Tuesday 1st July 2025
Blog Page 1032

Want to run a business next year?

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Oxford Student Publications Ltd (OSPL) is an entirely student-run company that owns some of Oxford’s most prestigious and long-running publications, including Cherwell, The ISIS and Bang! science magazine.

We’re looking for a talented and dynamic team to run the business in 2017 and we’ve opened applications for a new Chairperson and Finance Director.

Both positions give you the opportunity to be a director of a private limited company during your spare time at university, and provide immensely valuable experience for anyone interested in media or business.

The posts last for one calendar year, from the end of Michaelmas 2016 to the end of Michaelmas 2017. No business experience is required for either role.

If you’re interested in applying, please email [email protected] by 6pm on November 3 (Thursday of 4th week) to state your intent.

Applications will CLOSE at 6pm on November 5 (Saturday of 4th week).

 

Chairperson

The Chairperson leads the Board of Directors and is responsible for the overall running of OSPL. As Chairperson, you’re responsible for the company’s finance, business and long-term development strategy.

The Chairperson represents a senior point of contact to the editorial staff of our publications, meeting weekly with senior staff at the Council of Management to discuss performance. You’ll also preside over any legal matters which arise and be the primary point of contact for any complaints or disputes.

Email Steven at [email protected] for more information about the role of Chairperson and to request an application form.

 

Finance Director

The role of Finance Director is great for anyone looking to get experience in business. As FD, it’s your job to send out invoices for all of the adverts in OSPL’s publications, collect the money, and also bill colleges for their subscriptions.

You’re also responsible for paying bills and filing company tax returns. Each quarter the FD prepares comprehensive accounts so that the whole board is up to date with OSPL’s financial position.

Although the FD manages a small team of Finance Executives, it is down to you to ensure that OSPL stays afloat and is ready to face any financial challenges in the future. No experience in finance is necessary, however candidates should have good numerical skills.

Email Tom at [email protected] for more information about the role of Finance Director. Email Steven at [email protected] to request an application form.

 

 

Revealed: Oxford’s addiction to study drugs

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According to a Cherwell survey conducted over the past week and which received 662 responses, 15.6 per cent of students have knowingly taken Modafinil or another so-called ‘study drug’ without a prescription while studying at Oxford.

Modafinil is used to treat disorders including narcolepsy and sleep apnea. It is a controlled substance in the US, and can only legally be obtained in the UK if prescribed by a doctor. Other study drugs include Ritalin and Adderall, both of which are used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

All three drugs are associated with enhanced performance when studying or working, and are often abused in order to achieve better results in high-pressure academic environments, like Oxford, Cambridge, or some American universities.

Cherwell’s survey also found that of those who have knowingly taken Modafinil without a prescription, only 11.8 per cent had done so previous to arrival in Oxford. It is unclear the reason behind the spike upon arrival at Oxford, with increased access and greater pressure both possibly factors contributing to the rise in study drug abuse.

A number of students who use study drugs illicitly, our results show, take them sporadically for both exam and work deadlines (43.2 per cent). The next largest segment of study drug users (25.9 per cent) only engage in their use before work deadlines. Study drug usage appears to be either engaged in covertly or only amongst certain populations of the student body, with just over half of respondents (53.2 per cent) answering that they knew other people studying at Oxford who had taken study drugs without a prescription.

The percentage of students at Oxford who have taken study drugs non-medically is roughly in line with similar findings about non-medical study drug use at US universities, with a 2013 National Survey finding that about 15 per cent of college students aged 18-22 have taken Adderall without a prescription.

There are significant risks often associated with study drug abuse, namely addiction and permanently impaired cognitive function. These effects, however, are unlikely to arise as a result of medical use.

Dr Zahid Padamesy, Department of Psychology, told Cherwell that “in fact, some subjects seem to benefit from these drugs, whereas others are actually impaired. The subjects that seem to benefit the most from these drugs are those with relatively poor working memory and attention at baseline. In contrast, for subjects with already excellent working memory and attention skills, these drugs seem to impair task performance.”

