Professor Michael Sandel (Balliol 1975) will be delivering the Pharos Summer Lecture 2026 on the subject ‘The Tyranny of Merit: Can We Find the Common Good?’ at the Sheldonian Theatre on 1 June 2026, 5.00pm. For further information and to reserve a ticket: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/michael-sa...

Join us on 14 May for the Oliver Smithies Lecture with Professor Elaine Treharne (Oliver Smithies Visiting Lecturer) speaking on 'Death of a Nun: Medieval Women Scribes and Networks of Piety'. www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/events/2026/...

Balliol alumni and friends are warmly invited to the following upcoming regional drinks. Further details here: www.alumniweb.ox.ac.uk/balliol/events

Death of a Nun: Medieval Women Scribes & Networks of Piety Prof. Elaine Treharne, @etreharne.bsky.social, will be giving the first of her Smithies Lectures, Thursday 14 May 17.15, Gillis Lecture Theatre @ballioloxford.bsky.social. All welcome! @oxmedstud.bsky.social

Katrina Manson (Balliol 1999) will be talking about her latest book, PROJECT MAVEN: A MARINE COLONEL, HIS TEAM, AND THE DAWN OF AI WARFARE, on 12 May, 4.00pm, at Manor Road Building. All welcome. www.ccw.ox.ac.uk/events/2026/...

Step back into 1930s Oxfordshire… Balliol Librarians Naomi and Nigel took to the road on a cycle ride inspired by letters in Balliol’s Historic Collections. Discover the story behind their journey in the latest Historic Collections blog: balliollibrary.wordpress.com/2026/04/29/r...

Former Balliol Chemists are warmly invited to the inaugural BACCHUS Alumni Chemistry Dinner on 14 November 2026. www.alumniweb.ox.ac.uk/balliol/even...

You are warmly invited to the 2026 Bingham Lecture in Constitutional Studies delivered by Professor Alan Renwick. 5 May 2026, 5pm | Gillis Lecture Theatre, Balliol College Register: www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/events/2026/... @politicsoxford.bsky.social

Join us on 5 March for the Oliver Smithies Lecture with Professor Donna West Brett (Oliver Smithies Visiting Lecturer) speaking on 'Stasi Surveillance: Photography’s Material and Residual Traces'. www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/events/2026/...

1/3) Join us on Tuesday 5 May at 5pm at @ballioloxford.bsky.social for the Bingham Lecture in Constitutional Studies. @alanrenwick.bsky.social will explore: 'Competing Visions of the UK Constitution: How Should They Be Assessed, and What Are the Implications for Debates about Democratic Reform?'

Happy Lunar New Year! We wish everyone celebrating a prosperous #yearofthehorse.

Join us on 12 February for the Oliver Smithies Lecture, with Professor Donna West Brett (Oliver Smithies Visiting Lecturer) speaking on 'Disaster, Sensation, and the Zeppelin Sublime'. More info: www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/events/2026/...

What can 1,200 index cards tell us about a lifetime of thinking? A new Balliol College Library collection, 'Trefethen's Index Cards', is now available online, offering a unique window onto five decades of ideas and reflections by Professor Nicholas Trefethen. www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/news/2026/fe...

You are invited to an online talk by Professor Manuela Zaccolo tomorrow, 3 February, 5.00pm. Register for free here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Join us for a talk by Adrian Woolfson (Balliol 1992) on Tuesday 10 February, 5.30pm, at the Gillis Lecture Theatre, Balliol - all Balliol and University members welcome. More info: www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/events/2026/...

New year, new beginnings. Wishing everyone a bright and inspiring year ahead!

‘At this time of year, I’m reminded how fortunate we are to belong to a college with such a deep sense of identity and community. I’m grateful for your continuing support and affection for Balliol, which sustain us and enable us to look confidently to the future.' Helen Ghosh, Master

We’re celebrating St Catherine’s Day tonight with the traditional dinner for Senior Members and finalists. St Catherine of Alexandria, Balliol’s patron since the 13th century, is honoured throughout College - look for her in the Old Common Room, Library, Hall, and Chapel.

Job! Associate Prof of Modern European History @ballioloxford.bsky.social and @oxhistoryfaculty.bsky.social. www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/balliol-peop...

Photographer Stuart Bebb captured this stunning moon dog shining over Balliol. A moon dog (or paraselene) appears when bright moonlight passes through cirrostratus clouds filled with hexagonal ice crystals, creating glowing spots of light on one or both sides of the Moon.

A new statue of Dervorguilla, the founder of @ballioloxford.bsky.social has been erected in Oxford by the marvellous sculptor Alex Wenham. Some of John Milnes' evocative photos of the process of creating it are here: theoxfordsausage.com/a-new-public...

A new statue of Balliol’s co-founder and first benefactor, Dervorguilla of Galloway, now stands at Master's Field! Warm thanks to Jim Rogers (Balliol 1964) for making this commission possible, and to Alex Wenham for his creativity and vision. www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/news/2025/se...

Matthew Langton and Adrian Kelly have been awarded the title of Professor in this year's Recognition of Distinction initiative by the University of Oxford. Congratulations to our two new professors! www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/news/2025/se...

