Student news

Tell us about the society and your role!

The Oxford University Dramatic Society is one of the largest student drama societies in the country. We have over 3,000 recent members, and thanks to the Cameron Mackintosh Drama Fund (supported by the Mackintosh Foundation), we have almost unparalleled funding opportunities to put on productions at a higher-education level. I am very fortunate to be the President of the Society for 2022- 3. This role involves managing a committee of around 15 people to help ensure that the multiple productions which happen each year run smoothly.

Tell us about the society and your role!

The Oxford University Dramatic Society is one of the largest student drama societies in the country. We have over 3,000 recent members, and thanks to the Cameron Mackintosh Drama Fund (supported by the Mackintosh Foundation), we have almost unparalleled funding opportunities to put on productions at a higher-education level. I am very fortunate to be the President of the Society for 2022- 3. This role involves managing a committee of around 15 people to help ensure that the multiple productions which happen each year run smoothly.

The journey so far

As a young woman of Jamaican and Guyanese heritage, I grew up with the narrative ‘twice as good to be as good’ instilled in me from young. I knew that this didn’t necessarily mean that I was void of being able to achieve goals but I gained an early recognition that it was going to take a certain level of determination and perseverance in order to attain them.

The journey so far

My time at Oxford so far has been surprisingly good, considering I started in 2020. Initially, rules during the pandemic meant that socialising at the start of university was weird, but I was fortunate enough to be able to make good friends, despite catching Covid in my second week, which was not much fun. Getting through this time was definitely aided by the great friends I had around me and support from my church in Oxford.

My Oxford experience

Closure dates on arrival weekends

Work will take place on the below dates and times and the station will be closed entirely with no train services running to or from Oxford Station on these days. Services on other days of the week will not be affected.

If you are staying in Oxford over the summer, there is lots to do in and around the city. We've picked out a selection of activities and events that you might enjoy:

Hannah Rana was formerly a DPhil candidate and Amelia Earhart Fellow in cryogenics at the University's Department of Engineering Science. Hannah’s PhD research in astronautical engineering focused on developing cryocoolers for space science instrumentation and detectors for the next generation of space missions. As a Schmidt Science Fellow, Hannah will have the opportunity to employ her engineering skills to advance the development of artificial retina, with the ultimate aim of restoring vision to the blind.

Choosing Oxford

It was my third year of my undergraduate English degree when I was diagnosed with dyspraxia and dysgraphia. Seven years later, I am in the fourth year of my DPhil on British silent cinema and my life and study have been transformed by the diagnosis. I now understand how I work and think. I understand that I need more time to process, to formulate ideas and to structure written work. I have an answer, now, when my handwriting is described as ‘bizarre’ as it was in my first year of study!