Class Notes

We continue to be inspired by our alumni. Each month, we highlight a selection of your achievements to share with our community. 

Explore by month:

• September
• October

September 2023

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Professor Catherine Dousteyssier-Khoze (French, Grey College, 1996-2000; Teaching & Learning in HE, Graduate Society, 2002-03; current staff member) has recently penned ‘Les Malices’ – a fictional account of the notorious real-life double murder of a bourgeois mother and her adult daughter by their two maids, the Papin sisters in 1933. Angelica Krystel von Kumberg (International Relations, St Mary’s College, 2015-18) published her debut fiction novella ‘The Flowers of Hiraeth House’ in July.

Shelby Navone (Museum Studies, Ustinov College, 2019-20) has been awarded the 2022 Geoff Egan Prize from the Finds Research Group for research conducted during her MA at Durham.

Sam Newbould (Theology, Trevelyan College, 1990-93) will be touring the UK with his sell-out jazz quintet later this month.

Nick Obolensky (Russian, University College, 1977-80) has been accredited as an Agile Business Thought Leader by the international Agile Business Consortium, building on the work of his book ‘Complex Adaptive Leadership: Embracing Paradox and Uncertainty’.

Elena Njoabuzia Obwochei-Garcia (Combined Arts, Collingwood College, 2015-19) has been selected for the internationally renowned Bloomberg New Contemporaries exhibition, launching in Blackpool this month.

Dr Eve Poole OBE (Geography, Josephine Butler College, 2008-13) has recently published new book ‘Robot Souls: Programming in Humanity’.

Dr Louise Powell (Medieval and Renaissance Literary Studies, St Chad’s College, 2014-15), 2023 Writer in Residence at Josephine Butler College, was announced as the winner of the Sid Chaplin Award as part of the Northern Writer’s Awards in June.

Jenn-Hui Tan (Law, St Cuthbert’s Society, 1996-99) has been appointed Fidelity International’s first Chief Sustainability Officer.

John Wallace (Doctorate of Theology and Ministry, St John’s College, 2022) published ‘Anglo-Catholic Church Planting: Can it Work?’ in July with Sacristy Press.

Dr Anthony Wells (History, St Cuthbert’s Society, 1965-69) features in White House Chronicle episode ‘Protecting Democracy’ aired by America’s PBS. 

October 2023

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Dr Elizabeth Ashton (MA in Education, 1987-89; PhD in Education, 1996, St Mary's College; former staff member) has published 'The Role of Metaphor and Symbol in Motivating Primary School Children'. She has kindly shared discount code FLA22 for alumni to use if purchasing this item.

Revd Andrew Baldock (Theology, St John's College, 1998-2000) has been appointed as Minister-in-charge of the Parish of Ardmore in the Diocese of Dromore.

Rebecca Daniel (Biological Sciences, St Mary's College, 2014-17) was shortlisted as one of 20 regional finalists in the Commonwealth Youth Awards. Rebecca also featured in the latest issue of Dunelm magazine.

Jack Edmondson (History, Hafield College, 1996-99) has been named as Chief Investment Officer at Oxford Science Enterprises. 

Som Emadi (Business Finance, Stephenson College, 2001-04) and his company Unicorn Commercial Finance has been awarded Sole Trader of the Year 2023 by the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers. The company has also been shortlisted by the Bridging & Commercial awards for 'Best D&I Campaign of the Year'.

Sue Flood (Zoology, St Mary's College, 1983-86) has talked to WalesOnline about her work with Sir David Attenborough and visiting the North Pole 11 times. 

Paul Headon (Zoology, St Cuthbert's Society, 1995-98) was appointed as the new head of service planning at train operator Northern in August, taking on overall responsibility for the timetables of over 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.

Fiona Gehring (BA, Neville's Cross College, 1963-67) has penned new novel 'The Bone on the Beach' under the name Fiona Gillian Kerr.

Awais Khan (MA Management Studies, 2010-13) has published third book 'Someone Like Her', following critically acclaimed novel 'No Honour' in 2021.

Francis Mdlongwa (MBA, Van Mildert College, 2009-13) continues his journey into Business Management, completing a PhD in Strategic Business Management from the University of Johannesburg. 

Professor Michelle Simmons (Physics & Chemistry of Materials, Trevelyan College, 1985-88; PhD in Physics, St Aidan's College, 1988-92; Honorary Doctor of Science, 2019) will deliver the 2023 Boyer Lecture series on ABC Radio National, with the overarching theme 'The Atomic Revolution'.

Dr Catherine Swift (Archaeology, Collingwood College, 1985-88) features on the 'Talking History' podcast with host Patrick Geoghegan, exploring the history of Medieval Dublin.

Philip Tanedo (Physics, Josephine Butler College, 2007-09) spoke on the topic of dark matter in Seaver College's W.David Baird Lecture Series last month.

Oliver Tress (Anthropology, Hatfield College, 1986-89) , founder and owner of UK national fashion and homeware store Oliver Bonas, has been profiled by The Times.

Revd Dr Michael Volland (Theology, St John's College, 2010-13) has been announced as the next Bishop of Birmingham and will be consecrated a bishop on 30 November. As well as completing his PhD at Durham, he also held the position of Director of Mission at Cranmer Hall, part of St John's College.

Revd Ian Yates (Hebrew (Classical), St John's College, 1963-66) was invested as Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough for 2023-24 earlier this year