Before we launch into an exciting new academic year, here are a few things that happened over the summer that you might have missed.
28th August 2026
Queens’ Fellow, Professor Hannah Fry, wins the Leelavati Prize
Back in July, Hannah Fry, who is the Professor of the Public Understanding of Mathematics in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP), was awarded the Leelavati Prize at the International Congress of Mathematicians for outstanding contributions to increasing the public awareness of mathematics. The Leelavati Prize, is awarded every 4 years by the International Mathematical Union (IMU), and is announced at the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM).
“Hannah Fry is one of the foremost global ambassadors for mathematical thinking,” the prize citation says. “She has become a voice for mathematics that resonates far beyond the public audience normally interested in science communication.”
Queens’ Fellow Dr Chris Clark meeting His Majesty, the King
The New Whittle Laboratory at the University of Cambridge was officially opened by His Majesty King Charles III on 20 July 2026 during the Frank Whittle Summit.
Dr Christopher Clark, Fellow of Queens’ College and Lecturer in the Whittle Laboratory, was among the faculty who welcomed His Majesty during the visit. (pictured, centred left next to His Majesty)
Talking about the event, Dr Clark said: ‘It was a pleasure to show the pace of innovation we have achieved within the Whittle Laboratory to both his Majesty and the other 80 distinguished guests from across the sector.’
Queens’ Bye-Fellow Dr Joana Nascimento’s new book is out in paperback
Joana’s first book, entitled “Working the Fabric”, originally published in 2023, on work and life in the Harris Tweed industry, was informed by thirteen months of ethnographic fieldwork in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
The book, ‘Working the Fabric: Resourcefulness, Belonging and Island Life in Scotland’s Harris Tweed Industry’, is the first in-depth anthropological study of the Harris Tweed® industry and is composed of 236 pages that complement and update existing historical and ethnographic research. (https://www.harristweed.org/journal/working-the-fabric/)
Commenting on the paperback release and how Queens’ has been part of this journey, Joana said: “Thank you to friends at Queens’ College, Cambridge for their encouragement and for making the arrival of the first copies to the SCR feel so special”
Photo credit: Jennifer Cobbe
Queens’ Life Fellow Professor James Diggle publishes an article in the online classical Journal Antigone about the location of Homer’s Ithaca, the homeland of Odysseus.
James was a Professor of Greek and Latin at the University of Cambridge between 1995 and 2011 and is a Life Fellow of Queens’ College. Recently, he and a colleague published an article in Antigone, revisiting the book Odysseus Unbound: The Search for Homer’s Ithaca (2005). The news reached the Sunday Times, where Queens’ alum Sir Stephen Fry commented on the new findings.
Professor Marie Edmonds appointed as next Head of the School of the Physical Sciences
Many congratulations to Queens’ Fellow and Vice-President, Professor Marie Edmonds, on her appointment as the next Head of the School of the Physical Sciences.
Currently Vice-President of Queens’ and Head of the Department of Earth Sciences. Professor Edmonds will begin her four-year term on 1 October, taking over from Nigel Peake who will be stepping down to become Master of Darwin.
Commenting on the news, President of Queens’, Dame Menna Rawlings said: ‘I am sure you will all join me in congratulating Marie, who will bring all her expertise and leadership skills to the role. We can be very proud’
Professor Marie Edmonds appointed as next Head of the School of the Physical Sciences
A Queens’ centenarian
On 6th August 2026, David Gapes (1944) celebrated his 100th birthday! Development Director Rowan Kitt visited David to congratulate him on this remarkable milestone. David was delighted to reflect on his time at Queens’ and to receive a framed photograph of the mathematical bridge.
The Alumni & Development Office aims to celebrate milestone birthdays with our alumni and makes a particular effort to visit centenarians around their special day.
Happy 100!
We are delighted to share that Professor Marie Edmonds, FRS, has been appointed as the next Head of the School of the Physical Sciences.
25th August 2026
Returning students and visitors may notice that the raised central area of Cripps Court looks a little different compared to back in June.
27th July 2026
Congratulations to our Postgraduate students who graduated on the 23rd July 2026.
24th July 2026
We are delighted to share the news of our brand-new Postgraduate Scholarship: The Ogden Scholarship in AMES (Chinese Studies).
24th July 2026
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