Catz in Conversation
Following the success of the Michaelmas Edition, St Catherine’s College is delighted to announce the return of ‘Catz in Conversation’, an all-new webinar series bringing together alumni and the wider Catz community for engaging discussions on a variety of topics.
With up to four alumni speakers each term, these talks are the perfect chance to strengthen your professional network, to advance your knowledge, and to hear from past generations of Catz alumni working in future-forward fields.
The Hilary Edition features four exciting talks from a diverse line-up of speakers, each of whom will share their expertise and experiences in a 45-minute talk followed by a live Q&A. Free to attend and hosted on Zoom, the talks will then be uploaded to our YouTube channel, unless stated otherwise. All talks in the series will take place in either a lunchtime (1-2pm) or an evening (6-7pm) slot.
A full archive of previous talks in the series is available here.
Please note that the fourth webinar in this term’s ‘Catz in Conversation’ is the annual Dean Kitchin Circle webinar, open exclusively to current and prospective members of our Dean Kitchin Circle. Further details to follow.
Hosted online and open to all, the series aims to connect, motivate, and inform. We hope that you will join us this term and beyond for unique fortnightly opportunities to hear directly from Catz alumni working in a wide range of professions and fields!
‘Catz in Conversation’ – Hilary 2026
Bob Cowley, ‘On Safari in Catz: Animal Tracks Among RAAC’
Tuesday, 27th January 2026 – 6-7pm
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At first glance, St Catherine’s College might seem an unlikely setting for a safari, yet its paths, lawns, and even its building works record a daily and largely unseen flow of animal life. Drawing on his own experiences as an expert wildlife tracker and experienced field skills instructor, Bob Cowley (1973, Mathematics) will reveal how footprints, feeding signs, and subtle disturbances in mud, grass, and snow can uncover the presence and behaviour of mammals, birds, and other wildlife living alongside students and staff. No prior knowledge of biology is assumed, making this an accessible and engaging invitation for all to slow down and notice the hidden wildlife of everyday life at Catz.
Adrian Johnston, ‘Startups, Y Combinator, and How to Raise £120m in Funding’
Tuesday, 24th February 2026 – 6-7pm
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Adrian Johnston (2005, Mathematics) will reflect on the journey from St Catherine’s College to founding and scaling two venture-backed technology companies. Having raised over $120 million in combined funding, he will offer a candid, practical account of what it takes to turn an idea into a funded and growing business. The session will explore key stages of the startup lifecycle, from identifying problems worth solving and building early teams, to working with investors, navigating rapid growth, and managing the less visible challenges that emerge at scale. Aimed at students interested in entrepreneurship, business, and AI-driven ventures, the talk highlights how skills developed during undergraduate study can transfer – often in unexpected ways – into startup life.
Hannah Storm, ‘Lessons from Faultlines and Frontlines: What Covering Conflict and Crisis Reveals about Workplace Wellbeing’
Wednesday, 11th March 2026 – 1-2pm
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Hannah Storm (1996, English Literature and Language) will share insights from a career that has taken her to frontlines and faultlines as an international media expert. Having seen and been to the edge, she now connects with people through storytelling, using her empathy and experiences to help them feel more heard and less alone. Drawing on the lessons she’s learned in journalism, she’ll share how she helps institutions and individuals understand and mitigate risks, prepare to face change and crisis, communicate with compassion and clarity, and create safe spaces where people can do well and be well.