The South West’s Best Student Publication 2025
THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1987
Exeter among 36 UK universities facing legal action over Covid learning disruptions
Nina Exton Deputy Editor
MORE than 170,000 current and former students are seeking compensation from their universities over their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2022, a similar legal action was brought against University College London (UCL), with a settlement reached between the University and 6,500 students in February of this year, just weeks before the four-week trial was scheduled to take place.
Students involved in the case against UCL argued they paid for an
in-person university experience that they did not receive due to Covid disruptions. In an interview with the BBC , one UCL postgraduate said “I was promised studying at ‘London’s global university’ [UCL] … what I actually got was an online degree delivered in my bedroom”. Now, 36 other UK universities
are facing legal action – including the University of Exeter – after receiving pre-action letters from lawyers warning that students from their institution intend to seek damages.
Continued on page 3
Exeter Choir to stage rarely performed oratorio as part of Lord Mayor’s Concert
Lauren Walsh Deputy Editor
XETER Philharmonic
EChoir’s spring concert will take place this year on 14th March in Exeter Cathedral. The performance, which is often known as the Lord Mayor’s Concert, as the Lord Mayor is the honorary president of the choir. A collection from the concert will go towards Riding for the Disabled, the Lord Mayor’s charity of choice. Included in this concert is a full
performance of Handel’s oratorio Solomon, which is seldom performed in its entirety, making this a monumental moment for them. It is based on the stories of King Solomon from the Bible, from the First Book of Kings and the Second Book of Chronicles.
Included in this concert is a full performance of Handel’s ortorio Solomon, which is seldom performed in its entirety
One of the most famous movements from the Baroque oratorio, which the choir will stage in eight parts, is called “Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” and is arguably the most recognisable part of the piece.
You may recognise it from the London Olympics opening ceremony in 2012, where it played when Daniel Craig, playing James Bond, met the Queen.
The instrument ensemble Endelienta Baroque will accompany the performance, and the principle roles will be played by Martha
McLorinan, Amy Carson, Hugo Hymas and Timothy Dickinson as King Solomon, both Solomon’s Queen and the Queen of Sheba, Zadok the Priest and the Levite, respectively.
The role of Solomon is written for a mezzo-soprano, because in the 18th century when it was written heroic male roles were usually played by women or castrati.
The Exeter Philharmonic Choir will perform at another concert in Exeter’s Guildhall on 18th April, also in support of the Lord Mayor’s chosen charity.
Images (top to bottom): Emily McIndoe, emilymcindoe. blogpot.comZEUS, Flickr, Pexels
Image: Emily McIndoe,
Art by Emily McIndoe, emilymcindoe.blogspot.com
Title graphic: Amelie Redfern
Devonshire House, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4PZ
Editors
Print: Kayleigh Swart and Emily Sara Rizzo
Online: Harry Morrison and Zandie Howells
Print Deputies: Amberly Wright, Lauren Walsh and Nina Exton
Online Deputies: Michelle Chung and Daniel Grayshon editors@exepose.com
News Editors
Print: Isabella Brooks and Daisy Newbury
Online: Zandie Howells news@exepose.com
Features Editors
Print: Ria Brown-Aryee and Bethany Last Online: Lucas Taylor-Kent features@exepose.com
Climate Editors
Print: Poppy Fellows
Online: Freddy Purcell climate@exepose.com
Comment Editors
Print: Tom Richardson and Lucas Eley
Online: Orlando McKillop and Lucy Parsons comment@exepose.com
Satire Editors
Print: Christopher Lyndsay
Online: Daniel Grayshon satire@exepose.com
Lifestyle Editors
Print: Yasmine Al-Saket
Online: Hayley Bell and Sofia Tapia lifestyle@exepose.com
Editors
Arts & Lit
Print: Isabel Bratt and Amber Platel
Online: Zoe Fry artsandlit@exepose.com
Music Editors
Print: Sarah Gould and Katie Roberts
Online: Amelie Marah and Maya Dallal music@exepose.com
Screen Editors
Print: Beth Casey and Charlotte Isbell
Online: Kyle Cleary and Lachlan Evans screen@exepose.com
International Editors
Print: Jed H. Gibbins and Antoni Kałduński
Online: Anoushka Dutta and Lola Milroy-Tompkins international@exepose.com
Sci-Tech Editors
Print: Julia Szewczyk
Online: Anna Tennant and Rosie Merritt
sci-tech@exepose.com
Sport Editors
Print: Annabel Gowling
Online: Connor Myers sport@exepose.com
Social Media Executive: Megan Wynn
Finance Executive:Orlando McKillop
Welfare Executive: Sophia Cuschieri
Events Executive: Audrey Yuen
Podcast producers: Harry Morrison and Alannah Driscoll
@exepose
@exepose
facebook.com/exepose
issuu.com/exeposeexeter
Advertising editors@exepose.com
AS the sun finally emerges and March has hopefully restored everyone's batteries for the final stretch of this term, we bring you another issue to persue alongside any deadline stress. Throughout this issue you'll find articles spotlighting Interantional Women's Day, and Women's Hisotry Month accross a range of sections.
If there's an important issue at the University or in Exeter that we've missed, please email us at editors@exepose.com.
In this issue, News covers the changes in Devon streetlamp timings, as well as the final push around our county to save our library services.
Comment contests the use of the term "Middle East" and Climate spotlights sharks and rays. In Exhibit, Arts & Lit showcases some seasonal poetry, Music dives into the Indie genre and Screen examines some popular publicity ploys. In International we take a look at the Year of the Horse and in Sport we celebrate the record medal haul of the UK at the Winter Olymipcs. If you can't get enough of Exeposé, you can check out our podcast and website which is updated on a weekly basis!
Once again, thank you so much to all our editors, writers and general helpers who work so hard to make this paper possible!
If you put yourself into the running for our elections, you'll be pleased to
know that results are out now! You can find out who your new committee is by going to the society page and following us on our soicals, where we will be making our announcements! Happy reading, and good luck to everyone heading into the deadline season of term two.
Emily and Kayleigh
2023 Best Publication
2025 Best Publication in the South West
University news home and abroad
Indonesia looking for UK partners for universities
IN order to meet the nation’s demand for medical staff, including doctors and dentists, Indonesia is planning to build 10 new universities this year.
The Indonesian president has announced that, while the focus is on medical person nel, their plan includes the building of the university of government administration, “where we can prepare our best children to be future leaders.”
U.S. universities crackdown on Chinese students
IN line with the Trump administration’s promise to "aggressively" revoke the visas of Chinese students studying in the US, many American universities have begun rescinding partnerships with Chinese institutions. However, none have taken it as far as Indiana’s Purdue University.
In a visit to London in January, President Prabowo Subianto invited UK universities to partner with Indonesia for the establishment of the new universities.
A handful of Indonesia’s top universities are already in extensive partnerships with UK universities, but Prabowo has stated he wants to “improve the partnership into a full blown joint project of building a high standard of education.”
According to students and faculty at Purdue, an unofficial policy is currently in effect to automatically reject students from China and other “adversary nations” like Russia, Iran and Venezuela among others.
Dozens of signatories have addressed a letter to Purdue leadership, calling the soft ban an affront to “higher education’s core values of meritocracy, equality and academic freedom”
The University denies such a policy exists, with Purdue spokesperson telling The Guardian “there is no ban”.
