Print Deputies: Charlie Gershinson, Rosie PetersMcDonald, Agata Koralewska Online Deputies: Emily Roughton and Amberlu Wright editors@exepose.com
News Editors
Print: Gracie Moore, Amy Rushton, Charlie Gershinson, Rosie Peters-Mcdonald, Agata Koralewska Online: Shagnick Bhattacharya news@exepose.com Features
AT the beginning of a new academic year, Exeposé warmly welcomes incoming students (our potential new journalists) to Exeter, ready to seize the day! Exeposé was awared the best student publication at the Student Publication Awards in 2023, so why not gain some valuable writing experience at a reputable newspaper? We have some thought-provoking reads for you in this edition to kickstart the year. Head to News to read about the exit statement issues by the Exeter Liberation for Palestine encampment (Page 3), the UCU vote of no confidence (Page 5) and more.
In Satire this week (Page 14), Shagnick gives us his top tips on how to find the infamous Napoleon, and all the details are divulged on the worst nights out in Exeter.
Lifestyle discusses fashion in Exeter (Page 16) and Niall gives us his top tips on how to survive living in halls for the first time (Page 17). Music provide their go-to albums that remind them of Freshers' (Page 20) and review the album of the summer 'Brat' (Page 21). Last year’s newest section, Exetera Exetera… looks at the best pesto pasta recipe (Page 26) and delves into the archives of a Freshers’ Week from the 90s! Also in this edition, Sport covers England’s unfortunate loss at the Euros (Page 30) as well as the different sports societies to get involved with at Exeter (Page 32). We are really excited to meet you all and
hopefully have some of you write for us this year. If you have any questions about joining the paper, please check out our socials @exepose. We can’t wait to meet you all and we wish you a great Welcome Week.
Gracie and Amy
@exepose
facebook.com/exepose
issuu.com/exeposeexeter
University news home and abroad
THE BBC has reported that the top A-level grades across England, Wales and Northern Ireland (NI) have risen for the first time since 2021, with 27.8 per cent of grades awarded achieving A* or A. This is up from 27.2 per cent in 2023, and means 82 per cent of students applying to university achieved the grades need ed for their top choice and many more were accapted into university places for clearing. 2020 and 2021 saw a spike in top grades are teacher-assessed grading was introduced due to the Covid pandemic, resulting in an ensuing effort to bring grades down back to 2019 levels in the following years. Nevertheless, the proportion of top grades remains over two percentage higher than 2019.
FEMALE Indian students are increasingly opting for higher education abroad, particularly in countries such as the United Kingdom or the United States. This is largely due to higher numbers of scholarships, grants and bursaries available in these countries. For example, the GREAT Scholarship is offered by the British Council and assists Indian students in obtaining scholarships for postgraduate programmes.
The British Council also collaborates with UK universities to provide a one year STEM masters degree, The scholarship covers tuition fees, a stipend, travel expenses, visa fees, health coverage, English language support, and also supports those who have children dependent on them. Akshay Chaturvedi, CEO of the education consultancy Leverage.biz, said “In recent years, women have accounted for over 40% of applicants on the Leverage Edu platform.” This is a platform that helps student look for study placements abroad. The drive for gender equality has also been noted as a major factor.
WEDNESDAY last week, Barron Trump, the son of former First Lady Melania Trump and former President and current presidential candidate Donald Trump, began college at New York University (NYU). Trump graduated from Oxbridge Academy near the family’s Mar-a-Lago home in Florida and will attend NYU’s Stern School of Business. His enrolment has incited mixed reactions on social media, ranging from jokes over political views changing to concern expressed for his wellbeing and treatment by fellow students. Speaking about his youngest son's en rolment, Don ald Trump stated “He’s a very high aptitude child, but he’s no longer a child […] He’s just passed into something beyond child-dom. He’s doing great”.
N South Korea, there has been a call for an overhaul of the national university admission system after it was noted that parental income is a major factor in admissions.
The BoK (Bank of Korea) report has suggested that South Korea uses a nationwide “regional proportional admission system” which would allocate places based on the eligibility of students in that area, rather than favouring students in certain places in the country.
The report by BoK states that around 75% of the difference in university admission relates to the “economic power of parents” and only 25% to that of the student’s academic potential.
Kim Sung-eun, associate professor at Sejong University’s Economics Department stressed the need of instead taking a multi-dimensional approach.
South Korea’s President Yoon Sukyeol recognised the need to improve education and said: “It’s crucial that children can receive a good education outside of Seoul.” tract people to regional areas. He said: “It’s crucial that children can receive a good education outside of Seoul.”
By Gracie Moors amd Amy Rushton
Female Indian students increasingly seeking their education overseas
Donald Trump's son enrols at NYU Government to cap enrolment on "low-value" degrees
Images (top to bottom): Rosie Peters-McDonald, University of Leicester via Flickr, PA, Raymond Spekking
Proofers: Gracie Moore, Amy Rushton, Rose Peters-McDonald, Agata Koralewska, Charlie Gershinson and Jen Davies
Image: Wikimedia Commons, Jebulon
Image: Wikimedia Commons, JJ Harrison
Scan for Exepos é Online
Scan for membership page
“We shall continue our advocacy through all possible peaceful means”: ELE4PAL vacate physical encampment
ON the 3rd July, The Exeter Liberation Encampment for Palestine (ELE4PAL) announced its decision to vacate the encampment site on Exeter University campus after a 50 day period of sustained protest and negotiation.
The ELE4PAL camp was formed on 14th May, consisting of tents erected on the green opposite the Queens Building along with banners displaying slogans such as “Divest from Deadly Research”, “Boycott Tel Aviv Uni” and “The People Stand with Palestine”. This followed on from the establishment of Palestine Liberation encampments on university campuses around the world formed in response to extreme violence inflicted by Israeli ground and air strikes in Gaza and the West Bank. The exact number of those killed is not known but is estimated by Gaza’s Health Ministry to stand at over 40,000 as of 15th August 2024. Beginning with UCLA and Columbia in April 2024, this wave of student protest was formed in response to accusations that universities are currently divesting
funds towards institutions the encampments labelled complicit in genocide and colonialism. In the UK, encampments were formed across 35 universities, often to heavy criticism. The University had previously responded to ELE4PAL’s protest at a University open day by asking students to leave the encampment “as soon as possible”, a month before the encampment was eventually vacated.
In the UK, encampments were formed across 35 universities
ELE4PAL issued a series of demands calling on the university to boycott Israeli universities and research partnership programs, support Palestinian education through scholarships, establish partnerships with Palestinian universities and safeguard academic freedom and freedom of speech for those supporting Palestine.
The ELE4PAL instagram account posted their exit statement announcing that the physical encampment would close. ELE4PAL stressed within the post that “while the physical encampment closes, it does not signify the cessation of our protest activities, in the name of over
1000 students and staff, we shall continue our advocacy through all possible peaceful means until our demands are met in full.”
They claimed there were three primary achievements from the period along with continued additional . The former included the administration publicly stating that the University of Exeter is not in any formal partnership with Tel Aviv University or any other Israeli institution and that a working group will be established to review Exeter University’s Investment Policy and General Fund, with the aim of creating a negative screen for investments in arms companies and increasing Treasury Transparency as well as the cessation of investment in the apartheid state. Also, a working group is going to be dedicated to supporting Palestinian education, tasked with providing multiple scholarships per faculty for Palestinian students and supporting the reconstruction of the education sector in the Gaza Strip and West Bank through partnerships and joint programmes. The list of demands on their post included the University of Exeter to fully cut ties with research partners involved in arms exports to Israel and for the University to take the safeguarding of Palestinian academic freedom and freedom
of speech seriously, including by consulting their own experts in the European Centre for Palestine Studies on communications and decisions related to Palestine.
“Whilst
the physical encampment closes, it does not signify the cessastion of our protest activities”
Within the post, ELE4PAL extended their gratitude to the wider community for their support throughout the encampment. They also accredited their success to the generous contributions of food, shelter and supplies from a number of suppliers.
ELE4PAL closed their exit statement with the promise that they will “remain resolute” in continuing their protest against the University and their “complicity in the ongoing genocide.” Additionally, they emphasise that the ending of the physical encampment is only acting as an interim while they reassess and reflect, with the aim of returning in the Autumn and instigating renewed action once the academic year begins.
When approached about the exit statement and future of the encampment, a spokesperson
for the Friends of Palestine Society commented “As we embark on a new academic year at the University of Exeter, we must recognise how access to an education is a privilege. This is a luxury not afforded to students in Gaza, and during the Israeli authorities’ ongoing scholasticide, surviving Palestinian students have no universities to return to.
"The recent divestment victories of other encampments, such as Trinity and Swansea, demonstrate that industry-wide change is both possible and necessary. Where university administrations have not yet committed to divestment, students have achieved other demands, such as their university’s commitment to disclose their investment portfolios or to support Palestinian students in their education. Likewise, ELE4PAL has won concessions by establishing working groups which will review the University’s Investment Policy and General Fund, as well as supporting Palestinian education via scholarships and supporting the reconstruction of the education sector in Gaza and the West Bank.
"The encampment’s success emphasises how we must remain steadfast in the united struggle for Palestinian liberation. We urge new and returning students to join us in the next stages of our movement. Amidst a new peak of settler-colonial violence, it is only through our persistent and collective effort that we will create meaningful change.”
The Israel and Zionist society declined to comment.
A university spokesperson stated “We remain deeply concerned and distressed by the violence in Israel, Palestine and the Middle East. We are unambiguous in our support for all colleagues and students at this time, including our commitment to protecting the right to debate openly and freely. The University is committed to the protection of freedom of speech and academic freedom, alongside our duty of care to our community. We respect the right to protest, providing such protests are carried out safely, respectfully and within the law. Representatives of the University and the Students' Guild met with the protestors regularly to ensure their welfare and listen to their concerns. We also maintained regular dialogue with students to consider their concerns, prior to the encampment voluntarily standing down."
Gracie Moore and Amy Rushton Editors-in-Chief
Image: Joshua Hughes
Image: Harry Craig
Charlie Gershinson Deputy Editor
THE University of Exeter has continued to develop its pastoral mentorship programme across many academic departments to help support undergraduate and postgraduate taught students. Pastoral Mentors have previously been trialled by the University on its Streatham and Penryn campuses and is now being rolled out fully in Exeter's Streatham and St Luke’s campuses as an additional
Pastoral Mentors rolled out across Exeter
resource for students. Pastoral Mentors will be embedded in their respective departments as an additional resource with 14 currently recruited, accounting for around 50 per cent of faculties. All departments are expected to have one or two pastoral tutors by September 2025 as part of Student Academic Support (SAS). For example, a Pastoral Mentor has been hired for the Business School in time for Welcome Week. This will ensure pastoral parity for all undergraduate and postgraduate taught students, regardless of their subject.
Pastoral mentors are designed to work alongside academic tutors to act as a first port of call for students who may wish to reach out for help for a variety of personal circumstances and act as a friendly face within their department. They will be available for both inperson and online appointments and will have dedicated office hours which students are welcome to attend. Although Pastoral Mentors work alongside Academic and Senior Tutors, they are not directly involved in academic work such as marking coursework. The University emphasises
that it wants to encourage students to reach out to their Pastoral Mentor when needed.
Over the course of Welcome Week, there will be stalls run by the University advertising Pastoral Mentors on both Streatham and St Luke’s campuses. Over the course of the academic year, there will be numerous events such as coffee mornings as a chance for students to meet their Pastoral Mentor and set up a point of conduct.
Students can contact their Pastoral Mentor primarily through a referral form as well as dropin sessions and email. Students
can find out more about Pastoral Mentors through the website accessible on the QR code below.
Sale of council offices worries the local community
Agata Koralewska Deputy Editor
SOME concerns have been raised over the new plan to sell the Exeter City Council’s office spaces and very likely move them into the Guildhall Shopping Centre. Mr Phil Bialyk, the Leader of the Council, stated that with the “new methods of working” there are now more remote workers and fewer people coming into offices, and so it’s a necessary next step.
He emphasised that it would save the Council some money and promised that the building wouldn’t be converted into another student accomodation. It is estimated that £2.5million would be made from the sale.
Some main criticisms of the decision were that the offices may stand empty for years if no buyer would be interested.
The Green Party group leader, Diane Moore, highlighted how Exeter already has an excess of abandoned properties such as
Harlequins Shopping Centre or Mary Arches Car Park, which will soon be destroyed. There is a risk that sites that are not being used will take away from the town’s busy atmosphere.
Exeter, which houses both students and local communities, has recently seen a growth in its student population, now they are a 20 per cent of the total population and many local citizens are concerned about their own interests being ignored in order to promote Exeter as a
student town. They argue that empty spaces will make the town less pleasant and this should be taken into consideration
when further development plans will be discussed in the next couple of weeks.
£10,000 worth of illegal vapes and tobacco seized in Exmouth amid rising concern for UK smoking figure
ILLEGAL tobacco and vape products worth £10,000 were seized in Exmouth earlier this month, bringing the total value of illegal tobacco products seized by Heart of the South West this year to £150,000. According to Devon County Council, the seized products in Exmouth in September included a ‘mix of counterfeit and non-duty paid’ tobacco, along with vapes which were ‘non-compliant with tobacco and related products regulations’. Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service’s operations manager, Alex Fry, told the BBC that "the removal of illegal tobacco and vapes from entering the marketplace is a high priority" for the organisation, citing the ‘success’ of the Exmouth operation. The products were seized by means of detection dogs, which Fry explained have "the ability to sniff out even small quantities of tobacco and vapes which are hidden from view."
“The removal of illegal tobacco and vapes from entering the country is a high priority”
This comes as the organisation
Ash (which stands for action on smoking and health) published an analysis of the use of vapes among adults in Great Britain. Their report in August found that 11 per cent of the British population currently vape, which is the highest ever proportion (equal to 5.6 million adults). In 2022, the government published their own findings, suggesting that 12.7 per cent of adults in England were cigarette smokers (as of the year of publication).
While the illegality of the seized products in Exmouth is a huge cause for concern, it also points towards the wider societal issue. According to another report by Ash, the proportion of the population who have never smoked has increased from 37.4 per cent in 1974 to 62.1 per cent in 2022, suggesting a decline — even if slow — in the number of smokers in Great Britain.
The recent evidence of informal economic activity for tobacco in the South West could imply that official figures underestimate the number of people smoking in the UK, a particularly concerning thought considering we are still unsure of the effects of vaping on long-term health.
Rosie Peters-McDonald Deputy Editor
Image: Susanne Nilson, Wikimedia Commons
Image: Lindsay Fox, Wikimedia Commons
Image: University of Exeter
Image: Christian A. Schröder, Widimedia Commons
UCU declares motion of no-confidence as fears of industrial action emerge
Callum Martin, Charlie Gershinson and Rosie Peters-McDonald Online Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Editors
THE possibility of industrial action in the near future has been discussed as the Exeter UCU has declared a motion of no-confidence in the University’s senior leadership.
The Exeter branch of the University and College Union (UCU) declared in June that they no longer had confidence in the University’s senior leadership: the Vice-Chancellor, the University Executive Board and Council. This came after the University announced a voluntary severance scheme, termed the Exeter Release Scheme (or TERS).
The possibility of industrial action in the near future has been discussed
Part of the UCU’s motion of no-confidence declares that they are “to make all necessary preparations this summer for industrial action… should
UoE leadership attempt any programme of restructuring/ redundancies,” raising the possibility of a return to industrial action impacting students.
Third and fourth-year students will remember the widespread staff strikes of the 2022/23 academic year that had a major disruptive impact on learning. When asked by Exeposé if this dispute could lead to a repeat of industrial action, a senior UCU official said “We hope that industrial action is not needed, but if the credible threat to jobs remains, then members will be given the option of taking industrial action to defend jobs… staff do not take such action lightly and it is extremely costly, so if this does happen it is only fair that we plan to have maximum impact and disruption on the operations of the University.”
The UCU criticised the University’s decision to introduce TERS on the 25th March, saying that in an April statement that it was not created at all in coordination with the UCU. As a voluntary scheme, there was no need for the University to engage with the trade unions. According to the statement, their strongest criticism of TERS is the fact that, although some universities across
the country may face dire financial straits, the University of Exeter is not amongst them. Therefore, the apparent choice for the University to target faculty members in an attempt to find savings has come under scrutiny by the UCU.
The University has not been specific with what it hopes to achieve with TERS. It has provided no information on the financial targets it hopes to achieve with the cuts which the scheme will create.
The UCU are now concerned that the University could go on to attempt cost reductions in terms of staffing before instead trying alternative avenues. This is despite the University’s record income of £633 million, according to their 2022/23 annual report.
The UCU's senior officer also told Exeposé “We know that there is key information that they are withholding, including decisions made at Council, that have a bearing on staffing plans and the broader strategic plans for the university…I see a substantial disconnect between senior management and the wider staff and student bodies.”
The officer also said, “Senior leadership have not been sufficiently open and transparent about university finances or
their strategic plans to establish that cuts to existing staff are warranted. The university currently makes a surplus and has significant cash balances.”
A spokesperson for the University of Exeter told Exeposé : “The University has enjoyed sustained growth and success over a number of years, however against both a challenging global economic environment and the financial challenges faced across the sector, we need to adapt our operations to maintain our strong financial position. As part of these changes, the University opened an entirely voluntary release scheme, open to all qualifying staff. It is important to stress that this was not a redundancy scheme, but instead provided opportunities for some staff to leave the University to pursue other career interests or retire early. The scheme has been carefully managed to ensure there is no impact on learning or the student experience, and there are no plans for compulsory redundancies."
A spokesperson for Exeter Student's Guild stated "The Guild will always ensure that your voices are heard and represented to the University, and work with the University
to ensure any impact that may happen to students is mitigated."
This disagreement over TERS has led to the UCU declaring a motion of no-confidence in senior leadership due to the University’s
“The scheme has been carefully managed to ensure there is no impact on learning or the student experience”
financial strategy and lack of information sharing, among other reasons. The UCU notes that there may be compulsory redundancies, according to Vice Chancellor all-staff talks, based on those unspecified financial savings targets.
The UCU has declared the motion of no-confidence primarily due to the lack of transparency it has shared with faculty regarding the financial and strategic details for the TERS scheme. The University’s imposition upon its staff, according to the UCU’s June statement declaring the motion, “provide no justification for cuts to existing staff (either by inducement now, or by force in the future).”
