Collingwood College Relaunches Senior Common Room'

Collingwood College is relaunching its Senior Common Room (SCR) bringing new life to a longstanding tradition and creating fresh opportunities for alumni, academics, supporters and friends of the college to engage with its vibrant community.

The relaunch is a key priority for Collingwood's new Principal, Professor Thom Brooks, in his first year leading the college. Brooks is Professor of Law, Ethics and Government in Durham's Law School where he was its longest serving Dean (2016-2021). The college's initiative seeks to strengthen connections across generations of Collingwood members while building an active community supporting the college's educational, cultural and social life. The aim is not only to reconnect with existing members, but also to welcome new members who wish to remain involved with the college and contribute to its future.

The SCR offers opportunities to engage with Collingwood's students, researchers and wider academic community, while also providing access to a range of college facilities and activities. Members will play an important role in supporting intellectual exchange, fostering connections and enriching college life.

To support the relaunch, the College has also created a newly refurbished SCR space adjacent to the Penthouse Rooms offering impressive views across the college and providing a welcoming environment for members to meet, work and socialise.

Professor Brooks said: 'Collingwood has always been defined by the strength of its community. Relaunching the Senior Common Room is an important step in reconnecting alumni, academics and supporters with the college while creating new opportunities for engagement for years to come. This SCR was my first entry to college life and I want to extend this to others'.

The relaunched SCR will formally begin its next chapter in September 2026, helping to strengthen lifelong connections with Collingwood and ensuring that members remain an integral part of the college community.