FROM SPIRES TO INSPIRING - Oriel Alumni and Friends
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
ISSUE 21 | SUMMER 2019
FROM SPIRES
TO INSPIRING
The unexpected journey to
becoming a filmmaker
SCR SPOTLIGHT THE LIFE OF JEREMY ORIELENSES ARE HIDDEN TREASURES
How the body clock is set CATTO GOOD SPORTS! Oriel's Magna Carta
to time
Dr Catto's obituary from Adventures of our alumni
The Times and students
36 CONTENTS
Oriel could not do the great work it does without
the passion, support and involvement from our
alumni base. Our community extends to every
Orielensis throughout the world.
30
ISSUE 21 | SUMMER 2019
PROVOST’S WELCOME 4 WW1 CENTENARY 28
Neil Mendoza discusses his first few months in his new role How we honoured this anniversary
COLLEGE NEWS 5 INDUSTRY FOCUS 30
Some general updates from Oriel A look at Orielenses working in the technology sector
42 ORIEL CALLING 6 THE SIXTH FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION 35
Telephone campaign update The Information Revolution and its impact on society
28 16 JCR REPORT 7 FROM SPIRES TO INSPIRING
The unexpected journey to becoming a filmmaker
36
MCR REPORT 8
EVENT REPORT 39
INSIDE STORY 9
Interview with our new Librarian A LASTING IMPACT 40
Why legacies are important to Oriel
SCR SPOTLIGHT 10
How the body clock is set to time ZANE DALAL – LEADING THE WAY 42
From organ scholar to a distinguished international career in music
FELLOWS’ NEWS 11
Updates from the Fellows UNIVERSIFY EDUCATION 43
7 Orielensis-led outreach charity
THE LIFE OF JEREMY CATTO 12
Dr Catto’s obituary from The Times ALUMNI NEWS 44
40 MECHANICAL SYMPATHY 15 BOOK CORNER 44
How we can improve the performance of our bodies
YOUR VIEWS 46
ORIELENSES ARE GOOD SPORTS! 16
Adventures of our alumni and students
FORTHCOMING EVENTS 47
HIDDEN TREASURES 26
Oriel’s Magna Carta
Front cover image of Yamin Tun taken by Tashi Hope, taken on location at Muriwai, Auckland, New Zealand
2 | Oriel News | Summer 2019 Oriel News | Summer 2019 | 3
12
WELCOME COLLEGE NEWS
COLLEGE NEWS
Goldie Building and Oriel Celebrates
Doll’s House Get Undergraduate
Face-Lifts Academic Results
The College celebrated
Goldie Building, on the
some excellent
Amelia Wallace, Mitzi Rectory Road site, was recently The Doll’s House
undergraduate results
and Neil Mendoza renovated for the 2018-19
again in 2018, with 89.5%
academic year. From new carpets and a splash of paint
of students graduating
everywhere to an overhaul of the bedrooms and communal
with a 2:1 or higher,
kitchens, students are now enjoying more comfortable
and some exceptional
accommodation. Furthermore, the much-loved ‘Doll’s
performances from
House’ (Staircase 12) has also received a face-lift, with
WELCOME
individual students and
work including a new lime rendering and redecoration of
subjects.
the front facade, plus roof and glazing repairs.
FROM THE PROVOST Launch of the Centre for the Study
Portrait of Moira Wallace by
Beka Smith
of the Bible in the Humanities Former Provost’s
Portrait
L
On 17–18 October, Oriel launched the Centre for the
ife has operated at a cracking pace since starting at Oriel last Bejan (Fellow and Associate Professor of Political Theory) gave an
Study of the Bible in the Humanities (CBH). This Former Provost Moira Wallace
September. I have been completely inspired by the energy and insightful TED talk in New York (google it) that touched on elements
Centre integrates biblical studies in the humanities (Provost, 2013–2018) left
drive of Oriel people – our academics, our staff and our wonderful from her successful book, Mere Civility.
through a variety of Oxford and international Oriel at the end of August 2018.
students. I tell students at their Freshers’ Dinner that Oriel, if they wish,
collaborations. It endeavours to make the study of As is tradition, the College
I have met almost all current students individually during will be a part of their lives forever. One student raised doubts that
the Bible a vital field, in conversation with the full commissioned a portrait of her to
Collections, at dinners, down by the river and even in the College bars. our College should continue to belong to alumni too. I couldn’t
breadth of scholarship in the humanities: classics, join those of other past Provosts.
The single most overwhelming impression I get from them is that they disagree more. Of course our focus is on current students. However,
philosophy, religious studies, and history. The launch The portrait, painted by Beka
love and appreciate our College. That common refrain sweeps across Oriel could not do the great work it does without the passion,
was celebrated with inspiring lectures and a reception Smith, is on display in the Hall
two broad themes. First, that Oriel is a friendly, close, supportive support and involvement from our alumni base. Our community
in the Senior Library, with speeches by the Provost, and was unveiled at the Provost's
community across both the JCR and the MCR. Secondly, that students extends to every Orielensis throughout the world.
Professor Hindy Najman (centre, the Head of the Humanities Division, and the initiator Summer Party on 21 July 2018.
value the consistently high standard of education provided by their There have been highlights over the past months at occasions
left) at the Launch Reception of CBH and Director, Professor Hindy Najman.
tutors. I hear so often that subject tutors are enormously appreciated where I was able to meet with Orielenses in the UK and overseas.
for their teaching, inspiration and individual care. I recently returned from a trip to Asia and I had the great pleasure
Our students are, of course, busily involved in a wide range of in connecting (until the early hours) with alumni in Hong Kong,
activities within and outside Oriel. I went out training with the Singapore and Tokyo. At the end of 2018, I spent a memorable The Development and Alumni Engagement Team –
W1 boat recently (comfortably in the launch) and watched how evening in Manhattan catching up with our US-based alumni at
a number of the rowers, after gruelling training, ran off the river Soho House.
