Dear Clare Hall members and friends,

Please find below a list of events taking place this week and beyond, to which you are warmly invited.

➢ Members’ events

Clare Hall Through Your Lens: Seasonal Photography Competition |
Monday 16 February – Monday 2 November 2026

Following the wonderful response to our community photo project, Clare Hall Through Your Lens continues throughout this special anniversary year as our official 60th Anniversary Photography Competition.

We invite students, fellows, staff, and families to capture Clare Hall’s grounds, gardens, and moments of college life across all four seasons. At the end of each season, a judging panel will select the top three photographs, which will go forward to be included in a commemorative Clare Hall 60th Anniversary Calendar.

This is a chance to celebrate Clare Hall at 60, highlight our natural environment, and contribute to a lasting visual record of the College during this milestone year.

Find out how to take part on the main event page.

Academic Writing and Digital/AI Research Skills Workshop for Students |
Sunday 25 October 2026, from 9.15am

At Cambridge, the expected standard of written English (as well as standards of academic referencing) is high. This can sometimes come as a surprise for new graduates who have previously submitted essays and dissertations to academic institutions outside Cambridge and/or the United Kingdom. Also, graduates transitioning from the sciences to the humanities will often find the concept of a ‘literary argument’ somewhat puzzling. This workshop aims to deal with these and many other challenges that new graduates face when beginning their studies at Clare Hall.

Please bear in mind that there are only 12 places for each workshop to be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Register your interest though this link.

Postdoc-led Academic Writing Day |
Sunday 25 October 2026, from 9am

An invitation to protect some writing time before Michaelmas gathers too much momentum.

On Sunday 25 October, we’ll be taking over the King Room for a postdoc-led Academic Writing Day: quiet, independent writing in good company, with shared pomodoro-style blocks and short breaks for conversation.

A small note: This event is exclusively for Clare Hall postdocs, affiliated postdocs, Research Fellows and ECRs, with partners and partners-in-crime very welcome. The College’s Students’ Academic Writing Workshop is also taking place that day. That is a separate, facilitated event; ours is simply a space to write independently alongside others.

📍 King Room
🗓️ Sunday 25 October
⏰ 9:00–12:00 and 13:00–17:00

Bring whatever needs moving forward — a paper, chapter, grant, revision, book proposal, thesis section, or that one stubborn document you keep avoiding.

You’re very welcome to join for the morning, afternoon, or both. As there is no College lunch service on Sundays, we’ll also organise an informal lunch nearby for anyone who would like to join.

👉 Please register here so we have an idea of numbers and when people are joining:
https://forms.gle/MacqWAN9tCWbabTW8

Come with one thing you would like to make progress on. Hopefully leave with rather more of it done.

Academic nightmares: horror tales from postdoc and ECR |
Friday 30 October, from 7pm

We’re delighted that our Academic Nightmares will be returning this year for another evening of drinks, catharsis and scholarly horror — especially for Clare Hall postdocs, affiliated postdocs, Research Fellows and ECRs, and a chance for our wider early-career research community to come together.

To mark Halloween, we’ll once again do our part to come to terms with the scarier side of postdoc and early-career research life: Reviewer 2, cryptic fellowship instructions, mysteriously disappearing data, grumpy PIs, conference disasters, failed experiments, rejected papers, or the long and haunting wait for results that eventually prove only what doesn’t work. 

Bring along your worst academic nightmare to share — and, if you like, an object to represent it. This may finally be the moment to print out that review, bring the graph that refuses to make sense, or display the artefact of a project best remembered only after a drink.

Dressing up is entirely optional: come as you are, or as your scariest academic self.

There will be wine, non-alcoholic drinks, crisps and Halloween treats, and — because this is Cambridge and apparently even our nightmares require a competitive element — a prize for the best academic horror story, costume or suitably cursed object.

More importantly, it will be a relaxed chance for postdocs, affiliated postdocs, Research Fellows and ECRs to meet, catch up with familiar faces and talk about research, life and everything in between. 

Feel free to drop in for half an hour or stay for the evening. Partners — and partners-in-crime — are very welcome too. 

Film & Moving Image SIG: Halloween Double Bill |
Friday 30 October 2026, 7.30pm

Join the Clare Hall Film SIG on Friday 30 October for a special Halloween double bill in the ALB Bar!

• 7:30 pm: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
• 9:20 pm: The Orphanage (2007)

Whether you’re in the mood for some light-hearted camp fun with the legendary Tim Curry, or bracing yourself for a genuinely chilling ghost story, there’s an unforgettable cinematic experience waiting for you on the night before Halloween!

