Chronicle Summer 2023

21 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Samantha Hicks Masters in Women’s, Gender and Queer History ST ANNE’S COLLEGE Before coming to the University of Oxford, I completed my undergraduate degree in History at the University of Birmingham. I find my studies here – in Women’s, Gender and Queer History – exciting

because this is a very new area of research. I am on one of two courses covering this area of history in the UK. I really enjoy being able to diversify our understanding of history and contribute to this growing field. As an inaugural St Edward’s Fellow in History, I hope to help create enjoyable environments for pupils to develop their skills as historians and cultivate their love of the subject. Likewise, I hope to enrich

my own understanding of teaching and collaboratively consider new approaches to the field of history, seeing how my own viewpoints can be challenged in enrichment discussions. My favourite place in Oxford is Port Meadow because it is such a lovely green space. I love spending my downtime there between my studies.

Becky Short PhD in French Literature WORCESTER COLLEGE

French is such a diverse subject and encompasses so much more than simply vocabulary and conjugations! I love language learning, and being able to communicate with people from diverse Francophone cultures. What excites me the most, however, is engaging with Francophone literatures from across the world, and especially texts written in the early modern period, which tackle the ‘big questions’ of life and philosophy in often amusing and innovative ways. I hope to share my passion for French, and the many doors it can open, with Teddies pupils. Speaking a new language can be intimidating sometimes, and so I would love to help pupils increase their confidence when expressing themselves in the classroom. I hope also to bring my passion for literary studies to the fore in ‘tutorial’ style meetings with pupils.

My time at the School has already given me such a rich insight into the diversity of language teaching. The French course is wide-ranging, and involves study of language, film and literature. I am looking forward to gaining experience teaching all of these areas to pupils. I love walking in the Oxfordshire countryside, and most especially in Boar’s Hill which feels like a different world compared with the bustle of the city. After all of my walks I am grateful for a rest either over scones at the Vaults and Garden Café, or a refreshing break at the Perch.