s Feast under the and rising Oxford-based architect. Over the site by the Exeter College MCR, such alerted their communities to the event. exhibition of work by Turl Street students baton of Tom Hammond-Davies. Regular social a period of two years, two Victorian as movie nights, seminars with Exeter houses and a former chapel and school College Fellows, barbecues, and parties. events are organised building were redeveloped and five new Exeter House offers the collegiate ideal La Vita è Bella for the College Choir on the site by the blocks were built around three of a sociable, supportive, and protected Exeter College MCR, quadrangles. The complex offers environment in which to live and study. The scenic villages, lakes, and historical landmarks of northern Italy give Exeter such as movie nights, accommodation to 110 graduate The redevelopment of the site cost College Choir something to sing about during their latest tour. students in single study-bedrooms, the £7.5m, a large part of which was seminars with Exeter majority of which are en-suite and financed by the generosity of Exeter’s Rhian Wood (2008, Classics and English) grouped into apartments with shared alumni and friends. Generations of College Fellows, kitchen and dining facilities. Flats for Exeter’s graduate students now have barbecues, and couples and small families are also bright and modern facilities to enjoy, fter a year’s break, Exeter Anastasia church which was met with member of their church choir, parties. available. The residents of Exeter House putting the College at the top of the College Chapel Choir has been much applause. The following day we particularly for our rendition of Rossini’s further benefit from communal kitchens, league for accommodation. A once again touring the world spent the afternoon on the beautiful O salutaris hostia. and gaining international fame. peninsula of Sirmione where we Later in the week we sang mass and a This year we went to the Lombardy discovered the Scaliger castle and the concert at the local church in Lazise region of Italy and stayed in a small remains of a Roman villa coined the and concluded our tour by participating town called Lazise, just a few hours Grotto of Catullus, and swam in the in one of the many Sunday masses away from the historical cities of Verona clear blue waters of Lake Garda. In taking place in the breathtaking St and Venice. Here we were warmly the evening, we gave a concert in the Mark’s Cathedral in Venice. Here we welcomed by the extrovert Franco: village of Castelnuovo where the local were greeted by two members of the owner and chef extraordinaire of our prete had advertised our coming by Choir’s very own Oxford fan club: hotel for the week, Albergo da Franco. means of a megaphone stuck out of his Helen Orchard, Chaplain of Exeter On a day-trip to Verona, after car window. Our performance was College until the end of Hilary 2011, enjoying gelati and admiring the Roman met with a standing ovation and and the College Bursar, William Jensen. amphitheatre and medieval architecture, heartfelt congratulations All were delighted to see them and they we performed a concert at the Santa from an old listened rapturously as we sang Charles Stanford’s Beati quorum via and Poulenc’s Salve Regina in the Cathedral’s fantastic acoustic environment. Many thanks to our organ scholar, Joshua Hales, for his hard work before and during the tour. We look forward to just as much fun next year!

Clockwise, from top right: the architect’s design; the completed building; students enjoying their new garden; benefactor Mark Houghton-Berry (1976, Literae Humaniores) formally opens the redeveloped Exeter House

St Mark’s Cathedral in Venice

16 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 17 College News

Lady Bannister Opens Football Rowing Rugby Charlie Howell (2008, Literae Renovated Gym Joshua Brocklesby (2009, History) Tom Blight (2009, PPE) James Misson (2010, English) Humaniores)

he College was delighted to welcome Sir Roger lthough it is easy to have forgotten Michaelmas by Bannister (1946, Physiological Sciences) and Lady June, the year started well for the Boat Club with the T Moyra Bannister through its doors during Trinity Term. A Men’s IV winning its events at Nephthys Regatta and A lucky handful of students witnessed Lady Bannister unveiling Wallingford Head. Exeter fielded five novice crews: we met a commemorative plaque in the refurbished College gym Trinity in the Men’s Novice final of Nephthys, avenging the bearing her name. This was followed by a relaxed photo 2009 crew’s defeat against that college with a comfortable opportunity with the sporting legend and his wife, along with win. Unfortunately the Women’s Novice As faced the eventual his son Clive (1977, PPE) and grandson Conrad. winners early on. Similar bad luck and a few well-timed crabs Sir Roger is famous not only for being the first athlete to run prevented progress past the second round of Christ Church the mile in under four minutes in 1954, but also as a Regatta, despite memorable performances from both Novice distinguished neurologist: a welcome testament to today’s B crews. students that a successful balance between academic and extracurricular life is indeed possible. The Novices ended the term

The promotion-winning team on a high, rowing over as the

Sir Roger is famous fastest novice college crew at Another successful season not only for being the first CFC had an exceptionally successful season, securing Head of the River. athlete to run the mile in a promotion to the Premier Division for the first time in e have managed to become one of the most E its history. The fact that the first team retained only This year’s Hilary Term was an improvement on last year’s successful college sides in the University, while under four minutes in 1954, seven players from last year was more than compensated for by – a gross understatement for the Women’s squad, whose two W retaining the social atmosphere that has come to but also as a distinguished a promising intake of freshers. VIIIs both rose on the charts, the first VIII bumping into Division be associated with the club. We were initially unsure of what to expect from a team One and earning blades along the way! Faced with numerous We triumphed in all ten of our league matches, a first for neurologist: a welcome with so many new faces. However, with impressive kit and challenges throughout, the Men were content to have held Exeter, which also led to a double-promotion from Division testament to today’s equipment from our newly-acquired sponsors, Origin, a position after seven races at the top of Division Two, although Three to Division One. We rarely looked back after setting the students that a successful hard-fought victory over St John’s in the opening match of the the lower boats slipped several places. tone for the season by turning up with around 30 players for season filled us with optimism. Magdalen handed us our first The Novices ended the term on a high, rowing over as the our opening game against Jesus. Notable high points in the balance between academic defeat, and established themselves as our fiercest rivals. We fastest novice college crew at Head of the River. league matches include a last gasp victory against St Peter’s, and extracurricular life is finished Michaelmas Term in second place, but at a substantial Trinity Term was even more of a mixed bag. Due credit goes after trailing with 15 minutes left to play, and impressive wins disadvantage to Magdalen. first to the Women for their two bumps in Summer Eights against both University and St Catherine’s – two of the real indeed possible. Hilary Term witnessed the best term of college football despite an early klaxon on the first day, but both Men’s crews heavyweights of the collegiate league. Our second victory of produced in my time here. We met Magdalen again, got spoons. They will be back with a vengeance next year. the year over Worcester sealed our unbeaten record and Lady Bannister was thrilled to have the subterranean gym apprehensively conscious that only an ECFC win could prevent Special mention must go to Exeter’s three returning squad granted us our second promotion. named after her, and had specifically requested the installation our opponents from lifting the title. It was a fantastic game, rowers, all of whom rowed in Summer Eights – Rhian Wood, of a ballet bar. The new treadmill and rowing machine will attended by the President of Magdalen himself, but one in Ben Snodin, and Ben Myers (in Osiris, Isis, and the Blue Boat We triumphed in all ten of ensure that athletes of all varieties are well catered for. which he was to be disappointed. Our 4-3 triumph extended respectively) – and also to Chris Arnold, the Women’s Coach, our winning streak to five games and, now two points behind who withdraws from the position this year. our league matches, a first Magdalen, put us within touching distance of the title. Sadly it for Exeter, which also led to a wasn’t to be. We dropped points for the first time in 2011 with a 2-2 draw against LMH, and despite a spirited 3-0 victory over double-promotion from Division Corpus Christi/Linacre, ultimately finished a point behind the Three to Division One. champions, Magdalen. Nevertheless, the prospect of top-tier college football next term is an exciting one. The Cuppers Tournament unfortunately brought us back to earth; an initial two-week break because of cancellations Hilary Term witnessed the meant we were underprepared to face Brasenose in the quarter-finals. We battled hard but were ultimately defeated best term of college football in a match that was far tighter than the result would suggest. produced in my time here. Special mention must go to Dugald Macdonald, Sam Hitchings, and Tom Hatfield, who all represented the Unfortunately we must bid farewell to a number of our most University this year, and our President, Robbie Cowan, who talented and loyal servants, including Joe Knox, Luke O’Leary, scored a try in the Rugby League Varsity Match. Thanks go to and our former captain, Adam Halewood, who between them all our leavers, who have formed the backbone of the team this have amassed a remarkable 120 caps. We are grateful for the year, and who will be sorely missed. efforts of all our leavers. However, the future seems bright, and We are extremely excited about next year and are confident we hope next year brings not only new challenges and faces that a strong batch of freshers will step up to new challenges but also new achievements! and ensure that the progress instigated by our leavers was not Photo opportunity with the sporting legend and his wife The blades-winning Women’s First VIII in vain.

18 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 19 University News

Keeping Oxford Exceptional Blavatnik School of Helen Watson, Fellow by Special Election, explains the decision to raise fees Government Unveiled and discusses what this means for the poorest students. Helen Watson (1988, Music), Director of Planning and Resource Allocation, University of Oxford A generous donation from Leonard Blavatnik funds a pioneering new institution. Alexander Barrett (2009, PPE) uch media coverage was which have been raised each year with At Oxford, our fee setting was subsidy to all home/EU undergraduates generated by the publication inflation). But they returned to informed by calculations which regardless of household income. M in July by the Office for Fair prominence in November 2010, when indicated that the University would The decision to charge the maximum n today’s inter-connected In light of this, one might be Access (OFFA) of the 2012/13 home the Government announced a new base need to charge a fee of £8,000 a year to permissible fee offers the opportunity to world, governments are facing surprised by the breadth of the course, undergraduate fee levels and related fee level of £6,000 for 2012/13 and an each cohort of home/EU undergraduates provide generous support to those I increasingly complex which takes an interdisciplinary “Access Agreements” of 123 English upper cap of £9,000, which could be from 2012/13 onwards simply to make students who need it most.This challenges. Economic crises, social approach, recognising that leaders universities. OFFA is the public body charged in “exceptional” circumstances, up for this loss of public funding. And commitment is reflected in the figures upheaval, and rapid technological now have to understand science and charged with promoting and together with a reshaping of the student that would still not include the cost of published by OFFA. Oxford’s average change make for difficult policy medicine as well as a full range of safeguarding access for all to higher loans system. any additional spend on access. fee, after fee waivers and bursary dilemmas requiring a global subject areas, including philosophy education. An “access agreement” with OFFA’s data reveal that over a third of Competition law ensures that universities support for lower income groups are approach. No surprise, then, that and history. However, the energetic OFFA is required from each and every English universities have set a basic cannot communicate on the subject of taken into account, will be £7,549 – the public servants and politicians are, new Academic Director of the School, publicly funded university or college £9,000 fee for all courses, including all fee setting, so we cannot know what third lowest in the Russell Group. On to a greater extent than ever before, Professor Ngaire Woods, points out wishing to charge more than the of the Russell Group and all except one discussions took place across the current data, one in six students would looking for a training that provides that these areas are taught with government’s basic fee. It must set member of the 1994 Group. So country. However, in terms of the receive a fee waiver and a quarter an understanding of both global practical applications very much in out intentions in terms of outreach, “exceptional” circumstances appear to loss of government funding, we know would receive a bursary. And these context and a wide range of mind. The philosophical arguments financial support for students and so have pertained fairly widely. that all institutions are in a broadly numbers are likely to increase – our subjects, in order to arm them with underpinning many modern policy on. These requirements have actually This has come about largely because similar position. commitment to widening access to the skills and abilities needed. debates such as universal healthcare been in place since OFFA was founded we have seen a radical reduction in At Oxford specifically, our world- Oxford from under-represented groups As a result of this demand, and a are explained, whilst a basic and the first “variable” fees were set for public investment in higher education. class education system means that only is reflected in our commitment to major donation from US industrialist understanding of science and 2006/7, with a basic level of £1,000 The October 2010 Comprehensive half the costs of an undergraduate spending to promote access. At 50% of and philanthropist Leonard medicine is vital for critically assessing and a maximum of £3,000 (figures Spending Review saw funding for education have ever been met by the additional fee income, that will be Blavatnik (one of the most generous many conflicting policy options, from research being frozen, while in other combination of fees and government nearly double the average for all donations the University has ever environmental sustainability to health areas the sector faced a £2.9bn funding. The new system does little to English universities. received), Oxford is opening the and education policies. reduction in higher education change things. In agreeing a fee, the Blavatnik School of Government. The School will eventually be funding, phased in over the University’s Council noted that a lower It will welcome its inaugural class located on the Radcliffe Observatory four years to 2014/15. fee across the board would simply in 2012 on the School’s Master’s Quarter. Oxford has long had a history increase the reliance on cross-subsidy degree course in Public Policy. of training future leaders, boasting 26 and endowment, to the detriment of The one-year course will focus Prime Ministers and over 30 other other activity. It was also noted that a heavily on practical policy world leaders. With this new School, decision to charge less than the highest applications and skills that can be it appears that there may be many fee to those students who can afford it directly applied to governmental more to come. would be an effectual undifferentiated or non-governmental work. Photo: Rhys Maliphant