Canadian international enrollment drops 61%
THE number of new international students studying at Canadian universities in 2025 dropped by 61 percent from the previous year, while the total number of international students in Canada fell by a little over 27 percent, according to the Canadian government.
This drop in international enrollment is likely due to the government’s 2024 cap on student visas, a part of their Immigration Levels Plan.
Compared to 2024, the government granted 90,000 — 10 percent — fewer student visas than in 2025, and anticipates a further 10 percent reduction in international student visa issues for 2026.
According to the govern ment’s official website, these dropping numbers are a “clear sign” that their anti-im migration meas ures are effective.
India pauses antidiscrimination university regulations
THE Norwegian University of Life Sciences put out an advert which seemed to undermine the relevance of humanities and arts degrees. The advert was featured on buses and other public transport systems. However, the advert has now been withdrawn due to the criticism it has gained. The advert shared the message: “Do not take a Bachelor in Irrelevance. Apply instead to NMBU. Knowledge within science. Biology, technology and economy are as relevant today as in the future”. Many academics and students from Norway have expressed concern about the advert and called in ‘short-sighted’. Conversations surrounding the usefulness and employability of humanities degrees have been had across the globe in recent years.
(top to bottom): Emily McIndoe, Geograph,
Proofers: Kayleigh Swart, Lauren Walsh, Emily S Rizzo, Nina Exton, Poppy Fellows, Amber Platel, Sarah Gould, Alex Horton, Lani Elatta, Lizzie Palmer,, and Amelie Redfern
Image of Jeromi Mikhael, Giulio D'Alessandro, Wikimedia Commons
Scan for membership page
Scan for Exeposé Online
By Emily S Rizzo, Nina Exton, Daisy Newbury and Kayleigh Swart
“I think we’ll see a lot more settlements before it gets to court”
Continued from the front page
ALMOST six years ago in March 2020, the UK went into a national lockdown in response to the growing outbreak of Coronavirus, with universities swiftly shutting campuses and moving to online learning. Many students left their accommodation, moved home, and completed the remainder of the academic year remotely.
Remote learning continued throughout the next year through a series of lockdowns, before the UK government allowed a phased return for students needing practical teaching in April-May 2021. In-person teaching resumed in September 2021.
Over the course of those 18 months, students lost access to inperson learning opportunities, including laboratories, placements, field work, study-abroad programmes and specialist equipment like studio facilities, performance spaces, engineering equipment, workshops and anatomical models. Because of this, many students feel they did not receive the full education they paid for during the pandemic.
Over the course of those 18 months, student lost access to in-person learning opportunities
Much of the argument surrounding the claims centres on the cost of university tuition and what students expected to receive for those fees.
Exeter students were each paying £9,250 in tuition in 2020. Based on the University of Exeter’s annual report from 2023-24, the majority of tuition fee income (43 percent) is allocated to academic departments — which include academic salaries, field trips and use of specialist equipment. Other significant figures include
the ten percent of fees allocated to maintenance and security of teaching spaces and six percent allocated towards capital investment, including the creation of campus buildings and student residences. An additional eight percent of fees are allocated towards libraries and IT, with one percent of fees paid towards sport.
The University of Exeter has declined to comment on the compensation claims due to the case being ongoing.
In the claims, many have argued that during Covid universities were more akin to online degree courses — which typically charge 20 to 50 percent less than traditional in-person courses, according to The Guardian.
The organisation Student Group Claim is coordinating the compensation claims. The organisation says they advocate for students who feel intimidated by the institutions they were part of — “We exist to address the power imbalance between those students and graduates affected, and the universities”.
Student Groupl Claim takes each complainant on a 'no win, no fee' basis: if the claim is unsuccessful, claimants do not pay legal fees, and if the claim is successful, the group takes on “no more than 35 percent of any damages that they’re awarded”.
A lawyer for Student Group Claim, Shimon Goldwater, told Radio 4 that “Typically a student who was an undergraduate at university during the pandemic, we say would now be entitled to around £5,000.”
While predicting the outcome of the ongoing claims remains difficult, we can look to UCL as an early indication of how the cases may be resolved. UCL’s payout to its students was confidential, but the Financial Times recently reported it had seen email correspondence between lawyers and students suggesting the university had paid a total of £21 million to its 6,500 complainants. If divided equally, this
would mean each student represented in the suit received £3,200.
[UCL] paid a total of £21 million to 6,500 complainants
Robert Slade, a solicitor in the education department of law firm HCB Group, predicts “risk-averse” universities may similarly try to settle in order to resolve matters quickly. “I think we’ll see a lot more settlements before it gets to court, and I think that a lot of these universities will be looking at ways of addressing the sort of impact this has moving forward”.
Students themselves are divided on whether compensation claims are justified. Exeposé spoke to one alumna who attended Exeter between 2021 and 2025. She said she felt she did not receive the education she expected when paying full fees. When asked if she felt the compensation claims were justified, she said “Absolutely. We pay so much money already and if they can’t provide the teaching we are promised, we should receive compensation”.
We also spoke to another graduate who completed his BSc, MSc and PhD at Exeter between 2016 and 2025. During Covid, he completed the second half of his Data Science Master's degree remotely, feeling his social life was more affected than his learning experience. “I had been [at Exeter] long enough where I was happy doing the academics from home.”
This former student said he felt he had received the education he had expected when paying full fees but noted that “This was purely due to excellent supervisors for my dissertation. This wasn’t the case for everyone”. His opinion on the validity of the compensation claims is similarly cautious, saying “I anticipate many wanting compensation weren't impacted much, however some definitely required compensation. I
spoke to a lovely Indian couple who had relocated across the world for an MSc that they had been saving up for years to afford. The entire thing was online and could have been done from anywhere. This was the September 2020 cohort.”
“I spoke to a lovely Indian couple who had relocated across the world for an MSc that they had been saving up for years to afford. The entire thing was online and could have been done from anywhere”
One of the pre-action letters obtained by the BBC reported that former students are seeking redress for the academic years 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22. The number of Exeter alumni involved in the suit has not been made public. UCL did not admit any liability in their settlement but acknowledged that the pandemic was "incredibly difficult for students", saying the university had “worked diligently to deliver teaching and student support in unprecedented circumstances”.
During Covid, the UK’s university sector was under significant strain and is estimated to have lost anywhere between £3 billion and £19 billion.
The University of Exeter in particular is estimated to have lost a total of £10.5 million in the first few months of the pandemic due to refunding of accommodation fees for first year students and a loss of commercial income, according to Registrar Mike Shore-Nye in a July 2020 meeting.
Seb, your Guild President, said, “We know covid had an impact on students’ university experience, and it’s understandable that some graduates are now reflecting on that time.
During the pandemic, we worked closely with the University to support students and protect their academic outcomes where possible. This included the introduction of sector-leading measures such as the No Detriment Policy, which aimed to make sure students were not academically disadvantaged during the unprecedented global disruption.
We are proud of the way students, staff and the University community supported each other. At the same time, it’s important that graduates feel able to share their perspectives and be part of a wider conversation about the impact the pandemic had on higher education. Discussions around compensation and fees are happening across the sector, including through work led by the National Union of Students, and it’s important that student voices continue to be heard as part of that.”
The deadline for student claims relating to Covid is September 2026.