Multi-Faith Centre to open in Spring 2025
of the 2024/25 academic year.
Charlie Gershinson Deputy Editor
THE completion of the Multi-Faith Centre’s construction has been delayed until Autumn 2024 with an opening ceremony scheduled for Spring 2025 due to “challenging weather conditions”.
The Multi-Faith Centre, which has been under construction since August 2023, was due to be completed within 12 months, finishing in time for the beginning
The Centre is being constructed behind the Forum, with works meaning that access for students is currently being partially blocked on the Poole Gate Road Footpath — the most direct route from the Forum to the Old Library. When asked for comment, the University’s spokesperson said, "The Multi-Faith Centre is due to complete and open later this autumn 2024. The project has experienced some delays due to challenging weather conditions earlier in the year. We look forward to the building being
open for students and colleagues to enjoy and we are planning an official opening celebration for spring 2025." The University has also confirmed that the delay in construction will not impact the cost of the building, with estimated costs remaining at its original £6.3 million.
The Multi-Faith Centre is part of the University’s Capital Strategy and is purposed for a wide variety of faith backgrounds and world views, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Baha’i and Buddhism. It will replace the existing Muslim prayer rooms and multi-faith
centres in the Old Library. The Centre will include a 50-person Muslim prayer space and a multi-faith space for quiet reflection, services and events. There will also be a communal meeting space, a kitchen, a dedicated office for the Multi-faith Chaplaincy Team and an external terrace area.
The University has also said that its location was chosen to “complement the facilities in the Forum, encourage maximum use of the space, make it central to the student community and promote respect and inclusion.”
Image: University of Exeter University and College Union
Image: Charlie Gershinson
How to write for us
NOT o nly is writing for your student paper incredible for your CV, but it’s a brilliant oppurtunity to get stuck into university life, discover your passion and meet lots of wonderful people (not that we’re biased).
Joining us is easy, all you need to do is scan the QR code here in order to purchase your society membership from the Student’s Guild. After that you can join our Exeposé Members 24/25 facebook group in which you’ll find content calls from section editors on pretty much any topic you can imagine!
If you see a content call that takes your fancy, simply comment under the facebook post, write your article and send it to the editor. Whilst they may send you some feedback or ask you to make a couple of changes, no articles will ever be rejected and we encourage writers to get involved regardless of previous experience.
There are 12 sections in Exepose across print and online, so with content calls coming out every week there’s plrenty to get stuck into. Whether your niche is writing news pieces or you ptefer to write about the latest trends in TV, music or tech, you will find that there are plenty of
opportunities to flourish as a journalist. You are also very welcome to pitch stories if there is anything you’re particularly passionate about or you notice any gaps in the papers coverage — simply find the relevant section for your story and send a message directly o the section editors (listed on page 2), or to editors@exepose. com.
If financial hardship prevents you from gettng involved, the Guild offers a Society Hardship Fund, aimed at any student awarded the University Hardship and Retention Fund or who is unable to take part in societies due to financial barriers.
Newspapers aren’t your thing? We are proud members of Xmedia — the collection of media societies at the University of Exeter. So, we have societies for radio and podcasts (Xpression), TV (XTV), photography (PhotoSoc) and the culture magazine (Razz).
We can’t wait to meet you all and publish your writing!
Gracie Moore and Amy Rushton, Editors-in-Chief
FEATURES EDITOR: Eleanor Rogers
Afghanistan: The decline of women’s rights
Eleanor Rogers, Features Editor, discusses recent
THREE years have passed since the Taliban resurfaced in Afghanistan to take power.
August 2021 observed the departure of US and UK forces from the region and the subsequent dominance of the Taliban. At the time, we witnessed scenes of desperation as the chaotic withdrawal of troops began, images of anguished Afghans clinging to the wings of planes surfaced, along with tales of persecution under the renewed Taliban governance.
Tales of persecution under the renewed Taliban governance
A new regime began. While many fled Afghanistan, with the BBC reporting 17,039 people arriving in the UK as of March 2024, many Afghans remain there in dangerous conditions. Primarily, the West holds concerns for the rights and safety of women in the region. Since the Taliban takeover in 2021, there has been increasing evidence of restrictions on the rights of women. Notably, access to education was withheld early in the Taliban rule. The initial prohibition of women attending university has now extended to girls being banned from education beyond the age of 12. The BBC reported on the Taliban’s justification for this restriction of education; the Taliban cited their concerns over the suitability of the school environment for girls, stating that it is only a temporary measure until a more appropriate method of schooling is arranged. So far, no progress has been made on this front. The next step towards the eclipse of women from the public sphere lies in the curtailment of freedom of speech. Protesting rights are being obliterated. The Afghans that protest for their rights are subject to the most degrading treatment. Many are arrested and placed in jail, experiencing what The Human Rights Watch reports as ‘all kinds of torture’ alongside the imprisonment of children. Whispers of the voices of Afghan women can only be captured in the most covert ways. Cambridge Scholar, Parwana Fayyaz has translated a collective diary from 21 women during the period of the Taliban capture of Kabul. By using Whatsapp during the period, Fayyaz was
SCharlie
able to communicate with these women and glean an insight into the turmoil. Since then, many of these women have left Afghanistan due to safety concerns.
‘Modesty and virtue’ are at the heart of the legislation affecting women’s rights in Afghanistan. Dictations of dress and coverage have become increasingly restrictive. In efforts to reject any dregs of Western liberalism, the dress enforced is targeted to maximise modesty and increase submission. Those supportive of the dress code suggest that this demonstrates submission to God. The compulsory style of dress has been reinforced by the recent introduction of the ‘Law on Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice’. This requires women to cover both body and face. Additionally, it forbids women from speaking loudly in public. Implicit in this is a shunning of Western standards of behaviour: while the West celebrates singing, dancing and exposure of the body, the laws in Afghanistan are differentiating themselves with an emphasis on ‘modesty’ and privacy. The pervasive nature of these laws is strikingly apparent in the establishment of a ‘Morality Police’, creating a sort of dystopian surveillance system.
Is there any hope of change? Well, according to diplomats: ‘this is a process’. In July 2024, talks between the Taliban and the international community took place. No women were present. In efforts to seek common ground and areas of potential compromise, the topics of counter narcotics and the private sector were discussed. The Taliban maintain that women’s rights are a domestic focus, irrelevant to international relations. “We don’t want to discuss these sorts of issues between other countries. We will find a solution for it back home,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban. This unwillingness to broach the subject forms a significant impediment to progress being made. The UN maintains the stance however, that engagement with the Taliban is at least better than total lack of communication. The Taliban’s presence at international conferences however comes at a cost of other groups being barred access, notably women, while the Taliban achieves their wish of being the sole representative of Afghanistan. Unfortunately, there is another element which determines the progress of rights in Afghanistan – Sharia Law. When speaking with the inter-
restrictions on women’s freedom in Afghanistan
national community, Zabihullah Mujahid stated that all negotiations would be dependent on Sharia Law and the compromises that can be reached within that framework. Sharia Law is comprised of the Qur’an and teachings from Islamic scholars. The potential for negotiation and compromise with the Taliban is limited given that it is rooted in the immutability of Sharia Law and the potential warped interpretations that may arise.
All negotiations would be dependent on Sharia Law
Given the improbability of progress for women’s rights via negotiation, some would raise that argument that foreign intervention is therefore the only option. From a moral standpoint, can one justify the invasion of a sovereign country for the greater good?
Let’s review the previous Afghanistan intervention. For 20 years, the US and the UK maintained a presence in Afghanistan. The intervention in Afghanistan was justified both on defensive grounds,;to decrease the terrorist threat coming off the back of 9/11, and on moral grounds; to instil order in Afghanistan. While the terrorist threat of Afghanistan has decreased, the success of this intervention can, however, be challenged by the swift Taliban takeover in 2021, suggesting that this ‘order’ created was contingent on the US presence, not a long term strategy. Meanwhile, a devastating loss of life occurred during the period for both Afghans and internationals, with a staggering amount of money spent. From a moral standpoint, the Taliban arguably retaliated from the Western impositions which if anything worsened conditions for women.
So, should intervention occur in Afghanistan again to tackle the withdrawal of rights from women? On one level, it is a futile solution with previous experience indicating the devastation that loss of life can cause. Without a long term strategy, the impact on women may worsen. While underlying the ethos of intervention lies a colonial instinct: our ethics are better than theirs so that gives us the right to invade. Regardless of human rights violations, there remains a more overarching moral framework: to
allow sovereign countries to govern independently. The situation in Afghanistan is dire. On one hand, we observe heinous breaches of human rights and on the other hand, we realise there is very little way to stop this.
How Starmer started his government
Gershinson, Deputy Editor,
INCE Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s landslide victory in July, you would be forgiven for thinking that there has been precious little change to the country with Parliament recessed for much of the summer and little to no primary legislation being passed. However, there have been some in-
summarises the beginnings of Labour’s government
dications of how Starmer and his Labour government intend to govern for the next several years.
The first job for any incoming prime minister is appointing a cabinet. This process saw relatively little controversy with the vast majority of the shadow cabinet transitioning to their existing roles within government. However, one exception was long-standing frontbencher Emily Thornberry who was not chosen to be Attorney General, instead replaced in the House of Lords by Richard Herner KC. This became a theme for Starmer’s government as he filled the lower ministerial levels. Starmer prioritised experience outside of Parliament and directly related to their briefs.
This could be clearly seen in two examples: Prof. Patrick Vallance and James Timpson. Vallance, who came to fame during the regular press conferences
throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, has taken the role of Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation. Timpson, meanwhile, founded the high street business of the same name. Timpson and his business have become most well-known for hiring ex-convicts once they’ve been released from prison to aid their rehabilitation. He takes the role of Minister of State for Prisons, Parole and Probation.
The other significant event thus far is a controversy over means-testing Winter Fuel Allowance for pensioners, meaning that all but the poorest pensioners will no longer receive the state benefit. The cut has been particularly unpopular with the left-wing of the Labour parliamentary party as some, such as current Independent MP Zarah Sultana, has dismissed it as a form of austerity. Those pensioners who claim benefits, such as pension-
ers’ credit, will still be able to claim the allowance. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves along the government have justified the move as a necessity due to the unfavourable economic inheritance from the previous Conservative government. Only one Labour MP rebelled against the government – veteran MP Jon Trickett – but 53 abstained against the government. This was not the first rebellion against the fledgling government. Seven left-wing MPs were expelled from the parliamentary party in July as they supported an amendment to scrap the two-children benefit cap, which is against current government policy. This included well-known left-wing MPs who were known supporters of former leader and current Independent MP Jeremy Corbyn, such as former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and Richard Burgon.
Image: Sootyman, Wikimedia Commons
Image: Eric Cabral, via Flickr
Image: Laura K Smith, via Flickr
Rebecca Cheptegei: death of an Olympian
Gracie Moore, Editor-in-Chief, presents the recent murder of Rebecca Cheptegei and discusses the broader issue of violence against women
RETURNING home from Church with her two daughters, never would she have imagined the violent horror that was about to be sprung upon her. Ugandan marathon runner, Rebecca Cheptegei, had recently competed in the Paris Olympics, a feat that many women living in the third world, and indeed across the entire globe, could only dream of achieving. She had been back in north-west Kenya where she lived and trained, only to be stopped in her tracks by the man who would take her life. Her ex-partner doused her in petrol and set her on fire. Cheptegei had reportedly been wrangling over a piece of land with him after buying a plot in Trans Nzoia county and built a house to be near Kenya’s elite athletics training centres. Speaking on the murder, her father Joseph said that he had lost a “very supportive” daughter, and a fellow Ugandan athlete James Kirwa expressed his feelings on her generosity and how she helped other runners financially.
Her ex-partner doused her in petrol and set her on fire
Attacks on women have become a major concern in Kenya recently. In 2022, according to a national survey, at least 34 per cent of women said they had experienced physical violence. Paris are set to honour Cheptegei’s memory by naming a sports venue after her. While many have found this touching, to others it feels like a quick way to show an effort has been made to re -
main respectful to her, but does nothing to support women around the world who have and will face this kind of violence at the hands of men.
Joan Chelimo, a fellow athlete of Cheptegei said she thinks that some men feel “intimidated” by female athletes who are “going above and beyond the traditional norms of men providing everything.” In light of violent gender based crime like this, we turn inwards to search for a root cause. Patriarchal structures, based on sexism and other forms of discrimination, directly create a climate of violence in which women are not safe to move around. With women increasingly able to access positions of power, be it physically, emotionally, or financially, it comes as no surprise that the equilibrium we have become accustomed to is thrown off. Women are not fighting against men, they are fighting against the social structure that keeps them from obtaining a sense of equity with men.
At least 34 per cent of women said they had experienced physical violence
The fear women face has become brought to light through TikTok where according to a viral video, seven in every eight women would choose a bear over a man when asked who they’d rather be stuck in the woods with. This video was eventually corroborated by a YouGov survey which found the number was closer to 53 per cent. Opting for a wild animal over a man has raised concerns, but when asked for reasons, the wom -
Ten argued that the bear would at least treat them as human and that they wouldn’t be tortured by a bear before it decided to kill. There is no guarantee of this with a man. Countless femicide cases include the gruesome stories of weeks, months, or even years of torture before the victim is killed.
Countless femicide cases include gruesome stories of torture
As close to home as Exeter, there are groups set up on social media to protect women and girls from violence. The account Urban Angels is a national organisation that aims to create a safe space for women and non-binary people through connection and solidarity. Within Exeter, this extends to female students posting on the Facebook page about potentially violent situations occurring in and around the city such as protests, gang presence, groups of inebriated men, and more. The group has nearly five thousand members, demonstrating the extent to which women currently have to go to feel safe in Exeter. While femicide is the most extreme example of gender based violence, the numbers remain high. Within the UK in 2021, the Femicide Census concluded that 147 women were killed by a total of 144 men which amounts to more than 12 a month, or over two a day. It begs the question as to what can be done now. The frustration and fear of women all around the world is palpable but this isn’t a
women’s issue, it’s a human issue. Women have become tired of hearing “but not all men” and are looking to men for their accountability and support. Empowerment programmes, school initiatives and media interventions can only go so far — women want the overt support of men and for as long as the microcosmic, harmful attitude of “boys will be boys” continues, gender based violence, be it as discreet as some forms of emotional abuse or as aggressive as murder, will never truly be eradicated.
The dark side of student accommodation
Amy Rushton, Editor-in-Chief, on the exploitation of students in rented accommodation
HE dark (and mouldy) side of student living, student accommodation is popularly synonymous with unwashed dishes, empty liquor bottles and the generalised mess which accompanies people learning to live on their own, often for the first time in their lives. As the subject of gags and jibes on student living, it’s easy to transfer blame to students and overlook the actual conditions of properties in the student sector, which can range from filthy to, as a recent investigation shows, downright dangerous.
Flat Justice, a not-for-profit group which campaigns for tenants’ rights, have filed legal action on behalf of hundreds of students who have lived in properties owned by Unite Students, the UK’s biggest university hall owner. Issuing complaints from students living in halls across London, Liverpool, Coventry and Birmingham, Flat Justice have pointed to health issues caused by mould, damp and dust, alongside waste from previous tenants not being removed and building work blocking lights and causing disruption.
Flat Justice have pointed to health issues caused by mould, damp and dust
Speaking to the Observer, Flat Justice detailed infestations of rats, mice, bed bugs, maggots and silverfish and the repercussions this had, not only on physical
health but mental wellbeing and stress levels. These conditions are not limited to Unite Students, or indeed to large rental companies. Complaints of black mould, animal infestations and properties in appalling conditions are common amongst Exeter students in private housing. Once you leave the safety of university managed halls, it’s far easier to be exploited by companies or private landlords who do not carry the same duty of care. According to 2023 figures from Students Organising for Sustainability UK, over half of students have damp or mould in their accommodation, prompting serious health concerns. This coincides with an air of increasing distrust towards landlords and the private sector.
An air of increasing distrust towards landlords and the private sector
Only last week, the London Renters’ Union called on Labour MP Jas Athwel to stand down amid an investigation into black mould and infestations in his rental properties. Currently, the laws in place to protect tenants have serious gaps, allowing landlords to cut corners when it comes to tenant safety. This is even more prominent for students who, due to the housing crisis in many university cities, cannot afford to shop around or wait until more properties become available, so find themselves in the position of
having to accept what they can find. This gives landlords the option to offer poor quality housing knowing students are unlikely to be able to navigate the legal battle of formal complaints.
Currently, the laws in place to protect tenants have serious gaps
The grievances raised by Flat Justice are a unique case in the sector, not only because they are being levied against such a large company— Unite Students houses 68,000 students across 28 different cities— but because student grievances too often go ignored. This is partly due to the aforementioned prejudices about student living, but more pertinently because students are more likely to be on a low income and do not have the political or spending power to compel landlords to listen.
This is not a case which should be simply dismissed as students not understanding “hardship”, failing to clean or being “too cheap” to turn the heating on— all common landlord defences— it speaks to wider inequalities in the rental and property market which disproportionately affect the poor, young and powerless. The state of student property is no joke; people’s welfare and health lie in the balance and its time landlords are held accountable.
Image: Matt Cornock, via Flickr
Image: Narnabi, via Wikimedia
International
2024 Global Election Round Up
Henry Anderson, International Editor, discusses the various elections occuring this year
THIS year has been dubbed ‘The Year of elections’, with 1.5 billion people going to the polls in an estimated 80 countries, the most ever. The outcomes of these elections are likely to set the stage in international politics for decades. There are far too many to look at in detail, so let us consider the Venezuelan, South African and Austrian case studies.