Balliol graduate student Conor Muller is cycling across the UK in memory of his mum, raising funds to support charities Solace and The Brain Tumour Charity www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/news/2025/au...

Professor Sir Charles Godfray (Director of the Oxford Martin School, Professorial Fellow) discusses his career and the future of food in a rapidly changing climate. www.ox.ac.uk/climate-and-...

Good luck to everyone receiving their A-Level results today! If you are #GoingToOxford and joining Balliol – many congratulations and we look forward to seeing you this autumn.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dame Stephanie ‘Steve’ Shirley - entrepreneur, philanthropist & Foundation Fellow of Balliol. From refugee to entrepreneur to philanthropist, she lived ‘a life worth saving,’ and her generosity to the College leaves an enduring legacy. tinyurl.com/4hjxspv4

I only met Dame Stephanie “Steve” Shirley twice and both times she was talking about her life story which is among the most impressive I know. The world is poorer without her. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Three Balliol members have been elected as Fellows of the British Academy this year. Congratulations to Prof Nick Couldry (Balliol 1977), Prof Tomila Lankina (Balliol 1998), and Richard Ovenden (Professorial Fellow) on their election! www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/news/2025/ju...

Thanks to the support of Old Members and friends, Balliol students can learn, grow and flourish in a vibrant, creative, intellectually curious community. Everyone who shared their story this week has highlighted the difference your support makes to them. We are all so grateful.

Tutorials are the cornerstone of an Oxford education, and the generosity of Old Members and friends for Balliol’s Early Career Fellowship (ECF) programme attracts outstanding academics at the beginning of their careers to the College to enrich tutorial teaching at Balliol.

The amazing support of Old Members and friends for the Balliol Sanctuary Fund provides scholarships to students from across the world fleeing crisis. Your support covers their tuition, living and accommodation costs, giving bright students a safe home to continue their education.

Financial pressures have a huge impact on students, but thanks to the generosity of Old Members and friends, Balliol students can overcome these challenges. Today we’re highlighting stories from students who have flourished and achieved at Balliol with the help of your support.

This week, we’ll be celebrating the difference the generosity of Old Members and friends makes to so many students. Each day, we’ll hear about the incredible impact of this support straight from people whose lives it has changed.

📯 A rare postal delivery from across a continent brings - the annual update from Balliol. 🎓 @ballioloxford.bsky.social 📯 And I'm on page 21 😎 #Oxford

We're excited to meet prospective students today! Come by the Old Common Room to: * learn about the admissions process * connect with current students and staff * get a feel for student life at Balliol

Thinking about Oxford? Discover what makes Balliol College a unique place to study. Join us for this year’s #OxOpenDays on 2 & 3 July. Further info: www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/admissions/s...

Balliol graduate student Kayla Blomquist shares insights from her research on US-China AI competition

Many congratulations to Balliol alumni: John Whiston (1977), Professor Sir Vernon Gibson (1980), Stuart Shilson (1980), and Andrew Copson (1999) on being recognised in this year’s Birthday Honours list. www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/news/2025/ju...

Fun to be asked by my old university college @ballioloxford.bsky.social to reminisce about my time as president of Junior Common Room (student union) now nearly 25 yrs ago! Part of a series looking at how it has changed over time. I remember: democratic self-sufficiency, protests, not being online.

The new edition of Floreat Domus has arrived! This issue highlights Balliol people at the forefront of quantum physics, and the worlds of stage and screen. Plus: a special feature with reflections from JCR presidents across the decades - and much more. Read: heyzine.com/flip-book/fl...

A great chance to get out some of my favourites from the @ballioloxford.bsky.social archives and show off the catalogue conversion project.

Balliol is delighted to announce that the Mastership of the College has been offered to Professor Seamus Perry, who has accepted and will assume the role in July 2026. www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/news/2025/ma...

Summer Eights 2025 is underway and Balliol’s six crews had an exciting first day on the river – from lightning-fast bumps to solo rows and unexpected obstacles. www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/news/2025/ma...

There is still time to register for the @ballioloxford.bsky.social and @politicsoxford.bsky.social Bingham Lecture in Constitutional Studies. @profnicolamcewen.bsky.social will speak about 'Resetting relationships in the Family of Nations: A New Era in Intergovernmental Relations?'

Beautiful singing from Balliol choir to welcome in the month of May. Many thanks to Balliol JCR for the video.

The wisteria @ballioloxford.bsky.social looking mighty fine …

This #EarthDay, we're spotlighting a lecture from PhD researcher Timothy Rafferty on designing for green energy - with a focus on wind turbines. Part of Balliol's 'Insight into Science 2025' lecture series for Year 11 & 12 students. www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPv5...

Balliol members and their families enjoyed some egg-citing fun this morning, with an Easter egg hunt and lively egg-and-spoon race. Congratulations our winners and a big thank you to everyone who took part and helped make the morning a success.

Congratulations to Rana Dasgupta (Balliol 1990), who has been awarded the 2025 Windham-Campbell Prize in the non-fiction category for his book 'Capital: A Portrait of Twenty-First Century Delhi' (Penguin Books, 2014). Further information: www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/news/2025/ap...