St John's College News
DAAD Research Hub Annual Lecture to be chaired by Professor Ulinka Rublack
DAAD Research Hub Annual Lecture to be chaired by Professor Ulinka RublackThis year’s annual lecture from the DAAD Cambridge Research Hub for German Studies will be chaired by St John’s Fellow, Professor Ulinka Rublack, with speakers including Professor Rowan Williams.The free event, which takes place on 22 January at Clare College, will take the form of a panel discussion entitled ‘Martin Luther, Germany and the Reformation’. It will be chaired by Professor Rublack…read moreThe secret gardener who eavesdropped at Europe’s royal courts
The secret gardener who eavesdropped at Europe’s royal courtsAn undergraduate research project at the University of Cambridge that set out to explore the presumed gardening career of a 16th-century Florentine Artist has discovered that he was actually intriguing at royal courts across Europe, including that of James I. Until now, little has been known about the life of Costantino de’Servi, an Italian artist and sculptor who lived from 1554-1622.…read moreJohnians in 2017 New Year Honours List
Johnians in 2017 New Year Honours ListThe College would like to congratulate the following Johnians who are among those featured in the New Year Honours List 2017.Sir David Richard Beamish (1970), Clerk of the Parliaments, House of Lords. Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB). For parliamentary service.Mrs Sarah Persephone Sutherland Church (1992), Director, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Companion of…read moreStudy identifies how twin proteins work together to patch up DNA damage
Study identifies how twin proteins work together to patch up DNA damageCutting-edge technology has provided highly valuable new insights into how a pair of molecules, which occur naturally in the body, play an essential role in the DNA repair process.The findings increase our understanding of what goes wrong in the cells of some cancer patients and could potentially inform the development of cancer treatments in the future.While healthy DNA carries genetic…read moreStaff Photography Competition winners announced
Staff Photography Competition winners announcedAn image of graduates at a congregation ceremony and a picture of champagne glasses at the College’s Quincentenary event are the winning entries for the inaugural Staff Photography Competition, which took place in November at St John’s College.Fay Page, Student Services Officer, won first prize in the St John’s Staff Photography Competition 2016, with Paul Everest, Biographical Assistant, taking…read moreLondon school students kick myths about Oxford and Cambridge into touch
London school students kick myths about Oxford and Cambridge into touchThe Varsity rugby match at Twickenham between Oxford and Cambridge is one of the oldest rivalries in sport, but this year the two universities have set competition aside for a joint outreach event dedicated to London pupils.500 teenagers from 30 schools enjoyed a free day out at the home of England Rugby with a session of interactive talks dedicated to encouraging more bright state school…read moreKeepers of the keys: College exhibition celebrates porters
Keepers of the keys: College exhibition celebrates portersThe changing roles and responsibilities of St John’s College porters since the mid-19th century are profiled in a new exhibition in the School of Pythagoras. The display is the first in a series of exhibitions celebrating the College’s staff.One of the many duties of the porters has always been to maintain and distribute keys and to this day they keep a key to almost every room, hall and cellar…read moreUndergraduate wins top Italian student award
Undergraduate wins top Italian student awardThe Alfiere del Lavoro has been awarded to first-year natural scientist Benedetta Spadaro from Milan for her outstanding academic performance at Italian high school.Benedetta travelled to Rome to receive a silver medal and certificate of honour from the Italian President Sergio Mattarella in the Quirinale Palace. She was given the award because she produced one of the 25 best academic…read moreFree Thinking: St John’s lays out bold vision for university education free from financial concerns
Free Thinking: St John’s lays out bold vision for university education free from financial concernsSt John’s College has launched a major new campaign to raise £100 million – money which will provide new means-tested support for students, and ensure that future generations of scholars fulfil their potential free from financial concerns.The “Free Thinking” campaign will aim to raise the sum with the help of alumni and other donors. The funds will be used to expand the College’s existing…read moreHinsley Memorial Lecture 2016 to be given by Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles
Hinsley Memorial Lecture 2016 to be given by Sir Sherard Cowper-ColesThe 16th Hinsley Memorial Lecture, held at St John’s, is to be given by Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, and will focus on dealing with terrorism.The lecture, which will take place on Monday 14 November, is entitled ‘Treating Terrorism’. Drawing on his experience as a diplomat dealing with terrorism in Ireland, the Middle East and Afghanistan, Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles will characterise terrorism as a…read moreRowers in red make history in the University IVs
Rowers in red make history in the University IVsIn a sweeping series of victories, four crews from the Lady Margaret Boat Club have won their races in the annual University IVs Competition, a feat that has never-before been achieved by the club.Both the women’s and the men’s first and second boats for the rowing club of St John’s College won their races in the 2016 University IVs race.The University IVs is a knock-out regatta for boats made up…read more‘If I had a conscience, I would not drink tea’: How having a brew was used to undermine conscientious objectors
‘If I had a conscience, I would not drink tea’: How having a brew was used to undermine conscientious objectorsBlack, with a drop of milk, or classic builder’s in a mug with two sugars; however you like your brew most of us would agree that tea is a cornerstone of British culture, but a new exhibition shows that for conscientious objectors of the First World War, admitting to tea drinking was seen as a sign of hypocrisy and cowardice.By March 1916, the British Government was desperately short of soldiers…read moreChoir of St John’s release Christmas album
