When I began planning this issue, I wanted to celebrate the return of experiences that we missed throughout the pandemic. I hope that this summer has brought to each of us a revival of something
which had been temporarily paused, whether that be international travel, live performances, a return to work places or simply the chance to see friends and family.
Pilot Jazz Bhangu has witnessed first-hand the deluge of travellers desperate for their foreign holidays. You can read about the highs of his career, including flying the royal family during his military service. Also travelling overseas this year is Nancy Chu who describes her surroundings in Taiwan as she conducts research with a community of Buddhist nuns.
Samir Savant talks about the importance of live music and the joy of getting 1,000 singers together for Bristol’s inaugural Festival of Voice. Also bringing performances to the stage is Deanie Vallone, who summarises her role developing new plays for production in her article. And from stage to screen; Ross Sharpe was recently featured on TV as his architectural practice and unique approach to design caught the attention of the advisors of SkyArts show The Art of Architecture.
The job market has been in flux this year and Doug Monro tells us about his job-advertising company,
Adzuna, and his own experience as an entrepreneur. Walter Woon reveals why he returned to academia from the political and legal spotlight in Singapore. And at the beginning of her career, Maya Ben-Yami tells us about her motivations for expanding from astrophysics to climate science, and the reasons why climate justice is so crucial.
Maya’s article offers a chance for reflection; as we each return to our own ‘normal’ after the pandemic,
we should be aware that for many COVID-19 is still a very real concern and take care of our little planet as the world opens up to us again.
PS Please email me your thoughts on the magazine and look out for more College updates and Johnian stories on our news pages and in our monthly alumni enewsletter.
The opinions expressed in Johnian magazines are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of St John’s College and the University of Cambridge.
Written by
Ellie is the Publications and Project Manager at St John’s. As Editor of Johnian magazine and The Eagle and manager of the alumni blog, she project manages print and digital publications as well as commissioning, writing and editing their content. Ellie has previously worked in the Development Office at Darwin College and for a Heritage Lottery funded landscape partnership scheme in the Brecks. She holds a BA in History from Cardiff University and an MPhil in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic Studies from the University of Cambridge (Clare College).
