St Catharine's College
LightNews LightNews
banner
stcatharines.bsky.social
St Catharine's College
@stcatharines.bsky.social
160 followers 150 following 370 posts
Founded in 1473 and known as ‘Catz’, we’re a welcoming, thriving & vibrant community in the heart of Cambridge. A College of @cam.ac.uk.
Visit caths.cam.ac.uk
Posts Replies Media Videos
stcatharines.bsky.social
New posts created to support research at Catz: Prof. David Aldridge (1997) will serve as Fellows' Research Coordinator (STEM) & Dr Hester Lees-Jeffries (2006) will serve as Fellows' Research Coordinator (Arts & Humanities). Read more: caths.cam.ac.uk/rese...
📸 Kit Treadwell, Quentin Stafford-Fraser
Dr Liana Chua with Tunku Scholars past and present at St Catharine's College Filippo De Luca presenting his research in Applied Mathematics & Theoretical Physics Pages being turned in MS Chaytor Add.10. (La Vie de Madame Sainte Marguerite)
January 20, 2026 at 9:20 AM
Reposted by St Catharine's College
eng.cam.ac.uk
It's a New Year 🙌 Dr Olivia Remes, a #MentalHealth researcher from our Department, and other @cam.ac.uk experts share tips on how to boost your body and mind for 2026

www.cam.ac.uk/stories/boos...

Dr Remes provides #wellbeing-related strategies, such as why self-optimisation doesn't always work
Boost your life in 2026
Cambridge experts share their tips on things to stop doing, to boost our mental and physical health this year.
www.cam.ac.uk
January 6, 2026 at 11:51 AM
stcatharines.bsky.social
#BrewMonday 🫖 While the kettle boils, listen to one of our talented students who performed at a recital at Catz last term: Mendelssohn's 'Rondo Capriccioso' by Isabel Lee (2nd-year Music undergraduate). Thanks to the Master for this video & Isabel for her performance! Cambridge Uni Music
January 19, 2026 at 9:15 AM
stcatharines.bsky.social
Our Lent Alumni Evensong will take place on Tuesday 17 February 2026 at 6pm in Chapel followed by a small reception with pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. For more details, please visit the event page: caths.cam.ac.uk/even.... The service will be live-streamed: youtube.com/@StCatha...
View of the St Catharine's College Chapel and Main Court from the roof of the Gostlin building with text reading 'Alumni Evensong Tuesday 17 February 2026 - Join us in Chapel or watch on the College YouTube Channel'
January 18, 2026 at 10:05 AM
stcatharines.bsky.social
Our flag is flying at half-mast today in memory of Prof. Kai Erikson (Honorary Fellow 1973), William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor Emeritus of Sociology & American Studies at Yale University, who sadly died at the age of 94. Read our tribute: caths.cam.ac.uk/kai-...
📸 Michael Marsland
Prof. Kai Erikson
January 17, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Reposted by St Catharine's College
cam.ac.uk
Why does the Moon’s cycle matter? 🌙

Cambridge has teamed up with @universityofleeds.bsky.social to launch the Moonsighters Academy – a new course giving community leaders the skills to conduct their own moon sightings.

