Celebrating 40 years of women at Oriel

Laughter, Libraries, Pints of Pimms, Chatting on the steps of 1st Quad, Formal Dinners, Gowns. Laughter, Libraries, Pass the Port, Rowing, Table Tennis, AIESEC. Laughter, Libraries, Late-night Debates, Sunrises, Relaxing on the Grass in 3rd Quad. Laughter, Libraries, Love and Lifelong Friends.

I loved the people, loved the sport, loved being in such an astonishingly beautiful place... but I also loved learning about game theory, and the prisoner's dilemma. Equally good was political theory, & discussions about fair ways of dividing a cake. And how to bake a bigger cake. Key learnings.

It has to be going into the Senior Library for the first time. It was the end of my first week at Oriel, and Hannah, our librarian, joked, "Time to make sure you come back on Monday." Stepping into the library was a "wow" moment, and one I’ll never forget.

Matriculation, October 2023 - when dreams become goals, and goals become reality. Following a year as a Visiting Scholar at Oxford, this day marked the beginning of a wonderful journey in the world of research, enriched with opportunities, memorable moments, and inspiring people.

Working at the graduations! They have such a great atmosphere and celebrate the wonderful achievements of the students. I also loved the Burn’s Night dinner, where we danced in a lively ceilidh after eating lots of Haggis! I am grateful to be part of such a welcoming and inspiring College community.

This photo captures the first moment I set foot on Oriel - which was also my first time on campus as a student. Overwhelmed with awe and joy, I was determined to live up to our 700-year tradition of excellence.

The last few weeks at Oriel were some of the best of my life. Finals were over and the women's 1st boat had just won blades and gone into Div. 1. Here are Lee, Carla and I about to go to our finals dinner. We're still great friends today, and I still have that dress somewhere.

It was wonderful to become part of an international community at Oriel in 1988. Meals in hall, evenings in the MCR, weekend trips to the Cotswolds were marvellous experiences we shared. Meeting at Oriel stimulated our cultural openness and intellectual curiosity, and the effects lasted a lifetime.

Serving as the first woman Bible Clerk, in chapel and saying Grace. There were many moving services, though some misadventures with the bell (there was a knack which I sometimes got wrong, once omitting the triple ring for the Trinity!). But I enjoyed tolling midnight to start the 1987 Hamlet play!