The Ustinovian - 61st Edition by Ustinov College

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ustinovian

61st Edit ion

Voices of the World

Walking England in 13 Days

Skip the Uber

Sport Saved Me

Mountaintop camps, wildfires and midges, a Coast to Coast trek for Medical Aid for Palestinians.

Homesickness, hill climbs, and finding your own rhythm in Durham, one wet walk at a time.

Emily Brindle-Shattock on illness, identity, and rebuilding strength through movement and community.

Editor Zoya Medina Published with the support of Ustinov College The Graduate Common Room (GCR) The Global Citizenship Programme (GCP) Special Thanks to Glenn McGregor Professor of Climatology, Department of Geography Principal of Ustinov College Sophie Holland-Francis Vice Principal of Ustinov College Jasmine Donovan College Administration Coordinator

Editor’s Note

Hello everyone,

Welcome to the 61st edition of The Ustinovian! It has been both an honour and a pleasure to read this year’s submissions and to play a part in bringing them to life.

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contents 61 st Edit ion

The Ustinovian magazine is written by Ustinovians, for Ustinovians. The views, opinions and positions expressed by the authors and those providing comments in the articles do not necessarily reflect the views of Ustinov College or Durham University.

Editors note

Message from the Principal

From Newcomer to President: My Ustinov Journey

Behind the Scenes at Ustinov

Beyond Academia: Sports and Community at Ustinov

12 Skip the Uber 13 Seasonal Speech

CUR/01/26/427

14 Groundhog Day

If you would like to submit to the next edition of the Ustinovian, please email zoya.f.medina@durham.ac.uk

15 You can pause

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16 Mountaintop camps, wildfires and midges: Walking the width of England in 13 days 18 Sport: the ignition, the humbler, the reminder, the backbone, the privilege 22 A girl in a new city 24 From doubts to Durham 26 Knitting and Crochet Society: International Women’s Day 2025 Knit-A-Thon 28 Ustinov Recommends 31 Photography

When I was first appointed Editor of The Ustinovian, I didn’t have the slightest idea which direction I wanted this magazine to take. But in the last 3 months at Ustinov, one thing has become clear to me. Many of us arrive at Durham away from our homes for the first time. Others have lived all over the world and are ready to embark on their next adventure. Everyone’s journey, while different, has led them here, to Ustinov. From this shared experience comes a quiet sense of kinship. No matter our age, political beliefs, or religion, in Ustinov, we have a community, and a place to call home. So, when I was asked what the theme of this year’s magazine would be, the answer came naturally. Ustinov College is proudly home to students from over 93 nationalities, making it one of the most diverse colleges at Durham. To celebrate this richness of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, the theme of this year’s edition is “Voices of the World.” Within these pages, you’ll find stories that cross borders and cultures— reflections on belonging, journeys of arrival and growth, and so much more. Each contribution offers a unique voice, yet together they form the collective voice of Ustinov. I would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed towards bringing this year’s Ustinovian to life. I hope that this edition resonates with you as deeply as it did with us while creating it. Zoya Medina

MSc Management (Entrepreneurship)

Principal’s Welcome At the heart of Ustinov College is conversation. Walk through our shared spaces, linger over coffee, or listen in at one of our formals, GCP seminars or events in The Paddle, and you will hear it: a rich, layered dialogue shaped by accents, experiences, disciplines, and worldviews drawn from across the globe. This edition of The Ustinovian celebrates those conversations under the theme “Voices of the World.”

move through economics, ethics, and personal memory. A discussion of art or literature may open onto questions of identity, migration, or belonging. This is global citizenship in practice, thoughtful, sometimes uncomfortable conversations, but always enriching and most importantly respectful.

Ustinov is a college defined not by a single tradition or place, but by movement, encounter, and exchange. People arrive at Ustinov carrying stories from every continent. These stories are shaped by different political realities, cultural practices, intellectual traditions, and personal journeys. What makes Ustinov distinctive is not simply this diversity, but the way it is lived, through curiosity rather than caution and via dialogue rather than distance.

In a world where public discourse too often retreats into division, Ustinov offers a quieter but powerful alternative because we are a community built on respect for difference and a shared commitment to intellectual and cultural exchange. The voices of the world do not simply pass through Ustinov College. Rather, they shape it and remind us that diversity is not a static label, but an ongoing process of listening, learning, and responding. This is something we celebrate at Ustinov, and it underpins my oft-repeated belief that Ustinov is a great place to be a postgraduate student.

above: Glenn McGregor. Professor of Climatology (Geography) and Principal, Ustinov College

While some voices do not always speak in harmony that is ok. It would be naive to think so in the diverse world we live. When brought into dialogue, our diverse voices challenge assumptions and invite us to see the world and our place in it differently. In GCP seminars, The Paddle, at formals and in kitchens, and corridors, ideas are tested against lived experience. A conversation that begins with climate change may

Glenn McGregor Professor of Climatology (Geography) and Principal, Ustinov College

Ustinov is a college defined not by a single tradition or place, but by movement, encounter, and exchange.

