We were thrilled to be able to host our inaugural Thouron Award Alumni Symposium from Friday, 17 January through Sunday, 19 January 2025 at Dartmouth House in Mayfair, London, U.K.
The first of what we expect will be an annual event, we welcomed Alumni Friday evening for an informal welcome reception and dinner after guests checked into accommodations next door at The Chesterfield Mayfair.
This was a wonderful chance for our Alumni to catch up with friends, new and old. Out of town guests were encouraged to stay through the weekend, with workshops, featured panelists and speakers, and a formal dinner with guests as one of the main events on Saturday evening. Finally, we hosted a farewell brunch on Sunday to send off our Alumni until we are able to meet again.
Symposium Timeline on Saturday, 18 January
The bulk of the Symposium events took place on Saturday, 18 January, offering a variety of panels, workshops, and chats with esteemed Alumni.
Here’s a look at the timeline of events for the day:
9:30–10:30 AM
Tea, Coffee & Pastries served as Scholars and Alumni arrive to the event.
10:30–11:45 AM
Round-Table Discussion with Hilary Moore (Br’99), Daniel Nieh (Am’06), and Isabel Straw (Br’18) led by Ben Gregson (Br’21).
11:45 AM–12:15 PM
Break with Tea, Coffee & Biscuits as friends catch up about their recent projects and life events.
12:15–1:30 PM
Interview with Esteemed Guest Jonathan Powell (Br’77), chaired by Bea Brown (Br’17).
1:30–2:30 PM
Lunch is served.
3:00–4:30 PM
Optional Afternoon Activities:
- Art Workshop with Casey Thomas Boyles (Br’10)
- Gallery visit to Royal Academy of Arts
4:30–6:30PM
Free time to check up on emails and messages, have a rest, or to explore the city on your own.
6:30–7:30 PM
Champagne Reception served for Alumni, and any family members or guests joining them.
7:30 PM
Formal dinner is served. Our time spent together over a good meal while getting to know each other is always a favourite part of these Alumni events!
Meet our Panelists, Speakers, Workshop Leaders, and Organisers
Jonathan Powell (Br’77) — Esteemed Guest
First joining the U.K. Government in 1979 as a part of the FDCO, Jonathan has long been an advocate for peace in his various Government roles. He now serves as the National Security Adviser for the U.K. under Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
We were absolutely honoured to host him in conversation with Bea Brown, and his responses were the highlight of the event for all in attendance!
Hilary Moore (Br’99) — Panelist
Hilary is an author, communications specialist and advocate, who obtained a PhD in Anthropology of Music at Penn. She currently serves as the Senior Expert in McKinsey & Co‘s Strategic & Change Communications Practice.
Daniel Nieh (Am’06) — Panelist
Daniel is a novelist, writer, translator and interpreter for global museums, non-profits, and universities. Currently based in Portland, Oregon, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Chinese Studies at SOAS, University of London with the Thouron Award.
Isabel Straw (Br’18) — Panelist
Isabel is an Assistant Professor in Healthcare Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity at the Faculty of Population Health Sciences at University College London, after earning a Master’s in Public Health and Global Health at Penn in 2020.
Casey Thomas-Boyles (Br’10) — Workshop Leader
Casey Thomas-Boyles received the Thouron Award in 2010 and went on to earn a MS in Nanotechnology at Penn before pivoting careers. She now serves as the Chief of Staff and Culture at Guild Education.
Beatriz Brown (Br’17) — Organiser
Bea is leading a new policy programme on civil justice and economic growth in the U.K. at the Ministry of Justice. She also leads policy on Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and was the U.K.’s expert member of the Council of Europe’s Working Group on SLAPPs.
Ben Gregson (Br’21) — Organiser
Ben Gregson is a doctoral researcher in the Comparative Literature Department at Harvard. He has a BA in Classics & English from Oxford and an MA in English Literature from Penn. Ben’s research interests lie in the reception of antiquity in postclassical cultures, especially in the Caribbean, and the broader global histories of cultural imperialism.
Save the Date for the 2026 Thouron Award Alumni Symposium
We are thrilled to announce that we will be hosting the second annual Thouron Award Alumni Symposium over the course of the weekend on 6–8 February, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
All Scholars and Alumni are invited to attend the full weekend of events. Family members and significant others are welcome to attend our formal dinner on Saturday evening.
Subscribe to our mailing list or join our private Alumni LinkedIn Group to ensure you stay informed as more details are announced and registration opens.
Attended the Symposium and have stories or photos to share?
Reach out to us at info@thouronaward.org.