Wednesday 29th April 2026
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‘The only woman in Hall’: Gender and college governance

Ruby Barenberg and Hattie Simpson
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‘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. It was a detail that, she says, came as a surprise, given that Hertford had begun admitting women in 1974, amongst the earliest of the formerly all-male colleges to do so. The significance of this fact has emerged gradually since. At one of her first gaudy dinners, she hosted some of the college’s first female students, including its first female JCR President. “I was really surprised how much it meant to them to have a female Principal”, she reflects. “More than one said that they had wondered whether it would happen in their lifetime.”

That sense of something both long overdue and yet only newly realised runs through Oxford’s recent shift in college leadership. Women now make up 47% of Heads of House, a figure that would have been difficult to imagine even a generation ago, and the University itself is led by a female Vice-Chancellor. At a glance, the change appears to be substantial. But it isn’t evenly distributed. 13 colleges have never had a female Head. Nine current Heads are the first women to hold their roles. And among the Permanent Private Halls, there has yet to be a single female Head. The result is a pattern that feels less like a clean transition into the modern day but rather a series of staggered steps, shaped by the histories of the individual institutions. 

Timelines and trends 

The emergence of women in senior college leadership is, in many ways, a recent phenomenon, best understood by considering the long individual institutional histories of each college. Women’s colleges have, unsurprisingly, a long history of women in senior leadership roles from their founding, with male heads historically the exception rather than the norm. St Anne’s and St Hilda’s, for example, have both only ever had one male Principal. Lady Margaret Hall’s first male Principal, Duncan Stewart, took the position the same year that the college became co-educational.

In most other colleges, however, many of the first female Heads were only appointed towards the end of the 2010s, with 13 colleges appointing their first female Heads since 2015, as though the University as a whole is, belatedly, catching up with itself. While most male colleges started to admit women in the 1970s, changes in gender inclusivity have been gradual, often just layered onto existing structures. Colleges admitted women as students, gradually appointed women as fellows, and at last saw these changes reflected at the level of leadership. The delay between these stages can’t be ignored and highlights just how much historical influences and entrenched norms still shape colleges today. This can also help explain why colleges like Hertford, early adopters of co-education, have nonetheless only recently appointed their first female Heads. 

But this acceleration hasn’t produced uniformity. Some colleges, such as Mansfield, have moved quickly, appointing multiple female Heads in succession. Others have yet to appoint one at all. Despite being amongst the first male colleges to go co-ed, Wadham has never been led by a woman. Brasenose and Jesus have only just appointed women as their Heads of House, both of whom will take up their roles later this year.

The persistence of the ‘first woman’ phenomenon is revealing. These appointments are often framed as milestones; celebrated by colleges as markers of progress that signal a break with the past. But they also point to how long that break has taken, and how dependent it remains on the particular trajectories of individual colleges.

Yet these appointments also reflect larger trends within the university culture. The fact that the initial appointment of women to these roles is clustered, for instance, suggests that many colleges may be attempting to keep pace with one another. The growth in leadership inclusivity during the late 2010s also means that many of the first female Heads of House faced the additional challenge of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, which Dinah Rose, President of Magdalen College, described as “tough for everyone” regardless of gender.

These changes also illustrate broader societal trends in women’s professional leadership in academia and beyond. These changes have also resulted in the way in which women hold themselves in positions of power. Rose noticed these shifts firsthand: “In earlier years, [women] often adopted a rather stiff and formal persona, perhaps compensating for some anxiety about whether they’d be accepted in their role. It is a joy to me now to be friends with a number of senior women who are funny, irreverent and relaxed, as well as being brilliant and accomplished. It seems to me that they own the space of leadership in a way that was more difficult for an earlier generation.”

The appointment 

These patterns are shaped, in part, by how Heads of House are selected. Most rely on internal elections among fellows, others on appointment processes involving the University Council, and in certain cases – most notably at Christ Church – the position is decided by an external authority. The Dean of Christ Church is appointed by the Crown on the advice of the Prime Minister. 

In theory, the internal election approach is a more democratic form of governance, but in practice, it can often reproduce the existing imbalances which have become deeply embedded within higher education. Fellows – often the group responsible for electing Heads – remain disproportionately male in many colleges. At Balliol, for example, whose first female Master, Dame Helen Ghosh, took up the post in April 2018 and remains in the role today, less than a quarter of fellows are women. Similarly, at Jesus College, whose first female principal will assume the role this August, less than a third of the Governing Body are women. Where leadership is determined internally, it is perhaps unsurprising that outcomes tend to reflect these underlying demographics.

This is not necessarily the result of explicit bias. Instead, it is perhaps better understood as a form of pipeline inequality, where imbalances in representation at junior levels accumulate, resulting in a lack of diversity in senior leadership. Academic career progression, fellowship appointments, and informal networks all play a role in shaping this pipeline. In many cases, these dynamics are subtle: the product of long-standing imbalances, uneven progression rates, and the weight often placed on particular forms of academic experience or institutional familiarity.

