Summer Telephone Campaign 2026

Alex Owen-Phillips
PGCE

I’m finishing my PGCE with a focus on early years this summer. Outside my studies I like to keep active and take part in Darwin things. I joined the College football team, am a novice rower, like to travel, and enjoy learning new languages and spending time in DarBar. The best thing about Darwin is the atmosphere and open-minded people.

Ruquajya Shuaibu
MPhil, Computer Science

I’m finishing my MPhil in Advanced Computer Science this summer. I’m taking part in the telephone campaign this year as I like talking to people, am enthusiastic about all things Darwin and love the chance to speak to Darwinians all over the world. Also, as a student benefiting from a scholarship at Cambridge, I’m personally drawn to Darwin’s commitment to awarding more funded studentships. My favourite thing about the College is DarBar, and outside my studies, I enjoy Jiu-Jitsu and attending the occasional Drink and Draw Society art session.

Charlotte Crick
MPhil in Planetary Science and Life in the Universe

In my MPhil, I focus on astrobiology and my hobbies include theatre, museums and history – Cambridge is a great place for all of these! I recently started working at DarBar and my favourite thing about College is the community, which I’d describe as ‘quietly confident’. I’m looking forward to being part of the upcoming telephone campaign as it is an exciting opportunity to engage with Darwin alumni for a good cause, and I’d like to find out more about their experiences since leaving the College.

Ashley Fox-Wiltshire
MPhil, History of Science

I’m finishing my MPhil in History of Science this summer and am excited to join the telephone campaign to speak with Darwinians who studied here before me. I take part in Darwin Beekeeping, the Coffee Society, long distance running, and hiking. After my MPhil, I am heading to Beijing for further studies, so this summer I’m working to improve my Mandarin. I sometimes joke that the worst thing about Darwin is the College ‘facts’ you hear from the tourist punts on the river.

Ujval Mohan
Master of Law

Outside my degree in law, I am part of Darwin’s Climate Society, work in DarBar and I like all river sports (Boat Club, punting). I was part of the last telephone campaign and really enjoyed the wonderful conversations I had with alumni. My favourite part of Darwin is the warm community – the College really feels like home, which is especially important to me as an international student.

Janani Vankatesh
PhD, Earth Sciences

I’m a first-year PhD student in Earth Sciences, studying ice elevation changes from ice cores in Antarctica. I like travelling – especially to the mountains – and spend my free time working for the Darwin College Student Association, participating in the Darwin Film Society, Board Games Society, Archery Club and taking part in occasional theatre productions as well. Darwin is a place where I have gained a lot, which I’d like to share and give back. My reason for choosing Darwin is the supportive people and College values, which really align with my own.

Holly Unwin
Masters in Architecture

I am in the process of finishing my Masters in Architecture at Darwin and am joining the telephone campaign team again as I had a fantastic experience last year. I really enjoyed my conversations with alumni and love hearing about people’s time at Darwin. Outside my studies, I play volleyball, take part in the Darwin Coffee Society, and attend the ‘Croissant Run Club’ for the occasional 5k and pastry meet up. My favourite thing about Darwin is how diverse and enriching the community is; on a personal level, this means incredible access to education and people here.

Maya Tucker
PhD, Philosophy

I’m in the second year of my Philosophy PhD and outside my academic work I enjoy the Darwin Coffee Society and going for long walks around Cambridgeshire. I feel very lucky to be a Darwin member and, as someone who benefitted so much from being here, am taking part in the telephone campaign as I’d like to be able to give something back to College. My favourite thing about Darwin is the community, particularly when there is the opportunity to have thought-provoking conversations in the beautiful College garden.