The generous benefactor

20 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 21 University News

New Pro-Vice-Chancellor on Fundraising, We Bleed Dark Blue: Alumni, and Getting Books to Children Women’s Rugby at Oxford

In October 2010 Professor Nick Rawlins became the University’s The President of the Oxford University Women’s Rugby Football Club discusses Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Development and External Affairs. Here he discusses the sport’s growth, reputation, and future after a year of mixed fortune. his impressions of the role so far with Mark Gilbert (2008, Mathematics) Victoria Elliott (2007, Education)

MG When you became the University’s scientific meetings, I have to be that you want people to enjoy – which ugby? Not proper rugby? With tackling and The OUWRFC committee has breathed new life into Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Development exceptionally organised to make time can facilitate fundraising. But colleges, scrums? For girls?” This is a fairly typical Cuppers, with clusters of colleges designed to ensure that and External Affairs, what did you hope for them. faculties, museums, and libraries can “R response when I tell people what I do with my there are enough teams for matches. Exeter’s to achieve? start to compete for funds. We try not to spare time. Yet rugby is one of the fastest growing women’s conglomeration, the Eagles, came second this year, and I MG Why is Oxford’s relationship with tread on one another’s toes and to offer sports in the country; last look forward to the day NR I came in when the University was its alumni so important? something for everyone. Whatever the year England hosted the when Exeter women can about to announce it had raised £1bn for interest, the University has a relevant World Cup and finished dominate the most the Oxford Thinking campaign. The NR Our alumni are our public face; if campaign. The key is making sure runners-up to the All Blacks. vibrant tournament ever. landscape looked challenging and I they don’t know, understand or like what everyone can find the campaign that Unsurprisingly, Oxford is I shall not be among wanted to make sure we didn’t stop we do, that seems to me a mistake. They suits their interest. ahead of the curve; the 25th them, though – both my there. I thought it an extraordinary are an extraordinary source of ideas and Women’s Varsity match will be Oxford career and my opportunity to change the future of the support, some of which is financial MG How do you see Oxford’s role in contested next year in rugby career are over. University, and I wanted to be involved. (alumni contribute around half of what the world? Dark Blue territory. Rugby has The latter is due to a comes into the fund). Our alumni are been a major part of my life torn cruciate ligament, MG What have you achieved so far? also a huge part of what we offer our NR The University has huge outreach. at Oxford, and since October snapped in training. current students, and maintaining those There are the students that the University 2010 I have been part-time Looking after the club NR The achievement is a team connections is essential. teaches from around the world. Then Education DPhil student, from the side of the achievement. Half of the money raised there are research programmes, some of part-time President of the pitch has made for a for the University campaign has come which employ hundreds of people Oxford University Women’s challenging and through the college side. My success, I overseas. Oxford University Press Rugby Football Club. sometimes frustrating hope, has been enhancing the links extends that outreach to millions of Our team is at something season (chasing bullocks between colleges and the University. readers: just think what OUP contributes of a disadvantage: the off the Marston pitch in terms of English language teaching. opportunity to play rugby at On the charge springs to mind!). MG What do you enjoy most about You only have to look at the number of school is a rare one for girls, Continued training, despite the pain, earned me my Blue the job? global leaders who spent time at Oxford and many of our recruits are complete novices, learning to as a Varsity sub – the proudest achievement of my four – around 30, of one sort or another – to pass backwards, run forwards, and tackle hard. We bond years at Oxford. One thing is for sure: women’s rugby is NR Meeting amazing people. Also the see how far-reaching Oxford’s quickly, especially among the forwards – after grabbing hold definitely proper rugby. small things – when things just go right. contribution is. of someone else’s waistband to bind them tightly, it’s hard to For example, the University runs a be stand-offish. residential summer school for children MG How do you see the University Photo: Rob Judges from schools that wouldn’t normally within the city of Oxford? send pupils to Oxbridge. A lot of these schools have very limited libraries, so I NR You walk through Oxford and the asked Oxford University Press to provide University is all around you. The the students with books. “It would be a University and OUP are two of Oxford’s pleasure,” came the reply. In terms of a Nick Rawlins biggest employers; the museums attract £1.25bn campaign, that’s not a big deal, MG Why is fundraising so important to millions of visitors each year; thousands but to those pupils, and to me, it meant the University? of the University’s students are part of a lot. organisations that interact with the local NR Since its foundation the University community. At every level there is great MG As an associate head of the has depended on philanthropy. Today, collaboration between the University Medical Sciences Division and a Fellow even with other sources of income, the and the city. It brings Oxford to life. at Wolfson, how do you balance the University spends around £80m a year People come here from all over the Pro-Vice-Chancellorship with your of its own resources in order to preserve world. These fascinating people – other responsibilities? its world-class standards of education. students, tourists, academics, and business people – are constantly NR The Pro-Vice-Chancellorship is the MG What are the challenges and renewed, and that is why Oxford main drive of what I do. I try to keep a benefits of fundraising within a will never become dull. day a week for the lab, and give collegiate university? OUWRFC in action occasional tutorials because I enjoy it and there are certain areas where I’ve NR The collegiate system creates a got added value. In terms of lectures and sense of belonging – a shared experience

22 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 23 University News

Eccentricity Exhibition Oxford on YouTube How to Write The Museum of the History of Science, on Broad Street, displays inventions from The University of Oxford celebrates the launch of the Bible some of Oxford’s less conventional alumni. an online video channel. Christopher Eddie, Tim Hele (2007, Chemistry) Matt Stokes (2010, Modern Languages) University of Oxford Public Affairs Directorate his year sees the 400th anniversary of the King T James Version of the Bible, which the Bodleian Library commemorates with an exhibition bringing together for the first time many of the original artefacts used in the translation process. The earliest known attempt at a translation of the Bible into English – Old English – was in approximately 1000AD, when scholars inscribed an earlier illuminated Latin manuscript (the Vulgate) with English words above the original Latin, leading to a literal rather than idiomatic translation. As the centuries progressed, the first full translation of the Bible into English

Photo: MHS emerged in the 1300s with the Wycliffite Bible, probably written in Oxford. The “Great Bible” of 1539 is also on display at the Bodleian’s The type bars and manual for the impossibly intricate Chinese typewriter The first step for a future Exonian? exhibition, although it seems to be more concerned with politics than here was never a genius years, none more eccentric than who knows, after all, whether in 200 n October 2010 the University of Oxford YouTube site are “How to apply” piety; on the title page Henry VIII without a tincture of the Chinese typewriter, fitted with years an Exonian currently flicking Oxford took a further step into the and “How to choose a college”. is more than twice the size of God “T madness,” said Aristotle. thousands of tiny squares, each with through the pages of this magazine I world of online media with the These colourful, informal animations and surrounded by adoring crowds Neither, one can safely say, has ever a different character. Contemplating might themselves be the subject of launch of youtube.com/oxford – the explain the application process, and shouting “Vivat Rex” and “God save been lacking amongst the dreaming learning to touch-type on this a similar exhibition? University’s own YouTube channel. It are particularly helpful to students who the Kinge.” spires. Most of us will have experienced contraption, however, made me glad follows the huge success of iTunes U, come from schools and families that are The King James Version (there is an Oxford eccentric – the oddball the technology didn’t catch on. a distribution system that has allowed not familiar with the process. Viewers no evidence it was originally called student, the whimsical College tutor or Oxford to reach an audience of millions can explore the University and the Authorised Version) was the idiosyncratic Librarian – and this Most of us will by posting online videos of lectures, experience lectures, and thus compiled by roughly 50 scholars, year Oxford’s Museum of the History museum exhibitions, university tours, prospective students who are unable including Thomas Holland, erstwhile of Science, next door to Exeter College have experienced an revision sessions, master classes, to attend an Open Day can still glimpse Rector of Exeter College and an in the Broad, has dedicated a small Oxford eccentric. debates, and much more. Within two what it would be like to study at Oxford. ardent opponent of Catholicism but fascinating exhibition called years of its launch, more than 10m The YouTube channel therefore helps the (see page 49). “Eccentricity” to some of these people. The exhibition also chronicles the videos were downloaded from the University to attract disadvantaged Printing such a large and complex On show are some of the stranger lives of some of Oxford’s most famous University of Oxford section of students and overseas students alike. work was fraught with difficulty. objects from the museum’s collection eccentrics, such as Charles Babbage, iTunes U. We hope that the YouTube The site is expanding, with plans for Errors were common in early which – like many of their inventors – who was constantly ridiculed for never channel will mirror this achievement. more videos targeted at current and editions, and the Bodleian shows an are rather unconventional, and therefore managing successfully to build any The content on both sites overlaps, prospective students, such as study skills extremely rare copy of the “Wicked rarely exhibited. For example, three of his remarkably forward-thinking but the University hopes to attract a lessons and discussions on student life. Bible” of 1631, where Exodus 20:14 Oxford inventors, not content to limit inventions. Another is Frederick Soddy, wider range of viewers to the Oxford The channel will also be of interest to reads “Thou shalt commit adultery.” their use of mechanical technology to who rewrote Descartes’s Circle Theorem YouTube site. iTunes U is particularly anyone who wishes to stay in touch Most were burned. clockwork, developed a mechanical fly in the form of a poem and thereby popular with current students and with developments at Oxford. We are The enduring legacy of the Bible is trap, a pigeon-race timer, and a “bird- usurped the name, creating “Soddy’s graduates, and is often regarded developing a project which will show also presented, including Handel’s scarer”; another, Stanley Jevons, created Theorem”. It is hardly surprising to primarily as a source of education the immense wealth of art and artefacts conducting copy of Messiah, and a the “logic machine” – a keyboard which learn of Charles Dodgson’s scientific rather than more broadly information that are not on public display in the first edition ofParadise Lost. More could supposedly answer any question eccentricities when we realise that he and entertainment. YouTube, on the University’s museums, and further than anything, the exhibition shows and which some consider to be an also wrote, under the pseudonym Lewis other hand, is more popular with lecture series and talks by famous the rewards of sustained and detailed (albeit rather distant) precursor to the Carroll, a book as eccentric as Alice’s teenagers and so presents an opportunity speakers will follow. scholarship, something that is just as computer. Adventures in Wonderland. to reach prospective students. Already relevant today as it was in the times Also on display is a collection of It is only fair that Oxford’s eccentrics among the most popular videos on the of James I. several typewriters amassed over the should have their time in the limelight: Lewis Carroll is one of many featured eccentrics in the exhibition 24 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 25 Features

