# Woolf College, Kent

Woolf College is the fifth college of the University of Kent and was established in 2008, following the founding of Darwin College 38 years earlier. The college was officially opened on April 9, 2009, by Allan Willett. It is built and managed by University Partnerships Programme (UPP). The college is located on Giles Lane in Canterbury, England, and is named after the writer Virginia Woolf.
The college accommodates both postgraduate students and returning undergraduate students, providing modern facilities designed to support academic and social engagement. The college provides self-catered accommodation with separate blocks for undergraduates and postgraduates. The college features both standard and large ensuite rooms, with students sharing a kitchen and dining area with 5 to 8 flatmates. There are approximately 500 rooms available within the college.

## History

Woolf College was established in 2008 and was the first new college at the University of Kent since the founding of Darwin College almost four decades earlier. The college was officially inaugurated in a ceremony led by Allan Willett, the Lord Lieutenant of Kent. The event brought together key figures, including Sir Robert Worcester, the University’s Chancellor, and Dame Julia Goodfellow, the Vice-Chancellor.
The college was named in honor of Virginia Woolf, a prominent modernist writer whose works significantly influenced 20th-century literature. The name recognizes Woolf's contributions to literature and her connections to the Kent region, particularly her interest in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. Woolf’s literary and historical associations with Kent, including her reflections on medieval English culture, link her legacy to the university and the surrounding area.
Woolf College was initially established to provide accommodation and academic facilities for postgraduate students; however, it was subsequently opened to returning undergraduate students to meet the university's increasing demand for accommodation. The rooms in Woolf College were built using airtight timber panels designed to reduce energy consumption, along with devices that allowed students to monitor their energy usage.

## Location

Woolf College is located near the centre of the University of Kent campus, with access to various academic and recreational facilities. These include the Templeman Library, which offers resources for study, and the Gulbenkian, which screens films and shows. The college is near Kent Sport's facilities, which offers free access for undergraduate and postgraduate students living in Canterbury campus accommodation.
It is connected to local transport via the nearby bus stops served by Stagecoach, providing access to Canterbury city centre and surrounding areas. The college is surrounded by a mix of academic buildings, residential areas, and green spaces, allowing students to enjoy a quiet, study-focused environment while remaining close to the broader university community.

## Facilities

The college has a range of facilities, including seminar rooms, a lecture theatre, and study spaces:
* Seminar Rooms: 6 seminar rooms, each equipped with modern teaching and presentation technologies. These rooms host seminars, study groups, and smaller academic gatherings.
* Lecture Theatre: A large lecture theatre with 471 seats, used for lectures, conferences, and larger academic events.
* Social Room: A dedicated space for students to meet, relax, and engage in social activities.
* Reception/Foyer: The college features a reception area, where students can access support services, information, and engage with staff, and has a large foyer for holding events.
* Study Spaces: Various study areas are available within the college, both in accommodation blocks and communal spaces.
* Accessibility: Woolf College is designed to be accessible for students with disabilities. The college features wheelchair-accessible entrances, lifts, and wide doorways. Accessible parking spaces and bathrooms are available, and clear, easy-to-read signage help guide individuals with visual impairments.

## Notability and Recognition

Woolf College regularly hosts events and academic conferences, significantly enhancing its reputation and contributing to the broader academic environment at the University of Kent.
Academic Conferences:
* In 2010, Woolf College hosted a seminar reviewing 15 years of research fellowships from the Anthropologists' Fund for Urgent Anthropological Research. The seminar, funded by a grant from the British Academy, the Royal Anthropological Institute (RAI), and the School of Anthropology and Conservation at the University of Kent, explored urgent anthropological topics. This included presentations from a variety of scholars on urgent anthropological topics, and featured speakers from institutions such as the University of Kansas, the University of East London, Durham University and Georgetown University.
* In 2018, Woolf College hosted the 28th Annual International Conference on Virginia Woolf, which explored the themes of "Europe and Peace". The conference marked the centenary of the end of World War I and the 80th anniversary of Virginia Woolf's Three Guineas. The event brought together scholars and academics from various countries. Keynote speakers included Rosi Braidotti, Claire Davison, and Jane Goldman, with additional talks by Professors David Ayers and Rachel Potter. The conference was covered by Literature Cambridge, which later welcomed several delegates to its summer course on Woolf and Politics, further emphasizing Woolf College's role in fostering international academic collaboration and discourse.
* In 2019, Woolf College hosted a conference entitled Identity and Belonging 2019: Growing Up in the Digital Age, which focused on the impact of digital technologies on the health and wellbeing of children and young people. The conference explored the effects of social media on developing peer relations and personal identity, including risks such as cyberbullying, mental health challenges, and the loss of empathy. The event included guest speakers such as Dr. Simon Hammond and Duncan Stevenson.
* In 2024, Woolf College hosted a lecture titled ‘Virginia Woolf and the Property Market’ by Emeritus Professor Rachel Bowlby from University College London. The lecture explored themes related to Woolf's engagement with property and the socio-economic structures in her time. Following the lecture, a reception was held, providing an opportunity for attendees to discuss Woolf College's legacy and its ongoing relevance.