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From Newcomer to President: My Ustinov Journey Jonathon Dawes Ustinov GCR President

“Jonathon receiving the King’s College London Distinguished Alumni ‘Emerging Leader’ Award in June 2025”

When I first arrived at Ustinov College in September 2024 as a master’s student, I never imagined that just over a year later I would have the honour of serving as President of the College. Ustinov very quickly became my ‘home away from home’. One where I found purpose, forged lifelong friendships, and developed a unique sense of belonging in my identity as a Ustinovian. It’s an honour to now step into this role, and I am both humbled and energised by the opportunity to build on what we’ve achieved together. Since August 2025, I’ve had the pleasure of serving as Chair of the Graduate Common Room (GCR). Working alongside Dom Thomas as Vice President and an exceptional committee, we have set out to modernise what the GCR does, how it does it, and put community and postgraduate engagement at the centre of everything we do. I’m proud to say that in the 25/26 academic year so far, we’ve broken engagement records, streamlined our executive structures and ways of working, and improved our collaboration with the College Team. We have also refreshed Team Ustinov, introducing a new kit, a first social, and a sustainable longterm structure for sport within the College. These achievements belong

to all of us; they were shaped by conversations in the Paddle and then built from the enthusiasm of students who wanted to see Ustinov thrive. Our refresh of Team Ustinov is directly linked to my academic work, which is rooted in the connections between sport and society. I’m currently completing a PhD in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, funded by the Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Programme (NINE DTP). My research focuses on widening access to tennis, a sport I’ve been involved in for many years as a player, volunteer, coach, and leader. My tennis journey has taken me from playing, volunteering and coaching in Rhyl, North Wales,

to steering the national direction of policy in tennis as an LTA Councillor and a consultant for various organisations, most notably with The Queen’s Club Foundation. Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to receive recognition, from the British Citizen Award to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Young Person of the Year Award, and most recently, two alumni awards from King’s College London and an Inclusion Award from the LTA. But the most rewarding part of my work in tennis has always been helping people find their place in a community and creating a sense of belonging, purpose and impact. That value sits at the heart of how I hope to lead Ustinov, as the leading college for postgraduate student engagement. My vision as President for students is simple: ‘Inclusive by Design’. Every postgraduate, regardless of background, course, time in Durham, or life outside the university, should feel welcomed, supported, and able to participate fully in college life. Inclusion isn’t just about access; it’s about intentionality. It requires structures and processes that work for all students, the right people in the right places doing the right things, events that speak to different durham.ac.uk

When you look back on your time in Ustinov, these are the events you’ll most likely remember, so a big part of the job is making these headline events as good as they can be... interests, and a culture where everyone feels they can belong. I wholeheartedly believe that this approach will put Ustinov College ‘on the map’ and make us the ‘go to’ college for all postgraduate students in Durham. Sport plays an important role in bringing this vision to life. The progress of Team Ustinov this year has illustrated what can happen when we invest time, resources and energy into increasing participation. We are in the process of establishing a Sports Advisory Group to guide long-term development, introducing a Team Ustinov Dinner and Awards

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“Jonathon delivering the Kent Inclusive Tennis Festival in August 2025”

Evening, and supporting clubs with sustainable funding and resources. Sport isn’t only about competition. It’s about community, wellbeing, and connection, and it deserves a prominent place in our college identity. Events, too, are central to student life. We hope to diversify our offering, strengthen the Summer Ball and Ustinov Day, and create new opportunities for students to take ownership and host their own events. This will provide more opportunities for everyone to come together, try something different, or simply unwind. Whether it’s academic, cultural, social, or sporting, Ustinov’s events should reflect the breadth of our postgraduate community. A key factor in improving the Ustinov event experience is ensuring the facilities are fit for purpose. The Paddle is the beating heart of Ustinov. We have already begun working closely with the college to improve the bar. Starting with the return of the much-missed dartboard, we will turn the bar into an even more welcoming and vibrant social hub for students. Alumni are also at the heart of this vision. We are working with the college to deliver a refreshed offer

for Ustinov alumni with the aspiration of cultivating a long-term sense of belonging amongst Ustinov students, past and present. The final piece of the puzzle is leadership. Our aim is to ensure Ustinov is leading the conversation with Middle Common Rooms (MCRs) and Junior Common Rooms (JCRs) at Durham University by building relationships with other colleges and establishing meaningful collaborations. None of this is possible without effective governance and a strong relationship between the GCR and the College. I will continue working closely with college leadership to champion postgraduate interests, improve communication, and review our existing structures to ensure we are transparent, accountable, and built around delivering the best possible student experience. Ustinov is a remarkable college. What makes it special is not just what we study, but how we live and learn together. As President, I am committed to ensuring that every student feels part of that story. I look forward to working with all of you in the year ahead.

Behind the Scenes at Ustinov A glimpse into college life, from formals and WOW Week to the daily work that keeps Ustinov running. Having worked at Durham University for over eight years, I’ve been lucky to experience different parts of the institution and the many people who make it what it is! Joining Ustinov College in December 2024 has been a particularly meaningful chapter in that journey. My secondment role as College Administration Coordinator, from People and Pay Services within Durham University Human Resources, has been one I’ve become completely immersed in (and still loving).

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Having lived in several countries while growing up, I understand how challenging it can be to settle into a new environment, from navigating cultural differences to overcoming language barriers. Being able to understand students as they join Ustinov for the first time and help them feel welcome is so important to me.

part of my role is working with our postgraduate students. Ustinovians bring a unique story, shaped by different cultural backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. The warmth, openness and strong sense of community we create make coming to work each day a real joy, and it’s this that makes my job so special.

