Friday 25th July 2025
Blog Page 137

2023 Fashion: Wrapped

Eden Kilgour
-
0
2023 Fashion: Wrapped

As 2023 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on and deconstruct the year’s most popular fashion trends. From the runway to the streets, the past 12 months have witnessed an eclectic assortment of nostalgia and chaos, with seemingly little rhyme or reason for such fads. However, it’s no secret that the influence of TikTok on young people is accelerating not only the emergence, but also the extinction of such fashion trends. Whilst some looks this year, therefore, may be here to stay, it seems as if the majority have died out almost as quickly as they were ignited.

One of the standout trends of 2023, the resurgence of which may point to the debut of Miu Miu’s F/W 22 show, is ‘ballet-core’, a whimsical fusion of ballet-inspired fashion elements. On the runway, this can take the form of pastel, sheer chiffon and puff-sleeve looks by designers such as Simone Rocha and Zimmermann. However, the filtration of this trend into everyday wear, encouraged and paraded by fashion icons like Ruby Lyn, sees garments such as ballet flats, leg warmers and even tutus and ballet cardigans exhibited in everyday wear. Whilst for some this may be reminiscent of traditional girlhood and femininity, ballet-inspired fashion has been depicted through many forms of media, from Black Swan to the opening credits of Sex and the City. Having in fact been an influence on the fashion world since 1941, when fashion editor Diana Vreeland first launched the idea of ballet shoes as everyday wear on account of their lack of wartime restrictions, it is possible that this trend is not as fleeting as it initially appears. Although tutus may not become commonplace, it is arguable that more subtle allusions to the ballet-inspired aesthetic, such as lace, wrap-tops, tights and Margiela Tabis may be here to stay. 

On quite the opposite end of the spectrum, and potentially initially sparked by the 2022 World Cup, comes the interesting and rather unexpected conflation of sport and femininity to create the ‘blokette’ appearance, the term of which was coined by Alexi Alario. A look which combines garments such as frills and bows with sportswear, particularly Adidas and football scarves, this has been pioneered by trendsetters like Bella Hadid. With this trend, comes the classic revival of Adidas Samba shoes. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve likely witnessed the comeback of variations of the Adidas Samba, Spezial or Gazelle shoe. These versatile and timeless shoes have been a go-to choice for so many this year, especially in their bold colour combinations of yellow, blue and red, indicative of the experimentation and expression of 2023. 

Speaking of colour, whilst many argue that a colour in itself cannot be a trend, there’s no denying the prevalence of red through 2023. From pops of red in accessories such as bags, tights and socks, to full monochrome such as that which saw Doja Cat adorned with 30,000 crimson Swarovski crystals for Schiaparelli during Paris fashion week, this colour has dominated the fashion landscape, adding vibrancy and passion to contrast the pastels of ballet-core. 

Perhaps similarly embracing this flair, the ‘pantless’ trend has taken the fashion world by storm and has seen Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber in the streets ditching their lower half and opting for options such as tights, hot pants, or boxers. Personally, however, I have to say that I have not witnessed this in everyday wear, and nor do I think I will. Whilst fashion icons have embraced this playful and rebellious look, challenging conventional expectations and encouraging a carefree attitude towards fashion, its impractical nature makes it unlikely to break into the mainstream. 

As we bid farewell to 2023, the current fashion landscape reflects a perplexing amalgamation of versatile trends. Looking forward, this eclectic hodgepodge of styles raises the question of whether these looks will transcend into 2024, or remain rooted in the departing year.

The Hundred may be marmite, but it’s revolutionising the women’s game

Daniel Mackay
-
0
The Hundred may be marmite, but it’s revolutionising the women’s game

Lunch, cherries, and tea. Three words perfectly befitting of a quaint high-street café, yet curiously suited too, for English cricket. Nothing evokes the game’s charming essence more than its peculiar language, or its endearing reliance on food breaks. When we hear the word ‘cricket’, we so immediately turn to images of Lord’s with its manicured lawns and picture-perfect stands, or to village squares adorned with two sets of eleven in loose-fitting whites, that it is clear just how strong the sport’s image of tradition is. 