Padamesy also highlighted that the long-term effects of study drug abuse remain unclear. Ali Lennon, OUSU VP for Welfare and Equal Opportunities, made a similar comment, telling Cherwell, “While Modafinil has no particularly harmful short-term effects, we’re not entirely sure what the longterm repercussions are. And in addition to that, stronger smart drugs like Ritalin and Adderall are essentially low-grad amphetamines. For those persons who do not have ADHD and conditions that warrant the use of Ritalin, it can be quite damaging.”

How dare Oxford let common sense get in the way of moral outrage?

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In the latest news to rock this proud University, colleges continue to accept money from those organisations offering them money. What ever will be next?

It is unclear to me wherein lies the material harm of accepting the money of the disreputable rich. As best I can make out, the claim appears to be that money is power, and corrupt donors will use bought influence to corrupt the academy. Certainly, all else equal, the University and its constituent colleges should prefer the money of Médecins Sans Frontières to human-rights abusing Qatari oligarchs. But such a choice is not the one being presented. It is instead: take the oil money or forfeit the opportunity to grant scholarships to deserving students.

After all: better our hands than theirs. Rhodes scholars often refer to their scholarship money as reparations. Let us do analogously – to consider Qatari money a payment from the regime for its cruelty. Perhaps more significantly: I have yet to see deleterious impact ensue from the University accepting even questionable donations. The Blavatnik School of Government offers a flattering description of Russian-born billionaire Leonard Blavatnik. But this is a ridiculous quibble – thanks to Len, Oxford now has a school of public policy.

There is, nonetheless, an important point raised by the question of donor influence: that if the financial resources of each college were pooled, the power of the donor would be greatly diminished. So for those concerned, I would suggest campaigning for establishment of a shared endowment, rather than griping every time a college behaves according to the dictates of common sense.