Final push for Devon library service under threat
Poppy Fellows Climate Editor
DEVON'S libraries are in crisis. Across the county, communities have gathered to attempt to combat the threat posed to the library service. With aims to reduce the funding for library services by £7 million, Devon County Council are reducing opening hours, encouraging greater community involvement and use of volunteers over full-time staff, and working towards a library service managed by those in the
community. Whilst greater community engagement sounds like it could have potential benefits, libraries are already wholly community-based systems. They are a hub for the community to come together, children to connect, services to be provided, especially as many work incredibly closely with charities, and job centres. Libraries act as a bridge for the community to connect with other aspects of society. Rather than needing to be run by the community itself, it is crucial for libraries to continue servicing those who live in Devon. In Devon, there are 110,000 active users of the public library service. This is 110,000 people who rely
on the services — not just books, but film, art, conversation, access to internet, access to people who can assist with DCC transport networks or legal documents. Perhaps most significant to consider is the children this will impact. One in ten children in the UK say they do not own a book in their house. Libraries allow children to improve crucial literacy skills. Higher literacy rates increase life expectancy for children, it improves
Libraries act as a bridge for the community to connect with other aspects of society
happiness, and visiting libraries increases children’s enjoyment of reading. The cuts to funding for Devon’s libraries will reduce the opening hours of libraries by 30 percent, with the DCC claiming that the current system is “no longer sustainable”. Whilst they aim to keep all libraries open, the only way the DCC see prolonging opening hours will be through community volunteering. But ultimately, it is this same community that is “horrified” by these proposed changes, with many taking to the streets with placards to protest the proposed changes. This is evidently an issue affecting communities deeply across Devon.
Image: Moniker
Petition collects over 1,500 signitures after Exeter streetlights are dimmed
Amberly Wright Deputy Editor
ON February 17th, Devon County Council’s cabinet voted to make changes to streetlighting after a countywide trial between April 2025 and March 2026. The changes affect 80 percent of Exeter’s streetlights, where residential lights will be dimmed to 40 percent brightness from 9:30pm to 12:30am, switched off entirely from 12:30am until 5:30am, and then restored to 40 percent again from 5:30 to 6:30am. Main roads will remain fully lit.
On their website, Devon County Council say the changes will equate to savings of around £270,000, and around 200 tonnes of carbon per year. They go on to say “environmental benefits have also been a key factor in the decision. Dimming lights and switching them off earlier reduces light pollution, helping protect nocturnal wildlife and support biodiversity in both urban and rural areas.”
£270,000 per year and around 200 tonnes of carbon
During the trial, the council used LED lighting and a Central Management System, connecting “more than 66,000 streetlights across Devon. This technology allows lighting levels to be tailored to the needs of different areas.”
Councillor Dan Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways writes “Street lighting is not a one‑size‑fits‑all service. With the technology we now have, we can tailor lighting to different communities and make changes where they’re needed, including increasing lighting levels if safety issues are identified.”
However, many feel that though
the policy targets carbon emissions, the council have failed to consider women’s safety. Rose Lelliott, Labour Council Candidate and Exeter resident took to her social media to talk about her concerns around the policy, amassing over 30,000 likes on a single TikTok video, reaching many beyond Devon boarders.
Though the policy targets carbon emissions, the council have failed to consider women’s safety
Rose told Exeter Today “I am incredibly frustrated that Devon County Council has ignored the concerns of women. Despite hearing that women feel unsafe with this, they have gone ahead and ignored very real concerns.”
In response to the petition, Devon County Council thanked the public for their efforts, telling Exeter Today that “the streetlight dimming policy was carefully developed with crossparty input and continue to work with stakeholders including InExeter, the [University of Exeter] Students Guild, and Devon & Cornwall Police to address safety and VAWG [Violence Against Women and Girls] concerns."
Rose highlights that no consultation took place with businesses, community groups, Exeter City Council, or with women and girls, despite the clear safety implications. She told Exeposé that as a part time master’s student, she often finds herself walking home later after long study sessions. She says, “this is really worrying for me personally and I know lots of other students are in the same boat.”
“So many university students — in particular young women — have got in touch with me since I launched the petition to say how unsafe they feel from this move, and I hope I have been able to amplify
their voices through this campaign.”
“It feels very much that the council considers women’s safety to be worth less than £270,000. These street lighting changes effectively impose a curfew on young women, who have already faced years of anxiety walking the streets at night.”
“It is why I feel so strongly that we need more young women in politics to speak up for our communities. The average councillor is a 59-year-old white man and I’m standing in May to ensure that women’s voices are heard properly to ensure there is not a repeat of this.”
Rose tells us that the trial involved 550 streetlights in Abbotskerwell, Holcombe Rogus, Kingskerswell, and Sidmouth, areas which reported positive feedback. However, the permanent policy affects over 80 percent of streetlights across the county.
The campaign has been endorsed by Exeter Labour MP Steve Race, who says he is “very concerned about this decision by Devon County Council. It ignores findings and advice from the Angeolini Inquiry and the College of Policing that effective street lighting is vital to helping women feel safe, and to actually stay safe. It also does not align with the government’s aim to drastically reduce violence against women and girls.
Race goes on to say “Rose’s campaign and petition to get DCC to think again has engaged people across the city, and I support her call to encourage everyone in Exeter to fill in the petition. I have heard real fear from women and shift workers across the city who want to see this decision reversed. Safety should not come at the expense of cost-saving, and I want DCC to look at different solutions such as motion-activated streetlamps, or app-based activation.”
Kira, your Student Living Officer, said, “We understand why students feel worried about the council’s decision to dim street lights in parts of Exeter. Being able to travel around the city safely at night is really important, and student
safety remains a top priority for us.
‘Being able to travel around the city safely at night is really important, and student safety remains a top prioity for [The Guild]’
I have been working closely with the council over the past few months to make sure student safety is part of these discussions. That has included pushing for improved lighting in busy student areas such as Hoopern Lane, Musgrave Row,
Clifton Road and Mount Pleasant Road.
The council is looking at potential upgrades with partners, including the police and InExeter, but are experiencing resourcing pressures. I’d encourage students to share their experiences with us so we can feed that directly into these conversations and council priorities.
This is just one of the ways I am trying to improve student safety; other initiatives include rolling out Bystander Training to Committees, supporting the Exeter Purple Flag application to prioritise student safety, and lobbying the University to take a stronger stance against sexual violence to redefine our campus culture.”
Exeter professor undertakes project to improve access to higher education in South West
Nina Exton Deputy Editor
EXETER Professor Anna Mountford-Zimdars will be undertaking a project to examine university admissions across England.
Anna Mountford-Zimdars is a Professor of Social Justice who founded and co-directs the Centre for Social Mobility at Exeter, which is “the UK’s only university centre dedicated to improving social mobility through evidence-informed practice and policy”.
In an eighteen-month secondment, Professor Mountford-Zimdars will be investigating “contextualised admissions”, which take into account a student’s background, life circumstances and academic results.
The project seeks to improve access to higher education for students in rural and coastal communities across the South West, like Salcombe and Totnes.
Part of this will involve mapping contextualised admissions practices across England and examining their effectiveness, as well as developing a model to measure the impact of these contextu-
alised admissions practices, identifying data gaps and proposing improvement.