What we don’t immediately think of when we hear the words ‘English cricket’ is modernity, forward-thinking, or a willingness to change. But maybe we need to. Underneath this seemingly picturesque image of English cricket lies its sobering synonymity with widespread and deep-rooted discrimination. Following the Yorkshire County Cricket Club racism scandal that erupted in 2021, this June saw the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) publish their investigations into racial equality, gender equality, and social equality in English cricket. The findings were damning, identifying “widespread and deep-rooted” issues of racial discrimination, elitism, and structural problems faced by those attempting to get into cricket. Cindy Butts, the ICEC’s chair, stated that “discrimination is both overt and baked into the structures and processes within cricket, the stark reality is cricket is not a game for everyone”.

Nearly a decade since the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) launched their This Girl Can … play cricket campaign, the ICEC’s findings put a stark emphasis on the deep-rooted sexism that still underlies English cricket. It stated that women were “not even nearly on an equal footing with men within the sport today … evident both from the lived experience of professional and recreational women cricketers and from the structural barriers that women continue to face”. The report identified “significant investment disparities” between genders, a prevailing “culture of misogyny”, and a lack of “proper representation amongst the highest level of decision-makers”, no doubt exacerbated by the societal context within which the sport exists.

The report was damning. But, in issuing an unreserved apology for its failings, and in pledging to respond to the ICEC recommendations for change, the investigations have been a “seminal moment” for the ECB. 

There is one glimmer of hope in this bleak shadow though: The Hundred. 

The implementation of The Hundred has had a startlingly transformative effect on women’s cricket. Initially seeming like a corporate afterthought, with the women’s matches rather siloed away from the ‘main’ men’s event, The Hundred was not without its faults. Yet the unlikeliest of catalysts – the Covid-19 pandemic – blew these plans out of the water, forcing male and female teams of the same franchise clubs into the ‘Bubble’. 

It had an instant effect on cricket equity. The one-club two-team set-up of The Hundred gave rise to double-header fixtures, with games played at the same major stadiums, featuring the same half-time entertainment, and the same commentary crews. Suddenly, the Michael Vaughan’s and the Kevin Pietersen’s of the cricketing world began to commentate on women’s matches too, driving up viewership through their large online followings and offering a ‘credibility’ to the women’s game that it previously lacked. Becoming a fan of the London Spirit meant becoming a fan of both their teams, a coupling reinforced by the gender equal promotional material: if Jos Buttler was featured in a social media advert, so too was Sophie Ecclestone. 

The Hundred has helped tackle financial discrepancies across genders too. The ICEC reported that for every £5 spent on the men’s teams, the women’s teams received just £1, and in overall remuneration England men received 13 times the amount paid to England women. The competition has committed to equal prize money and has led to increased opportunities for female sponsorship and funding, although the tournament’s salary cap still remains disparate between genders, and is not yet financially capable of sustaining itself. The ECB’s £25 million annual investment pledge has furthered this positive change, reducing first-class county pathway costs by 36% for girls and 28% for boys.

As such, the face and the audience of the game is changing. More women on free-to-air TV has increased female participation, with 30% of tickets for the 2023 Hundred being sold to women, and 23% to children. The year prior, women made up 31% of a 14.1 million TV audience, 42% of which hadn’t watched any other ECB cricket before The Hundred. This was a dramatic uptake in numbers – 5.9 million new viewers to be precise.

The progress doesn’t stop there; alongside this audience diversification, female participation at grassroots level is also improving. According to ECB figures, over one million girls in more than 7,000 schools have now played the game since the This Girl Can … play cricket campaign launched, and the number of cricket clubs involved in developing women’s and girls’ cricket has increased from 93 to more than 615 in over a decade. 

Clearly, there is still work to be done, but the face of the game is rapidly changing and the oft besieged Hundred is right at the core of it. 

Exclusive: Dominic Cummings, Lil Pump, and Gabbie Hanna to speak at Oxford Union

Oliver Adelson
-
0
Exclusive: Dominic Cummings, Lil Pump, and Gabbie Hanna to speak at Oxford Union

Cherwell has gained exclusive access to the Oxford Union’s Hilary term card. The line-up of speakers set to address the Union includes British political strategist Dominic Cummings, rapper Lil Pump, and American internet personality Gabbie Hanna.

Strategist Dominic Cummings served as Chief Adviser to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson from July 2019 to November 2020, when he resigned following an acrimonious split with the prime minister. Cummings is also known for his role as “the mastermind of the Brexit campaign” and for his breach of Britain’s COVID lockdown restrictions during his controversial trip from London to Durham.