Profile: Anthony Geffen

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Dare I say it: Anthony Geffen is a man who cannot be pigeonholed. A man best known for his professional partnership with living legend David Attenborough, he has worked on over 11 critically acclaimed films, from the fascinating Rise of the Animals: Triumph of the Vertebrates to the stunning Great Barrier Reef. But this is only the tip of the iceberg for Geffen who, since proving himself as a remarkable natural documentarian, has been involved in a range of incredibly diverse projects.
Perhaps then, a good starting point would not be Attenborough, but rather Geffen’s continued innovations in cinematic storytelling in the form of virtual reality (VR) filmmaking. This medium of film is currently evolving way beyond the realms of gaming, but is, as Geffen’s work exemplifies, making waves in the film industry itself. This year’s Cannes’ Film Festival has confirmed a full VR line-up, including screenings and workshops. Popular franchises are also seeing the benefits of the up and coming mode, with Ghostbusters and Wonderland both experimenting with VR. Geffen’s passion for VR was striking and he chatted at length about the many possibilities VR filmmaking holds for the future of the cinematic experience. For Geffen, it creates “an environment where you can immerse people in a 360-degree environment”, the results of which he can describe as nothing less than “amazing”.
In June of last year, Geffen, and a team of professionals, achieved this on a grand scale. The Natural History Museum metamorphosed into ancient oceans, where visitors had the chance to travel through time and space, observing sea creatures over 550 million years old – all through VR film.
However, he is not interested in restricting VR to nature documentaries, or documentaries of any kind for that matter. “To me, as a storyteller,” begins Geffen, “I want to look at different platforms and different ways to tell stories.” This idea is a real game changer: imagine being able to go one step beyond simply watching your favourite films? Or even that TV series you’re addicted to? “I want to make some episodic things [with VR] including some dramas, because to me if you’re in that world for something like ten minutes, you’ll come back and see what happened to that set of characters and that situation.” But Geffen isn’t talking about Netflix here. He says, “It’s fantastic, why compete?” He states that he would instead prefer to “go to a different area and compete.” Watch this space.
Geffen’s ambition was inspiring and I wondered whether he thought his passion project would leave a lasting mark. I asked him about where VR would be by 2050 and he predicted, with upmost certainty, that it “will be commonplace way before then.” He even went as far as to say, rather poetically, that “I think they’ll be ways of us seeing the world around us on a contact lens.” After this interview was conducted and I undertook further research into the VR mode of filmmaking, I find myself struggling to disagree. This is an exciting time for film, and it’s only going to get better.
It was becoming clear that Geffen was interested film and its various mechanisms. I was interested in what ignited this fire in his belly. “I grew up in a generation where people were making very exciting things on television,” Geffen begins, “like Attenborough [who] was making the first bursts on screen of his big series.” Whilst we millenials may take TV entertainment as a commodity, having access to award winning international shows on almost every device, in the back end of the 20th century this concept was revolutionary, possessing the ability to transport viewers to exotic places from the comfort of their own living room. There is certainly some correlation here between Geffen’s TV generation and his love of VR. A small TV box set with four channels was equivalent to the new digital software the likes of Geffen are creating and innovating. It was new to the senses, offering different, immersive experiences, much like VR in 2016.
After lauding the brilliance and importance of television, I probed him on the BBC’s charter renewal. This is set to threaten programming, specifically the commissioning of the sort of nature documentaries that Geffen has been involved in for years. He highlights the shifting landscape of the broadcasting environment, one that is, to quote Geffen, “changing beyond all recognition.” He admits that the “BBC is going to have to get smaller… it’s run by 16,000 people which is a very big number to finance with public money.” Yet he remains incredibly loyal to the institution, believing that “it embodies… independence and creativity”. He continues by saying “it’s very important that the BBC is supported because it’s sort of a cornerstone we all work toward in the industry and if we took it away, it would actually dismantle what’s good about British broadcasting.”
For Geffen, the primary purpose of broadcasting film, of any kind, is storytelling. And the conversation naturally veered back to his preoccupation with film as a vehicle for human narrative. He emphasises “forget all the special effects and all the whizz bang – to have personal stories crafted in a way that they can translate a powerful story, is still more powerful than anything else.” For him, it is clear that film and narrative are intrinsically linked, and that that aspect of cinema should be central to the cinematic experience – be it on the big screen, television or VR.
This has shone through most of his film projects, which have covered a broad range of subject matter and genre, almost all keeping story telling at the forefront. In 2010, Geffen directed The Wildest Dream, a biopic documenting the attempt of two mountaineers to reach the summit of Mount Everest, presented in the form of a theatrical retelling.
Historical events also pique Geffen’s interest, with a string of critically acclaimed films such as Jerusalem: City of Heaven and Empires: Holy Warriors – Richard the Lionheart and Saladin. And of course: his projects with Attenborough (wildlife also offers some enthralling story lines). But which was his favourite to film, produce or direct? “Oral histories,” Geffen answers with little hesitation, and continues by briefly discussing some of his own that he is particularly proud of, mentioning The Promised Land and a new project focussing on the Holocaust. “Oral histories have been around since Troy,” Geffen continues, “We have always been recorders of human narrative.”
Working for over a period of 20 years with Attenborough, Geffen has won countless awards for his contribution and innovation of the genre. “Attenborough and I decided to do some natural history documentaries and for seven years I’ve come in at it at a slightly different angle. We’ve tried to bring a different narrative and bring things back to life.” A striking example of this would be Penguins (2012) which was screened in 3D, yet another example of how Geffen experiments with various film mediums to create a truly unique journey for the viewer as they navigate their way through wildlife.
“I think we’ve tried to do the unexpected in the natural world.” Nevertheless, Geffen expressed humility when he confesses that he “only really came to it because of [his] relationship with David Attenborough.” And long may the love continue.

Why I’m a … Muslim

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In some ways, as a Muslim in Oxford one might feel a bit out-of-place. In a student community that (for the most part) adheres to its self-proclaimed slogan ‘Work Hard, Play Hard’, it is hard to swim against the tide and maintain the conviction, for example, that not all forms of ‘play’ and ‘fun’ are created equal. Despite the university’s focus on rational thought and independent enquiry, and our common self-perception that we are amongst the brightest and most intelligent young people, it is surprising how few of us employ their rational capacity not only in the context of academia, but also as part of their private life. After all, education is not just about gaining technical skills and knowledge, but (arguably more importantly) about developing as an individual, building one’s character, and forming a vision of how one can use one’s abilities to improve the world.

