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.

Front view of Dartmouth House, London. Location of the Thouron Scholar Alumni Symposium 2025. A white car is parked in front of the left side of the building.
Dartmouth House in Mayfair, London, U.K.

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.

Thouron Scholar Alumni Symposium 2025, Dartmouth House, London. Attendees enjoying refreshments and chatting between sessions.
Thouron Scholar Alumni Symposium 2025, Dartmouth House, London. Two attendees in conversation. Person (left) with arm raised. Person (right) holding a mug on a saucer.
Alumni chat over tea and coffee before the Round Table Discussion.

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).

Thouron Alumni Symposium 2025 panelists Hilary Moore (British, 1999) (left) and , Isabel Straw (British 2018)(right) speaking to attendees.
Thouron Alumni Symposium 2025 speaker panel looking at Hilary Moore speaking. From left to right: Daniel Nieh (America, 2006), Hilary Moore (British, 1999), Isabel Straw (British 2018), and Ben Gregson (British 2021).
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).

Thouron Alumni Symposium 2025 guest Jonathan Powell (British 1977) (left) speaking to attendees, next to moderator Bea Brown (British 2017) (right).
Esteemed Guest Jonathan Powell (Br’77) in conversation with Bea Brown (Br’17)
Thouron Alumni Symposium 2025 attendees intently listening to panel guests.

1:30–2:30 PM

Lunch is served.

3:00–4:30 PM

Optional Afternoon Activities:

Thouron Alumni Symposium 2025 dining room. Tables with white tablecloths, wildflowers, and candles on top.
Thouron Alumni Symposium 2025 check-in table with name lanyards and guestbook. Guestbook reads "Memories and Anecdotes from your Thouron Years. Dartmouth House. January 17-19 2025"

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!

Thouron Scholar Alumni Symposium 2025, Dartmouth House, London, entry area in front of the Churchill Room. Left to right: Jonathan Powell (British 1977) speaking with John Rupert Thouron. A blond-haired person (view from behind) wearing a black jacket speaks with panel moderator Ben Gregson (British 2021).

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!

Jonathan Powell stands in room, wearing a white button up and navy blue suit jacket.

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.

Hilary Moore (British 1999), panelist, smiling and wearing mixed blue cardigan.

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.

Daniel Nieh (American 2006), panelist, smiling and standing at a podium with a microphone.

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.

Isabel Straw (British 2018), panelist, speaking into a microphone.

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.

Casey Thomas-Boyles (British 2010), workshop leader, smiling in front of bright yellow background.

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.

Beatriz Brown (British 2017), organiser, smiling and wearing an orange shirt.

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.

Ben Gregson (British 2021), organiser, smiling and wearing a blue sweater.

Thouron Scholar Alumni Symposium 2025, Dartmouth House, London. Panelist Daniel Nieh (America, 2006) (left) speaks with attendee wearing an orange and blue patterned shirt (right).

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.

Marble art of a bearded face with small horns coming out of its forehead. Dragon-like creatures on both sides of the face. Feather-like pieces border the structure.

Attended the Symposium and have stories or photos to share?

Reach out to us at info@thouronaward.org.