Choir of St John’s release Christmas albumA new Christmas CD has been released by the Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge, ready for the start of the festive season.Christmas with St John’s is the new festive release by the Choir of St John’s on the College’s record label – an imprint on Signum – and is the second record to be released on the label; Deo received critical acclaim when it came out earlier this year.The album is a new…read moreSt John’s Fellow awarded Honorary Fellowship from institute for microwave technology research
St John’s Fellow awarded Honorary Fellowship from institute for microwave technology researchSt John’s Fellow Dr Ricky Metaxas has received an Honorary Fellowship from the International Microwave Power Institute (IMPI).Dr Metaxas was awarded the honour after he gave an invited talk at the 50th annual International Microwave Power Institute Symposium in Orlando, Florida. He was presented with a commemorative plaque announcing his Honorary Fellowship of the IMPI, which was bestowed on him…read moreOriginal courtroom drama: Kepler’s witch trial becomes an opera
Original courtroom drama: Kepler’s witch trial becomes an operaThe trial in which the famous astronomer, Johannes Kepler, defended his mother from accusations of witchcraft has been turned into an opera, following new research into the original 17th Century legal proceedings.You’ve heard about his laws of planetary motion - now, prepare to experience the libretto. Drawing on fresh historical research, the 17th Century trial in which the famed astronomer,…read moreDebut collection released by College poet
Debut collection released by College poetThe Great British weather, interaction with the environment, and human nature are all subjects of the poems in the debut collection from Library Projects Assistant Rebecca Watts. The Met Office Advises Caution, published by Carcanet Press and released on 29 September, is a collection of 50 poems offering a witty, warm-hearted view of the British landscape, including that all-important topic of…read moreExhilaration and anxiety: The Dos and don’ts of fresher life – Victorian style
Exhilaration and anxiety: The Dos and don’ts of fresher life – Victorian styleLessons on how to be cool and stay out of trouble for the apprehensive freshers of 1893; student pranks including a paranormal hoax debunked by Sir Isaac Newton and a car suspended from the Bridge of Sighs; and photographs of the proud student who would be the last to receive the wooden spoon – a prize traditionally awarded to the man who scraped through the maths tripos by the skin of his teeth…read moreStudent treads the boards alongside Kenneth Branagh
Student treads the boards alongside Kenneth BranaghAn undergraduate at St John’s College, University of Cambridge, has been cast alongside Kenneth Branagh in a West-End play opening on 20 August at the Garrick Theatre in London. 21-year-old Theology student, Jonah Hauer-King, from North London, will play Frank Rice, the son of Kenneth Branagh’s character, Archie. The Entertainer, written by John Osborne, is set in a post-War Britain in 1956,…read moreShropshire students experience undergraduate life at the University of Cambridge
Shropshire students experience undergraduate life at the University of CambridgeA group of 40 bright, year-12 pupils from schools across Shropshire checked into undergraduate accommodation at St John’s College, University of Cambridge, for a residential trip which allowed them to experience university life first-hand. Year-12 students from Shropshire with the potential to go to top universities have experienced life as an undergraduate at the University of…read moreStudy reveals Leonardo da Vinci’s “irrelevant” scribbles mark the spot where he first recorded the laws of friction
Study reveals Leonardo da Vinci’s “irrelevant” scribbles mark the spot where he first recorded the laws of frictionA new detailed study of notes and sketches by Leonardo da Vinci has identified a page of scribbles in a tiny notebook as the place where Leonardo first recorded the laws of friction. The research also shows that he went on to apply this knowledge repeatedly to mechanical problems for more than 20 years. Scribbled notes and sketches on a page in a notebook by Leonardo da Vinci, previously…read moreCambridge students bring human story of war and revolution in Ukraine to the stage
Cambridge students bring human story of war and revolution in Ukraine to the stageThe words of people caught up in the Ukrainian revolution and subsequent war are captured in a new play by Cambridge students. The verbatim play will debut at the Hotbed Theatre Festival at the Cambridge Junction on 9 July.The Summer Before Everything, aims to be both informative and deeply human, exploring a tapestry of historical events through three characters who are trying to make sense of…read moreLeading theologians urge the Church of England to celebrate same-sex relationships
Leading theologians urge the Church of England to celebrate same-sex relationshipsA new book written by Cambridge theologians aims to set the agenda for sexuality conversations being held at the Church of England’s General Synod in July by urging the Church towards acceptance and affirmation of committed same-sex relationships. The study warns that a failure to adopt such a stance would be “suicidal”.Amazing Love, edited by Andrew Davison, Starbridge Lecturer in Theology and…read morePhD student wins prize for research presentation
PhD student wins prize for research presentationJohnian Yehia Amar has been awarded a prize for a presentation about his PhD research at a major manufacturing processes conference.Chemical Engineering graduate Yehia Amar has won first prize for a presentation about his PhD studies at the APACT (Advances in Process Analytics and Control Technology) Conference 2016, sponsored by Clairet Scientific Limited.This annual three-day conference brings…read moreJohnians in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2016
Johnians in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2016Eight Johnians have been featured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for 2016: Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Richard Gregory (1976), Chief of Defence Personnel , received a KBE.Sir Damon Marcus Buffini (1981), Head of Permira, was awarded a Knight Bachelor for voluntary and charitable services.Professor Sir Roger Vernon Scruton (1965 Harper-Wood Student), Writer, Philosopher and Visiting…read moreJohnians help Cambridge Clay Shooting squad to Varsity victory
Johnians help Cambridge Clay Shooting squad to Varsity victoryThe Cambridge Clay Shooting team has claimed victory in the 2016 Varsity match against Oxford. Each winning team featured a Johnian.Cambridge has taken home a haul of trophies after beating Oxford on their home turf in the Clay Shooting Varsity match.The competition was carried out in the English Sporting Style with a shooting course laid out in stands or stations with clay targets…read more