In other ways, as a Muslim in Oxford one might be more inclined than others to truly appreciate the possibilities that this place has to offer. When learning about the world and sharpening one’s mind becomes a comprehensive experience that is not restricted to writing essays and passing exams, then an Oxford education not only boosts one’s career prospects, but above all creates reflective, responsible and wise individuals.

If intelligence and rationality are used as tools not only for achieving good grades, but also for leading a ‘good’ life (in the normative sense), then it becomes a habit to make up one’s mind about what is beneficial (spreading good mood, volunteering, character development) and what is harmful (late-night partying, backbiting, wasting time), and then to act according to one’s newly-acquired convictions.

When I started to realise this, and began to reflect upon the way I study, behave, and live, I found myself changing my lifestyle – not primarily because the religion that I grew up with “told me that I must do X”, but simply because it became clear to me that adopting X will help me improve my character and live a balanced life. To the extent that I have managed to overcome social pressure and exercise self-discipline with regards to these matters and that I have been content and managed to deal much better with all the stress and difficulties of my hectic student life.

As a slightly trivial (but nonetheless relevant) example, take my sleep rhythm: Praying the first of five daily prayers before the sun rises practically forces one to go to bed early – but as a side-effect, one sleeps much better, is more productive during the early hours of the day, and potentially even witnesses the beauty of a misty sunrise on a Sunday morning in spring (speaking from experience here). Other examples include my increased propensity to donate charitably, care for the environment, and make an effort to deal with those around me in the best way I can.

Islam, for me, thus offers a way of life that appeals to human nature both on an emotional and rational basis, creates the preconditions for successful character development, and generally helps to get one’s priorities in life right. Once one has engaged oneself with it, it is easy to uncover the intellectual, spiritual, and social treasures that is has to offer. One will get mesmerized by the Qur’an, the deepness of its meanings, and the beauty of its recitation in Arabic (trust me, just check it out on YouTube). One will begin to feel intense love for the man who was the embodiment of its teachings, and whose mercy, humbleness, strength, and piety inspire humans around the world. One will understand that modern perversions of this religion are instances of human malignancy rather than examples of its backwardness and savagery.

But am I cherry-picking? Am I simply telling you all the great stuff while not mentioning the theory of evolution, the supposed irrationality of following scripture, the alleged patriarchy? In other words, am I buried in dogmatism and ideology? I have not devoted this article to rationality in the private sphere for no reason – the more I study and learn about Islam, the more I realise how baseless the accusations are which are commonly levelled against it, and how coherent a system of thought it is. Feel free to disagree on certain points, but don’t use this as a reason to categorically reject everything ‘Islamic’. Rather, approach it with an open mind and extract all that which, upon reflection, you deem beneficial for you. I did exactly that, and ended up as a believing, practicing Muslim.

*The author is a Muslim living in author who prefers to remain anonymous

Spotlight: Hip-Hop Histories

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Rap is perhaps not the first medium that comes to mind when faced with the challenge of making centuries-old literature and history accessible to 21st century audiences, but the meteoric rise of Hamilton across the Atlantic and the Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company here in the UK prove that using the genre to that end is both possible and necessary.

Last week, the latter’s adaptation of Richard II, directed by BAFTA and MOBO Award-winning artist Akala, came to Oxford’s O2 Academy. In many respects, the update was effortless – Mowbray and Bolingbroke’s confrontation in the opening scenes lends itself perfectly to a rap battle, and the ways in which different figures communicated revealed something about their characters. Bolingbroke raps, as do other nobles involved in his rebellion; Richard himself insists on delivering his soliloquies straight as he clings to the divine right of kings, a concept that feels increasingly tenuous and outmoded as the show progresses.

The songs clarify the meaning behind the Bard’s often intimidating early modern language, but by choosing individual lines as their basis and then extrapolating from there, the production runs the risk of losing some of the nuances of the original story. This Richard, a decisive, deliberate tyrant, is a far cry from Shakespeare’s impulsive, ineffectual king, and the deposition scene is notably absent. As a work in its own right, however, it is a compelling one. And as Akala asserts, “It’s not about lowering quality – that’s patronising, young people see through that. It’s about demystifying Shakespeare.”