How to Tell a Story Alfred Hitchcock. atmosphere, but that doesn’t mean the A murder in a Looking beyond literary pretensions, the author of the His Dark Materials How does a good story-teller keep more description the better. Sometimes back street is not the trilogy and The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ explores the art our attention throughout a story? Largely a phrase or two is enough, but if we by making every action, every event, want the audience to see things (and same sort of thing as of story-telling. Philip Pullman (1965, English) have a bearing on the main shape; by Joseph Conrad thought that was the a murder in a senior seeing the connections that exist most important thing to aim for) we between this event and that one, and have to offer them something to see. common room; should point out that the title of this burst. If we don’t always consciously cap on our originality, we’ll tell the by helping the audience to see them The question is how much, and when a journey made piece is not “How to write a choose our story, however, we can still story in the present tense. No-one else too. This is as true of great novels like to stop. I like to bear certain questions by moonlight is I novel.” I can’t tell you how to do choose how to tell it. If we’re like most has ever done that. Middlemarch or Bleak House as it is of in mind when writing a scene: who that, because there are as many ways of clever people our first efforts will be Once we’ve got that literary spasm great short stories like Conan Doyle’s is present? Where are they? What time different from a writing good novels as there are good complex and knotted and full of striking out of our system (and it gets us all at The Adventure of the Speckled Band, of day is it? What’s the weather like? journey made in the novels. Some good novels are also good literary effects, just to demonstrate how first) we’re free to deal with our next and of Homer’s Iliad. The literary art, Where’s the light coming from? The stories, but some are not, and some brilliant we are, how unlike other less story in a more effective way. We’ll to read what critics say about novels point is not to treat it as a checklist and blaze of noon. good stories are not novels at all. They gifted and interesting writers. To put the know that’s starting to happen when these days, is largely a matter of writing diligently answer every question, but might be plays, or films, or folk tales. we begin to find the events in the story beautiful sentences. The story-telling art to remember that things like that are in authority had forbidden me to do it. My concern here is stories rather than more interesting than our own gifts. is different. useful in helping the reader see what I learned a great deal, not least that novels, though if a good novel also I say the events, because that’s what There’s one other thing I want to say we’re describing. I can tell adventure stories but not happens to be a good story, so much the stories are made of. They’re not made about story-telling here, and that has to When we’ve told a few stories with domestic ones. I also learned the better. As for whether a book can be a of moods or memories or impressions do with description and atmosphere. It’s reasonable success (at least, without enormous value of telling stories that bad novel but a good story, that’s or metaphysical speculations or deep important, because it has a bearing on everyone we know begging us to stop) are good in the first place. If I had another question entirely. studies of character; novels, and great the nature of the event you’re relating: we might begin to see what sort of to do it all again, I’d still start with If you want to tell a good story, the novels, may be made of such things, a murder in a back street is not the same story-teller we are. I was very lucky: Homer. Few people have ever told first thing to do is make sure you have but stories aren’t. Nor are they made sort of thing as a murder in a senior I was able to tell stories to the children stories better than he did, and he’s been a good story to tell. You don’t have to of words, though poems are. Stories are common room; a journey made by I was teaching at a time when my mind out of copyright for a very long time. invent every story you work with; and in made of things happening. You could moonlight is different from a journey was still elastic enough to notice things fact if you choose a story that has say (I often do) that the best way to tell made in the blaze of noon. I’m all for and adjust them, and when no-one already been entertaining people for a good story is to think of some hundreds of years, you’ve got a fair interesting events, put them in the order chance of making it work. As for where that best brings out the connections to find one, there are plenty of good between them, and then relate them stories in the great treasury of folk tales as clearly as you can. and mythology, not to mention A skilful story-teller will also know at Shakespeare, not to mention the Bible. which point the story begins, which You can tell Bible stories without isn’t necessarily with the first event. believing in God: after all, no-one After all, the events that make up expects the teller of a story about Apollo Hamlet begin with the murder of to believe in that deity; and Yahweh is Hamlet’s father by his brother Claudius. too interesting a character – capricious, That was the initiating event, wasn’t it? vindictive, and sentimental – to ignore. Didn’t that set everything else in motion? And don’t forget that the origin of your Well, yes, but think how much better story is only that: a starting-point. Shakespeare’s opening is. Some sentries Romeo and Juliet went on to become guarding the castle are waiting West Side Story, but it had passed apprehensively in case a ghost, which through several other incarnations they’ve seen before, appears again. And before it was Romeo and Juliet. it does. It’s the ghost of the late king, and… Well, we know what happens next, but we still want to see it happen, If you want to tell every time. And when we finally reach a good story, the first that murder, which happened before the thing to do is make beginning of the play, it’s made even more impressive for us because by that sure you have a good time we know that the murderer is story to tell. watching as it’s acted out in front of him. We know what Claudius doesn’t, I spoke about choosing a story, but and we can hardly wait to see what quite often, in fact, we don’t choose the he’ll do when he sees his own crime story: it chooses us. We find ourselves depicted before the whole court. drawn to it without knowing why. We From top: Inferno – The Divine Comedy by Dante That’s a good example of what I circle around it obsessively; it won’t (Bartolomo Di Fruosino); The Canterbury Tales by mean by putting interesting things in the Geoffrey Chaucer; illustration from an antique leave us alone; we have to tell it or edition of Shakespeare’s Plays (London 1839) best order. Why, it’s almost as good as The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed with the Sun (a William Blake illustration for the Book of Revelation)

26 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 27 Features

Writing the World Story-telling in a Crisis: In 2010 Amy Sackville received the John Llewellyn Rhys prize for her debut Getting the Right Message Out novel, The Still Point. Here she explores what story-telling means to her. Amy Sackville (2002, English Studies) Nigel Milton, Director for Aviation, Policy, and Political Relations at BAA, assesses the struggle to communicate during last winter’s snow crisis. Nigel Milton (1990, Jurisprudence) ight at the beginning, so we’re to make sense, and it is also about blogger drip-feeding a narrative to their told, was the Word. And then interrogating the possibility of online audience… The mode of R more words followed the one adequately doing so. It may be that a communication may change, and will n 16 December last year, BAA Heathrow depends on many different This lack of clarity in terms of Word, and more, a great cacophony of a simple, linear narrative will not fit; that go on changing, and certainly a story is received weather forecasts of stakeholders. Passengers do not want information became one of the key world, a never-ending story, always our experience, our identities, our shaped in part by its medium and by its O snow at Heathrow Airport. to see a big public squabble about who reputational problems. The airport as a revised, retold, reworked with every realities, are plural, fragmented, reception. But in any form, story-telling The airport’s operational teams were was to blame. So BAA took the decision whole did not have a clear picture of teller. Human beings tell stories; it’s what complex; so we go on inventing new is, I think, an attempt to capture confident they could cope – a press to accept responsibility and apologise the flight timetable to provide to we do, to make sense of things. Not just forms in which to tell our stories, but the experience so that we can communicate release had been issued a few weeks to passengers. Inevitably, this meant passengers. This was not rectified until the grand narratives, but every little impulse, I think, remains the same. it to another, however fleeting the earlier trumpeting the size and BAA became a scapegoat and airlines overnight on Monday, when a BAA metaphor, joke, anecdote, lie; identities, A story is nothing in a vacuum; it impression. Even if the gaps and the efficiency of the snow plough fleet. took every opportunity they could to lay team created the first reduced-capacity memories, histories, relationships: these must be told, to someone. Whether it’s a omissions and the inconsistency form Two days later, the Christmas plans of the blame at the operator’s door, with schedule in Heathrow’s history. This are the stories we write all the time. And poet singing myths to his listeners with part of the weave, even if it’s a tatty and hundreds of thousands of travellers were Virgin even announcing it would be started to draw the sting out of the story. this is the process that interests me as a his lyre, a satirist passing his pamphlets snaggled thread that we must work into in tatters as the unprecedented rate of withholding its airport fees until after writer: how do we use language to to a select coterie, a novelist writing for a holed and puckered fabric, we are snowfall on 18 December overwhelmed the inquiry. understand ourselves; how is our world an unknown stranger curled up on the compelled to keep spinning our yarns. the airport’s snow-clearing capabilities The T5 crisis had also taught BAA Passengers do not not just described by stories, but sofa with a paperback (or cramped into And there’s another metaphor; that’s and the world’s busiest international the importance of opening up all of want to see a big constituted by them? a train with their Kindle), or, indeed, a another story. airport closed down. its communication channels quickly to public squabble about For me, writing is about this attempt The independent inquiry that was provide round-the-clock information. set up in the aftermath found significant So, when the snow crisis hit, the who is to blame. operational weaknesses but it also communication teams sprang into concluded that the situation was action. Call centres were activated Once the story had been rolling exacerbated by “unclear and uncertain to take customer calls. Tweets and for a few days, the media coverage communications caus[ing] incorrect Facebook statuses were furiously of the crisis started falling into a signals and messages to go to airlines typed. Links with government officials well-established pattern: while the actual [and] passengers.” So what went wrong were activated. Extra resources were event was covered in detail by the and why was BAA unable to get the drafted in. broadcast media, the print press wanted right messages out? If all the communication channels to discover fresh angles and went off As anyone who regularly uses were running so smoothly, why was on tangents to find them. With normal Heathrow knows, this wasn’t the first there so much criticism of BAA that it operations resumed, the spotlight time the airport had experienced was not communicating clearly with started to shine on the chief executive, significant problems. But in reality, passengers and airlines? Although BAA Colin Matthews, and his remuneration, this scale of disruption is rare and each was talking (and apologising), it was not at which point BAA decided to crisis is completely different. Many of in control of all sources of information announce that he would be forsaking the lessons that had been learnt from and some of the messages that were his bonus because of the crisis, making previous crises were, in fact, applied being communicated were no more £10m available for new snow-clearing very well during the snow. For instance, helpful than: “contact your airline for equipment, and launching an inquiry the difficulties more information.” The key thing into the matter. Finally BAA had surrounding T5’s learned from this crisis is the need regained control of the media agenda. opening had shown to get quality information out there. the importance of BAA was not helped by over-optimistic BAA taking operational reports which resulted responsibility in several changes in plans to reopen for events early the airport. on, even though the smooth running of Photo: MTaylor848 Illustration: Gemma Fountain

28 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 29 Features

A Message for the Medium: broadcaster to put all of its programmes, Finally, we explored how social media simultaneously using social networks via Stories in an Internet Age including its archive, on the open could help us get closer to our viewers, laptops or mobile phones. Sites such as internet. This generated and fed a and particularly our fans. Social Twitter and Facebook are therefore voracious appetite from our viewers. networking sites are making audiences enabling programme makers to gauge Former Channel 4 Director of Future Media and Technology, Jon Gisby, presents Last year, more than 300m programmes more visible and vocal, and their the reactions of their audience in real a digital revolution in story-telling, and examines how broadcasters are trying were watched on 4oD, a service which opinions harder to ignore. There are now time in ways that would have been to keep up. Jon Gisby (1987, History) didn’t exist at the start of 2007. For some more than 3m fans of Skins on Facebook. familiar to Shakespeare watching the of those titles, around a third of those in groundlings from behind the proscenium the audience are now only watching the With every at The Globe. ou never forget a good story- Story-telling and case) makes some constructive trouble content via their computers. technological shift Story-telling is as old as civilisation, teller. They may be a pub technology have to inspire change. But distribution of existing shows was but with every technological shift we Y raconteur, an award-winning Behind the contracts, edit suites, not enough – because the audience’s we reinvent how reinvent how stories are told. We are author, a campaigning journalist or (just always gone hand and ad breaks, there is real magic in the expectation of what the content should stories are told. still in the early days of digital maybe) an Oxford don. They thrive on in hand. creative process. The commissioning be is changing. To understand this best, technology but its impact will be the connection with their audience, teams are alchemists, often fusing we need to look backwards. Some of the All of them are eager to get as much profound. It is enabling stories to be tailoring their stories and the way they together producers and directors, writers earliest television dramas were stage material as they can about the show; created and shared in new and more tell them based on instantaneous and production crews, on-screen talent plays filmed from the front row of a some of them actively suggest storylines powerful ways, and it is becoming reaction. Over the last 500 years, and technicians. This process can’t be theatre. But as dramatists understood and music; each of them is contactable possible to interact in real time with an technology has helped them to reach bottled because it relies on febrile and what broadcast television could deliver, by the show’s writers and actors. The audience of millions all over the world. bigger audiences. The printing press, fragile ingredients: creative ideas, they created drama tailor-made for the journalists on Channel 4 News have In short, story-telling is becoming radio, movies, and television have relationships and team dynamics, and medium. Shortly afterwards, Coronation started using blogs and Twitter, discussing participative again. For this reason I ensured their stories are recorded for often large-scale operations. The Street and Doctor Who appeared. stories and leads with individual viewers. passionately believe that the best stories history, and shared and enjoyed by outcome is rarely predictable. Great We therefore experimented with And for some of Channel 4’s shows, the of our lifetimes are yet to come. millions. But story-telling at scale has narratives can be poorly told, or not digital services and games by nurturing a majority of the audience is diminished the connection with each resonate with the audience, while new generation of story-tellers who were member of the audience. Digital weaker ones can sometimes become not traditional programme makers, but technology has the potential to reinvent hits. The only general truth seems to be who were passionate about the creative this connection by combining the reach that the most outstanding content has potential of the internet. Our focus was and diversity of print and broadcast with often had the least audience research, providing complementary material for intimacy, interaction, and participation. and is unlikely to be part of a prevailing our main shows. Our 1066 online game, Broadcasters are working hard to Zeitgeist. Instead it draws its impetus for example, was launched alongside a determine how best to tap into this from the vision and passion of a handful unprecedented opportunity. At their of story-tellers. The journalists core, media companies (and Story-telling and technology have on Channel 4 News broadcasters in particular) strive to find always gone hand in hand. From cave the best story-tellers in every possible paintings to Gutenberg’s presses, the have started using genre and help them reach the widest Coronation to 3D dinosaur documentaries, blogs and Twitter, possible audience. Channel 4’s founding the best technology available has been remit reflects this well: to find voices harnessed to maximise the reach and discussing stories and stories that were not being heard impact of the content. Part of my role at and leads with and help them to get on air. Its unique Channel 4 was to explore the latest individual viewers. model has delivered some of the UK’s technological innovations to ensure that most compelling, creative, and our content remained engaging and drama-documentary about the Norman commercially successful programmes of relevant for an audience that was invasion. It was played more than 10m the last 30 years. At the core of the increasingly online. This meant making times in its first seven months, often by organisation is a select group of our programmes available via the an audience that can no longer be commissioners who work with great internet, experimenting with digital reached by history documentaries. story-tellers, of both fact and fiction, to services and games, and using social The web site for Embarrassing Bodies bring their often challenging narratives media such as Facebook to get closer to has now become an invaluable medical to the mainstream. The process is our audiences. encyclopaedia, live online clinic, and deceptively simple: a schedule is Our first priority was making our a hub for a compassionate and self- shaped, often up to two years in programmes more available. Until fairly supporting community. Battlefront advance, briefs are written, proposals recently, television was transmitted into enabled a select group of teenagers to submitted, and a lucky few are people’s homes using technology first bring their campaigns to national commissioned. Once the programme is invented in the 1920s. Digital attention via social networks and a series broadcast it hopefully garners enough technology is far more versatile, and of TV programmes, and provided an viewers to earn the money needed for the internet in particular has enabled online tool kit for thousands of others to next year’s budget, and (in Channel 4’s viewers to watch content on demand. do the same. Channel 4 has long been a pioneer in The many ages of story-telling: Chauvet cave paintings, the first page of Beowulf, this area, becoming the world’s first A new kind of television Charlie Chaplin and 3D Cinema