Lil Pump is an American rapper whose discography includes “Gucci Gang” and “Harverd Dropout.” He has collaborated with rappers Kanye West and Lil Wayne, and his song “Welcome to the Party” was used in Deadpool 2’s soundtrack. Part of his notoriety comes from his encounters with the law – in 2018 he was arrested for discharging a weapon in an inhabited place and driving without a license, and, following a parole violation, he was forced to serve a short prison sentence.

Gabbie Hanna is founder and host of The Gabbie Show, a YouTube channel that has garnered over 100 million views since it was launched in 2014. She is also a singer-songwriter and a New York Times best-selling author.

The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, is also set to address the Union this term. Other speakers on the Union’s term card include Robert Peston and Kisha Koria – who together will be talking about their new book, Bust?: Saving the Economy, Democracy, and our Sanity – and Molly Bloom, author of Molly’s Game, a memoir later adapted into an Academy Award-nominated film.

This term’s debates will include a debate to mark the second anniversary of the start of the Russia-Ukraine War, an all-women feminist Valentine’s Day debate, a debate titled “This House Does Not Know What Labour Stands For,” and a comedy debate in which YouTube personality Stephen Tries is scheduled to speak. In addition, there will be prizes for debate floor speeches, such as a one-night stay at the Randolph Hotel and a dinner for two at The Alice.

There will also be a special head-to-head discussion on free will. One of the experts debating the issue will be Simon Blackburn, who was previously a fellow at Pembroke College and who authored the book Think.

Social events this term will include a Casino Royale ball sponsored by ATIK Oxford, a Burns Night ceilidh, a Valentine’s Day dinner, and an end-of-term President’s drinks reception.

Discussing the upcoming term at the Union, Oxford Union President Hannah Edwards told Cherwell: “I’m thrilled to present a Hilary 2024 term card with such light and shade in its line-up. One day our members can come and question leading political figures, such as Dominic Cummings, and the very next day they can hear from entertainers such as Lil Pump. 

“As ever, debating is very much at the heart of this term card, and with Oxford the current World Champions (as of this week), I hope everyone can get involved in this term’s debates, whether it be a comedy motion or questioning what Labour stands for!”

The sporting landscape of 2054

Krishna Gowda
-
0
The sporting landscape of 2054

Today’s sporting scene is largely unrecognisable from thirty years ago, having undergone radical changes in efforts to amplify interest, increase profits, and deliver entertainment to a globalised audience. In another thirty years’ time, the future of sport will again present an alien scene to us, though given sport’s inseparable relationship with politics, it would be prudent to consider what the repercussions will be.

Newfound Saudi interest is one of the most contentious issues in the current sporting world, with an estimated £5 billion being spent over the past three years across football, golf, F1, and various other sports. From major tournaments to venues like Atomic Golf, the sport has seen a surge in investment and global attention. Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s pioneering transfer to Al Nassr, The Saudi Pro League has experienced an influx of elite stars swapping esteemed European football for higher-paying careers at distinctly lower levels.

Footballing interest has also operated outside of its own domain; in 2021 Newcastle United was taken over by a consortium of the Saudi Public Investment Firm (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of the country. Effectively controlling its investments and assets, the PIF is one of the globe’s richest clubs. Saudi Arabia have also created the LIV Tour, a controversial rival to the PGA establishment that has lured away many players via lucrative contracts. They are also set to host the 2034 Football World Cup, the 2029 Winter Olympics, and the 2034 Asian Games – testaments to their embracement of global sporting culture, and the forging of their own sporting legacy.

The gulf state has, however, been met with accusations of ‘sportswashing’, strategically staging sports events in order to deflect criticism away from their poor human rights records, and environmental impact from fossil fuel exportation. Saudi Arabia has dismissed such criticism, with crown prince Mohammed bin Salman stating that: “if sportwashing is going to increase my GDP by 1%, then we’ll continue doing sportswashing”. Prince Abdulaziz, the Saudi sports minister, branded such claims as: “very shallow”, indicating his antipathy and suggesting that investment will continue to accelerate. Whether Saudi bear the fruits of their labours or whether their ambitions will fizzle out will be interesting: it is clear their political motivations interlace with their sporting ambitions and thus such decisions will have potentially damaging global repercussions. 

