John Ray Society is St Catharine’s College Natural Sciences Society, founded in 1926 and named after the pioneering british naturalist, John Ray (FRS :) 1627-1705).

We are amongst the largest and most active college based science societies in Cambridge. Through various events, ranging from talks given by eminent scientists or experts from industry to smaller scale seminars, we aim to bring science closer to people both to motivate them in their own field, to broaden their horizons and to make them aware of challenges, problems to the solution of which they could contribute. In accordance with these principles, every year we invite speakers who – we believe – could inspire and teach in a way unique to them and transformative to us. The list of our most recent speakers who accepted our invitation includes Sir Venki Ramakrishnan, Sir Richard Henderson, Sir Christopher Dobson, Dame Athene Donald, Sir John Gurdon and Sir Harold Kroto.