30 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 31 Fundraising

Philanthropy in the Fee-paying Era Not So Different, After All

Exeter’s Director of Development explains how the new tuition fee charges will The College and its age-old rivalries unite students and alumni during 2011’s not change the College’s need for support from its next generation of alumni. record-breaking Telethon campaign. Katrina Hancock, Director of Development (1998, Earth Sciences) Katharina Neill (2010, Classical Archaeology and Ancient History)

xeter depends on philanthropic graduating students. A generation hen I first applied for the job different age groups and hearing about that counted. We, too, “hate” Jesus income to subsidise the costs of that has felt the impact of fees will as a student caller for Exeter their stories was truly inspiring. We were College and wish we had the creativity E undergraduate education. The understand the pressure this places on W College, I had no idea how touched by the excitement with which to think of pigeons as ammunition! And tutorial system is the most intensive and students and, given the right motivation, much of an impact those two weeks some alumni greeted our call and were what created this connection? Exeter valuable form of education in the world, will want to help alleviate the burden. were to have on me. The prospect of told many funny anecdotes. College. This experience made me but also one of the most expensive at However, there will probably be a lag calling people and asking them for realise just how big a part of my life around £16,000 per student per annum. before this cohort can make significant money seemed more than just a little My love for this Exeter is and will be. As government funding is gradually gifts, so the College must encourage daunting and I avoided picking up College grew more My love for this College grew more phased out, student participation the phone for my first call as long as I and more as I talked to the people it had fees will typically This year, 57% of and regular, possibly could. Alongside the and more as I talked already influenced. I now appreciate the rise from slightly cumulative giving embarrassment of “The Ask” (as we call to the people it had importance of this connection. It is what over £3,000 to Exeter’s newest that will have a it) I feared bad reactions of the people at makes this place what it is. We are one £9,000 in 2012. alumni made a gift, greater long-term the other end of the phone. already influenced. group of people, young and old, having Neither the funding despite paying fees. impact. To do this, I was proven wrong very quickly. It Our favourite came from a gentleman the same experience. Whether we nor the fees comes Exeter should got easier and easier and I soon found indulging in the playful rivalry held with received money or not, the call itself close to covering the true cost. continue to build a genuine two-way myself genuinely enjoying the Jesus College that was a frequent topic was the important part. Reminding the Nevertheless, students who incur tuition relationship with its young alumni, experience. We had a great response of conversation during the campaign. alumni of their good times here and fees may feel that they have actively supporting and engaging them from the participants, not only Having somehow obtained a flock of making us see the greatness of it all: paid for their education and therefore in the years after graduation. concerning the money. Of course, pigeons, he fed them for a week on that is why many of Exeter’s student “owe” their college nothing further. This year, 57% of Exeter’s newest fundraising is the idea behind a Telethon laxatives just to release them above Jesus callers joined the current fundraising Despite assurances that the average alumni made a gift, despite paying fees. and I am proud to say that the 2011 College during a black-tie event. campaign – the 1314 Society, graduate earns more over a lifetime Although the income generated is not Telethon broke all records, but other Whether this story was indeed true was celebrating the college’s 700th birthday. than the average non-graduate, these yet prodigious, their participation rate things seemed just as important to me. not of importance to us. It was the We now see the importance of giving students will feel poor as they start to is. By engaging each new generation of Getting in touch with alumni of so many connection between the alumni and us back after receiving so much. repay their debt. alumni, and maintaining that relationship, In light of this, many think that the the College can expect to see high next generation of alumni will be less participation in every year group in the Happy Holidays willing to give back, but experience with future with, perhaps, a shift in the value the youngest generations of alumni at of giving so that it peaks later in life: Fun, thrills, and copious chocolate for disadvantaged children, courtesy of Exeter, together with established trends low value giving for the first ten years, in America, suggests this will not be the slightly higher giving in the form of Exeter’s student-run charity. case, provided that the College monthly donations after that, and Alice Loughney, ExVac President (2008, Law) approaches fundraising in the right way then peaking around 35 years after while students are at College and when graduation when student debt and the they become alumni. majority of other responsibilities are eyond the “dreaming spires” Dudley Zoo, Cadbury World, and a change of pace that even the “coolest” First, Exeter students need to be aware discharged. The abolishment of the is a whole other Oxford. The Drayton Manor Theme Park, to name kids loved. that the College and its benefactors are mandatory retirement age may even B Exeter College Vacation Project just a few. The centre which provided This could only happen because of subsidising not only those on bursaries result in prolonged high-level giving (ExVac) funds, organises and staffs accommodation for the groups also the very generous support Exonians have and fee waivers, but every single as alumni continue to draw a salary holidays for Oxfordshire’s children offered a wonderful range of activities shown to the Project. From volunteers student. Every student benefits from into their 70s and beyond. who are in most desperate need of such as water sports and even dry-slope to donors, ExVac is something we can sponsored tuition, subsidised This is not just a dream, it is a break. Some live in severe financial tobogganing. Pottery painting provided all be proud of. accommodation and activities, along the model that private not-for-profit and social deprivation. Others must with the added value of the collegiate institutions in the USA exhibit despite care for ill or disabled relatives. All of community, because a previous their (even higher) fees. They find the children we help deserve to have a generation has made it possible. that, provided their students had a week with nothing to concentrate on Students should graduate with an recognisably valuable experience and but having fun. understanding of this social contract were aware that their education was After phenomenal fundraising efforts, that exists within the Exeter family: each subsidised, they will give back quickly this year ExVac was able to run two generation helps take care of the next. and substantially in order to “repay” holidays. In total we provided fun-filled Secondly, students and young alumni their education and to ensure that the weeks for 32 children (and 16 student need to understand the cumulative next generation will also be supported. leaders!). A change of location to the impact of modest annual giving. I hope and believe that Exeter’s students West Midlands avoided London That many do understand this is already – the next generation of alumni – will premiums so that more money could demonstrated in Exeter’s annual Leavers’ want to do the same. be spent cramming each week with Gift: a hardship bursary funded by activities. We enjoyed day trips to Some of the children who have been helped by ExVac, pictured with student leaders

32 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 33 Fundraising

The Power of Matched Giving Leaving a Legacy… …Reaping the Rewards

Exeter’s Development Officer explains how even A departing finalist explains how the recent leavers One student describes the vital role that hardship the smallest gifts can end up making a big are supporting those students who need it most. bursaries have played in allowing him to make the difference. Emily Watson (2002, Literae Humaniores) Becca Rees (2008, English) most of his time at Exeter. Karl Dando (2009, English)

hen Martin Amis spoke accommodation? Vacation residence growing trend in fundraising is from those who had not given for at Exeter last term he brings further expense for those who optimising donations through at least three years. There was a cap W described how he was need to study away from home. The A matched giving. This can on the total amount each university drawn initially to the College because shortfall each term impacts, domino- achieve much more than mere incentive could claim from matching public of its relative “anonymity”. The Rector, like, on the next, so that assistance from to reach a financial target: matched funds, and for Oxford that was then of course, was quick to bristle at this, the College and University really is giving is a fantastic way of encouraging divided between the University and but it does foreground an important needed. This is particularly true given gifts, especially colleges. Exeter point: for many, applying to Oxford the intensity of the Oxford workload, from those who easily exceeded was and is still a process obscured by which often demands that students feel that, because You will often have the college cap stereotypes and misinformation. Among devote much of their vacations to they are not in a heard that every gift of £12,925 in these is the notion that Oxford is only for preparatory work for the next term, position to give a 2010, raising students from privileged backgrounds. rather than take on paid work, and significant amount, to Exeter is valuable. £180,000 in The fact that Exeter can boast generous so a choice is forced: financial or they may as well Matched giving shows eligible funds – financial support for its students is vital academic comfort? not donate at all. more than the in disproving this misconception. The College’s financial assistance On the recent how true this is. funds raised Against growing concern about the services all aspects of university life, Telethon, we by most UK cost of higher education to students, it is allowing students to make the most experimented with matched fundraising universities participating in the scheme. crucial to Exeter’s continued success that of every opportunity Oxford offers. in peer groups, where generous donors Another example of matched giving is the College can guarantee that financial For instance, every August the Oxford from specific years agreed to match Oxford University Press’s sponsorship of assistance is available if needed; that a Revue – the University’s sketch comedy every pound donated by first-time or the Clarendon Fund, which can provide The Leaver’s Gift ensures trashing will not student’s wealth (or that of his parents) group – takes a show to the Edinburgh lapsed donors from those years. In this up to 100 scholarships to outstanding be a finalist’s last good memory of Exeter should never be an obstacle to joining or Fringe. This year the group is comprised way, donors were reassured that they international graduate students annually. flourishing within the Exeter community. largely of Exeter students, each of whom were not alone in giving and that In order to attract more new support for f you ask any of the Exonians the Development Office to raise I have been at Exeter now for two has been awarded an Arts Grant to help even a small gift would be of value to scholarships, colleges are asked to raise who have just left the College’s money for the Hardship Fund, which years, and have received financial help fund the project; for this, I thank anyone the College. half the costs of a new Clarendon I comfortable quarters what supports Exeter students who need in both. Some silly element of pride who has donated in the past, and This pattern is mirrored with our scholarship. As a result, £1m raised by sticks most in their memory about financial assistance in order to make would prefer otherwise, but the fact is encourage all to do so in future. major donors, who do not wish to feel the colleges this year has funded 12 their final term, they would probably the most of their studies. that for me, as for so many others, it has Exeter’s charitable generosity defines its that they are alone in supporting Exeter. new scholarships. say something like “Library!... This proved to be a very attractive been entirely necessary. The specifics of character, and I know I’ll do my part in For example, Sir Ronald Cohen (1964, Intergenerational matching is yet Finals!... Trashing!” Certainly, those way to fundraise. Those who might my situation are somewhat unusual, but later years to ensure future generations PPE) made a gift of £1m towards both another way in which Exeter College are the things that dominated our last have otherwise shied away from the result is common. Student loans help of students can continue to rely on and the History and the Economics seeks to increase participation among few months at Exeter. However, we giving to the bigger pot of money cover day to day costs, but what of study enjoy what makes our College special: Fellowship campaigns, with the proviso its alumni and to engage its newest have left a memory that will were happy to give money to a materials for the following term or a its inclusiveness. that other alumni contributed towards group of donors. The Leavers’ Gift continue to renew itself for those specific cause – and especially one deposit and agency fees for next year’s the remaining £250,000 for each post. scheme, which is organised by a group who remain. that had made a difference to Both campaigns successfully reached of finalists each year, encourages every students that they knew. their target, with 21 and 51 first-time student leaving to make a small We persuaded By e-mailing finalists, initiating donors respectively. donation. Two generous Old Members nearly 60% of conversations, and pidging Some of our donors are able to take have agreed to match the total amount information about giving to the advantage of corporate matched giving raised by the leavers each year, so that leaving students to hardship fund, we persuaded nearly schemes. A number of companies have every pound donated is worth three. raise over £1,000, 60% of leaving students to raise over a policy of encouraging philanthropy This year, 57% of leavers took part, £1,000, which will treble once it is among their employees by agreeing to raising £1,107 which was then trebled. which will treble matched by two alumni, and create match pound for pound any charitable You will often have heard that every once it is matched six new Hardship Bursaries for donations. As well as allowing their gift to Exeter is valuable. Matched by two alumni. students next year. This incentive employees to maximise the value of giving shows how true this is. Even if enabled students to see the their gifts, companies are able to support you feel that you cannot give very Every year, the leaving students immediate difference that financial the causes important to their staff. Exeter much, your gift may inspire someone donate money to the College which support to the College can make, receives donations of this kind from else to donate and leverage money from is matched by two alumni to form and has hopefully initiated a alumni at Deutsche Bank, Goldman other sources. This is why participation the Leavers’ Gift, an important part of relationship between Exeter and its Sachs, Pepsi, and Morgan Stanley. is so important and why we ask for gifts the College’s Annual Fund. This year, leaving students that will continue In 2008 the Government launched a as small as £1! There are many ways to however, we had a more specific to bear this kind of generous fruit in scheme to increase philanthropic giving encourage philanthropy and to ensure idea about fundraising for this gift, the future. to institutions of higher education, by that higher education benefits as much and several students teamed up with matching gifts from new donors and as possible from your generosity. Exeter’s members of the colourful Oxford Revue have received Arts Grants