Costumes encouraged, refreshments provided, and everyone is welcome to attend either or both screenings!

Clare Hall Diwali Formal |
Wednesday 4 November 2026, from 7pm

Bookings are now open for Clare Hall’s Diwali Formal, taking place on Wednesday 4 November, from 7pm.

Join us as we celebrate the Festival of Lights, transforming the Dining Hall into a glowing sea of candles and colour. All members of the Clare Hall community are warmly invited to experience the cultural richness and traditions of Diwali.

Following tradition of both the festival and previous Diwali formals, the main course will be served family-style with the full menu available here. The dinner will be followed by a Bollywood dance-along in the Dining Hall.

We look forward to welcoming as many of you as the Dining Hall allows for what promises to be a vibrant and joyful celebration.

Book your tickets on Upay. Bookings will close at 3pm on Monday 2 November, in line with the new Formal Hall booking deadline.

Masters to PhD Progression Event |
Monday 9 November 2026, 7pm

We will be holding our annual “Masters to PhD Progression Event” in the Richard Eden Suite, on Monday 9 November from 7.00-8.30pm. The event is for current Masters students at Clare Hall to learn more about the pathway to a PhD through the experience and expertise of current PhD students, the Senior Tutor Holly Hedgeland, and the former Vice-President Helen Pennant, who is also The Chief Executive Officer of the Cambridge Trust.

New Clare Hall Books |
Buy now!

Clare Hall is delighted to share two new books that highlight the College’s engagement with art, collecting and material culture. Please follow the links below to find more information and order. There is a 10% discount if you subscribe to the publisher’s newsletter.

Collecting Dutch Golden Age Paintings: The Search for the Winterfeldt Wouwerman by Professor Alan Short, President of Clare Hall, offers a personal and scholarly reflection on the pursuit of Dutch Golden Age paintings, drawing on decades of research and collecting experience. Several works from this collection are displayed in the President’s Lodge.

Studio Potters: The Bell Collection at Clare Hall by Clare Hall Associates Professor Gordon Bell and Helen Ritchie celebrates the Bell Collection, one of the College’s most distinctive cultural assets. This book is also now available to purchase at the Porters’ Lodge at the discounted price of £39.99. Only a limited number of copies are available.

➢ Lectures and talks

Clare Hall Colloquia |
Tuesday 13 October – Tuesday 1 December 2026, 7.15pm

The Clare Hall Colloquia provide members of the College – especially (but not exclusively) Visiting Fellows and Life Members – with an opportunity to present their research, whether in its early stages or already published, in a friendly setting. They are a great way to discuss your ideas, meet fellow members and to contribute to our vibrant community. Sessions take place on Tuesday evenings during term time, 7.15–9.15pm, in the Clare Hall Meeting Room. Refreshments are provided.

The next session will take place on 27 October with speaker Professor David Fike (Visiting Fellow, Washington University, St Louis, MO, USA).

Title: Understanding Earth’s Climate Evolution: New Ways to Reconstruct Past Sea-Level

Sea level is one of the most sensitive parameters of Earth’s integrated global climate. Reconstructions of past sea level change provide insights into the timing and extent of ice ages, insights into global temperatures, and are critical for our understanding of the tectonic evolution of the Earth’s surface. However, there are few reliable ways to reconstruct sea level directly and our ability to infer past sea level decreases the further back in time we look. Here, I provide a framework for the development of a new proxy for past sea level, one based on the stable sulfur isotopic composition of the mineral pyrite (FeS2, aka fools’ gold), one of the most common minerals found in marine sediments. Using a novel approach integrating micro-scale geochemical analyses with tradition bulk approaches, we can extract a range of information from these pyrites, including records of microbial activity and proxies for past sea level (both local and global).

Please see the full Michaelmas programme here.

Clare Hall’s Ceramics Symposium |
Saturday 24 October 2026, from 11am

Clare Hall is delighted to invite you to the Clare Hall ceramics symposium entitled Studio Ceramics: International Dimensions, and the launch of the Bell Collection’s catalogue raisonné, Studio Potters: The Bell Collection at Clare Hall, to be held in the Richard Eden Suite on Saturday 24 October 2026 from 11am.

The symposium brings together leading scholars, curators, and practitioners to explore the multicultural influences that have shaped twentieth-century studio ceramics. The event also celebrates the Bell Collection of Studio Pottery (1920-1980), which has been kindly donated by Professor Gordon Bell and his wife Kathy. The symposium will conclude with a drinks reception to announce and celebrate the launch of the Bell Collection catalogue. We very much hope you will be able to join us for this special occasion.

See the schedule here.