The result is a landscape in which progress depends less on overarching institutional reform than on the internal dynamics of individual colleges. Even where colleges attempted to widen the field, appointments remain shaped by internal culture as much as formal criteria. As Helen King, Principal of St Anne’s, notes, each college brings its own “personality and values and history” to the process, with governing bodies weighing candidates differently depending on what they see as most important at a given moment. Whilst search processes – often outsourced to headhunting agencies – may begin with a broad pool, decisions are ultimately made within comparatively small groups, drawing on shared understandings – both explicit and implicit – of what leadership should look like.

King is cautious about drawing firm conclusions from this, emphasising the complexity of the system itself. Fellows, she says, approach these decisions with a strong sense of responsibility, weighing a range of factors. “Different fellows put different weights on different things”, she explains – whether that is academic record, leadership experience, or the ability to represent the college’s identity. But that breadth of consideration also means that no single factor – including diversity – is ever likely to be decisive on its own. 

What’s in a name?

Language offers another window into these dynamics. Across Oxford, the titles given to Heads of House vary widely: from Warden to Provost, Master to Principal, and President to Dean. Whilst these distinctions often appear superficial and ceremonial, they reflect deeper histories of authority and institutional identity.

Older colleges tend to retain titles such as ‘Warden’ or ‘Provost’ whilst newer or reformed colleges have tended to adopt terms like ‘Principal’ or ‘President’. The variety of Oxford college titles is particularly notable, as 20 of the 31 colleges at Cambridge use the term ‘Master’ to describe the Head of the college. The only college in the Oxbridge system to use a title that is gendered feminine is Girton College at Cambridge, which has used the title ‘Mistress’ since the college was founded in 1869.

Issues of language extend beyond titles themselves. In some college statutes, such as those of Keble College, the Head is still referred to using explicitly male pronouns. Elsewhere, especially amongst former women’s colleges, the reverse pattern is clear with female pronouns regularly used as the default in these governance documents. While subtle, the use of gendered pronouns may change the way students and faculty of colleges understand how accessible leadership pathways may be to them.

At the same time, it is also notable that simply having more gender-inclusive titles does not always correlate to actual gender inclusivity in appointments. For instance, of the eleven colleges that have never appointed female Heads, only one uses the gendered title of ‘Master’. At Cambridge, where the term ‘Master’ is used much more often, there also does not seem to be a significant practical connection between the gender of the title and the gender of the title holder. This is not to suggest that the title of leadership roles is unimportant, but it does appear that, in practice, the gendering of a title may not limit the gender of the appointee.

Lived experience

These historical contexts can often be highly significant in determining the experience of current-day female Heads – although the wider picture remains more nuanced. Freeman notes that even before taking up her role, she had “already heard stories” of discrimination within the university. Rose, in comparison, suggested that leading a college represents, in some respects, a “refreshing change” from other institutional environments, noting particularly her previous experience as a barrister in which she was “conscious of the need to establish my credibility in court in ways that men don’t have to”.

Professor Lady Sue Black, President of St John’s College, described Oxford as “a good standard for other institutions” as women have many roles in senior leadership within colleges and across the university. However, Oxford lags slightly behind Cambridge, where only 5 out of the 31 colleges have never had a female Head, about 16%. Rose also noted that her position as a female Head of a formerly all-male college puts her in “some striking situations” such as when she “presid[ed] over an all-male gaudy of alumni who matriculated before the College became co-educational in 1979. On at least one occasion, I was the only woman in Hall, apart from members of the choir and the serving staff”.

An ongoing process

Viewed in isolation, the rise in female Heads of House suggests meaningful progress – compared to even just a decade ago, the landscape has changed significantly. Fundamentally, women are no longer the exceptions with college leadership in the way that they once were. And yet, the persistence of the ‘first woman’ phenomenon points to a process that’s still largely incomplete, with around a quarter of colleges having never appointed a woman as Head. Oxford also has yet to appoint a female Chancellor – a reminder that some of its most visible positions of authority remain shaped by tradition.

This unevenness is also visible beyond gender. Whilst the number of women in leadership has increased, progress across other forms of representation, such as ethnicity and religion, remains limited. Baroness Valerie Amos became the first-ever Black head of an Oxford college upon her appointment as Master of University College in September 2020. She remains the only Black Head of House to have ever led an Oxford college.

At the same time, the positive changes in the inclusion of female Heads speak to what Professor Dame Julia Black, Warden at Nuffield College, describes as a “transformed” landscape for women in leadership roles. Speaking about the entirety of her professional career in academia, Black also emphasised that the shifts in inclusion are also highly intentional: “This change hasn’t happened by accident, however, but is the result of a concerted effort by an extraordinary number of people in multiple sectors over a long period of time. So it’s essential to keep supporting women to be successful leaders.”

There really is no smoke without fire

Leo Jones
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There really is no smoke without fire

Preoccupation with one’s appearance is to be expected when starting at University. New wardrobes and even newer anxieties combine as the daunting concept of Fresher’s Week approaches. Coming from a working-class background, these feelings are inevitably amplified when starting at an institution like Oxford. One only wishes to fit in – a daunting challenge in a University drenched in tradition, history, known for its generational wealth and privilege.

