Wednesday 20th May 2026

News

Christ Church proposes 2,500 home development in West Oxfordshire

Proposals for a 2,500-home development in West Oxfordshire have been submitted by Christ Church College, in collaboration with UK construction company Bloor Homes. 

Oxford and UNESCO launch a free global course on AI and Rule of Law

The University of Oxford has paired up with UNESCO to launch a free global course titled “AI, Justice, and Rule of Law”. The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) will teach those in legal settings to navigate the ethical, legal, and human rights challenges of AI. 

£26 million in visiting student tuition fees: Inside the finances of Oxford’s visiting student programme

Across the twelve colleges that disclosed figures, the total income from visiting student tuition fees from 2021 to 2025 amounted to £26,474,583.

Tommy Robinson Union invite sparks controversy across University

The Oxford Union has invited Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who identifies as Tommy Robinson, to speak at a Week 5 debate on the motion ‘This house believes the West is right to be suspicious of Islam’. The invitation has generated backlash from University societies, senior Union officials, and Stand Up to Racism UK. 

Oxford Union Librarian steps down following ‘racist’ comments

The Oxford Union Librarian, Brayden Lee, has stepped down from his role and announced that he will not be running for Presidency.

First patient treated in ground-breaking retinal gene therapy trial

A patient in Oxford has been treated for a degenerative eye condition as part of a new clinical trial by the genetic medicines company SpliceBio.

Oxford University and Google expand AI partnership

The University of Oxford and Google have announced a major expansion of their collaboration to embed advanced artificial intelligence tools across the University’s academic and administrative activities.

Opening of Global Leadership Centre in Osney Power Station further delayed to summer 2026

The project was first mooted in May 2015, discussions with local residents took place in 2018, and the project was approved by Oxford City Council in 2019.

John Radcliffe Hospital hosts new institute for trauma, emergency, and critical care

A new Kadoorie Institute of Trauma, Emergency and Critical Care has been established within the University of Oxford.

Rusu, Farhan, Quan, Kola-Balogun elected to SU leadership amid low turnout

The Oxford Students’ Union (SU) has announced the results of its 2026 election.

Oxford study projects population experiencing extreme heat to nearly double by 2050

Oxford climate researchers have published a study according to which the population experiencing extreme heat will “nearly double” by 2050.

West Oxfordshire District Council approves plans for carbon-neutral village

The proposed development, Salt Cross Garden Village, will include 2,200 new homes.

The King appoints Wim Decock as new Regius Professor of Civil Law at Oxford

Last week, the UK government announced that the King has approved Professor Wim Decock, Professor of Roman Law, as Regius Professor of Civil Law...

Palestinian ambassador speaks to Oxford students

Appearing before an audience at the Mary Ogilvie Lecture Theatre, the talk marked the end of the ambassador’s tour around British academic institutions, to publicise the work of UK Friends of Palestinian Universities.

Jharkhand’s Chief Minister visits Oxford

Hemant Soren, Chief Minister of Jharkhand, visited Somerville and St John's near the end of January.

Oxford study finds that ChatGPT reproduces global inequalities

New research from the Oxford Internet Institute (OII), together with the University of Kentucky, reveals that global biases are reproduced and amplified by LLMs (Large Language Models).

Only 25% of Oxford Union speakers are women

A Cherwell analysis of over 560 Oxford Union speakers can reveal that 25.1% of confirmed speakers since Michaelmas term 2023 are women. In total,...

Oxford SU election candidates lay out their platforms as voting opens

Voting in the Oxford University Students’ Union (OUSU) elections opens today and will close this Thursday. Cherwell reached out to the students running for election to hear their plans for the organisation.

Sheldonian Series panel discusses the power and limits of activism

A panel discussion on activism took place at the Sheldonian Theatre last Wednesday as part of the University of Oxford’s Sheldonian Series, prompting debate...

Oxford Cultural Leaders programme celebrates 10th anniversary

The tenth anniversary course of the Oxford Cultural Leaders programme, a leadership coaching service operated by the University of Oxford’s Gardens, Libraries & Museums (GLAM) division, in partnership with Saïd Business School, concluded in late January.

Environment Agency allocates over £8 million contract to clear illegal Kidlington waste dump

The UK’s Environment Agency (EA) has awarded an £8 million contract to Yorkshire firm Acumen Waste to clear an over 20,000 tonne waste pile.

University overhauls undergraduate admissions examination requirements for 2027 entry

The University of Oxford has announced that it will discontinue Oxford-specific admissions examinations for the 2027 entry cycle. 

Oxford tops two sets of University rankings

The University of Oxford topped its European and global counterparts in recently released university rankings.

Holocaust survivor speaks with student granddaughter for memorial day

The talk, organised by the Union of Jewish Students and Oxford Jewish Society to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, reflected the theme of this year’s commemorations, ‘Bridging Generations’.

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