Women’s sports are also likely to continue upwards trends of interest and investment. Although figures like Billie Jean King have advocated for policies of equal pay for men and women since the 1970s, it has only been after the turn of the century that equal pay in sports is becoming more prevalent, occurring at different rates across various sports. In 2007, Wimbledon and the French Open began offering equal pay, ensuring that all four slams had pledged parity and setting a precedent for other sports to follow. Motorsport has developed racing series for women to create opportunities for women to progress through the sport, such as the W Series and F1 Academy. Women’s football has seen a significant uptick in investment, viewing figures, and public interest, helped by their recent successes in both the European Championships and the World Cup. Signalling intent for the upcoming decades, the government recognised such international success with a £30 million injection to develop million to develop opportunities for the next generation of Lionesses. 

Despite these success stories, there is still much progress to be made across various sports. F1 President Stefano Domenicali suggested that it would be highly unlikely for women to enter the sport this decade, extending the wait for the next female driver since Giovanna Amati in 1992. Whilst the FA have instilled equal pay for national representation, club salaries massively differ for men and women, with the top players in the WSL sitting at roughly £200,000 annually – a stark difference from the £20 million earned by top male players in the Premier League. 

There are systematic issues too that signal an underlying misogyny pervading women’s sport. Spain’s World Cup triumph was overshadowed when Luis Rubiales, then Spanish Football Federation President, kissed Spanish forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips following their victory – a non-consensual act which he staunchly defended. Despite his dismissal, the incident tarnished the legacy of a groundbreaking World Cup for women’s football, highlighting the stark need for change in the future.

A lighter avenue worth considering too is the rise in popularity of different sports. Whilst interest in more mainstream sports is likely to remain unchanged, less traditional sports may witness greater engagement from fans for a variety of reasons. The Paris 2024 Olympics will include breaking, sport climbing, surfboarding and skateboarding – four relatively unorthodox sports. These disciplines appeal to a younger demographic, meaning the sport may garner a viewership that grows alongside its own development. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has also acknowledged the possible inclusion of esports in future Olympics. The debate surrounding the classification of esports as sports has been divisive, but the IOC will find it hard to ignore the sizeable figures that livestreaming video games draws in and will not want to risk alienating a young audience. Availability and accessibility are key factors in promoting playing sports; padel, dubbed the ‘world’s fastest growing sport’, and spikeball are gaining traction due to their low-cost and low-skill entry thresholds.  These sports will likely surge in viewership figures over time, introducing people to sports they may have been unfamiliar with and generating interest around them.

There is ample room for improvement in the sporting world over the next three decades. Environmental considerations must be heeded and pledges such as that of F1 to be carbon neutral by 2030 must be met. Gender equality has improved but further progress must also be a priority. Avarice will test the ethical values of countries and sportspeople, challenging sport’s integrity. It may be idealistic to hope for a more sanguine sporting future in 2054, but considering the progress that has been made from thirty years ago, the future of sport has a lot to offer and will be indubitably intertwined with environmental and political considerations. 

Weather alerts issued as the River Cherwell floods

Sam Freeman
-
0
Weather alerts issued as the River Cherwell floods

The Cherwell river, which flows through the county of Oxfordshire and central Oxford, burst its banks on Tuesday following a period of heavy rainfall. In response, the Environment Agency issued flood warnings across Oxfordshire, 27 of which remain in place as of Friday. The chaos comes after Storm Henk caused national disruption, with heavy rain and gusts of wind in excess of 80 mph being recorded in parts of the UK.

Several colleges of the University of Oxford, particularly those adjacent to the Cherwell, have been affected by the higher river levels. Lady Margaret Hall, located near the river, communicated via Instagram that the floodwater had made it as far as the college hockey pitch.

St Hilda’s was similarly troubled, releasing a social media post showing the extent of the flooding which had submerged large parts of the college’s gardens.

Christ Church’s Instagram page meanwhile reposted an earlier image from a student, remarking that Christ Church Meadow had become a “lake” with the image showing large parts of the meadow to be underwater.

