Welcome to the 2025 edition of the Selwyn

This magazine likes to embrace the big issues of our time. The news today is often disturbing, but we believe that the voices of Selwyn people help illuminate the challenges we collectively face — and, whether you agree with our contributors or not, the debate leaves us better informed. Professor Mary Beard talked about the importance of open discussion in a session in the Quarry Whitehouse auditorium earlier this year, and we have shared some of her thoughts in this edition because they underpin what we try to do as a college. She emphasised the importance of being able to disagree: that we ought to be able to critique one another, and reintroduce nuance and respect into public discourse. Happily, nobody in our audience seemed to disagree with that. 

But there was more dissent last November when we analysed the results of the American presidential election. Our alumnus Dr Christopher Wadibia explained in a public discussion why he had voted for Donald Trump, and we have invited him to reprise and develop his thoughts for this publication. There is a stereotype of some American voters which is unhelpful in understanding why Trump won, and Christopher takes on the argument with vigour. But other alumni have been caught in the assault on universities by the Trump administration, and they share their stories here too.

Also in these pages: we explore the pressing question of whether Artificial Intelligence is capable of developing consciousness, with our award-winning academic Professor Marta Halina. AI is already changing the world about us, but will it take over — or does it know its limits? To illustrate the human dimension of these questions, we hear from alumnus Chris Parker who has had a life of writing for television and film, and now wonders whether AI will be replacing him in putting words into the mouths of characters in Coronation Street.

You will find our other regular features, too. We meet three more of our fellows, who happen to have been born in Italy, Malaysia and Iran — and therefore represent the increasingly global nature of our community. Our photograph selection this year focuses on college musicians (hence the cover image of the print edition), proving that extracurricular activity is thriving — and, brilliant though they are, the choir aren’t the only manifestation of musical life in Grange Road. And Roger Mosey contributes his last diary as master, noting that modern Selwyn would surprise its founders — but hoping that they would be pleased, anyway.

We hope you will enjoy what you read.

Magazine Editors Thisath Ranawaka (tr491@cam.ac.uk), Roger Mosey (rm725@cam.ac.uk)

Print Design Smith (www.smithltd.co.uk)