Monday 7th July 2025

Opinion

The Language Faculty is promoting intelligence, not artifice

Isaac Asimov’s fantastic short story ‘The Last Question’ has always struck me as vaguely implausible, not because of its depictions of the next trillion-or-so years of human evolution and...

Racism tarnished my European year abroad experience

For linguists and lawyers heading across the Channel in third year, an idyllic continental adventure is not the whole picture

It’s okay to hate tourism in Oxford

Tourists are as much a feature of life as a student at this University...

Academic imperialism and the war on Oxford

For centuries Oxford has balanced town and gown, but increasing college acquisitions are jeopardising the city's very essence

Shorts: The world after Covid-19

1. Jed Burkat (Brasenose) Slavoj Zizek, beloved pop-culture icon and philosopher, has called Coronavirus a ‘perfect storm’ which ‘gives a new chance for Communism’ in Europe in...

The Minefield of Coronavirus Metaphors

“This is the frontline in a war,” begins BBC medical correspondent Fergus Walsh’s special report on coronavirus, filmed in University College Hospital, London. He...

God Save the Queen, I Guess

Natasha Voase calls on the Royal Family ‘to prove that they’re more than just reality stars with posh accents’.

Now is a Time for Politics

The coronavirus is not only a threat to public health but to our values of democracy and civil liberty, Edward Rhys Jones argues.

Violence on the Frontline: the changing public perception of the NHS

'The assault of NHS workers is far from a new phenomenon.' Emily Passmore discusses public perceptions of the NHS and how COVID-19 has exposed them.

A Crisis of Faith?: the role and responsibilities of organised religion

When David was King of Israel, his people is said to have been ravaged by a plague claiming the lives of hundreds every day....

Clap for Our Carers: A Revival of Direct Action

Standing in suburban London as a short-lived round of applause peters out, I couldn't help but think to myself: What is the point? Notwithstanding the admirable sentiment...

Can I speak to the manager?: what ‘Karen’ tells us about Internet discourse

'The social context to Internet discourse should not go ignored.' Zehra Munir discusses the 'Karen' phenomenon and its ability to capture the mood of society.

A Case For Sonder: rejecting putting a price tag on life

All throughout the world, health professionals are facing some of the most disheartening scenes of our times. Their efforts are valiant, there’s no denying...

Starmer’s Labour: the long road to relevance

'If you don’t look ready to lead the country, the country won’t put you in charge.' Ed Lawrence presents Labour's strategy for the next decade.

Pandemic Democracy: Trump, Biden, and the politics of coronavirus

The 2020 election already had all the elements you’d expect from a blockbuster political thriller. An impossibly large star-studded cast, a twin election conspiracy...

Blind Spots and Vigilantism: Learning from the ghosts of recent pandemics past

‘I refute the claim that news cannot be made directly relevant, engaging, and motivating wherever it happens.’ Francesca Butt warns us against the blind spots in our media coverage and tells us what we can learn from online outrage.

Opinion – Oxford Finalists Deserve a Proper ‘Safety Net’

On Wednesday 25th March I released an Open Letter to the University advocating for a ‘guaranteed minimum’ grade to be implemented to protect students particularly...

Calm Down About Your Five-Year Plan

Timea Iliffe questions at what point we all started living by the unspoken five year plan

COVID-19 Is Changing the Way We Socialise

'I can hardly offer them a virtual cup of tea when the conversation runs dry.' As our online interactions proliferate, Janae Byrne discusses the pitfalls of communicating via social media.

This House Believes Oxford University is Defined by its Students

Jack Glynne-Jones and Joseph Mochhoury debate whether Oxford University is defined by its students or if it is the other way around.

Long Read – The EU Betrays Solidarity

When the European Economic Community (EEC) shifted to the European Union in 1993, Maastricht Treaty emphasised ‘solidarity’ as its founding tenet. In the Treaty, member states...

This House Believes Dogs are a Man’s Best Friend

Jasper Evans and William McCathie debate whether our canine companions are truly our best friends.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe: Responding to Iran’s ‘hostage diplomacy’

'Ultimately, politics imprisoned her, and it will be politics that allows her to return home.' Louis Kill-Brown considers the future of Iran's political 'hostages' and the events that led to their imprisonment.

Remote Teaching Is No Good Quick Fix

With the structure of Trinity Term and exams still up in the air, Guy Dabby-Joory offers the University some alternatives to remote teaching.

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