In this respect, THSC’s efforts are a great success. In emphasising the links between Shakespeare and modern hip-hop both rhythmically and thematically, Akala shows his audience that the greatest writer in the canon is intended for everyone, not just the academic elite. “Over 90 percent of Shakespeare’s audience couldn’t read or write,” he pointed out in a recent TEDx talk. “How is it, then, that in the 21st century, in Britain, he’s come to be viewed as almost a poster child for elitism?” Framing Shakespeare as analogous to contemporary artists gives hip-hop the credit it deserves as an art form and explodes the idea of the legendary playwright as belonging exclusively to any one demographic – and does so in an eminently entertaining way.

Web Series World – Convos with my 2-year-old

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This week I shall cover another series I recently discovered on the ‘top ten web series’ video. It is a channel ingeniously named Convos with my two-year-old, which pretty much is exactly what it says on the tin, but with one integral twist; the two-year-old is played by a 6ft grown man. It makes for brilliant watching.

The whole idea of the series is to point out how weird and frankly stupid small children can be; as if there were previously any doubt. Given the fact that this is a re-enactment of actual conversations Matthew Clarke (the father) has had with his real life 2 year old (Coco Frances Harrison-Clarke), many lines of dialogue are surprisingly hilarious. Matthew Clarke stars as himself in the series and Coco is played by Matthew’s friend David Milchard. There are too many fabulous moments in this series really to point out, (and I have already learnt the hard way that many lines don’t work so well when you are trying to explain to your friends why this series is the best thing ever, without the withering facial expressions of David and Matthew.) But still I shall give it a go.

The first episode starts boldly, as the two year old takes an incredibly protective stance, guarding her mother from her father. It manages to highlight how wonderfully controlling young children try to be. The lines by themselves taken out of context seem like they are taken from a rather unhealthy relationship.

Coco: No, you can’t talk to her right now.

Dad: What?

Coco: You can’t talk to her right now, because I’m talking to her right now.

Then you remember that this is a 2-year-old speaking and it’s completely hilarious because she is so tiny. (Just realised that that is quite a scary dimension to human nature. Everything is adorable if it is small)

The series is particularly notable for several Eastender worthy confessions and plot twists. Notably the particularly monumental: ‘No, she’s not your wife. She’s the princess’ and ‘because I’m naked, I’m the boss’. Innocent questions such as: ‘can we get a cat after you die?’ are particularly inspiring in their unashamed bluntness. Honesty is prevalent throughout. This is found clearly in the confident declaration in the public bathroom in Season 5 of ‘well she shouldn’t have pooed in there’. The mother is also worth an honorable mention, often acting the voice of reason: ‘Coco, everybody poos.’ I think we can all relate.

Now having completed 5 seasons, convos with my 2 year old has slowly morphed into convos with my 5 year old, which is just as brilliant. The addition of a massive biker hunk of a man playing the 2 year old younger brother only adds to the fun.

If you were looking for some really light, short entertainment for finals, this series is for you. Just don’t blame me if you never look at small children the same way again.

Oxford research group to develop universal flu vaccine

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An Oxford spinout company has received significant funding to develop a universal flu vaccine. The company, Vaccitech, was given more than £10 million in funding to develop the vaccine.

As it stands, no single vaccine can protect against every form of the flu with each season’s vaccine relying on complicated forecasting techniques to predict which strain will spread at that time. The savings in human life alone could prove worth it. Seasonal outbreaks kill as many as half-a-million people worldwide each year.

Early versions of the vaccine have been successful at the clinical stage. “Clinical trials of the universal vaccine here in Oxford have shown great promise,” said Professor Sarah Gilbert, who helps lead the effort. “The vaccine has proved safe and shown good clinical responses, including enhanced protection against flu detectable in older adults even one year after vaccination. It has performed well when given with the standard flu vaccine.”

Vaccitech has also begun developing a therapeutic cancer vaccine which will initially target prostate cancer.

