Bloomberg Mithraeum
Through the generosity of our alumna Jemma Reid, Global Head of Corporate Philanthropy at Bloomberg, we held a Brasenose in Business networking event at the Bloomberg Mithraeum in the City of London on 13th February, providing a fantastic opportunity for BNC alumni to network in the City. Jemma spoke about the importance of philanthropy in business and provided fascinating tours of the Roman Temple which sits beneath the building. It has been lovingly restored by Bloomberg with great attention to detail. This includes the original chanting at the temple which is played over loudspeakers. It was an unforgettable evening.
Runcie Sermon
This year’s Runcie Sermon was given by the Reverend Marcus Walker, Rector of Great St Barts in the City of London on 23rd February. Marcus spoke about the recent trials of the Church of England. He quoted some passages from Runcie. He took as his text, ‘So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today’ (Matthew 6 v 34). His sermon balanced wit and wisdom in good measure. Later in term we were also favoured by a visit from an old friend of mine the Right Revd June Osborne, the former Bishop of Llandaff, who spoke about the challenges of seeking a good Lent.
Malka Levine
Our speaker for the Holocaust Memorial Day service was Malka Levine a Holocaust survivor who has written an excellent book called A Mother’s Courage published by Pan which I would strongly recommend. She was three when German invaders forced her family into a ghetto in what is now part of Ukraine. Her father was murdered but the family found shelter with the Yakimchuk family, where the saintly wife took care of them. Malka spoke with verve about her experiences.
The 50th anniversary of women at Brasenose
Our excellent series of events for the 50th anniversary of women at Brasenose continued with a large group of Fellows in Humanities and Social Sciences, ably chaired by Sos Eltis on 29th January. The Panel spoke about their experiences of academia. Discussing the progress made over the last thirty years and the work still to do, the panel found remarkable similarities in their experiences in Economics, Politics, Law, Modern Languages and English. Answering some excellent questions from the floor and online, they finally shared the advice they'd give their younger selves: learn to say 'no' and don't waste time feeling guilty.
I chaired a great session of our women alumni from media, business and finance on 5th March. Hermione Davies, Lucinda Riches, Victoria Fea and Jane Johnson dealt with how Brasenose had helped to shape their careers (and in the case of Lucinda how being the first female JCR President had done so). They also discussed challenges in their careers. The video will soon be available on our website, and should be viewed.
Antarctica
Profs Julie Parsonnet and Dean Winslow from Stanford University gave a fascinating presentation on their lives as medics in Antarctica on 12th February. They served for 6 months although Dean had sold it to his wife on the basis that it would only be for 2! They illustrated this with fantastic slides to a full Amersi Room.
PPE Society
On 26th February Daniel Greenberg, the House of Commons Commissioner for Standards, spoke to our PPE Society about the challenges of being an ethical regulator in a political environment. It was a great interactive session. He was also able to deliver a heartening reminder that, contrary to the news headlines, MPs are better-behaved than we are led to believe from the scandals about which we hear. In fact, these scandals are proof that we live in an open, transparent society, something which is not to be taken for granted. He also discussed the extent of his statutory powers and informal powers, and how the building of relationships with MPs can be a preventative measure, before resorting to formal sanctions. There was also mention of the balance between judges and Parliament - reference to Miller II (the Parliament prorogation case) , and fears about yet-to-be-litigated "Miller III", and what this will do to that delicate relationship. These discussions were continued in depth at drinks after the event had ended.
Ale Verses
Ale Verses was as usual on Shrove Tuesday 4th March. This year again saw some really excellent entries. The judgment as to who won is, in time honoured fashion, made by the Dean on a rather crude clapometer. He indicated very firmly that any appeal against his ruling should be placed in a bin! The song dedicated to JBKC (whoever he is) got the equivalent of nul points (if any of you watch Eurovision; said with a French lilt). The runaway winner celebrated our wonderful library and was written by our third year PPE undergraduate Robert Ebner Statt. Everyone was in good voice.
Lord Hague
I was privileged to attend the magnificent inauguration of Lord Hague as Chancellor of the University on 19th February. He gave a superb speech in which he stressed the importance of free speech in a University setting. It was a morning of great pomp and circumstance, with wonderful music and a terrific address (in Latin of course) from our very own Jonathan Katz the University’s Public Orator.
Speaking of “our own”, you may not be aware of the role of the college in the recent election of Liberal Party Leader in Canada. Melanie Joly who was touted as a candidate and is Foreign Minister did a legal postgraduate degree and the husband of Chrystia Freedland (Graham Bowley) the former Foreign Minister and defeated PM candidate studied at Brasenose. One of Carney’s senior staff in his campaign Emerson Csorba recently received D Phil status here after studying part time. Carney otherwise has no connection to Brasenose!