Many of our students know me from always being extremely approachable; running around college, supporting sports matches, attending formals/college events, or helping to bring new events like the Christmas Fair together. They may also see me at our Global Citizenship Programme seminars and at Ustinov SPARK activities. My favourite

One of the most memorable experiences during my first year was creating the delivery of Ustinov College’s 60th Anniversary Weekend. Coordinating a range of events, including a 200-seat formal dinner at Durham Castle, an alumni lunch attended by Tamara Ustinov (daughter of Sir Peter Ustinov) and Malcolm Rennie, alongside alumni,

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staff, students, and a history walk, was magical. A highlight will always be when I hid ten Ustinov 60th badges in the courtyard and watched our students’ scavenger hunt for a free formal ticket! The excitement, teamwork and community this brought was exactly what I strive for from a college. I’m naturally a planner, so organising spontaneous ideas for me is so much fun! Another real highlight was planning and delivering a refreshed WOW Week (Welcome and Orientation) for the Class of 2025. More activities, more posts on socials, more of everything to get as many students engaged as possible! As a result, the level of student engagement was groundbreaking. Our college walk down to Durham Cathedral for Matriculation saw the largest turnout in Ustinov’s history. Our social media revamp last year, alongside the introduction of Ustinov merchandise has been incredibly successful, and it brings me such joy to see everyone in blue and white! Go Ustinov! Away from College, my time is happily taken up by my greatest joy: my young children, husband, family and our two dogs, who keep life wonderfully busy. Life is full of adventure, laughter, chaos, and many spontaneous trips. Weekends are rarely quiet; if I’m not in College, I’m usually planning and delivering children’s parties across the Northeast through my side business. It’s a busy balance, but one I absolutely love!

Jasmine Donovan College Administration Coordinator

Beyond Academia:

Sports & Community at Ustinov

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While the health benefits and competitive aspects are valuable, the sense of community that develops within a team is what I value most.

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can’t thank the team enough for putting up with my inexperience and helping me improve week by week. Thoughts of a post-training pint remind me of what I believe to be the greatest benefit of university sport: the social aspect. While the health benefits and competitive aspects are valuable, the sense of community that develops within a team is what I value most. Joining a sports club provides a natural and enjoyable way to meet new people and can lead to friendships that might not otherwise have formed. Personally, I have met many of my closest friends through sports and the associated social events, and many friendships that already existed have been enhanced through the same means. Finally, but by no means least, for me sport plays a crucial role in maintaining good mental health. With academic deadlines and responsibilities, university life can get stressful. Sport provides a break from the mental stress of academia, allowing me to relax in a productive and healthy way and return to my work feeling more focused and energised.

Of course, I am biased, but I would thoroughly encourage everyone to get involved in college sport in some way or the other, and become part of the ever-growing Team Ustinov community.

Beyond Academia: Sports and Community at Ustinov

Adam Barber

Whilst we are ultimately all at Durham University to pursue academic goals, there is a lot more to university life than academia. For many, a key aspect of the wider student experience is the opportunity to get involved in sport. Whether through university clubs, college teams, or day-today physical activity, there is space for students of all abilities and backgrounds to get involved in sport at Durham. Team Ustinov members range from sponsored athletes to complete beginners who compete side by side across a range of over 10 different sports. As someone involved in far too many

Second-year PhD candidate in Mathematics

of these sports, I hope to share my experience of Team Ustinov from both ends of this spectrum. Having learned to play badminton over the course of my five years in Durham (yes, I’ve been here forever!) with the help of my peers, it has been incredibly fulfilling to now be on the other side and support new Ustinov students as they develop their own skills. Moreover, it has been especially rewarding to see their progress and to watch them grow confident enough to take part in intercollegiate matches. I have also cherished the new responsibility of captaincy for both the squash and table tennis teams. The success of the squash team this year is a personal point of pride, but it is

truly thanks to having such a great group of members who make every training enjoyable and turn up to every match full of energy.

Message from the GCR

At the other end of the spectrum, I tried hockey for the first time this year, originally with no intention of making it a regular commitment. Unfortunately for my already busy schedule, the incredibly welcoming community and joys that getting involved in a new sport brings made me instantly fall in love with hockey. Now even the cold, wet weather of Durham can’t keep me away from getting down to Maiden Castle to train on a Friday night, often improved by a post-training pub trip with the team. I have also loved getting involved in the matches and durham.ac.uk

Looking forward, sports is a priority for all of us at College and the GCR. Through the introduction of our sports advisory group, introducing a Term 3 Sports Dinner and Awards Night and providing enhanced support to clubs, we hope to develop sport and enrich the postgraduate experience for Ustinovians. Watch this space for more updates and follow @TeamUstinov on Instagram for the latest results and news. theUstinovian

SKIP THE UBER Nusaiba Meshquat Masters by Research in English Literature

Skip the Uber Durham, I get it. You have your traditions: Northeast rain pellets, your chills, your hills, your seven-pound Ubers parked up like the easy way out. Most days my life is still half-packed: suitcases under the bed, burnt rice, a long-distance call where I say it’s great here and not that I cried in the library today. I heard there’s a man who pushes a rock up a hill; they say we must imagine him happy. Guess he didn’t attend a hill college. In his honour, I keep hiking: boots on wet stone, Tesco bags cutting red moons into my fingers. And then, for once, something other than the climb takes my breath away: the cathedral looms over the river, a centuries-old witness watching, yet again, a drenched scholar drag this year’s towering reading lists and deadlines up the same wet hill. Fine you win, I tell the city. If the only way out’s up, I’ll keep climbing. It was never a race for me. An Uber whizzes by.

Seasonal Speech Bárbara Lissa Visiting PhD Student, Environmental Humanities

The first impression. A southern body walking among northern trees in a new night landscape. It moves forward while sleeping.

“Skip the Uber” thinks about what it means to study in a hill city as an international student, caught between homesickness, ambition, and the absurd grind of postgraduate life. It focuses on the very ordinary act of walking back with heavy groceries instead of taking an Uber. Drawing on the myth of Sisyphus, it imagines Durham’s student experience as part of the same joke: if the only way out is up, you may as well claim the climb as yours. durham.ac.uk

Nothing there distinguished sleep from the fast-paced garden: we too will become that deciduous Beech tree. That yellowish Oak tree. And that colourful landscape, yet increasingly faded. Some tree species took root and grew easily in that cool, dark, damp soil, while others were introduced to the new climate and took longer to reach the top of their crowns and the limit of their destiny. Perhaps I have been there before, at another time during its 1029 years.

