The Palmerston Society (HSPS)

The Palmerston Society is the college's society for students of the Human, Social and Political Sciences tripos. It is named after the last of the four prime ministers St John's College gave Great Britain, Lord Palmerston. Our society is St John’s College’s only active political association, encompassing all those who study HSPS within John’s, while giving the opportunity for all students of the college to benefit from the talks it holds if they so wish.

In the past, it has frequently combined with other societies including a very successful event with the Winfield Society and the History Society, which saw Sir Richard Aikens and Lord Peter Hennessy invited to speak at the college. Last year, the Palmerston Society was able to hold two talks in Michaelmas and Lent Term, as well as a drinks social in the Old Music Room. The speakers included Mark Stephens, previously Julian Assange’s Lawyer, and David Cohen, the lead feature writer for the Evening Standard. The annual dinner was held in Easter Term and the society was able to secure Jon Sopel of the BBC as the guest of honour. The society is instrumental in promoting a lively, intellectual political scene within college and in creating links between PPS students thereby fostering a friendly atmosphere and inter-year integration.

Committee 2016-17

President - Yasmine Samsudin (yas24)

Treasurer -  Renchun Ho (rch76)

Secretary - Rosie Lindup (rl537)

Senior Treasurer - Miss Sylvana Tomaselli (st240)