Our alumnae and their impact on the world
Alumnae of the College have made a significant impact on the world over the last 60 years, becoming leaders of companies, public bodies, charities and their communities. Over and over again, our former students tell us they found their path - and the courage to follow it - at Murray Edwards College.
Academia
Baroness Haleh Afshar (NH 1967) – founding member of the Muslims Women’s Network. Professor of Politics and Women's Studies, University of York.
Bina Agarwal (NH 1970) – Professor of Development Economics and Environment, University of Manchester
Rosemary Ashby (NH 1961) – Former President, Pine Manor College, USA
Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell (NH 1965) – Astrophysicist who discovered pulsars and was also the first female president of the Institute of Physics
Sheila Brown (NH 1966) – Former President and Vice-Chancellor, Mount Saint Vincent University, Canada
Kate Pretty CBE (NH 1965) – Former Principal, Homerton College, Cambridge
Dame Jessica Rawson (NH 1962) – Art historian
Sonya Stephens (NH 1982) – President Emerita, Mount Holyoke College, USA
Dame Barbara Stocking (NH 1969) – President Emerita Murray Edwards College; Chair of Panel for a Global Public Health Convention
Writers, journalists and broadcasters
Gina Barreca (NH 1979) – Women's humourist, writer, speaker, and Professor of Feminist Theory
Ursula Buchan (NH 1971) – Award-winning garden author and lecturer
Lisa Burke (NH 1995) – Author of children’s science books. Former Sky TV Weather Presenter
Frances Edmonds (NH 1970) – Best-selling author, broadcaster, and speaker
Gillian Gill (NH 1961) – Writer
Mishal Husain (NH 1992) – Presenter of BBC News, BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and several BBC documentaries, including Malala: Shot for Going to School
Helen MacDonald (NH 1989) – Author
Minette Marin (NH 1967) – Journalist, broadcaster and fiction writer
Maggie O'Farrell (NH 1990) – Author
Joanna Rossiter (NH 2004) – Author
Sonia Ruseler (NH 1981) – Corporate Communications Senior Director, Acros Doradas. Former CNN International news presenter
Hilary Wilce (NH 1967) – Journalist and writer
Vicki Young (NH 1988) – Chief Political Correspondent, BBC News
Corporate leaders
Margaret Cole (NH 1979) – General Counsel of PwC UK and member of the UK Executive Board
Jane Frost CBE (NH 1975) – Chief Executive, Market Research Society (MRS)
Liv Garfield (NH 1993) – Chief Executive of Severn Trent
Fiona Gilmore (NH 1974) – Founder and Chairman, Acanchi Limited
Healthcare and science
Siân Griffiths OBE (NH 1970) – Board Member, Public Health England, Director, School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Dame Julia King (NH 1972) – Chair of STEM Learning
Helen Rees (NH 1971) – Distinguished scientist, researcher on HIV/AIDS, reproductive health
Dr Carina Tyrrell (MEC 2009) – Investor, Cambridge University Global Health and Innovation Doctor, Former Miss United Kingdom
Fiona Watt (NH 1973) – Director, Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London and CEO of MRC
Law
Alison Cole (NH 1999) – Legal Officer, Open Society Justice Initiative
Wendy Joseph QC (NH 1971) – Senior Circuit Judge, the Old Bailey
Performing arts and entertainment
Joanna MacGregor OBE (NH 1978) – Concert pianist
Hattie Morahan (NH 1997) – Actress
Sue Perkins (NH 1988) – TV presenter, actress, comedian and writer
Josie Rourke (NH 1995) – Artistic Director, Donmar Warehouse
Roxana Silbert (NH 1983) – Artistic Director, Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Sarah Solemani (NH 2002) – Actress and writer
Deborah Swallow (NH 1966) – Director, The Courtauld Institute of Art
Tilda Swinton (NH 1980) – Actress
Nicola Walker (NH 1989) – Actress
Claudia Winkleman (NH 1990) – TV presenter and broadcaster
Third sector and government
Robin Raphael (NH 1969) – Former American diplomat, ambassador, CIA analyst and expert on Pakistan
Camilla Toulmin (NH 1972) – Senior Fellow, International Institute for Environment and Development
Catherine Tyack (NH 1998) – Head, NHS England Sponsorship and Commissioning Policy Team, Department of Health
Christine Wallich (NH 1970) – Trustee in Residence, American Academy in Berlin. Former Director, Independent Evaluation Group at World Bank
Alice Walpole (NH 1982) – Ambassador to Luxembourg
Clare Winterton (NH 1990) – VP Advocacy & Innovation at Global Fund for Women. Former Executive Director, International Museum of Women