Darwin College News

Darwin Community Appointments and Awards 

Darwin College Appointments 

Congratulations to: 

Dr Rajesh Bhagat, Darwin Research Fellow for his appointment as a Research Fellow of The Royal Academy of Engineering. The Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowships programme supports outstanding early-career researchers to become future research leaders in engineering. The fellowships are designed to advance excellence in engineering by providing funding for five years to allow awardees the freedom to concentrate on basic research in any field of engineering.  

Ms Chelsea Edmonds, Darwin Student and DCSA President who has been awarded the Mary Bradburn Award by the British Federation of Women Graduates. The BFWG was founded to build a better life for women in and through education. For over a century it has offered financial support to women pursuing advanced studies. Chelsea researches into the formalisation of mathematics, developing machine-based verification and deeper insights into mathematical proofs, taking advantage of developments in technology, such as automation and search.  

Dame Professor Jane Francis, Darwin Fellow and Director of the British Antarctic Survey, was given the Award for Planetary Health from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. The award was created to show support to exceptional men and women who are committed to saving our planet in each of three priority areas: limiting the effects of climate change, preserving biodiversity, managing water resources. 

Dr Olga Kennard (Lady Burgen), Honorary Fellow who has been awarded the Gregori Aminoff Prize by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. The Prize is given each year in recognition of a documented individual contribution to the field of crystallography, the study of atomic structures in solid materials.  

Professor Arokia Nathan, Darwin Bye-Fellow, elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. The Academy elected 72 leading figures in engineering and technology to its Fellowship, each of whom has made exceptional contributions to their own sector.  Professor Nathan's approach to engineering research and development has included fundamental device science, process development and manufacturing, and device and circuit inventions to achieve new systems. His research and development on modelling and electronic design has been applied to large-area and flexible electronics.  

Professor Lawrence Sherman, Emeritus Fellow, and alumnus, who has been appointed as the first Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) to the Metropolitan Police and advisor to their Management Board.  Professor Sherman will provide independent and expert advice on science, technology and research methods to inform decision making across the Met. 

Darwin Community Appointments and Awards 

Appointments and Awards throughout our Community  

Congratulations to: 

Professor Bronwyn Naylor, Darwin Alumna (Criminology MPhil 1986, Criminology PhD 1992) who was recently awarded the ‘Medal of the Order of Australia’ (OAM) for ‘services to tertiary education and the law’.  In the Australian honours system appointments to the Order of Australia confer the highest recognition for outstanding achievement and service. The award was announced on Australia Day 26, and the Investiture took place in April.

Darwin Fellow Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of the British Antarctic Survey, who has received the Award for Planetary Health from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. 

Professor Simon Thompson, Darwin Alumnus (Criminology MPhil 2018) who has been awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours List for services to Clinical Psychology Education and to Healthcare Improvements. 

In Memory of Abe Yoffe – A new Travel Bursary 

Abraham Yoffe, or ‘Abe’ as he was always known, was one of the twelve Founding Fellows of Darwin College.

He passed away in March 2022 at the age of 102. He enjoyed his 58 years as a Darwin Fellow (latterly, as an Emeritus Fellow) and was often in College enjoying stimulating conversation with Fellows and students alike. He also helped in attracting many talented postgraduates, Research Fellows and scientists from around the globe who chose Darwin as their post-graduate College of choice. 

It is fitting that a fund has been set up in Abe’s memory by his many friends and colleagues. The bursary will be available to Darwin students, who could otherwise not afford to do so, to travel to academic conferences and symposiums around the world. 

The college is most grateful to those donors who have supported the fund already; if you are interested in donating to the Abe Yoffe Travel Bursary, please follow this link.  

 

Telethon 2022

Thank you for your support 

Once again, the support and generosity of the Darwin community shone through during our recent College Telethon. Over two weeks a team of five dedicated Darwin students were employed by the College, to speak with Darwinians around the world. They were able to reminisce and share stories about College life, ask for insight on life and opportunities after Darwin, and raise money towards projects focused on student support. 

Involvement from our alumni community helps make Darwin the place it is today. Whilst we celebrate our success we are also looking to the future and are committed to ensuring that the most talented students can study here regardless of their financial circumstances. While fundraising during the current financial climate remains a challenging task, we continue to be overwhelmed by the support given by all members of the Darwin community, and enjoyed hearing the stories and warm memories of College that alumni shared with the call team. Our students particularly enjoyed the ‘camaraderie’ and ‘talking to some lovely Old Darwinians.’ 

Donations to this year’s Telethon funded two Studentships and boosted the Student Hardship Fund.  

It is our responsibility to ensure that as many students as possible can study at Darwin, irrespective of their ability to pay.  The good news is that a small number of students have already received studentships from the College and with your help we can fund many more. At a time of financial uncertainty for many, the ability to support students who are struggling to continue their studies successfully is of even greater importance. 

If you would like to find out more about the College’s fundraising initiatives, please click this link or contact the Development Team development@darwin.cam.ac.uk. 

The Alumni and Development Office - Old and New Faces:

You may have already spoken to Hannah Milne, our new Alumni Relations Officer. She has been with Darwin College for a few months, and is a perfect fit for the position. With her she brings enthusiasm and joy to the college community. Hannah will contact you about upcoming events and alumni news and is always happy to help with your questions. She is a wonderful edition to the team.

Our Senior Development Officer, Emily Rigby, has now moved on from Darwin College. She oversaw the most recent Telephone Campaign and our first Giving Day with great enthusiasm. She is much missed and we wish her well in her new endeavours.