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Oxford and UNESCO launch a free global course on AI and Rule of Law

The University of Oxford has paired up with UNESCO to launch a free global course titled “AI, Justice, and Rule of Law”. The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) will teach those in legal settings to navigate the ethical, legal, and human rights challenges of AI. 

Comment

Features

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.

Raising refugee rights: Oxford STAR and Campsfield House

“The Coalition and STAR are quite unique in the emphasis on trying to bridge the gap between students and the community”.

‘It happens here and it’s our responsibility to stop it’: Oxford’s anti-sexual violence campaign

For the co-presidents of It Happens Here, Aparna and Maddie, literacy about consent and sexual violence is needed now more than ever.

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.

War within earshot: A year abroad in Jordan

A large part of my decision to study Arabic is owed to my father’s passing. Having now experienced life in the Middle East, including its wars, I now understand him far more than I ever could have anticipated.

The essay and its long history in Oxford

In 1811, a student at University College published a pamphlet including an essay titled ‘The Necessity of Atheism’ that he later distributed to the Heads of Oxford Colleges. The student, after disputes with the Master of University College at the time, was “sent down” on the grounds of “contumacy” (disobeying authority). This student was Percy Shelley. 

Profiles

‘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.

‘We’re hurtling into a new era’: James Marriott on books, broadsheets, and a changing Britain

The Times columnist James Marriott sees the decline in reading in Britain as part of a wider trend of rising populism and the death of liberalism.

Culture

SNL UK and British sketch comedy

SNL UK provides a ripe opportunity to explore our own distinct tradition of sketch comedy.

Twisted but funny: ‘The Birthday Party’ in review

CW: Rape What’s stuffier than a perfume shop and more packed than a Lego Store on opening day? It’s the Burton Taylor Studio, and no less so than during the sold out run of Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party (5th-9th May). In this debut show by Postbox Productions, we are...

‘The Two Noble Kinsmen’ reviewed

One of the finest traditions of Oxford drama is the summer garden play. Freeing the frenetic energy of the dramatic societies from the limited rehearsal spaces and platforms of Michaelmas and Hillary, Trinity sees the many green spaces of Oxford overcome by hectic preparations for garden plays, as directors...

Life on Earth: Art as armour in Mandel’s ‘Station Eleven’

The novel demonstrates how speculative fiction is a genre ultimately concerned with the relationship between the environment and the individual, between Earth and humanity.

Life

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.

Is there such a thing as a break-up season?

In the warmer months we are more open to new connections and to seeing the beauty which was always there, but perhaps lay dormant or buried during the winter.

Hospitable cultures exist because women exist

We don't just owe the survival of our culture to women, but our very own survival. Every homemade meal, tender embrace, wiped tear, wrapped gift, handwritten card, wise word of advice, and lullaby has raised and nourished us.