Thursday 21st 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...

Attacking Kezia Dugdale for going on I’m A Celeb is simple snobbery

We should applaud politicians like Dugdale for showing they are human, writes Honor Brocklebank-Fowler

Blame for our University’s blatant inequality should lie with the education system, not with Oxford

Startling figures released by Cherwell last week are indicative of educational divides that arise much earlier than Oxford admissions, argues Rachel Collett

Race workshops exacerbate the problem they seek to eliminate

Compulsory sessions are just an excuse for inaction, writes Sandra Xu

I feel no sympathy for the student suing Oxford

Teaching standards do vary, but academic success is as much the responsibility of students as their teachers, says Jordan Bernstein.

Let’s deprive the tax-dodging super rich of their power

It’s not enough to say tax avoidance is immoral. It’s time to do something about it, writes Daniel Iley-Williamson

Based on a true story: the neglected history of fake news

We say alternative facts are a modern problem. But distorted truths and inaccuracy have a long history, writes Rosa Thomas

Tabloids must stop using children as a bastion for bigotry

In light of the response to the Church of England's report on the protection of transgender children, Naomi Packer considers how the media uses children to further their views

Let’s admit it, we all need Oxfeud

Oxfeud is the perfect outlet for petty outbursts of anger

The enduring legacy of Cherwell’s founding father

Ethan Croft considers the way in which Robin Esser redefined student journalism

We were better off without Oxfeud

Oxfeud was just an excuse for us to waste time being nasty, writes Alexander Curtis

The All Souls scholarship shows progress, but is a token gesture

In the face of All Souls' continued defence of regressive customs, we should not commend the college for its complacency, writes Priya Vempali

Queer spaces should solely be for those who identify as LGBTQ+

Straight people are an overwhelmingly problematic presence in queer spaces

The road to affordable housing in Oxford is not a simple path

Colleges own swathes of Oxford’s green belt, pitting local residents against the growing need to build more homes. Libby Cherry investigates the growing divide.

Trump is using Twitter to dictate the media

Trump's 'keyboard courage' has put him in control of the mainstream media, writes Becky Cook

Queer spaces can benefit from the presence of allies

With Queerfest on the horizon, Naomi Packer considers the presence of straight people within queer spaces

Pro-life students have a right to speak out at Oxford

Anna Branford warns that the way in which she was shouted down by Oxford SU campaigners at a recent pro-life event sets a dangerous precedent

Lowering the voting age is unnecessary and wrong

Political awareness does not automatically entitle you to the vote, argues Jordan Bernstein

One awkward conversation is worth a thousand unwanted sexual advances

Awkward encounters are inevitable, but advances must be reasonable, writes Susannah Goldsbrough.

Poppies mark the season of patriotic sensationalism

Abusing those who choose not to wear a poppy risks turning a symbol of respect into an excuse for division, writes Matt Roller

Brexit’s humble beginnings in the Queen’s Lane Coffee House

“Brains of Brexit” Daniel Hannan tells Akshay Bilolikar how radical Tory students took over the UK

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