According to Professor MountfordZimdars, “in many rural and coastal areas like ours, a student’s potential isn’t always reflected in a single grade on a piece of paper. This fellowship is about making the system fairer, ensuring that talent in Devon has the same opportunity to thrive as talent in London”. Barriers to education identified in the study include lack of public transport and reliable internet connection, though the study was unable to determine why children in the South West have lower aspirations and progression
than their peers elsewhere in England.
“This fellowship is about making the system fairer”
A 2023 study by Anna MountfordZimdars, as well as Chris Playford and Simon Benham-Clarke, revealed that the South West is a higher education “cold spot”, where young people in the region are the least likely to expect to go to university, to progress to university, or to have attended university. At age 17, 36 percent
of young people in South West England said they were very likely to go to university, compared to 63 percent in London.
As part of her secondment, Professor Mountford-Zimdards will spend part of each week working in the Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education’s (TASO) London office, collaborating with policymakers like those at the Department for Education. Professor Mountford-Zimdars is “thrilled to be taking Exeter’s research excellence to the heart of national policy-making to ensure our region’s voice is heard at the highest levels”.
Image: Pexels
BrewDog closes Exeter branch as it enters administration
Amberly Wright Deputy Editor
ON Monday 2nd March, BrewDog went into administration, and was bought by US firm Tilray in a £33m deal. The company, who specialise in pharmaceuticals, medicinal cannabis, and lifestyle goods, secured 11 bars and the brewery. The aftermath of the deal has left 484 staff without jobs, with 38 pubs closing, including all branches across the South-West.
BrewDog, founded in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie, was estimated to be worth $1bn at the height of its success, owning four breweries and around 100 pubs across the globe — the company was the first of its kind, taking success in its stride and breaking into the brewing industry in a way never seen before. However, it wasn’t always
plain sailing for the company. In 2022, a BBC investigative series Disclosure revealed former employees found working for BrewDog “uncomfortable” and “miserable”. After the scandal, the company lost their B Cooperation certification, a certification given to a company for good social and environmental performance. In an article by The Financial Times in January 2024, BrewDog announced they would no longer pay employees the living wage.
the company was the first of its kind, taking success in its stride and breaking into the brewing industry
In summer of 2025, BrewDog closed 10 locations in the UK, including the original branch
in Aberdeen, and stopped the production of its spirits in January 2026. From then on, it was downhill, eventually leading to administration.
From then on, it was downhill, eventually leading to administration
Watt, who stepped down from CEO in 2024, took to his LinkedIn to make an emotional post about the news. Watt said “This week has been incredibly hard. It is really difficult to find the right words and know what to say. On Monday, the business I co-founded in 2007 was sold... I am heartbroken for all of the hard-working and passionate team members who have lost their jobs. I am heartbroken for all of our brilliant equity punks who did not get
the return on their investment they wanted... And heartbroken to have dedicated the best 20 years of my life to something that ultimately did not have the ending we all wished for.”
Watt goes on to reminisce about his time at BrewDog, saying he “put my heart, my soul and every ounce of energy into building BrewDog as CEO from inception until early 2024 as we grew
from a garage to the world’s leading independent beer brand. We employed thousands and challenged an entire industry... I was 24, working part-time on a fishing boat, and still living in my dad’s spare room when we started BrewDog. I had never run a business before, I had no idea what I was really doing and I just made it all up as I went along.”
Image: Melissa Swift
Images: Flickr
More than a kebab shop: the story of Efes Grill
WE'VE all been there: the post-Timepiece pilgrimage, stumbling through the depths of Sidwell Street. Students don’t end up here because it is simply “on the way home”. They come in pursuit of something more, something to spice the night up. That place — the one we have queued up for so many times it feels like our second home — is Efes Grill.
From its humble beginnings as a local business to its dominance of the late-night post-club kebab scene, the shop has become iconic for many reasons. On an episode of Off the Page with Exeposé, I sat down with Efes owner Onur and his brother Rodi to find out how they built their late-night kebab empire.
Most students know the Efes brothers. Both are the true definition of BNOCs (Big Names on Campus, for those unaware), with their faces now familiar across the student and local communities since 2022. It was four years ago, just after they set up the business, that the foundations of this Exeter landmark began to form.
Originally, the brothers set the business up as a Turkish dine-in restaurant. However, after noticing the swarm of students walking past their shop late at night, they quickly realised the opportunity in front of them and decided to open for the late-night crowd. As Rodi explains, “we’ve got an understanding of the late-night culture, what’s going on and what the trends are. My brother saw the opportunity and decided to go full head-on with it, and he’s turned it into what it is today.”
The starting point for this latenight venture was simple: play nostalgic sing-along music. I remember my first experience there back in 2023, when the speakers were blasting what most would call ultimate “white girl music”. Taylor Swift one minute, Adele the next. Honestly, what more could you ask for from a kebab shop?
Onur quickly noticed the effect it had on customers. “It was busy, not as busy as how we have become busy now,” he recalls. “I started playing sing-along music, and I noticed people singing along and having a good time.”
Realising the growing popularity, Onur began recording short clips of customers enjoying the music and posting them online. One video featuring an Adele song received around 2.1 million views. “I took one video of an Adele song, I posted it, and it got like 2.1 million views,” he says.
videos saying if you’re going to Exeter Uni, you need to go to Timepiece or Fever, but you have to come to Efes.”
As their popularity grew, the brothers looked for ways to make things easier for students navigating Exeter’s nightlife. This led to the opening of Efes Express, designed for those moving between the city’s clubs. “With Efes Express, I’ve just made it easy for students as well,” Onur explains. “Instead of sometimes having to walk all the way down the street and then walk back up, now they can go straight from Fever to Efes Express.”
For Rodi, the formula behind the shop’s success is simple. “It’s not just food, it’s the people, it’s the vibes, it’s everything.”
It’s not just food, it’s the people, it’s the vibes, it’s everything.”
The numbers reflect that success. In just four years, the brothers estimate they have processed well over 100,000 orders each, with as many as 700 customers passing through the shop between midnight and 3am on their busiest nights.
Despite this scale, they insist their success comes down to building genuine relationships with customers. As Rodi explains, “just being down to earth and getting to know people, speaking to students, seeing what they want, seeing if we can help them in any way, even sponsoring things. They’re giving it to us, so we give it back to them. It’s teamwork.”
Of course, the late-night rush also brings its own challenges. Onur laughs when describing the drunken ways students sometimes attempt to pay for their food. “What irritates me the most is people trying to pay with driving licences, Snapchat, anything they can find,” he says. “I have to teach these students how to pay properly. Just use Apple Pay.”
The video was uploaded just six months after Efes first opened and helped cement the shop’s reputation among Exeter students. Onur remembers the moment as “crazy”, explaining that “since then I’ve kept doing it, kept doing it, and it just became something massive. Everyone was coming to Efes not just to eat, but to actually enjoy themselves.”
That focus on atmosphere and customer enjoyment has helped build Efes Grill into the late-night institution it is today. Built around both students and locals, Onur and Rodi are well aware that the community has played a major role in their success. As Onur puts it, “Freshers’ Week, within a week, or even the first few days, everyone literally finds out about Efes. Everyone’s posting
where I’m from,” he says. “I grew up in Handsworth in Birmingham. My dad had an off-licence there, and someone was once shot in the shop over a watch. Things like that were normal where I grew up.”