Within Oxfordshire, residential streets in the town of Abingdon, 6 miles southeast of Oxford, were left covered with flood water causing damage to property. One local resident was critical of the town’s existing flood defences, citing the claim by developers that the culverts used were designed to cope with “1 in 100” flood events. Speaking to the Oxford Mail, the resident asserted that the rain brought by Tuesday’s storm “has not been a 1/100 year amount of rainfall.”

The flooding has also led to travel disruptions with the A34 closing on Tuesday before being re-opened on Thursday. The Oxford bus company also released a statement via X calling the flooding on Abingdon Road  “increasingly concerning” and warning that all services operating in the area were “suffering severe disruption.”  

The flooding throughout Oxfordshire has coincided with national disruption brought by Storm Henk. Elsewhere in the Thames Valley a party boat sank whilst moored at Temple Pier in London on Wednesday. Additionally, around 50 people were evacuated by firefighters after a canal near Hackney Wick was unable to cope with the unusually high discharge. Welfare checks were carried out on around 100 more residents who were able to remain in their homes.

The MET office has forecast drier conditions from today onwards, although the earlier flood warnings issued by the Environment Agency remain in place.

Oxford City Council have informed Cherwell that updates about flood prevention work being undertaken by the council, as well as residents advice and details of the self-fill sandbag scheme set up at Redbridge Park and Ride, can be found at the council’s severe weather webpage.

For more up to date news about the flooding please visit: Check for flooding in Oxford – GOV.UK (check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk)

Protected: The Vice-Chancellor in review

Flora Prideaux
-
0

This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Port Meadow pollution threatens bathing site status

Ellie Yau
-
0
Port Meadow pollution threatens bathing site status

A recent government report has classified Port Meadow’s water quality as “poor” for the second year in a row. Port Meadow’s designation as a river bathing site was approved in April 2022 on the condition that its water quality improve to a standard considered “fit to swim in” within five years. However, the infamous pollution plaguing the area has put it at serious risk of losing its bathing site status.

Contributing to the poor pollution rating are sewage plants such as Cassington and Witney Sewage Treatment Works, located upstream of Port Meadow, which discharge raw sewage into the river. Thames Water, the UK’s largest water and wastewater company (whose area of responsibility includes Port Meadow), has recently come under fire for pumping at least 72 billion litres of sewage into the River Thames since 2020.

If Port Meadow does lose its status as a designated river bathing site, it would significantly affect local recreational clubs, university sports, and all those who regularly utilise Port Meadow for aquatic activities. The exposure to dangerous bacteria such as E coli and intestinal enterococci, indicated by the “poor” rating to be worse than recommended levels, is already a significant deterrent to student athletes. In fact, in 2022, the levels of intestinal enterococci in Port Meadow were more than twice the healthy limit.

After the figures were released, Layla Moran, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, spoke on the issue in Parliament. Having previously been “delighted” and “so proud to support the community campaign [that successfully ensured Port Meadow’s] bathing water status,” she strongly believes this is “unacceptable” for the people of Oxfordshire. Moran believes the meeting with the Minister is a promising first step but that it “cannot stop there.” She remains firm that the government must “clamp down” on companies like Thames Water and recognise that the public has lost faith in such companies to protect their water.  

The statistics report also showed a significant increase in the overall number of bathing areas across the UK classified as poor, from 12 in 2022 to 18 in 2023. Moran identified this as a general trend of carelessness that affects not just Oxfordshire, but the entire UK: “It is insulting to see Ministers pat themselves on the back after a shocking rise in swimming spots rated as poor water quality… This national scandal needs to end now.”

Environment Minister Robbie Moore has agreed to a meeting regarding the protection of Oxford’s Port Meadow, but pointed out that 95.7% of bathing water classifications were rated as “good or excellent,” compared to 76% in 2010. He stated this showed the government “took water quality seriously” but promised to “endeavour to go even further.”

Updated University statement hopes for Gaza ceasefire

Selina Chen
-
0
Updated University statement hopes for Gaza ceasefire

In an update to its response to recent events in Israel, Gaza, and the Middle East, Oxford University has expressed its hopes for a further ceasefire. A 18 December social media post from Oxford’s Palestine Society (PalSoc) and Rhodes Scholars for Palestine criticised the update, calling it “timid,” “insufficient,” and “highly problematic” despite being “a step in the right direction.”