Some New Faces
at Wallingford to motor back to Oriel in time for choir practice. I would like to welcome three new additions to Oriel’s Development Sean Power, Director of Development and Alumni Engagement, is delighted to
I’ve also learned that Alternative Ice Hockey is a big thing played team: Henry Carter, who joined us in January as Head of Development, announce some new appointments in the Development and Alumni Engagement
over midnight sessions. The repertoire of student activities - be it Hillary Reitman, who joined in March as Development Officer and Office. Bobby Higson has been promoted to Head of Alumni Engagement and
a cappella singing, writing and directing plays, commitment to sport Natalie Balchin, our new Alumni Relations and Events Officer, who Operations, and is responsible for overseeing a team running alumni events and
or evenings spent together in close, slow reading of Plato - reflects will be organising fantastic events for Orielenses. They will be doing communications; and Rob Buckett has been promoted to Development Officer
the College’s strengths excelling in many things. essential work in helping with our fundraising as we approach 2026. (Regular Giving and Legacies).
The work of our Fellows puts Oriel at the forefront of research On the point of fundraising, I am always conscious of the We have welcomed the following new faces during the past year: Henry Carter, as
and innovation. I’d like to cite a few examples. The pioneering importance of our alumni and friends. Your generosity and support Head of Development, managing the fundraising team with responsibility for regular,
research on longevity by Professor Lynne Cox (George Moody Fellow enables Oriel to continue advancing its charitable objects and mid-level and major gifts to Oriel; Hillary Reitman, as Development Officer (Major
in Biochemistry) continues to make great strides; she is an expert strengthening the foundations for lasting success. I was heartened Gifts); and a new Alumni Relations and Events Officer, Natalie Balchin, concentrating
advisor to the new all-party parliamentary working group to tackle to hear that we had another successful telephone campaign this on Oriel’s programme of alumni events. They all very much look forward to meeting Development and Alumni Engagement Office
the theme of healthy ageing. Dr Maike Bublitz (Fellow and Associate year, raising almost £150,000. On behalf of the whole College, I you at some upcoming events. Team (L-R): Louisa Chandler, Bobby Higson,
Professor of Microbial Biophysics) leads the Bublitz Lab, where she wish to thank everyone who has invested in the College, either And, finally, we say goodbye to Harvey Rudden, who has left College for the Rob Buckett, Sean Power, Henry Carter,
applies state-of-the-art biochemical and biophysical methods to study financially or by volunteering their time and expertise. exciting opportunity of joining the Metropolitan Police. Hillary Reitman, Verity Armstrong
the biological function of membrane proteins. Last year, Dr Teresa I wish everyone a great summer.
4 | Oriel News | Summer 2019 Oriel News | Summer 2019 | 5
COLLEGE NEWS COLLEGE NEWS
Halfway Hall entertainment with Alice
JCR REPORT
Bourne singing, James Hobson on bass,
Josh Cottell on drums and Patrick
Telethon call room in action
Hegarty Morrish playing guitar.
ORIEL CALLING T he Junior Common Room (JCR) is
always so busy that it’s impossible to
mention all of its exciting activities. During
We found a drum kit
hidden deep under the
enjoyed an exciting joint bop with Lincoln.
Halfway Hall was a fantastic success: the
Second Years dressed as guests at the Mad
the past year, Oriel undergraduates have Island Site and since then Hatter’s Tea Party to mark reaching half –
impressed their peers and the College in the or three-eighths – of the way through their
the JCR house band has
I t is our great pleasure to report that Oriel’s
13th annual telephone campaign was a fantastic
success, raising almost £150,000 for the College.
to just under 450 alumni, of whom almost half
generously chose to make a gift to the College. This
generosity allows our current and future students
depth and diversity of their interests and
successes: some highlights follow.
Oriel Boat Club excelled at Torpids, with
got the bar dancing.
degrees. Special thanks must go to the
organisers of Welfare Week, Equalities Fest,
the Chinese New Year Formal, Burns Night
This year’s campaign was focused on two key to make the most of the opportunity that an the Men’s 1st VIII retaining the Headship, Formal, and two charity formals, the RAG
project areas: our outreach programme and the Oxford education provides. Our callers also really and the Men’s 2nd VIII earning blades. The JCR members have fashioned manifold Casino Night, and the week of festivities and
student support fund. Thanks to the generous appreciate hearing about the experiences of alumni Women’s 1st VIII were bumped from their creations from recycled materials. Auditions hooliganism which marked Oxmas.
support of our alumni, we can help to ensure that and your valuable advice helps to shape their career position at the top of the river but their have begun for the annual Garden Play, which JCR meetings have remained lively as
Oriel is committed to encouraging applications paths after finishing their degree. In a climate where impressive, technical rowing shows promise this year will be Shakespeare’s As You Like It. ever: this year’s Treasurer, rightly referring
from academically able students regardless of graduate employment is extremely competitive, this for blades in Summer Eights. We started Michaelmas 2018 worried to his distinguished work, unanimously
background and making sure students have the guidance is a tremendously valuable asset for our The College 11 (football) were knocked about the bar. Writing in Easter of 2019, I defeated a motion of no-confidence. Intense
necessary pastoral and financial support to make students and for this we are very grateful. It is great to hear out of Cuppers after a 1–0 match marred think we can safely say that the bar has been debate occasioned a motion suggesting that
the most of their time at Oxford – ensuring Oriel is The Development and Alumni Engagement by controversy: Oriel blames its defeat on saved. In addition to Oriel Fridays, we have as the JCR gives money to the Second Years
a welcoming place for students of all backgrounds. Office would like to thank everyone who took time
that so many of our one New College striker, who swung for our introduced thrice-termly pub quizzes. Like for Halfway Hall, should the First and Third
The telephone campaign is key to the College’s out of their busy evenings and weekends to speak alumni still have centre back – surprisingly, the latter was the JCR, which has been renovated, the bar Years not have an event too?
alumni relations programme, helping to keep you to our call team. We know that they thoroughly sent off. Currently, Oriel Netball is fighting also now has new lighting, new furniture, Thanks to the tireless work of the
updated with the current goings-on in the College enjoyed hearing stories about the College over
such a strong affinity simultaneous promotion and demotion, as and a fresh coat of paint. Perhaps most Environment Rep, Oriel celebrated a second
and any events we have coming up. It also allows many years, and it is great to hear that so many with Oriel – it really the B team cracks the top division, while the importantly, and after intense lobbying, drinks consecutive victory in the Oxford Student
Orielenses to give their feedback about our work of our alumni still have such a strong affinity A team clings on to its bottom rung. prices have been reduced, and a twice-weekly ‘Switch-Off ’ campaign. We were particularly
and how we can help to foster an even stronger with Oriel – it really is a testament to the lifelong
is a testament In the arts, Oriel Fridays, our open mic ‘Happy Hour’ introduced. Oriel JCR members pleased to see the International Women’s
relationship with alumni in the future. community that Oriel provides. We would also to the lifelong night, has flourished. We found a drum kit have created three new College drinks to Day flag flying for the whole month of March.