Over time, Efes has become more than just a takeaway. In many ways, it has developed into something resembling a late-night welfare service for students. Customers often stay to chat with staff, sometimes asking for advice about relationships or university life. As Onur explains, “sometimes they ask for advice. It could be girl advice, boy advice, or even about their studies. It could be something small, I say, that helps them. It’s something you don’t get at every kebab shop.”
That connection often means the brothers go the extra mile for customers.
Rodi laughs that students sometimes “play on our soft hearts”, admitting that “honestly, we give out quite a lot.”
Rodi laughs that students sometimes “play on our soft hearts”
The shop’s popularity has also attracted attention beyond the student body. Well-known visitors have included
Big John, ArrDee, Ibiza Final Boss and Big Narstie. For the brothers, these visits are meaningful not because of celebrity status, but because of the excitement they generate within the community. As Onur puts it, “it takes five minutes, but it means a lot to me. It means a lot to the community. Everyone talks about it for ages, ‘look who came to Efes.’”
Social media has played a major role in spreading the shop’s reputation beyond Exeter. With more than 18,000 followers on Instagram and over 20,000 on TikTok, Efes has become something of an online phenomenon. Onur says that if he could give advice to anyone starting a business, it would simply be that “social media is everything.” That reputation has even travelled internationally. Onur recalls how his cousins were once in a lift in Barcelona and mentioned Exeter, only for someone else in the lift to immediately recognise the city because of Efes and say they loved it. Four years after opening their doors, Efes has become far more than just a late-night takeaway. For Exeter students stumbling out of Timepiece at 2am, it has become something of a rite of passage, a place where the queue is long, the music is loud, and the only words known to anyone are ‘Chicken Box,’ ‘Salad,’ and ‘Garlic Sauce.’
Despite the occasional chaos, the brothers emphasise that students are well behaved. “Students are well behaved,” Onur says. “We’ve had Efes for so long now, and we’ve never even had to hire a security guard. Not once has there been a fight in the restaurant.”
They also see the shop as something of a safe space during Exeter’s nightlife. “We’re a safe zone for people to come in,” Rodi explains. “Sometimes someone runs in and says someone’s bothering them, so we go out and have a look. We’ve grown up in pretty rough areas, so we’re used to dealing with that.”
Sidwell Street itself has a reputation among students for not being the most scenic or cleanest part of Exeter, but for Onur, it feels far calmer than the environment he grew up in. “People say things about Sidwell Street, but to me it’s normal. It’s like heaven compared to
Harry Morrison Online Editor-in-chief
Originally, the brothers set the business up as a Turkish dinein restaurant
One video featuring an Adele song received around 2.1 million views
Images: Harry Morrison
Images: Harry Morrison
Andrew Windsor’s arrest: a blow to Royals’ Prestige?
Jogaile Narkunaite
ON the 18th of February, Mr Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, was arrested by the Thames Valley Police in Norfolk. This is due to his alleged misconduct in the public office, in which he leaked sensitive and confidential information to Jeffrey Epstein, dating back to 2010, when he was a trade envoy. In the eyes of the public, this arrest has been long-awaited due to previous allegations of sex trafficking and abuse, especially towards a young woman, Virginia Giuffre, but at the same time it came as a shock, as he was the first member of the Royal Family to have been arrested since 1649. As a result of this, major public attention has been recentred to the Royal Family, but in what way? How did the arrest of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor affect the image of the Royal Family? As always, there are two sides to the debate.
[ANDREW] WAS THE FIRST MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY TO HAVE BEEN ARRESTED SINCE 1649.
assesses the impact of Andrew Windsor arrest on the Royal Families image
The first being that the arrest impacted the image of the Royal Family in a negative way. Firstly, this is because, as mentioned previously, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was the first member to be arrested after a roughly 350-year period, suggesting that the actions he was accused of were so severe and so shameful that police officers had to undermine the monarchy and arrest the dissident member. This elicited an intense reaction from the media and the public, mostly ranging from shock to relief. The relief side of the reactions comes from a long period of distrust towards the former Prince, and ultimately, towards the Royal Family, as, due to the alleged sexual offences pinned onto Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, the nation refuses to believe that the Royal Family knew nothing about his doings. Furthermore, some people may say that King Charles III’s actions against the former Prince have been too little.
While he did strip Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s royal title and expelled him from the Royal Lodgings, he was still given a comfortable home to live in, which the public believed was not an appropriate move, as, ultimately, Mr Mountbatten-
WWindsor’s actions were seen as a betrayal to the country and should have deserved harsher consequences. Overall, these are just a few of the ways that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest has negatively impacted the image of the Royal Family.
MR MOUNTBATTENWINDSOR’S ACTIONS WERE SEEN AS A BETRAYAL TO THE COUNTRY
On the other hand, some people argue that, because of King Charles’ actions to deal with the former Prince, the Royal Family should not be hurt by the arrest because they have already taken measures to separate themselves from Mr Mountbatten-Windsor. Furthermore, King Charles claims that he was not prewarned by the official authorities about the arrest, and that, if needed, he will aid and support any investigation wholeheartedly. This suggests that, although the adequacy of the consequences towards the former Prince can be questioned, actions have been taken
International Women’s Day
Hannah
ITH its foundations forming in New York in 1909, International Women’s Day is a global celebration, raising awareness for the struggles women face as a result of inequality, and highlighting sectors of the world that are in need the most of decreasing the gender gap. Theresa Malkeil was a Russian-American activist, suffragist and educator, who first proposed the idea of an (at the time) national women’s day. She led the Socialist Party’s National Women’s Committee and argued for women’s rights to a greater voice within the party. She and others around her inspired many more women around the world, particularly German Socialist Luise Zietz who again brought up the notion of an annual women’s day. Soon, 100 women delegates from 17 different countries agreed with the idea, and on March 19 1911, the first International Women’s Day took place. On March 8th 1917, women in St Petersburg went on strike for multiple issues, resulting in the abdication of the current tsar and women having the right to vote. In 1975, the United Nations officially declared March 8th International Women’s Day, with 1975 being International Women’s Year. Since then and still to this day, women continue to fight and protest for their rights. The fight has spread across the globe, with the most recent campaign, taken on by many countries, being to close the pay gap.
The theme of International Women’s
to demote him and take away his social standing, promising hope to the public that the Royal Family is not connected to any of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s crimes and that they pledge their allegiance to the protection of the public.
In conclusion, regardless of whether the impact on the Royal Family’s image was positively or negatively affected by Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest, it is evident that it has attracted a large public interest and that any emotions that are around now could change drastically when we receive evidence from the investigation. Only time will tell, but currently, the Royal Family has taken solid measures to combat their association with the former Prince. and is hopefully moving in the right direction.
Oliver discusses the history of International Women’s day
Day 2026 is ‘Give to Gain’. This is a campaign meant to encourage ‘a mindset of generosity and collaboration’, explaining
how, when groups and individuals give, whether that be supplies or opportunities, support for women will increase. Globally,
there are thousands of celebrations, but you can also find events in Exeter, even right here at the university. Very close to the museum, on Gandy Street, Exeter Phoenix events centre is hosting a free festival on March 14th, including live music, workshops, activities for all ages and many talks on the problems and accomplishments of women around the world.
