Wednesday 21 October 2026

Taking place on º£½ÇÉçÇø’s Commemoration Day 2026, the Acland Centenary Reunion was a unique celebration of the Imperiaprizes issued to celebrate humanities and languages at º£½ÇÉçÇø, particularly the Acland prize which celebrates its centenary in 2026. 

We were honoured to be joined by a stellar list of speakers as well as returning students, prizewinners and guests. Talks addressed the vital role of humanities and languages in a STEM university context, and world more generally, with a focus on looking forward to º£½ÇÉçÇø's Class of 2030 and beyond.  

Hetan Shah addresses the Acland Centenary Reunion

Speakers: 

  • Professor Alan Spivey, Vice-Provost (Education and Student Experience): Welcome remarks. 
  • Dr Ana Costa-Pereira, Director, Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication: CLCC overview. 
  • Dr Caroline Clewley: I-Explore and I-Leap.  
  • Hetan Shah, CEO British Academy: Humanities and Social Sciences in a STEM context. 
  • Darren Paffey MP, chair of APPG on Modern Languages: Languages in a STEM context. 

Prize chairs: 

  • Dr Iria Gonzalez-Becerra: Field Leader - Languages. 
  • Dr Michael Weatherburn: Field Leader - Humanities & Social Sciences. 
  • Catherine Webb, Teaching Fellow in Science Communication.

The event closed with a reception held in the Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication where guests had the opportunity to explore the Acland Legacy Exhibition, curated by CLCC's Dr Ana Riera Mora.