She runs her own business with my husband since 1992, providing quality control and manufacturing services to clothing companies. I was a founder director of Southill Solar, a community solar farm built outside Charlbury in 2017, which now produces enough renewable electricity to serve the needs of the town. I was a trustee of Citizens Advice West Oxfordshire for seven years until I stepped down in 2019 and have also been a trustee of Young Dementia Homes UK, which will shortly be building a facility in Charlbury.
Education: London School of Economics (LSE) and University of Texas.
Council services in which particularly interested: Housing, services that affect my constituents. Other bodies on which she serves: St. Mary Magdalen Parish Charities (Council appointee), Labour Vice Chair of the District Council Network (DCN).
Employment: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Hobbies and interests: Spending time with family and friends, reading, film, theatre.
Helen Mountfield KC joined Mansfield College as Principal in 2018. Helen is a barrister, specialising constitutional law, human rights and equality law, with particular experience in the education sector. Helen is a founder member of Matrix Chambers, an accredited mediator, a Master of the Bench of Gray’s Inn and is a past and present part-time judge in several jurisdictions including the High Court of England and Wales and the Channel Islands Courts of Appeal.
Chief Advisor, Human Rights Solidarity; Founder, OnlineHizmet
Kerim Balci is a Turkish writer, journalist, academic and human rights activist. He is recently the Chief Advisor of London Based Human Rights Solidarity Balci served as the editor in chief of Turkish Review, and as a columnist at Today’s Zaman and Zaman dailies.
Irene did her undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Oxford in Biochemistry under the supervision of Professor Sir George Radda. Her research focused on the early use of magnetic resonance imaging methods to study disease mechanisms in humans. She then held a postdoctoral position at Harvard Medical School working at the MGH-NMR (now Martinos) imaging centre.
She has recently been made an Honorary Fellow of the Physiological Society. In the 2022 New Year’s Honours list, she was appointed by HM The Queen to a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to Medical Research. In 2023, she was one of eight academics from the University of Oxford elected as Fellows of the Royal Society.
Universities of Coventry and Derby, and Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford
On the 6th of March 2025, the Dialogue Society Oxford Branch hosted its 3rd Annual Dialogue Iftar at Mansfield College, University of Oxford, in partnership with the college. This special gathering welcomed faculty members, students, and community leaders from over thirty-five organisations, including Vice Chancellor Prof. Irene Tracey, Bishop of Oxford Steven Croft, President of Oxford Jewish Congregation Mark Simon, Deputy Lieutenant Imam Monawar Hussain, and Principal of Mansfield College Helen Mountfield KC, along with other distinguished figures from the local community.
The evening began with the traditional breaking of the fast with dates and water, followed by a delicious meal provided by Mansfield College. Guests were also treated to a marbling art performance, showcasing traditional Turkish art, and enjoyed the soulful sounds of live Turkish Kanun music, adding to the cultural richness of the event.
The warm and engaging atmosphere fostered deeper connections, encouraging mutual understanding and unity among attendees from diverse backgrounds.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mansfield College for their invaluable support in hosting this meaningful event. A special thanks also goes to our dedicated volunteers and supporters, whose efforts made the evening possible.
As we reflect on the spirit of unity and compassion embodied in the Iftar tradition, let us continue to promote harmony, inclusivity, and dialogue in our communities—for a brighter and more interconnected future.
Community Picnic at Debdale Park: Bringing Neighbours Together
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