St John's College News
Screening of Queens of Syria to take place at St Johns
Screening of Queens of Syria to take place at St JohnsThe film Queens of Syria, a modern retelling by victims of the Syrian civil war of the Ancient Greek play The Trojan Women, is to be shown at the Old Divinity School, St John’s College, to support Syrian refugees. The documentary Queens of Syria, performed by an all-female cast of Syrian refugees, follows a theatre project first staged in Amman, Jordan, in 2013, to present a new version of…read moreMay Ball exhibition opens in College Archive Centre
May Ball exhibition opens in College Archive CentreDinner menus written in French, colour-coded entry tickets for Johnians and their female guests, and dance cards featuring the waltz and the tango are on display alongside many more fascinating items at an exhibition in the College Archive Centre that documents more than 100 years of changing attitudes at the St John’s College May Ball.Music, Meals and Memories: Delving into St John’s May Ball…read moreStephanie Childress follows up a sensational appearance on BBC Young Musician with a performance in College
Stephanie Childress follows up a sensational appearance on BBC Young Musician with a performance in CollegeTalented young violinist and first-year music student at St John’s, Stephanie Childress, will perform a piece she played in the Strings Final of BBC Young Musician of the Year at the May Concert at St John’s on 13 June.Last month, Stephanie received glowing praise from the judges of the BBC competition after a performance demonstrating immense professionalism, poise and polish.Stephanie, who is…read moreSt John’s Fellow receives international prize for Verdi project
St John’s Fellow receives international prize for Verdi projectSt John’s Research Fellow Dr Francesca Vella has received the Parma Rotary Club ‘Giuseppe Verdi’ International Prize for a planned research project. Dr Francesca Vella, Fellow of Music at St John’s, has been awarded the biennial prize for her research project entitled Listening to Verdi, 1840-1930.Francesca’s research interests lie in Verdi’s operas—her doctoral work examined the place of the…read more'Too beautiful to be false': The Dirac Lecture 2016
'Too beautiful to be false': The Dirac Lecture 2016The annual Dirac Lecture 2016, entitled Too beautiful to be false, will be given by Professor Michael Green FRS, DAMTP, University of Cambridge, on Friday 10 June, and will take place at the Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Cambridge.The Dirac Lecture, established jointly by St John's College and the University of Cambridge's Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, is named…read moreMusic, Meals and Memories: Delving into the St. John's College May Ball Collection
Music, Meals and Memories: Delving into the St. John's College May Ball CollectionToday, the St. John’s College May Ball is considered one of the most spectacular parties in the world and a highly-anticipated event in the College calendar. With the exception of 1910, (following the death of King Edward VII) and between the years during and immediately after World War One, St. John’s has held its Ball annually in June since at least 1888. Much has, of course, altered during…read moreWhat now for Brazil? Conference to discuss the future of a democracy in turmoil
What now for Brazil? Conference to discuss the future of a democracy in turmoilWith the news that impeachment proceedings are to go ahead against President Dilma Rousseff, disarray grips Brazilian politics. In the midst of this political storm, a workshop to debate the issues surrounding the crisis and the future of Brazilian democracy is to take place at St John’s College, University of Cambridge. After weeks of crippling uncertainty, the Brazilian Senate has…read moreNatural selection sculpts genetic information to limit diversity
Natural selection sculpts genetic information to limit diversityA study of tropical butterflies has added to growing evidence that natural selection reduces species’ diversity by moulding parts of their genetic structure, including elements that have no immediate impact on their survival.The research, by a University of Cambridge-led team of academics, focused on genetic data from South American Heliconius butterflies. It showed that when these butterflies…read moreCollege basketball team bounces back with promotion to Division Two
College basketball team bounces back with promotion to Division TwoAn undefeated run over Lent term has sent St John’s College Basketball Club shooting up the League.Easter term 2015 signalled the end of an impressive St John’s College Basketball Club dynasty, as many of the team’s star players moved on after graduation, leaving the club to rebuild. After being relegated to the Third Division and suffering a series of defeats in Michaelmas, the team fought…read more‘Redeemable: A Memoir of Darkness and Hope’: Erwin James talks about his new book
‘Redeemable: A Memoir of Darkness and Hope’: Erwin James talks about his new bookErwin James, the author and Guardian columnist who served 20 years in prison for murder, is to come to St John’s to discuss his new memoir and the concept of redemption.After losing his mother age seven, Erwin James was passed between foster homes after his father became a violent alcoholic. By the age of 10, James had been arrested for his first offence and his crimes became increasingly violent…read moreThe Cripps Building scoops two regional awards in annual architectural competition
The Cripps Building scoops two regional awards in annual architectural competitionThe Cripps Building at St John’s has won two Awards from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in recognition of its architectural excellence and contribution to society.The Cripps Building has received a A RIBA East Award and a special RIBA East Conservation Award following a ceremony at St John’s College on Thursday.Cripps was opened in 1967 and provides 199 bedrooms for…read moreSt John’s takes Cambridge to the North West
St John’s takes Cambridge to the North WestSt John’s College, University of Cambridge, has visited more than 1,200 pupils from state schools across the North West in its largest push to date to encourage bright students from the area to apply to top universities.A team of current undergraduates, academics and staff from St John’s College, Cambridge, has toured schools in a first-of-its-kind initiative in the North West of England, with…read moreDebut Play of John’s alumna to run at London Theatre
