500 YEARS OF THE EAGLE

The second-oldest pub in Cambridge, situated opposite the original entrance to the College, the Eagle Pub, run by Greene King, has a storied past and has become a Cambridge institution. This year marks the 500th anniversary of ownership by the College of The Eagle, so let’s take a look at its long association with Corpus.

A FAMILY CONNECTION REVEALED: THE PENDRED PELICAN OF OLD COURT

During a recent visit, Piers Pendred identified the carved oak Pelican above the Old Buttery door as the 1963 work of his father, Loughnan Wildig Pendred (1902-1980). College Archivist Dr Genny Silvanus traced its provenance, revealing Loughnan’s distinguished career as a woodcarver, with commissions ranging from churches to Anglesey Abbey. Read more

JOIN OUR GIVING DAY, CELEBRATE CORPUS WITH US

Our first ever Giving Day, celebrating all things Corpus, takes place on 18-19 March 2026. Why not beat the rush and help us complete our early bird challenge? Making a gift of any size ahead of our Giving Day can help unlock an additional £10,000 for students. Make a gift

INTRODUCING OUR NEW CHAPLAIN: REVD DR ROBERT HAWKINS

The College warmly welcomes Revd Dr Robert Hawkins, who takes up the post of Chaplain in January. Robert will lead services and worship, as well as supporting all students pastorally, and leading our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team. A King’s graduate with a PhD in medieval sculpture, he shares his insights into his ministry and journey to Corpus. Read more

MEET ODARA MEDAGEDARA

Odara Medagedara (PhD Toxicology) balances pioneering lung disease research with vibrant student leadership and a keen interest in sport. Through her research at the MRC Toxicology Unit, she has developed a workflow uniting electron microscopy and spatial transcriptomics, earning international recognition. Read more

DAVID ABRAHAMS WINS PRIZE AT KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE HUB AWARDS

Many congratulations to Fellow Professor David Abrahams and colleagues, who were awarded the Team Prize at the annual Knowledge Exchange Hub Awards. David serves as Chair of the Board of the Knowledge Exchange Hub for Mathematic Sciences, which he has overseen from its conception in a consultation document to a fully fledged and active organisation funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Read more

WELCOME ECRF FELLOWS

We are delighted to welcome three new Early-Career Research Fellows: Miss Qianya (Anna) Xu, whose research interests include labour economics and child development; Dr Zaib un Nisa Aziz, a historian of global and imperial history with a focus on Modern South Asia and the British Empire; and Dr Benedict Bunting, whose research interests lie in programming language theory, with a particular focus on semantics. 

SKELETON CREW TAKES ON CHRISTMAS HEAD

Well done to our spooky crew of Fellows, staff and alumni who rowed strongly in the Christmas Head race on 6 December. The crew included Luke Pattison (m.2017 and CCCBC Coach), Nirupa Desai (Fellow), Alissa Drees (Fellow), Braiden Evans (Maintenance), Takashi Lawson (m.2017, Bye-Fellow and CCCBC Treasurer), Gytha Lodge (m.2002), Matthew Clarke (Master's Office), Giovanella Dell Orto (College Butler) and Rachel Lawson (Development Director and Fellow). 

The crew were cheered on by Robin Hughes (Fellow) and Captain of Boats Aadi Prabhu.

AN INTERVIEW WITH DR NICKI HUMPHRY-BAKER

Corpus Fellow Dr Nicki Humphry-Baker, featured in Forty Years On • Women of Corpus Portraits, chose Old Court with the Cavendish Laboratory backdrop for her portrait, holding a tote bag from Isaac Physics and Terry Pratchett’s Equal Rites. Assistant Director of Isaac Science, she supervises physics students, leads outreach at the Cavendish, and champions widening participation through STEM SMART, inspiring future scientists with problem-solving and inclusive education. Read more