We can always rely on the warm response from like to thank our hard-working student callers, hidden deep under the Island Site and since complement the Glennies: the ‘Oriebomb’
Orielenses during our telephone campaigns and who already have such a strong feeling towards the
community that then the JCR house band has got the bar (simple but effective) is particularly popular. Patrick Hegarty Morrish, JCR President
this year was no different, with our callers speaking College that they wish to give something back. Oriel provides. dancing. At our fortnightly ‘Arts evenings’, Moving away from the bar, the JCR 2018-19
6 | Oriel News | Summer 2019 Oriel News | Summer 2019 | 7
COLLEGE NEWS COLLEGE NEWS
come in the form of Mihnea Dumitrascu, How long have you worked at Oriel? It was wonderful to have the Library
our inaugural MCR Photographer, who has I started working for Oriel in January 2018. acknowledged and I really enjoyed helping
taken many stunning photos of our events – We moved to Oxfordshire at the same time out with the research for such a ground-
including the one accompanying this entry! and bought our first home so it was a very breaking exhibition.
Now in its fourth year, Oriel Talks busy month.
continues to provide a beloved venue Apart from family, who or what inspires you?
for talks from SCR and MCR members, What was your first impression of Oriel? At this stage in my life, I’m inspired most
followed by dinner where the conversation The people. At my first interview I got to by women who are balancing careers and
always continues. I am very grateful to all meet and talk to several members of various motherhood. Pretty much anyone who works
those who have spoken this year, and I am departments, who really put me at ease and in the NHS is a superstar in my eyes; and
especially grateful to Matthew Collier and welcomed me. My first impression of the people like Matt Haig, who are brave enough
Carlos Daghan Akkar for their great work Library was ‘rabbit warren’! to talk openly about their mental health.
as Oriel Talks Coordinators. Many thanks
are also owed to Angelica De Vido, our What does a normal day look like for you? Do you have any unusual hobbies?
Equalities and Diversity Officer, for her hard I don’t think I have a normal day. I can be Is it too predictable to say reading? I collect
work and for co-organising an International doing anything from re-shelving books modern, signed first edition fiction. I’m
Women’s Day event with talks from female to representing the College Librarians on also passionate about trying to live a more
Night of the Elephant in the MCR
members of staff at Oriel accompanied by discussions about new Library software and eco-friendly lifestyle and supporting small
afternoon tea in the MCR. I am also grateful developments with the Bodleian. I try to independent local businesses, especially when
MCR REPORT
to Nathaniel Helms, for his work as LGBTQ eat in the SCR most days so that I can catch it comes to my son’s toys and clothing. We try
Representative and his organising of an event up with our academics – a lot of work can very hard to be as plastic-free as possible.
for LGBTQ month celebrating some LGBTQ get done over lunch. Some days I’m barely
figures from Oriel’s history. in the Library – I can be book shopping at Do you do any voluntary work or work in
The MCR continues to be active in sport Blackwell’s, visiting the bindery, or talking the community?
T he Oriel College Middle Common Room
(MCR) enjoys a reputation for being
an exceptionally warm, welcoming, and
at Trinity and second at Clare – were such
great successes.
Srishti Arora and Jean-Christophe
across the University. This includes excellent
MCR representation in the Boat Club, in
addition to, among other sports, water polo
circulation settings at the Bodleian’s offices
in Osney. Other days I’m glued to my desk
– signing invoices, cataloguing books in the
Apart from reading at my son’s nursery
occasionally, I struggle to find time at the
moment. Previously, I’ve volunteered at
supportive community and environment. Spiliotis have done a fantastic job as Bar (with two MCR members on the Oxford system, putting together projects, and letting my local Oxfam bookshop and helped read
I am delighted to report that this much- Managers, aided by our excellent volunteer University Water Polo Club Blues Team this students back in who have left their Bod with school children. I’m lucky that a new
deserved reputation continues to reflect bar staff, in ensuring that our bar remains year) and the modern pentathlon. On the cards at their desks! community centre has opened up near us and
reality, with just over 90 graduate students a well-stocked centre of activity, with nautical theme, this year MCR members will I’m hoping to get involved as soon as I can.
and 30 fourth-year undergraduate students Nathaniel Helms joining as Bar Manager again benefit from free access to punts as part What is your favourite part of being the
joining our ranks in October 2018 for what later in the year (with another hard-working of the hugely-popular MCR Punting Scheme. Librarian? What one luxury would you take on a
has proved to be a fantastic year. stint from Philip Gavin as interim manager). Our Environmental Representative, I think the variety is a big part of it. Being desert island?
New and old members alike have We have also been very fortunate to have Charles Tebbutt, has worked hard on the able to be in a career that allows me to A book about survival techniques?! In all
enthusiastically participated in MCR life, Charlie Fletcher serve as Second Desserts environmental concerns of energy use and constantly learn and grow is another. Mostly seriousness, though, probably a decent bed.
and our great facilities continue to be much Representative this year, ensuring that we sustainability. With Ebony Moody (JCR), it’s about being able to make a difference Having a toddler means I have a new found
used. These include our wonderful common have never lacked in wonderful cheeses Charles led Oriel on a successful campaign to in how someone’s education or research appreciation for how much you can get done
room, with free tea, coffee, and biscuits (and and desserts after Sunday Formal Hall. The win the Oxford Student ‘Switch-Off’ campaign turns out. The work I’m doing will hopefully after a good night’s sleep.
a new comments box for any suggestions!); much-loved coffee machine and MCR itself for the second year in a row (also making us continue to benefit Oriel and its students for
our well-equipped study room, with new owe their smooth running in large part to the the only college to win the campaign three a very long time. The collections will be here What is the one piece of ‘life’ advice you
whiteboards; and our kitchen and famous bar. incredibly hard work of the MCR Managers times). I am delighted that Oriel continues long after I am. would offer to a student?
