Transcript: Vice-Chancellor's end of Trinity 2025 student message

Dear students,

Congratulations on reaching the end of Trinity term and this academic year.

I know what a busy and demanding time it’s been, especially if you have been sitting exams. Thank you for Celebrating SMART this term, and well done for all your hard work and contributions to another fantastic year at Oxford.

Off the back of our recent and very successful Global Climate Summit and our work in all things related to the climate and sustainability, I’m delighted to be speaking to you from the wonderful Wytham Woods, one of the most studied woodlands in the world and a living lab of biodiversity - a fitting place for me to mention the launch of our Oxford Green Estates project. We’re building inspirational landscapes across Oxford to allow science, education and outreach to flourish, while enabling us to reach our biodiversity and carbon targets.

These Woods and other spaces within our Green Estate are open to you to enjoy on walks and to observe wildlife, as a break from your studies or inspiration for them. 

Linked to our work on climate, I have been truly impressed once again by the proposals from undergraduates who took part in my Colloquium on Climate this year – so much so I decided to fund all three finalists to realise their projects. Thank you to everyone involved and do look out for applications for next Hilary.

June is also Pride month. At Oxford, this is a time for us to reaffirm our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. I was pleased on the 7th of June to join a breakfast celebration bringing together our gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and queer community and allies to mark Oxford Pride. Throughout this month we honour all members of our LGBTQ+ community. And we will continue our work to ensure Oxford remains a place where everyone belongs and is supported to succeed.

Going hand in hand with this: our ongoing commitment to freedom of speech. This year we launched the Sheldonian Series, which has brought together a range of perspectives on the topics of democracy, life and truth. Colleges have also been hosting their Debating the Difficult series. Thank you to everyone who has joined these discussions that showcase what good debate, discussion and argument look like. The success of both underlines how freedom of expression and inquiry define who we are as a University and community.

I would like to say thank you too to all of you who have contributed to the student voice this year

There have been major changes at Oxford SU, including piloting greater engagement with college common rooms, influencing interventions in University debates, and really ensuring your student voice is heard. Thank you, in particular to our sabbatical officers Eleanor and Lauren for their crucial work in this area this year.

Many of you took the time to have your say in University surveys this year, such as the NSS and Student Barometer.  Your feedback is so valuable for the University, colleges and departments to review and make important changes.  

So now, we reach the end of term.

If you’re concluding your time at Oxford, I wish you all the very best for whatever you do next. Thank you for choosing Oxford and all your contributions over the years to make it such a special place. I look forward to welcoming you to our global alumni community.

We know the employment landscape is changing, with new expectations and challenges, but you can still use the Careers Service for two years, including accessing careers fairs, information sessions and talks, and one-to-one advice.

Do remember that just because term ends, this doesn’t mean an end to the range of specialist, free, confidential support services, which continue throughout the long vacation with some amended opening hours.

I look forward to welcoming all returning students back in the autumn, around Oxford on our walks with Geoffrey Biscuit, college breakfasts or other events.

For now, enjoy the summer ahead, get some rest and recharge, and take care.