Cherwell - Oxford's oldest student newspaper

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

Ruby Barenberg and Hattie Simpson -

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 essay and its long history in Oxford

Naima Aden -

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.

Who Owns Net Zero? Climate Action in a Collegiate University

Anish Vedantham -

Oxford University’s sustainability ambitions are increasingly visible. At the central level, strategic commitments articulate ambitious targets, governance mechanisms, and investment frameworks. In built form, newly completed University buildings such as the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities and the Life and Mind Building are presented as low-carbon exemplars of Passivhaus design and biodiversity integration.

Bridging the gap? Oxford’s fight against wealth inequality

Leo Jones -

The life of a student is rarely one of luxury. Pot Noodles for dinner, Vinted bids in place of new clothes, and the widely-prized Tesco Clubcard have become small but vital saving graces as the cost of living in the UK continues to soar.

Profiles

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

Melissa Eddon -

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

Gavriella Epstein-Lightman -

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.

‘My aim is to make everyone equally unhappy’: Catherine Royle on Somerville, the Foreign Office, and the importance of pragmatism

Samuel Drew -

Catherine Royle explains how a career in the Foreign Office and NATO is shaping her approach as Somerville College's principal.

‘There’s a difference between impartiality and neutrality’: Lewis Goodall on politics, podcasting, and the prime minister

Stanley Smith -

Organisations like the BBC have "a completely hollow view of impartiality", says Lewis Goodall, host of The News Agents.

Culture

The Big Shot: In Conversation with Greg Brennan

Willow Jopp -

For more than three decades, Greg Brennan has made a career out of being just outside the frame.

May Morning

Elizabeth Bourn -

Smudged mascara and the curling of coffee steam. Small yawns and the shuffling of boots. Tangled hair plaited by the same girl from first-year, a crumbly pastry shared with her, too. Heads resting on shoulders, tired eyes looking skyward for the song that is coming. Fresh, crisp air and...

Sunday

Rory Maguire -

That Sunday could arrive first-class, Wrapped in tissue and stickers with minimalist logo. Sent anonymously (from a fan?). It will be a crisp, sunblushed Sunday. The first in months without rain or Export tariff. Sunday, with speechless morning and an afternoon of step-counts exceeded. Inside, there will be boutiques browsed, with flat whites from an independent coffeehouse, where we know...

Hail Agnes full of grace: ‘Hamnet’ and the perfect mother figure

Ruya Oral -

A couple of days ago, I saw an Instagram reel (in the Friends tab, no less) regarding Jessie Buckley’s recent Best Actress win at the 2026 Academy Awards. The reel was praising Buckley for the apparent embrace of her most important role as wife and mother, highlighting her talking...

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