Oxford's oldest student newspaper

Independent since 1920

Headlines

Oxford reviews policies following EHRC transgender guidance changes

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) published its updated draft Code of Practice on Thursday, 21st May, prompting responses from across the University over the potential impact on transgender students and staff.

Comment

Features

From sub fusc penguins to college puffer herds: The ‘uniforms’ of Oxford

With all these sightings of homogeneous clothing, it seemed to me as though people spent more time in ‘uniform’ at Oxford than they would have done in sixth form or high school beforehand. But does Oxford really have ‘uniforms’? How might we define them? And what purpose might they serve?

A plate for everyone: Food restrictions at formals

Recently, I found myself curious about the behind-the-scenes process: how colleges receive dietary information, where and how it travels, and what care is taken to ensure that, by the time a plate lands in front of you, it is the right one.

24/7: College porters and the Oxford night shift

For many, the night lodge exists as a background certainty, noticed chiefly in moments of crisis, vulnerability, or inconvenience.

The Oxford donors in the Epstein files

The appearance in the 'Epstein files' of the names of a number of Oxford University's most prominent donors raises questions about the University's sources of funding.

‘The only woman in Hall’: Gender and college governance

When Baroness Alexandra Freeman became Principal of Hertford College last month, she did not initially realise she was the first woman to hold the role.

The independent cinema battling Oriel College to stay open

With the threat of an unrenewed lease from Oriel College, the Ultimate Picture Palace is appealing to the community at large for support.

Profiles

Meghan Campbell on women, poverty, and why international law still matters

Meghan Campbell discusses the Oxford Human Rights Hub, the manosphere, and using international law to fight women's poverty.

‘This isn’t a culture war. It’s a war on culture with a very long history’: Dan Hicks on Rhodes, racism, and the Pitt Rivers 

In 'Every Monument Will Fall', Professor Dan Hicks argues for a democratic process in reckoning with the monuments and museums that celebrate Britain's colonial past.

‘What we need is action’: Dr Lakasing on maternity care, misinformation, and the NHS crisis

Dr Lakasing explains what its like to work in maternity care during a time of crisis for the NHS.

‘I’m not campaigning for any particular point of view’: Sam Freedman on government, the Conservatives, and writing with his father

As a writer and Fellow at the Institute for Government, Freedman has the opinions of a journalist and the knowledge of a policy maker.

Culture

Oxford on-screen: Historical atmosphere and fantasy worlds

Ideally, we should strike a balance; an awareness of the reality of life at Oxford can co-exist with an appreciation of its grand architecture and historical atmosphere.

The rise of Stats.fm: Music as a signal of identity

It is far harder to maintain a separation between your taste, your identity, and how you are thought of by others.  

‘Would you mind if I asked you a troubling question?’:  ‘Ulster American’ in review

Arun Lewis reviews Grá Productions' staging of David Ireland's 'Ulster American', and finds fault in an otherwise fascinating performance.

Subs, dubs, and AI flubs: Lost in film translation

How hard could it be to watch an entire film in German when I could not even introduce myself in the language? Quite hard, it turns out.

Life

Measuring out life with coffee spoons: Inside the Oxford death café

“Jaffa cake?” These are the first words I hear upon stepping into Oxford’s Death Café. We’re in the Old Fire Station on George Street, a venue for all kinds of offbeat activities: indie theatre, standup, and its kitchen, which operates as a social enterprise run by women refugees. At...

An archaeological future: Distorted legacies

The ache to remember and be remembered is one of the most important things that makes humankind human, and this hasn’t changed across the sweeping expanse of time.

A mini-guide to the Italian restaurants of Oxford

The Cherwell Lifestyle team decided to combine  our forces and put together a mini-guide to the Italian restaurants to suit all of your needs. 

Actually, Trinifree is a state of mind

Experiencing Trinifree with a proper “Trinittude” (Trinifree-attitude) means the chance to do things I would have considered unfathomable during the past two terms, like take a nap in the afternoon or resolve to never pull an all-nighter in order to finish an essay.