The Bell Collection catalogue will also be available to purchase throughout the day.

The registration is now closed. If you would like to join the waiting list, please contact Xara Macdonald at development.associate@clarehall.cam.ac.uk.

Public Talks “Free Will and the Brain” |
Monday 26 October – Monday 16 November 2026, 5.30pm

Clare Hall Visiting Fellow and Leverhulme Professor Peter Ulric Tse (Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, Dartmouth) will be giving four public talks on the theme of “Free Will and the Brain”. 

They will be held weekly on Mondays starting on the 26th October from 5:30 to 7:00 in the Biffen Lecture Theatre, on the Downing Site. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Their titles are as follows: 

Short abstract: Yes, we have free will, because we have brains that evolved to internally represent possibilities and deliberate among them. Once we have chosen a favored option, we can strive, motorically and otherwise, to realize our envisioned future either in the world or in ourselves. I will talk about how volition and imagination evolved in our lineage, and how they operate in the human brain.

The Betty Behrens Seminar on Classics of Historiography |
Friday 30 October – Friday 27 November 2026, 2.15pm

he Betty Behrens Seminar on Classics of Historiography offers a unique opportunity for students and scholars to reflect on some great historical works and engage in discussion with renowned experts. This Michaelmas term, the seminar will take place between the 30 October and the 27 November and will be composed of three meetings. The charming and fresh atmosphere of the Richard Eden Suite in Clare Hall, West Court, will be the location for the discussions.

The first meeting is on Friday 30 October from 2.15-4.00 pm with speaker Katherine Clarke (Professor of Greek and Roman History, University of Oxford).

Find more information here. Register for the seminars via Eventbrite.

Industry & Enterprise Programme: Creating Successful Academic-Industry Collaborations |
Wednesday 4 November 2026, 6pm

Dr Nicola Wallis and Dr Helen Robinson (Industry & Enterprise Fellows) are hosting speakers Dr Simon Cook (The Babraham Institute), Dr Elena Di Daniel (Astex Pharmaceuticals), and Dr Sandra Macaskill (AstraZeneca) for a panel discussion:

From discovery to impact, great science rarely happens in isolation. Hear from leaders in academia and industry as they share their experiences, challenges, and lessons learned from successful collaborations. Explore how cross-sector partnerships are shaping the future of STEM and discover opportunities to expand your network, research, and career horizons.

Open to all!

Industry & Enterprise Programme: Routes to Careers in the Life Sciences |
Wednesday 11 November 2026, 6pm

Interested in careers in bioscience, industry or drug discovery?  Join Dr Helen Robinson, Dr Chris Cooper and Dr Nicola Wallis to hear about career options in these areas, what these roles involve and detail of their own career paths. This will be an informal discussion, with plenty of time to engage and ask questions.

Open to all College members!

➢ Music

Oktay Üst: Folk Songs of the Black Sea and Turkish Anatolia |
Saturday 31 October 2026, 7.30pm

For the first time in Cambridge, acclaimed singer, multi-instrumentalist and culture bearer Oktay Üst brings the music of the Black Sea and Turkish Anatolia to the stage in an intimate live concert.

A native Laz speaker and one of the rare contemporary musicians bringing Black Sea musical traditions to international audiences, Oktay is known for his powerful voice and distinctive repertoire spanning Laz, Turkish and other Anatolian traditions.

Founder of the iconic Black Sea group Karmate, he has performed across Turkey and Europe, sharing music rooted in the landscapes and communities of the region.

From exuberant dances and communal celebrations to songs of separation, hardship and homesickness, this special performance explores the deep connection between music, memory and place.

Joined by talented Turkish musicians based in the UK, Oktay will present an evening of traditional instruments, unforgettable singing and living musical traditions carried across borders.

Everyone is welcome to attend! Get your tickets via Eventbrite: General Admission – £20, Clare Hall members – £15, students – £5.

Clare Hall Freshers’ Concert |
Monday 2 November 2026, 7.30pm

Please join us for Clare Hall Freshers’ Concert at 7.30pm on Monday 2 November, featuring performances by new and returning members of Clare Hall and by the College Choir. The concert will be followed by a drinks reception.

This event is open to all and free to attend! Please reserve a ticket via this link.

If you would like to perform at this concert, please register your interest here or email Dr Joe Mason (jm2695@cam.ac.uk) by Friday 23 October. All musical styles are welcome and we particularly encourage new members at Clare Hall to take part.