34 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 35 Campaign

Exeter Excelling Campaign Update Teaching Fund Offers Hope for Humanities

The Campaign has had an outstanding year, but unity and resolve will be needed Funding from Oxford University Press is helping Exeter to provide exceptional to overcome fresh challenges and ensure Exeter continues to excel. teaching in German and English today and in perpetuity. Mark Houghton-Berry, Chair of the Exeter Excelling Campaign (1976, Literae Humaniores) Katrina Hancock, Director of Development (1998, Earth Sciences)

he headline event of the These individual gifts illustrate the has the second-highest participation overnment support for higher In recognition of this, Oxford The income is being used to fund a academic year 2010-11 has range of different areas in which people rate in the University, and while this is a education teaching has University Press has created a £60m Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA), who T been the Government’s are choosing to help the College, and considerable achievement, it is (clearly) G reduced substantially in recent Teaching Fund. For every £1.2m a will work with undergraduates to “reforms” to the funding of British themselves represent just a proportion of not quite as good as it could be! years, and continues to do so, placing college raises to endow a teaching post sharpen their research and essay writing Universities. It is fair to say that these the donations and pledges that we have pressure on universities to cut costs. permanently, the Fund will contribute skills. Both students and the GTA will measures have not received universal received. All of us connected with the If there is one the remaining £800,000 required for a benefit – the one from tuition directed at acclaim. Pressed to find something Campaign are tremendously grateful for Exeter has maximum of three posts per college, core skills, the other by gaining valuable positive therein, one can at least say that each and every one of them. theme that I would including up to two humanities teaching experience. In addition, the they have served to highlight more than However, if there is one theme that choose to highlight as successfully bid for subjects. Exeter has successfully bid dialogue between undergraduates and ever the crucial importance of financial I would choose to highlight as the 700th the 700th Anniversary fellowships in German for fellowships in German and English graduates will be improved. support from Exeter’s friends, and most Anniversary looms closer, it is that of to receive this matched funding, and The outstanding contribution from particularly her Old Members, to the participation. Although large single looms closer, it is that and English to receive the challenge now is to raise £2.4m OUP will have long lasting effects on College’s continued success. gifts are an absolutely crucial part of the of participation. matched funding, and by the 2013 deadline. the University, funding some 75 We are glad to report that such fundraising effort, it is mass participation the challenge now is The Teaching Fund is already having teaching posts in perpetuity and helping support has been forthcoming, and that is the strongest signal of Exeter’s The Rector’s recent video message an impact on Exeter’s fundraising and to incentivise £90m of donations to the the Campaign continues to make good long-term health. This is true both issued the challenge to try to overtake to raise £2.4m by the its provision of teaching in English, but colleges. With the support of donors progress. Qualifying funds raised for the because such participation signals the University College, and the 2013 deadline. in more ways than originally envisaged. who care passionately about education, 700th Anniversary now total £15m. broad support of the alumni base for Development Office will be pushing Exeter received its first gift of £100,000 the provision of first-class English and This is in itself a considerable what the College is seeking to achieve, hard, with your help, to meet this The University of Oxford has found it towards securing the English Fellowship German tuition at Exeter College, and achievement, and one that every and also because even the smallest gifts, challenge. Almost £2m of the total I increasingly difficult to guarantee the earlier this year. As it will take some the tutorial system, will be guaranteed. single contributor should take great made on an annual basis, accumulate quoted above comes from the Annual future of key teaching posts, particularly time to raise the remaining £1.1m It is wonderful that results are already pride in. However, of course, there over time to become very significant Fund, and since this area of giving is in the Humanities, with some posts required, the donors agreed that the being seen. remains a great deal still to do. totals in their own right. It must also already on a strong upward trend, that being left unfilled for up to five years College could hold the capital gift in be stressed that annual giving can be total understates its current importance after being vacated in order to make full in its restricted permanent Highlights for the year include used to fund current expenditure directly to us. savings. Colleges are left with a choice: endowment for the support of the Securing Fellowships (but are not limited to): (rather than to support an endowment, The Campaign Committee fully fund the teaching post without a Fellowship, but meanwhile in perpetuity has crucial only the returns of which are available supports this focus, and that is why financial contribution from the use the annual income implications now and in A legacy creating and funding a to be spent). Not everyone can afford to it has agreed to fund a significant University; or curtail the relevant generated by the capital the future: graduate scholarship in Byzantine give capital sums of £10,000 or higher, matching challenge for this next year, subject indefinitely. The need to for the wider studies but an annual contribution of £250 payable as and when we can rise to secure academic posts in support of Secures the tutorial system for all (with Gift Aid) can be equally valuable the Rector’s challenge and achieve the perpetuity has never been teaching time, guaranteeing small class An anonymous six-figure gift to to the College in terms of the spending highest participation rate amongst all greater. English at sizes and top quality education support the teaching of English it makes possible right now. colleges. It goes without saying that this Exeter. That is why the Annual Fund is cannot be achieved without your help, Ensures the College can always A donation to support the work of the a key area of focus for next year. and I hope you will join me next year attract elite academics College Chaplain We have told you before that Exeter in helping to achieve this goal. Reduces pressure on the A gift to fund the refurbishment of the College’s overall endowment gym on the Turl Street site and annual expenditure, enabling it to enhance the Several major unrestricted gifts which support and social and academic the College will put towards the cost opportunities on offer of developing the Walton Street site Helps Exeter to attract the very Two unrestricted gifts which have brightest students been used to catalogue the Library’s Hebraica collection and to put a new PA system in the Hall

New Graduate Teaching Assistant Michael Mayo will support Fellow, Jeri Johnson, in providing outstanding English tuition The Soncino Bible is one of many rare books that have been catalogued thanks to the Campaign

36 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 37 Campaign

Walton Street Update: Haworth Tompkins works in the public, private, and subsidised sectors with projects for schools, galleries, theatres, housing, and offices, including the London Library (below). It prides itself on Examining the Architects putting great effort into understanding a building’s context and the needs of its users, and has won over 50 design awards. After a comprehensive initial investigation, Exeter has formed a shortlist of five architectural practices keen to design the recently acquired site. William Jensen, Bursar

ince purchasing the Ruskin visited Exeter College and the Walton and friends to share their views. College campus on Walton Street site, and have had the opportunity All of the shortlisted practices have S Street in March 2010, Exeter to discuss ideas with Fellows and a record of producing award-winning College members, alumni, and friends students. They will submit their final designs. Everyone at the College is very have been involved in the exciting task proposals in late August. A selection of excited to see the architectural proposals of planning how Exeter’s “Third eminent alumni will then review the which are being generated by these five Quadrangle” will be used. proposals, and it is intended that the practices for Exeter’s newest site, and by After considering initial submissions designs will be displayed in London, the end of September a winner will have from 19 architectural practices, a Oxford, Singapore, Hong Kong, and been chosen, moving us one step closer shortlist of five has now been drawn New York City, as well as online, to to creating outstanding new facilities in up. Representatives from each firm have enable all the College’s Old Members the heart of Oxford.

Wright & Wright Architects has built up a strong portfolio in higher education and cultural building as well as housing. The practice specialises in designing well-functioning, durable, and low-energy buildings using traditional materials in innovative ways. An example of its work can be seen at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge (right).

Alison Brooks Architects is the first UK architecture practice to have won Britain’s three most prestigious awards for architecture – the Stirling Prize for the Accordia housing development in Cambridge (2008), the Manser Medal for Salt House in Essex (2007), and the Stephen Lawrence Prize for Wrap House in London (2006, left).

Richard Sundberg Architects is a Seattle- based practice with an international reputation for museum, civic, and residential buildings. Richard Sundberg designed the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience (left), which won a 2010 Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award. His practice has undertaken large projects for Seattle University and Seattle Eric Parry Architects is an established and award-winning practice. Public Library. It was responsible for several prestigious developments in London and Cambridge (Pembroke College) and for cultural venues such as the Holburne Museum in Bath (above) and the restoration and renewal of St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in Trafalgar Square.

38 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 39 Opinion

The Eye of the Storm to the Tohoku region to look for British soon as we could relax the advice for all This March saw the most powerful earthquake in Japanese history devastate the people? What travel advice should we be areas outside the earthquake-affected Tohoku region. The UK Ambassador to Japan shares his experience of the crisis. giving to potential visitors – and British regions, we did. residents in Japan? How serious would Meanwhile, the social media were David Warren (1971, English) the nuclear incident prove to be, and crucial in getting messages out to the how would that affect people living community. We also used them to track outside the immediate area? An down some of the 5,000 British people he magnitude 9.0 earthquake sat-nav, about the scale of the disaster to contribute to the search and rescue Ambassador is a manager too, of a whose relatives and friends contacted that struck the Tohoku region of as the full horror of the post-earthquake operation and our consular response to 120-strong Embassy team, mostly us and whom we were able to find. T Japan at 2.46pm on Friday, tsunami sank in. help British people living in the regions Japanese, many with families or friends The internet was a lifeline, enabling 11 March 2011 was the most powerful concerned. At midnight, I did the first of directly affected by the disaster, all in people to use Facebook or Twitter to in Japanese history. I had just arrived at A 45-minute a large number of UK media interviews, different ways coping with a frightening reassure family, find friends, and just a major company I was visiting in journey took with BBC Radio 5 Live and Sky, sharing experience. communicate. Skype offered a way for Yokohama, south of Tokyo. You get used my personal impressions and ensuring I went with the first team up to those with a smartphone and an internet to mild, sometimes sharp, tremors if you six hours. Trains that anyone in the UK worried about Sendai, the main city in southern Tohoku, connection to speak as well. We were live in Japan, but it was immediately had stopped, the family or friends in Japan knew the on Sunday morning. As we arrived, life eventually able to confirm that there obvious, even 250 miles away from the number to call for information. looked pretty normal. Then we saw were no British casualties. epicentre, that this was something more. expressway was From the Saturday afternoon it was structural damage to buildings, long I headed back to Tokyo immediately. closed, traffic was clear that a third crisis was developing queues for food, people camping out in The rest of Japan A 45-minute journey took six hours. gridlocked. at the Fukushima nuclear reactor, which the lobby of the town hall. We checked Trains had stopped, the expressway was had been overwhelmed by the tsunami. hospitals and some evacuation centres – is not only safe, but closed, traffic was gridlocked. Mobile I got back to base at 9pm. Aftershocks The Embassy had become an emergency no reported British casualties. We desperately needs networks were down, too: I was virtually had been continuing all afternoon. centre, strengthened by teams of people confirmed that the young people on tourists and business out of contact for the whole journey, Everyone was in protective helmets and from across the Foreign Office’s the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) which I spent worrying about the visibility jackets – there had been two worldwide network – 80 in all, Programme in the area were all safe and visitors in order to Embassy (were staff and families safe?), further evacuations since the original eventually – who flew in over the accounted for. help economic about how many British people had shock. My first caller was the Foreign weekend to help us. Over the next two days, when we got been caught up in what looked like a Secretary, checking that everyone was There were immediate questions. out to the suburbs more seriously affected recovery. major incident, and then, as I watched safe, and then discussing what we would How could we get our search and rescue and the coastal areas, we saw terrible As of late June, the confirmed death the flickering TV pictures on the car’s be doing with the Japanese Government team in quickly? How soon could we get devastation – piles of debris carried up toll is 15,506; over 7,000 people from the watercourses, towns smashed to the area are still missing, and thousands matchwood by the force of the tsunami, remain in evacuation centres, although whole communities obliterated. the Government is committed to getting Everywhere, we saw extraordinary them all into temporary homes over the courage. I will not forget going to an summer. It will take many months before evacuation centre in one town, where Fukushima is ready to decommission. many local officials were missing British NGOs and companies in Tokyo following the disaster, but where those have been active in relief work in the who remained still took time from area, and I’m going up again in early July providing shelter and comfort for their with our Minister from the FCO to see the communities to help us track down any affected communities as well as some of foreign residents. the long-term British residents who have The Japanese authorities’ efforts to get now moved back to Sendai. the reactor under control became the But I worry that there is still a sense media focus. Sir John Beddington, the in some countries that the whole of Japan British Government’s Chief Scientist, had has become unsafe. This is quite wrong. four tele-conferences with British groups While no-one should go to the affected in Tokyo. He was clear that even in the regions unless they absolutely need to, worst-case scenario, with a wind in the the rest of Japan is not only safe, but direction of Tokyo, health risks outside desperately needs tourists and business the exclusion zone around the reactor visitors in order to help economic would be minimal. We tightened our recovery. So I shall go on doing my travel advice slightly, as Tokyo itself bit to get that message across. And the was going through a difficult few days, people of Japan know just how in awe with some food shortages and power we all are of the immense resilience and cuts. We made iodine available as a dignity they have shown during a period precautionary measure. The Embassy of unimaginable suffering. stayed open throughout. We avoided precipitate action, while ensuring that everyone took sensible precautions. As From the top: the crisis attracted global media An American aid helicopter’s perspective attention; a US aid helicopter’s perspective; the view facing survivors Buildings were uprooted by the wave

