Darwin College Cambridge

06/10/2026

Darwin College is deeply saddened to learn of the death over the weekend of Emeritus Fellow in Architecture Professor Dean Hawkes.

Dean first became a Fellow at Darwin in 1976. For the past 50 years he has combined his hugely distinguished architectural career as a researcher, teacher, writer and practitioner, with a role at the centre of Darwin's collegiate life.

Dean was a kind and generous man, a natural storyteller with a twinkle in his eye and time for everyone he encountered. He will be much missed by all at Darwin. Our sincere condolences to his family and his many friends.

https://www.darwin.cam.ac.uk/news/professor-dean-hawkes-1938-2026/

01/10/2026

Thank you to all the participants in the Darwin Dialogues for being so generous with their time, perspectives and insights over the past two days.

We have shared an extraordinarly rich and wide-ranging discussion of Peace and the Unsustainable in an event which provided space for difficult conversations as well as creative inspiration and human connection.

https://www.darwin.cam.ac.uk/news/darwin-dialogues-explores-peace-and-the-unsustainable/

30/09/2026

As day two of the Darwin Dialogues reconvenes, it's wonderful to hear from participants what made the first day a discussion with a difference.

https://vimeo.com/1231378620/e5678350c1?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

This is "Darwin Dialogues - Ruby Quantson Davis v2" by Cambridge TV on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

29/09/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us today for the first day of the Darwin Dialogue exploring Peace and the Unsustainable.

Through large and small group discussions, creative sessions and walks in the gardens, a gathering of Darwin Fellows, students, staff and alumni, as well as participants from the wider Cambridge community and beyond, shared ideas and perspectives on how peace and sustainability intersect, support, and sometimes clash with one another.

More tomorrow!

This is "Darwin Dialogues - Alan & Mika" by Cambridge TV on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

22/09/2026

A large white bunting-strewn tent has incongruously appeared in an idyllic English garden. Over the coming weeks we'll be introduced to this year's cast of fabulously varied characters, all with their own back story, and all bursting with extraordinary talent.

The return of the Great British Bake Off? No, it's the Darwin College Welcome Tent, open now to greet the new arrivals of 2026. But if it's cake you're after, the cafe's open too. Welcome to Darwin!

08/09/2026

If you're compiling a back-to-school reading list, here's a little something to add to it! The summer issue of the Darwinian is currently on its way to alumni around the world, packed with profiles, interviews, news and stories.

With a particular focus this time on Darwinians working on the History and Philosophy of Science, it ranges from climate science to chocolate; from the under-appreciated work of 19th women scientists to the impact of automation on society; from 18th century botanists' debt to Indigenous knowledge, to interpretations of the natural world in ancient Greece and China.

Plus, as he prepares to step down as Master, Dr Mike Rands shares the highlights and challenges of six years at Darwin.

Thank you to everyone featured for being so generous with your time and insights.

Paper copies of the magazine are in the post, and it's also available to read on our website now:

https://www.darwin.cam.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Darwinian-Summer-2026.pdf

08/09/2026

If you're applying to study at University of Cambridge as a postgraduate, don't forget to come and check out Darwin!

We're a friendly, informal postgraduate community bringing together researchers from all over the world on our beautiful riverside site in central Cambridge.

The Dean will be offering a guided tour on Monday 21 September, followed by lunch with current students. Come and see for yourself what makes Darwin different.

https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/events/college-visit-days?utm_source=Colleges&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=UKSRM_Events_PG_College_visitday_2026_Aug_26

26/08/2026

It's fair to say the Darwin gardens have not enjoyed this summer. Parched by successive heatwaves, and in the midst of building work, they're not looking their best.

But one plant has thrived in the wall-to-wall sunshine of 2026. Planted by Sir George Darwin, vines have overarched the footpath between Newnham Grange and the river for over a century, but rarely receive the conditions required to fruit in the British climate. This year, Darwin gardener Derry has harvested the Black Prince grapes by the basketload.

It's not enough to ease our climate panic. But they do taste delicious.

03/08/2026

We’re thrilled that a Darwin team is appearing on University Challenge for the third year running! Good luck to Rachel Gu, Macsen Brown, David Lumsden, and Ella Mason as they take on the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in their first round match tonight. Tune in to BBC 2 at 8:30pm this evening.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002zwgs

24/07/2026

As the cliche has it: if you want something done, ask a busy person.

While completing her MPhil in Development Studies at Darwin - in which she has researched sustainable development from the perspective of Indigenous communities in Latin America - Melina Tsilira has also juggled an internship with UNESCO, and continued the sideline as a self-published novelist she began while still in her teens.

Thank you to Melina for finding the time to sit down with us to chat about her time at Darwin, and congratulations to her and all the other extraordinary Darwinians graduating tomorrow. We're so proud of each and every one of you.

https://www.darwin.cam.ac.uk/news/graduation-story-melina-tsilira/