Our MCR social calendar continues to Lola Salem and Connor Thompson. to lead in our collective move towards a That asking for help doesn’t mean losing
be unrivalled. The incredible Social Team, The Welfare Team, comprising Welfare greener Oxford. What is the most challenging aspect of your control and that being independent doesn’t
led by Social Secretaries Lucy Mellor, Secretaries Farah Jawitz and Chase Harrison, I cannot thank the Committee enough role? mean being alone. You’ll be surprised how
Jennifer Potter, and Connor Wild, with with Catherine Fleischer and Lauren for their exceptionally hard work, time, Knowledge. My predecessor had been here many people are willing to help if you talk
INSIDE
Philip Gavin and Eoin O’Sullivan as Social Cullen as Welfare Representatives, have and effort; they have been outstanding. for a very long time and my team is all new to them.
Representatives, put on an unmatched series done a tremendous job. They have run In particular, I would like to thank Vice- so we’ve lost a lot of personal knowledge
of events throughout the year. From sold-out our highly popular Wednesday Afternoon President Jung Kian Ng, Treasurer Alexander about the collections. I learn something new Who would you invite to Formal Hall (dead
STORY
Guest Nights, Grand Formals, and exchanges Teas, instituted Monday morning jogs with Pateman, Philip Gavin, Jenny Potter, with every enquiry and day I spend here or alive)?
with eight Oxford colleges, to movie nights, breakfast, arranged themed welfare teas Nathaniel Helms, and especially Lucy Mellor. though, and I don’t think you could ever My husband. Being working parents means
board games nights, and pamper evenings – (such as for LGBTQ month), and run our With a community as wonderful as this, I have know everything about our amazing material. that we don’t often get time to ourselves
they have catered to just about everyone. We free weekly yoga sessions. We have also no doubt that the next President and their anymore so any opportunity to eat hot food,
also successfully held two exchanges with benefitted greatly from the hard work of Julia Committee will triumphantly lead us into What has been your greatest professional uninterrupted, without sharing with a small
our sister colleges, Trinity College, Dublin, Montgommery, our International Student another remarkable year, and that the Oriel triumph? person is grabbed with both hands.
and Clare College, Cambridge, in Hilary Representative, who has arranged a myriad of MCR will continue to be the best in Oxford. An interview with I think seeing my name in the
Term. Philip Gavin and Jennifer Potter, events for our diverse community, including acknowledgements section of the British
respectively, are owed particular thanks for for Chinese New Year, Thanksgiving, Farbod Akhlaghi-Ghaffarokh,
Hannah Robertson, Museum ‘Indigenous Australia’ 2015
ensuring that these exchanges – our seventh Diwali, and Nowruz. Another blessing has MCR President 2018-19 our new Librarian exhibition catalogue was a real high point.
8 | Oriel News | Summer 2019 Oriel News | Summer 2019 | 9
FELLOWS' NEWS FELLOWS' NEWS
Aarti Jagannath is a BBSRC David Phillips Fellow at the Nuffield Department
FELLOWS' NEWS
iracosma - stock.adobe.com
of Clinical Neuroscience and a lecturer at Oriel. Aarti read for a DPhil on
the mechanisms of RNA interference at Brasenose and subsequently joined
the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences as a Roche Postdoctoral
Fellow in 2010, to begin work on the circadian clock. She was awarded the
L’Oréal Women in Science Fellowship in 2015. To find out more about Aarti’s Oriel lecturer publishes new book
work, visit ‘The Sun: Living With Our Star’ at the Science Museum, London.
Congratulations to Fellow and Tutor in American
https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/the-sun-living-with-our-star
Literature, Dr Nicholas Gaskill, on the publication of
his new book, Chromographia.
The only study of modern colour in US literature,
Chromographia looks at the ways that US writers
imagined the experience of colour between 1880
and 1930. This was the period when bright synthetic
SCR spotlight – Dr Aarti Jagannath dyes, derived from the refuse of industrialisation,
created a vibrant new palette that transformed the
HOW THE BODY CLOCK Congratulations to Dr Elsje van Bergen,
look of the built environment, and when experimental
psychologists, based on their studies of colour
perception, put forth new theories about how colours
IS SET TO TIME
a former Psychology Junior Research
affect us – and, indeed, about what colour really is.
Fellow (2012–2015) and current SCR
It was also a time when ethnographic studies of the
member at Oriel, and her husband,
comparative sensitivity to colour across cultures
Yves, who welcomed their second son
suggested that how people saw and responded to
Benjamin on 23 April 2018. Their first
L
colours revealed how ‘primitive’ or ‘civilised’ they were.
ife as we know it has evolved under Light, which signals the dawn–dusk cycle, is son, Gabriel, was born on 19 May 2016.
With these backdrops in mind, Dr Gaskill’s book
a 24-hour cycle set by the rotation probably the most important time cue for the
reads a diverse array of writers – from Stephen Crane
of the Earth on its axis. As a result, the clock. The Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience
and Charlotte Perkins Gilman to L. Frank Baum and
environment during the day is, well, as Institute at Oxford is responsible for some
Nella Larsen – in light of all the many things that bright
different as can be from night! Temperature, seminal research in this area, including the
colour came to stand for at the turn of the 20th century:
light levels, and consequently everything identification of a specialised photoreceptor
commodity culture, racialised sensation, avant-gardism,
downstream of these factors, such as in the retina that communicates light
the perceptual lives of small children, pragmatist
the availability of food and the chance of information relevant to circadian rhythms
notions of experience, and much else besides.
encountering a predator, fluctuate with a to the brain. Within this Institute, my
Chromographia argues that the writers,
daily predictable rhythm. As a consequence, group works on understanding how light
psychologists, and designers who made colour their
most organisms have evolved internal information is communicated to, and
primary concern developed new conceptions of
timekeeping mechanisms known as interpreted by, the molecular clock. We work to diabetes, obesity, depression, and even
mind and body, language and world, and experience
circadian clocks that anticipate these regular on signalling systems that communicate input cancer. SCRD is a debilitating feature in
and reality, all of which, when embraced by writers,
environmental changes and establish 24- signals to clock genes, the genes that decide nearly all psychiatric illness. My group’s
changed the way literature in the US was written.
