the brick
the newsletter for the keble community • issue 85 • trinity term 2026
FEATURE
St Mark’s Day 2026
150 Years of Keble Chapel
On its 150th birthday, Keble Chapel was bursting with music and celebration in a day marked to honour the century-and-a-half of worship and community since its foundation. Fr Max Kramer shares the highlights, including a special Address from the Chancellor, Lord Hague of Richmond.
College News
After four years as Keble Warden, Dr Sir Michael Jacobs steps down from his role. The Sub-Warden, Professor James Goudkamp is the acting head of Keble pending the appointment of our next Warden.
A full refurbishment of our ageing kitchen, last updated in 1979, will take place in Michaelmas and Hilary terms next academic year, resolving long-standing issues and modernising for a sustainable future.
It’s almost a year since we launched the Talbot Bursaries, providing vital means-tested Hall and rent subsidies to students who need it most. Fantastic progress has already been made by the alumni community, coming together through Reunion Gifts.
The future of human Geography teaching has been secured with a transformational gift from George (1978 Geography) and Tonya Evans. The newly named fellowship is fully endowed, ensuring one of our strongest and most popular subjects will thrive at Keble for years to come. Professor Beth Greenhough is the current George R Evans Tutorial Fellow.
The May Town and Gown 10K saw an impressively sized group of Keble runners in dinosaur running shirts take to the streets of Oxford, entering as a college cohort for the second year in a row. Hopes are already high for growing Keble’s representation in 2027.
Family, friends, and colleagues gathered in Keble Chapel in June to say goodbye to former Warden Dame Averil Cameron. Isla Smith (Director of Development 1998-2009) recounts the beautiful memorial service and reminds us of the profound legacy Averil left on the College.
For two years running, Keble College has been awarded Gold in the Green Impact Awards. The College Sustainability Officer, Jilly Mowbray, shares how the awards are judged and the eco-friendly initiatives Keble has put in place to secure its Gold rating.
Professor Rob Klose elected a Fellow of the Royal Society; Professorial Fellow Harry Anderson awarded European Research Council Advanced Grant; newly published book by Professorial Fellow Gesine Reinert; Wallace Breem Memorial Award presented to Professor James Goudkamp; Dr Thomas Stevens winner of History Regius Prize; Tai Chi in Liddon Quad for Trinity Term.
Student Life
Many of our students don’t stop at participating in College life, but find ways to go the extra mile for the Keble community. The annual Jonathan and Amanda Phillips Awards are one of the ways we recognise individuals making these exceptional contributions, with six students receiving awards this academic year.
As a new collaboration between Keble and Oxford Poetry, the launch of The Oxford Poetry Internship, has been a huge success in its first year, with current student Isobel Brewer (2023 English Language and Literature) completing her internship at the celebrated poetry magazine.
In a digital environment so rich in visual information, how can someone with vision loss interact with a mobile game? Zihe Ran (2025 MSc Social Science of the Internet) shares her research exploring how blind and low-vision gamers play mobile games and the human side of accessibility.
Keble Association Grant recipient Jakub Niederle (2024 MBiol Biology) writes about his experience with tropical forest research in Borneo, applying ecological theory to real-world field practice side by side with staff and researchers.
The Choir embarked on an exciting tour of the US East Coast in March, singing and meeting alumni in Washington DC, Philadelphia and New York. Choral Scholars Katya and Anna share their highlights.
DPhil candidate Amaury (2023 Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics) reflects on his three-month fellowship in Boston, exploring interdisciplinary themes and entrepreneurship with world-leading biotech start-ups.
Keble Association Arts Leadership Awards were presented to six members of the Keble student community at the annual St Mark’s Day dinner. These awards celebrate artistic excellence and leadership across several disciplines, including publicity, journalism, poetry, theatre, film and music.
Keble transformed into an ‘Enchanted Forest’ for the return of the Ball; MCR football rises through the ranks; Chloe Parry co-leads refugee conference; Harry Geffen secures rowing successes.
Alumni News
Andy Clayton (1995 Biological Sciences), Founder and CEO of innovative startup Fermtech, is at the cutting edge of an exciting new cocoa product. Using sustainable fermentation processes to unlock soft, nutritious cocoa ingredients, Koji Cocoa contributes to a circular food economy and reduces the carbon footprint of this costly industry.
Keble’s entrepreneurs met again in London this June for an inspiring evening of ideas, innovation and networking. Three alumni spoke about their lives as entrepreneurs: ranging from marketing and engagement to lifestyle tips and health tech.
Alumni Ghosts and current students came together for another fantastic Festival of Sports this April, with friendly competition across five sports. The evening concluded with the inaugural Sports Formal Dinner in Hall.
Taking the team spirit beyond the football pitch, the alumni Keble Football Ghosts banded together for a trip to northern Spain. Ghosts player Andy Airey (1985 Engineering Science) recaps their four-day tour to the University of Burgos and the surrounding area.
Four more former WHT Scholars share their stories: from an AI diagnostic medtech startup in South Africa, to applying systems thinking to a boutique management consulting firm.
Recent publications from the Keble alumni community. Authors include Philip Goodwin (1979 Philosophy, Politics and Economics), Steven Greer (1976 Jurisprudence) and Richard Hain (2012 Theology).
King’s Birthday Honours for Jonathan Lee Rose (1981 Jurisprudence) and Caroline Redfern (1983 Theology); Reverend Jonathan Boyd (2001 Physics) appointed General Assembly Clerk; welcoming back the 1990-1994s for their Reunion; Noemi Suter (2024 Visiting Student) competes in the Henley Women’s Regatta; call for oncology research consultation from Eric Rutten (2018 DPhil Oncology); access to free Will writing service for alumni.
Upcoming events
We warmly invite alumni and friends of the College to join us at our events. A full list of our upcoming events can be found on the Keble website. We look forward to seeing you soon!