News
Latest College News
Stay up to date with the latest from Magdalene, including College announcements, academic achievements, alumni updates, feature articles, and highlights from recent events.
Mr Bamber Gascoigne CBE
It is with great regret that the College announces the death of our Honorary Fellow, Bamber Gascoigne CBE, on 8 February 2022, at the age of 87.
Professor William Rodolph (Bill) Cornish
We are deeply saddened to inform Members of the passing of distinguished Life Fellow, Professor William Cornish (1990). Our heartfelt condolences go to his family, friends, and colleagues.
La Cappella Sistina
The Old Library has received La Cappella Sistina, a monumental photographic set of the Sistine Chapel, linking modern artistry to historic volumes in Magdalene’s collections.
Inside the New Library
Take a virtual tour of the New Library! We’ve created a short film to showcase this incredible addition to the College, made possible by the generous support of our Members and Friends.
Gold for the New Library
The New Library at Magdalene College has won the Gold Award and the Education & Public Sector award at the 2021 Wood Awards, recognising exceptional timber design and craftsmanship.
Dr Adrian Baez-Ortega wins global Science Prize
Dr Adrian Baez-Ortega, Magdalene Research Fellow, has won the prestigious Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists for his research on cell evolution and the history of contagious cancer in dogs.
James Stearn, the Head Porter who died of grief
James Stearn, Head Porter at Magdalene College, died in 1918 after losing his son, Sydney, during WWI. His death highlights the emotional toll of the war on those at home, despite his service to the College.
Mary Astell's Books
We have recently discovered that Mary Astell (1666-1731), a philosopher, author and advocate of women’s education, was the donor of several books to the Old Library.
Peter Peckard Prize Winner 2021
The College is pleased to announce that the winner of the Peter Peckard Memorial Prize 2021 is Miss Alice Mee, an undergraduate at Queens' College, for her essay on forced prison labour in Ukraine.
Discovering the Hole in The Ozone Layer
Dr Jonathan Shanklin (1973) recounts Magdalene's role in the discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole. His 1985 Nature paper revealed the impact of CFCs, aiding the Montreal Protocol’s success.
From Fuel Droplets in Jet Engines to Pathogen-carrying Droplets in the Air
Dr Pedro Magalhães de Oliveira (2015) discusses how his research on aerosols and COVID-19 transmission led to the development of a global tool to assess infection risk in indoor spaces.
Rhythms for Life
Reverend Sarah Atkins, College Chaplain, reflects on the pandemic’s impact, highlighting how Magdalene’s community kept spirit alive through creative initiatives and maintained hope in challenging times.