The Committee
Secretary
Rabea Klesing (she/her)
Hi everyone! I'm Rabea (she/her), a second-year PhD student in English. You'll most likely find me in Newnham's library, working on transnational women authors from the Middle East and North Africa who publish in French, German, or English. .
As the MCR Secretary, I want to make postgraduate life a little easier by being there for your questions, ideas, or any topics you'd like raised during our MCR meetings. Please don't hesitate to reach out. I am happy to help!
Treasurer
Sila
Hi everyone! I'm Sila, a first-year PhD student in Electrical Engineering. My research focuses on molecular communications and neural computations from an information-theoretical perspective.
As your Treasurer, I'm here to manage and optimize the MCR budget while supporting the other committee members in their roles. I'm also excited to contribute to the planning of our amazing MCR events and look forward to enjoying them with all of you!
Governing Body Representative
Leah Schmidt
Hi, I'm Leah and I'm a second-year PhD student in Gender Studies (POLIS). Originally from Canada, I research anxiety operates as a somatic-political force, shaping the racialized and gendered body within security governance and technology resistance in the 21st century, focusing on case studies of Doomsday Preppers and AI Doomers. I am passionate about policy, queer and disability activism, and I also have two beautiful sons, who are cats. .
As your Council & Governing Body Representative, I serve as one of the core members of the MCR along with the President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Governing Body considers the long-term strategic vision of the College, and the Council is the executive body of the College, so my job involves a lot of meetings! Please don't hesitate to reach out at any point if you have any college policy issues that you feel need to be addressed or if you just want to chat!
External Officer
Paola Gonzalez (she/her)
Hi, I'm Paola, a first year PhD student in Latin American Studies, where I'm working on motherhood and violence in Mexican literature. This year I will be your External Officer, responsible for representing Newnham on the Students' Union Council, where my aim is to promote the MCR's interests in diversity, inclusion and equality.
Disabled Students & Student Carers Officer
Lottie (she/her)
Hello, I'm Lottie (she/her), I am an English MPhil student and the MCR Disabled Students' and Student Carers Officer! I am here to support and advocate for any students who need support with disability access issues or caring responsibilities, as well as to campaign for access improvements and to maintain our amazing disability community here at Newnham. If you have any questions or worries at all, or would just like to chat, please don't hesitate to reach out!
Welfare & Accommodation Officers
Marie de la Burgade (she/they)
Hi everyone! I’m Marie, a second year PhD student in developmental biology at the department of PDN. Before this, I worked at the Natural History Museum and did my MPhil at the Gurdon institute in Cambridge. I love all things crafty and creative in my free time. I am passionate about advocating for the importance of mental well-being for your studies.
As your welfare officer, I will be a source of support and a confidential ear to help you navigate your time at Cambridge. Please don’t hesitate to reach out! I will also be your point of contact for any comments or concerns about accommodation in College.
LGBTQ+ Officers
YK (she/her)
Hello! My name is Yu Ke (or YK!) and I'm one of your LGBTQ+ representatives this year. I'm working on my MPhil in Film and Screen Studies, with a focus on architecture, embodiment, and urban cinema. In my spare time I enjoy reading, skateboarding, and noodling around on my bass guitar. Along with Danny, I look forward to organising a whole host of fun queer events, in the hope of building a vibrant and supportive LGBTQ+ community here at Newnham. Please reach out if you need any support, someone to chat to, or simply have questions or suggestions!
BAME Officer
Chloe Sanyu (she/her)
Hello! My name is Chloe (she/her), a first year PhD student in the Department of Geography. My research focuses on gender in UK international development policy since 2010. I am looking forward to serving again as the Black and Minority Ethnic Officer this year. In this role, my aim is to spread joy among our diverse Newnham postgraduate community through a host of events that bring us all together. In addition, I am here as a port of call for all of the Newnhamites from a minoritised background if you need support, have any queries or simply want to get something off your chest - don't hesitate to get in touch.
