Hatfield MCR saw another eventful and entertaining year in 2024/25. Our fabulous Melody Bishop presided over a great Exec team, aided by our then Vice President, now President, Amy Doyle. They worked together to deliver a diverse calendar of activities and initiatives. Our Postgraduate (PG) Fresher’s Fortnight programme (planned by our presidential power duo and executed by a lovely team of PG Freps) started the year on a high note, followed by our first ever Postgraduate Research Meetup. Alongside carrying out their presidential duties which took them to a plethora of college meetings and speaking on behalf of the Hatfield postgraduate community, Melody also guided the MCR cohort to Durham Pride and organised a lovely trip for out for Sunday Lunch during the Easter Holidays.
Amy organized a memorable Diwali celebration, helped by one of our Deputy Events Officers Anisha Swamy, as well as a Welcome Back Walk in January with Melody (during which they encountered some horses) and an LGBTQ+ coffee afternoon in February. Our Chair Andrea Carboni-Monesi kept our OGMs, Elections, and Exec Meetings on task and on time with fabulous Shakira impressions all year. Our finances were once again in capable hands of Lucy Weatherill who we are thrilled is continuing as our Treasurer next year. Our Secretary Zahbea Zahra ensured our postgraduate community stayed informed, connected, and engaged by drafting and circulating regular newsletters and timely event reminders; her goal has been to maintain an open communication channels across our MCR. Other than administrative tasks, she helped beyond her role in organising many events such as Winter Sessions, Henna Night and an Eid Festival featuring food, games, and crafts
This year, our Events Officer Jiantong Zhao and Deputy Events Officers, which included Changrui Sui to represent international students and Anisha to represent POC students, worked closely with the wider MCR to bring colour, energy, and celebration to the postgraduate community. From house parties at James Barber House (JBH) to welcome-back-to-term game nights, the team hosted events both big and small throughout the year.
Our first major event was a spooky pumpkin carving session followed by a fancy dress house party at JBH for Halloween. In December 2024, the Events Team and the wider MCR Executive Committee came together to organise a lively Winter Sessions event in Hatfield Bar — and not even the rain and storm could dampen the mood or stop the fun! Collaborations with the Welfare Officers Ananya Khana and Caitlin Ladd brought seasonal cheer, including a festive end-of-term gathering featuring a gingerbread decorating session that showcased the MCR’s finest (and most chaotic) craftsmanship. A Christmas Potluck and Movie Night, co-organised by Changrui and Anisha, brought warmth and community spirit to the close of Michaelmas Term. The team also rang in Chinese New Year with a seasonal potluck, bringing members together over festive dishes and good company.
Near Easter 2025, the team — with the support of the entire MCR — organised the Hatfield Inter-MCR Formal, where we welcomed members from across all colleges to celebrate tradition, community, and difference through food, music, and some very enthusiastic spooning (the kind that involves banging cutlery, of course!).
The social calendar included academic collaborations too — pub crawls and themed dinners were arranged alongside the Academic Officers Daniel Bonn and Lauren Gill, providing the perfect blend of brains and banter. The highlight of the year was the MCR’s first-ever Summer Barbecue at JBH, a joint effort made possible by the enthusiasm and support of the entire MCR community. Whether through spontaneous gatherings or well-planned festivities, the Events Team ensured that Hatfield postgraduates had more than a few reasons to connect, celebrate, and unwind.
Dan and Lauren organized multiple academic-focused events every term. In collaboration with the President Melody Bishop the MCR book club, MCReaders was launched during the PG Freshers Fortnight. In November there was an academic mixer — research speed dating — followed by a dinner in collaboration with the Jiantong. At the end of November, our Postgraduate Research Officer Neil Achary introduced a new event… the Unresearch Roulette, where the task is to give a short presentation (prepared or impromptu) about anything you like, to foster the development of presentation skills without the pressure of presenting one’s research. Neil also helped to spearhead the continuation of Hatfield College taking our turn to host an Inter-MCR PhD Coffee and Cake.
Epiphany term saw the second Research Roulette of the academic year, a mini conference, joint with St Chad’s College, as well as a second Academic Mixer and Unresearch Roulette. The Academic Officers collaborated with other Exec Officers to run events such as the Neurodiversitea Bubble Tea Walk and Work and Welfare sessions.
Collaborations extended beyond the postgraduate community with joint networking events with the SCR before the Work Smart Formal, and an event with the JCR to open a forum for undergraduate students to ask questions about life as a postgraduate student. Alongside running academic events for the MCR, our Academic Officers also attended Hatfield Trust and MCR Research Award panel meetings which review applications for funding for students’ academic development.
Ananya and Caitlin started the year with a lovely Meet the Welfare Officers tea party in the MCR Cottage Courtyard, which they later reprised in April for Easter. Before the Burns Night Supper they ran a cute pre-formal event, with shortbread and Irn-Bru, naturally. They also organized an MCaRtists craft session to make Valentines Day cards, and, in collaboration with our Treasurer Lucy and her wicked crochet skills, they made adorable Valentines Day cards for every MCR Valentines Formal attendee. Our Welfare Officers ran Welfare drop-ins throughout the terms, and will continue to do so ad hoc over the summer period, and even helped to transform our Common Room with finds from local charity shops.
Several members of our MCR were involved in the planning and delivery of College-wide events including the 2025 Hatfield Film Festival organised by the Hatfield Fellow Artist in Residence Mike Elliston. We were delighted as always to see the strong MCR turn out to all our Formals this year and look forward to banging some spoons with returning students and graduate guests next year. During the Floreat Dinner at the end of Easter Term several of our 2024-25 Executive and Non-Executive Officers were recognised for their contributions to College beyond their officer roles with College Colours, and our outgoing President Melody Bishop was awarded the Hatfield Scroll in recognition of their significant contributions to the Hatfield Middle Common Room.
We are incredibly thankful to our MCR Exec and Non-Exec Team this year for their efforts and enthusiasm in creating a great postgraduate experience at Hatfield this year.
Here’s to building on these foundations and continuing to enrich postgraduate life at Hatfield.