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A few weeks later, the landscape is already different, now without a single shadow. South-westerly winds bring moisture from the Atlantic Ocean. It rains a lot and time flies by. Neptune didn’t get his way there, and the colours don’t go much further than the River Wear. The same scenes are already different versions of themselves in those temperate woods. The apples are rotting. The world changes before a new ‘me’. But Ferns are a meeting point between natives, exotics and invaders. Unlike the other residents, the plant beings do not ignore me or correct my language (I do not ignore them either and learn their

names without haste). ‘By constantly objectifying yourself, you will save yourself from abolition,’ they claim, as they witness the soil being covered by a light layer of ice. How can we communicate a city as ancient as it is bright, when our language has not yet been fully shaped by nature? How to shuffle the fields? The length of that meeting was uncertain. Although it was clear that the encounter between these worlds led them to collide in a kaleidoscopic reciprocal translation. All beings were potentially human, while I could participate, perspectively, in their existence and their geography.

GRADUATION (GROUNDHOG) DAY

Fauziah Rizki Yuniarti PhD candidate in Sustainable Finance Policy and Governance

YOU CAN PAUSE

Martyna Winiarska PhD candidate in Astrophysics

how I wish we could always have another tomorrow how I wish the tomorrows were infinite we wouldn’t change; we wouldn’t grow apart (we wouldn’t be able to) you would be you, I would be me never the other way around the ‘five minutes of more playtime’ I begged for as a child

and I can’t help but wonder: would a Groundhog Day be better than Graduation Day? if instead of leaving, I could relive every moment as it was. all of us following the same choreography as Day before and maybe we would be happy. maybe we would be bored? but a Groundhog Day of infinite five minutes with my friends can’t help but sound like home to me.

become the ‘five minutes more’ I beg for as I wave my friends goodbye

Overwhelmed by beautiful things, What a wonderful world you’re living in. Just so you know— You can pause. To gather the brave from deep inside. And silence the fears you used to hide. To grow into the best of you, Stronger, wiser — shining through. Written during my second year of PhD, this poem reflects the beauty and struggle of slowing down in a world that constantly moves forward. It is a small note of encouragement for anyone who needs permission to pause— although, of course, you don’t need permission to pause.

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Mountaintop camps, wildfires and midges: walking the width of England in 13 days Bertie Kirkwood MSc Advanced Computer Science

The sea at St Bees, on England’s northwest coast, is never warm. It wasn’t warm when I strode along the shoreline with my sister 14 years ago, and it wasn’t warm when I returned to that same spot late last summer, thick walking boots sinking into the sand under the weight of a huge backpack. This time I was accompanied by my best friend Ewan, both of us feeling a little daunted by the arrival of the toughest physical challenge we’ve each ever undertaken – walking Wainwright’s famous Coast to Coast route in two weeks, carrying several kilos of tent and overnight gear on our backs, all in aid of Medical Aid for Palestinians. We took a photo and a pebble each from under the long morning shadow of St Bees Head before embarking onto the airy clifftops of the Cumbria coast and veering right, on a collision course for the Lake District. My shoulders were already aching by the time we entered the national park proper (the litre of UHT milk I’d packed was ill-advised) where a weather-worn lone hiker passed us coming the other way, advising caution on navigation up a particular hill we wouldn’t reach for a week like a wizard foretelling a prophecy. It felt like our quest had properly begun.

Top: St Bees is a popular coastal holiday destination, thanks to its long sandy beach and the nearby cliffs. Bottom: The start of the classic Cumbria Coast to Coast Walk, conceived by Alfred Wainwright.

We ended up walking exceptionally far that first day, and it took all my strength to accept Ewan’s shrewd advice not to strike camp on Robin Hood’s Seat (a narrow, dung-covered promontory above Ennerdale Water) and instead grimly plod onwards, eventually finding a storybook-pretty lakeside pitch under an ancient oak with roots so thick they doubled as benches on the water’s edge. I found myself unable to do much other than stare in awe at the mirrored silhouette of mountains in front of us. It was a dreamlike evening of violet skies and pure silence. At times, the following few days were closer to a nightmare. The Lakes – home to England’s highest mountains – were always bound to be a challenge. Day 3 was especially

tough, with Ewan nearly collapsing from exhaustion during an epic final descent to the campsite. The nonstop sunshine made the views spectacular (and we made the most of it with a refreshing swim in Angle Tarn, one of the country’s highest lakes) but also made every climb sapping. We left the Lake District by literally descending from a cloud on Kidsty Pike, treating ourselves to a night in a local inn. I slept like a log.

Top: Kidsty Pike in the English Lake District, standing to the west of Haweswater Reservoir. Left middle: Angle Tarn a tarn in Cumbria, England, within the Lake District National Park. Right middle: Whitby Abbey a 7th-century Christian monastery that later became a Benedictine abbey. Bottom: Whitby, a seaside town, in North Yorkshire, England. Located at the mouth of the River Esk.

Over the next several days we fell into a rhythm, long days of walking followed tedious evenings in the cramped, smelly tent eating semiraw carrots with noodles. I struggle to think of anyone I could have tolerated it with other than Ewan, who had a knack of spotting when I was feeling shattered or low and offering relentless, superhuman cheerfulness. We both found the nights grueling. We settled for camp pitches under a wind turbine, by a frothing river, on heather-strewn moorland, or perilously close to an active football field (no direct hits to the tent, luckily).

looked off. The light was strangely smudged, like the painter had made a mistake, and low by the coast sat a conspicuously thick cloud. Before long we smelt it: smoke, emanating from a vast wildfire that had surrounded our intended destination and literally set our planned path alight. There was talk about abandoning our quest just before the finish line and getting a lift home, or the possibility of waking up to a campsite engulfed in flames. On day 13 we made our decision: peg it to Whitby, essentially covering two days’ worth of walking in one, and get the whole ordeal over with.