NICHOLAS MCGEGAN HONOURED WITH DOCUMENTARY

Congratulations to alumnus Nicholas McGegan, conductor (m.1969), who turned 75 at the beginning of this year. A new documentary, Passion: a Celebration of Music and Community directed by Tal Skloot, celebrates his birthday and his decades of conducting around the world. Read more

AMY JEFFS ON COUNTRYFILE

Corpus alumna Amy Jeffs (m.2015) featured on a recent episode of BBC Countryfile. In the programme, which was devoted to the Somerset Levels, Amy talks about the landscape and the stories and legends that it inspires and the inhabitants who lived on the land since neolithic times. The piece also features some beautiful music, including some singing from Amy herself. Watch here

ALUMNA TO FEATURE ON CHRISTMAS BROADCAST

Csenge Kosaras (m.2022), Section Lead and Alto Lay Clerk at Bradford Cathedral, is set to feature on BBC One's Christmas Day Service, which will be broadcast live from the UK City of Culture. 

You can watch the service live from 10am, with the recording available to view on BBC iPlayer. Read more

ALEXANDER HUTTERER APPOINTED AS ECRF IN CHICAGO

On completion of his PhD at Corpus, Gates Scholar Alexander Hutterer (m.2019) has taken up the position of Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Early-Career Research Fellow at the University of Chicago’s Department of Philosophy. Alexander’s research is focused on the intersection of historical and contemporary models of cognition. Read more

SHIRLEY BEKKER (m.2022), first experienced Corpus through a University summer school, before coming to Corpus to read Natural Sciences. From launching a YouTube channel with 47,000 subscribers to supporting others in their university application journey and raising GCSE attainment at her old school, she now begins her career as a junior doctor. Read more

ELIZA LOCKHART (m.2019), whose time at Corpus Christi spanned two Master’s degrees, is a lawyer and legal policy expert. Currently a Research Fellow at the Centre for Finance Security at RUSI, she is also the Director of Alumni on the Cambridge Australia Scholarships board. Read more

CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY AT CORPUS

Join us at Corpus on Friday 6 March to celebrate International Women’s Day with a special three‑course Formal Hall for alumni, students, and Fellows. The day also features a talk in the McCrum Lecture Theatre and activities honouring women’s achievements across our community. A limited number of alumni tickets are available now. Book your place

JOIN US IN AUSTRALIA AND
NEW ZEALAND

Corpus alumni and friends are warmly invited to join our Australia and New Zealand event series this February. Gatherings include drinks and canapés in Sydney (16 Feb), a spectacular dinner at the Melbourne Club (19 Feb), brunch at Wellington’s Cable Top Eatery (22 Feb), and rooftop drinks in Auckland (24 Feb). Guests are welcome - book early to secure your place. Register now

FRIENDS OF CORPUS CAROL SERVICE

Current students, their families and friends, alumni, and members of the wider Corpus community attended the Friends of Corpus Carol Service in Chapel on Sunday 7 December. The service, led by Interim Chaplain Revd Jonathan Collis, showcased the outstanding Corpus Choir under the direction of Nicholas Danks (m.1993). Afterwards, guests gathered in the OCR/NCR to enjoy mulled wine, mince pies, and words of welcome from College President Professor Chris Howe.

CAROLS IN THE CITY

Guests enjoyed a memorable evening of carols and readings in the beautiful setting of St Mary Abchurch in the City of London. The programme combined much‑loved classics with audience participation, including Hark the Herald Angels Sing and Away in a Manger, alongside exquisite choral pieces. Our thanks go to Nicholas Danks, the Chapel Choir and organists, and all our alumni readers for making such a special evening!

NEW YORK CITY AND WASHINGTON DC

Thank you to all who attended our gatherings in Washington DC and New York City, and to Alex Slater (m.1996) and Steven Berzin (friend of Corpus) for generously hosting both events. 

In Washington DC a friendly group of Corpuscles enjoyed an after-work gathering with wine and cheese, whilst alumni in New York City met at the Harvard Club for a networking breakfast. Development Director and Fellow, Rachel Lawson, attended both events, meeting alumni and sharing news from College.