With so many societies at the University of Exeter, it is easy to find plenty of events celebrating women. Fourteen societies are collaborating in a raffle at the Cocktail Club on the 3rd of March, raising money for The Eve Appeal, which funds research and raises awareness for the five gynaecological cancers.
All year around societies are offering a safe and welcoming place for women. Her Campus is a journalism society run by women, providing a relaxing environment for women to write about whatever they want, however they want. The Women in STEM society brings together females from numerous degrees in underrepresented fields, giving support and meeting others in similar situations. There are also a multitude of female sports teams at the university. We are lucky to be in a city and country with ever-growing opportunities for women and equality. It took too long to get here, and there is still much more to do in the fight for equality. The 8th of March reminds the world not to give up on this fight, and demonstrates all the progress the world has made so far on.
Image:: e: Hall-Carpenter Archives, HCA/
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Eating Disorder Awareness Week (Feb 23rd — March 1st)
EATING disorders can be deadly. The UK’s eating disorder charity BEAT estimates that 1.25 million people in the UK suffer from one. That is around two percent of the population, one in 50 people. Young adults, like university students, are particularly vulnerable. Scottish mental health charity Change Mental Health found that over one in four people
aged 16-24 report two or more eating disorder symptoms. It was also revealed that “the suicide rate amongst those with eating disorders is 23 times higher than that of the general population”. People with anorexia are also five times likelier to die prematurely from their illness.
THE SUICIDE RATE AMONGST THOSE WITH EATING DISORDERS IS 23 TIMES HIGHER THAN THAT OF THE GENERAL POPULATION
That is why Eating Disorder Awareness Week (23rd February to 1st March 2026) brings the much-needed awareness to these serious mental health illnesses, which can affect anyone regardless of age, gender and background. Recently, there has been a resurgence in the unhealthy glamourisation of thinness. Beauty standards have shifted, as evidenced by the dangerous rise of #SkinnyTok and its thousands of viral weight-loss trends and advice videos. Despite TikTok blocking search results for the hashtag in 2025, these harmful depictions have not stopped. Former tennis player Serena Williams faced great backlash over her weight-loss drug Super Bowl ad, “Healthier on Ro”. Williams was critiqued for endorsing these
types of drugs to the nearly 125 million spectators. It seems impossible to escape this extremely detrimental media portrayal of thinner bodies as the only way to be ‘healthy’ and ‘beautiful’. That is why this year’s Eating Disorders Awareness Week theme of ‘Community’ is important to highlight. When society normalises unhealthy beauty ideals, it is essential to remember that support remains available. You might feel isolated and hesitate to reach out for help in fear that you will be judged or dismissed. However, you are not alone and there is a multitude of resources available. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. There is a community here in Exeter that can help you. You just need to take that first step.
THERE IS A COMMUNITY HERE IN EXETER THAT CAN HELP YOU. YOU JUST NEED T O TAKE THAT FIRST STEP
Here at the University of Exeter, the Wellbeing Team offer both urgent support and qualified wellbeing practitioners “to discuss and put in place support options and reasonable adjustments with you in relation to how your Eating Difficulties and mental health impact on your ability to study and manage at University”. Moreover, the Students’
Guild runs the Eating Difficulties Peer Support Group (@edpeersupportexeter). They aim to provide a safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment, forming a much-needed community for anyone living with eating disorders or who has difficulties with food and/or body image. Sessions are held by trained student volunteers every Monday between 18:30-19:30 and are pro-recovery. Other activities such as yoga, bingo and movie nights are also occasionally held. Outside of the university, TALKWORKS provides a range of free treatment options (faceto-face or remotely) delivered by trained NHS therapists who help people explore their relationship with food and emotions, so that they can build healthier ways of coping. You can also call the BEAT Helpline (0808 801 0677) or the Samaritans (116 123) for further support. BEAT’s research suggests that around 46 percent of anorexia patients and 45 percent of bulimia patients fully recover. It is possible to survive an eating disorder.
A lesbian love story in bloom: Francesca Bridgerton and Michaela Stirling
Bethany Last, Features Editor, discusses the new Bridgerton love match
AS LGBTQIA+ History Month comes to a close, so too does the new season of Netflix’s most anticipated series, Bridgerton . With the beautiful new love story featuring Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek, we have seen how those of different classes and racial backgrounds have been brought together through marriage, while a new subplot has been evolving with the potential to unite people of the same sex. Not only have we seen the most notorious rake Benedict Bridgerton explore relationships with men, but now there is no denying a blooming romance between Francesca Stirling (née Bridgerton) and Michaela Stirling is forthcoming. With the recent tragedy of John Stirling’s death, Francesca’s late husband, anyone would be a fool to believe that she did not love him. They loved each other with the greatest understanding. Yet it might be said that it was a very different kind of love. A heartbreaking second part features Francesca mourning his loss, with no child to remember him by. But Francesca finds hope in the warmth of his cousin Michaela. Truth be told, this budding romance is refreshing, especially when female relationships on screen are scarce.
In the original book series, Julia Quinn initially had Francesca fall in love with a male cousin, which has now been swapped for a female one. This change is welcomed gladly, but many viewers have considered the obstacles with which homosexuality was treated during the Regency period.
ered a real thing, and was often overlooked as close female friendship, with many women living together without raising suspicion. This explains why including this love match is so important for rewriting the untold stories of women back into history. Bridgerton seems to have conquered race, defeated class, and now
For men, it was a much more sinister fate; sodomy was viewed by society as “repugnant,” and between 1806-1861, 404 men were sentenced to death, thus forcing them into hiding. Male relationships have been depicted before, in the Queen Charlotte spin-off, but for Brimsley and Reynolds their love story fails.
For women, ‘lesbianism’ was not consid -
sexuality is on the horizon. The series is no stranger to showing the true struggle of these individuals, with many scenes of Michaela silently crying and avoiding the unwanted attention of male suitors. What makes this match so special to watch is that Michaela seems to understand her sexuality as she is set on spinsterhood, but Francesca seems to be blinded by her feel-
ings at present.
All will be revealed as Bridgerton’s season five story is set to start filming this March, with many thinking it will be Francesca’s season. Where others believe it is time for Miss Eloise Bridgerton to fall in love. Some viewers have praised the show for not redefining Eloise as queer simply because she wants more than marriage.
ALL WILL BE REVEALED AS BRIDGERTON’S SEASON FIVE STORY IS SET TO START FILMING THIS MARCH
Her ambitions lie in pursuing her education and maintaining her independence as much as she can. This has come after it is considered the worst fate to be a spinster, yet Eloise’s may still change. Having Francesca as queer without relying on stereotypes is a pivotal move in no longer categorising women where love looks different for everyone.
With John’s farewell party hosted at Francesca’s home, one thing viewers pointed out was that this was the only time she and Michaela would be openly able to dance together in public, seemingly nothing more than affectionate friendship. But with Michaela abruptly leaving unannounced, Francesca is left to the silence of her own home. Maybe this absence will give Francesca time to heal and learn to embrace love again, but maybe not in the same way as before, so that the nation can witness a beautiful love that will remain no longer, as it has done for so many years, behind closed doors.
Climate
Species spotlight: sharks and rays
ACLIMATE
EDITOR: Poppy Fellows
Ella Clark shines a light on historic levels of protection for shark and ray species at an endangered species convention
T CITES’ (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) COP20, which took place in November 2025 in Uzbekistan, groundbreaking protections of over 70 species of sharks and rays are set to come into effect at the beginning of March. CITES is an international trade agreement between governments, which works to protect and regulate the trade of wild animals and species, celebrating 50 years of its conservation work in 2025. It is a voluntary agreement, which now has 185 states in support.