We look to what we can control: our appearances, subtle behaviours. We want to put forward our best selves, but also feel confident with the people around us. But there are certainly some behaviours that you would never expect to carry social meaning. Nicotine, for me at least, was certainly not one of them.

Growing up in a deprived seaside town, my classic night out before university might include some drinks in our sticky local Wetherspoons before shuffling across the road to an equally grubby nightclub. Not before a quick pit stop at the brightly lit ‘Vape Selection’, where a cash-only lemon and lime Crystal Bar awaited us. This route was well-trodden, as many an LED light and fruit-flavoured puff marked the darkened club. Rarely, if we were fortunate enough to afford a pack (or more realistically, leech from someone else), the rogue Malboro would make an appearance. 

There was something exclusive about the cigarette, how when someone lit one up, the herds would come running. I found myself enjoying being that person with the packet, as I would exchange bizarre details about my life with strangers in the club’s smoking area. ‘Smoking socially’, in all senses of the term, gave me a buzz. As an extrovert, I was happy to be a part of the 11.6% of 18-24 year olds who enjoyed a late night fag and a deep chat. 

While I had always viewed smoking as a luxury, largely down to its price, I had never viewed anyone any differently for puffing on a Superking or an Elf Bar. There was no hierarchy, nor was it a marker of identity. But university changed that. 

The vape, in Oxford, is practically extinct. Or rather, it is hidden. I noticed how friends who did enjoy a Lost Mary would do so discreetly: a quick inhale before it disappeared hurriedly into a pocket. But the cigarette, on the other hand, was a different story. 

People seemed proud to smoke. They would gather in groups, almost parading their cigarettes, as they dramatically lit one up for a friend. Whether in a pub garden, outside a bar, or simply walking down the street, I would see the same calculated raising of the filter to the mouth, a deep, slow puff, before the cathartic, eye-roll that came with the exhale. It was almost choreographed in its performance. It was alluring, with something frankly sexual about it. 

The return of early 2000s beauty and fashion is nothing new. Clothes are branded with Y2K labels in shop windows, while unhealthily skinny bodies walk down red carpets. ‘Heroine chic’ is back, as dark circles, hollow cheekbones, and malnutrition are flaunted as a physical ideal – particularly for women. Health is not in. Instead, we see something darker and grittier in these trends… certainly exacerbated by frequent paparazzi shots of Paul Mescal, Sabrina Carpenter, and Charli XCX taking a drag. 

However, what struck me was not the universality of this ‘trend’. People have always mimicked celebrities: that is old news. But it was this distinction between the chic, glorified, and even fetishised cigarette, versus the villainisation and trivialisation of the disposable vape that I could not comprehend. Until university showed me its roots in classism. 

The average vape’s bright colouring, cheap price (averaging around £3-5), and sweet flavours make it uncool. A lesser commodity compared to cigarettes, which comparatively average at around £13-20 per pack. I joked with friends about how people were able to afford this lifestyle on a student budget, as I rationed my pack of 20 to last as long as possible. But not only this, I found it hilarious the way in which people paraded around with their cigarettes in Oxford. They were treated like some kind of armour, a status symbol, while I watched my friend shamefully rush their lemon and lime back into their pocket. 

Despite Gen Z’s hyperexposure to the damages that cigarettes can cause via campaigns throughout the 2010s, it was clear that this performance was a symptom of something different. A broader aesthetic desire to appear scruffy, frazzled, and messy, in a way that mimics the working class but conveniently excludes the implications of that. It was poverty porn at its finest – the performance of class as style.  

I grew up with a single mum ashamed of her smoking, a feeling which certainly influenced me as I was told to “stay away” from cigarettes, that I would be broke from my first puff. Cigarettes were never glamorous – they were a burden, both financial and physical. I would never have imagined that, in a different context, they could become something to display with pride.

And yet, here they are – no longer hidden behind cupped hands or apologetic glances, but held aloft, aestheticised, transformed into something aspirational.

What feels most jarring is not the smoking itself, but the selective romanticisation of it. The same act that signified struggle in one context becomes style in another. The difference is not the cigarette, but who is holding it.

In the end, the smoke may dissipate, but its signal is all too clear.

Where is the best vegetarian lunch in Oxford? 

Nora Miles
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Where is the best vegetarian lunch in Oxford? 

For those of us still hung up about the loss of Leon, the answer to the question of where to find a quick, high-quality vegetarian lunch may not be an obvious one. This week, I set out to find out. 

I chose to rank independent (ish) cafés in the centre of Oxford, because I’m lazy enough not to want to walk far from college, but enthusiastic enough to want to support local businesses over chains. My rubric was uncodified and unclear, but what I was after, approximately, was a cheap, tasty, and filling vegetarian lunch. Honourable mentions (options no worse than the following list, but too obvious to be worth including): a Taylor’s baguette, a last-minute punt for Itsu maki, and a classic Greggs vegan sausage roll. 