40 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 41 Opinion

A Revolutionary Moment

Ezekiel Emanuel was at the centre of America’s move towards universal free healthcare. Here he reviews the events, from the intricacies of the planning process to the delicious taste of success. Ezekiel Emanuel (1980, Biochemistry) Photo: Pete Souza

t was the night of 21 March 2010. What a tremendous honour to be part One of the more interesting episodes I was sitting in the Speaker’s box of the health reform team for the Obama of the reform effort was a debate I behind her husband and children, Administration that passed the law. Over between the policy people and the next to the head of the major American that time, I worked on various provisions political aides over whether to remove union (AFL-CIO). The House of of the law from how to structure the new the tax advantage of employer-provided Representatives was gathered for the exchanges for purchasing health health insurance or not. The political final debate on the healthcare reform types were against. David Axelrod bill. When the final vote was tallied – The United States showed us a video compilation of the 219 to 212 – we won. We jumped and numerous commercials the Obama embraced each other. I then headed had been trying to campaign ran against McCain on this over to the White House for another enact universal tax issue. He argued that the President’s celebration. It was my first time in the coverage since 1912. veracity required he stand behind the second floor residence. I had a short position he so strongly advocated exchange with the President on the It had been defeated during the election. It also did not significance of the reform. in 1948, 1972, and hurt that many of the President’s Healthcare reform is an historical strongest supporters, such as the unions, Signing the bill event. The United States had been 1993. Finally it were against. trying to enact universal coverage since was passed. The policy wonks, such as my boss important debate. We argued for weeks. Affordable Care Act would not have 1912. It had been defeated in 1948, Peter Orszag and Larry Summers, But what became clear was that the been passed. 1972, and 1993. Finally it was passed. insurance to the level of subsidies for believed that removing the tax advantage political operatives did not appreciate For me one of the more satisfying Healthcare And the Affordable Care Act will shape people purchasing insurance; from new was wise. Everyone understood that this that in addition to the revenue aspects of moments came as a result of a bet on reform: the facts the way healthcare is practised for 30 or payment methods to policies to increase would raise much needed revenue to the policy, there was also the fact that healthcare reform. One evening in more years. primary care providers; and many others. finance healthcare reform. It was a very removing the tax advantage was the January 2010, three days after the single most effective policy option surprise victory of a Republican in the Coverage will be extended to available to achieve the President’s goal special election to fill Senator 32m previously uninsured of cost control. This turned out to be the Kennedy’s Massachusetts Senate seat, Americans, boosting total winning argument. The President made I found myself at a dinner with the coverage to 93% of the changing the tax advantage a key conservative Supreme Court Justice, population. requirement of reform legislation. Anton Scalia. We began discussing One of the more important aspects healthcare reform. In the course of the The new bill bans insurance of the whole effort was the President’s dinner I challenged the Justice to a bet providers from refusing coverage unshakeable resolve. At many points that the Administration would pass to children with a pre-existing in the 14 months, healthcare reform. condition, and from removing everyone knew it One of the more The bet was for a coverage once a person gets sick. would have been dinner at a restaurant much easier to pass important aspects chosen by the The new central health insurance something less than of the whole effort winner. The Justice exchange allows individuals, universal coverage. was honourable and families and small businesses to In American politics, was the President’s he took me to dinner. bargain collectively with insurers. incremental reform unshakeable It was a wonderful This will reduce prices by 23% is the norm. Indeed, resolve. evening, despite for the average familty. healthcare is full of strong philosophical efforts to achieve universal coverage by and political differences. The Justice is The bill costs $940bn over ten incremental steps. Medicare – coverage fun and willing to discuss – and argue years, but the fees, taxes, and for seniors – and Medicaid – coverage about – almost any subject from politics savings it generates are projected for the poor – passed in 1965 are prime to judicial philosophy. But most to reduce the deficit by $138bn examples. So too was the Children’s wonderful was the sweetness of victory over the same period. Health Insurance Program passed by and being involved in something of Photo: Infrogmation President Clinton in the late 1990s. such tremendous historical significance. Sources: Daily Telegraph, US Census But President Obama resisted another Such achievements are what make Bureau, The Cultural Health incremental solution. He stood firm and life meaningful. News Blog, Reuters insisted on passing a comprehensive solution. Without his determination the

The debate polarised public opinion

42 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 43 Opinion

The Death of the Newspaper? Has Government Changed for Good?

With slumping sales and crumbling advertising revenues, is print journalism More than a year on, how well has the coalition survived, and what does this an endangered species? mean in the long-run? Frances Cairncross, Rector Michael Hart, Fellow in Politics

very now and again, a student slashed staff more drastically than any who knows my background in Would it matter if other quality daily, still loses money. he Coalition has passed its first and now largely mangled NHS reforms. organisation of government business in E media comes to ask my advice news consisted largely Despite shedding staff, newspapers are birthday. A government which These are a mark of bad government, Parliament with the co-operation of the on entering a career in journalism. I still overblown compared with online T few had wanted and many not coalition government. chief whip (Conservatives) and the always begin by asking, “How many of blogs, tweets, and competitors: the Huffington Post, one of thought would collapse is still with us. deputy chief whip (Liberal Democrats). newspapers have you bought with your the writings of unpaid the best known online newspapers, If anything it is more firmly in control Fourthly, the increased potency of own money in the past six months?” volunteers? employs a small fraction of the than at the outset. To the chagrin of its standing committees within the House Usually, the student replies (sometimes journalists on even the most tightly enemies the Government looks secure of Commons. Those shadowing the with a touch of smugness) “None. I read on which they run ads. This has some run British newspaper. in Parliament in spite of its weak voting Treasury, Health, and Defence (all them online free.” At this point I try to important results. For instance, The Among the possible futures for discipline. The early newspaper chaired by Conservatives) have issued get the student to explain the business Guardian now has more online readers newspapers, one is that some will be headlines, “Coalition split on…” have reports highly critical of aspects of the case that will keep him or her for the abroad than at home. But the initial idea financed by trusts and by philanthropy. mellowed into “Coalition uncertain Government’s policies. Previous next 40 years. that readers would migrate from a Already, The Guardian is owned by a over…”. governments have mostly ignored such The internet, which has transformed newspaper’s web site to its print version trust, set up by the Scott family to Yet the survival of the Government is reports, but not the new governance. so many industries so quickly – is sadly untrue – online readers are more protect its independence and secure unremarkable. It has a healthy majority No matter how extensive the music, travel, bookshops, promiscuous than print buyers. its sustainability. In the United in the House of Commons faced by a, criticisms of government budgetary films – is also transforming States, several regional newspapers possibly temporarily, unimpressive Close colleagues? policy are, or how unpopular the the press. It is undermining it are being supported partly by opposition. The broad sweep of its Changes have been more subtle but Government becomes, at the next in two ways. First, the philanthropy – as has long been the membership has allowed it to survive substantial. First, David Cameron’s general election all the main parties will advertisements that have case with National Public Radio. its own divisions (Liberal Democrats declaration that this government would have to answer a simple question which been such an important But it is just possible that enough on the student tuition fees, Conservative last five years, thereby giving up, at least they have not faced before: “Will you source of revenue for the people will want to continue to pay backbenchers on the European rebate). in intent, the Prime Minister’s power to govern as part of a coalition?” None print media are moving for news for some version of the And some of its shifts and reversals were determine the date of an election. will wish to comment, but we know online. This is especially true pay wall idea to succeed. The more to do with the controversial Secondly, the Prime Minister’s relatively what the answer is. of classified ads, which are arrival of the iPad, with its large policies whose consequences were reduced role in the Cabinet (though not easier to search on the and elegant screen and with a ill-thought-out, such as the proposed in the House of Commons). Thirdly, the internet, and which have generation of users willing to pay been sucked into sites such for apps, has created a possible as netcars.com or monster. new market. Magazines such as Power in an Information Age com. But display advertising The Spectator and The Economist has also been pouring on to look easy to read in that format. popular web sites such as The long-term questions will be Joseph Nye, former Dean of the Kennedy School, Professor of Harvard University, Facebook. Even without – who controls the distribution and inventor of the term “soft power”, discusses the changing nature of these long-term trends, the channel, and how much do international relations. Joseph Nye (1958, PPE) recession would have been newspapers have to give back to eating into advertising reach readers? revenues. For America’s Would it matter if news newspapers in particular, consisted largely of blogs, hen I listened to AJP Taylor control of even the most powerful states. population, both within and among reliant on advertising for tweets, and the writings of lecture in Schools a half Today, it is far from clear how we countries, has access to the power that more than four-fifths of their unpaid volunteers? In the W century ago, he defined measure a balance of power, much less comes from information. Governments revenues, this has been crisis over phone hacking this a “Great Power” as a country able to how to develop successful strategies to have always worried about the flow and disastrous. summer, it was the persistence prevail in war. But in today’s information survive in this new world. Most current control of information, and the current Meanwhile, readers – of a professional and highly age, power is determined not only by projections of a shift in the global period is not the first to be strongly like those students – can experienced journalist – Nick whose army wins but also whose balance of power are based primarily on affected by dramatic changes in see much of what they want Davies of The Guardian – story wins. projections of economic growth. But as information technology. online, often without paying, thus So what future do newspapers have? that finally brought the true story to That is the argument of my new book Hu Jintao told the 17th Congress of the What is new – and what we see cutting off the other main source of Many are struggling financially and the surface. It was journalists – also The Future of Power. Two types of Chinese Communist Party, China needs manifested in the Middle East today – newspaper revenue. Some newspapers, some have closed. The Murdochs had professionals, at least in theory – who power shifts are occurring in this century to invest more in its soft power. Polls is the speed of communication and the including The Times, the Sunday Times, reportedly considered shutting the News hacked phones and bribed police. One – power transition and power diffusion. show, however, that China steps on its technological empowerment of a wider and Financial Times, have introduced a of the World even before the summer’s of the worries for the future is whether Power transition from one dominant own message when it puts people like range of actors. An information world pay wall to try to persuade readers to pay phone-hacking scandal, because it was we would still have plenty of journalists state to another is a familiar historical Liu Xiaobo in jail. will require new policies that combine for what they read. Some have decided losing too much money. The Times has of the first sort, although nobody would event, but power diffusion is a more States will remain the dominant actors hard and soft power resources into that, if you can’t beat ’em, you should survived for the past decade on a regret the loss of the second kind. novel process. The problem for all states on the world stage, but they will find the smart power strategies. join ’em: both The Guardian and the Murdoch subsidy of around £40m a in today’s global information age is that stage far more crowded and difficult to Daily Mail have huge free web sites, year. The Independent, which has more things are happening outside the control. A much larger part of the