In Keld the midge clouds were so dense that climbing into the tent at night whilst keeping the swarm outside was a military operation. Drowsily tucking into a cooked breakfast in a village farmhouse the next morning, we didn’t need much convincing when a local suggested we take an easier, low-level path for the day.

And so we plodded along the Esk through a heavy downpour with gritted teeth, determined to reach the sea before sundown. Our arrival could hardly have been more cinematic – a thick pall of smoke covered the town, whilst cathedrallike thunderclouds gave the impression of a nuclear apocalypse. In an eerily quiet forest on the edge of town, we were dumbstruck by a deer who seemed supernaturally confident checking us out at close quarters. The smoky view of Whitby Abbey as we made our final descent to the marina was unforgettable. By the time we reached the arcades and chippies on Whitby harbour, the tide was fully in.

Our route crossed three mountainous national parks, but it was the day that included none of them – the flat stretch of farmland between the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors – that proved the most unendurable. The hours upon hours of plodding along featureless country roads were psychologically exhausting, and it felt like my legs had finally had enough of the abuse. We would walk for an hour, then find a vaguely clean patch of ground to lie on and rest for ten minutes, then find the strength to walk another hour. Eight hours and nearly a marathon of walking later, we finally hauled off our packs at a hostel on the edge of the moors. Ewan let me have the bottom bunk, and I hobbled down to reception to pick up a towel for them. At times like these, such small acts of kindness matter, and we very much needed each other.

Stood on the concrete steps, all that was left to do was throw our pebbles – mine had been zipped up in my trouser pockets ever since St Bees. Ewan and I levered off our tattered boots and let the seawater wash over our toes. It was gloriously, terrifically cold. A hot shower and a warm bed beckoned – and this time there’d be no midges to contend with.

Crossing the bleakly beautiful North York Moors, we noticed that something about the horizon durham.ac.uk

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SPORT: THE IGNITION, THE HUMBLER, THE REMINDER, THE BACKBONE, THE PRIVILEGE.

image: Stock image created by c12

Sport has always been the backbone of my being, it is one of my many senses of selves, a creative outlet, a remedy, a safe space, a place where I can solve the majority of my problems and where I can make things ‘right’. Sport and its culture have changed drastically over the years, morphing, adapting and expanding into a space where like-minded individuals, who seek a refuge within their day-to-day lives, come together and train. No matter your personal politics, your demographic, your ability, your religion and belief system/s, your personal culture, in sport we - as a collective - all share a common narrative; to better ourselves for ourselves, and to make the most of this journey of becoming. For those who are able and for those who have access to sport and experiencing physical movement, no matter the ebbs and flows of your life, sport and its communities are there for you.

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Sport: the ignition, the humbler, the reminder, the backbone, the privilege.

image: Emily Brindle-Shattock raising money for The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust

Emily Brindle-Shattock

At the age of 14, I was diagnosed with Langerhans’ cell Histiocytosis.

A rare condition diagnosed in about 1 in 200,00 children with approximately 50 new cases annually. Due to the location and extent of its aggression I needed a year’s course of chemotherapy and steroids, as well as reconstructive surgery. Receiving this news as an adolescent was devastating, but nothing new thanks to my medical history - which although a hindrance, in some ways came through as a blessing in disguise when trying to grapple with the fate and new direction of my life. At this point in my life, I was a swimmer in the Team Bath Performance Squad. It was through this sport that I was first introduced to the gym and weightlifting. Our coaches implemented this style of training alongside pool training as a way to improve our bone densities. As chemo progressed through the year, and my ability to swim diminished, I resorted to spending most of my time in the gym developing sessions with my coaches that worked around my treatment plan and declining abilities. Chemo was intense, but moving my body helped ease my mind and also helped with maintenance and recovery. It gave me a sense of identity that I was so desperately trying to cling on to. As much as I loved looking like Sinead O’Connor with no hair... I struggled to keep up with the constant change in my appearance. The only place I was able to be around people and experience a sense of community was through sport. It was an immense comfort in ways I still to this day struggle to express; particularly for the sake of my mental health.

During remission, after finishing chemo, I had intended to fully leap back into swimming. It was what I knew, it was where my community was, along with my identity. But this was easier said than done. During the time I was on treatment, the club had seen some major changes which meant that when I got back into the pool things were never the same. The more I tried to get back into swimming, the more I found myself yearning for more, more time in the gym, more time doing other sports - I felt as though I was chasing an identity and a lifestyle

The more I tried to get back into swimming, the more I found myself yearning for more, more time in the gym, more time doing other sports - I felt as though I was chasing an identity and a lifestyle that no longer felt like “me”. that no longer felt like “me”. My gut was telling me it was time to move on and follow this stream of curiosity. By the time I was 17, I had left swimming and joined the Team Bath weightlifting team, and it was a hell of a thrill. Alongside this sport, I was also able to pick up climbing and mountaineering. Together, these sports and their skillsets interplayed and transferred nicely into one another, creating the ideal trio.

and jerk PR of 90kg, back squatting 120kg, trad/ ice climbing 40m+ routes, and hiking up mountains without reaching extreme levels of exhaustion was so incredibly freeing. Moving my body was and continues to be dream-like, a cloud nine experience over and over again, a continuum that fuels my fire. It is surreal. It snaps all forms of body dysmorphia and negative self-talk out of existence. I was and am so extremely lucky to have the privilege to experience movement in these forms. Although my medical history is extensive, and quite frankly pretty abysmal, I am grateful for everything it has thrown at me...mostly. On the days where my mind plays tricks on me, or when I catch myself talking negatively to my body, I always - without fail - remind myself of everything I have been through, everything I am now capable of, and the journey I have been on to get to where I am today. With weightlifting as the foundation to my lifestyle, being able to perform, to push myself and my mind, and dare to see how heavy I can lift is a thrill I continue to seek on a daily basis. It grounds me, keeps me humble, but also pulls me up when life gets hard. The sport acts as a reminder of the journey - of the grappling and of the troubling - but also as an encouragement to keep pursuing the process of becoming and following the things that spark and ignite my soul.