The wide variety of shark and ray species have been afforded the highest level of protection under CITES — Appendix I. This bans all commercial international trade of these species and their products, which follows the move of
whitetip sharks to the same protection band a short while prior. This protection has a come as result of serious extinction risks. Manta and Devil ray populations are under the most pressure, and were moved to Appendix II across 2013-2016, but this was not enough to slow the decline. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has shown that in some places, populations of Devil and Manta rays have dropped by as much as 92 percent. This is due to a persistence of trade in gill plates, which are sold across Asia to be used as health tonics — although there is no evidence to prove these have much benefit. Similarly, Whale sharks have been moved to Appendix I to create a critical safeguard against further declines, as their fins are frequently traded for the ‘luxurious and
desirable’ shark fin soup — yes, just soup, but acting as a symbol of wealth and respect. Barbara Slee from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) said she welcomed the new protections. “People may fear sharks, but the truth is we pose a far greater threat to them — with more than 100 million killed every year.”
These new measures are an important step for conservation, as they aim to reduce the oceanic death rate, and allow populations to grow, without the constant threat of being killed. For example, Gulper sharks have been moved to Appendix II, with their population currently depleted by 80 percent, and a species which matures late, producing very little offspring. There are many alternatives to products harvested from these, and with these new
regulations, there should be little reason for these populations to fall into critical decline.
Huge tree planting projects in Devon
Emily S Rizzo, Editor-in-Chief, discusses the plans to plant thousands of trees across the county
ASERIES of community forest projects have seen a huge wave of tree-planting across Plymouth and Devon, funded by the Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). As well as generally striving for afforestation in the area, the gar-
gantuan tree-planting efforts also aim to clean up water running from rivers and into popular bathing spots, tackling ecological issues at the root cause.
In Plymouth, £7.3 million in funds have been allocated to the City Council — mostly from the Government’s Trees for Climate programme — to expand the DEFRA-funded Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest by 250 hectares by the end of April this year.
Importantly, this forest spans across a mix of community and private woodland, as well as street, urban woodland, wooded habitat corridors and hedgerows — as reported by Plymouth Live. The tree-planting began in January, organised by Plymouth Tree People (PTP), and brought together a community of volunteers despite the winds and downpours of a yellow weather warning.
These ongoing colossal efforts saw Plymouth
recognised as a Tree City of the World last year, joining the likes of New York, Canberra, Buenos Aires and Malmo for its dedication to maintaining, managing and celebrating their urban green spaces.
THESE ONGOING COLOSSAL EFFORTS SAW PLYMOUTH RECOGNISED AS A TREE CITY OF THE WORLD
Elsewhere in South Devon, DEFRA has funded the planting of 16,000 trees across 190 acres of farmland, aiming to slow and filter rain water running off the land, and discharging sewage and farm run-off (including manure, fertilisers, herbicides
The case against greenwashing
Poppy Fellows, Climate Editor, outlines the devastating outcome of the
DECEPTIVE public policy around creating an environmentally friendly public image is becoming increasingly common during an era of society focusing on environmental consciousness and more ecofriendly living. This has been termed “greenwashing”. In 2020, a case arose against the Australian gas company “Santos”, progressing all the way to the Federal Court. The Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility alleged that Santos had misled people by claiming it was a “clean energy” company. The lawsuit criticised Santos’ claims by stating they were violating Australian consumerproduction laws and misrepresented the actual effects of their production of gas and oil, which are of course incredibly harmful for the planet.
Prudent methane management is crucial for businesses like Santos, and in 2025, they
were outed to have not been effectively controlling this, with a years-long methane leak from pipelines in one of their facilities. However, in their annual reports in 2020, they claimed to be working towards a net-zero future — all whilst allowing methane, which is 80 times stronger in its warming effects, to leach out of their facilities. Whilst this was not the pivotal moment which made ACCR sue, it is perhaps suggestive of their lack of concern for environmental responsibility. The ACCR brought the case against Santos for their misleading statements, such as claiming that their gas was “clean fuel” and proposing that they will produce “clean” hydrogen fuel, when they were producing blue hydrogen which generates material emissions. Despite these examples of misleading environmental policies, the greenwashing case was
and pesticides) into nearby rivers. This run-off is estimated to make up 30 percent of all river pollution, according to South West Water (SWW).
In fact, the utility company is working with Holbeton Parish Council (the affected community) to reduce storm water overflows in the area, as well as working with farmers and landowners through its Upstream Thinking initiative, looking at the issue at its source. Landowner John Mildmay-White is planning on running a ten-day series of marathons (Run For Rivers) from Erme to London in order to raise awareness of the river-cleaning project, and told the BBC that they aim to make the local bathing spot at Coastguards Beach safe again for local families.
The overwhelming community action in both cases points to the value of afforestation and the possibility of finding long-term climate solutions in our region, as well as the efforts being made to secure it.
landmark Santos greenwashing case
lost, and Santos triumphed in a federal court hearing. Santos claimed their climate targets were aspirational and reasonable, rather than misleading. The court dismissed the ACCR’s claims on the basis that Santos were not “greenwashing”, as they were making forward-looking statements about the future, rather than stating any of their current activity was environmentally conscious. This landmark case had been going on for five years now, with frequent disputes over the nature of Santos’ claims. It has also brought to light the lack of environmentally friendly, renewable energy sources, and the dangers of companies who claim to commit to eco-forward solutions but never act in a sustainable way. Whilst this case was certainly a loss for environmental activists, 2025 saw many greenwashing litigations benefit environmental movements. For
instance, the UK government approval of Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields was ruled illegal on the basis that it was not accounting for the greenhouse gas emissions caused by burning the fossil fuels extracted from the North Sea. Greenwashing is dangerous. Creating a false pretense that a company can be trustworthy in periods of deep ecological distress is an abuse of corporate power. It is important for cases like Rosebank and Jackdaw to be effectively, legally managed and shutdown.
A FALSE PRETENSE THAT A COMPANY IS TRUSTWORTHY IN PERIODS OF ECOLOGICAL DISTRESS
Image: Manta Ray, KONASTYLE
Image: River Erme, Flickr
Comment
EDITOR’S COLUMN
Lucas Eley, Comment Editor
AS any university student will tell you, whether they arrived to university already in the care of a sudden longdistance relationship or not, relationships from before university never survive long past that fateful move in day in first year. Whether it’s the distance between students and their soon to be former partner, or the great pandemic of the dreaded year one flatcest; relationships very rarely last once the term starts. Equally as many have found once leaving their seemingly doomed pre-university relationships, the grass is very rarely greener on the other side. Many a single student has found themself adrift on a stormy sea of dating apps, situationships, and one-night flings following a few too many drinks at a social. And yet, there seems to be a deeper dysfunction behind the uni dating scene that seems to leave so many unhappy. One thing worth addressing is the strange social dichotomy that, while not exclusive to Exeter, may be more prevalent and is most certainly representative of a broader societal trend. The socio-economic demographic of universities like Exeter and Durham undeniably leads to a greater prevalence of conservative social and political views when comparing to the general population of the same age, which may have an influence on this particular consideration; there is an almost complete clash between the “traditional” social and familial desires of male students with their own behaviour within the university environment. It is far from rare to see a culture that rewards male students for their sexual conquests, from white boards to pub chats, across both campuses and student houses; yet the exact opposite seems to be the case for female students who act in the same way. While this is hardly a new understanding of this dynamic and is really a microcosm of a general societal trend that has existed for hundreds of years, however, the unique makeup of universities like our own too often lead to these same pub conversations pushing for girls they want to “wife” to be nigh on chaste in a near Victorian level of sexual-repression. So this seemingly unreconcilable difference between stated beliefs and the actions of the very same people seems impossible to fit back together. However, this too seems to be its own type of microcosm, reflecting the twisted moral values of the growing new right in Western democratic politics and the “manosphere” online. One must only look to the most prevalent figures in these movements: Andrew Tate, simultaneously promoting male sexuality while denying female sexual freedom; or Donald Trump, who himself is no stranger to sexual scandals despite his unapologetic pushing of “Christian traditional” social values.
