Saturday 23rd 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...

Professor Daniel Robinson: Why I’m voting for Trump

Daniel Kodsi interviews the Oxford philosopher about his support for Donald Trump

Are sunscreens letting us down?

Philip Baker investigates why melanoma is still on the rise despite increased sunscreen use

A case against no-platforming

Myfanwy Craigie argues that safe spaces and no-platforming in universities may hurt our freedom to express our opinions

Interview: Slavoj Žižek

John Maier talks to Slavoj Žižek about Trump, student politics and the power of comedy

Should colleges adopt meat-free hall days?

Michael Shao calls for meat-free hall days as reducing consumption of meat has significant environmental impact, whereas Colin Donnelly argues that meatless days represent the tradition of universities trying to enforce lifestyle choices on students

Trudeau: a liberal’s nightmare

Don’t believe the hype about the Canadian Prime Minister, argues Matthew Roller

One thing I’d change about Oxford… Drinking culture

Maxim Parr-Reid criticises the drinking culture in Oxford

Scotland: time for take two

Scotland’s future success depends on its remaining in the UK, not the EU

May’s government: the first 100 days

May’s opening act avoids the issues which started the show

Profile: Ann Widdecombe

The former shadow home secretary and Conservative Party stalwart on public notoriety, current events, and Brexit

How rational are we?

Johanne Nedergård uses science and logic to show that humans are not as rigorous as we might like to think we are

Interview: Paul Smith

The Director of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History discusses evolution and the importance of the Museum

Student mental health-care shows how the national crisis ought to be approached

The struggle against the national mental health crisis is one that students must join

Interview: Dame Anne Glover

"Politicians are still reluctant to acknowledge the [scientific] evidence when it doesn’t suit their philosophy and everybody loses when that happens."

Historic Mistake: Art History consigned to the past

Preserving the humanities is vital to future prosperity

One thing I’d change about Oxford… Cars

This week Alex Oscroft explores the idea of banning cars in Oxford

Trump’s trump card: a twisted tale

Trumpism may lose the battle, but it has already won the war

Should subfusc remain mandatory in Oxford?

Daniel Villar argues in favour of subfusc as a distinctive feature of Oxford, whereas Tess Leyland interprets it as a sign of the university's self-importance

Profile: Ji-Hyun Park

Sharing the story of escaping North Korea ... twice

Scientists with their heads in the clouds

Tom Galligan discusses the importance of blue sky science

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