Thursday 14th August 2025

Opinion

The Encaenia is PR without the public (or anyone else)

Wholesale reform is the last thing Encaenia needs. If only people knew what it is, it would be a well-suited PR exercise for a modern Oxford.

This is how we combat the crusade against universities

It’s easy to think of an arts degree as a fruitless pleasure. But education and academic study are intrinsically valuable.

From pensioners to students, all should fear the Palestine Action ban

If you think this is a win for one side over the other in relation to Israel’s war on Gaza, be careful what you wish for.

Trashing rules save face, not students

Trashing is banned. But what does the banning achieve except pushing students further from...

Remembering ‘Comfort Women’, survivors of atrocities the world didn’t know about until 1991

On 14th August, Oxford marked the anniversary of the truth about Japanese sex slavery during WWII being revealed to the world.

The new commission is a betrayal of European democracy – but Europe’s democrats must support it

Tough compromises are required to save the dream of a strong, free, and democratic Europe.

Interview: Frank Turner

The self-proclaimed "skinny half-arsed country singer" talks punk rock, politics, and his upcoming album, No Man's Land

Interview: David Harrington

Founder and Artistic Director of the Kronos Quartet David Harrington on contemporary music, collaboration and legacy

10 years after the civil war, Sri Lankan Tamil community in Paris demands justice

reporting from La Chapelle on the 10 year commemoration of the Sri Lankan Civil War

Should we reduce tuition fees?

Marcin Pisanski and Thomas Laver debate how we should respond to the recent government report.

Interview: David Aaronovitch

"The people’s whose future depends on this question are overwhelmingly against the thing we have decided for their future. That’s a problem."

Aid should not be given selfishly

Moves to give foreign aid in line with the national interest are misplaced.

A fee hike for international students is deeply unfair

Increasing already extortionate fees will make the lives of international students even more difficult.

Pride must be inclusive

Why we need to include straight allies.

Interview: Mike Gravel

On US empire, democracy, and running for president

So long Theresa, you won’t be missed

A premiership littered with failures finally comes to an end.

Oxford, Oil, and the tragedy of Brother McAuley

The University’s links to fossil fuel industries run far deeper than just investments

Interview: Jocelyn Bell Burnell

On astrophysics, unconscious bias, and women in science

May’s gone, who’s next?

"Whether it’s Boris, Moggy, Raab, Javid or whoever the Tories choose, it is safe to say we’re f**ked."

Why we must pay college staff a decent wage

We have a duty to pressure our colleges to pay all employees the Oxford Living Wage.

Do the EU elections matter?

Dominic Brind and Luke Dunne on whether we should care about the EU election results.

John Bolton: The case for a citizen’s arrest

While the Union’s courting of the far-right has brought protests and boycotts, Bolton’s visit has gone largely unremarked - but he represents an immediate threat to the lives of people of colour.

Interview: George Osborne

The first impression that I get of George Osborne is that he is a man in a hurry – both literally and figuratively. After...

Lazy Rich Caucasians: the legacy of the college admissions scandal

The story’s intrigue has stopped people focusing on what is actually important.

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