hour rhythms in physiology and behaviour. how the clock responds to this information, research, and indeed the work conducted by
An obvious rhythm is the sleep–wake and, finally, the mechanisms that allow the several groups across the world, provides
cycle, but most aspects of our physiology, clock to time physiology, such as sleep. insight into how the clock is regulated, and
including body temperature and sensitivity This work is of particular relevance today, identifies new routes by which these chronic Dr Teresa Bejan in TED Talks:
to insulin, are rhythmic. The circadian clock as sleep and circadian rhythm disruption conditions may be treated, or even prevented.
in mammals is molecular, that is, encoded (SCRD) is inevitable in today’s 24/7 The outputs from such research can have a
is civility a sham?
within our genes, and is found in nearly society, and this is compounded by the near direct and measurable impact on wellbeing in Dr Teresa Bejan, an Associate Professor of Political
all cells of the body. This clock is a master constant exposure to artificial light. Whilst society: tailoring school start times to suit the Theory and Tutorial Fellow in Politics, gave a TED
regulator of gene function and, rather like our photoreceptor system has evolved to typically ‘late’ circadian profiles of teenagers talk in New York in October 2018 on the topic
the conductor of an orchestra, sets the use sunlight to tell time, artificial light, has been shown to markedly improve GCSE ‘Is Civility a Sham?’ – it has received 1.4 million
tempo and maintains synchrony across the particularly blue enriched light, can also achievement. Our own work at the Sleep and views since its release. In her insightful talk,
organs within the body, both with respect to activate the same systems. Scientific studies Circadian Neuroscience Institute on light which was presented at a TED Salon event given
one another and the outside world. support limiting blue wavelength emissions input pathways is currently being translated
Oriel prayers in partnership with Brightline Initiative, Dr Bejan
My research interest is in how internal from electronic devices, such as computer into clinical application through a spin-out The Chaplain and his team pray for explored the concept of civility and explained how
circadian time is coordinated with the and tablet screens, particularly after dark. company, Circadian Therapeutics. We have individuals and the community daily. They it has been used as both the foundation of tolerant
external world. While we know a great deal Conversely, being in a dimly lit indoor identified new molecular pathways by which are always happy to receive the names of societies and as a way for political partisans to
about the machinery that makes up the environment all day limits our exposure to light can ‘shift the hands of the clock’ and alumni who are sick or have sadly died, to be silence and dismiss opposing views. She proposes
molecular circadian clock, we understand bright sunlight, which the clock relies on for Circadian Therapeutics is developing drugs remembered in the Chapel’s prayers. Please that we should instead try for ‘mere civility’: the
very little about the processes that set it to a strong ‘time-giver’ or ‘zeitgeber’. Together, that can act on these pathways. These drugs email the Chaplain, chaplain@oriel.ox.ac. virtue of being able to disagree fundamentally
the right time. A circadian clock must be these factors could weaken the circadian would have application in a whole spectrum uk, if you would like to be included in the with others without destroying the possibility of a
sensitive to time cues in the environment, system and predispose one to SCRD. Studies of disorders associated with circadian prayers, or know of an Orielensis who should common life tomorrow.
in order to ensure it reports the right time. with shift workers show SCRD can lead rhythm disruption. be remembered in the prayers.
10 | Oriel News | Summer 2019 Oriel News | Summer 2019 | 11
LIFE OF JEREMY CATTO LIFE OF JEREMY CATTO
Catto’s attitude to his students was less that of a schoolmaster
and more of a benevolent uncle. He would set them at ease
with a glass of pink gin, forbear their pretensions to genius
and gently nudge them towards more nuanced views.
Robert Jeremy Adam Inch Catto was
born in 1939, to Archibald and Grace, in
Newcastle. He had two sisters, Annabel and
Jane. The family was well off. His father
was a businessman who had run a rubber
plantation in Malaya, and his uncle, Thomas,
became the Governor of the Bank of England
in 1944. His mother was, for a brief time, a
teacher. Catto excelled in his studies at the
THE LIFE OF
Royal Grammar School in Newcastle and
went from there to read Modern History at
JEREMY CATTO
Balliol College, Oxford.
He dipped his toes in Balliol’s left-wing
radicalism, but went no farther. A single
freezing CND march was enough to put Catto
off the cause and by the time he finished
his degree he regarded his fellow Balliolite’s
utopian dreams with amused scepticism. He
had come to believe that ideology was a foggy
lens through which to see human relations,
at best a heuristic and at worst a dangerous
delusion. He greatly enjoyed poking fun at
In August 2018, Oriel lost Jeremy Catto. A Fellow of the his left-wing colleagues’ faith in their political
He continued to lend his advice to them schema and once attended a protest bearing
College for almost 50 years, Jeremy was woven into the even when they sat on the front bench, not a banner that called for the restoration of the
fabric of Oriel life during his time as a Tutorial Fellow at the because he was a Machiavel, and not merely Bourbon monarchy. Manning in the British embassies in Moscow to disguise their scorn for extracurricular
because he was a gossip, but because he After Balliol he took up a lectureship and Warsaw to get a sense of the texture of activities, he encouraged his students to lead
College and for many Orielenses became the embodiment thought the friendly bond between tutor and in history at Durham, during which time communist life. multi-faceted lives and spared them tutorials
of Oriel and Oxford as a whole. The following obituary student should not end at graduation. a chance encounter with Bryan Ferry in Catto’s attitude to his students was when they had boat races to win, magazines
As a Fellow of Oriel College he saw it as Newcastle sparked a lifelong friendship. The less that of a schoolmaster and more of a to publish, or causes to campaign for. As for
appeared in The Times on 19 September 2018. his job to be a mainstay of its community, two of them took holidays together to Italy benevolent uncle. He would set them at the value of study, he believed nobody put it
and a mentor to students past and present. and France, where Catto taught Ferry to swim ease with a glass of pink gin, forbear their better than Harold Macmillan when he said:
J eremy Catto’s favourite students knew
who they were. While he would refer
to many of his undergraduates at Oriel
Among those who earned this distinction
are Niall Ferguson, the historian; William
Hague and Alan Duncan, the Tory politicians;
In this sense, he was something of an
anachronism. With such pressure placed on
them to publish a great deal, tutors these
and drive. In later life Ferry would be Catto’s
way into social circles more glamorous than
those of the typical Oxford fellow.
pretensions to genius and gently nudge them
towards more nuanced views. He spoke to
them in a kind of Wodehousian slang, calling
‘All Oxford need teach you is to know when
someone is talking rot.’