Debut Play of John’s alumna to run at London TheatreThe debut play of actor and playwright, Charlotte Hamblin, is to run at the Tristan Bates Theatre in London this June.Charlotte, who will also perform in the play, studied Education with English and Drama, graduating from the College in 2013. During her time at John’s she was a member of the Footlights and an active participant in the Cambridge theatre scene, acting in 24 shows in the city.…read more‘Leaders of Tomorrow’ to come together for GapSummit 2016 at St John’s College, Cambridge
‘Leaders of Tomorrow’ to come together for GapSummit 2016 at St John’s College, CambridgeThe 2016 GapSummit, a major leadership conference in biotechnology, will take place in the Old Divinity School, St John’s College, 4-6 April 2016. The international GapSummit, organised by Global Biotech Revolution, a not-for-profit organisation led by a team of students and early-stage professionals, provides aspiring bio-leaders with the opportunity to discuss the current and future challenges…read moreProfessor Lord Krebs to give the annual Linacre Lecture at St John’s College
Professor Lord Krebs to give the annual Linacre Lecture at St John’s CollegeThis year’s Linacre Lecture will be given by Professor Lord Krebs on 5 May in the Old Divinity School at St John’s College.Professor Lord Krebs Kt, FRS, FMedSci, ML will be giving the 2016 Linacre Lecture at St John’s. The lecture is entitled ‘How what we eat can help save the planet and our health’.The lecture will focus on diet, which is now recognised as one of the largest contributors to ill…read moreJohnian helps Cambridge storm to victory in the Boat Race 2016
Johnian helps Cambridge storm to victory in the Boat Race 2016The boys in light blue claimed victory over Oxford by two-and-a-half lengths in the 162nd Boat Race on Sunday, with the women valiantly battling on to the finish line despite the choppy waters of the Thames almost sinking their boat. Both teams featured members of St John's.The Boat Race 2016 drew huge crowds to the banks of the Thames in West London where the race took place between the Putney…read moreJohnian wins award in EPSRC Science Photography Competition 2015
Johnian wins award in EPSRC Science Photography Competition 2015St John’s student Katarzyna Sokol has been awarded second place in her group in the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Science Photography Competition 2015.Katarzyna Sokol, in her second year of a PhD in Chemistry, won second place in the Equipment category in the EPSRC Science Photography Competition, an event for all EPSRC-supported researchers and EPSRC-supported…read moreSt John’s College Environmental Committee sets Environmental Targets
St John’s College Environmental Committee sets Environmental TargetsIn 2016 the St John’s College Environmental Committee conducted a review of the College’s Environmental Strategy in the light of the University’s Environmental Sustainability Vision, Policy and Strategy ('ESV'). It was agreed that the College should set itself environmental goals that would guide investment and operational decisions to significantly improve the College’s environmental performance…read moreSt John’s Rugby team triumph again in the College League
St John’s Rugby team triumph again in the College LeagueThe St John’s men’s rugby team have won this year’s College League First Division, following on from the success of last year’s double winning season. The final game of the season saw the Red Boys win the league with an impressive 34-0 victory over Gonville & Caius.Despite an unpromising start due to the team missing a number of key players and a loss of 24-19 to Selwyn-Peterhouse, the team…read moreSt John’s plays host for Watersprite Film Festival
St John’s plays host for Watersprite Film FestivalThe Watersprite Festival, a free student film festival and awards ceremony, will be taking place at St John’s College this weekend.The annual, student-run Watersprite Film Festival will be taking place 5-6 March in the Old Divinity School at St John’s College as well as in other venues around the city. Now in its fifth year, this not-for-profit, free festival recognises and rewards emerging…read moreProfessor Toby Milsom, 1923-2016
Professor Toby Milsom, 1923-2016Professor Stroud Francis Charles (Toby) Milsom, MA, Hon LLD, QC, FBA, Fellow of St John’s College and Emeritus Professor of Law, has died at the age of 92.Professor Milsom became a Fellow in Law at St John’s College in 1976. Born in Merton, Surrey, he came to Cambridge in 1941 where he studied for a BA in Law at Trinity College, and received his MA in 1948.From 1944-45 Professor Milsom worked in…read moreNew book releases and a prize for St John’s Harper-Wood Students, past and present
New book releases and a prize for St John’s Harper-Wood Students, past and presentA poetry collection, a prose and poetry memoir, and a short story prize are the results of the work from three of St John’s Harper-Wood Students, past and present. A collection of poetry focusing on the alienation of the expatriate, a prose and poetry memoir which manages to discuss both literature and problems with tortoises, and a prize for a short story set in a logging camp are the…read moreFellow of St John’s elected new Master of St Catharine’s College, Cambridge
Fellow of St John’s elected new Master of St Catharine’s College, CambridgeProfessor Sir Mark Welland, Fellow of St John’s, has been elected the 39th Master of St Catharine’s College, Cambridge.Fellow of St John’s College Professor Sir Mark Welland will take up his new role of Master of St Catharine’s in October 2016. He has been a Fellow at St John’s College since 1986, and is Professor of Nanotechnology and Head of Electrical Engineering at the University of Cambridge…read moreThree Johnians given major award for teaching excellence
Three Johnians given major award for teaching excellenceThe prestigious Pilkington Prize has been awarded to three inspirational academics and members of St John’s College for the exceptional quality of their teaching.The Johnian winners were:Dr Noel Rutter, who did a PhD at St John’s in 2001, and is now Director of Undergraduate Teaching at the Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy.Dr Emma Mawdsley, who completed a PhD at the College in…read moreResearchers identify ‘neurostatin’ that may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Researchers identify ‘neurostatin’ that may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s diseaseA team of researchers including the Master of St John’s, Professor Chris Dobson, and College lecturer in Nanoscience, Professor Tuomas Knowles, have identified a drug that targets the first step in the toxic chain reaction leading to the death of brain cells. The discovery suggests that treatments could be developed to protect against Alzheimer’s disease, in a similar way to how statins are able…read more