Message from the Master
Posted:
08 Oct 2026
When I arrived at Trinity Hall as an undergraduate, there were already female students in every year, and I was supervised and went to lectures by women. I rather took it for granted. I now look back and reflect that if I had been four years older, I would not have been able to be at Trinity Hall at all. I now understand that few of the women who taught me were full Fellows.
Master Mary Hockaday standing outside the Master's Lodge.
A great deal has changed in the 50 years since Trinity Hall opened its doors to female students, first postgraduate and then undergraduate, which is what we’re marking at College over the months ahead through events and other initiatives. ‘Celebrate’ isn’t quite the right word for an anniversary which perhaps should have come several centuries earlier. But we will celebrate the contribution women have made and do make to Trinity Hall, fully integrated now into every part of College life.
You can see that in the fascinating accounts by alumna Dinah Pounds about her service as Mayor, and by postgraduate Ella Wood about her work on the Large Hadron Collider at CERN.
The historic change was brought home at General Admission, when all our finalists gathered in the Senate House for their graduation ceremony. They were welcomed and presented in eloquent Latin by Dr Suf Amichay, our female Praelector, to me, Trinity Hall’s first female Master, wearing gowns and caps in the tradition of those worn for centuries by men. I was very glad General Admission fortuitously fell outside the summer heatwaves. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s gown is heavy!
I’m confident you’ll enjoy the ‘Out of sight’ article, which explores some of the most important but sometimes hidden parts of the College, certainly parts which relatively few students get to see. Who knew the kitchens produce more than 66,000 meals every year?
Our Spotlight events theme for 2027 will be ‘Humanities’ as we celebrate the humanities in a world where most recently STEM subjects have perhaps been at the fore. You can find more details of all the alumni events for this coming year, including the anniversary of women, on our website. One exciting and important way we’re marking the anniversary of women is by endowing a PhD studentship for a woman studying a subject where women are underrepresented. I certainly want to celebrate the generosity of Catherine Stewart in helping us launch this important fund.
Finally, please do check the information about changes to our publications and let us know your preferences for print or digital. I look forward to seeing you in College, London or abroad in the months ahead.