Slowly but surely my strength and sense of self came back. From being able to just about lift an iPad during chemo, sitting in hospital receiving treatment and watching Red Bull TV dreaming and telling myself “one day, I’ll get there,” to hitting a clean

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A girl in a new city Manisha Mohapatra MSc Behavioural Economics

Durham, located in the north-east of the UK, is a World Heritage Site. It is home to one of the most beautiful and ancient cathedrals in the country, a castle, and the worldrenowned Durham University. But for me, the story of this beautiful city runs deeper than its monuments.

A different side of Durham revealed itself to me two months ago. Carrying two suitcases and having travelled five thousand miles, I arrived in Durham ready to begin a new chapter. Sitting in my new room, I snuck a peek from beneath the blinds and was greeted by faint morning sunlight and a clear blue sky. As I looked closer, I saw slanted rooftops, Victorian architecture, and trees covered in pale yellow leaves. That was when it truly struck me: I was in a different country, on a different continent, surrounded by a landscape I had never seen before. Durham is a hilly city. The city centre spans approximately four-square miles and is surrounded by historic monuments, cobbled-streets, and numerous university buildings. The hilly-terrain demands long stretches of walking, both steep and flat. At first, these walks felt tiresome, but a good pair of shoes and the abundance of natural beauty along the way can make a tough walk infinitely more enjoyable.

The first thing that caught my eye about the people here are their smiling faces. The struggle with the unfamiliar weather or the challenging terrain feels lighter when these smiles meet your eyes. Their warmth is infectious, easing every bit of discomfort.

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Let me paint these experiences for you. Tall trees almost touching the sky, dried leaves swirling around, whispering of the approaching autumn, dewy grass hinting at the unpredictable rain, birds chirping in the distance, and a chilly breeze warning you of the seasonal surprises that Durham has to offer. And if you think that is all, let me introduce you to the people. The first thing that caught my eye about the people here are their smiling faces. The struggle with the unfamiliar weather or the challenging terrain feels lighter when these smiles meet your eyes. Their warmth is infectious, easing every bit of discomfort. As a few more weeks passed by me, I realised that Durham is not only rich in scenic beauty, but also in romance. Couples, partners and friends walk hands-in-hand; the glow from flickering frost lights radiating off the River Wear. As a guitarist’s melody drifted towards me while walking across Elvet Bridge, and the aroma of coffee from a local café wafted towards me, I fell further in love with this beautiful city.

Oops! I didn’t realise how quickly time escaped me. I have assignments to finish and pressing deadlines to meet. Given the chance, I could write endlessly about Durham. But before I wrap up, a special mention must be given to Ustinov College, where I reside. Founded in the year 1965, the college is a 30-minute walk from the city centre. I thoroughly enjoyed the welcome week organised by the college at the start of the term. It helped students to settle in, familiarize themselves with Durham, and connect with one another. The formal dinner, matriculation, and college group photo (in the rain of course) were the star attractions. The common room here (fondly called The Paddle) is the hub of events, fun and laughter. The most special thing about Ustinov, however, is how help and kindness arrive at the most unexpected moments. The college goes out of its way to help us feel at home, even when we are far from it. I think I can safely say that the two suitcases I brought from my home country will not be enough to pack all the joyful memories and experiences that I will carry back with me.

From Doubts to Durham A Ustinovian’s First Two Months Era Sakhuja MA Politics and International Relations

Getting into Durham for my MA in Politics and International Relations (Political Theory) was truly a dream come true. It wasn’t just about the prestige of the university; it was the whole experience—the promise of a place where you can actually explore how theory meets the chaotic reality of the real world. That said, the road here wasn’t exactly a straight line. Like most big life changes, it came with its fair share of doubts. I was a combination of nervous, curious, and hopeful all at once. I actually missed induction week and matriculation, so when I finally landed, settling in felt like a bit of a mission. Everything was brand new, and being only 20 years old, I was definitely out of my comfort zone being this far from home.

I’ve also really loved how Durham celebrates different cultures. The Diwali night at the Oriental Museum was fantastic—the Ramayan puppet show and the diya decorations durham.ac.uk

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Festive Fair at the college. It was a really warm, meaningful way to give back. I volunteered to make handmade Christmas cards for elderly residents in local care homes. The atmosphere was buzzing, with displays from the Ustinov Knitting &

The absolute best part, though, has been the friends I’ve made. They’ve been the key to me actually settling in and have made my weekends the best kind of chaotic.

But honestly? I am so glad I’m here and so proud to be an Ustinovian. The classes have been profoundly engaging, and the community has been super welcoming. The professors and the people around me are just amazing. The absolute best part, though, has been the friends I’ve made. They’ve been the key to me actually settling in and have made my weekends the best kind of chaotic. We’ve hopped between colleges, played badminton, cooked meals for each other, wandered the city, and had some truly epic conversations. I’m so lucky to have found them.