Fitzwilliam String Quartet and Patrick Hemmerlé: Haydn, Osborne, Schumann |
Saturday 14 November 2026, 7.30pm

This concert brings together three contrasting works performed by the Fitzwilliam String Quartet, the Quartet-in-Residence at Clare Hall, and Patrick Hemmerlé, Musician-in-Residence.

Haydn’s Quartet opens the programme with his characteristic wit, elegance and inventiveness. A work by the British composer Nigel Osborne follows, bringing a distinctive contemporary voice to the evening. The concert concludes with Schumann’s celebrated Piano Quintet, one of the great works of the Romantic chamber repertoire, full of energy, lyricism and dramatic intensity.

Book your tickets via Eventbrite: General Admission – £25, Clare Hall members – £20, students – £5.

➢ Art

Other than Words: A Sense of Release in the Presence of Art |
Friday 25 September – Thursday 12 November 2026

Clare Hall is delighted to host Other than Words: A Sense of Release in the Presence of Art, a new exhibition of recent paintings by Jerry Scott. The exhibition will be open for public viewing Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.

Find more information here.

The Bell Collection of British Studio Pottery, 1920-1980 |
Ongoing

A rotating display of some 400 pieces of studio ceramics. Learn more at https://www.clarehall.cam.ac.uk/bellcollection/

➢ External events

Salsa Classes at Homerton College |
Thursdays, from 8 October 202

Join salsa dancing classes at Homerton College! University of Cambridge students, staff, and alumni are very welcome as are members of the public. The classes are free and open to all, so come along to learn a new skill and dance for wellbeing!

Classes are held every Thursday, starting from 8 October in the Great Hall of Homerton College from 18:00 to 20:30 throughout the academic year.  There is no requirement to bring a dance partner, because they rotate partners throughout the class. A typical class structure is as follows: 

University of Cambridge Sermons – Michaelmas 2026 |
Sunday 18 October – Sunday 1 November 2026, 11.30am

All Clare Hall members are welcome to attend University Sermons at Great St Mary’s Church on 18 October and 1 November, 11.30am. Please see more details in the poster below.

Restart a Heart: Awareness Course for Students and Fellows |
Tuesday 27 October 2026, 7pm

The First Responders society have organised First Aid/CPR training at Robinson College, and all Clare Hall staff and students are welcome to join.

Restart a Heart: Awareness Course

• Tuesday 27 October
• 7-8:30 pm
• Robinson College, Crausaz Wordsworth Building, Syndicate Rooms 2 & 3 (upstairs)

Book your place here.

Second-Hand Bike Sale |
Thursday 29 October 2026, 11am

Gonville & Caius, in partnership with Recycle Your Cycle, is hosting a bike sale at Harvey Court, adjacent to Sidgwick Site, on Thursday 29 October, from 11am to 2pm (while stocks last).

Purchase high-quality refurbished bicycles from £80. Arrive early to get the best choice of bikes.

Learn more about Recycle Your Cycle on their website: Recycle Your Cycle – Recycle today for a better tomorrow

➢ Activities and Societies

Pilates sessions |
Monday 5 October – Monday 30 November 2026, 12.15pm

We are delighted to host Pilates sessions at Clare Hall throughout Michaelmas Term. The classes will be held on Mondays during lunchtime. Pilates is a form of low-impact exercise that aims to strengthen muscles while improving postural alignment and flexibility.

A full list of dates and the sign-up sheet can be found here.

Yoga sessions |
Sunday 18 October – Sunday 29 November 2026, 2pm

We are delighted to host Sunday afternoon yoga sessions in the Michaelmas Term. Yoga is a holistic mind–body practice that combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation to promote strength, flexibility, and inner balance.

A full list of dates and the sign-up sheet can be found here.

Clare Hall Book Club |
Monday 2 November 2026, 8pm

Join the College’s Book Club as they discuss Thunderclap by Laura Cumming. All College members are welcome to attend in-person, meeting in Clare Hall’s Meeting Room, or via Zoom. If you are not on the mailing list and would like to be, please send an email to gloria.carnevali@icloud.com, confirming your Clare Hall connection and putting the following as the email title: I would like to join the Book Club mailing list.

Learn more about the Book Club on this page.

Choir Practice |
Various Dates

A reminder that Clare Hall Choir practice takes place in Robinson College Chapel every Monday (in term-time, but not always restricted to the official Cambridge term dates) from 7.30-9pm. New members are always welcome, and no previous singing or musical experience is necessary. The only requirement is that you want to sing and have fun doing it! If you are interested in joining, please email Ben de Souza, the Choir’s Director, who is a Clare Hall Associate, freelance choral conductor and accordionist: bd402@cam.ac.uk.

Recent recordings of the choir can also be found on our YouTube channel.