SJC Women's Network eNewsletter - December 2025

Welcome to the Michaelmas Edition of the St John’s College Women’s Network Newsletter. As the term winds to an end filled with Christmas events and mince pies, we are delighted to share with you our reflections on the numerous events the Women’s Network has run. This edition of the newsletter celebrates the intellectual curiosity, conscious careers, and community that continue to define and connect St John’s women around the world.

We began the term with our annual Women’s Network Dinner, held in College this September, where Dr Julia Ebner (2019, DPhil Anthropology) delivered a compelling keynote speech on her work and her latest book Tracing Extremism: New Trends and Old Patterns of Radicalisation. Her research illuminated how digital spaces shape modern extremist movements, and how empathy remains one of the most powerful tools in countering division.

We are an international organisation and many of the network live and work across the globe; and this autumn saw us hold an event in Switzerland. On 30 September, alumna Alex Bollen (History, 1991) joined us in Zurich as part of the tour for her new book Motherdom: Breaking Free from Bad Science and Good Mother Myths. The event explored the powerful myths surrounding motherhood, social narratives and bad science that shape our understanding of identity and responsibilities for women in mothering roles.

On 13 November, we held our online event for Effective Professional Practice in Academia: The Role of Social Capital and the Lived Experience of Women in Academia, led by Professor Margaret Watson. This event explored how women in higher education can build supportive networks and foster equitable environments that enable all to thrive.

We also want to hear from you and how you want to use the Network, so please complete our survey to give your comments on how you engage with us and what you would like to see in future. Thank you for your input in advance.

We have launched an Instagram page and would invite all members to follow it for updates and hear the latest about our upcoming events. Scan the QR code below for more information.

As always, the Women’s Network remains a space for conversation, mentorship, and mutual support — a global community of John’s women sharing their experiences, insights, and achievements. We always welcome events outside the UK; so please do get in contact if you would like to organise one!

We look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events and to continuing to celebrate the stories and successes of our members.

Rose Sundt (2015, Oriental Studies)
Communications Lead for SJC Women's Network
Click here to read more about Rose