The Year 2023-24
The latest edition of The Year is here!
Inside, you’ll find a rich roundup of College life from the 2023–24 academic year—including student sporting triumphs and global reports from our travel grant recipients, features on alumni and Fellows, an exclusive excerpt from Catz, the new book by René Kural, and of course, our much-loved prize crossword.
Since Michaelmas 2023, the College has faced one of the most testing chapters in its history. The closure of many key buildings—due to safety concerns around RAAC, a lightweight material prone to structural failure—has challenged us deeply. Yet, in true Catz fashion, our students, Fellows, and staff have continued to excel within the College and across the University.
Looking ahead, 2025 marks a fresh chapter. We are proud to welcome Jude Kelly CBE as our new Master. With an acclaimed career spanning education, the arts, and the charitable sector—including roles as Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre and Founder of WOW – Women of the World—Jude brings a wealth of insight, energy, and vision. Her leadership, alongside a deep commitment to excellence and inclusion, will guide Catz through the years to come.
If you’d like to be part of this new chapter—by attending or hosting an event, visiting the College, making a gift, or even being featured in the next edition of The Year—we’d love to hear from you. Until then, we hope you enjoy this edition, which captures the creativity, resilience, and community spirit that continue to define life at Catz.