5. The Schwarzman Centre 

Stay with me. What it lacks in ambience it makes up for in ease. Plus, there’s the added bonus of being able to eavesdrop on conversations between Google executives (true story) whilst you do the reading for your seminar 20 minutes prior. Its main drawback is that it will cost you about £10 for a full lunch. Not one for everyday. It’s also slightly embarrassing to turn up to your 2pm class and respond, when asked about the stain on your shirt, that it is butterbean purée. 

4. Organic Deli Cafe

Tucked away in the alley between Tesco and Gloucester Green lies a fab little café with plenty of veggie options – no less than five different options for sourdough sandwiches! Once again, the drawback here is the price (although I sympathise with the challenge of being a small business owner in the current economic climate), as one such sandwich costs nine Great British pounds. I will say, though, that the Organic Deli’s (£4) chocolate cookie was one of the best things I have ever eaten in my life. A cookie can be a lunch; it’s a subjective concept. 

3. The Alpha Bar 

One of my all-time Oxford favourites is the Alpha Bar, located inside the Covered Market. I’ve tried and enjoyed both the build-your-own bowls and the hot meal options, many of which are vegetarian, hearty, and delicious. If tofu is your protein of choice, then the Alpha Bar is the place for you. I will also note, though, for accompanying carnivores, that on this particular day the Alpha Bar was also serving coq-au-vin and beef rendang curry. But once again, it’s just not the kind of thing you can afford to rely on regularly (affordability is coming, stay tuned), since a small bowl costs £8.

2. Gloucester Green 

“This was the no-brainer. This was the banker, this was the one that couldn’t fail, this was the one that’s never failed” – Gary Neville, I would imagine, if he ever visited Gloucester Green. If you want my specific recommendations, the £7 vegan momo from Momo King are insanely good. £7 appears to be the going rate, and for that price, you could also get the vegan plate from Ceylon Spicy, or the gnocchi from Polentista Italian, if spice isn’t your thing. Since my last visit, it seems a stand devoted to tiramisu has also appeared, which is also a vegetarian option. As I say, lunch is a subjective concept. But I am forced to discount points on account of the difficulty of finding seating during busy months, and the unpleasantness of eating outdoors during the cold, quieter months. And if, like my sister, you possess a mortal fear of birds, this is one to avoid altogether. 

1. Salsas del Sol 

We’ve made it. The GOAT. £6 to fill a small bowl, which I can personally attest fits enough for a filling lunch (especially if you detour to the Organic Deli for a cookie, then you’re really cooking). Pictured above is my most recent effort, which also serves as proof of their leniency regarding overfilling. The serving station is refilled with fresh options for your bowls or pitas, which include halloumi, aubergine, mushrooms, and chickpeas, as well as a whole host of different grains and salad bases. You can help yourself to sauces, and there’s no surcharge for hummus. If you are a vegetarian who hasn’t been to Salsas del Sol yet, trust me, I have found your new favourite lunch.

Exclusive: Oxford Union announces Trinity term card

Cherwell News
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Exclusive: Oxford Union announces Trinity term card

Cherwell can exclusively reveal that former Home Secretary Sir James Cleverley, President of Goldman Sachs John E. Waldron, and rapper Tinie Tempah are all set to speak at the Oxford Union this term. 

The debating society will see political figures such as Prime Minister Kamil Idris of Sudan, who, late last year, proposed an initiative to end the Sudanese civil war to the United Nations. Other speakers include the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, journalist Mehdi Hasan, and the US Senator for Vermont, Bernie Sanders, who is set to appear virtually. 

In addition to this, the Union will host dance coach and TV personality Abby Lee Miller, who gained notoriety on the American reality television show Dance Moms, as well as the former Welsh footballer Ian Rush.

The Trinity term card will include a debate on “whether today’s youth activism is driving meaningful political change or increasingly slipping into performative visibility”. This will see speakers such as Oxford content creator Oliver’s Oxford, Director of the Good Law Project, Jolyon Maugham, and British politician Fiona Lali. 

A debate on “whether Israel has ever sincerely pursued peace with Palestine, or whether the peace process has been more symbolic than real” will feature University of Exeter Professor Ilan Pappé, General Secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative, Mustafa Barghouti, and former Israeli politician, Einat Wilf.

There will also be a visit from the controversial Reform Party candidate in the highly-publicised Denton and Gorton byelection earlier this year, Matt Goodwin, who will speak in a debate “on whether Reform is a credible governing force capable of delivering change, or a protest movement better suited to opposition”. He will be joined by speakers including the former leader of the Scottish National Party in Parliament, Ian Blackford, and Liberal Democrat politician Josh Babarinde. 

The Union’s term card will also include social events, such as an Al-Andalus-inspired ball taking place on 29th May, and a Union House Party promising cheap drinks and beer pong on 9th May. 

In addition, on the 23rd-24th May, the debating society will host The Prince, a play written by Oxford graduate Kofo Braithwaite that follows a fresher’s involvement with the Oxford Union. 

Regarding the forthcoming term, Union President Arwa Elrayess told Cherwell: “I’m so proud to present the Oxford Union’s Trinity 2026 Term Card… I hope this term is defined by substance, strong governance, and real momentum.”