None of which is to say that he would go
College as ‘great men’, and to a fair few and Radek Sikorski, the Polish politician. days rarely have the opportunity to embrace Catto returned to Oxford in 1969 to them ‘wicked old thing’, or ‘angelfluff’. If easy on slackers. Marcus Walker, a former
as ‘great men on toast’ — the College did Catto was not a man to limit his College life as holistically as he did. take up a fellowship at Oriel, where Hugh they made him laugh, he’d say ‘that was a student, remembers one tutorial for which he
not start admitting women until 1985 — horizons to the dreaming spires. Although a Another advantage of remaining in Trevor-Roper, the historian, was glad to giglet’, or ‘shriekino’. Hague once asked had not prepared, in which Catto addressed
you had to be someone truly special to consummate historian of the English Church, touch with so many former students was have a conservative ally with whom to battle him: ‘Jeremy, can I be a wicked old fluff and questions to him via his tutorial partner, to
earn his highest appellation: ‘deep fried he would have found it dreary to pass his that it afforded him many opportunities to the resident Marxists. Although both were a rough tough fluff at the same time?’ Catto let him know he had been excommunicated.
great man on toast’. The deep fried were days between the Library and his study, travel. Of Sir David Manning, the former implacably opposed to communism, they replied: ‘My dear boy, how could you be Fond of making his students feel part of
students whose careers Catto intended to steadily lengthening his list of publications. British ambassador to the United States, shared a fascination with the Soviet bloc. anything else?’ his club, he also liked to involve himself in
keep a close eye on, whom he could see He liked to have a view on to the wider Catto said: ‘I’ve stayed in every embassy Catto had travelled to Czechoslovakia the He believed his job was to prepare his their societies. He served for 30 years as the
were destined to become great diplomats, world and into the corridors of power, and he’s ever been posted to. I like it when my previous August, in time to be greeted by students not for exams but for life. Whereas Senior Librarian of the Oxford Union, the
politicians, academics, or otherwise. that is what his former students gave him. pupils run the world.’ the Soviet crackdown. He later stayed with some of his colleagues barely bothered debating society to which Oxford’s aspiring
12 | Oriel News | Summer 2019 Oriel News | Summer 2019 | 13
LIFE OF JEREMY CATTO MECHANICAL SYMPATHY
Orielensis, Fabrice Braunrot, and former student of
iracosma - stock.adobe.com
Jeremy Catto (1981, History) was recently asked to
give a TEDx talk on the topic of ‘mechanical sympathy’.
You can watch this talk online – do google it. Here,
Fabrice gives an overview of his talk on how one can
make the most of one’s personal health portfolio.
MECHANICAL
SYMPATHY:
A Guiding Principle to Allow us to Perform
Well and Last to Our Design Potential
M echanical sympathy is demonstrated
when we use a manufactured object
in the way that it was designed to operate.
Beddard trained my peers and me to question
and test the differing perspectives and to
dig into the sources to form a convincing
A petrol engine is designed to run on a very thesis of our own. The Oxford tutorial and
particular fuel and will not run on diesel. essay process turned out to be a perfect
It will cost you a lot of money in repairs training ground for the next 35 years of my in our palms and on our desktops. The
parliamentarians flock. He also oversaw Hague once asked him: Northamptonshire, where he had lived should you fill up with the wrong liquid. career in finance, where I was presented with attendant problem is that the information is
the Canning Club, where students gathered since 1973 and continued to be an active Our bodies and brains are the result of mountains of contradictory opinions and had un-curated and is often dangerously wrong,
to read out their musings on conservative
‘Jeremy, can I be a wicked parishioner of the Catholic church at Aston- millions of years of evolutionary design to to make a convincing case to clients as to how despite the presentation looking ‘scientific’
philosophy. His role was to smile genially, old fluff and a rough le-Walls. He had been a Catholic since ensure our survival and reproduction in the to invest and plan. and the writer being ‘credentialed’. A chance
pour the claret, and not let on if they were the age of 17, yet the faith became much environments in which we found ourselves. In my late 20s I began to take an interest meeting with an exhaustingly rigorous
talking rubbish.
tough fluff at the same more important to him in his final decade. Machines and bodies alike run better and last in optimising my physical and mental thinker and questioner, Dr Peter Attia,
Students would often find his own brand time?’ Catto replied: ‘My Remaining avidly clubbable, he joined the to their potential when fed their prescribed wellbeing. Losing the resilience of youth and steered me to dive deeper into the facts and
of conservatism hard to pin down. While board of the local cricket team, even though inputs. Sadly, we are far better informed and the arrival of children can (and should) do to question many cherished assumptions.
