Durham Colleges are scholarly communities. We want to encourage all Trevelyanites to be intellectually curious, venturing outside of their subject areas and pursuing knowledge of all kinds. Trevs has a long-established programme of student-led research and scholarly activity, which showcases the breadth and dept of research undertaken by our undergraduate, postgraduate, and SCR communities.
Trevs has plenty of academic events and research opportunities to inspire intellectual curiosity among our students. Take a look at some of the highlights below:
Trevelyan is fortunate to have multiple resident fellows each year. These fellows live on-site and interact with Trevs students whenever possible. Keep an eye out for upcoming lectures and talks from our IAS or Sir William Luce fellows.
During term time we host 'dissertation open mic nights', sessions where students can present their research to their peers in a relaxed, informal environment. These sessions are both educational and enjoyable - our presenters get insightful feedback on their research, and our audience learns something new.
During Epiphany Term 2021-2022 the JCR also organised a Dissertation Open Mic Night in the College Bar, where finalists were able to share their dissertation research to members of the JCR, MCR and SCR. This fascinating series of talks included discussions of electric vehicles, Brexit, and Pirates!
A Trevelyan finalist sharing their dissertation research in the college bar.
Trevelyan holds termly research talks for our postgraduate students. The event allows researchers from the MCR and SCR to present their research to their friends and colleagues over an informal dinner.
During the academic year 2022-2023 the MCR had organised several research events including termly SCR/MCR Research Talks. The Research Talks feature three or four 15-minute talks from current postgraduates and SCR members. These events offer participants an informal space in which to practice for upcoming conference presentations, share interests, and research outcomes.
The MCR also leads the organisation of the annual GM Trevelyan Research Prize. During the compeition, current postgraduate students present their research in the Dowrick Suite to a panel of judges, including representatives from the University's Faculties and the College's Visiting Fellow. It is great to celebrate the range of high-quality studies undertaken by the MCR in this annual event and hear about the impact of postgraduate research at Durham!
The Sir William Luce Fellowship is awarded annually to a scholar at post-doctoral level, diplomat, politician, or business executive, working on those parts of the Middle East to which Sir William Luce devoted his working life (Iran, the Gulf states, South Arabia and Sudan).
Dr Katie Hickerson delivered a fascinating lecture in the Dowrick Suite on 'Portraits, Postcards and Politics: Mobilizing Sudanese Visual Culture.
Professor Adekunle Adeyeye (Principal of Trevelyan College) introducing Dr Katie Hickerson as the Luce Fellow 2022 in the Dowrick Suite.
Dr Katie J. Hickerson (2020)Dr Hickerson is a cultural historian of the Nile Valley. During her fellowship, she will, in preparation for a book titled Mortal Struggles: Death Rites and Imperial Formations in Sudan, 1865-1935, examine the history of Khartoum and Omdurman from the Turco-Egyptian era to the Anglo-Egyptian Condominium through the treatment of the dead.
Philip Winter (2019)Winter's research centres on the history and attributes of the Ilemi Triangle, a colonial border in East Africa that has yet to be bilaterally defined. Winter considers a number of factors in the Ilemi area that could potentially provide a casus belli involving Kenya, South Sudan and perhaps also Ethiopia - oil exploration for example, or the shrinking of Lake Turkana as a result of new irrigated agriculture schemes below the Gibe III dam in Ethiopia.
Professor Mark N Katz (2018)Professor Katz's research focuses on Russian foreign policy, especially towards the Middle East, and the international dimensions of revolution. Against the backdrop of years of conflict, rising tensions, and mass population movements in the Middle East, interventions of Russia in the region have caught the attention of the world. Professor Katz provides a broad view of Russia's historic involvement in the Middle East and asks how much has really changed.
The Institute of Advanced Study brings together world-leading researchers from all disciplines to collaborate on projects of major intellectual, scientific, political, and practical significance. Trevelyan welcomes new IAS Fellows each year, accommodating them in College houses and promoting their involvement with the student community.
Professor Bronwen Neil, Macquarie University (2019/20)Bronwen Neil is Professor of Ancient History at Macquarie University and director of the new Macquarie Research Centre for Ancient Cultural Heritage and Environment (CACHE), whose 35 members are working together to bring the benefits of the environmental and archaeological sciences to the study of ancient history.
Ms Irene Fellin, Istituto Affari Internazionali (2019/20)Irene Fellin is Senior Fellow on gender and security issues at the Istituto Affari Internazionali. IAI is an independent think tank aimed at promoting awareness of international politics and contributes in particular to the advancement of European integration and multilateral cooperation. Irene has previously worked as Gender Advisor of the Special Representative of NATO Secretary-General for "Women, Peace and Security" and as a consultant at UNDP and UNICEF in Ankara.
Professor Boris Snopok, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (2018/19)Boris Snopok is a senior scientist and head of the Department of Physics and Optoelectronics Technical Bases at the Institute of Semiconductor Physics (ISP), National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. His research interests concern the capacity of physics to open new ways of understanding in biology, especially at the nanoscale.
Professor Gert Jan van der Wilt, Radboud University Medical Centre (2018/19)Gert Jan van der Wilt is professor of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) at Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. His main research interest is how empirical analysis and normative inquiry can be integrated into the context of HTA.
We have also hosted other scholarly competitions this academic year 2021-2022, including the HM Evans Music Prize. The Music Prize is a competition organised by the MCR and open to all current undergraduate and postgraduate members of Trevelyan College, who are invited to perform solo pieces to the judging panel, including former College Principal, Professor Martyn Evans.
It was fantastic to hear performances across a range of genres on guitar, piano, saxophone, and singing, and to welcome so many audience members to the Sir James Knott Hall for the event.
Dr Martin Brader (Vice Principal) with the winners of the HM Evans Music Prize 2022, and JCR Music Rep.
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