Sunday 24th 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...

Why we should be angrier about access

Rivka Shaw argues Oxford must introduce bold measures if it is to solve its access problems

Interview: Peter Lilley, Conservative MP and Brexiteer

Akshay Bilolikar discusses George Galloway, Scottish ancestry and the EU referendum with the veteran Tory MP

Unheard Oxford: The Rev’d Dr George Westhaver

Another view on the dreaming spires. This week, Alex Walker talks to George Westhaver, the Principal of Pusey House, about students, fellowship and faith

Danny Dorling: a better politics?

Ben Evans is heartened by Danny Dorling's overall vision of politics, but unimpressed by his specific analysis

Stand up and be counted: students should campaign to Bremain

It’s us young people that will be most affected by the results of this referendum

The NUS isn’t working – and it won’t anytime soon

Henrique Laitenberger argues that the NUS is structurally unable to provide the services students deserve

Brexit at the Blavatnik: debate review

Antonio Gottardello believes vibrant discussions on the EU are the key to making the referendum a positive event, regardless of the actual result

Debate: ‘does Oxford produce good British Prime Ministers?’

A training ground for outstanding national leaders or producer of the unrepresentative and out of touch? Ben Evans and Ellen Peirson-Hagger go head to head

Sophie in ’t Veld on faith groups, populists and smart integration

Daniel Sutton talks to the Dutch MEP about populist politicians and greater EU integration

Unheard Oxford: Megan Daffern, chaplain at Jesus

Another view on the dreaming spires. This week, Alex Walker talks to Megan Daffern about inter-faith work and college community

Oxford must say Yes to the NUS for the sake of access

Adam Kellett, OUSU’s Access and Admissions Officer, argues that disaffiliation would hit low income students and liberation groups hardest

Nick Clegg: Stronger in Europe

Nick Clegg arrived at the Blue Boar Lecture theatre slightly late. But he didn’t pause on arrival; wasting no time in delving into what...

Oxford’s college drinking dilemma

Across Britain, students are drinking less and things are looking healthier. But something is going wrong in our colleges. Recent reports suggest the 2012 rise...

One thing I’d change about Oxford: coffee-free libraries

Whilst the awe-inspiring architecture of Oxford’s libraries is something nobody would wish to distance themselves from, their distracting influence on everyone’s work is beautifully...

To fight anti-Semitism, vote #YestoNUS

Rivka Micklethwaite argues that leaving the NUS is not conducive to tackling anti-Semitism

One thing I’d change about Oxford… Reading weeks

What would you change? This week, Tilly Nevin argues that a reading week would give us time to actually appreciate Oxford

Vaping on the NHS: should it go up in smoke?

Alec Fullerton thinks the benefits of vaping are debatable and that public money could be better spent elsewhere

Unheard Oxford: Neal Marjoram, member of the Pembroke maintenance team

Another view on the dreaming spires. This week, Sophie Dowle talks to Neal Marjoram about fixing boilers and keeping students content

What new admissions data actually means for access

Charles McGrath, Pembroke Access Officer, argues that Oxford must do more if it is to stop failing disadvantaged students

If OUSU wants to be taken seriously, it should let us see what its up to

Stopping Cherwell from filming in Council is closing the door on student politics

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