44 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 45 Alumni

A Culture on Thin Ice Letting the Leopard Cross the Road

Working in one of the coldest places on earth, Stephen Leonard is in a race against Quentin Macfarlane’s trans-African journey exposes him to fascinating stories time to record an extraordinary language and way of life. from diverse cultures, and provides him with some incredible tales of his own. Stephen Leonard (2004, General Linguistics and Comparative Philology) Quentin Macfarlane (2006, PPE)

iving in the northernmost standardised written form, is not taught ice conditions, weather systems, place hen Pliny the Elder said, on most people’s faces. There is one pointed to it, and told us how he had led permanently inhabited settlement in the schools, and is the language of names, and the habits of sea mammals “Semper aliquid novi more unifying factor: the love of a good some German tourists up there a few L in the world, the Polar Eskimos neither the church nor administration. passed down from generation to W Africam adferre,” he wasn’t story. Nowhere was this more apparent weeks ago. “My goodness,” I said, not of north-west Greenland are the last Its phonology is so aberrant that there is generation. By recording some of this lying. As I drove from London to Cape than in Ethiopia. Here myths blend into really believing anyone could have Arctic hunters to travel by dog-sledge no agreement among locals on how to knowledge, I hope that I may have saved Town between March and August last truth: the monastery of Debre Damos, possibly climbed this precarious looking and hunt narwhal from kayaks using spell the simplest of words. Historically, the voices of these Arctic hunters from year to raise money for the Halo Trust, standing impossibly atop an island of rock.“It’s strange what some people do harpoons. Their ancient way of life is Inuktun has been the vehicle for a rich vanishing completely with the ice. a charity which removes landmines, rock, was built with the help of a giant for sport.” The boy looked perplexed. now threatened by climate change and tradition of story-telling. Globalisation, I was reminded of Pliny’s words often. snake; the magnificent rock churches of “Sport? No. They climbed up there to hunting restrictions. I spent a year living modernity, and rapid socio-economic I had to overcome Lallibela were built in the 12th century catch the devil and take it back to in the community, learning their change are exposing the community to the challenges of Unicorn sightings by men working in the day, and angels German land.” difficult language and documenting complex pressures; the introduction of have been reported, working at night; you can visit the I now feel a vague affinity for this what I could of their spoken traditions. television in the 1980s and more recent three and a half Queen of Sheba’s bath and stand 20 young man and a pang of guilt for being Along the way, I had to overcome the digital entertainment has eroded this months of darkness but don’t dare metres from the uninspiring building that so cynical. After all, when I tell people challenges of three and a half months of ancient cultural practice. suggest that it might holds the Ark of the Covenant; even that we were once forced to stop in darkness, temperatures as low as -42°C The stories are testaments to perhaps and temperatures unicorn sightings have been reported, Northern Ethiopia by a leopard crossing outside and -14°C inside my hut, the last Arctic hunters and are as low as -42°C have been a rhino or but don’t dare suggest that it might have our path, or that we met a man in starving polar bears, and the task of inextricably bound to a life on the an oryx. been a rhino or an oryx. Rwanda with a bullet hole in the centre trying to integrate into a “closed” disappearing sea ice, the record of a outside and -14°C Perhaps the best story from Ethiopia of his forehead, who had somehow community where researchers can be semi-nomadic people who learnt to inside my hut. Africa is a continent full of so many was one told to us by some young boys survived the genocide, they look the object of suspicion. survive in one of Earth’s most hostile different cultures, tribes, languages, at the top of the 300-metre high rock bewildered. It was the same look, I Their language, Inuktun, is spoken by natural environments. As well as a Stephen Leonard’s research is scenes, and sights that it is puzzling face we had climbed to reach the tiny suppose, that I had when hearing of just 770 people and is not understood source of entertainment, they represent a funded by the British Academy and that it is so often known as that singular church of Abuna Yemata Guh. Standing the German climbers, and the devil in by other groups in Greenland. It has no pool of indigenous knowledge regarding [ the World Oral Literature Project. ] noun. There are of course unifying further west in the crimson setting sun their rucksacks. features which, although they sound was a column of rock equal in height. clichéd, are genuinely true: The leader of the group, with a cross overwhelming hospitality, a vast array of carved into his forehead displaying his beautiful wildlife, and touching smiles dedication to the Coptic Christian faith,

The Polar Eskimos of north-west Greenland are the last Arctic hunters to travel by dog-sledge

46 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 47 Alumni

Behind the Veil Translating the Prophets

With France banning the burka, the author of Veiled Threats? Islam, Four hundred years on, Alison Dight remembers the Exonian who Headscarves and Religious Freedom in America and France asks, can translated the Bible. censorship be right? Herman Salton (2007, International Relations) Alison Dight (2002, Theology)

arking the anniversary of the graduating DTh in 1584, appointed Kilby, “a father of many sonnes, by lothes make the man,” largely acquired into a powerful tool of most from this empowerment process. publication of a book is Regius Professor of Divinity in 1589, scholasticall creation of them in the Mark Twain wrote. “Naked expressing a person’s shifting identities Whether the mini-skirt of the 1970s M something of a rarity but and elected to a fellowship at Exeter in highest degrees of learning.” “Cpeople have little influence (note the plural). The symbolic nature of was a sign of female emancipation is 2011 is being celebrated as the 400th March 1592, he was known as a on society.” He was right: we are largely clothes remains, but they have become disputed. What is sure is that clothing anniversary of what is still the most renowned scholar, an exceptional what we wear. Clothing’s original a symbol of emancipation rather than has become a highly dynamic tool of widely published text in the English linguist, a gifted debater, and a stalwart function – to protect the body from the rank. And since women have historically communication. language – the King James Version of the Puritan. His friend and fellow translator, elements – was soon lost and clothes borne the brunt of gender roles and It is in this conundrum that the Bible. Exeter has its own particular Richard Kilby, Rector of Lincoln College, became the most visible way of social reclusion, they have gained the Muslim veil got stuck: between the reason for celebration as one of the paid homage to him at his funeral as “a communicating a variety of messages: potential rigidities of religion and the scholars appointed to produce the text shining bright lamp for his learning” social status (peasantry versus nobility, empowerment that the veil – like any was Thomas Holland, Rector of the whilst (perhaps with an eye on his own for instance), religious affiliation (with other garment – can provide (a growing College from 24 April 1592 until his situation) lamenting that the world “did separate garments for clergymen), and number of Muslim women wear it as a death on 17 March 1612. not reward him according to his worth.” even more basic differences such as sex way of escaping their “male-dominated” Holland was in the First Oxford It is true that like many of the (hence male and female attire). Like the worlds). This is a delicate tension that Company of translators – six academics “black-gowned divines” who worked aspects of status they represented, these only the individual can solve. from the University who, under the meticulously to produce the King James clothing distinctions were rigid and hard As a result, legislating against this directorship of John Harding, Regius Bible, Holland’s name is largely forgotten, to modify. They constrained far more garment appears as patronising as Professor of Hebrew and President of hidden behind the enormity of their than they emancipated. Once a peasant, obliging women to wear it. Veiling is Magdalen College, were charged with achievement. But it may be that Holland always a peasant. a communication process which means working on the 16 prophetic books of himself, as head of an Oxford college, Like other forms of communication, different things to different people. the Old Testament from Isaiah to would in any case have preferred a the last decades have democratised Unless it is forced, it should be free Malachi. An Oxford-educated man different legacy; as, in the words of clothing and turned it from something from censorship. Thomas Holland, 1539-1612

Emancipation or social control? Breaking the Goldfish Bowl Exeter Floret in Saskatoon

Patrick Heinecke discusses how radio is helping rural communities in Africa to The donation of a floret from the College Chapel cements the ongoing special understand and improve their circumstances. relationship between Exeter College and Saskatchewan Province in Canada. Patrick Heinecke (1959, Modern Languages) Robert Sider (1956, Theology)

eads held high, the junior The Sandema I moved to in 1994 was education, maternal and infant mortality, he extraordinary relationship which lecturers must vie for the attention secondary schoolgirls in their a sleepy, obscure village where people to name a few. Light relief is provided by between Exeter College and the of students. 30 Saskatchewan H fawn and yellow uniforms knew very little about the outside world. lively, humorous DJs playing a huge T Province of Saskatchewan On 5 June 2011, this special Rhodes Scholars marched militantly through the village All that has changed. Radio Builsa has range of local and international music. began with John Francis Leddy. After relationship was celebrated by the of Sandema bearing placards with the gone from strength to strength and For three hours daily, Radio Builsa is studying at Exeter as a Rhodes Scholar dedication of a floret from Exeter College have passed through slogans “WE ARE NOT FOR SALE!” and confounded those local sceptics who linked via satellite to the BBC’s Focus on in the 1930s, he returned to the Chapel, rescued when its masonry was Exeter College. “STOP FORCED MARRIAGES!” It was saw it as some castle in the air. Africa and to CityFM, a highly University of Saskatchewan in refurbished in 2008 and given to the the culmination of a wider campaign on From 5am to 10pm every day, 20 professional radio station in Ghana’s professorial and administrative roles. Cathedral of St John the Evangelist in that Bishop Thomas Morgan, retired Radio Builsa, “Voice To The Voiceless”, volunteers operate the radio station capital, Accra, providing news on There he was involved for many years Saskatoon. Installed on a pillar in the Archbishop of Rupert’s Land, should aimed at strengthening the capacity of which has become the region’s most national and global current affairs. The with the election of Rhodes Scholars nave, it faces a piece of masonry from preside and preach at the service for the civil society to lobby local government powerful agent of change. It transmits project is expensive: monthly running from the Province, and so introduced Exeter Cathedral, thus symbolically Rite of Dedication. The choir sang to fulfil its constitutional obligations. to over a million ordinary people who costs exceed £600 while income from a generation of newly elected Scholars framing the history of the College as Jerusalem to the music of Hubert Parry Schoolchildren devise and act plays interactively express their views, discuss adverts and announcements is a mere to the College he had come to love. marked by its original founding and its (1867, Law and Modern History), and dealing, inter alia, with teenage public affairs, and are part of public £100, so we rely heavily on donors. Altogether, 30 Saskatchewan Rhodes more recent development. Psalm 121, which has been said every pregnancy, alcoholic parents, illiteracy, decision-making, acting as a watchdog The people of Builsa are no longer “fish Scholars have passed through Exeter The first stone of the Exeter College day at the College since 1568. The malaria and HIV prevention, and sexual over government accountability and in a well”. Their radio has transformed College. After the Capital Campaign of Chapel was laid in 1856 by David readings were by Saskatchewan Rhodes behaviour – all part of the new, active human rights. Every aspect of culture lives by creating a more knowledgeable 1985, the new lecture hall was named Anderson, the first bishop of the Anglican Scholars Robert Sider (1956, Theology) social awareness that evolved since and community is openly explored – and critical citizenry. the “Saskatchewan Room”. It is Diocese of Rupert’s Land which then and Henry Kloppenburg (1968, Radio Builsa was inaugurated in agriculture, environment, health, decorated with magnificent photographs included the present Diocese of Jurisprudence). The event concluded with March 2008. sanitation, fire-prevention, funeral rites, To learn more about Radio Builsa or to of the Province: vivid presences with Saskatoon. It was appropriate, therefore, a hearty Floreat Exon. donate, visit www.sandema.org.uk personal hygiene, local government, [ ]

48 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 49 Back Section

Old Members’ Association

Exeter’s Alumni Relations Officer describes the ways in which alumni can keep in touch with the College, and the benefits they are eligible to enjoy. Frequently Asked Questions

