The College receives the news of the death of Her Majesty the Queen with sadness but also with thankfulness for a life of leadership, service and humility. The Queen’s long reign through changing times has demonstrated a life sustained by Christian faith and deep personal sacrifice in response to a sense of calling. Her dignity, grace and joy transcended cultural differences and bound a family of nations together both in the Commonwealth and beyond.

We are delighted to announce that Revd Dr Liz Kent has been appointed as the new Chaplain at St John’s College, Durham. Liz read law at Liverpool University before training for ordained Methodist ministry at the Wesley Study Centre in St John’s College. Since ordination she has served in local churches across the North East and has undertaken doctoral study on the church and eating disorders.

We are pleased to welcome Dr Purba Hossain as a resident Visiting Fellow over the summer vacation period. Purba is an historian of colonial South Asia, having completed a BA and an MA in History from Presidency University, Kolkata and a PhD in History from the University of Leeds.

We are delighted that alumnus and SCR President Richard Roberts has pledged a foundation gift towards a new scholarship fund to support Law students with the purchase of textbooks.

Lizzi is a dancer, choreographer and teacher, and artistic director of LKR & Co, a dance company specialising in site specific dance music performances. She is regularly funded by Arts Council England on a project basis. She works as a freelance movement director/choreographer for theatre and creates new work particularly in outdoor settings and unusual spaces, for libraries and galleries

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s 2022 Lanfranc Award for Education and Scholarship has been awarded to St John's College Principal, Revd Professor David Wilkinson. He has been recognised for his outstanding contribution as a communicator and thinker, bringing together science and Christian faith in full dialogue in the public square.

As the term draws to a close, St John's College Boat Club gears up for the event of the term: Novice Cup. During this two day event, crews from all of the colleges compete to win the prestigious Novice Cup. The weekend begins with time trials: a fast paced sprint down the racecourse; accompanied with cheers from the crowds and heckles from the infamous commentators.

A statement from the Principal of St John's College regarding the events at South College.

On Wednesday 3 November the Principal mingled with bishops and policy advisors at an event on AI and Ethics at Lambeth Palace – all from the comfort of his office in Durham. Using a telepresence robot, Revd Prof Wilkinson was able to approach delegates and take part in conversations, manoeuvring around the room using controls on his laptop on the other side of the country.

Twenty-two churches in England and Wales have been awarded funding totalling £400,000 to explore the relationship between science and faith through the church engagement programme Scientists in Congregations, which is run by Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS). ECLAS is a project led by St John’s College, with the University of York and Mission and Public Affairs at the Church of England.

The Principal of St John's College, the Revd Professor David Wilkinson, spoke at the Ignatius Forum in Washington Cathedral on 10 November, alongside Jeff Bezos, Avril Haines, Avi Loeb and Bill Nelson.