Now that the conference is fast approaching, we thought we’d introduce you to your chairpersons! Each committee will have one Main Chair, one or two Co-Chairs, and potentially an Assistant Director as well. The Main Chair will be your main point of contact and will be leading the Dais - here’s a few details about all of them, so you can get to know them a little bit better before the conference!
SPECPOL: Aaron Freedman
Course: BA Japanese with Chinese
What is one obscure or oddly specific talent you have?
I'm really good at climbing trees. A summer camp I went to once gave a toy monkey because it had become the main thing about me
What’s your guilty pleasure song?
Hot to go! - Chappell Roan
ECOFIN: Amy Bloch
Course: BA History, second year
What’s your guilty pleasure song?
Any piece from the Pride and Prejudice movie score. There’s nothing quite like doing history reading or preparing for this MUN conference while feeling as though I’m being transported back to the nineteenth-century English countryside.
African Union: Najwa Jalrezi
Course: BA Law, third year, University College
If you could have dinner with any celebrity, dead or alive, who would it be?
If I could have dinner with one celebrity, I would choose David Attenborough as he has the most incredibly soothing voice and worldly knowledge. I know for a fact that I would just sit there in awe as he spoke of his vast experiences and we could bond over our love for nature and documentaries.
CSTD: Iona Thomas-Wright
Course: DPhil neuroscience, third year
What was the one best decision you’ve ever taken?
Learning French, it’s amazing how much a second language gives insight into another culture and society.
What’s your guilty pleasure song?
Les filles d’aujourd’hui - Joyce Jonathan, Vianney
WHO: Michał Pietrzak
Course: BA PPE, second year, Worcester College
If you were told you had the whole day off tomorrow, how would you spend it?
I would 100% sleep through it! I have a really bad sleep schedule, so any days off would be there for me to recharge.
ICJ: Catrina MacNamara
Course: BA Law, second year
What is one obscure or oddly specific talent you have?
I can break dance!
COP30: Hari Reilly-Singh
Course: BA PPE, second year, New College
If you could have lunch with any celebrity, dead or alive, who would it be?
Harold Wilson - he was one of the best political actors in the world.
CCPCJ: Beatrice Vickery
Course: BA French and Spanish, second year, Trinity College
If you were told you had the whole day off tomorrow, how would you spend it?
I would visit my grandparents and go for a dog walk.
UNSC: Jasmin Baier
Course: DPhil in Public Policy and Behavioural Economics, second year
If you were told you had the whole day off tomorrow, how would you spend it?
Spend all morning cooking the most fantabulous brunch, make music somewhere outside, go climbing, and then host a bunch of my friends for a dinner party with optional Salsa dancing.
If you could have lunch with any celebrity, dead or alive, who would it be?
Meryl Streep. She was as indecisive in her career as I am, but ultimately clearly managed to follow the path that was exactly right for her. I'd love to find out how!
Somalia Committee: Benjamin O’Donnell
Course: MBiol Biology, second year, St Anne’s College
If you were told you had the whole day off tomorrow, how would you spend it?
Get a train to the Cotswolds and run all the way back to Oxford. I’d listen to the birds, the bees and also the entire back catalogue of the Infinite Monkey Cage podcast
What’s your guilty pleasure song?
Pitch Perfect 2, Riff Off
IOC: Hongyin Pan
Course: BA Economics and Management, third year
If you were told you had the whole day off tomorrow, how would you spend it?
A late wake up, brunch with friends, go to a museum and, weather permitting, go to a park, have a nice dinner with friends, watch a movie.
Empress Wu: Tomi Ajinomoh
Course: BA English, third year, Mansfield College
What is one global issue you’re really involved in and passionate about?
Ending homelessness
What is one obscure or oddly specific talent you have?
Getting people good birthday gifts
What’s your guilty pleasure song?
Non Stop from the Hamilton soundtrack
Ad Hoc crisis: Olivia Gauvin
Course: MPhil in Global and Area Studies, second year, Wolfson College
What was the one best decision you’ve ever taken?
Applying to Oxford’s visiting student program in undergrad for my study abroad — it shaped my future and inspired me to apply to my current MPhil program!
If you could have lunch with any celebrity, dead or alive, who would it be?
Dua Lipa — I adore her and feel like lunch would be so much fun!