Hannah Leadbetter, Alumni Relations Officer What do I do to graduate? Those who wish to receive their degree certificate, either in person or in absentia, should contact the College Office (preferably by e-mail: graduation@ s an Exonian, you have lifelong BENEFITS you are an Old Member of the College exeter.ox.ac.uk; 01865 279648) for a list of Degree Days and to register. Degree membership of the College and All Old Members, parents, and friends when you make your booking. Days take the form of a ceremony in the Sheldonian Theatre or Examination A are part of its forever growing will receive our annual publications Schools, followed by an address from the Rector or a senior Fellow, presentation family. There are plenty of ways to keep (Exon, Donors’ Report, and the Register) High Table Dining Rights: Please note of degree certificates, and a buffet lunch or drinks reception in College. in contact with Exeter College once you and invitations to our many events – that Dining Rights have changed: Candidates are allowed up to two guests (sometimes three, depending on the have left. Here are all the details you see the events list on the back cover eligibility is no longer determined by graduation date) for their family and friends to witness the ceremony. need to stay involved. for more details. There is an option to possession of an MA, and Old Members sign up to receive a termly electronic can now bring one guest at their own How do I get my MA? THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE newsletter, Exeter Matters, and it is expense. Dining Rights are now granted Those in possession of a BA or BFA may apply for the degree of MA in or after Exeter’s Development Office provides also possible to make use of the to all Exeter Old Members in good the 21st term after matriculation. To sign up to receive your MA, please contact a link between the College and all of its College’s conference facilities should standing with the College from the term the College Office (preferably by e-mail: [email protected]; 01865 Old Members, parents and friends. We you, or your business, be interested. following the completion of their degree. 279648) for a list of Degree Days and to register. aim to sustain and strengthen this link by In addition, Old Members are entitled These rights refer to the option to dine hosting regular events, producing several to the following benefits: on High Table: I want to sign up for High Table – whom do I contact? publications each year, and maintaining The Fellows’ Garden Contact the Development Office on [email protected] or 01865 the alumni web site. The Development Accommodation: Old Members benefit Once a year at the College’s 279620. Office also coordinates the College’s from a discount on Bed & Breakfast in expense (but the Old Member pays fundraising efforts, and we are very College at a rate of £50 per person per for wine and dessert) I want to bring some friends for a dinner in Hall – can I? grateful for all the support the College night in rooms with communal facilities Yes, contact the Development Office for more details and to arrange a date. receives. In addition, the Development and £68 per person per night for an At two other times in different Office oversees the Careers Office, en-suite room or the Fellows’ Guest terms at the Old Member’s own I am interested in making a donation to College. What should I do? established to forge links between Old Room (prices inclusive of VAT). expense Please use the donation form enclosed with the magazine or visit www.exeter. Members and current students. Normally, bookings can be taken only ox.ac.uk/alumni/supporting. Alternatively call the Development Office on We are always keen to hear from our out of Full Term, and availability will For further information or to sign 01865 279620. The College is dependent on the support of all its Old Members, Old Members by phone, e-mail or post. depend on other residential bookings. in for dinner, please contact the parents and friends and we are hugely grateful for the support received. We are here to help with any enquiry or Please contact the Assistant Steward on Development Office on 01865 279620. request you may have, from returning to 01865 279654 or by e-mail at meena. Details about dining possibilities can I heard about a specific event that I’m interested in, but I have not received an Exeter for a visit to getting in touch with [email protected] to check also be found on our web site at invitation – whom should I contact? another Old Member. Our publications availability and book a room. www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni. Contact the Alumni Relations Officer, Hannah Leadbetter (development@exeter. and e-newsletter also aim to share ideas Old Members are also eligible for a ox.ac.uk; 01865 279619). We often target event invitations at specific interest between Exonians, so please do let us discount at the Tower House Hotel on Careers Support and Networking: groups. Also, it is possible that if you haven’t been invited, it is because our know your latest stories. Floreat Exon! Ship Street, Oxford. Just tell them that We try to offer continuing support to records for you are incomplete. Old Members after they have left and are happy to set up careers advice I am interested in getting married in the Chapel/College – whom do I contact? meetings, particularly for recent leavers Contact the Steward, Philip Munday (01865 279653) in the first instance to see who might benefit from some words which dates are free and then the Chaplain (01865 279610). of wisdom from a more experienced Formal Hall Exonian. If you would like to offer How do I update my contact details? careers advice to current students or Contact the Information Officer, Elizabeth Spicer ([email protected]. recent leavers, or think you might need ac.uk; 01865 279664) or log on to www.exetercollege.net to request your to receive some, do please get in touch password to the secure area of the web site where you can update your details. with us. Development Office Contact Details

Write to: The Development Office, Exeter College, Oxford, OX1 3DP Tel: +44 (0) 1865 279620. E-mail: [email protected]

We look forward to welcoming you back!

Front Quad at night An alumni event in the Rector’s Garden

50 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 51 Back Section

University of Oxford Alumni Benefits: Events Published Exonians List of Honorary Whether you left this summer or 70 years ago, the University of Oxford Alumni Exonians keep up the College’s outstanding reputation for Fellows Office hosts events for you. producing writers, with works ranging from a political thriller Rachel McDonald, Benefits and Services Officer, University of Oxford Alumni Office to a challenging assessment of the Government’s energy policy. Mr Martin Amis Sir Ronald Arculus hat do Tower Bridge this autumn. These exclusive get- On 12 November, the National James Steel (1990, History) Mrinal Mukharji (1946, PPE) Professororemrinity David ipsum Term Armstrong dolorsaw the sit returnamet of Walkways, Shakespeare’s togethers at the Oxford and Cambridge Museum of Wales, Cardiff, will host Warlord Ruminations of a Bureaucrat of the novelist Martin Amis (1968, Sir John Ashworth W Globe, and the Cabinet War Club on Pall Mall in London will offer a study day for alumni interested in art, After confronting a Russian Yesteryear LT English) to Exeter College for Rooms have in common? They have all Oxford alumni the chance to hear while December will see the Varsity dictator (December) and an After leaving Exeter College, Mr theSir first Roger time Bannister since his graduation. been venues for the annual Oxford10 prestigious speakers and enjoy wine Rugby match at Twickenham. Alumni ancient puzzle that could Mukharji served as a civil servant in The author expatiated on his experiences Mr Alan Bennett Christmas Party, organised by Beth and food while meeting other are invited to come along for an change the world (Legacy), India, rising to the rank of Secretary to as a writer and his often scathing views Tibble, Events Manager of the University informal picnic of game pie from the hardened mercenary Alex Devereux is the Government of India. Here he onMr literature Bennett in Boskey general. Surprisingly, of Oxford Alumni Office. This year’s This year’s Covered Market and to cheer on the back. China intends to take over a recalls the extraordinary changes to his theDr infamously Alfred Brendel curmudgeonly author knees-up will be held at the London Oxford team. region of the Democratic Republic of country, as well as the obstacles to seemed more than a little nervous to Film Museum, to which Oxford alumni knees-up will be held To make sure you receive updates Congo, where the battle over mineral progress, that he witnessed from this beginDr Sydney with, but Brenner relaxed swiftly and will have exclusive access for the at the London Film on details for all these events, please resources has left the country torn apart. unique standpoint. fieldedProfessor questions Marilyn from Butler the packed evening of 10 December. Party-goers join the alumni events mailing list at Devereux is employed to fight against Saskatchewan Room after his The Rt Hon Lord Justice Sir will arrive in style with a red carpet Museum, to which www.alumni.ox.ac.uk/events. the warring militias and install stability, Christopher Ward (1964, edifying speech. Richard Buxton entrance, and then enjoy drinks and Oxford alumni will Oxford alumni also enjoy a wealth but finds himself on a mission harder English) Meaningful Work: One of the College’s most famous canapés while exploring interactive have exclusive access of other benefits, including the Alumni than any he has faced before. How to Find Meaning in Sir Ronald Cohen galleries. Highlights will include a Star Card, which provides discounts on a Work, and Make Work Professor Sir Ivor Crewe Wars photo booth, Stormtroopers to lead for the evening of wide range of products and services, Dr Shahzad A Rizvi Meaningful the way to the bar, and the dinosaur that 10 December. from books at Blackwell’s to Truffle (friend of Exeter) This guide will help both The Hon Mr Justice Thomas featured in Night at the Museum. Trees in France. There is also the The Last Resident employers and employees to find Cromwell Although organised with the Oxford10 Oxonians. These events concentrate Travel Programme, which offers alumni Set in India during the last enjoyment in their work and increase The Very Reverend John Drury cohort (graduates of the last ten years) on particular sectors: among them and friends especially designed trips, days of British rule, this productivity by understanding the Sir James Gowans in mind, the Christmas Party will be in the past have been publishing, the accompanied by expert scholars and story of forbidden love importance of work in our lives and open to all alumni. film and television industry, business by local tour guides. For full details of between a British diplomat and a determining what really matters. Lord Stephen Green The Alumni Office is also running a and finance, the not-for-profit sector, all the benefits and services available married princess presents a fascinating The Hon Mr Justice Hayne series of professional networking events and medical sciences. to Oxford alumni please visit the web mixture of romantic novel, historical David Merlin-Jones (2007, site: www.alumni.ox.ac.uk. fiction, and fictional history. Accused of History) Chain Reactions: Mr Mark Houghton-Berry murdering his wife, the diplomat’s only How the Chemical Industry Sir Sydney Kentridge hope is the state’s Prime Minister. But Can Shrink Our Carbon with battles of his own, including Footprint HE John Kufuor allegations of treason, is the PM Mr Merlin-Jones argues that The Rt Hon Lord Justice John Laws powerless to help? the British government’s initiatives to decrease the country’s carbon footprint Professor Anthony Low Andrew Thornton-Norris are economic suicide. They risk forcing Mr Richard Mahoney (1987, PPE) The Ghost of the chemicals industry to emigrate and Sir Colin Maiden Identity and The Walled thus may deny the country one of its orem ipsum dolor sit amet Garden largest industries. Instead of blaming the The Reverend James McConica Mr Thornton-Norris has chemicals industry for the problem, Mr LMr Stephen Merrett published two books in the Merlin-Jones argues that the industry past year. The Ghost of Identity is a can be part of the solution. Professor Joseph Nye novel exploring the chasm between Mr Philip Pullman today’s materialist culture and the Geoffrey Greatrex (1986, realities of the inner life of man. The Literae Humaniores) Professor John Quelch Walled Garden is a collection of poetry The Chronicle of Mr Gordon Robertson on the central European tradition of Pseudo-Zachariah Rhetor: Professor Morton Schapiro Catholic and Classical culture. Church and War in Late Antiquity HM Sofía The Queen of Spain Bill Roberts (1979, Mathematics) The Chronicle is one of the most Sir Kenneth Stowe Grand Tour Revisited important sources for studying the This follow-up to Thomas Gray’s Journal history of the church from the 5th Admiral Stansfield Turner (an account of his journey to the Lake century BC to the reign of Justinian. The Rt Hon The Lord Williamson of District in 1769) traces the tour of Covering church and secular affairs, Horton France and Italy the poet made from and drawing from formal documents 1739-41. It contrasts present day and eye-witness accounts, this new reactions with those of Gray himself and translation is a valuable historical text. presents a novel kind of travel guide. Alumni enjoy a past Christmas party at Shakespeare’s Globe

52 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 53 Back Section

The Year in Pictures

A spectacular ball joins traditional celebrations in punctuating Exeter’s year.

1 2 7 8 1. Commemorating the Women’s First VIII’s Torpids Blades 2. First year mathematicians ready for Prelims 3. Fireworks on the Quad to celebrate Diwali 4. Priscilla Tolkien (daughter of JRR Tolkien) visits Exeter during Michaelmas 5. Trashing 6. Ascension Day 9 7. A farewell tea for outgoing Chaplain Helen Orchard 8. Burns Night

3 9. Rowers on the river 10. Dancers at the Paradise Lost Ball 11. Students enjoying the Ball 12. MCR trip to Wytham Woods 13. The Exeter College Ski Trip

10 11

4 5

12 13 6

54 EXON Autumn 2011 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2011 55 EVENT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2011 – 2012

TUESDAY 13 SEPTEMBER FRIDAY 17 FEBRUARY Singapore Event Parents’ Night – Dinner in College

FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER TBC MARCH Hong Kong Event Exeter in the City Spring Drinks SATURDAY 17 SEPTEMBER Association Dinner SATURDAY 17 MARCH (Oxford Alumni Weekend) Gaudy for 1992-1994

SUNDAY 2 OCTOBER FRIDAY 23 MARCH Freshers’ Parents’ Tea Intercollegiate Golf Tournament

TUESDAY 11 OCTOBER SATURDAY 14 APRIL Gifted and Talented Event Oxford North American Reunion

FRIDAY 28 OCTOBER FRIDAY 27 APRIL Engineering Dinner PPE Society Dinner

Thursday 3 November FRIDAY 4 MAY exeter @ Saïd ExVac Dinner

FRIDAY 4 NOVEMBER SATURDAY 12 MAY Medical Society Dinner 1314 Society Garden Party

MONDAY 7 NOVEMBER SATURDAY 26 MAY Washington, DC Lunch ECBCA Dinner

TUESDAY 8 NOVEMBER SUNDAY 10 JUNE New York City Drinks Commemoration of Benefactors

FRIDAY 18 NOVEMBER SUNDAY 17 JUNE Physics Dinner Leavers’ Parents’ Lunch

TUESDAY 29 NOVEMBER MONDAY 18 JUNE Exeter in the City – Winter Drinks Exeter in the City Summer Drinks THURSDAY 8 DECEMBER All Sports Lunch (Varsity Rugby Match – SATURDAY 23 JUNE Twickenham) Gaudy for 1995-1997

TBC FEBRUARY SATURDAY 30 JUNE Fortescue Society Dinner (London) Henley Royal Regatta

For more information or to reserve a place at any of these events, please contact the Alumni Relations Officer, details below.

The Development Office, Exeter College, Oxford, OX1 3DP. Tel: +44 (0) 1865 279620 WWW.EXETER.ox.ac.uk/alumni EMAIL: [email protected]