PPE finalist completes term as President of The Stubbs Society

The writer is Junsoo Kim, a third-year Philosophy, Politics and Economics undergraduate student at Oriel College. He has just finished a term as President of The Stubbs Society, the University of Oxford’s society for scholarship in foreign affairs and defence since 1884. The Provost of Oriel College is The Stubbs Society’s Senior Member.

It has been my pleasure to head up The Stubbs Society as the Society’s President this past Hilary Term. In keeping true to our Society’s focus on foreign affairs and defence, we had an exciting term card filled with exciting speakers and an excursion to BRNC Dartmouth, where Royal Navy officers are trained.

Our first event of the term was a talk by Orielensis Julian Fisher (1989). He spoke to a captivated audience on “Human Intelligence in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” at St John’s College. Only a week later, The Stubbs Society hosted Andrew Ward, who spoke on “International Relations on the High Seas,” relating his experience in studying International Relations as part of his degree to his work in the Royal Navy today.

Our next event was a Q&A session with another Orielensis, Sir David Manning (1968). As a high-profile diplomat with experience spanning several decades and continents, his insights were invaluable to our members, many of whom wish to pursue a career in diplomacy. The questions covered his career across Europe and the Middle-East, both highly topical regions today. As well as the Q&A with me, Sir David fielded questions from the audience, providing our members the opportunity to benefit from his immense experience.

Our final event of the term was a trip to BRNC Dartmouth, where Royal Navy Officers are trained. Our members were treated to a tour of the historic site, and a presentation on the role of the Royal Navy today. This was a beautiful site and our members all enjoyed the opportunity to be experience its history first-hand.

It has been a busy term for The Stubbs Society, and thanks are due to the incredibly hard-working members of our Committee: Elliot Francola (St John’s College, Treasurer), Max Benster (Oriel College, Secretary), Lizzy Abel (Somerville College, Director of Communications), Jenny Heath (Oriel College, Director of Events), Oscar Feltham and Harry Edmondson (both New College, Co-Directors of Sponsorship and Development), and James Forsdick (New College, IT Officer). And, of course, Vice-President Dom O’Loughlin (New College), who will take up the mantle of President in Trinity Term 2025.

Being President of The Stubbs Society has been one of the highlights of my time at Oriel and at Oxford more generally. Having been introduced to the Society through my slightly niche interest in defence, I have enjoyed getting to know our thriving and inquisitive community. Everyone I have spoken with has had a fascinating story about what brought them to Stubbs, and I have loved getting to know many of our members over the past few terms.