Protests greet future King

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Prince William was not only greeted by excited students and fans of the royal family at the Blavatnik School of Government. After the prince’s official opening of Magdalen’s Longwall library this Wednesday, former Oxford student and Glasgow lecturer on Russian culture Martin Dewhirst held a picket outside the School building.

The protest was aimed at the University accepting Leonard Blavatnik’s donations, which helped build the School, as the origin of the Russian businessman’s fortune is controversial.

Dewhirst carried a sign which read “due diligence or undue negligence?” and was accompanied by a few other protestors in the inconstant weather.

On top of William’s visit, a conference on world-wide corruption held by David Cameron on the next day motivated Dewhirst to protest. “I wanted to do my bit in Oxford today to in-
crease the chances that Russia will get more public attention,” he said.

“Mr. Blavatnik has been accused of being corrupt, but not much of the evidence is available in English. I don’t understand why the University didn’t invite Transparency International and Global Witness to do some research on Mr. Blavatnik’s activities. I was able to express my concern on this point to quite a number of people in Oxford today – this made the trip worth while.”

Talking to Cherwell after staff from the Blavatnik School of Government refused to accept his photo being taken in front of the new glass building, he said, “Maybe the attempt to control us was a sign of worry, if not fear?”

Oxford graduate and founder of the Moscow alumni society Ilya Zaslavskiy, who has been protesting against donations from Blavatnik and Saïd at Oxford, held a picket in front of the Oxford North America Society Office in New York at the same time as Dewhirst was outside the Blavatnik School. Zaslavskiy had been asked to leave the premises of the Society after raising a sensitive question on April 11, and has launched a petition for the University to “review cooperation with Putin’s oligarchs”.

Its description states, “We believe it is high time to demand transparency and procedural reforms at Oxford with regards to foreign donations and awards that will be benefi cial to the University in the longer term and thus will open a cleaner chapter in broader UK-Russia relations.”

Mr Dewhirst is a signatory of Zaslavskiy’s petition, and told Cherwell, “I spoke several times today about the scandal at the LSE five years ago when its Director, an honourable man, felt he had to resign because he had accepted money for the School from the Libyan Gaddafi Foundation.

“I was not, of course, comparing Mr. Blavatnik to any member of the Gaddafi family, but providing an example of how dangerous it can be to have any dealings with people who are regarded by some experts as morally suspect.”

Commenting on Mr Dewhirst’s remarks about University due diligence processes, the University told Cherwell, “Oxford University has a thorough and robust scrutiny process in place with regard to philanthropic giving. The University is confident in this and in its outcomes.”

Prince William visits Oxford

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Returning to Oxford after his last visit in 2014 for the official opening of the Dickson Poon China Centre at Hugh’s, HRH Prince William came to open Magdalen’s newly-refurbished Longwall library today.

The Duke of Cambridge also stopped at the Weston Library on Broad Street, finishing his tour in the recently constructed Blavatnik School of Government where he was met by a group of fans as well as some protestors led by Martin Dewhirst.

Longwall library had originally been opened by prince William’s great uncle Edward VIII, and cost the college £10.5 million to renovate, a price which became the source of one of the prince’s many jokes on his way across Oxford.

Prince William greeted a small group of students who had helped raise funds for the library at his various stops, and told one of them he was “allergic to Chemistry” as he commented on student life and recalled his own.

Mostly described as a pleasant, cheerful person by those who met him in Oxford, the Duke of Cambridge’s visit also triggered more hostile reactions, in particular on his arrival at the Blavatnik School of Government behind Somerville college.

While some students had criticised the British Royal family earlier this week, Martin Dewhirst, an Oxford and LSE alumnus who gave lectures on Russian culture at Glasgow, led a group of protestors outside the modern glass building at 11am, holding a sign

Martin Dewhirst. Photo: Sophie Jordan
Martin Dewhirst. Photo: Sophie Jordan

which read, “due diligence or undue negligence?”

This protest was aimed at the main donor for the funding of the School of Government, Blavatnik, whose fortune and integrity have been questioned in the past. A picket was simultaneously being held by Ilya Zaslavsky in New York, and Dewhirst warned the staff of the School that “less civilised protests” were on their way.