Downing College, Cambridge

Thanks to travel grants generously funded by our alumni, many of our students have taken summer trips to wonderful destinations, both close to home and further afield, which have broadened their studies and provided them with new experiences. Several of our Fellows have also taken some very interesting research-related trips. ✈

Over the next few weeks, we’ll feature some of these journeys here and take you on a Downing globetrotting adventure! 🌍

Kicking us off - PhD student Andrea Rogolino recently visited Seoul to attend the 25th International Conference on Photochemical Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy. 🇰🇷

During the conference, Andrea presented alongside other early career researchers in photocatalysis and shared the latest results from his PhD research on liquid-solid-liquid photocatalysis. 🧪

"The IPS conference broadened my perspective on solar-to-chemical conversion technologies and provided an excellent opportunity to network with researchers in the field. I am grateful for the generous bursary that made this possible."

This week saw the return of the annual Staff v Fellows cricket match.🏏

The Staff XI reclaimed their title, scoring 192 runs to the Fellows' 106. 🏆

Congratulations to all involved on a very sporting contest! 👏

Congratulations to everyone who got their A level results today. We hope you are all proud of your achievements. 👏

For those joining us in October, the Downing community looks forward to welcoming you to College! 👋

If you're wondering what's next, please visit: www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/after/exam-results

Spaces are still available for the Segreants' reception in Chiswick on Friday 25 September. 🚣🏼

Make sure you book your place before the deadline!⏰

Details below. 👇

Join fellow Downing alumni for a special evening on Friday 25 September (6.30- 8.30 pm) at Quintin Boat Club in Chiswick, London. 🚣

It's a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends, meet new faces and visit the stunning new Boathouse on the Tideway!

Event and booking details here: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/events/segreants-club-drinks-reception-chiswick

Great to see Downing alumna Leor Zmigrod delivering a TED Talk on “How to Protect Your Brain Against Extremism”. 👏

Leor, who was a John Maples fund recipient, reveals that some people's brains have hidden characteristics that make them especially vulnerable to rigid, authoritarian beliefs, and shares strategies on how to make our brains more resilient and flexible. 🧠

You can find out more about the John Maples Fund here: https://www.dow.cam.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2026-06/2026_JohnMaplesAmericaFund.pdf

See the video below to find out more. 👇

Are you susceptible to extremism? Take this cognitive test. | Leor Zmigrod | TEDxNewEngland Do you think you are at risk of adopting an extremist ideology? Mos...

A sunny end to July here at College. 🌞🌸

🎓 Welcome to our new Fellow! 🎓

Downing was delighted to welcome Professor Mary Dixon-Woods to the Fellowship at a ceremony in the Grace Howard Room on Friday 17 July.

Professor Dixon-Woods is Director of THIS Institute and Health Foundation Professor of Healthcare Improvement Studies at Cambridge. Her work focuses on how health systems can improve care in practice.

Find out more about our new Fellow: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/news/new-fellow-joins-downing-college

Join fellow Downing alumni for a special evening on Friday 25 September (6.30- 8.30 pm) at Quintin Boat Club in Chiswick, London. 🚣

It's a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends, meet new faces and visit the stunning new Boathouse on the Tideway!

Event and booking details here: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/events/segreants-club-drinks-reception-chiswick

Founded this year, the Downing College Running and Athletics Club is bringing runners and athletes of all abilities together, and it's already making waves.

Since launching mid-year, members have competed in the Cambridge Half Marathon, Athletics & Indoor Varsity, the Cross-Country Mob Match, the CUHH Boundary Run and the Cambridgeshire County Championships. Four Downing students even represented the University in the Varsity Match! 🎽

Read more: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/news/your-marks-downings-new-running-and-athletics-club-takes

Image 1
Founding members of the club after the Varsity match in Oxford. From l-r: Sol Inglis, Maya Vandermark and Declan Griffin

Image 2
Freshers Shiva & Josh at the Boundary Run Half Marathon.

Image 3
Maya Vandermark, club treasurer, running in the 4x400m relay at Varsity athletics.