Alumni News
ASNC photographers
The poetry-reading for J P Roed had as a backdrop some of the stunning photos of Scandinavian landscapes taken by James Appleton (Girton, 2004), who is making his name as a professional photographer (for some of his extraordinary Icelandic volcano pictures like the one below try visiting www.jamesappleton.co.uk).
A slightly different kind of art photography is the hallmark of Debbie Scanlan (Newnham, 2005), who has teamed up with another Cambridge alumnus (www.coleandscanlan.com); their work was exhibited at Somerset House in London in March and April.
ASNC set to music
Edmund Hunt (Peterhouse, 2002) writes: ‘Over the past year, I've had the chance to use the knowledge I gained as an ASNaC, but very differently! I'm doing a composition PhD at Birmingham Conservatoire, creating a portfolio of pieces which use early medieval literature. Recent projects have included a setting of Wulf and Eadwacer for mezzo-soprano and electronics (fragments of pre-recorded text). I also had a performance of Scél lem dúib for voice and chamber ensemble at the York Spring Festival of New Music, and a setting of an Old English riddle was performed in June. Last summer, I won a bursary to attend the St Magnus Composers’ Course in Orkney and I wrote a piece based on þorfinnsdrápa which was performed in Kirkwall cathedral. I’m just starting out, so my use of ASNC languages will continue for the duration of my doctorate and beyond.’
From Diplomatic to diplomacy
After graduation, Ben Yates (Trinity 2005) did the ASNC MPhil, but was then ready to broaden his horizons, and embarked on a course in International Relations at the University of Vienna, where he’s currently studying. He says, ‘I have found ASNC a great help: it taught me excellent research skills as well as the importance of keeping an open mind - both very useful when analysing nuclear postures or writing reports on NATO strategy in Afghanistan. ASNC’s novelty is also fantastic: I've had several interviews and it's been a great confidence boost to know with reasonable certainty what the first ten minutes will consist of: Could you explain your degree? What was it about? Why did you apply for it?, etc. Furthermore, ASNC gave me a range of knowledge quite distinct from my peers: many students trawl through 19th-century European history to find examples of 
International Relations theory in action; I can turn to the Heptarchy and Haraldr haarfagri's unification of Norway - which must be a welcome change for the examiners!
The spirit of Clemoes
Twice winner of the Clemoes Reading Prize, Dan Starkey (Trinity Hall, 1996), out from under the Doctor Who prosthetics that turned him into a Sontaran captain, has recently been touring the UK in a production of The 39 Steps (photo at right taken by Emma Baker: Dan in Fitzrovia Radio Hour’s hallowe’en special, showing how radio sound-effects are achieved).
Dates for your Diary
- ASNC Alumni Reunion: Saturday 24 September 2011, 5– 7.30pm in the ASNC Department, 9 West Road
- Festival of Ideas: Saturday 29 October
- Quiggin Lecture: 1 December, 5pm, 9 West Road, followed by a drinks reception
- Chadwick Lecture: 15 March 2012, 5pm, followed by a drinks reception
- Kathleen Hughes Lecture: (date tbc), Hughes Hall; followed by a reception
- ASNC Annual Garden Party: Wednesday 20 June 2012, 6pm-8pm, Newnham College
ASNaCs are warmly welcome to attend any of these events.