On being an introvert

Maggie Patmore
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On being an introvert

As a university characterised by exemplary achievements, Oxford tends to cultivate an environment where you feel you must perform at your best in every aspect of life – and your social life is no exception. This pressure is more apparent than ever to the introvert. College activities like attending BOPs, or even meals in hall, can start to feel like checking off a box, one that proves you are meeting the minimum social criteria expected of an adequate student. Hearing other people in your accommodation getting ready for Indie Fridays while you’re watching Friday Night Dinner alone is enough to make anyone feel like they are somehow failing. And yet, despite this ever-present pressure to socialise, some of us find ourselves deliberately choosing the latter option most evenings. 

Moving from home to a new city, meeting new people, and adjusting to new routines can be a jarring transition for any student, but above all the introvert. After hearing one of my (more extroverted) friends thrive during her university’s freshers’ week, I hoped that my experience would be just as positive. But, as someone who prefers spending most of my time alone, spending day after day talking to multiple strangers, the challenge of not  instantly forgetting their names proved to be taxing. Although meeting as many people as possible is a perfectly reasonable way to settle in at university, I quickly tired of the repeated “what is your name?” and “what do you study?” cycle. In fact, I found myself oddly frustrated at this sensible series of initial questions. I could not understand how so many people seemed to be having the time of their lives with people they barely knew; this is where the introversion-extroversion distinction became so clearly apparent to me. 

Most people acknowledge these terms in an overly simplified way, with the prevalent stereotypes being that extroverts are the ‘life of the party’ while introverts remain the ‘wallflowers’ (that is, if they attend the party at all). The reality is more complex than this: introverts don’t necessarily avoid social interaction but rather prefer the company of a smaller group in an environment that is not so overstimulating, resulting in a general reluctance to go into any potentially overwhelming situations. It stands to say that a bustling place like Oxford tends to favour the extrovert. I distinctly remember having a conversation where I was complaining to a friend about the concept of networking, to which she responded networking is “just talking to people”, not realising that is, in fact, the part I find offputting. 

It’s not the talking that introverts hate, though. Rather, it’s the constantly being surrounded by people, the expectation that you join various societies and go on regular nights-out, while also getting to know everyone in your college. Suddenly, you go from being in the comfort of family members and friends to living in a building with close to 100 other students, all of whom you have never met. With everyone forming friendships so quickly, it can be hard not to feel that you are falling behind, and no one wants to be seen as boring. Despite the reputation of Oxford being a rigorously academic place, saying to people that I was looking forward to visiting the libraries more than meeting new people brought judgemental looks from some of my peers. This, in addition to the romanticisation of university as the ‘best years of your life’, when it is not an environment that is catered towards you, can leave an introvert feeling out of place. 

Although university is widely expected to be the pinnacle of your social life, it is often described as a lonely time for a lot of students. An article recently published by The Guardian reported that two thirds of university students experience loneliness at university, with many attributing this to the set-up of their accommodation not encouraging social interactions. Perhaps this is unsurprising. With greater independence also comes the greater responsibility to seek out friendships in a more intentional manner, rather than relying on school settings to facilitate this. Yet Oxford’s collegiate structure and regular events seem to compensate for this transition – many people find their friendships from being part of the same college, a characteristic that most other universities lack. And despite being an introvert and feeling largely content alone, all humans require some social interaction. Oxford does feel like it promotes some performative sociability. Being part of a college community means you are constantly confronted with people who seem to have more friends, are part of more societies and go to more events than you, furthering the feeling that you should be doing more – a feeling that I expect is not unfamiliar for most Oxford students. However, the college communal set-up does have its benefits, as it does encourage connection and serves as a helpful reminder to introverts that there is value to having friends to share the highs and lows with. 

Even with that in mind, it can feel natural to be envious of extroverts in such a setting. There feels like an invisible boundary between the people who thrive in Oxford’s social climate and those who find it overwhelming. Outside of university, the separation is rarely this distinct. Instead, we have to adapt to the situation we are presented with, which is why I, one of the most introverted people I know, am often assumed to be an extrovert by my peers. Yet Oxford is not exactly optimal for extroverts either: long hours studying alone in a library, with nothing but the sound of occasional coughing, are likely to be much more difficult for those who prefer to be surrounded by the chatter of their peers. And during life after Oxford, there will be situations in which being an introvert is beneficial. It is likely that the transition to living alone and being more independent after university will be much easier for the introvert than the extrovert. In my experience, there is some comfort in knowing that no matter where you go – to another university or another country (or both as I am intending to do) – you will be able to shape your experience as you please, without relying on the presence of others as an extrovert might do.

So, to any introverts, do not fret about Oxford being the best years of your life. Whilst it is important to embrace the ‘university experience’, you will have many years ahead of you to soak in your own company without the constant pressure to present a thriving social life. My advice would be this: do try to  go on the occasional pub trip or night out (it’ll do you good, I promise), but also remember that an evening alone reading, crocheting, or simply rotting in bed, can be an evening well spent.