sympathetic to Margaret Thatcher, he denied
dear boy, how could you he had never played the game in his life. protected against input errors with respect that to you! In the early days of my wellness The work I did led me to change my
being a Thatcherite and if ever somebody be anything else?’ Oxford remained central to Catto. He to our machines than we are with respect journey, I took perceived wisdom at face habits. For example: it led me to drop sugar
tried to parrot his views he would immediately published a history of his College in 2013, to ourselves. Diesel nozzles are designed to value. I embraced popular exercise and and most processed carbohydrates from
deny having believed anything of the kind. and would still visit the city two or three prevent insertion into a petrol filler. No such dietary trends. I became a vegetarian and my diet; it led me to drop cardio-based
Yet he was not just a contrarian. There were one aspect of himself he refused to let his times a week to socialise and indulge in a safety mechanism exists to prevent sugar even went vegan for a year. I ran, did yoga and exercise like running in favour of slow-
certain causes he stuck to firmly, that of the students see. He had met his partner, John little machination. He had a long history from being inserted into our mouths. Quite boot camp workouts. The results were not speed weight training to complete muscular
Bosnian Muslims, for instance, whose plight Wolfe, in 1961. They were introduced by a of appointing the nominally elected Senior the opposite. remarkable and there were many downsides. failure (once a week for 20 mins); I decided
he said merited military intervention. In the mutual friend, who wrote to both to say how Librarian of the Oxford Union and in 2013, Facts and details made up a lot of the I had failed to apply my Oxford training to do a guided meditation every morning;
aftermath of the Monica Lewinsky scandal much they would like one another. They Catto sidled up to his friend Sean Power Modern History course when I was an and mechanical sympathy in this arena. I and I chose to cut out all blue light sources
he also campaigned to prevent Bill Clinton met outside the American Express offices to tell him he would take the role. ‘But undergraduate at Oriel in the early 1980s. 35 had not examined the biases, dogmas, and after the sun goes down, wearing blue light
becoming chancellor of the University. in London — Wolfe, who had just arrived I’ve never even been to the Union,’ Power years later I will confess to not remembering commercial conflicts of the advocates of blocking glasses if necessary, to name but
It became less common throughout from the US, did not know anywhere else in replied. ‘Details, my dear, details.’ many of them at all. What did stick were some the popular trends. I did not do enough a few changes. My proof statement is that
his tenure for Fellows to live in College, town. They remained together for the next general principles that have been extremely original source material research to guide my blood analysis, physical performance,
yet Catto saw his residence in Oriel as an 57 years, although Wolfe, who worked in useful in my subsequent life and work, my decisions. I needed to better understand sleep quality, weight, and mental equanimity
essential part of his role in its community. IT, lived in Northamptonshire and hardly particularly when meshed with the concept the factual mechanics of human metabolism, all dramatically improved. I also got 11
Becoming the College Dean formalised the ever visited Oriel. It was not that Catto of mechanical sympathy. Stamped into my exercise physiology, and how our brains are hours added back to my week. Hence my
pastoral role he had been playing all along; he was scared people would disapprove of his brain was that different people (historians wired. I needed to apply that knowledge willingness to recommend a similar approach
took special care to look after students from sexuality, he just thought it was nobody in this case) can look at the same hard to myself in a sympathetic way. I needed to others. That said, I am ready to be proven
less well-to-do backgrounds, who struggled else’s business. He and Wolfe entered into a Dr Jeremy Catto, historian, was born on facts and reach very different conclusions. to hold the methods to high standards of wrong in any or all of the practices which I
to fit into the privileged atmosphere. civil partnership last year. 27 July 1939. He died from cancer on Understanding agendas and biases is crucial empirical outcomes. currently follow if the alternative passes the
Although residence in College blurred his Catto retired from Oriel in 2006 to 17 August 2018, aged 79. to forming a clear opinion, as is reading the We live at a time when there is a mechanical sympathy test as seen through an
professional life with his private, there was live with Wolfe in the village of Eydon, source material for yourself. Drs Catto and Bodleian’s worth of information, and more, Oxford historian’s critical lens.
14 | Oriel News | Summer 2019 Oriel News | Summer 2019 | 15
ORIELENSES ARE GOOD SPORTS! ORIELENSES ARE GOOD SPORTS!
ORIELENSES ARE
GOOD SPORTS! Current student, Katie Culverwell
(2018, Music), kayaked the continent,
which was a world first challenge,
Oriel has always been proud to offer a well-rounded just before she came up to Oriel.
education, with a good balance of work and play. With
so many extra-curricular opportunities on offer, it is no
wonder that we have such sporty students and alumni,
some of whom tell their stories here.
What sports do you do at Oriel? made our way through the industrial
I stroked in the Oriel Women’s 1st VIII canals of France and Belgium until we
this term at Torpids and will continue reached the River Rhine in Strasbourg.
rowing through my time at Oxford. We flowed down the Rhine until
Mainz, Germany where we went up
Tell us about the ‘Kayaking the the Main River, connecting us to the
Continent’ challenge you undertook? Danube via the Main-Donau Canal. We
On 21 April 2018, my friend Anna and I then followed the Danube for 2,400km
set off outside the Houses of Parliament to the Black Sea. We camped during
to start our five-month tandem ferocious storms, and contended with
kayaking expedition to the Black 200-metre-long industrial barges,
Sea. During the year I spent planning 25-metre-deep locks, and whirlpools
this world first challenge, I found a and rapids. Yet our friendship and
teammate online, raised £15,000 in determination kept us going through
sponsorship, and trained hard to get the 4,000 km journey and the kind
a good foundation in kayaking. Our strangers we met along the way made
Zarya Maxim - stock.adobe.com
main aim through this challenge was for a truly exceptional journey. We
to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer have raised £57,000 so far for charity
Action and by the time we left we had (http://virginmoneygiving.com/
already raised £30,000 to help make a kayakingthecontinent) and collected
difference to the cancer that has the 80 water samples for FreshWater
worst survival rate. The money we Watch, to examine the effects of
raised during the trip was in memory urbanisation on fresh water, while
of my dad who passed away in 2015 to also achieving a world first. Since
pancreatic cancer; he had also been a then, we have also participated in
keen rower and canoeist. Parliamentary events and meetings
Our journey started down the about the progress being made
Thames, round the Kent coast, before in fighting pancreatic cancer, and
we kayaked the English Channel and we continue to raise money and
landed in France. From there, we awareness for this disease.
16 | Oriel News | Summer 2019 Oriel News | Summer 2019 | 17
ORIELENSES ARE GOOD SPORTS! ORIELENSES ARE GOOD SPORTS!
Alumnus George Stannard (2014, Medicine) swam 22 miles across
the English Channel last year after he collected three Full Blues
whilst he was a medical student at Oriel.
What was your time at Oriel like and did you Wetsuits aren't allowed, and you can't touch What were the best aspects of the
participate in any sports teams whilst here? the boat at all during the swim (but can be challenge?
