Reuben College is the first new Oxbridge college since 1990. The plans for the new graduate college, initially named Parks College, were announced in December 2018.
The establishment of Parks College was approved by a vote in the university congregation on 7 May 2019. The college was formally renamed on 30 June 2020. The initial intake of graduate students was about 200 for the 2021-22 academic year.
There will initially be three interdisciplinary research clusters, which will be expanded to six or eight clusters once there are a sufficient number of graduate students.
What's the History of Reuben College?
On 11 June 2020, the University announced that it had received an £80 million gift from the Reuben Foundation for an endowment and scholarships. As part of this plan, the name of Parks College, founded 2019, changed to Reuben College.
The college appointed its first fellows in 2019 and took graduate students for the first time in the 2021–2022 academic year. Initially, there is a focus on three interdisciplinary research clusters, which will be increased to six or eight clusters once there is a full complement of graduate students.
The Buildings of Reuben College
The current Radcliffe Science Library consists of three parts:
- The Jackson Wing, designed by Sir Thomas Jackson and opened in 1901.
- The Worthington Wing, designed as an extension to the Jackson Wing in 1934.
- The Lankester Room and Main Stack, a two-storey extension under the lawn of the museum, built between 1972 and 1975.
Reuben College will also consist of the western wing of the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory and Abbot’s Kitchen. The project is expected to be completed in 2023.
What is it Like to Study at Reuben College, Oxford?
At its launch in 2019, the college identified three initial key areas of knowledge as the focus of its research:
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Environmental change
- Cellular life
In November 2020, the college announced a fourth academic theme:
- Ethics and values
The college has also identified two cross-cutting strategic themes that are embedded across all aspects of intellectual and cultural life in the college:
- Innovation and entrepreneurship
- Public engagement with research
Where is Reuben College?
Reuben College is located on Parks Road (OX2 6ED), Oxford.
Can you Visit Reuben College?
Yes, Reuben College is open to the public and you can visit by appointment.