The 28 July election in Venezuela saw Nicholas Maduro maintain his power. Following the re sult, protests erupted across the country. Large crowds gathered on the streets, election billboards were pulled down and statues of Chavez toppled. Security forces responded with violence, deploying both police and military troops and using tear gas and pellets. These forces remain loyal to Maduro. The opposition claimed that PUD (the Democratic Unitary Platform, an alliance of opposition groups such as trade unions, retired police officers, civil society, etc.) had obtained voter tally sheets showing a landslide victory for their leader, Edmundo Gonzalez. These documents have since been published on the internet and show that Gozalez allegedly won the election with 67 per cent to Maduro’s 30 per cent. After analysing these, the US and various Latin American countries have deemed the election fraudulent and claim that Gonzalez is its true winner. At the time of writing this, 23 protestors had been killed, with more than 2,000 arrested. Two members of the security forces have also died. As discontent continues, will Maduro be able to hold onto power, or are we seeing the beginning of a transitional period? In South Africa, the ANC won narrowly in the
29 May election but lost the majority it has held since the inaugural 1994 election. The ANC, which has held strong majorities of around 60 per cent in six other general elections, reduced its voter share to just 40.18 per cent. This is likely due to dissatisfaction over poor living standards and unemployment, which stands at 32.8 per cent across the country, and at 59.7 per cent for people aged 1524. The Democratic Alliance, a centrist party, remained in second place, slightly increasing its vote share to 21.81 per cent. uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), a populist left-wing party, came third at 14.58 per cent, having only been formed six months prior. Jacob Zuma, the disgraced former president and now leader of MK, has taken much of the ANC vote, and his quick rise shows that he still holds appeal to voters.
The legislative elections in Austria will be held on 29 September to elect the National Council, the parliament’s lower house. Initially a popular government, the OVP-Green coalition has suffered considerable loss in public support due to their handling of COVID vaccinations, increased inflation and skyrocketing house, food and fuel prices. Their rivals, the FPO (Freedom Party of Austria), a right-wing populist party, are polled to take power, a likely event due to their success in the EU elections. Austrian politics has been dominated by the OVP and SPO (Social Democrats) since the end of the Second World War, so this could be the first time in almost 80 years that the country chooses another party to lead them.
DINTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Henry Anderson
Advice for international students
Mikhail Shklover gives his tips for incoming international students at Exeter
THE opening days or even weeks at Exeter University may seem daunting and intimidating for many international students out there, mainly due to the feeling of novelty and uncertainty as part of the new chapter in your education. The memorable journey at an international school has concluded, or perhaps you were lucky to have a sixth form experience at a boarding school in the UK. You have gone through the gruelling anticipation of A Level or IB results, and stood to the task of endless bureaucracy and unforeseen expenses during the student visa application. You have finally fulfilled the dream of studying at a Russell Group university, but quickly find yourself at the Forum Information Desk unsure of what to do next. Sounds like a familiar situation, doesn’t it? Here are some ideas for the international freshers still finding their feet at Exeter.
From my perspective, international and cultural societies will certainly be a good place to start. These communities ranging from the African and Caribbean Society all the way to the Eastern European Society provide students with opportunities to meet people from similar backgrounds and consequently reduce inevitable homesickness. While some struggle to integrate immediately, sticking to your cultural society will certainly ease adaptation to life in Exeter without leaving your comfort zone. In addition, the Students’ Guild and university departments offer support to international students facilitating their involvement in university life with regular ‘Meet and Greet’ sessions, as well as events promoted specifically for international students. These events are certainly worthy of attention, at least in the early stages of the year.
However, the university’s clubs and societies aren’t limited to the cultural categories, and this is where the main message of the article comes into the equation. Perhaps you have been doing a
The Duolingo Craze
sport at performance level throughout childhood, or maybe you have been playing an instrument for many years and wish to continue at university. The simple message is as follows: do as much as you can. Go to the tasters, attend the trials, take part in socials and before you know it, you will be in a BUCS team representing the university or being a key member in one of the Guild societies (don’t worry, I didn’t know what any of those meant during my first week). Of course, in a few weeks from now unavoidable mid-terms and summative assessments will force you to take the foot off the gas while making studies a priority, which makes now the best time to get involved in alternative aspects of university life, meet new friends and find the right extracurricular activities to accompany the all-important degree.
INTERNATIONAL AND CULTURAL SOCIETIES WILL CERTAINLY BE A GOOD PLACE TO START
For those looking to get more involved with the local life and embrace the English culture, my simple tip would be finding what appeals to you. While my integration mechanism was a Greggs sausage roll and steak bake as well as a weekly Saturday league performance on the periphery of the English footballing pyramid, each of you may have different ideas. An entertaining night at Wetherspoons or an expedition through Devon are just vague ideas. After all, this final point is completely optional and every international student will have their own way of getting involved with Exeter and the University.
Gracie Moore, Editor-in-Chief, shares her views on Duolingo and its recent success
UOLINGO reached 800 million downloads recently and rather than the usefulness of the app itself, the app’s success can largely be accredited to the gimmicks that make it so recognisable: the animated characters, the cute sounds, the omniscient owl ‘Duo’ and, perhaps most iconically, Duolingo’s presence on Instagram and Tiktok. The admins of Duolingo’s social media have a field day jumping on the band wagon of Tiktok trends as well as roasting followers in their own comment section. It’s due to this that the app is often downloaded for the gags that come along with it, rather than with the aim of becoming fluent in a foreign language. In terms of language learning itself, users are often left in the dark about how to actually converse in their target language. This is because there isn’t a consistency in the words and phrases learnt between different languages. For example, my mum who is self-confessedly trying to ‘match’ my degree-level Spanish, is learning helpful ice
breakers like ‘do you have any siblings?’ while I plod through my 650-day Dutch streak knowing how to say ‘the duck reads the newspaper’ and little else. The threats of the owl are real and while we may feel like we’re getting nowhere with language acquisition, the fun that accompanies it and the joy of achieving a lengthy streak while gloating to our friends simply can’t be beaten. It should be noted that the novelty feel of Duolingo cannot match the language learning that comes from either speaking to natives of that language or moving to a country where the language is officially spoken. I am yet to travel to the Netherlands and use my Duolingo knowledge, but I have a strong feeling that the silly phrases Duolingo teaches me aren’t going to save me from sticky situations in the middle of Amsterdam. For now, I will continue to have fun with the app along with 800 million other fans and hope that one day ‘the duck reads the newspaper’ comes in handy.
Image: Ajay Suresh, via Flickr
Image: RachelH_, via Flickr
MAX FOSH: LOOPHOLE
PLEASE RIGHT BACK
£26 £5
Join comedian, presenter and internet sensation
Max Fosh for a hilarious journey through all of life’s loopholes.
£25 £10
The magical new show from multi-award-winning company 1927, combining handcrafed animation and bold storytelling.
Become a U26 member and you’ll get exclusive access to £5 and £10 tickets! Discounted tickets are limited, so book today.
THE COMMOTION TIME
£37.50 £5
Sarah Dickenson’s world premiere drama gives voice to the women at the heart of an incredible moment in local history.
Psst... this is just a taste of what we have coming up!
KING ARTHUR
£24 £5
Beloved, award-winning funny men Le Navet Bete are back with a brand-new laugh-out-loud comedy for the ages.
SIGN UP FREE TODAY AND UP TO 85% ON TICKETS!
Thomas Richardson
Advice and experience for silly freshers
Dumebi
Jibunoh, Online Screen Editor, offers tips on how to navigate first year
FIRST year is all about discovering your interests, finding the right courses, and building a foundation for lasting friendships. It’s an exciting time, but here are some insights I wish I’d known before diving in:
First, avoid splurging on Freshers’ guide tickets. While they seem like a rite of passage, doing your own research on local nightlife often yields better results. I learned this the hard way at a lackluster event where the most memorable sound was the squeak of shoes on the floor. Instead, explore local nightclubs where you’re more likely to socialise in a relaxed setting.
Regarding societies, don’t feel pressured to join every club. Choose based on your interests — if you’re into sports, join a team to improve your skills. Find societies that genuinely interest you and where you’ll connect with like-minded people. Also, consider academic societies to network and prepare for life after university, especially if you’re a LinkedIn warrior.
Don’t feel pressured to join every club. Choose based on your interests
If you’re planning on a placement or study abroad, remember that
while “first year doesn’t count” for grades, it’s crucial for building a strong academic foundation. Many placement programs and study abroad opportunities are competitive, so your firstyear performance can impact future applications. Explore your interests but keep your grades up. For those pursuing interdisciplinary degrees, balancing subjects can be challenging. It’s easy to focus on one area and neglect others. Create a study schedule that covers all subjects and use resources like office hours and study groups. Attending lectures and seminars is crucial,
especially if you’re struggling with course material. University differs from A-levels, and these sessions help with understanding new concepts. Balancing social life, academics, and work requires discipline and prioritisation.
Be open with your roommates— they can either make you feel at home or make you dread entering the kitchen. Initiate conversations to build a friendly environment. Those awkward first interactions are normal and help create a more comfortable living situation. Lastly, be prepared for Freshers’ flu — it’s almost unavoidable. Pack vitamins and Lemsip. I spent my
first week of lectures trying not to cough so much that tears streamed down my face. There’s no perfect first year; everyone’s experience is different. Stay open-minded and be yourself. You’ll be okay.
Will Kamala Harris beat Donald Trump?
Thomas Richardson, Comment Editor,
evaluates both candidates’ chances in the 2024 US election
SINCE the infamous debate between Biden and Trump in July, another Trump Presidency has seemed almost inevitable. Biden was trailing in every swing state, addressing the Ukrainian President as ‘President Putin’, and Trump’s attempted assassination coalesced support from his party. Ever since the President dropped out from the race about two months ago, the Democrats are now feeling more confident of a win in November under Kamala Harris. Harris, despite having consistently dreadful approval ratings as Vice President (worse than that of Biden) has managed to turn it around and unify the party to an extent which has not been seen since Obama. But the reasoning for this newfound success is more than just a change at the top of the ticket. In previous elections, the Democrats have played it safe when it’s come to picking a running mate, like Hillary Clinton did in
2016 by picking Senator Tim Kaine. He was somebody who had the charisma of a lobotomised person, but was an effective governor who could be relied upon as VP. Governor Josh Shapiro was the expected pick for Harris, someone who looks like the President in a Hollywood movie (almost certainly on purpose), and had copied Obama’s mannerisms down to the way he moved his hands. However, he is a popular Governor of a swing state, which made him the safe choice.
Tim Walz being from blue Minnesota was not a safe choice, but electorally the right one. A gun-owning rural democrat, he won over blue collar Trump voters in a way which mainstream Democrats like Biden and Harris never could, whilst also maintaining support from the left with his progressive actions as Governor.
Tim Walz being from blue Minnesota was not a safe choice, but electorally the right one
So it’s no wonder he is polling up to 20 points higher than his Republican counterpart, JD Vance, a running mate who was chosen when Trump was well ahead in the polls and could afford someone more loyal in exchange for adding little electorally to the ticket. However, with constant gaffes and his anti-Tump history coming back to bite him, not only is he not expanding Trump’s voter base, but decreasing it. On top of a successful VP pick, it must be said that the campaign so far has been successful, and certainly pushing boundaries.
For the first time in forever the Democrats don’t appear to be scared of insulting and making fun of Republicans, attempting to cling on to an age in politics of civility which has since long gone. Calling Trump and Vance ‘weird’ and so on has paid off.
For the first time in forever the Democrats don’t appear to be scared of Republicans
Fundraising has been quite poor for the Trump campaign compared to Kamala Harris’s record numbers of campaign funds.
Aside from that, Trump’s campaign in recent weeks has been nothing but a failure to the point of it being announced he was ‘restarting’ his campaign just over a month from the election. His ability to campaign doesn’t appear to be anywhere near as dynamic as that of 2016. His nicknames are laughable, ‘Kamabla’ (I have no idea either) is a poor copy of ‘Sleepy Joe’ and ‘Crooked Hillary’. He has been running barely any events, though this is understandable since his private jet is out of use and he is currently having to borrow Epstein’s old one (I kid you not), along with the fact he is banned from many venues because he has millions in unpaid venue expenses from the previous election.
In contrast, Harris has a wellmanaged campaign, which has so far managed to move away from her weaknesses in a similar way to Biden, keeping her largely away from the press for
as long as possible, holding highly staged interviews with Democratic friendly media.
Harris has a well-managed campaign, which has managed to move away from her weaknesses in a similar way to Biden
However, the question posed is, how long can she keep it up for? Biden’s team managed it with a much more gaff prone candidate, but he was generally more popular. Though with consistently good polling, Democrats can be confident of a win but should not be complacent as they were in 2016.
Image: Mark Angelo Sampan, Pexels
Images: Gage Skidmore, Flickr
Changed Labour, Changed Government?
Comment writers discuss whether our new government represents a positive change for Britain
THE new Labour government has intensively focused on the most pressing issues of the United Kingdom today within its first month of leadership, including the economy, public safety, and climate change — all of which represent a source of the UK’s untapped potential.
Most noticeably, the Labour government has focused their agenda on infrastructure and economic growth. In the King’s Speech, Keir Starmer put forward in bold the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that would encourage the building of thousands of new homes as well as solar infrastructure in a faster and streamlined manner to “get Britain building”. In charge of this is Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing Angela Rayner, who will enforce mandatory housing targets to build 1.5 million homes, after this reached an all-time low under the previous government. To do this, Labour has strategically identified unused land at the end of roads and settlements named ‘grey belt land’ and brownfield sites defined as old industrial or previously built land as first used to create new homes. These targets will ensure that national economic outputs increase as houses become more affordable and decrease the increasing inequality between older homeowners and younger renters.
Great British Energy stood out in Labour’s manifesto as a pinnacle of nationalised renewable energy for the country and has continued to take the forefront in Labour policy since their election. The project aims to provide clean energy to homes
and fund small and large-scale energy pro jects across the country which promises long-term benefits such as job creation, energy independence and environmental sustainability as well as establishing the UK as a global leader in sustainable energy.
Labour’s swift response to the recent far-right riots underscores their commit ment to public safety. The delicate balance shown by the Labour government between protesters exercising civil liberties and the swift incrimination of those display ing threatening behaviour dem onstrates the Labour Party’s commitment to a safer Brit ain whilst simultaneously dealing with an explosion of negative consequences caused by notoriously anti-immigrant Con servative party policy.
Labour’s leader ship remains in its formative stages and must work hard to undo fourteen years of Conservative policies and politics that have undermined national economic growth and social unity. The policies presented by the Labour govern ment serve as a strong foundation for trust to rebuild a new Great Britain.
T appears that despite Labour’s key slogan used during the General Election – “change” – over one month into their government, we have yet to see anything valuable of the promised change. It is especially disappointing when Labour once prioritised young people in their policies as their main demographic yet they failed to mention one of their key manifesto promises of lowering the voting age to 16 in the recent King’s Speech. You can promise change, yet until the general public sees it, it is just meaningless words something politicians are stereotyped for worldwide. Therefore, there is no change until it is reflected in the areas the previous government left flawed, especially the economy and social services.
As a former Labour supporter, I feel as though not enough has been done as of recently regarding rising rates of far-right, white supremacist riots, often racially motivated against minor-
Best Pint in Exeter?
EXETER may not be a huge city but it makes up for it with a large variety of pubs. Here, our writers recommend three of their favourite fresher hangouts for the new year.
The Ram : The Ram is a muchloved student bar known for its prime location at the heart of Streatham campus, a mere 5 minutes’ walk away from some accommodations. One of the Ram’s standout features is its affordability, with the menu offering a range of drinks deals as well as food options. However, it closes earlier than many other pubs in Exeter,
ities following the stabbings in Southport. Sure, the government has called numerous meetings with COBRA and other UK-based peace organisations, but nothing is yet to come out of it as violence continues on British streets.
Despite Keir Starmer condemning the violent and racist riots aimed at marginalised groups, people are still left in hospitals in serious conditions. One case being a 19-year-old man from Bromley during the first week of the protests and hotels hosting refugees being set on fire by white supremacists. The prime minister describes the situation as “pure violence, not protest”, and promises to deploy “an army of specialist officers”.
Yet I, along with many others outraged with the events in the recent month, can only question if this is really enough considering the extent of the violence. Labour promised the country change, yet the only change we are seeing lately isn’t looking positive for the party and the government we are stuck with for the next 5 years. For as long as this continues, I refuse to believe Labour are fulfilling their promises.
Comment Writers recommend their favourite pubs to incoming freshers
and while it’s a convenient spot for a quick pint, many students find it a bit boring, especially during quieter times. Overall, the Ram Bar remains a central part of student life at Exeter, offering affordable food and a relaxed environment, though it may not be the most exciting option for a night out.
The Old Firehouse : The Firehouse is the ultimate pub for students. Where else can you sit on damp seats outside, passive smoking until 3am and still somehow enjoy yourself? Firehouse is easily the most attractive pub in Exeter, especially inside. The outside is
essentially a sheltered courtyard rather than a beer garden, meaning it can be enjoyed at all times of year. Their iconic pizzas are so good you’ll have to remind yourself they are for sharing. A pint can be expensive, especially compared to a Spoons, however by the time last orders are called, you’ll be so paralytic you won’t care what the price is. If that isn’t a solution, don’t worry - there is a whopping 10% student discount.
The Imperial: In your first week at uni, you’re going to be dragged around into different pubs with strangers talking about your
A-levels. But what pub is the best to get through these awkward conversations? My vote is on The Imperial. Wetherspoon’s is always a good choice, they offer everything that you need: cheap drinks, cheap food and unlimited coffee for those hangovers. Impy offers all this and more. It is a massive pub with an amazing beer garden, perfect for the first few weeks of term where the weather isn’t horrible. Its location is also great as it is right next to campus, so no long drunk walks home. As mentioned, the drinks are cheap and cheerful, ideal for a student budget. Now during the first week this pub can
get a bit busy, I myself have waited thirty minutes for a drink, but all in all, I think it’s a great first pub to get well aquatinted with.
Image: Chris McAndrew. Wikimedia
Image: Maria Unger, Wikimedia Commons
Anvi Deshpande
Magdalena Kanecka, Online International Editor
Rio Worral, Kayleigh Swart and Tom Richardson
Image: Irid Escent, Wikimedia Commons
Satire
The best worst nights out you’ll ever have
WHICHEVER way you look at it, nights out in Exeter are just a bit crap. The death of our nearest and dearest Unit 1 had us all in floods of tears (those being tears of relief) and now, pining for the next worst night out, you really don’t have to look very far to find it.
Timepiece and Fever are a tired duo that urgently need reimaging. As if some kind of ironic microcosm of British political parties, they are boring, unimpressive and within them are an uncomfortable amount of rude mummy’s boys with more money than sense (oh, and they won’t text you back.)