IT Officer
Hannah Pryor (she/her)
Hi everybody! I am Hannah, an MPhil student studying Politics and International Studies. In my research, I am looking at Native American governance as a counter-history to criticise contemporary US Supreme Court decisions on reproductive autonomy. My career aspiration is to become a Barrister, with a focus on technology law and cyber crime, and I have been heavily involved with the advocacy for seamless integration of AI technologies into academia.
I am excited to be your new IT Officer. In this role, I will be maintaining the MCR website and be the one running our various social media channels. I will also be advocating for digital capabilities and support at Newnham IT faculty meetings. If you have any queries about your digital life at Newnham, please do reach out and I will endeavour to assist you however possible!
International Officer
Meghna Birla (she/her)
Hi! My name is Meghna and I'm from India. I'm a first year PhD student in Clinical Biochemistry and I study the role of mitochondrial metabolism in insulin sensitivity.
My role in the MCR Committee is that of an International Officer. I aim to foster an inclusive and supportive environment, where everyone can celebrate the diversity that makes us stronger together!
Speaker Series Officers
Friederike Elisabeth Hedley
Hi, I'm Friederike, a PhD student in Psychology. Together with Elsie, I am taking on the role of Speaker Series Officer this year. Newnham has a rich history of empowering voices, and I believe it's important to continue this legacy by creating spaces where diverse perspectives can come together. I also look forward to organising the 2025 Annual Newnham Graduate Conference.
Elsie Lidington
Hi, I'm Elsie, this is my first year at Cambridge and I'm doing an MPhil in theoretical and applied linguistics, with a focus on the intersection of humour and derogation in language.
As a speaker series organiser, I'll be co-organising the Newnham Graduate Conference with Friederike which will provide a platform for other students to share their research findings - we can't wait to hear what you have to say!
Social Secretaries
Amber Smyth (she/they)
Hi! My name is Amber and I'm doing MPhil Multidisciplinary Gender studies. I make up 1/4 of the social secretary team and am hugely looking forward to getting going with some exciting events in the months to come. We're currently organising everything from formal swaps to casual run clubs and would be keen to hear from the postgrad community what kind of events you would like to see.
Evie Sutcliffe (she/her)
Hi! I'm Evie (she/her), an English MPhil here at Newnham, and one of the MCR Social Secretaries! Our job is to host events that bring the Newnham community together throughout the year!
Martina Scauda (she/her)
Ciao! I'm Martina, a second-year PhD student in Mathematical Statistics. My research is all about connecting the language of Law and Statistics when it comes to causation. I'm working on making Causal Inference methods easier for lawyers and judges to use - and bringing more numbers into courtrooms!
When I'm not buried in equations, I love bringing people together and making sure everyone feels at home in our Newnham community. Last year, as MCR Treasurer, I had a blast organizing the Garden Party and Welcome Week (and sending a ton of messages!). Now I'm back, more excited than ever! With the other awesome Social Secs, I can't wait to plan lots of fun activities, from chill hangouts to social swaps with other Colleges. Most importantly, I want everyone to feel included, meet new people, and just have a great time at Newnham. Let's make this year unforgettable!
Women and Non-Binary Officers
Davina
Hello! I am Davina, an MPhil student studying Multi-Disciplinary Gender Studies. My research broadly focuses on the potential of joy and care in building and imagining radically just futures. I am really looking forward to serving as one of your Women and Non-Binary Officers.
In this role, I hope to promote spaces of joy and care and speak out and act on issues of gender equality in the Newnham community and beyond. Please reach out if you need any support or simply just want to chat.
Grace
Hello! I am the MCR Women's and Non-Binary Officer. I am an MPhil Latin American Studies student researching Antillean architectural and landscape histories in the 1500s. I am committed to promoting the voices and empowerment of women and non-binary people in education and within Newnham's wonderful postgraduate community!