Philip Pullman on the importance of storytelling in patient care
Green Templeton was thrilled to welcome novelist Philip Pullman to give this year’s Ann McPherson Memorial Lecture, exploring the place storytelling has in our lives.
The His Dark Materials author focused his talk on the work done by the late Ann McPherson and others in paying proper attention to the stories and experiences of patients.
‘Ann was widely known as one of the leaders of the movement towards encouraging doctors to listen to patients,’ said Philip. ‘Why it took over three thousand years to think that was a good idea I don’t know.
‘In fact, of course, the best doctors have always been listening to patients and thinking about what they hear. But Ann and her colleagues paved the way towards a wider and deeper and more open understanding of why it was important to take a humane and decent, as well as more effective, approach to treating people who are suffering. It represented a great advance in the struggle to make this country a civilized place to live in, a struggle which is still ongoing.’
Watch Philip Pullman’s talk:
The Ann McPherson Memorial Lectures celebrate the late Dr Ann McPherson, a Green Templeton College Fellow. Philip’s focus on storytelling in the lecture this year was particularly fitting as it is 20 years since the founding of the Dipex Charity in March 2001. Ann was the driving force behind establishing Dipex and the patient experience research published on the Healthtalk website. The site supports millions of people each year by sharing real people’s health stories. Philip’s talk spoke directly to these patient stories.
The Ann McPherson Tribute Fund is a celebration of Ann’s life and work and benefits a number of projects she initiated and supported, as well as the Ann McPherson Memorial Lectures. In 2021, there has been a focus on supporting the Dipex Charity and the ongoing lecture series. Details on how to donate to the Tribute Fund.
Alumni in Switzerland came together in Geneva on Swiss National Day for the first in-person gathering of our college`s Switzerland Alumni Group.
After the group’s inaugural online meeting earlier in the year, the gathering was a chance to finally put faces to names, reconnect over memories of Green Templeton and Oxford and hear where life has taken everyone since.
Conversation ranged from career paths and professional exchanges to life in Switzerland and ideas for the growing alumni group.
Josephine Agyeman-Duah (DPhil Women’s and Reproductive Health, 2018), Chair of the Alumni Group, said:
‘It was splendid to reconnect with GTC alumni from different periods and to celebrate Swiss National Day together in Geneva. Our first in-person gathering was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen connections and our GTC alumni community in Switzerland.’
The group is now looking to establish a committee and hopes to connect with other Oxford and Cambridge alumni groups in Switzerland.
#GreenTempletonCollege #OxfordAlumni #GTCAlumni #Oxford #Geneva #Switzerland
Happy International Cat Day! 🐾
It’s been quite the year for Vincent!
After several years of making the college his home, we are delighted to say that we have officially adopted him. A familiar and much-loved face around the college grounds, he has a special way of bringing smiles to everyone he meets.
We’re so proud to officially call him ours!
Happy International Cat Day, Vincent! 💚🐈⬛
✨ Come behind the scaffolding with us.
We were given rare access to the Radcliffe Observatory restoration project, climbing onto the roof to see the incredible conservation work taking place behind the scenes.
From spectacular views across Oxford to the Observatory`s intricate zodiac carvings, we discovered details that are normally hidden from view.
Join us as we explore one of Oxford`s most iconic landmarks!
Earlier this summer, we were delighted to welcome audiences to our inaugural Garden Play, with a series of sold-out performances of Shakespeare`s `As You Like It` set in our beautiful college grounds.
Our gardens became the Forest of Arden as students, staff, alumni and the wider Oxford community came together to enjoy open-air theatre in a truly unique setting. Even better, the production has received fantastic reviews from Oxford`s student press.
A huge thank you to everyone who performed in and supported this wonderful initiative.
These peaceful moments around college were captured by work experience student Izzie.
They celebrate the beauty of the college gardens and the simple joy of taking a closer look!
Thank you Izzie for sharing your perspective with us 🌸