Find out more 👇
https://bit.ly/3LHzkoC
Group of individuals viewing a large screen displaying the moon at the Moonsighters Academy event. A text overlay reads: "Welcome to the Moonsighters Academy: The Universities of Cambridge and Leeds launch new course giving community leaders the skills to conduct their own moon sightings".
January 15, 2026 at 9:12 AM
stcatharines.bsky.social
The Catz community is invited to participate in activities – online and in person – to mark this year’s #HolocaustMemorialDay (27 January). Find out more about how to get involved at:
Marking Holocaust Memorial Day 2026
The St Catharine’s community is invited to participate in activities – online and in person – to mark this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January. Professor Gilly Carr OBE (2006), Fellow of St Catharine’s and Professor of Conflict Archaeology and Holocaust Heritage at the University of Cambridge, reflected:
www.caths.cam.ac.uk
January 16, 2026 at 9:20 AM
stcatharines.bsky.social
We're celebrating 10 years of continuous service by Ana Goodchild (Head of Dining & Beverage Services) & Stephen Mulcrone (Porter). Their Catz links go back further as Ana was a casual worker in our catering team in 2002 & Stephen's father was Head Porter for over 25 years:
Duo celebrates a decade of service
St Catharine’s is delighted to celebrate the contributions of our employees when they reach milestone anniversaries. Two team members have just reached 10 years of service: Stephen Mulcrone (Porter) in December and Ana Goodchild (Head of Dining & Beverage Services) earlier this month. Sir John Benger (1979, English), Master of St Catharine’s, commented:
www.caths.cam.ac.uk
January 15, 2026 at 9:45 AM
stcatharines.bsky.social
An update to our recent story about Paula Teeuwen, a Chemistry PhD student & skater at Catz (caths.cam.ac.uk/skating). A broken ankle wasn't enough to keep Paula off the iced-over Fens to the north of Cambridge last week. She told us: "2 weeks ago I had an unfortunate fall while ice skating... 1/4
View from a sledge being pulled by two skaters on the frozen Fens with two legs visible (one in a boot due to a broken ankle)
January 14, 2026 at 9:30 AM
stcatharines.bsky.social
Alumnus Paul Mayhew-Archer MBE (1972, English) is a script consultant & cast member on his son Simon's sitcom 'Can You Keep a Secret?' which draws upon real-life experiences after Paul was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease: www.bbc.co.uk/iplaye... @cam.ac.uk
📸: BBC
Publicity image of Craig Roberts, Mark Heap and Dawn French for 'Can You Keep a Secret?'
January 13, 2026 at 9:40 AM
stcatharines.bsky.social
At sunrise today, our flag was already flying at half-mast in memory of Dr John Little (1972, Nat Sci; Research Fellow 1980; Fellow 1983; Emeritus Fellow 2016) who sadly died on 7 January. Read our tribute to his support of Catz, materials science & football: caths.cam.ac.uk/john...
📸1: Tim Rawle
Dr John Little next to a brick wall laid in the pattern of a wheel St Catharine's College at sunrise with the College flag at half-mast
January 12, 2026 at 9:10 AM
stcatharines.bsky.social
Welcome to the jungle 🌴 As undergraduates head back to Cambridge for Lent Term, we caught up with Head Gardener Rob Day who kindly offered to keep an eye on students' plants while they were away over the vacation. Watering and a warm spot next to the radiator seem to have done the trick!
A large group of houseplants in pots next to a radiator with a watering can
January 11, 2026 at 9:55 AM
stcatharines.bsky.social
Sign up now for the St Catharine's Humanities Outreach-Led Access Residential or SCHOLAR for short (7–9 April): youtube.com/shorts/o.... Year 12 students (S5 in Scotland, Year 13 in Northern Ireland) at a UK state school can apply online at caths.cam.ac.uk/scholar.
Apply for St Catharine's Humanities Outreach-Led Access Residential by 10 Feb #cambridgeuniversity
The St Catharine’s Humanities Outreach-Led Access Residential (SCHOLAR for short) is welcoming applications at caths.cam.ac.uk/scholar. The residential stay (7–9 April 2026) is aimed at students in Year 12 (or S5 in Scotland or Year 13 in Northern Ireland) who are considering studying a course with
youtube.com
January 10, 2026 at 10:15 AM
stcatharines.bsky.social
Research by Lisa-Maria Tanase (@campsydept.bsky.social PhD student) got the attention of The Guardian & MPs:
💚 Watch a video on her research: youtube.com/shorts/3...
💚 Report by Damian Carrington: www.theguardian.com/...
💚 Watch House of Commons: parliamentlive.tv/ev...
PhD student on her research being covered by the Guardian #cambridgeuniversity #phdlife #phdresearch
Lisa-Maria Tanase (a Psychology PhD student at Catz) surveyed 100 current UK MPs and more than 600 Flemish politicians in Belgium, and uncovered misconceptions about public support for climate policies. Read the Guardian's report about her findings at https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan
youtube.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:35 AM
stcatharines.bsky.social
We were proud to host the annual event welcoming the latest intake of @cam.ac.uk Harding Scholars. Our Master Sir John Benger (1979, English) & @frankiegardner.bsky.social (English PhD student at Catz & Harding Scholar since 2022) were among the speakers. Read more:
Welcoming our new intake of Harding Scholars
St Catharine’s was delighted to again host the annual event welcoming the latest intake of students to the University of Cambridge’s Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship Programme.
www.caths.cam.ac.uk
January 8, 2026 at 9:50 AM