The music is always the same, too. How often are we going to have to listen to ear damaging tracks by Taylor Swift or One Direction while our mates neck on with guys who look like the villagers from Shrek?
We can escape the torture by instead entering the sweaty sex dungeon that is Cavern. As much as the music is infinitely better, the microbiome of sweat that envelopes the air is enough to cause the second global pandemic of the 2020s. The odd Kaiser Chiefs song is not enough to help you become numb to the smell.
Even if clubbing isn’t your scene and you’re more of a pub night or bingo kind of person, the options couldn’t be any more limited. If you’re into drag queens, huge dildos, music louder than a rock concert, and spending a week scrubbing your skin to shreds to remove the crude signs your friends drunkenly scribbled over you, then go right ahead with Batty Bingo. Just know that you’re a psycho.
And if a pint in Spoons is your vibe, you’ll be waiting a lifetime for your precious Thatchers Gold. Legend has it, people have been loitering at that sticky bar in Impy since the birth of Christ himself so save yourself some time and a hell of a lot of money and stay home.
Gracie Moore, Editor-in-Chief
SATIRE
EDITOR: Rosie Peters-McDonald
Fresh meat? Yes please.
Tom Richardson, Comment Editor
HAVE you blown your entire student loan before Freshers week? (I won’t ask on what). Are the bailiffs one transaction away from knocking on your door? Have you spent your emergency overdraft on Uber Eats? Not to worry! We have some tips and tricks for you silly freshers on how to feed yourselves on a budget. If you’ve already blown your weekly budget on Lurpak spreadable but still fancy a gourmet meal, you’re never too far from one of this country’s many delicacy-packed food chains: Wetherspoons. Take a walk to the Imperial, where the bins can usually be found as you walk in. Open them up and you will find a treasure trove of delicious leftovers... if you use your imagination! All the preparation you need is to follow the Spoons technique: stick it in the ‘meecro-wah-vay’ (God save Nigella) and it’ll taste as good as the Lord intended. Still not satiated? If you are wanting something a little less extravagant (and vegan) try a
Stick it in the ‘meecro-wah-vay’ (God save Nigella) and it’ll taste as good as the Lord intended
River Exe. Simply delicious! Mary Berry would be proud. However, if you are looking for something closer to home, consider sneaking into the catered halls for free “food”. Simply flash your ID at the busy
meat-free bargain bucket. Empty containers can usually be seen plaguing the notoriously highend Sidwell Street (Exeter’s answer to Bond Street, if you hadn’t heard). Don’t mind if I don’t! For the more creative people, if you fancy a do-it-yourself challenge, you can always make your own ‘bargain bucket’ with the pigeons around the
Shagnick Bhattacharya Online News Editor
WELCOME, Freshers, to the hallowed grounds of the University of Exeter, where your academic journey will be interwoven with lectures, late-night study sessions (but just before exams), scamming others and getting scammed in the name of tickets to go clubbing, and the unending quest for the Holy Grail of campus life—an Instagram story featuring Napoleon, the elusive campus cat. Although, arguably, the greatest achievement of all would be to get a follow-back from Napoleon’s official Instagram account! He follows me on Instagram, by the way, so I’m not flexing that at all…. Napoleon, our four-legged Emperor of the Exonians, has been the talk of the town as far as recent memory goes. He has ruled and kept a watchful eye over the campus ever since Beastie, his predecessor, departed our mortal realm. You might be asking yourself: “How do I meet this famous cat?” Well, fear not! I’m here to guide you on your journey to becoming one of the chosen few to capture Napoleon in all his glory. A note of caution, though: do not make the mistake of taking him to be merely a feline – your university experience is incomplete without bending the knee to his furry majesty. Meow.
Your university experience is incomplete without bending the knee to his furry majesty. Meow.
You can always make your own
‘bargain bucket’ with the pigeons around the River Exe
Holland Hall staff during rush hour and you’re in! (This newspaper accepts no responsibility for food theft. Or poisoning). If you do have a little cash to splash, you should try the 19p Spaghetti Hoops from Aldi... sensational! Have one for dinner every day and your insides won’t even know what’s hit them (in a good way, we promise). What even is nutritional value anyway? I hope these tips and tricks can help you save up your money for more important things. Like a pint!
Finding Napoleon
To meet Napoleon, you must embark on a sacred pilgrimage to Reed Hall, the holy site where he is known to dispense his wisdom. Or you can often just find him playing with his little toy (a devotional offering from Santa Claus) on one of the sofas in the Forum’s Study or Career Zone. You can’t expect God to not move around throughout the day, right? This journey will test your resolve, much like navigating the student loan system or understanding the UK’s constantly shifting stance on tuition fees. Along the way, you may encounter doubters and cynics— those who believe that Napoleon is “just a cat.” Pay them no heed. Their minds have been corrupted by rational thought, a pitfall you must avoid at all costs.
Once you’ve arrived at Reed Hall or the Study Zone, it’s time to perform the Ritual of Devotion. If you spot Napoleon there, approach him slowly, with the reverence one would show a cabinet minister’s dodgy expense claims. Recite your prayers — perhaps a chant of “O Glorious Feline, Grant Me a 2:1” — and wait for a sign. If Napoleon acknowledges you with a gaze, a flick of his tail, or, in rare instances, a gentle purr, consider yourself blessed. You aren’t special, though, as there are some people he allows to scratch his belly or pick him up (meeeee!!!), so don’t think you have his love yet.
Napoleon isn’t just any cat — he’s a cat of culture. To avoid startling him, you’ll need to become one with the surroundings. Camouflage yourself with stacks of banknotes and barrels of crude oil (because he isn’t American) and, if possible, adopt a scholarly air. Carry a copy of The Wealth of Nations or perhaps something by Rousseau, Foucault, or any Frenchmen with traumatic childhoods. Now, as for tributes, Napoleon doesn’t deal in cash (un-
Napoleon doesn’t deal in cash (unlike some prominent British figures we could name).
like some prominent British figures we could name). Forget catnip; Napoleon’s tastes are far more sophisticated. Think artisanal treats. Some exquisite dry snacks would be ideal — he prefers salmon over chicken. Present it on a silver platter — Napoleon has standards, after all. If you’re vegan, don’t worry; quinoa salad should do the trick (in your dreams). Crucially, to gain favour you must be willing to offer up something truly precious — your soul, perhaps?
The real challenge, however, is capturing the moment. A fleeting glimpse of Napoleon isn’t enough. You need the perfect shot for Instagram. Ensure your phone is fully charged, has a camera, and has access to Instagram. If you miss the moment, don’t panic. Repeat the steps above until you succeed. Remember: you have three years’ time to achieve this (or four, for you ambitious lot).
Image: Derek Harper, Wikimedia Commons
Image: Malagalabombonera, Wikimedia Commons
Image: No swan so fine, Wikimedia Commons
Image: Dejan Krsmanovic, Wikimedia Commons
Image: Rosie Peters-McDonald
Image: theleetgeeks, Flickr
Image: Andrea Piacquadio, Pexels
The Exeter Look
Catherine Wakefield describes classic Exeter fashion that can be spotted all over campus
EXETER embraces students with a myriad of styles. However, there are definitely wardrobe essentials to get the classic ‘Exeter look’. Tom’s Trunks, Ralph Lauren jumpers, and North Face puffer jackets are staples of everyday wear. Scarves, claw clips, and anything Urban Outfitters also seem to be very popular with the girls. Vintage stores such as Sobey’s, Parade, and Flamingo (as well as an occasional pop-up sale on campus) are available to find unique pieces, from oversized sweatshirts to laced corset tops. These are fruitful and sustainable places to find clubbing outfits, as the memo generally seems to be the timeless ‘jeans and a nice top.’ With the wide range of societies, there are plenty of socials to attend, including formal balls; so be sure to pack a tuxedo or a smart dress, and your best dancing shoes. Venues such as Reed Hall act as the perfect backdrop for photos to mark the occasion! Don’t be surprised if you see a gaggle of boys in brown chinos and blue shirts out on a Wednesday night — that’s likely to be Exeter’s esteemed rugby team. Societies also offer stash if you want to
proudly display your academic or sporting passions on a tote bag or a quarter-zip. In addition to this, there is a plethora of university merchandise for sale on campus to choose from — the ever-popular hoodies are perfect for staying comfortable during lectures and long study sessions in the library.
Feeling hungover?
Kayleigh Swart, Arts & Lit Editor, shares cures and routines for dealing with a hangover after a night out
IF you haven’t already been introduced to the hangover, chances are you will become well acquainted with it during your time at university. There is nothing worse than waking up from a great night out feeling like you’ve been hit around the head with a glass bottle — normally the glass bottle you emptied last night into a stolen TP cup. While the best cure is to just wait it out, some times you don’t always have that luxury, especially when it seemed like such a good idea to go out the night before an 8:30 seminar. The best thing you can do to try and make yourself feel more alive, is drinking a lot of water and taking some paracetamol or ibuprofen. However, there are a few more simple tips to
get over the hangover as fast as possible.
A big one is to make sure you eat something heavy and full of carbs, even if you feel ill, it’ll be worth it. Also, fresh air: it sounds so simple but it can really do wonders. While rotting in bed may seem like the best idea, it’ll just make you feel so much worse than getting up and being active. While you probably shouldn’t try and run a marathon when you’re hungover, going for a walk or going onto campus to do some work will help you feel way more human than sitting in your room. The final stage of getting over a hangover is to promise yourself that you’ll never get that drunk again, knowing it's a lie and you’ll be doing it all over again next week.
Café Spotlight: Chococo
Anna Spencer, Lifestyle Editor, talks about one of her favourite cafe spots in Exeter town centre
AS someone who can be found bouncing from café to café on the Exeter Highstreet on most days, I would love to recommend perhaps a more hidden spot for newcomers to Exeter. Chococo is a café which I only discovered around 6 months after moving to Exeter, making a nice change from the usual chains that I have grown a little tired of. Whether I am approach ing an essay dead line, looking to read a book, or to socialise with friends, Chococo is often the place we will head towards. I can always appreciate a good coffee and this café certainly delivers that, but on top of that, as the name hints, Chococo is also a chocolate shop! With
every coffee I’ve bought, I have received a little piece of chocolate beside my coffee, but that is only a taster of what they sell. With a lovely display of handcrafted sweet treats, there are many yummy options and gift ideas. The interior upstairs is colourful and bright, with a mix of benches and sofas for any occasion, and with every server I’ve encountered being extremely friendly and helpful, this is a lovely environment for a study spot. It is located on Gandy Street, just off the Exeter High Street, which is a cobbled lane packed with independent shops, restaurants, and cafés, which offer a lovely location for an afternoon out and about.
Looking after each other
Arya Nayyar discusses some important tips to stay safe on nights out during Freshers' Week
FRESHERS' Week carries with it a notorious reputation of drinking and clubbing every night, so here’s my advice for keeping safe on a night out. While I know you may not have had the chance to properly get to know your flat or group before a night out, make sure you can trust the people you’re with to not leave you behind at the club. Try to have at least one person in your group who you know will watch your drink and stay with you throughout the night. Something as simple as agreeing on a spot where you can meet if you and your group get split up in the club, such as the smoking area, can go a long way towards making your night safer. Before Freshers’ even begins, you can’t go wrong with downloading the Apple Taxis app as a backup for getting home — it will come in handy long after the week is up. On top of this, make sure you have Exeter Student Nightline (01392 724000) and the university’s Campus Security / Estate Patrol (01392 723999) in your contacts. There are also helpful organisations to be aware of, such as Exeter Street Pastors, who walk the streets of Exeter between 10.30pm and 3.00am every Friday and Saturday night to assist vul
nerable people with getting home safely. It’s important to remember that Freshers’ Week is supposed to be a fun time, so make sure you stay safe, look out for each other and ENJOY!
Image: Flickr
Image:: Pixabay
Image: Picryl
Image: Pexels
Image: Flickr
IAM sure you will all receive lots of advice from various people about how best to manage your first few weeks at Uni. Some will certainly struggle less than others, but this is my advice: keep busy, especially if you suffer from homesickness. Whatever you do, try and avoid sitting alone in your room. Go to society Freshers’ events, get to know your flatmates, walk around, explore the town and campus, sign up for things you maybe wouldn't have thought of doing, do something different. Make the most of the fact that you have little responsibility, and that this is an exciting time. And just as importantly, keep active and do exercise. This can be by joining a sports team, which I thoroughly encourage, but also just on your own, by running, walking, or going to the gym. It is a game changer for dealing with stress and worry and will make you feel very good about yourself for doing something productive that day. Freshers’ Week is supposed to be a fun and exciting time, so enjoy it!
AS I begin my third year here in Exeter, my days in Birks Grange seem like an eternity ago. Living in halls is the most daunting aspect of starting University for everyone, and there is no rule book on how to do it. However, I am here to offer a few words of advice from someone who has been there, done it, and perhaps even regrets a few things!
For many, this will be the first time you have had to live away from home. It’s a massive transition, therefore do not put unrealistic pressures on yourself! The first few weeks will be full of many ups and downs, but I promise you will get through it! Homesickness is a very real thing, and something I was battling with in those first six weeks. For me, a way of combatting this was decorating my room to make it feel homely, calling family and friends, and being transparent with how I was feeling. There is no shame in missing the place you’ve grown up in, it shows how loved you are there, but soon you’ll see Devon as a second home. By third year you will probably be in floods of tears about graduating, and the awful prospect of actually having to start real life. Or maybe that’s me projecting my own anxieties? Communicate! All your flatmates are feeling the exact same way, if they say they aren’t, they’re lying, and if they really aren’t lying — then how boring! Our nerves are what makes life exciting. Try to keep your door open and have those awkward chats about where you are
Living in halls Our advice
Lifestyle writers give a few words of advice on being a new student
LOOKING back on Freshers’ Week, I remember being filled with excitement and nerves and as I head into my third year, I wish I could go back and do it all again. After spending hours on the many Freshers' group chats and making endless packing lists, I can guarantee that everything will fall into place quickly after moving into halls and you will settle into your new life very soon. People often joke about how university is almost a ‘trial adulthood’ — a time with many responsibilities but simultaneously none at all, and I can certainly say this is true, so make the most of it! My top advice is to try your hardest to meet people. No-one knows anybody and everybody is just looking to find new friends. That can be getting to know your flatmates or heading to taster sessions or socials of societies you’re interested in. The Freshers’ Fair is a super fun way to figure out what societies interest you (and to also find lots of free stuff!).
Anna Spencer, Lifestyle Editor
OUT of all the advice I could give, it is most worth noting that whatever you’re feeling about your university experience, you’re never the only one feeling that way. It is crucial to remember that whether it’s homesickness, academic or social anxiety, or any other emotion — I can guarantee there are people out there who are going through the same thing, and at the same time as you. There is no shame in having these feelings and the fact that you’ve made it this far only proves your strength. The university offers a range of support networks through Wellbeing, Peer Support and Mentoring, or the Student Health Centre — all of them have helped me a great deal as someone with numerous mental health conditions that affect my university life. My advice: make use of them as you need while you go about your university journey!
Niall O’Mara shares advice on moving into halls for the first time
from and what you study (get used to it, you will be telling people for the next three years).
THE
FIRST FEW WEEKS
WILL
BE FULL OF MANY UPS AND DOWNS, BUT I PROMISE YOU WILL GET THROUGH IT!
Also, early on, get some key things set up, such as bin rotas, (a kitchen with food waste all over the floor isn’t pretty, I’ve been there). Also, address if you are the ‘going out type’, and perhaps if you’re not, communicate to the group about noise, and ask them to be mindful when they come back from nights out. Get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable for the first six weeks, establish your boundaries but also put yourself out there. No one knows you; you can be whoever you want to be. Ultimately, make halls work for you. If that means going home every couple of weeks, do it, and don’t be afraid to do what makes you happy. The people you live with don’t have to be your best friends, but it helps to get along. The halls you are in also do not contain your future life partner… Don’t shut yourself away, it’s that awful cliché but: ‘We’re all in it together’, and I promise it will all work out. Give it time, communicate with your flat, and try to put yourself out there.
Henry Anderson, International Editor
Image: University of Leicester, via Flickr
Image: Amanda George. Pexels
Image: Amanda George. Pexels
Magdalena Kanecka, Online International Editor
Image: Rawpixel
Image: StockSnap
Image: Nestle, via Flickr
arts + lit
The Road Not Taken
Judy Dodd, Arts and Lit Editor, with some advice from poet Robert Frost
WHEN my dad helped me move in at the beginning of my first year, he sat at my desk and wrote out a poem called ‘The Road Not Taken’ by Robert Frost whilst I was unpacking. It’s a poem he had quoted to me a lot growing up, but the message never made sense to me the way it did that day.
Frost depicts a walker in a yellow wood who needs to make a decision about which road to follow when reaching a junction. In an attempt to make an informed decision, he streches his neck and looks down to where the roads bend in the undergrowth. Since he cant see where they’re headed, he decides to take the grassier one, the one wanting wear, where no leaves are trodden black yet. He chooses the road less travelled by.
Frost’s poem tells us that if we’re intrigued by something that feels both daunting and exciting at the same time, we may as well discover the outcome. University can be an amazing place to discover new interests and sports, join societies, make new friends, step
outside of your comfort zone and find out what it is you like to do. Use your university path as an excuse to follow our gut, push yourself and see what it’s all about. There is no pressure for it to work out. We can always keep the first, more conventional way for another day, he exclaims. Yet, once you’re on that path, he doubts if you should ever turn back. Because way leads on to way, new doors will open to unexpected opportunities and we will soon find out that choosing your own way is much more exciting.
TWO ROADS DIVERGED IN A YELLLOW WOOD AND II TOOK THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED BY, AND THAT MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE
Freshers book recommendations
Arts and Lit writers recommend their favourite books to first-years
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
AT the beginning of my first year, I wanted to rediscover my love of reading to help me settle into life at Exeter. For me, this would be achieved by re-reading one of my favourites, All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. The book follows two characters, Theodore Finch and Violet Markey, through their jouney of love and self-discovery.
Violet suffers from guilt after she survived a car crash, which her sister, the driver, sadly didn’t. However, these struggles lessen when Finch opens her eyes to a world after grief. Violet’s elevated happiness is then contrasted
with Finch’s decline in his own mental health, which makes for a heart-breaking end. It is a must for any fresher to read but be sure to have tissues ready!