Previously, Oxford’s statements and updates did not call for a ceasefire. Rhodes Scholars for Palestine and PalSoc representatives communicated and met with the Vice-Chancellor’s office multiple times in Michaelmas — including on 12 December — and brought forth the “Act Against Genocide” petition that drew support of over 2,000 signatories.

The societies’ joint Instagram post updated its “Act Against Genocide” petition with reasons for its critique of the University’s statement: “By referring to Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza as ‘military action,’ the University grossly misrepresents Israel’s war crimes and crimes against humanity as somehow legitimate.

“By explicitly mentioning the Hamas attacks and hostage-taking while disregarding the decades-long reality of Israel’s settler-colonialism, illegal occupation, illegal siege on Gaza, and illegal detainment of thousands of Palestinians including children, the University adopts a partial, ahistorical narrative that reinforces dehumanisation of Palestinians. This stance reveals racist double standards especially when compared to the University’s unapologetic response to the invasion of Ukraine.”

The post further calls Oxford’s actions “inadequate,” alleging the University’s response has added to the “alienation and demoralisation” of affected students while offering them “no tangible, material support.” The societies also stated that the University has not taken sufficient action to protect academic freedom and free speech: “Colleges and departments have repeatedly denied requests to book spaces for Palestine-related events, even activities such as bake sales or grieving circles.”

In addition to expressing hopes for a ceasefire, the University statement condemns instances of harassment directed toward Jews and Muslims in Oxford: “It has become regrettably clear that some of our students and staff have experienced or witnessed anti-Semitic and Islamophobic behaviour within Oxford. As a University, we will not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment.”

The statement further lays out welfare provisions offered by the colleges and University and lists direct channels for students to report harassment 

According to the student societies, the University administration has pledged to meet again at the start of next term to discuss several proposals: further updating its messaging, creating a reporting mechanism for collegiate or departmental censorship, establishing a scholarship for Palestinians students and support for academics-at-risk, and exploring the University’s financial ties to arms manufacturers.

Oxford accepted more than £106 million in anonymous donations

Oliver Adelson
-
0
Oxford accepted more than £106 million in anonymous donations

An openDemocracy investigation has revealed that Oxford accepted more than £106 million in anonymous donations between 2017 and 2023 — more than any other Russell Group university. The donations come from just 68 anonymous donors, putting the average amount given over £1.5 million.

Among the more controversial anonymous gifts was the £10 million donated to found the Oxford Nizami Ganjavi Centre. Earlier this year, Cherwell reported on the connection between the Centre and autocratic rulers in Azerbaijan, and openDemocracy attempted to solicit from the University further details about the donor as part of its investigation. Despite these efforts, Oxford has only revealed that the donation came from Azerbaijan and that the person behind the donation was a “highly successful businessperson who wished to remain anonymous.” 

The openDemocracy investigation reports that Oxford is “so insistent” on keeping the details of the donation unknown that it has opted to go to court to block openDemocracy Freedom of Information requests.

When approached for comment, the University told Cherwell: “The University will not disclose the name of the donor to the Oxford Nizami Ganjavi Centre; the terms of the gift are such that the donor wanted to be anonymous, and the University is respecting that agreement. CRDRF [Committee to Review Donations and Research Funding] was made aware of the identity of the donor of this gift, who was considered and approved through our usual due diligence process.

“It is inaccurate to say that Oxford University has ‘opted to go to court’ over this case. Open Democracy has taken the Information Commissioner to a tribunal after the Commission ruled for the University.”

The openDemocracy investigation also discusses emails obtained by the organisation which deal with fundraising discussions held by Oxford in 2019. The investigation states that the emails show that the then-vice chancellor was briefed on Oxford’s “ability to draw Chinese government funds to the UK” — “the funds are now flowing,” one message reads.

The emails cover the University’s efforts to set up “potential dates to host the Chinese billionaires,” although, according to the investigation, such meetings never materialised. When approached by openDemocracy for details about the failed fundraising efforts, the University “refused to disclose any records related to the plan.”

The openDemocracy investigation further reveals that there was a concerted effort on the part of Russell Group universities to frustrate proposed legislation which would have required disclosure of donations exceeding £50,000. The former vice chancellor of Cambridge reportedly told government officials that such legislation could “severely impact” fundraising efforts, and other universities “privately wrote of ‘celebration’ after learning that they could keep the identity of givers under wraps.” The investigation does not specify whether Oxford played any role in lobbying against the transparency legislation.