Oxford University Press and University of Pennsylvania Press announce open access agreement

Daniela Braw-Smith
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Oxford University Press and University of Pennsylvania Press announce open access agreement

Oxford University Press (OUP) and University of Pennsylvania Press (Penn Press) have struck a two-year agreement granting University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) students open access to hundreds of OUP journals.

OUP is the largest university press in the world, publishing over 500 journals across a range of academic fields. The agreement also allows UPenn-affiliated authors to publish with open access in OUP’s hybrid and fully open journals without paying article processing charges.

According to the Royal Society, open access to published academic journals increases readership, citations, and accessibility to non-academics. OUP has described open access as a key part of their “mission to achieve the widest possible dissemination of high-quality research”, noting that open access articles have the greatest number of policy and patent document mentions, relative to volume of output, in comparison to other major academic publishers.

The University of Oxford also engages in similar “publisher deals” with presses around the world, enabling open access to articles in otherwise subscription-only journals for Oxford-affiliated researchers and students. Under these agreements with individual presses (e.g., SAGE, Taylor & Francis, and Cambridge University Press), Oxford departments pay publishing costs on behalf of their researchers.
OUP’s and the University’s partnerships with other academic presses and universities have also facilitated the growth of Oxford Academic, which brings together over 50,000 books and 500 journals on a single platform. The platform has expressed an intent to adapt to the changing landscape of academia, such as the introduction of an AI Discovery Assistant and the newly added capacity to gift limited-time access to journal articles.

The uncapped agreement places no limit on articles published open access, with Penn Libraries noting such deals have already enabled around 60% of its research output to be freely accessible.

Proctors criticise University policy on buildings, AI, and staff payment

Stanley Arlidge
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Proctors criticise University policy on buildings, AI, and staff payment

The University of Oxford’s Proctorial Team has criticised the physical decay of buildings, staff pay, and university policy on the use of artificial intelligence in their traditional end-of-term Oration shared in the Oxford University Gazette.

The Oration is given annually by Proctoral team, composed of the Junior Proctor, Senior Proctor and Assessor, as they end their year-long term. The address evaluates the issues affecting the University and the decisions made by its governing bodies. The Senior Proctor pointed to a pattern of “slow decay, masked by the wearisome efforts of those affected to find mitigations and accommodations.” He noted that “when we are finally forced to act, when the mask cannot be maintained, the remedies are costly, and the harms to the University serious, and unavoidable.”

The Oration painted a worrying picture of the University’s buildings, claiming that many have now reached a state of “planned obsolescence”. Discussing the Thom Building on Parks Road, where the Department of Engineering Science is located, the Senior Proctor said: “For many years, the decay within the building has been metaphorically masked, as damp academics did their best to keep things functioning.” Discussing the University’s “digital estate”, the Assessor critiqued Oxford’s “flagship” Digital Transformation Programme, which “has been unable to deliver new software tools as fast as new demand rises”.

They warned that without further “funding for investment”, the University’s estate could restrict Oxford’s ability to remain at the top of global University rankings.  The concern reflected a similar issue identified by the 2023 Proctorial Team, who argued: “We as an institution failed to ‘see’ what was blatantly obvious – that these buildings are simply not fit for purpose.” Oxford Estates Services did not respond to Cherwell’s request for comment.

The Proctoral team also identified concerns about faculty wages and competition. The Associate Professor position was noted as “especially challenging” in terms of pay, workload, and career structure, making the role “a predicament and not a position”. The Senior Proctor warned: “As pay continues to slide, even if we remain competitive nationally, we will cease to be so internationally.”

The team raised further doubts about the University’s attempts to tackle the growing challenge of AI, criticising Oxford’s “startling” decision to roll out access to ChatGPT Edu to all students, the first university in the UK to do so: “Oxford … is left floundering in the wake of rapid technological change, trying to adapt its activities and governance to what many of us see as a fundamental threat to higher education.

“We share the disquiet of many colleagues that the rapid distribution of such licences by the University sent a powerful signal to our students that AI usage was being promoted in problematic ways.” 

The Junior Proctor also criticised the University’s lack of a streamlined administrative response to AI use: “There is too much emphasis on not stifling local initiatives; too little concern to concentrate appropriate coordinated oversight in a single responsible senior committee.” The Proctors claimed to have seen little evidence that the University has got to grips with the threat AI poses to the teaching, assessment, and admissions processes. They describe faculties “scrambling to develop protocols” on AI that “suit their own disciplines”, while simultaneously lacking the money needed to do so. 

The Junior Proctor stated that his experience with the AI governance group (part of the University’s Digital Governance Unit) has “emphatically not reassured me that the University has appropriately got its metaphorical arms around the challenge”. 

The Assessor highlighted the “crucially important” responsibility of the proctoral team “to put discussions into a wider context, connect the dots and steer strategy and policy decisions to better outcomes, not through hard power, but through better arguments and by asking questions, sometimes uncomfortable ones.” In response, a University spokesperson told Cherwell: “As is the case every year, the demitting Proctors’ Oration makes important contributions to many issues which are being actively considered and addressed across the University.” 