Amberly Wright, Online Deputy Editor
FAll I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
IRST year at university marks the start of a new chapter in your life. A collection of emotions ranging from total excitement to complete fear. Dolly Alderton’s memoir Everything I Know About Love will teach you how to survive your twenties: an explorative, often times messy stage in young adulthood.
Not only should this be on every Exeter student’s ‘to-be-read shelf‘because she recounts moments with hilarious honesty, but because she was also an Exeter student herself.
The first few chapters detail some locations that will seem familiar to
residents of EX4. Discussing love, relationships, careers, housing and uncertainty, use this book as a reminder that everyone has different paths, and university is just the beginning.
WELCOME to Exeter, home to a great number of independent and locallyowned businesses! If, like me, your downtime from studying and socialising almost always involves a good book, look no further: Exeter is full of amazing places to book shop.
My first mention is ‘Bookbag’ in the McCoys Arcade on Fore Street, which is my personal favourite, It is truly a hidden gem, and the staff, along with the book selection, are exceptional.
THE STAFF, ALONG WITH THE BOOK SELECTION, ARE EXCEPTIONAL
Speaking of Fore Street, the aesthetically
pleasing, independent boutique ‘Helen of Troy’ stocks books and is filled with quality art prints and pieces by artists from all over the country.
In the same area, ‘Book-Cycle’ is another great find. They are an excellent charity where you choose a donation to pay for up to three books a day.
You could also go with the safe but no less reputable choice of ‘Waterstones’ with its cafe that lies within on the second floor. With the Waterstones Plus card you can get discounts on books and in the cafe, so you can fuel up and get reading - or studying — as you please!
For textbooks and other academic books at a discounted price, there is ‘Blackwell’s’ in the Forum on Streatham Campus. During Welcome Week and the first two weeks of term, they run studentfriendly promotions, so check those out to ensure
you have all the right books. Do check that they are necessary, however, as many modules don’t require you to purchase physical copies. The charity ‘Oxfam’ is another brilliant option for second-hand books. I have found so many great reads here that I wouldn’t have otherwise picked up, and they always come at a very discounted price. So, good luck — happy exploring and happy reading!
YOU CAN GET DISCOUNTS ON BOOKS AND IN THE CAFE
Image: Eloise Grainger
Eloise Grainger, Sport Editor
Image: C.Fleetwood, via Wikimedia Commons Image: Bex Walton, via Flickr
Image: Mehmet Ali Peker, via Pexels
Image: Andrea Piacquadio, via Pexels
Judy Dodd and Kayleigh
Making the most of the library
Agata
Koralewska, Deputy Editor,
guides us through the mystery of the university library
BURIED under deadlines and compulsory readings, one can’t help wanting to escape and read for pleasure instead. Literature lovers who attend University of Exeter are often not aware of the opportunities that our library provides. Additional to the academic resources that you can find on the shelves of the Forum Library, there are collections of books that can be read for entertainment or self-development and they are waiting to be discovered.
After you pass the library gates, on the right-hand side there are tables that are usually filled with students writing their essays or researching for their summative
assessments. What stands out about that outside study area is a lonely shelf filled to the brim. There are some popular fiction or self-help books that are often overlooked and not appreciated by students who live in a rush. Using your library card, it’s easy to borrow them and use them as an escape from the serious, academic world.
If you have a reading list that you want to follow, opening the library’s website can prove useful as it can help you locate abook that you were looking for. The search engine allows you to check its availability and where you can find it. Copies of literature are usually located somewhere on campus or sometimes
they are available online. The collection includes many popular titles, although it could be the case that there is only one copy that someone has already borrowed. The option to ‘request’ a book can help you to get access to that copy soon (the person that is reading it will get a message that they need to return it in the next couple of days).
Looking at the type of books you can find, there is a wide variety of genres. From teenage fiction to classics, anyone can find something that is their cup of tea. Experimenting with literary styles and getting out of your reading comfort zone is an exciting experience which helps to widen individual’sperspective
Exeter takes Fringe!
on many issues. Afterall, discussing conflicting viewpoints is one of the many experiences of one’s time at university.
Charlie Gershinson, Deputy Editor, gives an overview of Exeter students’ theatrical offerings at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
THE University of Exeter has become a mainstay of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in recent years with a collection of companies taking a variety of shows and projects to the Festival. 2024 was no different with several societies and independent students taking to the stage over the course of August. Below are a few examples of what Exeter’s actors and musicians had to offer.
Exeter Spotlights, the sister company to Footlights, performed six sold-out shows in a row in A Night of the Musicals. The show featured almost a dozen show tunes from 10 separate musicals from cult classics like Anything Goes and Guys and Dolls to lesser known shows like Alice in Wonderland and Catch Me If You Can. Along with
the 30-strong cast and chorus, there was a tenpiece band playing along. Henry Bersey, Band Director, said of the production, “I’m proud of how the company pulled together to produce such a high-quality show and happy that they get the satisfaction of a sell-out run in return for their hard work. A massive thanks to the band for making my experience as a band director so enjoyable.
On a similar (musical) note, Shotgun Theatre produced Dogfight, a musical adapted from the 1991 film of the same name set during the Vietnam War. The musical covers themes of military culture and the misogyny it entails, as well as optimism and personal change. Dogfight also featured a sixpiece live band featuring strings, keys and drums.
Rounding out a triumvirate of musical
Second hand steals!
Arya Nayyar shares the best places to find second hand course books
Fofferings is Illumination’s a cappella production, Jinxed, featuring a wide array of a cappella styles from beatboxing to ABBA. There were also more traditional drama productions taken to Edinburgh by Exeter students. The Exeter University Theatre Company performed the story of Moira Buffini’s black satire play, Dinner. Theatre with Teeth, meanwhile, performed Six Feet Under, a claustrophobia-inducing character piece set in a bunker, waiting out a nuclear winter. Whatever your tastes, there was a veritable smorgasbord of productions created, produced by Exeter students. These societies don’t just perform in Edinburgh but in Exeter (sometimes multiple times) thoughout the year. So, if you’re interested
in watching or even performing in a production, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.
INDING yourself reeling from all the new information in Freshers Week and watching people swarm to Blackwells to buy the long list of course books? While it’s convenient and perhaps tempting in the chaos of beginning your modules, as an English student, I know all too well how the cost of course books can rack up as you end up kissing your budget for the next week (or three) goodbye. So rest assured there are more affordable & sustainable options! If the library does not stock enough copies of the books, or if you prefer physical copies to annotate, a brilliant alternative is buying second hand books online from World of Books & AbeBooks - which allow you to choose copies in ‘Very Good’ and ‘Like New’ condition for a fraction of the retail price. Additionally, the bookshops dotted around Exeter are perfect for browsing and finding second hand course books. As the year goes on, make sure that you keep an eye on bookshelves in your accommodation’s reception as they are likely to have books from various courses that students are donating. So keep in mind: you don’t have to survive off microwave rice in exchange for your course books!
Image: Flickr, Guido Gloor Modjib
Image: See-ming Lee
The Commotion Time @ Northcott Theatre. 18-23rd October
Spork! Dead Poets Slam @ Pheonix. 31st October
Reclaim Festiva l @ Northcott Theatre. 11-17 November
Creepy Boys Comedy @ Pheonix. 12th November
Cinderella @ Northcott Theatre. 28th november - 5 January
The Elves and the Shoemaker @ Northcott Theatre. 16-24 November.
Image: University of Exeter Footlights
MUSIC
New Year, New Music
Big changes can be hard, luckily music is there for you through it all. Music writers share some of the albums and singles that they’ve leaned on, which might bring you some comfort too.
Sling, Clairo
SLING by Clairo is an album that reminds me of the cosy, autumnal months of my first year, and heading into my third, it is a nostalgic and warm reminder of very fond times in halls. Being thrown into the busy university life, tracks like Little Changes and Reaper, with a hot drink and a book in hand, helped me to take some time and unwind in the early evenings.
Pure Heroine, Lorde
EWAnna Spencer, Lifestyle Editor
HENEVER I re-listen to Lorde's Pure Heroine I’m taken back to my first night in Rowe House. Laying my bedsheets while a moody Lorde laments about adolescence, ageing, change, friendship, fitting in - everything I felt at that moment. From Tennis Court to A World Alone, I wept before I heard a knock at the door. It was all my new flatmates (packed together) coming to say hello; It was Pure Heroine heralding change
The Record, Boygenius
IN the March of my first year at Exeter, Boygenius, a super-group comprised of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker, released their Grammy-award-winning album, ‘the record’, exploring platonic and romantic love, self-discovery, and recovery. The album came after a hiatus, where all three members worked on solo projects. The group released three singles prior to the full release, each with one member taking the lead on vocals. These singles, Emily I’m Sorry, True Blue, and $20 would make tracks 2, 3 and 4 on the 12-track album.
AHeather
on the Hilll, Nathan Evans
SONG I would like to pass on to someone else because I have listened to it too often in the past year is ‘Heather on the Hill’ by Nathan Evans. It has accompanied so many surf trips and kitchen sing-alongs that I will indefinitely associate it to my university experience in Exeter. It is upbeat and happy and can even represent the heather on the Dartmoor hills with some imagination .
Not Nineteen Forever, Courteeners
NOT nineteen forever’ by Courteeners has been a constant in my last two years at uni, and it’ll hit even harder in my final year. It’s an incredibly upbeat song about ageing, but equally short and punchy, just as time itself is as it hurtles on by. The sound of my friends and I singing it at each other on Cavern Saturdays is a sound which never fails to make me smile.
$20,
Boygenius
WHEN opening my carefully crafted Spotify wrapped in December, it was no surprise that $20 would take the place of my most played song. $20 is written by Julien Baker, detailing her struggles with the compulsion to act in a self-endangering and impulsive manner. Baker takes the lead on vocals, with the two other members of boygenius, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Da cus, both harmonising with and contradicting Baker’s raw emotion.
Home away from home…
Matthew Smith explores Exeter's must-see music venues for incoming freshers
XETER'S music scene is very much alive, if you know where to look for it. For those interested in vinyl, Rooster Records, located on Fore Street is a good place to start, with a wide array of second-hand discs going for very reasonable prices. The 45-rpm section is worth digging through, as I’ve personally found some absolute gems there for just a few pounds. There’s also JM Records on Gandy Street, which sells newly pressed vinyl. The live music scene in Exeter is oriented around the central axis of Cavern,
a loud and exciting alternative venue where you can find both touring and local bands in the centre of town. Cavern is the place for you if you’re into the noisier end of the musical spectrum, with a punk/post-punk aesthetic reflected in the décor and the sound of the bands that usually play there. Cavern also offers club nights for rock fans, with emo nights, goth nights (courtesy of Disintegration) and the much-frequented Cavern Saturday, where you’ll hear floor-filling indie tracks past and present. The Phoenix,
just a stone’s throw away, is the place to be to catch higher profile acts, as Exeter’s largest capacity venue. Jazz fans ought to check out the Bootlegger, a Prohibition themed cocktail bar with frequent live jazz gigs and jams. It’s also worth exploring Move nightclub, down on the Quay. As well as being Exeter’s least cheesy dance-oriented venue (if you’re into techno/drum n’ bass it may well be your salvation), Move also hosts local rock shows that can be well worth attending. Finally, there’s the more underground side of
DA guide to music societies at Exeter
Charlie Gershinson, Deputy Editor, offers advice on how to involve yourself in the musical side of University life
ESPITE not having the option to study music as an academic subject, the University of Exeter has a roaring and varied musical extracurricular life which caters to students interested in many genres of music. For instrumentalists, there are a huge number of ensembles of differing styles, sizes and abilities which you can join for evening rehearsals throughout the week. For jazz musicians, you can join the Big Band or the auditioned Jazz Orchestra and for those who enjoy classical music, there is the Chamber Orchestra and the Symphony Orchestra
(which has been active since 1965). There are also smaller societies which focus on repertoire and arrangements for specific instruments or instrument families such as the Brass Ensemble, Flute Choir and Saxophone Choir. Singers also have many of their own dedicated societies which, like instrumental societies, come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Classical singers can join the Chapel Choir or the Choral Society while those who enjoy acapella can join Illuminations, Semi-Toned and Sweet Nothings – among others. Singers interested in more
of a jazz style can also join the Soul Choir.
EXETER HAS A ROARING AND VARIED MUSICAL EXTRACURRICULAR LIFE
Those interested in music intermixed with drama will be happy to be involved in Exeter’s two main musical theatre societies: Footlights and Shotgun. Both of these socie -
ties stage musicals across the year with both a cast and a live band for all of their shows. These music societies have regular performances across the year which can be enjoyed by the whole University as well as exciting opportunities for some societies, such as staging shows at the Edinburgh Fringe festival in August. Throughout Welcome Week, there will be taster sessions for many – if not all – of these societies. So, if you were involved in music at school or your hometown and you want to carry it on at university, there are plenty of opportunities across Exeter!
Image: David Lee, Wikimedia Commons
the Exeter music scene to explore, including Tuesday night blues jams at the Angel Bar, a characterful venue opposite Central Station
Mallik Awotorebo
Amberly Wright, Online Deputy Editor
Brooke Taylor, Music Editor
Judy Dodd, Arts and Lit Editor
Amberly Wright, Online Deputy Editor
Image: Justin Higuchi, Wikimedia Commons
Image: Derek Harper, Wikimedia Commons
EDITORS: Harry Morrison and Brooke Taylor
BRAT review
Lucy Facer unpacks the viral phenomemon
of Charli xcx's 'BRAT'
THE reputation of Charli xcx’s sixth studio album precedes itself as trends inspired by it have proliferated across social media, from the viral ‘Apple’ dance to bizarre US and UK election campaigns emblazoned with abrasive neon green.
'BRAT’ is a concept album that leans heavily into club culture. Charli’s party-girl persona is the antithesis of more sterile looks that have dominated social media recently- she opts for messy slept-in eyeliner and understated black attire, drawing from Y2K influences. She describes the closing track ‘365’ using the analogy of entering different rooms at a party, reflected by repurposed lyrical and production motifs.
as “a bit trashy”, adding all you need is a “pack of cigs, a bic lighter and a strappy white top”.
Her lyrics grapple with existing on the outskirts of mainstream fame, whilst on singles ‘360’ and ‘Von Dutch’ the singer reclaims an exaggerated egotistical attitude. Her songwriting is confrontational and direct, as she declares “I’m your favourite reference, baby.”
On the BBC Side tracked podcast, the singer articulated the essence of ‘brat summer’
This confidence emerges out of a years-long rise to critical acclaim, propelled by a devoted LGBTQ+ fanbase and her willingness to revitalise her musical style. She’s been credited with pioneering the ‘hyperpop’ genre alongside producer A.G Cook who created the electronic collective PC Music known for artists like the late SOPHIE (who the song ‘So I’ is dedicated to).‘BRAT’’s audacious auto-tuned production echoes Charli’s fourth album ‘how I’m feeling now’ which was equally intertwined with the digital as it was recorded in lockdown.
The marketing strategy of ‘BRAT’ is unmatched. In April, the album’s low-res Ariel-font cover attracted controversy Charli did not appear in the artwork. She
responded in the bold tweet “I think the constant demand for access to women’s bodies and faces in our album artwork is misogynistic and boring.” Charli then changed the album art of her entire discography across streaming platforms to match this format. Most notably, she cryptically tweeted a New York address where she held a surprise pop-up performance, dancing atop an SUV, in front of what fans have christened the “brat wall”. This would be repainted on live-stream to tease the deluxe album. In the ‘360’ music video, an icon-laden cast including Rachel Sennot, Julia Fox, Chloe Sevigny
and Emma Chamberlain discuss how to “fulfil the prophecy of finding a new hot internet girl” over dinner. This satirical take on the ‘it-girl’ phenomenon cements Charli xcx as an artist creating something fun yet cleverly in tune with how we consume pop culture. Similarly, the ‘Girl, so confusing’ remix featuring Lorde saw fans on TikTok resonating with themes of volatile female friendship and vowing to “work it out on the remix”. As I write this, rumours of a remix album are circulating following the release of a “Guess” remix featuring Billie Eilish, demonstrating that ‘BRAT’ is an exciting, continuously-evolving project.
Glastonbury 2024 review
IF you have never been to Glastonbury before, trust the dedicated festival-goers when they say there is no event like it anywhere else in the world. Each Glastonbury transforms Worthy Farm in Somerset into the site of a globally-recognised, truly iconic music festival, with the 5-day musical marathon pulling in 200,000 fans annually and broadcasting to millions watching live on the BBC. This year the organisers presented the most diverse line-up to date, paying homage to the rich and flourishing UK and international musical scene. It made history boasting a heavy line-up of female artists, Afrobeats giants like Burna Boy and its first K-POP stars Seventeen who took to the Pyramid stage on Friday night. Pop star Dua Lipa kicked off the festival on the Friday evening with an admission that she
had long been carefully studying how to create a successful headline set: “I’ve dreamt of this my whole life,” said Dua Lipa as she looked out at the crowd. “And it feels sooo good.” With guest appearances from Tame Impala’s lusty-lunged Kevin Parker, complicated choreography in the set’s danciest numbers and light design, the Friday night female headliner delivered a power-punch of a pop performance for the history books.
From Avril Lavigne’s Sunday slot to epic sets from Cyndi Lauper, Shania Twain and The Streets, an opportunity for noughties nostalgia was truly everywhere. Stumbling - often literally - upon new music is also a delight of the festival. Little Simz’s bold, rambunctious take on a Saturday evening slot on the Pyramid stage paid off as she captivated the crowds with
her charisma whilst the music shifting from a downtempo introspection of ‘Venom’ to the more melodic pop sensibilities of ‘Selfish’ and ‘Woman’. Coldplay were a personal highlight of mine, as they headlined for the fifth time; superfans lined the barriers in hope of grasping an illuminated wristband to be part of the performance. The band threw everything they had at making it a spectacle for viewers at home too, their musical emotive energy only matched by the incredibly kaleidoscopic visual effects and Chris Martin’s ability to reframe classic hits with a revived rawness which brought back memories of their classic 2000 performance. The succession of guest acts encompassed everyone from Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti to Michael J Fox, underlining both the band’s ever-evolving harmonic ver-
Beyond freshers': A taste of music events in Exeter
Harry Morrison, Music Editor, explores upcoming live music events within and beyond Freshers' Week
AS you settle into Exeter, there are several venues across the city that provide great access to those who have a particular taste in live music. Popular venues include the Cavern, Phoenix, and the Great Hall, all offering a wide range of music genres.
