Marking a new chapter of academic excellence and international collaboration

Girton College is proud to announce the appointment of our first Senior Research Associates (SRAs), marking a new chapter in the College’s commitment to academic excellence and global collaboration. 

These honorary affiliations provide outstanding scholars, eminent public figures, distinguished alumni, and professional leaders with the opportunity to engage in the vibrant intellectual life at Girton and the University of Cambridge, while pursuing research projects and publications.

Vice-Mistress, James Wade, who is leading on the SRA scheme, said:

The new Senior Research Associate scheme will bring fresh perspectives and new approaches into conversation with an already thriving and cutting-edge intellectual community at Girton. I am excited to see what synergies emerge as we welcome our first appointments.

The newly appointed SRAs include Hilary Marlow, Amy Jeffs, and Taeho Jo, who begin their posts at the start of Easter Term 2026, followed by Miri Rubin in Michaelmas Term 2026 and Serena Di Nepi for one term in Easter Term 2027.

Below, the first postholders share a brief reflection on their appointment and what they hope to achieve.

Dr Amy Jeffs 

Dr Amy Jeffs is an art historian and medievalist who writes and illustrates books inspired by her research. Her first book, Storyland: A New Mythology of Britain was shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year, while Wild: Tales from Early Medieval Britain and Old Songs: Stories of Love and Death from Traditional Ballads were both audiobook of the week in the Guardian. The same newspaper has described her writing style as exhibiting ‘warmth, intimacy and a subtle undercurrent of menace’. As well as celebrating the landscapes and complex pre-modern heritage of Britain, Amy’s books explore the relationship between making and learning and guide readers towards accessible humanities research. Though she works from home in Somerset, her recent appointment as Senior Research Associate at Girton College, University of Cambridge, where she studied for her BA, marks a return to her academic roots; founded by female scholars who sought to challenge the status quo, Girton College embraces study that dreams beyond the categories by which we live. 

"Returning as an Senior Research Associate to Girton College, where I spent three blissful years of undergraduate study, feels to me like the ultimate affirmation of what I have been working for; founded by nineteenth-century female scholars who sought to challenge the status quo, this remarkable institution embraces work that dreams beyond the categories by which we live. I am so pleased to be returning to its community of creators, scholars and dreamers."  

Taeho Jo

Taeho Jo is Senior Assistant Professor at Meiji University, Japan. His research focuses on Middle English literature, especially medieval romance and the representation of racial and religious others. As a Senior Research Associate at Girton College, Cambridge, he hopes to develop his current work on these themes into a larger monograph project. 

“I am honoured to take up this appointment at Girton College, Cambridge. I am very grateful for this opportunity and look forward to developing my research in Middle English literature while also learning from the vibrant scholarly community here."

For more information about the SRA scheme and how to apply, please visit the SRA webpage.