Thursday 11th June 2026

News

Oxford Union town hall TT26: Meet the candidates 

With polls set to open for Oxford Union elections tomorrow, Friday 12th June, Cherwell spoke to the candidates running to be President in Hilary Term 2027. Milo Donovan and Prajwal Pandey discussed their vision for the society, the challenges facing the Union, and how they would respond to recent controversies surrounding speaker invitations and free speech.

Oxford law academic cancels lecture series on sex and gender following protests

Dr Michael Foran, Associate Professor of Law and Fellow of Keble College, has cancelled the remaining lectures in a series on sex, gender identity, and the law, following protests at two of the events.

Oxford City Council announces new cabinet for 2026/27

Oxford City Council leader Susan Brown has announced her new cabinet for the 2026/2027 year. Brown, who also leads the Labour group on the Council, has appointed seven Labour councillors to the cabinet following local elections on 7th May in which Labour lost its overall majority but remained the largest party on the Council.

Prime Minister of Sri Lanka delivers annual lecture at Oxford School of Global and Area Studies

Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr Harini Amarasuriya, delivered the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OGSA) Annual Lecture at St. Antony’s College on 19th May.

Michael-Akolade Ayodeji elected President of the Oxford Union, Connect slate wins all other major positions

Michael-Akolade Ayodeji of the INSPIRE slate has been elected President of the Oxford Union for Trinity 2022, winning 486 first preferences and 52% of...

2 billion doses of Oxford vaccine delivered

"Today, the vaccine is produced in fifteen different countries, with jabs having been delivered in over 170 countries. The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker initially rebuffed pressures to make a profit on its 2 billion vaccines, while its rivals netted billions in revenues. This year, AstraZeneca is set to make a loss on the vaccine of 3 cents per share, according to the Financial Times."

145 looted Benin artefacts identified by Oxford

"'We acknowledge the profound loss the 1897 looting of Benin City caused and, alongside our partners of the Benin Dialogue Group, we aim to work with stakeholders in Nigeria to be part of a process of redress,' concluded the University’s statement."

Victorian Christmas Market visits Oxford

"The ‘Oxford Victorian Christmas Market’ took place on Gloucester Green and Broad Street this weekend, with festive stalls, food courts and entertainment."

Disarm Oxford posters criticise Oxford University’s “ties to the arms trade”

"The posters were placed by the relatively new group Disarm Oxford. Disarm Oxford seeks to lobby “the University — departments and colleges — to sever ties with arms companies, to stop taking research funding from such companies and to cease Careers Service advertising for them”."

Oxford Colleges reject student-led climate rankings

"The majority of Oxford and Cambridge colleges received the lowest 'U' grade in climate rankings published by the student-led group Climate League of Oxford and Cambridge. Anvee Bhutani, Oxford SU President, summarised on Twitter: 'Oxford colleges overwhelmingly fail'."

Professor Louise Richardson to leave position of Vice-Chancellor

"Professor Louise Richardson is set to leave Oxford after a seven year term as the Vice-Chancellor. She will leave the role in December of 2022 and assume a new role as President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York in January of 2023."

Philippines presidential candidate did not complete Oxford degree as he claims

"Mr. Marcos Jr. has claimed repeatedly in the past that he obtained a BA in PPE...However, Oxford University has confirmed that this claim is partly false."

AstraZeneca will start making profits from Oxford vaccine

“AstraZeneca had previously promised that they would administer the jab on a not-for-profit basis 'at cost', and would only start to make money from the vaccine when Covid-19 was no longer considered to be a pandemic. "

Catholic society honoured controversial Cardinal with five course banquet

"The Oxford University Catholic Society, the Newman society, has come under fire for inviting controversial Cardinal George Pell to give this year’s St Thomas More Lecture. The lecture was followed by a drinks reception and five course black-tie dinner held in Cardinal Pell’s honour."

Over a third of UK Government COP26 advisors associated with Oxbridge

"The UK Government was advised by the 'Friends of COP' during the last global climate summit. Over a third of the ‘friends of COP' were associated with either Oxford or Cambridge, and over a quarter four attended Russell Group Universities for their studies."

98% of surveyed Oxford University students vaccinated

"The response rate for the survey was 49.3%. The University also reported 'there were virtually no differences in vaccination rates between different colleges and departments'."

‘Moral failure’ over Mosley Money

The fund, named after Max Mosley’s son Alexander, who died of a heroin overdose aged 39, is controversial due to its alleged connections to the Mosley family’s fascist past. Critics allege the fund is based upon the inheritance left by Max Mosley’s father, Oswald Mosley, leader of the British Union of Fascists and later the far-right Union Movement.

Oxford celebrates Diwali

"The festival marks the beginning of a new year and the triumph of good over evil. The most common narrative of Diwali is in Hindu mythology; it is the day when Lord Rama returns home to Ayodhya with his brother and his wife Sita, after 14 years in exile and after having defeated the demon king Ravana."

Colleges raise transgender flag for trans awareness week

"Some Oxford colleges, such as Balliol College and Merton College, will be raising the transgender pride flag for trans awareness week this November. ... the flag is symmetrical so that “no matter which way you fly it, it is always correct, signifying us finding correctness in our lives”." 

Oxford identify gene that doubles COVID-19 death risk

"The high-risk gene is thought to prevent cells in the lungs and airways from responding to the virus as they should, therefore, increasing the risk of organ failure."

Oxford University to carry out treatment testing for long COVID

"Common long COVID symptoms include extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, 'brain fog' and muscle weakness. Research suggests that these symptoms could be caused by dysfunctional mitochondria."

Christ Church students condemn Dean for comparing his experience to the Holocaust

The Junior and Graduate Common Rooms of Christ Church have condemned the College’s suspended Dean - the Very Reverend Martyn Percy - for a blog post in which he invoked imagery from the Holocaust when describing the criticism he has received.

Doctor Who and Sherlock writer Steven Moffat speaks at Oxford Union

The Oxford Union welcomed Steven Moffat for the second time since his first visit in 2016. The Doctor Who and Sherlock writer has won an Emmy award, five BAFTA Awards, and four Hugo Awards. His work in television earned him an appointment to the Order of the British Empire for his services to drama. 

Dame Sarah Gilbert to deliver Richard Dimbleby Lecture

The lecture, named in honour of journalist Richard Dimbleby, is delivered by influential figures in business, science, or politics and is broadcast annually by the BBC. This year, Dame Gilbert will add her name to a roster including Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, and Former President Bill Clinton. 

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