Downing College, Cambridge

07/09/2026

During her third year, Medicine student Bella Ifeadike, took the unusual step of intercalating to study French through MML, becoming part of a pathway that was unprecedented for Medics. Without the opportunity to spend a full year abroad, a three-week intensive language course in Montpellier provided a valuable chance to experience life, language, and culture in France firsthand.
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By staying with a host family, Bella was able to fully immerse herself in French culture and gain an authentic insight into day-to-day life in France.

04/09/2026

1 week to go until our September Open Day! 🎓

If you're visiting the University of Cambridge next Friday, make sure you drop into Downing. As well as tours of the College, we'll also be hosting a range of subject talks by our academics.

Find out more: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate-admissions/open-days

04/09/2026

Only one week left to book a place at the Segreants' Club Reception at Quintin Boat Club in Chiswick. ⏳

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

This event will provide a great opportunity to catch up with Downing friends and to see this fabulous new Boathouse on the Tideway. 🛶

The Segreants' Club will be hosting a special gathering at the Quintin Boat Club in Chiswick on Friday 25 September.

This event will provide a great opportunity to catch up with Downing friends and to see the fabulous new Boathouse on the Tideway.

For event and booking information, please visit: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/events/segreants-club-drinks-reception-chiswick

01/09/2026

If you are in school years 10-13, love music, and have some singing experience, why not have a go at conducting? 🎵🎶

Join Downing’s Director of Music, Louisa Denby, and Honorary Fellow and former Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral, Martin Baker, for a day’s conducting workshop in the tranquil surroundings of the College Chapel.

To book your place and find out more about the workshop, please visit: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/events/downing-arts-conducting-workshop-students-school-years-10-13

31/08/2026

Our Downing globetrotting adventure now takes us to Germany. 🇩🇪

Dr Emma Hazelwood, our Everitt Butterfield Research Fellow, attended the 2026 Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, an interdisciplinary gathering that brought together around 600 early-career researchers from around the world alongside around 70 Nobel Laureates.

Emma’s trip highlights included attending a dinner hosted by the Bayer Foundation and meeting Thomas Südhof, recipient of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and a boat trip to Mainau Island.

25/08/2026

Our Downing globetrotting adventure does not always take us far from home! 🇬🇧💂

While some members of our community have travelled across the world this summer, one recent trip was a little closer to home. Earlier this month, Georgia, our first Downing Battcock Institute undergraduate intern, had the opportunity to visit No 10 Downing Street.

Pictured outside the famous black door with Fellow, Dr David Halpern, Georgia's visit offered a fascinating insight into public life and policymaking at the heart of government. A memorable experience and a reminder that sometimes the most exciting journeys can be found right on our doorstep.

19/08/2026

Our globetrotting adventure takes us to Telluride, Colorado. 🇺🇸

As part of an Energy Landscapes meeting organised by Professor David Wales, researchers enjoyed the stunning surroundings of the Rocky Mountains. The group are pictured here at Cornet Creek, plus a glorious Colorado sunset over Lizard Head.

Not a bad backdrop for discussing the future of energy!

17/08/2026

The Downing College Chapel Choir has returned from a memorable tour of Portugal. 🇵🇹

From singing Evensong in Estoril to a bucket-list Mass at the Sanctuary of Fátima, plus concerts in Lisbon, Porto & Coímbra, it was a fun-filled few days for our choristers. 🎼

Louisa Denby, Director of Music, looks back on an unforgettable trip: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/news/sea-salmon-and-sword-fights-2026-downing-chapel-choir-tour

15/08/2026

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."

14/08/2026

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! 👏