Forward Together: 50 Years of Women at Sidney Sussex College
Celebrating a Milestone in Academic Inclusion
Sidney is proud to mark 50 years of women’s academic participation as Fellows and students. Founded in 1596 as a men’s college, Sidney took a historic step in June 1975 by deciding to admit women. That autumn, the first women Fellows and postgraduates joined the College, followed by the first undergraduate women in October 1976. In 1999, Sidney made history again when Professor Sandra Dawson became the first woman Master of a Cambridge College originally founded for men.
Creating the Future: A Series of Conversations
Curated by Professor Sandra Dawson, this four-part series brings together women leaders, thinkers, and changemakers in conversation with current Sidney students. Each event explores a major global issue through the lens of hope, action, and intergenerational dialogue.
These hybrid events are open to all members of the Sidney community - students, Fellows, staff, and alumni - whether attending in person or joining via Zoom from around the world.
🕰 Event Arrangements
Location: Mong Hall, Sidney Sussex College & Online via Zoom
Schedule:
- 17:35 – Doors open (in-person) and Zoom link becomes active
- 17:45 – Conversation begins
- 19:00 – Formal conversation concludes, followed by informal networking and refreshments in Mong Hall
- 20:00 – Event concludes
Programme Overview
Each conversation will feature:
- Two expert speakers with deep experience in the topic
- Two current students sharing their perspectives and aspirations
- Chair: Professor Sandra Dawson
🗓 Tuesday 21 October 2025
Resilience and Sustainability in Our Planet
Dame Jo da Silva DBE
Global Sustainable Development Director at Arup, leading efforts to create resilient, regenerative, and equitable places. An Honorary Fellow of Sidney, Jo is a global voice on climate leadership and collaborative change.
Ruth Jepkemoi Singen
Co-Founder of Kang4Nature, mobilizing youth for biodiversity restoration in Kenya. Advocate for climate action, indigenous knowledge, and education in sustainability.
🗓 Wednesday 19 November 2025
Access to, and Content of, News and Information
Clare Melford
CEO and co-founder of the Global Disinformation Index (GDI), Clare is an expert on disinformation economics and regulatory policy for digital media.
Felicia Yap
Author and producer of speculative fiction including Future Perfect and Yesterday, and a Sidney alumna (2003, PhD History). Former journalist and academic exploring technology, memory, and identity.
🗓 Tuesday 10 March
Balancing Economic Growth and Social Justice
Sherry Coutu CBE
Entrepreneur and investor known for Interactive Investor, Founders4Schools, and Digital Boost. Advocate for education, innovation, and equitable access to opportunity.
Curlene Simone Larsson
Head of Enterprise AI (EMEA) at Lenovo, leading sustainable AI transformation across industries. Veteran of Accenture, Dataiku, and the UK’s Digital Catapult, focused on inclusive digital futures.
🗓 Wednesday 13 May
The Role of Communities and Civil Society
Sophia Adams Bhatti
Public policy and AI expert at the intersection of democracy, law, and ethics. Chair of JUSTICE AI, affiliate of the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy, and board member of Amnesty International AI.
Emily Bolton
CEO and founder of Our Future, driving the green industrial revolution for post-industrial communities. Pioneer of the first Social Impact Bond and co-founder of Drive, tackling domestic abuse through systemic innovation.