‘English Pride’ protest met by counter-protest at Bonn Square

Cherwell News
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‘English Pride’ protest met by counter-protest at Bonn Square

Clashes broke out between an Oxfordshire Patriots demonstration and a counter-protest from anti-racist groups in central Oxford today, with both sides gathering in Bonn Square outside Westgate.

The Oxfordshire Patriots protest drew about ten attendees, and was outnumbered by a “Migrants Welcome” counter-demonstration of over 50 people organised by Oxford Stand Up To Racism. Counter-protests arrived shortly after the group assembled, growing quickly in number and directing chants of “Oxford is anti-fascist”, “stop deportations”, and “there’s many, many more of us than you”, towards the Oxfordshire Patriots group. Multiple counter-protests referenced Oxford’s long history as an “anti-fascist city”.

The protest went ahead despite Oxford City Council not granting permission for the event. It had been promoted by organisers as a “St George’s Day Celebration”. In a statement to Cherwell, Stand Up To Racism criticised this description of the event. In a post on Facebook, Oxfordshire Patriots organisers also described the event as a “day full of music and English pride” and marketed it as a family event. 

Image credit: Zoë McGuire (for Cherwell).

Speaking to Cherwell at the beginning of the protest, the organiser of the Oxfordshire Patriots, Aidan Noble, said he wanted to “stand up to the Council”. He said he “didn’t want to spread hate” and denied being racist, insisting he wanted “to feel pride in my country”. Leaflets handed out by Oxfordshire Patriots describe the group as “protecting British values, history and culture” through “organised peaceful protests and marches”. Another Oxfordshire Patriots protester added that “we’re not racist – they can shout what they like”.

Tensions escalated during the protest with multiple incidents involving physical confrontation and allegations made by both sides.

In one incident, a protester associated with Oxfordshire Patriots fell to the ground after standing up as his mobility scooter was being blocked by a group of counter-protesters. Other participants from the Stand Up To Racism protest appeared to offer to help the individual to their feet. Speaking to Cherwell following the incident, Noble insisted he “wanted a peaceful protest”, but that it had been “disrupted” by the opposing group. 

Image credit: Zoë McGuire (for Cherwell).

In another incident, a participant who had joined the Oxfordshire Patriots crowd lunged at a woman taking part in the Stand Up To Racism demonstration – grabbing a St George’s Cross flag with the word “love” written across it. He was pushed to the ground by a member of the counter-protest, and a small fight resulted between the two men. The man who lunged at the woman was then taken aside by the police.

An activist with Stand Up To Racism also accused one of the protestors of threatening to slap her across the face after she offered them a leaflet.

Around ten police officers were at the scene of the protest, and were seen recording events on phones and body cameras. A demonstrator with Oxfordshire Patriots told Cherwell he had faced “threatening intimidation” but claimed the police “are doing nothing” and accused them of “two-tier policing”. 

Image credit: Zoë McGuire (for Cherwell).

Later, the police formed a line around the right-wing demonstrators. Stand Up To Racism supporters chanted, “Who protects the fascists? The Police protect the fascists”. 

Speaking to Cherwell, a supporter of Oxford Stand Up To Racism who asked to remain anonymous, said she hoped to “drown out” the demonstrations by Oxfordshire Patriots, and “have some great conversations” to help “people see the connections between Reform, Raise The Colours, Farage and Trump”. She described the rise in support for Reform UK as “very scary” and accused the Labour Government of “throwing people under a bus”. She praised Oxford’s migrant community, who she described as “neighbours and friends”. 

Ian McKendrick, an organiser for Stand Up To Racism, told Cherwell that the aim of the counter-protest was to challenge a “campaign of intimidation” by right-wing groups. Another anonymous supporter of Stand Up To Racism, who played the drum during the protest, told Cherwell: “Oxford relies on immigrants – there’s no two ways about it.” 

Image credit: Zoë McGuire (for Cherwell).

The protests come after Oxfordshire County Council issued a legal notice to Raise the Colours after St George’s Cross and Union Jack flags were hung across the county. In a statement, council leader Liz Leffman described the displays as “an act of intimidation and division”. 

Oxfordshire Patriots were contacted for comment. 

Additional reporting by Isaac Gavaghan, Mercedes Haas, Ned Remington, and Hattie Simpson.

World Happiness Report finds declining wellbeing amongst young people

Angelina Wu
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World Happiness Report finds declining wellbeing amongst young people

The 2026 World Happiness Report, produced by Oxford University’s Wellbeing Research Centre in partnership with the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Gallup, and an independent editorial board, has found that wellbeing among under-25s is declining across English-speaking countries.

The report, published in March ahead of the UN’s International Day of Happiness, highlights that the trend is most pronounced among girls. For the second consecutive year, no English-speaking country ranks in the top ten happiest countries, with the UK placed 29th. 