stcatharines.bsky.social
At a time of year when many are making resolutions, we are proud to share our new strategic plan. 'Our College, Our Community' sets out our strategic priorities for 2026–31 & our vision to be an exemplary community where excellence shines in everything we do: caths.cam.ac.uk/exce...
Cover design for 'Our College, Our Community: Our commitment to excellence. Our strategic plan for 2026-31' with a collage of photos of the St Catharine's community
January 7, 2026 at 11:05 AM
stcatharines.bsky.social
Catz experts contribute editorials on top of original research:
- Dr Niamh Gallagher (2009, @camhistory.bsky.social; Fellow 2018) in @lrb.co.uk: www.lrb.co.uk/the-pa...
- @labliston.bsky.social (2023) in @biologists.bsky.social's Disease Models & Mechanisms: journals.biologists....
📸: Binky Nixon
Student reading in a window seat in the Sherlock Library at St Catharine's College
January 6, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Reposted by St Catharine's College
adamjkucharski.bsky.social
How likely is ‘likely’? Does ‘likely’ have a higher probability than ‘probable’? I put together a quick quiz so you can see how you interpret probability phrases, then see how you compare with others: probability.kucharski.io
January 3, 2026 at 4:15 PM
stcatharines.bsky.social
There's (s)nowhere quite like Catz ❄️ These beautiful shots during & after last night's snow are by Zheng Hong See (a Law PhD student & Tunku scholar). Students, staff & Fellows can enter their photos of Catz from last night & today to our photo competition: caths.cam.ac.uk/fest... @cam.ac.uk
St Catharine's College main gates with snow settled on the ground St Catharine's College main gates as snow falls and settles on the ground
January 5, 2026 at 8:55 AM
stcatharines.bsky.social
Are you an experienced HR Manager who can ensure we continue to attract & retain the best employees & provide them with outstanding training & development opportunities? Find out more & apply by midday on 15 January: caths.cam.ac.uk/HRMa.... Pictured are some of our team before our Christmas lunch!
The Buildings & Maintenance team at St Catharine's College, some in Christmas jumpers
January 4, 2026 at 9:35 AM
stcatharines.bsky.social
If you're looking to boost your wellbeing in 2026, perhaps these activities from last term can provide some inspiration?
🌷 Gardening: Spring bulb planting
🐞 Connect with nature: Bug hotel building
🫖 Connect with each other: Tea@3 events continue to bring everyone together
Two students planting bulbs in Main Court at St Catharine's College Hiruni Cox with a bag of spring bulbs A student building a bug hotel at St Catharine's College A student with a cup and mince pie at a Tea@3 event at the St Catharine's College bar
January 3, 2026 at 9:55 AM
stcatharines.bsky.social
In 'The Twelve Days of Christmas', today is associated with nine ladies dancing so here are nine of the many dancers in the Catz community, including @somethingmodern.bsky.social. See alt text for more info.
📸 Trinity Hall, Teri Pengilley, Johannes Hjorth, Elly Welford & Jane Mok
Dr Rachelle Stretch (2000, Geography) was President of the Inter Varsity Dance Association and Captain of the University Dancesport Team. Dr Felicia Yap (2004, History) earned a half-blue in dancesport. Dr Kate Elswit (2006, MML) is an academic and dancer whose research on performing bodies combines dance history, performance studies theory, cultural studies, experimental practice and technology. Karoline Oakes (2014, MML) earned a half-blue in dancesport. Beth Hermaszewska (2017, HSPS) was President of Cambridge University Dance Society (CUDS). Anusha Arumugam (2018, Law) is a former Tunku Scholar has performed Indian classical dance in the McGrath Centre. Izzy Megilley (a second-year English undergraduate) is co-captain of the Blues Dance Competition Team. Athena Pagon (a Biological Sciences PhD student & Harding Scholar) is on the Blues Dance Competition. Adèle Grego (with us this year as an exchange student from the Sorbonne) has been taking CUDS classes.
January 2, 2026 at 9:40 AM
stcatharines.bsky.social
Happy New Year! Did you know one of our libraries turns 40 in 2026? This much-loved space opened in 1986 & was named the Shakeshaft Library in 2015, in memory of Dr John Shakeshaft who oversaw its construction during his 42 years as our Librarian.
📸: Dudley Jackson, Binky Nixon, Adam Smyth
The interior of the New Library at St Catharine's College in 1986. The interior of the Shakeshaft Library at St Catharine's College with a student standing reading a book between the shelves The exterior of the New Library at St Catharine's in 1986, with Professor Barry Supple CBE FBA and the late Lord Dainton Kt FRS FRSE at the doorway during the official opening event. Students gathered with books outside the Shakeshaft Library at St Catharine's College
January 1, 2026 at 9:55 AM
stcatharines.bsky.social
What have been your favourite Catz moments of 2025? It's great to see so many members of our community across our top posts from the last 12 months: whether that's thanks to academic & extracurricular achievements, our widening participation activities & open days or matriculation & graduation days!
Collage of the top nine Instagram posts by St Catharine's College in 2025
December 31, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Reposted by St Catharine's College
cam.ac.uk
Congratulations to the five Cambridge academics and Fellows who have been recognised in the New Year Honours 2026 🎉

Explore their achievements in our round-up: www.cam.ac.uk/news/cambrid...
December 30, 2025 at 11:27 AM