St John's College Alumni eNewsletter - January 2026
William Whyte appointed General Editor of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
Revd Canon Professor William Whyte has been appointed as General Editor of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (ODNB). The ODNB, published by Oxford University Press, is a large collection of short biographies of notable people connected to the United Kingdom and the British Isles.
Portrait of Professor Philip K. Maini unveiled at the Bodleian
Professor Philip K. Maini, Professorial Fellow in Mathematical Biology and Vice-President, is one of nineteen University researchers celebrated in a new series of photographic portraits commissioned by the Bodleian Libraries and the British Journal of Photography (BJP). Catalysts is a portrait series which celebrates leading researchers across the University of Oxford.
Sir Howard Colvin Lecture 2026
St John's College is delighted to welcome Professor Anthony Geraghty (University of York) for the inaugural lecture in the memory of Sir Howard Montagu Colvin, which will take place on Tuesday 24 February at 5pm. Professor Geraghty will discuss 'Wren, Vanbrugh, and Hawksmoor: the minds that made the English Baroque’. You can find out more about Sir Howard Montagu Colvin and register for the event here.
Two St John's Fellows awarded ERC Consolidator Grants
The College congratulates two St John's Fellows, Professor Armin Lak and Professor James Maynard FRS, on being awarded prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grants to support their respective research projects. The ERC's Consolidator Grants support highly promising mid-career scientists of any nationality and any field with building a research team at an eligible host organisation.
St John’s hosts reception for Ukrainian academic publishers
The College welcomed senior leaders from Ukraine’s academic publishing sector, including university vice-rectors and representatives from the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science. Ukrainian delegates were visiting Oxford as part of a high-level, five-day development programme organised and hosted by Oxford Brookes University, entitled University Press Publishing for Ukraine: Policy and Practice.
New Years Honours List
Congratulations to Professor Emeritus James Retallack CM FRSC (1978, Modern History), Dr Tracey Muand MBE (1982, Mathematics), and John Maiden OBE (2012, History) on their recognition in the 2026 New Year Honours List.
The King’s New Year Honours celebrate the outstanding service and achievements of exceptional individuals across the UK. St John's College is delighted to see the contributions to see our alumni continuing to be recognized for their significant achievements, public service, and dedication to helping the UK.
Alumni News and Publications
Story Painters, Picture Writers
Story Painters, Picture Writers is an exhibition of works by British figurative artists, including Kate Montgomery (1985, Fine Art), which explores the interfaces between image-making and language. Highlighted in the Guardian's Art Weekly newsletter, the exhibition borrows its title from Aubrey Beardsley’s 1894 polemic against the narrative conventions of 19th century academic art. The exhibition runs until 2 February in Kendrew Barn Gallery.
I Leant Upon a Copper Pipe: Warrington Poems
John Farquhar (1977, Modern Languages) has published a collection of narrative poems which are both a critique and celebration of working class life in Warrington in the late sixties and early seventies. I Leant Upon a Copper Pipe: Warrington Poems (Valley Press, December 2025) focuses on key moments and places that shaped the narrator's life. The book also suggests that it is still worth being a poet, even in the 21st century.
Daniel Neep's (1995, European and Middle Eastern Languages - French and Arabic) upcoming publication A History of Modern Syria (London: Allen Lane, 29 January 2026) tells the story of Syria through the lives and struggles of its people. From the nineteenth century to the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Neep shows how demands for justice, dignity, and a fairer society endured amid violence and repression, revealing a country far richer and more complex than its tragedies suggest.
Theatres of Time: Glory, Decay, and Imagination in Piranesi's Rome
The College is very grateful to St John's alumnus, Robert Wilson (1962, English Language & Literature) for lending a selection of outstanding works from his collection to St John's College for the exhibition Theatres of Time: Glory, Decay, and Imagination in Piranesi's Rome, making them accessible for all to appreciate during Michaelmas term. With tours led by curator Eunice Lu, the exhibition saw over 250 visitors over the course of the week.
Share your St John's love story
As Valentine’s Day approaches, we’re celebrating the bonds that make the St John's community so special. Whether it was love at first sight or a friendship that blossomed into something more, we invite you to take us back to your student days and share your SJC love story with us!
Please send in your stories and photographs to alumni@sjc.ox.ac.uk. We want to hear from you!
Call-out for alumni in publishing: JCR Careers Talk
Maxim Vorobev (2024, History), the JCR Academic Affairs Officer, is organising the next JCR Careers Talk this Hilary term and is seeking alumni who currently work in, have previously worked in, or are otherwise connected to the publishing industry. Whether you’re an author, literary agent, editor, or involved in the sector in any other capacity, we would love to hear from you!
The event will feature a 30‑minute talk in which you can share insights about your career, your work, and how this connects to your time at Oxford. This will be followed by a Q&A with current students and Formal Hall. Overnight accommodation is available if required.
If you are interested in taking part, please email us: alumni@sjc.ox.ac.uk.
Sign up to receive the SJC Boat Club e-Newsletter
Sign up here if you would like to receive news from the SJC Boat Club. If you have any questions, please email boatclubalumni@sjc.ox.ac.uk. To support the SJC Boat Club, please visit our giving page.
Alumni Events
Friday 13 March 2026
Triennial Russell Society Dinner
Saturday 14 March 2026
Friday 20 March 2026
San Francisco Drinks Reception
Tuesday 24 March
Wednesday 25 March 2026
Friday 27 March 2026
Friday 27 March 2026
New York City Drinks Reception
Thursday 9 April 2026
Tuesday 14 April 2026
Friday 17 April 2026
Thursday 14 May 2026
Tuesday 16 June 2026
Friday 3 July 2026
Friday 10 July 2026
College Events
Exhibition: Story Painters, Picture Writers
Tuesday 20 January 2026
The World's Music at Oxford: Afel Bocoum
Thursday 22 January 2026
International Piano Series: Angela Hewitt
Sunday 25 January 2026
Monday 26 January 2026
Experimental Music Oxford Concert: Plus-Minus Ensemble
Tuesday 27 January 2026
Oxford Contemporary Music: BOOM residency
30-31 January 2026
Lessons in Failing Well: Catherine Hasted
Thursday 19 February 2026
Exhibition: Facing the Future
Friday 20 February 2026
Tuesday 24 February 2026
International Piano Series: Junyan Chen
Friday 27 February 2026
The World's Music at Oxford: Martin & Eliza Carthy
Thursday 5 March 2026
The World's Music at Oxford: Millicent Chapanda
Sunday 26 April 2026
International Piano Series: Mishka Rushdie Momen
Thursday 7 May 2026
The World's Music at Oxford: She'koyokh
Sunday 10 May 2026
St John's College Commemoration Ball 2026: 'Wish You Were Here’
Saturday 27 June 2026
Alumni Guest Room Bookings
Alumni are welcome to book Alumni House rooms online. The booking system can be found on the Alumni Benefits page of our website where you can check availability and pay.
To make a booking, you will need to enter a promotional code to identify yourself as an alumnus/a and this can be found below:
Promotional Code for 2026: sjc15552026
FAQ’s
Please click here to find answers to frequently asked questions, along with further details about the Alumni Guest Rooms. Any further questions please email us and include the date of booking in the subject.
Ways to Support St John's College
Find out more about why we need your support