A spokesperson for Oxford has commented on the University’s policy of anonymity for donations, denying that such contributions compromise Oxford’s integrity as an institution: “All Oxford University research is academically driven, with the ultimate aim of enhancing openly available scholarship and knowledge. Donors have no influence over how Oxford academics carry out their research, and major donors are reviewed and approved by the University’s Committee to Review Donations and Research Funding, which is a robust, independent system taking legal, ethical and reputational issues into consideration before gifts are accepted.

“We take the security of our academic work seriously, and work closely with the appropriate Government bodies and legislation. Much of our overseas collaborative research addresses global challenges such as climate change and major health problems where international involvement is important in delivering globally relevant solutions.”

Jeremy Corbyn speaks at Oxford March for Palestine

Selina Chen
-
0
Jeremy Corbyn speaks at Oxford March for Palestine

Hundreds marched through Oxford city centre in a demonstration organised by Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) on 16 December. The protest marked the tenth Saturday of national action since the Israel-Gaza War began and continued into a rally on Broad Street with speakers including former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, 13-year-old Palestinian Bana Al-Asadi, trade union leaders, and other activists.

Chairman of Oxford PSC, David Hillman, described the mood as “angry, sad, but determinant” to Cherwell. He explained that the persistence of the PSC was because “the genocide goes on” and that even though “it gets more and more evil, our message stays the same”, referring to their calls for an immediate ceasefire.

When asked about the Oxford chapter in the broader national scene, he told Cherwell: “Oxford plays a key role in the fact that our greatest philosophers and moralists have come out against this genocide, so have Oxford University students and the ordinary people… We have doctors at John Radcliffe [Hospital] who have visited Gaza, educating people on medicine over many years, and every week there is a very moving rally by medical students in Oxford.”

Demonstrators came to the march with various signs, with one display drawing a lot of attention from the crowd: Strapped to a protester’s mobility vehicle was a life-sized mannequin dressed in white with bandages around her head wound and a scarlet scarf. The same protester also carried a sign with the same motif and two wrapped baby dolls named Adam and Basil after the two Palestinian children killed by Israeli soldiers while playing in Jenin.

After an hour-long walk down Cowley Road and High Street, the marchers gathered by the Sheldonian Theatre for a rally. 

Corbyn, a long-standing advocate for Palestine and a member of the PSC, spoke at the rally with an emphasis on the UK’s role in this conflict. On the failed United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire, he said: “Britain, to its shame, abstained.… This sort of supine, cynical approach that members of parliament took on this fills me with utter disgust.”

However, more members of parliament voted for a ceasefire than he had expected, which Corbyn attributed to the large number of people demonstrating and writing to their MPs.

Corbyn then criticised the role of the arms industry in the conflict: “Wars don’t come from nowhere. They come from a great deal of money, a very powerful arms industry that supplies the weapons, and the military involvement of other countries.”

Oxford University’s connections to the arms industry was highlighted in the “Act Against Genocide” petition circulated in October which stated that “Oxford is in the top 5 universities in the UK to accept arms funding (2013-2021) from companies found by Amnesty International to fail to ‘demonstrate adequate human rights due diligence’”. The petition has previously inspired student protests as well as the chant “Oxford Uni you can’t hide, you’re supporting genocide.”


When asked about Oxford’s role in the conflict, Corbyn told Cherwell that his message for the university is “think of what you do and think of why it’s done.”

Al-Asadi, a 13-year-old Palestinian, also spoke to the crowd: “The UNICEF organisation says that the Gaza Strip has become the most dangerous place in the world for children’s lives… The children of Palestine, like other children in the world, have their own dreams, feelings, and aspirations for the future. Now, I say enough of this transgression and humiliation.

“If there is any remaining shred of humanity, and any sense of responsibility among these officials and decision-makers, [they should] raise their voices loudly and without shame to stop this barbaric and deliberate killing of children and vulnerable civilians.”

1...136137138...2,516Page 137 of 2,516

Support Student Journalism

Cherwell is Oxford’s oldest independent newspaper, established in 1920. We are entirely student-run. By supporting us, you will contribute to keeping our paper in print and online. Every donation makes a difference.

Donate

Explore

Follow us

More

Oxford Student Publications Limited © 2025 - All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy

Website by James Ashley