Five Minutes With… Tamsin Evans-Higgs

My name is Tamsin Evans-Higgs and I work as the Executive Officer to the Master here at St Catherine’s College.

For those who might not know, what does your role involve day-to-day?

Primarily, I look after the Master’s diary, organise meetings and manage the inbox for the office. I also work closely with the Academic Registrar on a range of tasks, including producing Governing Body papers and onboarding both new and visiting Fellows. In addition, I administrate several committees, preparing agendas and taking minutes at the meetings, amongst countless other tasks.

What does a typical day look like (or is there no such thing!?)?

No two days are quite the same, and the role varies day-to-day and term-to term. In general, though, there is a lot of inbox triaging, prioritising actions, and ensuring that the Master has all the information she needs for the day’s meetings. A significant part of my day is also spent liaising with staff, Fellows, student representatives from the JCR/MCR, and colleagues in the wider University.

What’s on your desk, work wise, right now?
We are currently sifting through applications to the Wallace Watson Awards and the Master’s Fund for Enhancing the Student Experience. There are also applications to Visiting Fellowships that I’m about to put together for the deciding Committee.

What do you enjoy doing outside work?
I knit, crochet, sew and paint watercolour fantasy plants – mainly because I’m not skilled enough to produce detailed botanical paintings, so I just make them up, then I can’t go wrong! I also paint furniture and I’ve got back into interior design now that I’m re-decorating at home.

Favourite film, TV series, book, and why?
My favourite TV series is The Sopranos. I’ve probably watched it four or five times now, and each time I notice something new about the intricate stories and characters. My favourite book changes fairly often, but at the moment it’s The Five by Hallie Rubenhold. It focuses on the lives of the five victims of Jack the Ripper, and I really admire how meticulously the author researched historical records of these women to bring them to life as individuals.

What’s been your favourite moment at Catz so far?
It’s hard to choose just one, but I have really enjoyed occasions such as the Christmas Lunch and the staff teas/breakfasts where we get to meet and socialise with members of our community that we don’t get to speak with very often.

If you could be anywhere this weekend, where would it be?
Definitely Avebury. I like to walk a big route around the surrounding ancient sites, stopping at Silbury Hill and West Kennett Long Barrow, before heading back up the hill and finishing in the middle of the stone circle at the pub! And obviously, it would have to be nice and sunny.

What makes Catz special to you personally?
It’s the people here! I feel very fortunate in my position that I get to interact with so many colleagues, students and academics across all areas of College.

Do you have a favourite spot in College?
It would have to be Barbara Hepworth’s Archaean sculpture. It’s going to be a happy day when it comes out of its glass box and we have the Long Lawn back.

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If you’d like to spend Five Minutes With… us, drop the team a line at collegecomms@stcatz.ox.ac.uk to find out more.