Review of the year 2003

January
Dr Julie Ahringer pubished the first ever analysis of the function of the majority of genes in an animal, a major landmark in the development of functional genomics.
Excavations at Addenbrookes revealed a Roman road.
The results of the governance reform ballots were announced.

February
Margaret Hodge, the Higher Education Minister, made a controversial visit to Cambridge.
The Faculty of Classics launched a project to bring Classics to schoolchidren through a dramatisation of Homer's Illiad.
A new centre for the study of photonics was launched.

March
Crowds of people flocked to the University for the annual Cambridge Science Festival.
The University Maths Centre won a major building award.
There was much sadness in the University at the untimely death of the leading computer scientist Professor Roger Needham.

April
A conference was held to celebrate the work of Cambridge historian Quentin Skinner.
Scientists from across the world came to Cambridge to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Crick and Watson's discovery of the structure of DNA.
The University submitted its response to the Government's White Paper on the future of higher education.

May
CMI hosted an international conference on stem cell research.
The Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology opened a major new exhibition on the history of rock art.
Scientists discovered a gene linked to diabetes risk.

June
Professor Tony Minson was appointed as Pro-Vice-Chancellor with special responsibilities for planning and resources.
The Chancellor of the University, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, conferred honorary degrees at a traditional ceremony in the University’s Senate-House.
Engineering students were offered a new course in 'Biological and medical engineering' this term.

July
The diary of Roger Morrice, a Puritan contemporary of Pepys, was the subject of a conference which brought together historians and other scholars.
Patients and doctors celebrated 25 years of IVF treatment.
Astronomers presented new research on 'dark matter' at the outer limits of glaxies.

August
Researchers revealed a possible new treatment for endometriosis. (more)
Teenagers from around the UK got a taste of university life at the annual GEEMA summer school.
The University launched a review of the West Cambridge masterplan.

September
It was announced that the Astronomer Royal Professor Sir Martin Rees, is to be the new Master of Trinity College.
The future of the global economy was discussed at a conference to mark the centenary of the Cambridge Economics degree. (more)
A new book from the Cambridge Socio-Legal Group took a radical new look at children's relationships after divorce and in other family situations.

October
Professor Alison Richard was installed as the new Vice-Chancellor
Scientists at a University spin-out company identified a gene required for triggering the onset of puberty.
Cambridge economists predicted that the government will have cut child poverty by a quarter by Spring 2004.

November
The archive containing documents relating to Margaret Thatcher's life and career up to May 4th 1979 was opened to the public on Friday 14th November.
The government granted planning permission for the University's proposed new animal research centre on Huntingdon Road.
The Vice-Chancellor revealed proposals for a generous new bursary scheme.

December
Four new Pro-Vice-Chancellors were appointed to work with Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony Minson and Professor Alison Richard, the Vice-Chancellor.
A new rapid test to detect the 'invisible' sexually transmitted disease, chlamydia was created by a team of scientists led by Cambridge scientist Dr Helen Lee.
The University of Cambridge rugby team retained the MMC trophy after a draw in the 122nd Varsity Match at Twickenham.