John Mouse: Cavern, Thursday 19th September, 19:00 (£7.70 per ticket): Describing himself ‘a left of centre left of centre artist’, John Mouse is an alternative artist hailing from Cardiff. Producing whacky and unique alternative music, his music and style is ‘forever changing,’ reflected in his live shows.
Country Roads: Northcott Theatre, Friday 20th September, 19:30 (£34 per ticket) As county music becomes forever growing into the mainstream music scene of the UK, this impersonation group pays homage to the classics of country music. Although on the pricy end of a student budget, it has been dubbed as a ‘night like no other.’
satility and the essence of the festival’s unique eclecticism.
TRUST THE DEDICATED FESTIVALGOERS WHEN THEY SAY THERE IS NO EVENT LIKE IT ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD
From new to old, from raw emerging artists to perfectly polished global superstars, drawing from the rich tapestry of musical and artistic global cultures and influences, Glastonbury once again proved one thing: it is possible for one festival to go back to the future, constantly reinvent itself and prove its greatness once more. Glastonbury is back with a bang for ‘24.
India Electric Company: The Phoenix, Sunday 29th September, 19:30 (£16 per ticket) A fusion and blend of ‘traditional instruments, folk melodies and subtle electronic influences,’ this group has been touring extensively across the globe, with a more recent show at the Royal Albert Hall. Described by BBC Radio 2 as ‘a phenomenal duo,’ this group is one to watch!
Emma Castell reflects on the music event of the summer
Image: Rogue Artists. wikimedia commons
Image: Asylum, Atlantic and Warner UK,
Image: Smalljim. wikimedia commons
Review: Longlegs
Pollyanna Roberts, Screen Editor,
THIS summer, Osgood Perkins’ new horror film ‘Longlegs’ was set to disturb the nation. It was meant to be the return of ‘true fear’ in cinemas, and, as a horror fanatic, I was desperate to finally be scared again. ‘Longlegs’ follows FBI Agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) as she embarks on an investigation to stop the notorious serial killer ‘Longlegs’ (Nicolas Cage), who is responsible for killing families without being physically present at any of the crimes. All that he leaves behind is a letter with satanic symbols, signed ‘Longlegs’.
A LAYER OF MYSTERY THAT SETS THIS HORROR APART FROM OTHER MURDER THRILLERS
Review: Kinds of Kindness screen
reviews the newly released horror movie
The set up is solid, and the fact that Longlegs is never physically present at these crimes adds a layer of mystery that sets this horror apart from other murder thrillers: it makes us wonder, how is this even happening? We go on to discover that it is all through satanic possession, which feels slightly disappointing. Longlegs is presented as this terrifying killer, that the FBI are struggling to find. Only to capture him while he is at a bus stop in broad daylight. Longlegs’ death wasn’t the end of the story, merely a plot point that weakened his scare factor. While
IT JUST SEEMS SO UNREALISTIC AND HONESTLY A BIT SILLY
bludgeoning himself to death was shocking, it posed the question as to why this film was even named after him. It wasn’t the serial killer shocker we were expecting to see. Another plot point I found questionable, was when Longlegs was in Harker’s home and left a personal letter for her. What does she do? She doesn’t tell the FBI. It just seems so unrealistic and honestly a bit silly. While the story fell flat, I have to say that the film was visually stunning. Set in the snowy North-western state of Oregon in the 90s, the films tone is incredibly cold. There is no comfort here. Reminiscent of the origi -
nal ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’, filmed in the 70s, with its eerie cinematography that was unsettling in itself. Furthermore, there were
WHILE THE STORY FELL FLAT, THE FILM WAS VISUALLY STUNNING
frequent uses of wide shots, showing a vast ominous landscape, void and icy. Harker’s own home was in the middle of a forest, and the use of wide shots reinforced the isolation she feels; it’s her against the killer. Longlegs, as a character, was visually striking. His appearance was unsettling, but, sadly, he acted in a more comical manner, as he sang and screamed throughout the film. Overall, I think the film’s promotion and marketing was the cause of its own downfall. It presented itself as an entirely different film than the one we saw in the cinema. Perkins’ presented us with a predictable satanic story, with half-baked characters, wrapped up in serial killer horror with ominous shots and an eerie score. While Monroe herself was captivating, it wasn’t enough to keep this film afloat Horror is a genre that is so difficult to articulate, and while I had high hopes for ‘Longlegs’, it simply didn’t live up to the hype. Unfortunately, die-hard horror fans will have to look elsewhere to get their scare kick.
Aprobably be in for a massive shock when they sit down to watch
LIKE A WES ANDERSON FILM ON ACID
Kinds of Kindness. Like a Wes Anderson film on acid, this film sets up a triptych of fables following the same group of actors through three different stories. There’s no indication of whether the
Charlie Gershinson, Deputy Editor
The Hangover (2009)
characters are related at all but the weird recurrence is disconcerting to say the least. Definitely not for the squeamish or faint of heart, the film has no issue with the odd and unnerving; unabashed sex scenes, weird interactions and violence galore rule the world of Kinds of Kindness. Though many may put this all down to simple shock factor, Yorgos creates an overarching message through these interwoven narratives: humans will do anything to belong. The first chapter follows Jesse Plemons’ character trying to take control of his own life after losing the guidance of Willem Defoe’s dictating character (you won’t be the only one to shout “same” when his inability to choose what to order at a restaurant drives him to murder), followed by the story of Emma Stone’s character com -
ing home after being marooned, but eliciting the suspicion of her husband, who tests her loyalty in the most disturbing ways (tw:
Freshers Films
cannibalism), and finally a tale of the search for a cult leader with supernatural powers who turns out to be a downtown vet. Visually stunning whilst mentally stupefying, and punctuated by the creepiest piano strains you’ll ever hear, Kinds of Kindness brings Yorgos Lanthimos back to the indie realm of the weird and worrying after a stint in the commercial loop. You’re in for the ride of a lifetime if you plan to watch this, but my suggestion is that you maybe eat beforehand so as to not lose your appetite, and definitely check the trigger warnings, because, if there’s one thing to expect from this film, it’s the unexpected.
We asked our editors to suggest films that encapsulate the freshers experience
NYONE who discovered Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos through the recent and globally successful Poor Things will
SPOILERS AHEAD!
Image: Canal22, Wikimedia Commons
Image: Nicolas Genin, via Wikimedia Commons
LIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD!
Image: Dick Thomas Johnson, via Wikimedia Commons
The 76th Annual Primetime Emmys
Rosie Peters-McDonald, Deputy Editor, sheds light on
three big Emmys nominees
The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards were star-studded as ever, honouring the best of television from the past year and following on from the Creative Arts Emmys earlier this month. We’ve provided summaries for three of the most talked-about nominated shows, spoiler-free for those of you who haven’t had a chance to catch up on the dramatic proceedings from the early hours of this morning (you’ve got to love timezones!).
The Bear Back for its third season this summer, The Bear – a comedy-drama starring Jeremy Allen White as a chef who takes over his late brother’s sandwich shop – has continued to grip its audience with its unapologetic treatment of life in the hospitality industry. The Rolling Stone described its first season as ‘too intense, too uncomfortable, too raw’ –not that any of this stopped viewers from tuning back in for two more seasons. In fact, the show’s gritty drama only seems to magnetise: according to Disney, its third season reached 5.4 million views in its first four days of streaming, breaking season premiere records. It’s previously swept at award shows, winning for its acting (White, Edebiri, Curtis) and directing (Storer) to name a few.
Shōgun
Shōgun is the first Japanese-language show to have been nominated for the Outstanding Drama Series award at the Emmys, one of its 25 nominations at this year’s awards. Its first season sent shockwaves across the internet, an adaptation of Clavell’s 1975 novel which reimagines the historical Japanese drama without shying away from gore. Marrying American cinematography with Japanese history, its first season has garnered enough success that two more are on the horizon. As put by The Guardian, it is ‘good-looking, self-assured and … enthralling’ – an essentially faultless adaptation which doesn’t compromise on its quality or cultural value.
Only Murders in the Building
Selena Gomez’s performance in Only Murders in the Building is a far reach from her days of Wizards of Waverley Place as she continues her plunge from Kids Choice to Emmys in this compelling comedy-mystery. The show catches on to two familiar crazes –podcasts and true crime – and gives the timeless murder mystery a contemporary makeover. It’s packed with guest stars – Meryl Streep and Tina Fey, namely – and its fourth and most recent season has received great acclaim from The Guardian, being described as ‘screamingly funny’. Naturally, its mystery-edge gives it a gripping quality which seems to prioritise plot over character development. Gomez herself has suggested there’s room for more character growth in the show, though, telling Variety that her character Mabel could one day be the answer to the big question: whodunnit?
Pollyanna Roberts, Screen Editor, discusses her thoughts on the new horror movie Lights, Camera, MaXXXine
TI West undoubtedly impressed the horror fanbase with his release of ‘X’ in 2022. Later that year, West released ‘Pearl’, the second instalment of his trilogy. 2022 was an exciting year for horror fans, as both ‘X’ and ‘Pearl’ were incredibly well received and they offered something new to horror that was refreshing and thrilling. Of course, scream queen Mia Goth completely blew fans away with her performance in both films. She was definitely a horror star to watch out for. So, when the trailer for the third instalment was released in cinemas, I, among millions of other horror fans, was ecstatic. The set up was incredible: our beloved Maxine Minx was back; it was 80s LA and infamous serial killer The Nightstalker was on the loose. It had all the components of an exciting slasher, and I was counting down the days to go and watch it. From the offset, I was impressed. The music was all out 80s, the costumes were colourful and over the top, but in the best way. One thing I love about West’s work is how each film in his trilogy has a distinct style which is reminiscent of a different type of horror. ‘X’ was heavily inspired by the iconic 70s horror hit the ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’, while ‘Pearl’ was more reminiscent of technicolour productions like ‘The Wizard of OZ’. The bright colours and saturated colouring made the horror and gore of ‘Pearl’ even more extreme. There is something eerie about a horror being shot in the light of day, with fun colours and the sun shining in the background. Whereas, in contrast, a lot of the horror scenes in ‘X’ are filmed at night. With ‘MaXXXine’, West followed suit and created a film reminiscent of many 80s classics, which was largely illustrated through the use of music and costume design. It was a film charged with energy and excitement, and I was giddy for the first two acts. As the film progressed, disappointment was starting to grow as the story lost its rhythm.
Kevin Bacon’s character was an interesting addition to the cast, and he created a thrilling plot line, but I found the other characters, particularly the two police officers, to be, frankly, quite jarring. Lily Collins couldn’t decide on an accent to use and felt out of place in this setting. However, I will say, the scene of her dismembered body falling out of the suitcase was incredibly disturbing and had the shock factor that had been lacking throughout the film. While the suspense was initially built well, with Maxine’s friends turning up dead, and talk of the Nightstalker striking again, it seemed that the link to true crime was simply clickbait. It was a backdrop to a slasher that turned into an occult film. Maxine’s father had returned to ‘save’ his daughter from the devil that is Hollywood, and his cult was killing people to show the evil behind La La Land. The fact that the killer had been Maxine’s father was no real surprise, and I hate to say it, I guessed that big reveal early on. The film opens with a home video of Maxine and her devout Christian father, as she recites her iconic one-liner ‘I will not accept a life I do not deserve’, and I knew he had to make an appearance one way or another. I found the ending to be downright predictable, silly and, honestly, a bit boring. The police showed up to ‘save the day’ and both end up getting killed, which follows the horror trope that police are useless in these situations. Maxine is left to deal with her father, in a satisfying moment of justice, that was, sadly, short lived. His death by the Hollywood sign was the only interesting aspect of the third act. Overall, Mia Goth shone in her reprised role as Maxine, but even her captivating performance wasn’t enough to save this sinking ship of a third instalment. I was disappointed, to say the least, and I left the cinema thinking ‘is that it?’. Nothing hurts more, as a horror fanatic, as when a long-loved trilogy flops at the final hurdle.
Image: a24, via Wikimedia Commons
Image: Sidewalks Entertainment, via Wikimedia Commons
Image: Dick Thomas Johnson, via Wikimedia Commons
Image: WEBN-TV, Flickr
TECH
Elon Musk leaves California
Oliver Nicholls exmaines the implications of Musk's commercial transfer to Texas
ELON Musk has announced that he is moving the headquarters of X and SpaceX from California to Texas. Musk has previously described San Francisco as experiencing a “doom spiral”; X is one of the last remaining companies with substantial facilities in the Bay area. However, just one year ago Musk wrote gushingly about San Francisco. So, why the change, and why now?
Musk has done well out of California: he has received more than $3.2bn in subsidies and favourable tweaks to market mechanisms since 2009; SpaceX has grown to be the world’s second most valuable start up with a valuation of $210 billion. Yet, Musk has had a fractious relationship with the state for some time. He has described it as the land of “taxes, overregulation and litigation”; Texas, by contrast, doesn’t levy income tax on businesses, or individuals, and has low rental rates.
Some commentators have stated, however, that the move is less a business decision than it is a political one. Musk stated that the “final straw” in California was a recent law brought in to protect vulnerable trans students in schools. Sarah Krep, policy analyst and professor of government at Cornell University, has stated that the move is “part of a larger message [Musk] is trying to send about politics – about his politics”. Musk’s recent X posts are political, but they
Dare also markedly volatile and hair-raisingly uncritical; during the very recent unrest in the UK, he posted “Civil war is inevitable”. Musk’s language can be, and probably was (the post received 2 million views before being taken down), used by the Far Right to legitimise it’s violence; if something is “inevitable” no difficult decisions need be made, and no responsibility taken. Words like this amplified at a time of acute crisis have a real-world impact; it is through language, after all, that we make reality. This is true for the recent disgraceful rhetoric of the MP for Clacton, but even more so in the case of Musk because of his global reach. Musk is the richest person in the world, with a presence (some of his fans might argue “charisma”) lacking in other notable big tech executives; he, interestingly, has the highest number of X followers at 193 million. Unlike his contemporaries, Musk is having an increasingly overt and impactful influence politically. His posts regarding Venezuela’s presidential election led Venezuelan constitutional lawyer Olga Alvarez to describe the electoral system as “being under a brutal pressure from the media, the social networks and magnate Elon Musk”; X has since been temporarily banned in the country. Musk’s decision to move came just days after he reportedly committed $45m/month of support to Donald Trump.
THE MOVE FROM CALIFORNIA WILL PROBABLY BE SYMBOLIC
prove to be symbolic; many of Musk’s employees will likely remain in the state. A more pressing point for society in relation to big tech is how to respond to divisive and uncritical political messaging from Musk. He and those in such positions of corporate power surely cannot become the arbiters of political discourse at such a crucial period in human history, marked as it is by social unrest, war and the climate crisis. Any critique of Musk’s language is clearly not going to come from within X; the sheer brashness of his messaging is an overt sign of his power there. Not engaging with politics at this time is a vote for what is, the status quo; in that scenario, it appears that voices like Musk’s will become increasingly pervasive and influential. Musk may be the first of the major tech CEO’s to so overtly influence politics, but he may not be the last. It is crucial that his influential, yet simultaneously uncritical and divisive, language is met by critical discourse within our communities; even if our voices are smaller than the business and tech giants, we must always remember that we are many — they are few.
Disney communications leaked by ‘hacktivist’ group
Charlie Gershinson, Deputy Editor, summarises the recent hack suffered by Disney
ISNEY has come under cyberattack, leading to the leaking of millions of communications from Disney employees and downloading “every file possible”. The group responsible – Nullbulge – conducted the attack in July in the name of “protecting artists’ rights”. The Nullbulge website specifically opposes the harm which artificially generated content has on the creative industry, describing it as “theft”.
THE GROUP... CONDUCTED THE ATTACK IN JULY IN THE NAME OF "PROTECTING ARTISTS' RIGHTS"
hundreds of hours of original material that has come before. This AI-generated content can often be indistinguishable from humangenerated art. Some artists have claimed that these tools have breached copyright as they use their original work to train these AI tools.
THE AI-GENERATED CONTENT CAN OFTEN BE INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM HUMAN-GENERATED ART
Nullbulge, who are alleged to be Russian in origin, describe themselves as "a hacktivist group protecting artists' rights and ensuring fair compensation for their work. Our hacks are not those of malice, but to punish those caught stealing," it says on its web -
While it was originally unknown if the leaked data included sensitive information, this has been corroborated by the Wall Street Journal. The Slack messages leaked — 44 million in total — included financial projections, strategic plans and sales data, among personal details of employees such as passports and contact information. Some of the data appears to date back to 2019. In August, Disney executives told investors in a shareholder meeting that over a terabyte of data had been stolen. When the Wall Street Journal asked Disney for comment, they replied "We decline to comment on unverified information The Wall Street Journal has purportedly obtained as a result of a bad actor's illegal activity.”
site. We will work tirelessly to develop and implement solutions that protect the rights and livelihoods of artists in the digital age."
The hack comes amid increased discussion in the creative sector about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on actors and other creatives. Specifically, this is related to generative AI, which can produce content based on
Rosie Peters-McDonald, Deputy Editor, examines the damaging global outage to tech services
WHEN cyber-security company
CrowdStrike updated their software on July 19th, it’s unlikely they envisioned a worldwide tech failure as a result. Ironically, the tech failure was caused by the firm updating their own antivirus software to protect Windows devices from malicious security breaches and attacks. The defect in the update led to a global meltdown: businesses were faced with blue error screens, flights were grounded and cancelled, and some media outlets – including Sky News – were off air for hours while the tech firm worked to troubleshoot the incident. Payroll systems were also affected, causing concern over pay backlog issues. The University of Exeter sent out emails to warn staff and students of issues with accessing UoE applications and digital services.
CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz posted on X amid the tech outage on July 19th, referring customers – i.e., businesses who had fallen victim to the outage – to the firm’s online support for assistance. His words prompted backlash from many X users who saw, rather than a solution, a lack of apology. On August 6th, CrowdStrike updated their own X account with an apology and a promise to better serve their customers, but the tail end of their message implied that, even three weeks after the tech failure, some businesses hadn’t recovered. They wrote, ‘to any customer still affected, please know we will not rest until all systems are restored.’
Shortly after the outage on July 22nd, Investors Daily reported a huge sell off in CrowdStrike stock. By the 22nd CrowdStrike stock had fallen by 13.5 per cent after reporting a 52-week high on the stock exchange
on July 9th. But none of this means much for those who don’t hold stock in CrowdStrike or who don’t run businesses reliant on Microsoft and/or CrowdStrike’s software: the vast majority of those affected had no idea who CrowdStrike were until the fateful July 19th outage. While most businesses bounced back, airlines such as Delta had to cancel over a thousand flights a day across the weekend. Stateside flights were the worst hit, with an overall 7200+ flights cancelled across Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines between July 19th and 21st according to OAG. OAG also reported that EasyJet were slow to recover following the outage; they saw 12 per cent of flights cancelled on Sunday 21st whilst most airlines’ cancellation figures recovered to less than 10 per cent.
A particularly concerning impact of the CrowdStrike outage for those of us in the UK was the reported NHS delays. One practice manager told Exeposé that local pharmacy systems were hit, causing a large increase in phoneline traffic for her administrative team and a lot of concern surrounding patient welfare in respect to urgently needed medication. Across the healthcare sector there was a rise in hospital delays, an impact on emergency response teams, and an increase in the rescheduling of appointments and treatments, with the Royal Surrey County Hospital declaring a critical incident as radiotherapy services were undeliverable. Microsoft announced that 8.5 million Windows devices had been affected by the outage, fewer than 1 per cent of all Windows
machines. However, because many of these devices belong to businesses in the travel, financial and healthcare industries, the shock of the attack was felt much more severely than that percentage figure might suggest. While Microsoft has reiterated the importance of ‘operating with safe deployment and disaster recovery using the mechanisms that exist’, the crisis brought on by CrowdStrike’s faulty update puts into question whether the current mechanisms are enough to withstand another tech failure. If this incident demonstrates accidental damage, how concerned should we be about the threat of purposefully malicious attacks on global IT?
MICROSOFT ANNOUNCED THAT 8.5 MILLION WINDOWS DEVICES HAD BEEN AFFECTED BY THE OUTAGE
Quantum chip discovered in Oxford
THE technological advance that many thought would never be within our reach- has recently seen a crucial development. A new chip has been created and that could lead to a powerful, useful quantum computer being built in the next three years. It could revolutionise the way we solve problems and deal with complicated calculations. Oxford Ionics, the research group that translates its passion for quantum mechanics into action, has been in charge of working on the chip so that it could be produced in larger quantities. In order to fully understand the impact that the invention brings, it’s crucial to look at the exciting and unpredictable world of quantum computing. Quantum computers process data in a different way than a usual computer would, they use qubits, two-state units that form a bond that connects them together even if they are apart from each other. Qubits are made by manipulation of the smallest particles known to man, for example photons, electrons, trapped ions or atoms.
To simplify the way in which quantum computers actually work, qubits would process information in a distinct way than bits would. Unlike bits that are binary, they can
be 0 and 1 at the same time. To visualise this, you could imagine a coin that’s spinning and it’s to be determined if it’s going to be heads or tails so it’s all of those possibilities at the same time. In quantum mechanics, that’s called a superposition state. The main way that quantum computers work is by proffiting of entanglement, when two qubits are connected and any measurement done on one system instantly influences the other. That means that qubits, that are seperated by milliters in a quantum computer, can process information way faster than classic computers.
One analogy that could help to express the efficiency of this different type of a computer
is a maze. Imagine you are stuck in a maze and you are trying to escape. A traditional computer would intend to calculate every possible way to get you out of there. A quantum computer would test multiple solutions at the same time and use quantum interference to find the answer. It is important to remember that qubits would actually not test multiple ways at the same time but rather measure probability of amplitudes of qubits that overlap and interfere with each other. That overlap eliminates solutions to more complex problems and the wave can present the solution. It is crucial to understand that quantum particles would behave unexpectedly,
hence it’s very hard to produce new technology with their help. Oxford Ionics stated that only one type of the quantum patrticles that was used for building a quantum computer has shown the quality needed for it to be of use- trapped ions. Obtaining this information has led the scientists to produce the improved chip. Now, new questions arise: How can they incorporate the future quantum computers into our everyday lives?
OBTAINING THIS INFORMATION HAS LED THE SCIENTISTS TO PRODUCE THE IMPROVED CHIP
There are some answers to that question. The field of Artificial Intelligence would profit of the fast flow of information and the powerful computers could also help the fast development of various medical drugs. The invention can also be useful as it can crack cryptography systems effectively. Quantum computers will be the future of our technological world because of their speed and efficiency.
Image: Crowdstrike, Wikimedia Commons
E x etera Exetera...
Let’s Talk About It...
Wto the new mental health column! This corner will feature fortnightly articles that will range from advice from wellbeing societies on how to best cope with mental health struggles to personal stories from writers and editors themselves.
This week, we wanted to address the anxiety that may accompany your Freshers’ experience because we know that this will be a very daunting time for you. Starting University is a huge step that affects everyone differently, but just know that you’re never alone in what you’re feeling.
Exeter has a large range of wellbeing societies and mental health support. This covers urgent support if you’re feeling overwhelmed and severely anxious and wellbeing services providing wellbeing specialists in counselling and CBT, a Student Health Centre which provides NHS resources, specialised support for mature students, international students and LGBTQ+ students. They also have support available for people with physical and mental disabilities. This support is confidential.
The Guild has wellbeing support available too and this can take the form of socieities and peer groups., offering support based around eating disorders, stress and anxiety, climate anxiety, alcohol and drugs support, and more. The Guild also offers ‘Give it a Go’ events, fit for students who want to get stuck into activities but feel particularly anxious about getting started, and regular vistis from calming (and adorable) therapy dog Ted. societies centred on wellbeing range from chronic health
peer support groups to the meditation society. Mental health support doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Exeter Nightline is an anonymous listening and information service for students at the university. The service is run by students and affiliated with the Nightline Association, a national charity. You can join the society as a volunteer or call them for a chat if you need to. They will listen to anything from relationship stress, to virtually accompanying you while you walk home at night. The number is on the back of your student card so accessing support is never far away. Speaking on the stresses of starting a new academic year at university, a Nightline spokesperson said: “It’s so easy to feel like you’re all alone when you’re struggling, and often the hardest thing to do is to share that with someone. Even if it’s over something which you might think is “silly.” Reaching out and sharing how you feel is important as it can help you better understand your own feelings as well as help you feel better and less alone. University can be challenging and being able to talk things through to a fellow student in a safe and confidential space can make all the difference! Nothing is too big or too small, whether you just want a chat, are walking home from a night out, have been struggling with academic worries, or something more serious, you can always reach out to Exeter Nightline. Every call we receive is important, because it’s someone reaching out and sharing how they feel, and that’s a very difficult thing to do.”
For many, Freshers’ Week is one of the most difficult times of their life, but we can promise that it will get better and for as long as you need it, this column will be here to point you in the direction of whatever support you need.
Gracie and Amy xx
Recipe: A staple for all Freshers - Pesto Pasta
THE vast majority of students are well acquainted with the simplicity and deliciousness of a standard pesto pasta. It’s easy to make, if you’ve had a long day on campus or you’re heading out on the town with your besties on a night out; pesto pasta is a great way to fill your tummy. Many will go down the easy path of literally just mixing pesto with cooked pasta and sprinkling cheese over it but there are ways you can jazz up this meal, such as adding more protein and nutritious food without breaking the bank.
Step 1:
Depending on how many people you are cooking for, fill a large (or small) pot with water and bring to the boil. Stir in the pasta and return to the boil, stirring occasionally to avoid the pasta pieces sticking to the sides of the pan or to each other.
Step 2:
At the same time, have a frying pan heating up with a small amount of olive oil. When you see the olive oil is starting to become thin, add in diced chicken breast to the pan or a vegetarian protein of your choice (seasoned to your ideal spice and taste).
Step 3:
When the chicken has become completely white and you can tell it is cooked, add in some halved cherry or plum tomatoes, black olives and your desired amount of capers. The capers may seem controversial but they add a certain level of saltiness that makes the dish feel more Mediterranean.
Step 4:
When the cherry tomatoes, olives and capers have softened, this should be around the time that the pasta has finished cooking (you’ll be able to tell if it’s finished by whether the pieces feel soft or not). Drain the pasta through a colainder and add it to the pan with your chicken, olives, tomatoes and capers.
Step 5:
This works best with red pesto but feel free to choose your favourite! Stir in your desired amount of pesto. If you want the sauce to be thinner, stir more in and if you want the pasta to have less sauce, add less pesto.
Step 6:
When it’s all mixed together, you can add anything you want to top it off. Cheese of any kind will add some further protein to the dish and pine nuts are an excellent addition if you fancy making it more posh and you had opted for green pesto. However you make your pesto pasta, remember that it is one of the most versatile dishes and the flexibility of the ingredients you can add means that you will never get bored. Also, this is a great dinner for meal prep, providing you want to eat another portion the next day. If you want to make it last longer, simply remove the chicken from the recipe!
Gracie Moore, Editor-in-Chief
Exeposé archives: Going back to 96’ for Exeter’s first freshers’ week
FRESHERS’ week, and Exeposé’s intensive coverage of it, is such an intrinsic aspect of university life it’s difficult to envision the start of term without it. Yet, as this front page from Exposé’s archive demonstrates, Exeter freshers’ week does have its own history and its beginning is celebrated on the front page of this Oc -
tober 1996 edition. Declaring freshers’ “a sozzled success”, Exeposé details the festivities involved in this early incarnation; student mentors herding flocks of freshers’ around campus, packed pubs and Monday night clubbing which saw the “biggest night at the Lemmy in living history”. It’s clear freshers’ has changed a lot — from issues with managing a crowd of “over threehundred” to a lack of much
society activity — its original organisers would likely be shocked by the event freshers’ has become. One thing which hasn’t changed is Exeposé covering the events and scandals of freshers’ week— though in this case they appear to be relatively tame, with the leading story boasting freshers’ drinking the Ram dry only two and a half days in. So, it appears in 28 years, freshers’ week has managed to hold onto its rep -
utation as a party week, albeit on a much larger scale. From the introduction of freshers’ fair to being rebranded Welcome Week, its clear the event has only continued to grow and its exciting to think where it might be headed another 28 years down the line!
Amy Rushton, Editor-in-Chief
ELCOME
Image: Amy Rushton
This article contains discussion of mental health struggles which may be triggering for some students
1 Lost her (22) - case for an ice axe (mountaineering) (7)
2 Free from restraint (5)
3 Single (railway ticket, perhaps) (3-3)
4 Orange-red food colouring dyenan to a T? (22) (7)
5 Control a vehicle (5)
6 Foolish person (British informal) (4)
7 Change - next - moment (6)
12 Senior nurse - resits (22) (6)
13 Room for preparing food in (7) 15 24-hour excursion - pay dirt (22) (3,4)
16 Make (6)
18 Shaft - bolt - dart (5)
19 Trademark (5)
20 Play wildly - prom (22) (4)
TRIVIA CORNER
in which year was the university of exeter founded?
what is the name of the building currently being built behind the forum?
which of these is not a university of exeter society?:
Science
Six million at risk from UK Summer heat
Arya Nayyar examines the risks associated with rising temperatures that are caused by the climate crisis
WHILST many of us, living in the UK, crave summer weather with all of its burning heat, studies show that around six million people are at risk from extreme temperatures in England due to the climate crisis. Copernicus Climate Change Service declared that summer 2024 was the warmest yet worldwide, meaning that there will be more and more people suffering from the heat.
Summer 2024 was the warmest one yet worldwide
The University of Manchester and Friends of the Earth categorised over 15,000 neighbourhoods as heatvulnerable (those that experience an average of 27.5C or higher for five days or more). Birmingham was identified as the city that contains the most areas that often experience prolonged periods of high temperatures.
Friends of the Earth urge Labour to implement better strategies than the previous government in order to protect those at risk, mainly older people and young children. The group expressed the need for the government’s plan to include insulation programmes and regulate extreme temperatures (both extreme heat and severe cold).
One possible solution could be planting trees along streets to cool down the heated pavements and the introduction of air conditioning in community spaces so that they function as areas for the public to seek relief from the heat. Insulation programmes would be aimed at care homes in particular, as older people
have a reduced capacity to thermoregulate and an increased likelihood of other complicating illnesses that further put them at risk of heat exposure. As the global population is ageing
Insulation programmes would be aimed at care homes in particular
rapidly, action must be taken as the planet heats up and continues to increase the risk for older people across the world. By 2050, one in every five people in the world will be aged 60 and above - with the majority living in low and middle-income countries and therefore more likely to suffer.
While Europe and North America may be ageing faster, it is Asia and Africa that will face the greatest issues from increases in temperature due to their much larger populations. It must be taken into consideration
that these continents might have less funds to spend on tackling those challenges, which might result in worse strategies implemented by them to help those vulnerable to heat. It is crucial to consider climate change as a worldwide emergency and start acting before extreme temperatures impact more people.
Magic mushrooms and their impact on human brain
Eloise Grainger, Sport Editor, discusses the recently discovered properties of psilocybin, an ingredient that can be found in magic mushrooms
MAGIC mushrooms have often been known for their psychedelic effect on people who take them. Some of the body's reactions to them are strong visualisations or distortion of perception of the environment. But new research has found that the active ingredient that is found in the mushrooms – psilocybin – can have a significant role
in treatment of severe depression.
In one clinical trial, patients were either given a 25mg dose of psilocybin
Psilocybin
can have a significant role in treatment of severe depression
'Neuroplasticity' - brain becomes more flexible and open to therapy
or a 40mg of methylphenidate – the drug they had been given was unknown to the patients themselves. After taking the drug, 18 MRI scans were taken, and researchers found there was an increase in brain activity. This was found in parts of the brain that are responsible for creating a sense of self and how the person perceives space and time, scientifically known as a loss of synchrony in the default mode network. Neurologists called this disruption to the network ‘neuroplasticity’ which means the brain becomes more flexible and open to therapy. This is pivotal to the treatment of depression, as opening the brain up to therapy could offer a solution. Moreover, it was discovered that even after the drug had left the body, the longer lasting effects of the compound had remained. Those who took psilocybin in the trial had a neural disruption up to three times greater than
those who took the placebo. Psilocybin affects introspective thinking, and the lingering effects it has means the neuroplasticity can break destructive thought patterns – it essentially acts as a factory reset for the brain.
In a separate clinical trial, participants were randomly given varying doses of the psychedelic compound psilocybin. Those in the trial attended two therapy sessions: the day after taking the drug and another a week later. The aim of the sessions was to identify the causes of depression and offer any possible solutions to the patient.
The published results showed a significant improvement immediately after treatment. There is a rapid effect of psilocybin on the brain, and those who took the highest dose saw the most drastic changes. For example, 29% of people who took 25mg (highest dose in the trial) were in remission after three weeks. The depression scores from the trial showed the impact of psilocybin on the brain and the potential of creating change in treatment-resistant depression.
Those with treatment-resistant depression are categorised by not
showing any response to at least two antidepressant treatments. Psilocybin research has shown that the increased brain activity in areas that govern the self and perception coupled with therapy sessions will have the most significant positive outcomes on the patient.
Image: Funk Dooby, Wikimedia Commons
Image: Wikisquack, Wikimedia Commons
Image: Mycellenz, Wikimedia Commons
Image: Mycellenz, Wikimedia Commons
Exploring the Moon caves
Charlie Gershinson, Deputy Editor, writes about the recent discovery that could help with further space exploration
ANOTHER discovery has been found on the Moon as a cave has been discovered on its surface, prompting possibilities over future human habitation.
The cave has been thought as a suitable place for a permanent human base to be built. It is 130170m below the surface, 30-80m long and around 45m wide. The cave could be one of hundreds within the Moon’s surface but it is the first to be found with any entry points. It is thought to have originally been an empty lava tube. It creates an excellent opportunity to protect astronauts from radiation, extreme temperatures and space weather, which can be deadly. While the Moon can experience extreme weather fluctuations from 127C to 173C, the cave appears to have a steady temperature of 17C.
The cave was discovered by Lorenzo Bruzzone and Leonardo Carrer at the University of Trento in Italy through radar technology to penetrate an opening on the Mare Tranquillitatis (the Sea of Tranquility), one of the Moon’s plains which is where Apollo 11 landed in 1969.
The cave has yet to be explored but it is hoped that radar, cameras or robots can enter it. Scientists will also endeavour to find the full extent of the cave’s depths. Francesco Sauro, Coordinator of the Topical Team Planetary Caves of the European Space Agency, told the BBC: “We have very good images of the surface - up to 25cm of resolution — we can see the Apollo landing sites — but we know nothing about what lies below the surface.
There are huge opportunities for discovery.” Such discoveries could also fuel similar excavations on Mars. Another implication is an opening for geological excavation below the Moon’s surface as the rocks within the cave do not appear to have been damaged by space weather. Therefore, it could provide a record going back billions of years.
The main implication of the discovery remains the enhanced possibility of a future with humanity settling on the Moon. Helen Sharman, the first British astronaut to travel to space, said that the cave seems suitable for a base and that humans could be settled there in 20-30 years’ time. This may become important for a future space race as countries and other entities attempt to become the first to settle on the Moon.
Humans could be settled [on the moon] in 20-30 years’ time
The never-ending
sewage story
Agata Koralewska, Deputy Editor, discusses the issue of sewage spillages and evaluates the effect it has on the environment and the health of the public
ANEW law that would stop water company bosses from claiming bonuses and even send them to prison for not attempting to combat pollution has been proposed. More power would be given to regulators which means it could become easier to financially punish unacceptable sewage spillages. However, many think the measures taken are simply not enough and the fault lays in the system itself.
More power would be given to regulators which means it could become easier to financially punish sewage spillages
Disposal of sewage into English rivers and seas has more than doubled in 2023. The Environment Agency stated that there were 3.6 million hours of spills, contrasted with 1.75 million hours in 2022.
