2025 Social Events

Welcome Reception
Divinity School, Bodleian Old Library, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG
Wednesday 8 January 2025 – 18.30 to 20.00

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The Divinity School built between 1427 and 1483 is a beautiful example of late Gothic architecture and the oldest surviving purpose-built building for university use. This building is part of the University of Oxford's historic Bodleian Libraries, one of the oldest libraries in Europe. The stunning architecture makes it an attractive location for filmmakers, with films such as the Harry Potter series being shot there. Step into a world that generations of great scholars have walked through and admire some of the most gorgeous architecture in Oxford. The building has been used for many historic events; the building was used as the House of Commons in 1625 when they were driven out of London by the Plague. The Divinity School is full of symbols and representations of ideas and of people and its architecture. It reveals the way academia and religion played an intersecting role in historical Oxford.

Dinner is not included on Wednesday evening, so you are free to explore the many restaurants in Oxford.  Booking is advised. 

 

Annual Conference Dinner
Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PW
Thursday 9 January 2025 – 19.00 for 19.30

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The Oxford University Museum of Natural History, founded in 1860, was designed to consolidate all scientific disciplines in a central exhibition space. It boasts a world-class natural history collection and Pre-Raphaelite stonework. The museum's main court showcases Victorian neo-Gothic architecture, featuring a glass roof supported by cast iron pillars that divide the court into three aisles. Cloistered arcades encircle the ground and first floors, with stone columns crafted from various British stones chosen by geologist John Phillips. Housing 7 million scientific objects, the museum includes notable items such as the first scientifically described dinosaur and the renowned Oxford Dodo, the only soft tissue remains of the extinct bird.

The adjoined Pitts River Museum will be open during the drinks reception. The museum was founded in 1884 by Augustus Pitt Rivers, who donated his private collection to the University of Oxford with the condition that a permanent lecturer in anthropology must be appointed. Since then, the museum has grown from 22,000 items to over 500,000. The collections are of extraordinary range and depth, comprising objects of historical, social and ritual significance, a mixture of great works of art, technology, invention and design from around the world.

The evening will begin with a pre-dinner drinks reception from 19.00 in the north court, followed by dinner at 19.30 in the main court. Following dinner and speeches there will be music and dancing!