MCR
The page is updated by the MCR bench.
The MCR exists for the benefit of the community of graduates at Mansfield, providing as many opportunities as possible for social interaction and mutual support. While the Department is there to look after your academic development, the College is here to give you a ‘home away from home’, a close-knit community where you can belong while you are here in Oxford.
The MCR organises a wide variety of events for graduates, including formal dinners, cocktail parties, pizza and film evenings, international food nights, Nintendo and board games evenings, exchange dinners with other colleges, academic presentations, ice-cream café trips, and much more.
We aim to make our common room as accessible, inviting, and functional as possible, as well as encouraging graduate engagement in College life. In addition, we serve on behalf of graduates as representatives within the College, our executive members attending various College committees and pursuing issues that are raised by MCR members, while also serving members practically with support in areas of welfare and women’s matters. Essentially, the MCR is all of us together, and with your involvement it will be better for everyone.
Meet the current committee below.
Oliwier Melon, President:
Hey, welcome to Mansfield! As the MCR President, I am privileged to represent the master’s and DPhil community in the College by liaising with the College officials and leading the MCR Bench. While I hope you have a joyful year at Oxford, I encourage you to contact me about any matter which affects your experience here. Outside of my role, I am in the third year of my DPhil in Engineering Science; I work on optimisation-based motion generation for dynamic, legged robots. I come from Poland (hence the alternative spelling of Oliver) but for a substantial period of time, I lived and studied in Cork (Ireland). I try to dedicate most of my spare time to sport.
mcrpresident@mansfield.ox.ac.uk
Amirmohammad Farzaneh, Vice-President:
Hello Mansfield! My name is Amirmohammad Farzaneh. I am very thrilled to represent you as your Vice-President in the MCR. I am a DPhil student in Engineering Science and my research focus area is on communication systems. I received my bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran. Photography is my no. 1 hobby, so contact me if you are also a photography enthusiast. Mansfield’s vibrant and friendly community charmed me from the very first day. I hope that I can contribute to this beautiful college by being part of the MCR. Your well-being is of the utmost importance to us. Feel free to contact me if you have any issues and I will do my best to ensure that your concern is given our fullest attention. Enjoy your time here in Mansfield and take care!
amirmohammad.farzaneh@mansfield.ox.ac.uk
Franziska Brandmaan, Treasurer:
Hello everyone and welcome to Mansfield! My 
name is Franziska and I am a first-year DPhil student in Politics here in Oxford. I arrived at Mansfield College two years ago, when starting my MPhil in European Politics, and I felt at home right away. Now, I want to ensure you feel the same way - so if you have any questions or want to talk about anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any other member of the MCR-bench. I am a Junior Dean Assistant at the Ablethorpe Building, but you will also often see me on the College's main-site or more specifically: In the College Library. In the MCR, I am responsible for the MCR’s finances, so if there is something that you think the MCR should definitely invest in, feel free to talk to me!
franziska.brandmann@mansfield.ox.ac.uk
Daria Jensen, Welfare Officer:
Hi! I’m Daria Jensen, a 2nd year DPhil student in Psychiatry, researching the effect of lifestyle to brain health across the lifespan. I moved to Oxford about three years ago for a RA position at Experimental Psychology, thus, I know Oxford and Oxford life pretty well. I did my undergrad in Biology and my MSc in Cognitive Science, both in Germany. I am always available if you are having any troubles or welfare issues, want to have a chat and can make sure to put you in contact with the proper College and University services. I am also a Junior Dean Assistant at Keble College and was until summer at Mansfield a Junior Dean and experienced with welfare emergencies. Please feel free to contact me if you want to have a chat, or even just a cup of tea and/or any kind of sugary food! Another passion of mine is to improve environmental sustainability and raise awareness about issues from recycling, food waste, and always make sure we have vegan and vegetarian options always available! Feel free to contact me if you would like to get active in Oxford to fight the climate crisis!
Zobia Haq, Women's and BAME Representative:
Hello Mansfield! My name is Zobia, and I am a first-year DPhil student in History, looking at modern South Asian and intellectual history. I am your MCR BAME and Women’s Rep - my role is to act as a reference point for female identifying and BAME members of the MCR, liaising with the Student Union and CRAE (Campaign for Racial Awareness and Equality) to organise events and activities. Please feel free to contact me if you ever want to have a chat or a cup of tea, or if you have any ideas that you would like to see implemented in College!
Mahati Garimella, Equality Officer and Environment, Ethics and Charity Representative:
Hello! I’m Mahati. I’m studying BPhil in Philosophy, and am mainly interested in topics relating to political philosophy and ethics. I joined the bench as an Equalities Officer and Environment & Charities rep. My role in the MCR involves creating awareness about minority and disadvantaged groups, and promoting environmental sustainability at Mansfield.
mahati.garimella@mansfield.ox.ac.uk
Robert (Bobby) Edge-Partington, Environment, Ethics and 
Charity Representative:
Hello! I'm an MSc candidate in Environmental Change & Management. I'll be your Environment, Ethics, and Charities Rep, and am excited to work with the diverse community here at Mansfield! I studied political science and history during my undergrad and worked for the UN Relief Works Agency for Palestine Refugees before coming to Oxford. I love meeting new people, so please feel free to reach out with any initiatives or comments about environmental or charitable projects you might like to work together on during your time at Mansfield. Alternatively, if you’d like a more general chat, I’m happy to talk about anything. I can usually be found outside in one of the parks around Oxford, so come say hi if you spot me!
robert.edge-partington@mansfield.ox.ac.uk
Alexander Cliffe, Sports and Societies Representative:
Sports and societies are one of the best parts of Oxford life! With over 400 registered clubs and societies, this is a great opportunity to become involved with the activity of your dreams, or perhaps one which you could never have dreamt of! Failing that, why not start your own? There really is something for everyone, so I implore you to get involved (and especially with sport—there are numerous health benefits from regular participation, not least that it provides a mental break from your often stressful work life)! About me: ex-Cambridge, now second year DPhil student in mathematics (analysis of PDE). I love hockey (field, not ice), and when I’m not injured I play for the University 3s (a.k.a. the Infrequents). Regrettably infrequent however are my visits to the squash court; golf course; and ski slopes. Though I guess we can't have everything!
alexander.cliffe@mansfield.ox.ac.uk
Last updated November 2020.