Celebrating 150 profiles

Ruqayah Juyel (2017, Law) – our first Profile interviewee

This week we are incredibly proud to have published our 150th profile on Univ’s website. These interviews, which began as a celebration of 40 years of women at Univ back in 2019, are a true celebration of our amazing extended Univ family, celebrating the incredible diversity of our students, alumni, staff and Fellows.

As a former student and now Univ’s Access and Schools Liaison Officer, Ffion Price is in something of a unique position to reflect on the project, saying: “The Univ profile project began during my time as a student, with my own profile featuring among the very first ones to be published to mark the 40-year anniversary of Women at Univ. Since then, it has grown into a truly wonderful project that really captures the essence of the Univ community.

Ffion Price (2017, History and Politics)

“The profiles project celebrates what is truly special about the College – its vibrant and diverse community of students, staff, Old Members and Fellows who all make the College the incredible place that it is. I hope that the project continues long into the future, demonstrating to all those who might be looking to apply to Univ now and in the future that there is no ‘Oxford type’. Univ is made up of a bright and diverse community of people and welcomes applications from students of all backgrounds.”

Holly James Johnston, (2019, MSt English)

Amongst the many, many highlights from the last three and a half years Holly James Johnston (2019, MSt English (1900 – Present Day)) wrote about starting drag and working with Tate Britain, Paul Armstrong (1984, PPE) reflected on working on Match of the Day, Dag Yosief (2019, PPE) spoke about being JCR President during the pandemic, Professor Ruth Chang, Professorial Fellow at Univ, discussed the challenges she has faced as a woman of colour in law and academia, Shamil Thakrar (1990, PPE) talked about the creation of the award-winning Dishoom, and Hari Bravery (2020, English) enthused about the garden play and being part of the University Challenge team.

Hari Bravery (2020, English)

Baroness Valerie Amos, the Master, said, “The Univ Profile Project began when we celebrated the important milestone of 40 years of women at Univ. It’s been a wonderful project for Univ celebrating the depth and diversity of our community: students, OMs, staff and Fellows. Univ balances history and tradition with a forward-looking perspective and our members reflect that. The profiles are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate them in all their glory.”

Ariane Laurent-Smith, Communications Assistant, commented, “It’s an absolute joy to hear from Univites about their different journeys before, during and after their time at Univ with myriad heartwarming, hilarious and inspiring stories. I’m particularly grateful to the individuals who felt comfortable sharing the challenges and failures they have experienced in life, reminding us that life is far from linear. Thank you very much to everyone who has contributed.”

Our thanks to all those who have given so generously of their time in being interviewed, for sharing of their memories and the giving of wisdom. College’s thanks also to Ariane Laurent-Smith, Communications Assistant, who has run the project from its inception.

Explore our first 150 Profiles by clicking the gallery below.