Castle and Cathedral. I even geeked out a bit at the Durham Cathedral Museum; seeing the Magna Carta and the massive LEGO model of the cathedral. To round off November, I got involved in the Christmas

Crochet Society, a charity bake sale, actual reindeer on the grounds, and visits from The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who. Enjoying the seasonal treats was the perfect way to end the month with a bit of purpose. were beautiful. My friends and I got fortune cookies, and mine read: “Do it, delegate it, or delay it.” I’m still trying to wrap my head around that one! I’ve been trying to soak it all in, from the Halloween bash at the Paddle to the mind-blowing tours of the

These first two months have been a whirlwind of history, ideas, and new friendships. Durham really feels like home now, and I’m so grateful for the people—my parents and friends back home who supported me, and the new crew here who have made it all feel right.

Over £500 donated to Newcastle Women’s Aid! Knitting and Crochet Society: International Women’s Day 2025 Knit-A-Thon Lucy Smith and Kate Paterson

The Event Last March 8th, on International Women’s Day 2025, the Ustinov Knitting and Crochet Society ran a charity Knit-A-Thon to support Newcastle Women’s Aid, an organisation which supports women and girls affected by domestic abuse throughout Newcastle and the North East of England. The volunteers and Ustinov College community were able to fundraise £529.75 for the charity, whose workers are making a lifesaving difference to the women and girls who walk through their doors.

The wonderful volunteers knitted and crocheted for twelve hours straight, making squares that represented the colours of Ustinov College and Newcastle Women’s Aid. The squares were sewn into a snug woollen blanket. The talented Maddy Keightley-Phillipps embroidered a patch for the blanket to identify that it was made by Ustinov College. The yarn was sourced from A Wing and a Bear, a local yarn store located in Durham city centre. Lucy, Kate, and the team at Newcastle Women’s Aid would like to thank all the incredible volunteers of who showed up on the day. Without you, the blanket could not have been made! Thank you to the 2024-2025 Ustinov GCR team for providing free snacks and drinks, £50 in donations, and for promoting the event on social media. Lastly, thank you to the women in Neville’s Cross Knitting Club for donating and volunteering too. All together you have demonstrated the charitable community culture of Ustinov and Neville’s Cross! The blanket has since been donated to the Newcastle Women’s Aid offices, where they have displayed it in their safe space area.

About Newcastle Women’s Aid If you would like more information on Newcastle Women’s Aid, please visit their webpage: www.newcastlewomensaid.org.uk They have lots of information surrounding domestic abuse group programmes, training and networking, and the HOPE project. The HOPE project offers Help, Options, Protection, and Empowerment strategies to those who have been impacted by domestic abuse. These strategies include legal and emotional support, safety planning and prevention, information and advocacy. To contact Newcastle Women’s Aid: • Call them on 0191 261 0504 • Call them FREE on 0800 9232622

International Women’s Day The Knit-A-Thon reflected the global nature of International Women’s Day and Ustinov College, through a concerted effort to explore global and intersectional feminism. This was achieved through watching a variety of films, tv programmes, and documentaries which celebrated women and brought light to the continuing importance of feminism. The selection, which was voted on by the Knit-A-Thon volunteers, included: • Gilmore Girls: Season 7, Episode 9 (The Knit-A-Thon episode, ‘Knit, People, Knit!’) • Feminists: What Were They Thinking? • Reversing Roe • History 101: Feminism • Hidden Figures

• Email: office@ newcastlewomensaid.org.uk

• Taylor Thompson: Have It All

This confidential helpline is available between 9am-4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

• Why Do Men Earn More Than Women?

Outside office hours please contact: • NIDAS (24hr advice line and refuge in the Newcastle area): 0191 2146501 • 24hr National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 Online chat service: chat.womensaid.org.uk Emergency details If you’re in immediate danger or you need emergency assistance, please contact the Police on 999. (If you’re unable to talk, press 55 for silent solutions).

• Black Barbie

• Little Women Not only did these programmes inform the importance of ongoing feminist action, and of charities such as Newcastle Women’s Aid, but they also kept the volunteers mentally stimulated and entertained throughout the marathon. Knitting continuously for twelve hours was no easy feat! Thank you again to everyone who took part in the KnitA-Thon, who donated, and who supported our efforts. Lucy and Kate are still blown away by how the community came together and are looking forward to the next charity event!

Lucy Smith and Kate Paterson

THE WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS KNITTED AND CROCHETED FOR TWELVE HOURS STRAIGHT, MAKING SQUARES THAT REPRESENTED THE COLOURS OF USTINOV COLLEGE AND NEWCASTLE WOMEN’S AID. THE SQUARES WERE SEWN INTO A SNUG WOOLLEN BLANKET.

Co-Captains of the Ustinov Knitting and Crochet Society

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Ustinov Recommends

Events

Have a free day and don’t know how to spend it? Here are our recommendations!

Durham Regatta

Shakespeare in Fellows Garden

The Durham Regatta is the secondoldest rowing regatta in England, held on the River Wear. The event often attracts up to 2000 competitors and up to 10,000 spectators from across the UK! There will be lots of rowing races, food trucks, and stalls as well.

These outdoor theatrical performances are led by student groups at the revitalized Fellows’ Garden. Durham Student Theatre (DST) already has productions like Twelfth Night in the works.

When is it? 13-14th June 2026 How much does it cost? Access to the Regatta enclosure generally costs £5 for adults.

The Gala theatre in Durham is a vibrant, central arts venue that offers live shows, theatre, musicals, houses two cinema screens, and more. Visit galadurham.co.uk to see what’s on!

This popular Asian restaurant located in the city centre isn’t just known for its cuisine! Head on upstairs to enjoy some karaoke with your friends while you’re there.

Leonard’s has delicious homemade food and bakery items. There is a lovely outdoor patio to enjoy the sunshine and a catch-up with friends.

