Selwyn College, University of Cambridge

Our discussion last night on the outcome of the American presidential election has already accrued over 700 views on YouTube. On the panel: a political scientist, a foreign affairs specialist - and a Trump voter. You can catch up on the whole event here: https://lnkd.in/eWA_4guD

At Selwyn, tomorrow at 6pm: America has decided, and we’ll now discuss what’s next. In a change to our advertised US election panel, Selwyn alumnus Dr Christopher Wadibia will join us, along with Selwyn fellow Dr Lauren Wilcox and Professor Brendan Simms, director of the Centre for Geopolitics. Book here: https://lnkd.in/e-9iM799

Can you help keep the college, a registered charity, in good financial shape? We're looking for a new head of finance. Title: Head of Finance Salary: £67,755 - £71,881, depending on experience Hours: full-time, 37.5 hours per week Contract Type: Permanent, subject to a probationary period Closing Date: noon, Friday 22 November 2024 Interviews: 5 December 2024

Selwyn has made another major step towards greater environmental sustainability across its site. The college has added around 70 solar photovoltaic panels to the existing installation on the roof of Cripps Court, increasing green power generation capacity by 50% and meeting around one third of the annual electricity usage of the building. We have also installed a battery set at ground level to store photovoltaic power generated by day, and then release it at times of peak use – principally early morning and evenings. The projected value of the electricity savings ranges from £12,000 to £16,000 per annum. In sustainability terms, the 45,000 kWh generated from the panels and the battery array equates to saving over 22,000 kg of CO2 annually, which will make a material contribution to the college’s reduction of its carbon footprint. This follows other initiatives including the installation of ground source heat pumps in the student accommodation at 29 and 31 Grange Road and 1 Selwyn Gardens. We’re grateful to the Cripps Foundation which has continued its support for the college with a significant contribution to this project. The photographs show the mix of new and old solar panels on the roof of the Cripps Court building.

Next Tuesday at Selwyn College (in-person & online): The journalist, broadcaster and author Mark Urban spent almost 35 years with the BBC covering international affairs and conflicts. Now, with turmoil in the Middle East, continuing war in Ukraine and other dangerous conflicts around the globe, he reflects on what is happening; how it’s being reported; and what may lie ahead. The event will open with a conversation chaired by the master of Selwyn College, Roger Mosey, followed by an audience Q&A. Book here: https://lnkd.in/dPXg9qaD

Meet Shireen Nawaz, our new Schools Liaison Officer based in the North of England! This role is designed to increase our visibility in schools across the north, working both on the ground in the region and liaising closely with colleagues in Cambridge. We asked her a few questions about her early career and what she hopes to do in the role. You can read the article below:

On Friday 11 October we were pleased to host a visit from our honorary fellow John Gummer, Rt Hon The Lord Deben (SE 1958) who planted a cherry tree on Grange Road, replacing an older tree that had died. The tree was donated by a local company, ACO Technologies plc, in honour of Lord Deben’s lifetime contribution to the environment. Lord Deben is a former UK government environment secretary and was chair of the independent Climate Change Committee. If you're interested in enhancing Selwyn’s gardens by sponsoring a tree or similar – you can do this through Friends of Selwyn Gardens. Please contact Sam Davis via sjdd2@cam.ac.uk for details. https://lnkd.in/gGfjAT_q

More Selwyn success. PhD student Chloe Balhatchet has won the prize for best talk on the Materials day of the Department of Chemistry's week of symposia showcasing current postgraduate research. A prize also went to Selwyn PhD student George Phillips for best poster. They are seen receiving their certificates from Prof. James Keeler (Selwyn Walters Kundert fellow & head of Department of Chemistry). Our congratulations to them both.

As we get deeper into autumn, what better thing to plan for than spring? As part of the college’s commitment to sustainability, we’re planting a wildflower meadow between the old library and Ann’s Court. It will feature 40,000 bulbs and we’re also sowing wildflower borders. The lawn will look a bit miserable for a while, but we can’t wait for the transformation - and another landmark in the greening of Selwyn. Our thanks to the Friends of Selwyn Gardens who are supporting this initiative. https://lnkd.in/gGfjAT_q

One of the highlights of last month's Cambridge alumni weekend was a talk by Dr Deepak Venkateshvaran, a fellow of Selwyn College. Entitled "Harmonic Drums: A Journey from Craft to Sound, Language, and Physics," the talk wove together the history of science, the physics of vibrating drum membranes, and a musical performance featuring the Indian tabla. A recording of this event is now available to view on our YouTube channel. Click the link below to watch. Dr Venkateshvaran also shared the fascinating story of how the study of the tabla inspired Sir C.V. Raman in his groundbreaking work which earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. Dr Venkateshvaran is director of studies in Physics at Selwyn. He holds a Royal Society University Research Fellowship at the Cavendish Laboratory where he studies mechanical properties of functional materials on the nanoscale. Deepak is also seconded to the Department of Science Innovation and Technology of the UK Government, where he contributes to the development of the UK's national strategy on advanced materials. https://lnkd.in/enDGBVvw