A Message from the Warden, Professor Irene Tracey

Dear friends,

I hope that you and your loved ones have been keeping safe and well. These have been trying times for us all, with the coronavirus pandemic making an unprecedented impact on Merton, Oxford and the world. I have been impressed with how the whole College community has come together to tackle the many challenges we have faced. Although there is much uncertainty about the future, we can take heart in the strength of our community and reflect on our achievements with pride. I am delighted to share some of the highlights and provide you with an update on the most recent developments.

College life in Trinity Term moved almost entirely online. Our students, academics and staff worked incredibly hard to adjust to these new conditions and maintain our academic excellence, supportive environment and vibrancy. Our undergraduate finalists have now completed their exams with once again a stellar set of results. Many postgraduates have also finished exams, assessments and dissertations, and we are doing all that we can to support those whose research has been affected by the pandemic. We wish all of our students the very best for the rest of their time at Merton or as they take their next steps in life.

I have been touched by the good humour and kindness that the Merton family has shown throughout the lockdown. The Big Merton 1264 Challenge was a shining example of our collective spirit, with many of you undertaking fun activities and making donations to the Merton Hardship Fund. This new fund will provide vital support to students, staff, alumni and other members of the College who are in need. A huge thank you to everyone who submitted challenges and donated. If you would like to take part, it is still possible to make a gift, here. All donations will be most gratefully received.

I was heartened to see our community’s generosity extend outward. The 1264 Challenge supported Oxford Mutual Aid, a fantastic local organisation helping vulnerable individuals affected by the pandemic. As a College, we helped to provide a temporary home for NHS staff working on the frontlines and supporting Oxford’s homeless population. The students have also been involved in a range of initiatives. I will highlight in particular Alexandra Fergen’s (2017) inventive Bridge of Charity, which contributed to tackling food insecurity in Oxford.

We will, of course, remember with fondness all those whom we have lost during this difficult time. I was very saddened to receive news of the passing of two great friends of the College, Ian Taylor (1975, Wyliot Fellow) and Prosser Gifford (1951, Bodley Fellow). This week, we sadly learned that our Emeritus Fellow, Jim Coulton, has also passed away. Our thoughts are with Ian’s, Prosser’s and Jim’s families and with the families of all other Mertonians and friends who have passed away this year.

The College community was shaken by the brutal death of George Floyd. In response, we have published a statement declaring Merton’s opposition to racism and inequality in all its forms and emphasising the strength of our commitment to supporting Black communities. The statement was signed jointly by the JCR, MCR, staff, and Fellows, demonstrating the unity that exists across the College on this important issue. As the recent Oxford Annual Admissions Report highlighted, we must do more to improve Merton’s diversity profile, particularly in terms of Black and minority ethnic representation. Specific initiatives to tackle this and other aspects of diversity within the Merton community are in progress.

Our students are helping us and I am pleased to report that Malak Khalil (2016) and Apollo Lalouschek (2016), both now alumni, have set up Black Writing Matters, a fascinating reading group which aims to study and celebrate the work of Black writers. Our Access & Schools Liaison events are a key part of the equation too, demystifying Oxford and spreading the message that talented students from all backgrounds should consider applying to Merton. Earlier this month, our staff and students organised two fantastic Virtual Open Days, in collaboration with the University and other colleges. You can find out more about the Open Days here. I would urge you to have a look at this terrific short video our students made about what it is like to live and study at Merton today. I promise you it will make you proud to be a Mertonian.

The main College site has now been opened up to a limited number of students, Fellows and staff, in line with government regulations. We are currently expecting to welcome students to the College in October. The Fellows and staff are busily making preparations for this, but rest assured, contingency plans are also in place. The health and safety of our students, Fellows and staff will, at all times, come first.

While we are very eager to welcome alumni and friends to the College, I am afraid that this will not be possible in the near future. Nonetheless, it was great to have so many of you join us for our online lecture series, an experiment that we believe has proven popular and so might well continue next term. Unfortunately though we will have to postpone the Gaudy for the years 1987-1991, which was due to take place on Saturday 26 September. I am sorry to disappoint those of you who were planning to attend – it surely would have been a very joyous occasion. We are now planning to hold this Gaudy next year, and the Development Office will be in touch with more information soon.

Amidst the uncertainty that we are all facing, I am delighted to end this message with some truly wonderful news. You will remember that, in 2018, our very own Professor Sir Andrew Wiles (1971, Fellow) was appointed Oxford’s first ever Regius Professor in Mathematics by Her Majesty the Queen. I am delighted to now announce that the Regius Professorship in Mathematics will be staying at Merton for generations to come. The College has recently secured long-term association with this rare and exceptionally prestigious post. Sir Andrew’s successors will have the opportunity to build on his extraordinary legacy and ensure that Merton remains a centre of excellence in Mathematics.  

I hope that it will not be too long before we can meet again. In the meantime, I wish you and your loved ones safety, good health and an enjoyable rest of the summer.

With warmest wishes,

Professor Irene Tracey
Warden