How to get there

The Racecourse

Indigo Hotel

Right in the heart of the city centre, the Gala Theatre is a 25-minute walk or a 5-minute bus ride away. Between £5 and £15.

The Racecourse is an open area on the River Wear, that has been used as a sports ground since at least 1733. In the summer, the racecourse is great for picnics by the river!

A Wing and a Bear

The Assembly Rooms Theatre

A Wing and a Bear is a natural dyeworks, wool shop and workshop space located in a studio overlooking the River Wear in the heart of the beautiful cathedral city of Durham, in Northeast England. You can take a range of knitting, spindle spinning, and spinning wheel courses here!

The Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre is a historic proscenium arch theatre in the heart of old-town Durham. It showcases both university and professional groups, fusing the two together through artistic development and good practice. The theatre shows plenty of shows throughout the year. Visit theassemblyroomstheatre.org for more details!

The hotel coffee shop is great for working! They have Wi-Fi, plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and allow students to stay and work for long periods of time. They also offer a student discount with your student ID and punch card to earn a free coffee after purchasing 10.

How much will it cost?

How to get there The workshop is a 20-minute walk away from Ustinov, located in the city centre.

Holi Festival at the Oriental Museum

When is it?

27-28th February 2026

Typically, in March, however dates may vary.

The event is family-friendly and free to attend!

Leonard’s Coffee House

Between £5-10.

When is it? How much will it cost?

Happiness2 for karaoke

How much does it cost?

This is an annual winter festival in Durham City Centre, featuring themed ice sculptures and fire performances.

Coffee Shops

Gala Theatre

June 2026

The Oriental Museum in Durham hosts an annual Holi Festival, also known as the Hindu “Festival of Colours.” The event features timed coloured powder throwing sessions, traditional crafts, storytelling, music and dancing. Your inexpensive ticked (booked online) gets you into the event and provides you with a bag of coloured powder.

The Festival of Fire and Ice

Top Choices

When is it?

How much does it cost? Historically, tickets have been around £3 per person.

Bishop Auckland Food Festival This annual event features over 140 food & drink stalls, and includes celebrity chef demonstrations, live music and entertainment! When is it? Scheduled for 18-19th April 2026 How much does it cost? Miner’s Gala

3 of Cups Durham This coffee shop hasn’t even been open a whole year yet, but word is getting around! They offer a very warm, inviting, and inclusive space for catch-ups and working. They also provide Wi-Fi, a decent amount of seating and outlets to charge your device. Plus, their coffee and food menu are all very tasty!

How much will it cost? Between £5 to £65.

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The Miner’s Gala is an annual festival held in Durham city on the second Saturday in July. Celebrating working-class culture, solidarity, and the history of the region’s coal miners. There will be processions, live music, rides, and speeches by union leaders, politicians, and activists!

While visiting the main festival is free, some special events and workshops require a ticket. Brass Festival This annual, week-long festival celebrates the region’s brass band heritage, but simultaneously celebrates diverse musical genres, from colliery bands to contemporary artists.

When is it?

11th July 2026

12-19th July 2026

How much will it cost?

How much does it cost?

The event is free to attend!

While some headline artists and Brass Boat Cruises are ticketed, many of the events are free to attend!

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Easter at the Cathedral The cathedral offers several beautiful, reverent services during Holy Week leading up to Easter. If you’re an early riser, the Easter morning sunrise service is particularly moving and definitely worth waking up before dawn! When is it? 5th April 2026 How much does it cost? Free, but donations are encouraged.

Day trips from Durham! Tynemouth Coastline

Beamish Museum

The beach is great for walking and even swimming in the summers. There are many nice cafes and restaurants nearby, and even markets to explore if you happen to go on a Sunday! To get there, take a train to Newcastle, followed by a quick metro journey to Tynemouth.

Beamish is a world-famous open-air museum which brings the history of North East England to life. Visitors to the museum meet costumed folk and discover fascinating stories of everyday life in the region through time. To get there, you can take a bus right from Ustinov, from the Duke of Wellington stop! You will have to change buses once, but the overall journey shouldn’t take more than 1 hour and 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can drive there in just 20 minutes! Adult passes start from £33, with the Beamish Unlimited Pass valid for one whole year from the date of purchase.

Berwick upon Tweed A short train ride away, this small town offers rampart ruins, walks by the sea, and lots of small shops to look in. Alnwick & Alnmouth

Edinburgh Edinburgh has so much to offer! From its dramatic skyline and vibrant art scene, to Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. The city is less than 2 hours away by train, and is a must-visit while you’re in Durham, if you haven’t already been. Cherry Blossom season usually falls between April and May, which is a great time to go!

Alnwick and Alnmouth are very easy to get to by train. Alnwick is a charming town with a beautiful castle to visit and lots of pubs and shops. Alnmouth also offers a lovely town of shops and cafes and lovely walks by the sea.

A special thank you to Samantha Brant and Martyna Winiarska for their recommendations!

Seaham Seaham is a historic seaside town in County Durham, known for its stunning coastline, sea glass, “Tommy” WWI statue, and Seaham Harbor Marina. Seaham Hall beach is famous for the colourful sea glass found on its beaches. The town is only a 1-hour bus ride away from Durham’s city centre, and is definitely worth the visit! Image: Alnwick Castle Home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland

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Ustinov Lens Nikita Razali

Devjyoti Saha (PhD in Government and International Affairs)

“Coming from a hot-and-humid country all year round, I’ve only ever seen snow twice in my life – both on vacations, which meant I appreciated snow through rose coloured glasses. So, it really was something else when there was snow around me as I did some of the most mundane tasks; going to class or dragging my grocery trolley. The feeling was surreal – so thank you, Durham, for that”

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ustinovian

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