The UK has a combined sewage system which means that the same pipes are used to carry rainwater and
wastewater. That causes some issues during heavy rainfall when there are occasional overflows, and some excess can combine with sea and rivers. Unfortunately, Ofwat stated that many water companies have released sewage outside of those special circumstances, causing illegal dry spills that are harmful for the country’s ecosystem. It is estimated that this happened 6,000 times in 2022 across all of England.
Some negative effects of sewage spillages are seen in human health and increased pollution of the environment. The contaminated waters have high levels of viruses and bacteria, and that increases the risk of disease. That means that swimmers could become ill after entering the water. Further ecological harm can be caused from microplastics, pharmaceuticals and heavy metals that are present in the sewage.
The problem of fighting these illegal spills might lay in the system in which the water companies operate. The common rule-breaking in the water industry has never been heav-
ily regulated and many question if new policies will be implemented efficiently enough to stop water companies from illegal actions. As only 14 per cent of English waters are considered to have a good ecological status, implementing a heavier surveillance on those who control our water quality will be a crucial next step.
The contaminated waters have high levels of viruses and bacteria, and that increases the risk of disease
Image: Christine Matthews, Wikimedia
Image: mbarrison, Wikimedia Commons
Image: pxhere
It didn't come home...
Mikhail Shklover reminisces on the 2024 Euros and England's devastating final defeat
REMINISCENCE on Euro 2024 almost two months after its conclusion is naturally simplified by an abundance of talking points and evaluations. Writing for Exepose several days before the tournament I called the Euros my “personal favourite within summer’s plethora of sports”. Having watched every single minute from the opening whistle in Munich all the way to the victory ceremony in Berlin, I am here with a personal surface level reflection on the tournament with a predominant focus on matters close to heart. More specifically this article pays close attention to the football action itself. While the incredibly talented saxophone entertainer, the light-hearted Danish fans dancing in the Dortmund rain and numerous other positive-spirited individuals certainly added to the German festival of football, it was the teams and players who crafted the Euro narrative.
From England’s point of view, the tournament became an ambiguous experience. On one hand a first place group finish with a successful run to the final and a tight contest against the tournaments outstanding performers, the return of Bellingham into the Ballon Dor discussion following an extraordinary acrobatic equaliser and most notable for our group of readers, a first ever Euros goal from Exeter City graduate (that from Ollie Watkins of course). On the other hand, however, an abysmal demonstration of attacking intent, underperformance of Kane and Foden and an endless tactical adjustments with limited vision or game plan up until the final. Like with many other teams it should (and did) take full articles to analyse specific elements of England’s performance, so for this short segment, let’s just stick to the facts - A second consecutive European Championship final and a remaining young exciting generation with enormous potential
if managed correctly in the upcoming years is where we are at the moment.
And from here, my broader view on the tournaments splits into an analysis of tactical trends and an emotional response to unparalleled levels of drama. Thinking about the latter, the games at Euro 2024 can be viewed as scenes from great movies with epic and tragic heroes embodied in international athletes. Think about it, have you ever seen that much drama at a football tournament? It was a constant mix of disaster and fairytale. Matchday one unveiled the beautiful story of Christian Eriksen with the latter scoring Denmark's opening goal of the tournament just three years after collapsing in Copenhagen at Euro 2021. The mood was however quickly shifted as we were quick to sympathise with Kylian Mbappe and his nose injury in Dusseldorf. An unfortunate collision with an Austrian centre-half would soon derail the captain’s campaign - another Euro disappointment despite immeasurable world cup glory for Mbappe.
With the group stage’s progression it was time for emotional goodbyes, the most memorable one being a goodbye to Croatia’s finest ever player.
A penalty miss, a goal just seconds later against the reigning champions and a standing ovation for his exodus. Soon
Have you ever seen that much drama in a football tournament?
the best midfielder of his generation would gaze helplessly from the bench as Italy’s Zaccagni sent Croatia home. The Modric marvel was undone and it was not to be for the midfield maestro.
From my perspective, the dramatic climax came with the knockout stages. Toni Kroos ended his career on the home turf with a symbolic last minute set piece cross - not a dry eye
Soon the best midfielder of his generation would gaze helplessly from the bench
in the house that day. And who can forget Portugal’s Pepe and Christiano Ronaldo. Initially saved by the heroics of Costa in the round of sixteen, both would eventually get eliminated by France with Pepe reduced to tears and comforted by Ronaldo himself - immense drama once more. With the former retiring and the latter struggling to find the back of the net and the highest level, this was probably the last time we saw both legends on the European stage. While these only seem tiny fragments in the broader narrative, these episodes enhanced the significance of the tournament (at least for me).
Thinking about the tournament
tactically, a few takeaways come to mind. On the whole, it was once again a tournament of excessive pragmatism. With the majority of teams taking a
concludes this article. De la Fuente’s Spain was truly exceptional. The “furia roja” won their third Euro’s of the century with a simultaneously delivered
step back in terms of attacking momentum and sitting deep in their own half we saw an increase in own goals, long range efforts, but alternatively experienced fewer high scoring encounters and first half goals. Furthermore, we once again saw tight contests between favourites and underdogs despite the difference in level, which to me can be explained by extreme fatigue of many key players (after all long seasons do take a toll). With teams taking it slowly in knockout fixtures some fans did get slightly frustrated, but there was one team that rescued it all.
A personal commendation for newly crowned European Champions
message - exciting attacking football can win tournaments. In a competition where favourites attempted to kill the game, systemic attacking football ultimately came out on top. With Spain’s U-23 squad adding the Olympic Gold medal later in the summer it’s hard to escape the supposition that this country will dominate on the international stage in the upcoming years.
Image: Raimond Spekking
Image: kikio.io
Image: rawpixel.com
Summer Sports Events
Sport writers tell us their favourite sporting events that they attended this
summer
Goodwood Festival of Speed Wimbledon The Hundred
WIMBLEDON remains one of professional sport's elite events that fans can still get tickets to on the day. But to gain a pass to watch the best tennis players in the world at one of England’s most famous sporting grounds, tennis supporters must face the dreaded queue. Based on arrival time at the queue, which is located around 500 yards from the All-England Tennis Club, fans have to queue for between 4-8 hours before gaining access to the grounds.
The queue has become ingrained in British culture. It dates back to 1927 and although it started small, the queue is now made up of around 12,000 people per day, with many people camping for a day or two to ensure they get one of the few coveted tickets to centre court or court one, and the chance to watch the best players in the world. Having queued last year, I decided to take it on again, arriving at 7am and finding myself around 6,000th in the queue.
Although I had to queue for several hours, finally gaining access to the courts at around 12 noon, the time passes quickly due to the buzz of the early-waking tennis fans. There is an excitement and anticipation for the day’s activities that keeps everyone upbeat and positive despite the snail-like pace the queue moves at. But once I had successfully navigated the queue, it moved quickly to the back of my mind as I watched the incredible tennis on the perfectly manicured grass courts.
After enjoying victories for Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz and Great Britain’s own Katie Boulter, I took advantage of the second and shorter queue of the day for tickets returned for the stadium courts, as people started to go home. For a majorly reduced price, I was able to get into centre court and soak in the atmosphere as Britain’s Jack Draper got through to the second round. With the roof on, centre court is like an amphitheatre. The strike of the ball, the gasps of the crowd, the cheering and applause echo around the arena. Queueing for Wimbledon should be a bucket list activity for all Brits, and ending the day on centre court was an excellent reward for hours of queueing.
Tom Morris
THE Goodwood Festival of Speed, located on the outskirts of Chichester in West Sussex, always promises to be a day of motorsport thrill and excitement. From classic cars to modern super cars, drivers to team bosses, I was excited to see it all. Sitting in the grandstands to watch the different eras of cars speed up the 1.16 mile hill was spectacular, and the weather held out for the first rounds of the day — perfect for capturing the glistening chassis as they zipped past.
I walked through the supercar paddock, snapping a couple shots of a Porsche 911 Carrera GTS and a Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder and over in the F1 Paddock was where I spotted a few famous faces. I managed to find McLaren F1 Team Principle, Andrea Stella, and get his autograph and a selfie! I then stayed within the tented area McLaren pitched up to showcase Senna’s 1991 title-winning MP4/6, Fittipaldi’s 1974 title-winning M23, and Johnny Rutherford’s Indy 500 winner — the M16C/D. I was lucky enough to be allowed to get up-close to the current F1 McLaren car: the MCL38.
Before returning to the grandstands, I spotted F1 journalist Rachel Brookes in the media pen and gave her a wave. Thankfully, the rain only started once I took my seat back in the grandstands. In true British summer fashion, it was relentless downpours for the rest of the afternoon. But that didn’t dampen my mood, and I finished the day by visiting the RedBull family and seeing Adrian Newey’s new car, the RB17. Goodwood is always a motorsport fan’s best bet to find their favourite cars throughout history and have a chance at meeting some of motorsport’s most pivotal and influential characters.
Eloise Grainger, Sport Editor
Step into play, Exeter!
IFINALLY had the chance to catch The Hundred (pun intended), and as a cricketer you can’t tell me the summer isn’t made for cricket. I had the sun in my eyes all day but who cares? I grew up on cricket, and any chance to go to Lords is one I’ll take with both hands. I've only been twice, and it's never going to get any less special.
I should say I have now been sold on The Hundred, and that I now understand why it’s so popular. It’s far from the typical day at the cricket ground: I heard jungle, drum and bass and garage every ten seconds; there were more flamethrowers than I could count around the boundary; and for once I wasn’t one of the few youngsters (can I still say that at the grand age of 20 years old) at the game. The final point is where I finally understand the purpose of the tournament — it’s not meant to be for the diehards like myself that’ll watch an inevitable draw — it’s about getting new fans in, and I'll never argue against that.
It's far from the typical day at the cricket ground
Also, I was reminded once again that I am still a very average club cricketer: 80 miles-per-hour sure looks a lot more scary in-person. Glad I wasn’t facing Sean Abbott. Summer days, and willow cracking against a cricket ball — that’ll do me right. And if there’s any new fans from the Hundred, welcome to the cricket club.
Joseph Terry
Ben Scott and Eloise Grainger, Sport Editors, outline the sporting facilities available at the University
ASIDE from the research-intensive academia, the University of Exeter has a reputation for its sporty side. There are 52 sports clubs on offer for students that cater for all levels: from complete beginners to elite athletes. Exeter is currently ranked 4th in BUCS (the national governing body for student sport in the UK), and much of this success can be put to the sporting facilities.
According to Exeter Sport, over £20 million has been spent in the last decade on providing the highest quality equipment and facilities to create the optimal sporting experience.
Sports Park: heavy investment has been made into the Russell Seal Fitness Centre,
which is located at the top of Forum Hill on Streatham Campus. Students have the cheapest access to the latest technological equipment in the 200-station gym, accompanied by a large weights room and various fitness studios. Workouts at all levels are catered for, with professional qualified personal trainers available, as well as a variety of membership packages to suit individual workout routines.
There are four outdoor pitches, including a Multiuse Games Area, a 4G rubber crumb pitch, an Olympic standard waterbased hocket pitch and a sand-based astro-pitch, which are used by students and the local community.
The double sports hall is utilised by both pros and causal players alike and it
often hosts BUCS matches on Wednesday afternoons. The hall has markings for badminton, volleyball, netball, basketball, and five-a-side football, but it is also appropriate for other sports, such as futsal, korfball, ultimate frisbee, handball and indoor athletics. Four squash and racquetball, courts are also situated within the Sports Park. These spaces can be booked by those wanting to play socially or by sports clubs to hold training sessions.
The Tennis Centre boasts some of the best facilities available in the southwest, with investment enabling the construction of 10 indoor courts. The Vic Ambler Golf Centre and the indoor Devon Cricket Centre are complete with all the equipment and set up needed to practice a variety of techniques and skills. At the bottom of Forum Hill lies the 25m outdoor swimming pool, which is open during the summer months.
Offsite facilities: clubs also capital-
ise on Exeter’s local sports facilities, such as the Topsham Premier Sports ground where the Rugby 1st team train. Cricket and football sessions are also held here. Clifton Hill houses a golf driving range, the Exeter shooting club, and Exeter Snowsports dry ski slope. The boathouse at the Quay is home to Exeter’s water sports orientated societies, such as rowing and canoeing. Early morning training sessions on the water often start from this location for those wanting to practise their skills. Those looking for more casual and social water sports can also get involved; the Guild often organises ‘Give it a Go’ sessions which include activities like paddling to a local pub down the river for a Sunday lunch in the summer term.
For the spectators: those who prefer watching can expect to see a variety of sport on display. Sandy Park opens its gates and turns the flood lights on for
Varsity Rugby matches where students can cheer the reigning BUCS champions from the stands. Coaches run shuttle services between Streatham campus and the stadium on game nights. A short walk from campus is St James’ Park which is home to Exeter City Football Club, which hosts both women’s and men’s matches. Exeter has the ability to both nurture sporting talent and elite athletes as well as provide spaces for beginners and casual players to enjoy a plethora of sports, from the popular to the unique.
Image: Eloise Grainger
mage: Joseph Terry
mage: GoodFon.com
Image: Eloise Grainger
mage: Eloise Grainger
Sport
ASPORT EDITORS:
Exeter’s Sporting Success
Sport writers tell us about the success of their sporting societies over the last academic year Touch Rugby
Golf Lacrosse
THLETIC Union Club of the Year 2023/24 was the crowning moment of what was a very successful year for the University of Exeter Golf Club.
Having won an astonishing 90.4 per cent of all available BUCS points, all six teams enjoyed success of their own with all three possible league titles being secured. The 1s’ Premiership triumph means that Exeter has won the premier division of BUCS golf every year since the 2016/17 season. Meanwhile, the 2s and 4s strolled to Western Tier 1 and Tier 2 titles respectively.
With regard to individuals, Toby Smith fought off tough competition, and even tougher conditions to win BUCS Gold at the Exeter Trophy. He won a three-way play-off in spite of the storm to win Exeter’s home event, played at Trevose Golf and Country Club. At the English and Welsh Championships, firstteam captain Harry Butler narrowly missed out on gold himself. A valiant effort saw him finish runner-up while Ignacio Mateo Fraga finished seventh in the R&A’s European Student Tour Series following a string of impressive results across the continent.
But the Golf Club’s 2023/24 success was not only found on the course. The club is as strong as it’s ever been, with a record 240 members and a 172 per cent increase in female participation. The Movember campaign raised over £5000 while other charitable initiatives helped support the Sue Ryder foundation in memory of former member Georgia Ford. The University of Exeter Golf Club is open to all abilities. Whether you are trialling for the High-Performance Programme or a complete beginner, the Golf Club offers an opportunity to get stuck into the sport while fostering a friendly and welcoming community both on and off the course.
If you are looking to get involved this academic year, taster sessions will be held throughout Welcome Week. Check out the Instagram page @exeterunigolf for details! Happy golfing!
Ceri Vaughan-Jones
TOUCH Rugby (UOETRC) has had an extraordinary year, marking itself as one of the most dynamic and inclusive societies. If you’re a first-year student with a passion for sport, or simply looking to try something new, there’s never been a better time to join this thriving club.
Last year, the club saw incredible success on multiple fronts. Achievements on the pitch included finishing second in the BUCS league. 23 players also earned spots in international programs and some even took part in the 2024 Touch Rugby World Cup hosted in Nottingham. The third team also performed well, winning the BUCS Bowl and demonstrated the depth of the club’s ability.
The club’s growth was equally impressive off the field. Doubling in membership, UOETRC is one of the most rapidly expanding societies at Exeter. Thanks to new non-trialling men’s and women’s teams, the pathway for beginners to BUCS has become much less daunting. With the addition of a new committee coaching position, these teams not only played in numerous tournaments throughout the year but also became a vital part of the club’s community. Additionally, two highly successful open tournaments were organised in summer and winter, welcoming players of all levels to join. As a testament to all this inclusivity, UOETRC was also awarded the “Participation Activity of the Year”.
The year culminated in a memorable tour to Tenerife, where several teams played in a social tournament against local touch clubs, combining competitive play with unforgettable social experiences.
UOETRC is definitely worth considering whether you’re aiming to compete at the highest level or just want to make friends and stay active. I joined the club in my first year to complement playing for the Universities’ Rugby Union Teams and couldn’t recommend doing the same more. It was refreshing to learn a completely different sport whilst developing skills applicable to both Touch and Union. If you’re interested in joining the club, look for information on the Instagram: @uoetrc
Ben Scott, Sport Editor
THE 2023/2024 season was once again immensely successful for the UK’s largest mixed Lacrosse club with an 86.7 per cent win percentage. In current England coach Mike Molster’s first full year in charge of the Women’s first team, they maintained their status as one of the country’s most feared university teams storming the BUCS Southern Premiership and reaching the semi-finals of the BUCS National Cup. Individually, captain Alice Ripper starred in the England national team as they won the Euros in July as well as six of the club’s women’s players representing their nations at the U20 World Cup.
Alongside the achievements of the Women’s side, many freshers coming to Exeter may be less aware that there is a thriving men’s side who are also contributing to growing the Lacrosse trophy cabinet. Last season, the second team, made up predominantly of freshers who began their Lacrosse career in Freshers’ Week 2023, completed an unbeaten season winning both the Western Conference League and Cup. These successes highlight the incredible transformation that being part of a team coached by England Box Lacrosse player, Billy Rawlins, can have in turning already talented sportspeople into BUCS medallists. The first team matched their achievements of the 2022/2023 season, finishing third in the Southern Premiership, reaching the quarter-finals of the BUCS national cup and getting to the final of the third tier of Lacrosse’s FA cup equivalent tournament. Individually, the season was one of the men’s sides most successful in history as six members of the team played for South West Universities and captains Tom Scott-Brown and Angus Loder represented England Universities, a team consisting of the top 18 players in the country.
On both the women’s and the men’s side, the 2023/2024 season illustrated why Exeter Lacrosse Club is growing in popularity every year, not only is it because their socials now offer access to free TP Wednesday, but also because the club is such a great opportunity for personal progress and the ability to compete in top BUCS competitions as a Fresher. If you are interested in getting into Lacrosse or you are already an experienced player, check out @Exeter_lacrosse on Instagram for all the information concerning the sessions in Freshers’ Week.
