St John's College Alumni eNewsletter - October 2025
College News
Oxford North officially launched
On Tuesday 30 September, Lord William Hague, Chancellor of the University of Oxford, officially opened the new £1.2 billion flagship global innovation district, Oxford North. The development promises a major boost to the UK's science, technology and AI sectors. Read more about Oxford North and the College's involvement in the project here.
Age UK Oxfordshire launches new five-year strategy at St John’s
St John's hosted the official launch of Age UK Oxfordshire’s new five-year strategy in September 2025. This event brought together leaders from health, care, academia, local government, and the voluntary sector for a moment of reflection and shared purpose. Age UK Oxfordshire's new strategy, shaped by insights from over 400 voices and lived experiences, sets out a bold vision for a fairer future for older people and unpaid carers. It addresses pressing challenges such as an ageing population and postcode-based life expectancy gaps, with a strong commitment to equity and opportunity.
The St John’s College Access Office organised and ran four summer schools in July and August 2025 with great success. Two of these summer schools were for pupils on the Inspire Scholars Programme (Years 9 & 10); one was for pupils on the Inspire Critical Thinking Programme (Year 11); and the final one was for pupils on the Inspire Year 12 Programme. These summer schools welcomed a total of 332 pupils this year, the largest number of state-school pupils the college has ever hosted (compared to last year’s cohort of 325). You can find out more about Access and Outreach programmes at St John's by visiting our website.
Alumni News and Publications
1555 Society Drinks Reception 2025
On 25 September, the President hosted the annual drinks reception for members of the 1555 Society at the House of Lords, to thank them for their continued support. In her address, the President spoke about the future of St John's and the College's strategy. Donors and benefactors also had the opportunity to connect with Fellows, staff, and current students, and to hear about the impact of their giving and the latest College news. If you would like to learn more about the 1555 Society and how we recognise your support, please visit our website or contact Sophie Parkinson, Development Manager - Philanthropy.
Honorary Fellow becomes joint head of the Old Square Chambers’ Employment Group
Congratulations to Nadia Motraghi KC (1997, Jurisprudence) on being appointed the joint head of the Employment Group at Old Street Chambers, where she has practised since 2004. Nadia Montraghi came up to St John’s in 1997, and under the tutelage of Professor Mark Freedland was inspired to pursue a career in employment law. As joint heads of the Old Square Employment Group, Nadia and Eleena Misra KC will lead the largest team of specialist employment barristers of any chambers in the country.
The Queen's Atlas by Dr David Fletcher (1982, Geography)
The Queen's Atlas (Bodleian Library, 2025) tells how Christopher Saxton made the very first county atlas of England and Wales in the 1570s; the basis of the kingdom’s mapping for nearly two centuries. The book is lavishly illustrated, reproducing all his county maps and many other maps and illustrations revealing his forebears and successors. It is your ultimate guide to late Tudor England’s geography. The Queen's Atlas will be published on the 6 November this year.
Contested Commons: A History of Protest and Public Space in England
Dr Katrina Navickas (1998, Modern History) will be releasing a new book, Contested Commons: A History of Protest and Public Space in England (Reaktion Books, 2025) on 1 November this year. It is a major history of the fight for the right to hold demonstrations and free speech in public spaces, from Trafalgar Square to Stonehenge. Navickas investigates famous as well as less well-known demonstrations and protests, from early democracy to more recent times.
Alumni Survey - Share your thoughts!
Last week you will have received an email from the President, Professor Lady Sue Black, informing you that we are conducting a survey of our alumni to hear your views about the College and our strategic priorities.
We thank those of you who have already completed the survey.
For those who have not yet done so, we would be grateful for your insights, opinions, and perceptions of St John’s. It will take five minutes or less to complete.
Participation is, of course, voluntary, but do be assured that by responding, you will make a valuable contribution to the College at this time. If you have any questions about the survey, or about the work we are doing on our College strategy, please contact Tom Childs, Associate Development Director on tom.childs@sjc.ox.ac.uk.
Introducing the SJC Boat Club e-Newsletter
The St John's College Boat Club will be releasing a termly e-Newsletter for alumni, starting from Michaelmas, covering all their latest news, race results and exciting events.
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 contributions page.
Alumni Events
Alumni Carol Service
Saturday 13 December 2025 - Save the Date!
Holdsworth Society Dinner
Friday 13 March 2026 - Save the Date!
Triennial Russell Society Dinner
Saturday 14 March 2026 - Save the Date!
Gaudy for the Years 1975-1977
Friday 20 March 2026 - Save the Date!
Gaudy for the Years 2016-2017
Friday 27 March 2026 - Save the Date!
Gaudy for the Years 1978-1980
Friday 3 July 2026 - Save the Date!
Gaudy for the Years 2018-2019
Friday 10 July 2026 - Save the Date!
College Events
25 October - 16 November 2025
Screening of 'Acting' and Q&A (Sophie Fiennes and Cheek by Jowl)
Sunday 26 October
International Piano Series: Steven Osborne OBE
Tuesday 28 October 2025
Black History Month Lecture 2025
Thursday 30 October 2025
Friday 7 November 2025
The World's Music at Oxford: Kefaya + Elaha Soroor
Monday 10 November 2025
Theatres of Time: Glory, Decay, and Imagination in Piranesi's Rome
19 November - 29 November 2025
Panel Discussion: 'Sex, Gender and Reproduction at the Kinsey Institute'
Monday 24 November 2025
Monday 24 November 2025
Exhibition: the Austens in Oxford
2 December - 8 December 2025 - Save the Date!
International Piano Series: Vadym Kholodenko
Sunday 7 December 2025
International Piano Series: Angela Hewitt
Sunday 25 January 2026
International Piano Series: Junyan Chen
Friday 27 February 2026
International Piano Series: Mishka Rushdie Momen
Thursday 7 May 2026
The World's Music at Oxford: She'koyokh
Sunday 10 May 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 2025: 1555SJC
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