From student to principal: pioneering women’s education at Newnham College, Cambridge

Little did Ms Alison Rose, Principal of Newnham College at the University of Cambridge, know as she strolled past the redbrick buildings with their large windows and handsome façades and across the well-kept lawns at Newnham College during a typical Open Day at the University of Cambridge that years after graduating from her history studies in 1983, she would return one day as Principal.

Her exciting career path was made possible by the supportive environment she encountered at Newnham while a young undergraduate, Principal Alison recalls.

Newnham College, one of the women’s colleges at Cambridge, has been at the forefront of promoting women’s rights for over 150 years. One standout incident demonstrates this support for female empowerment. On the evening of 20 October 1921, women students dramatically defended Newnham College when more than 1,000 male students tried to storm the College’s gates after a vote on whether women should be granted full membership of Cambridge or only the “titles of degrees”.

Newnham College continues to appoint female leaders and fellows as part of its drive to support women. “We are always keen to broaden access to the kind of opportunities in higher education that Cambridge offers to those with high potential,” Principal Alison says.

Recalling her days as a student, Principal Alison notes the many changes that have taken place, joking how, as an undergraduate, she made do with her own spoon, mug, and instant coffee in her room while students today frequent the College’s café. However, what remains unchanged is College support for Newnham students to succeed in academic disciplines such as engineering and science and in all spheres of life from business and public service to arts, entertainment, and sport.

Aiming to enhance academic and research opportunities and provide broader prospects for outstanding female talent, City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and Newnham College have recently initiated a new partnership that enables CityUHK graduates to study for a Master’s degree at Newnham College.

Expressing her delight about and gratitude for this distinctive partnership, Principal Alison believes that, in addition to the intensity of the academic experience at Cambridge, the relationships forged between students from different regions and countries are invaluable.

Postgraduate CityUHK students will directly experience the interdisciplinary and international experience at Newnham, where around two-thirds of postgraduate students and many academic staff come from other parts of the globe.

The students’ top-class CityUHK educational experiences will enrich their courses, the College community, and student life at Cambridge, says Principal Alison. “Meanwhile, students from around the world will benefit from the training, insights, and experiences at Cambridge. Everyone can contribute something valuable to the partnership.”

Drawing on her experience as a British Ambassador to Belgium, Principal Alison notes that students who have completed a Master’s degree in another country or territory gain greater cultural understanding in addition to their academic achievements, which is beneficial in business and diplomacy. She adds that this experience provides a unique perspective on working with people and building lifelong relationships and networks.

She recognises that Cambridge still needs to improve the ratio of women and men in STEM, pointing out that the number of women in leadership positions tends to drop off the higher you go.

But she has these words of advice. “If you are curious, you are always learning and developing,” she adds. “So have dreams and make plans, and stay open and curious. I had no idea when I graduated that later in life I would become an ambassador or return to Newnham as Principal. We don’t always know the future, and we should allow ourselves the time and space to grow our dreams as we grow our experiences.”