I really enjoyed my time at Oriel (2014– thrown drinks and snacks every so often). The highlights of the challenge included
2017). I met lots of inspiring people, made swimming into the most beautiful sunrise as
some wonderful friends, and got involved What motivated you to do it? Who inspires I started the swim in Folkestone, stumbling
with things I'd never have considered doing you? onto the beach in France and realising I was
before. I was inspired to take on the challenge by my still alive, and devouring a massive burger
I swam for the University swim team friend Naomi, who completed the crossing upon returning to the UK (after dreaming of
What motivated you to do it? Who inspires was no clear place to land, and smashing into during my time at Oriel, competing at Varsity herself in 2017. She swam in aid of Reverse one for 11 hours). I also loved reading all of
you? those walls did not seem a great prospect. each year and earning three Full Blues, and Rett, a research charity working to speed up the wonderful messages of support I received
I was surrounded by a great bunch of young Fortunately, we managed to get to a slip way, in 2016 I swam the first leg of the biennial treatments and a cure for Rett Syndrome, a before, during and after the swim, and seeing
women at school who were inspiring athletes and did a sudden last minute turn onto a Oxford-Cambridge Cross-Channel Relay. rare neurological condition which affects her that we'd raised over £5,800 for the charities.
and went on to achieve rowing scholarships calmer bit of wall so we could leap out onto In terms of College sports, I had a sister Nadya. I swam in aid of Reverse Rett,
and represent Great Britain. During our dry land. We came out quite shaky! go at netball and volleyball for Cuppers as well as a couple of other charities that I What were the hardest aspects of the
intense school rowing programme, we competitions, which were a lot of fun. I also wanted to support: MSF and SOFEA. MSF challenge?
were all pushed to our limits and formed a What did you learn from undertaking this once tried to row in one of the 'Beer Boats' works to provide vital medical aid in areas The hardest part of the challenge was
lifetime bond as team mates. It’s something challenge? for Summer Eights – unfortunately I wasn't that need it, and SOFEA is a local charity definitely the middle two or three hours,
I feel fortunate to have been part of and I I learnt a huge range of things, from being allowed to do so because I didn't manage to that works with disadvantaged youth in when the tide shifted. This essentially
think it’s important to show other young able to ask big companies for sponsorship, get to a swim test in time… Oxfordshire. negated any progress I made, and so it felt
women the benefits of sport. I was inspired planning a huge route, and simply pushing like I was going nowhere. However, I'd
by organisations such as This Girl Can and forward each day. But, ultimately, the biggest What do you do now? What training did you do for it? anticipated a period like this, so it was just a
wanted to be part of showing that women thing I took away is that if you really want These days I'm studying at New College, in In terms of training, I did a few big sea matter of persevering and pushing through.
can push sporting boundaries. something, however big it may seem, you my fifth year (Medicine). It's a tough year, swims (six to seven hours each time) in The jellyfish stings were also unpleasant to
will find a way to do it. A lot of my friends with exams every eight weeks, but I'm off Bournemouth in the months preceding the start with, but after a few hours I got used to
What training did you do for it? and family thought it wouldn’t work and to Sri Lanka in two weeks for a Paediatrics swim, and tried to train for three or four the feeling and sort of forgot about them.
Anna and I spent a lot of time on strength shouldn’t fear taking the potential risk. The that it was just my mad idea that I would placement so that's something to look hours a week in the pool too. I also put on a
and conditioning in the gym, as well as other highlight regarding people was finding eventually forget about, but I knew it was forward to! fair bit of weight to help insulate me during What will be your next challenge?
spending plenty of time around the Oxford a teammate who I got on with exceptionally something I had to do and needed to do. It the swim! In terms of future challenges, I've thought
canals, practising our kayaking skills in well: I’m still not quite sure how we didn’t took a ridiculous amount of work for it to Tell us about swimming the Channel? about attempting the Oceans Seven (seven
racing kayaks. Fortunately, we only live a few have any arguments during those challenging pay off and caused many sleepless nights, Swimming the English Channel involves marathon swims across the world, including
miles apart so training together wasn’t an five months, and we haven’t done since! with the pressure of achieving something crossing the 22 miles between Dover and the Cook Strait, Gibraltar Strait, and North
issue. We also spent a lot of time kayaking We are still best mates and are constantly that had so much investment from people. Calais, but often the distance can be much Channel), but I currently don't quite have
round the coast of the Isle of Wight to planning our next adventure. It did take courage not to listen to those greater due to tidal shifts. It can take the time (or money!) to seriously consider
prepare ourselves for the tricky conditions who said I wouldn’t be able to pull it off, but anywhere between seven and 27 hours it. So for the next few years at least, my next
around Kent and the Channel. However, What was the hardest part of the challenge? it was truly one of the most amazing and (it took me 10 hours and 55 minutes, challenge will just be to finish med school!
some of the situations we found ourselves A lot of practical things, like equipment unforgettable experiences I will ever have. I as I was fairly lucky with the conditions).
in we just couldn’t prepare for – but we breaking, caused many challenges. However, would recommend anyone to set themselves You swim alongside a guide-boat with GPS
managed to work together and stay calm and for me, the psychological challenge of a challenge, even if small, but just to put and a pilot and crew (my crew was my
practical each time, to overcome the many kayaking in hard conditions was one of yourself in that situation where you are able to sister, parents, and a couple of friends).
problems we came across! the most difficult parts. I found the most prove to others and yourself what you can do.
challenging bit was being caught in some very
What were the highlights of the challenge? strong winds on a very, very wide bit of the What will be your next challenge?
People were by far the biggest highlight. The Danube, which felt like being on a stormy I am planning a month in August where I
number of generous strangers we met was sea. We approached a town where we knew will only be using man power to get around;
incredible, from making donations right there we could book a hostel. However, the town part of that will be cycling Land’s End to
Crazy nook - stock.adobe.com
and then, to repairing our kayak for free, or had concrete sea walls which caused all the John O’Groats with another women’s rower
just letting us take a shower – we were never waves to rebound, so we were getting caught from Oriel. While at Oxford, I don’t think I’ll
short of generous offers. Our encounters in all directions by swirling waves that could do anything as big or long as kayaking, but I
with people often made the best stories potentially flip us. At one point our kayak did do have my eyes set on completing a sort of
and showed that being two young women get lifted up in the air, and we were concerned world triathlon after: kayak Europe, cycle the
travelling in an unusual and vulnerable way that our non-professional repairs on our Silk Route and across North America before
doesn’t put you at a disadvantage, and you boat wouldn’t hold. On top of that, there sailing or rowing the Atlantic… but we’ll see.
18 | Oriel News | Summer 2019 Oriel News | Summer 2019 | 19You can also read