Heavy social media use is emphasised as associated with lower life satisfaction. Whilst correlation between social media use and wellbeing is established, causation remains tentative. One international survey of 15-year-olds in nearly 50 countries associated heavy social media use with a significant drop in well-being. However, the relationship isn’t straightforward: another study cited in the report found that young people who use social media for less than one hour per day report the highest level of wellbeing, higher than those who fully abstain. The World Happiness Report acknowledges there is less consensus on a causal link between social media use and wellbeing.

The report distinguishes between ‘harmful’ and ‘healthy’ use of social media. Barry Grimes, production editor of the report, told Cherwell that platforms “designed for passive consumption of algorithmic content”, such as TikTok, tend to be negatively associated with wellbeing. By contrast, platforms promoting social connection, such as WhatsApp, are associated with more positive outcomes. Grimes added that “young people should reduce the time they spend on social media and prioritise the ‘social’ over the ‘media’”. 

The findings raise questions about how best to regulate social media use. Grimes told Cherwell that “new policy interventions must be evidence-based to reduce the risk of unintentional harm”. Emerging evidence from Australia and the UK’s pilot schemes in the coming months will provide insight into how to regulate social media use effectively.

Shoreditch and the Reinvention of the Restaurant Scene in London

External Contributor
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Shoreditch and the Reinvention of the Restaurant Scene in London

Shoreditch and the Reinvention of the Restaurant Scene in London

Shoreditch once drew people mainly for its grit, galleries, and after dark energy. Now it also draws diners who expect bold cooking and a room with a clear point of view. That shift says as much about London as it does about one district.

Restaurants in the area do more than serve food. They shape mood through sound, lighting, layout, and the steady movement between dinner and drinks. In Shoreditch, atmosphere stopped being a backdrop and became part of the reason people book a table.

That mix matters because the audience is wide. On a single evening, a room may hold office workers, artists, visitors, and local regulars. Restaurants that thrive there usually understand both style and substance.

Why Shoreditch Keeps Setting the Pace

That change did not happen by accident. As new crowds arrived, restaurants learned to stand out in a place that rewards novelty and confidence. The result is a dining scene that keeps testing what eating out can feel like.

From Fringe Streets to Food Magnet:

Shoreditch built its early reputation on independence. Small operators could take risks there because the area welcomed ideas that felt rougher, louder, and less formal than central London. That spirit helped food follow the same path.

Visitors still come for that sense of discovery, even when the streets feel more polished than before. For anyone focused on finding the best restaurants in Shoreditch, the district works best as a living dining scene. Menus change fast, rooms get refreshed, and a favourite spot can reinvent itself within months.

That pace matters. It keeps diners curious and pushes restaurants to show personality from the first glance. In Shoreditch, standing still rarely feels like an option.

The area also rewards places that feel distinct rather than polished in a generic way. Diners want a sense that a restaurant belongs to its street, even when prices and crowds have changed. That local texture keeps Shoreditch different from a standard dining strip.

When Atmosphere Became Part of Dinner:As competition grew, food alone stopped carrying the whole experience. A meal now had to look and sound right, and the room had to signal what kind of night lay ahead. This importance of setting is documented in studies of dining atmosphere. Design became a way to tell that story quickly.

The most memorable places often build atmosphere with simple choices rather than expensive tricks. A few details can change how long guests stay, what they order, and how they talk about the meal later. Open kitchens create movement and make cooking feel part of the room, not hidden work behind a wall. Lighting and flexible seating shape mood, helping a restaurant serve quick lunches, slower evenings, solo diners, and groups without losing character.

These choices also suit a district that changes by the hour. A space may need to handle coffee in the afternoon, dinner at seven, and a busy drinks crowd later on. Shoreditch helped normalise that kind of flexibility.

This focus on mood also changed how chefs and owners present ambition. Formal signs matter less than fit. When food, service, and setting match, the restaurant feels sharper and more memorable.

How Dinner Borrowed Nightlife Energy:

Music plays a similar role. In many parts of London, restaurants once kept sound low and the energy controlled. Shoreditch embraced a louder, more social model where dinner could feel like the start of a night out.

That approach changed expectations far beyond one postcode. Diners grew used to restaurants that offered more than a plate and a bill. People came to expect a stronger sense of place through playlists, lighting, or visible kitchen action. Menus often shared attention with mood, because guests remembered how a room felt as much as what they ate. The line between restaurant and nightlife venue felt softer, especially on busy weekends.

Not every London neighbourhood copies Shoreditch in the same way. However, many borrow its confidence, its casual polish, and its comfort with experimentation. The district showed that a restaurant can chase quality and personality at the same time.

That influence reaches beyond design. It also encourages diners to expect freshness, flexibility, and a stronger identity from ordinary neighbourhood restaurants. London feels more adventurous when its dining rooms act with that confidence.

The District That Keeps Moving

Shoreditch still changes quickly, which is part of its appeal. Some places disappear, others return in new forms, and fresh ideas keep arriving. That constant motion helps the area stay relevant even as trends shift.

Its biggest legacy may be the way it widened the meaning of eating out in London. Food remains central, yet mood, design, music, and timing now matter more than before. Shoreditch turned the restaurant into a fuller cultural experience, and the rest of the city noticed.

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