Saturday 18th October 2025

Opinion

Embracing AI undermines academia

By facilitating copious AI usage, the University fails to deliver on its centuries-long tradition of encouraging original thought. 

Let’s critique what protesters do, not who they are

I may not agree with all of their tactics, but I am grateful for those who make sure that our University is on the right side of history.

Outreach shouldn’t stop at Hadrian’s Wall

In a Britain that claims to be a “United” Kingdom, having only two-dozen Scottish state schoolers at its best university does much to foster division.

The ‘S’ in ‘STEM’ stands for superiority complex

It’s high time we stopped arguing over which is more difficult, and instead started asking what STEM and the humanities can learn from each other.

Poetry and public prudishness

With new reforms for the Professor of Poetry elections, Cherwell delves further into Britain's poetic and prudish past

The thinking man’s politician?

Marc Kidson meets James Purnell, the former Cabinet minister whose resignation failed to topple Gordon Brown

Democracy: the best policy?

Hector Keate contemplates Simon Cowell's proposed "Political X factor"

Education, Education? – Labour now proposes two instead of three

Why forcing students to complete degrees in two years rather than three will create more problems than it will solve

Why we experience a quarter-life crisis

Marta Szczerba explores why fear is so prevalent among students

Varsity: Learning something on the slopes, if not how to ski

Learning humility (if not skiing) in Tignes

Cringe, appreciate and cringe some more

The line between irony and political insensitivity is blurred and as a result often has dangerous consequences

Is anybody listening, Mr Clegg?

Marc Kidson wonders why Nick Clegg struggles to get his voice heard in politics

5 Minute Tute: Copenhagen Summit

Dr. Bettina Wittneben explains the upcoming international climate conference

Juggling the plates is hard work but women are brilliant at multi-skilling

The Guardian columnist Jackie Ashley argues that women can have both a successful career and a family

Is Christmas less fun as you grow up?

Is Christmas less enjoyable for adults than for children?

Interview: Richard Curtis

Richard Curtis talks to Georgia Lindsay about comedy, optimism and charity.

By-election win: a good omen for Gordon?

Two students consider whether the tide has turned for Labour

Human Rights on hold

Amnesty International's Sara MacNeice bemoans the slow pace of change since Obama's inauguration

‘Successful activists aren’t really activists’

The Times columnist pours scorn on student activism

5 Minute Tute: Water on the moon

Professor FW Taylor Halley explains NASA's crash landing on the moon

Should sex education be compulsory?

Two students consider the recent developments in sex education

Stop making sex a taboo subject

Sex and relationship education is important in helping children make infomed choices

Too close for comfort

India's unique conception of personal space

That’s more like it

Those asking questions about OUSU's role should take a look at what they have achieved this week. Candidates, take note.

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