COMMENT EDITORS
Tom Richardson
Lucas Eley
Middle of where? Its time to challenge the term “Middle East”
Suhaib Shaukat and Houman Hosseini discuss the Eurocentrism in terminology for the region
WHEN news agencies report on war in Gaza, oil in the Gulf, or diplomacy with Tehran, they almost always use the same phrase: the Middle East. The term feels natural, even inevitable. But natural to whom?
The term “Middle East” is a contested label rooted in 19th-century Western perspectives, originating not within the region itself but in imperial map rooms in London and later Washington. Professor of Gulf Studies Laleh Khalili at the University of Exeter puts it, “‘Middle East’ is best understood as an imperial viewpoint—naming a region by its ‘middleness’ relative to someone else’s center.” Middle of where? The answer, of course, is Europe.
MIDDLE OF WHERE? THE ANSWER, OF COURSE, IS EUROPE
Let us put it bluntly: the “Middle East” was not named by its inhabitants, but by outsiders who needed a convenient way to slice up the world for imperial management. The label flattened distinctions between Persians, Turks, Arabs and others, bundling them into a strategic corridor defined by oil, conflict, and Western intervention. The term itself emerged from imperial geography. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, British strategists— most notably the American naval officer Alfred Thayer Mahan—used “Middle East” to describe the area between India and the Mediterranean, a zone critical to sea routes and imperial defense.
To better understand the region, the term “West Asia” would be a much more appropriate term, encapsulating the importance of Asia that the world has witnessed. In terms of defining West Asia, it’s an area that encompasses the current Middle East to South Asia, covering the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean. The region has rapidly evolved since the phrase Middle East was introduced, and it’s about time to describe and analyse the region through a non-Western
lens, focusing on how the region has rapidly shifted in terms of its economic and political frameworks. Today’s economic growth and potential are very much concentrated in Asia; by looking at the region through an Asian angle is an acknowledgement of these economic realities. The centre of gravity is no longer West, it has moved to the East toward Asia, contributing two-thirds to the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), to overlook the importance of Asia will be unreasonable.
In recent years, the Gulf has witnessed a rise in its influence as a provider of capital and its plans to transform how its economies work. It has utilised it Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) in investing billions in building Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure, giving them the leverage to shape the industry in the future. Interestingly, the Gulf has increasingly tilted its focus to Asia, especially to India, where the trade between the two has reached $178.56 billion, and this will only increase as both are in the tallks of a Free-trade agreement. The Gulf has become increasingly asianised over the years as it diversified its economic partnerships. The new priority for the Gulf and regional countries is connectivity and trade; this is where Asia will play an integral part.
Exeposé spoke to Mohammed Soliman, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute and the author the new book West Asia. He told us “The India-Middle East-Europe Corridor, the expansion of Gulf sovereign wealth into Indian infrastructure, the growing web of bilateral trade agreements that have quietly made UAE-India commerce approach $100 billion annually. When you have a multimodal network linking Mumbai to Dubai and the Gulf to the Mediterranean, the term ‘Middle East’ starts to feel not just politically loaded but geographically absurd.”
Speaking to Exeposé, William Gallois, Director of Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, is not defending the term Middle East, but he is skeptical that “West Asia” resolves the structural problem. “What does West Asia
include ?” He asks. “Is Egypt part of West Asia?” The question exposes the dilemma. Egypt is geographically in North Africa. Sudan even more so. If the term narrows the map too tightly, does it simply produce new exclusions?
THE TERM ‘MIDDLE-EAST’ STARTS TO FEEL NOT JUST POLITICALLY LOADED BUT GEOGRAPHICALLY
Much of the Western academic scholarship on the region has stayed confined within analytical frameworks, theoretical models, and assumptions that were already obsolete by the time they were produced. Mohammed Soliman noted, “For too long, the scholarship has relied on oversimplified ideas about Islam and democracy, or focused on what I suppose you might call cultural tourism, the kind of analysis that tells you a great deal about the surface of a society and very little about its power structures.” Ultimately, the debate over the term “Middle East” is not a simple one; it is about power, perspective, and who gets to define a region’s identity. While “West Asia” may not perfectly resolve every geographic ambiguity, it challenges the inherited imperial lens through which the region has long been viewed. As economic gravity shifts toward Asia and Gulf states deepen their integration with India and broader Asian markets, the old terminology feels increasingly misaligned with contemporary realities.
IT CHALLENGES THE INHERITED IMPERIAL LENS THROUGH WHICH THE REGION HAS LONG BEEN VIEWED
I mage: Pexels
Yasmine
BMarty Supreme and model masculinity
Al-Saket, Lifestyle Editor, discusses media’s role in model masculinity and what it is to be a man
E a man — a phrase that we hear too often. But what does it mean to be a man? If you have consumed any media, you’d know the archetype of a model masculine man, someone ambitious, confident, capitalistic, aggressive, and usually in a pursuit of greatness, at whatever cost. Even a personal one and a cost to their family, their friends and to themselves. Media such as the recent Marty Supreme, the age-old classic Patrick Bateman from American Psycho, Tyler Duden from Fight Club, or Jordan Belfort from The Wolf of Wall Street. Movies that embody a sense of the alleged model masculinity. One that I profoundly disagree with. But rather these movies present a flawed model of masculinity, one that doesn’t truly embody what it means to be a man. Despite its social media clout and propaganda from online incels and the manosphere, true masculinity is beyond what the film industry and capitalism promote.
It is a travesty to see my friends, family and other young men fall into the traps of the greedy, selfish film industry that corrupts men with this propaganda of what a “masculine man” means.
The perception and ideal of a masculine man as one of selfishness, consumerism and individualism has developed into the male
loneliness epidemic. A condition caused due to the extremist propaganda from said media.
For me, masculinity has little-to-nothing to do with capitalism, or appearance or toxic masculinity, and I argue for a positive version. One that focuses on balancing traditional strengths like leadership and courage with emotional intelligence, empathy, and vulnerability. One where boys can cry, moving beyond the horrid stereotypes of stoicism to sharing emotions and being vulnerable.
Instead it makes you strong to admit your feelings, thoughts, celebrate successes and learn from failures. This is the
Tmodel of masculinity I wish our media would celebrate, and it has begun to do so.
IT
MAKES YOU STRONG TO ADMIT YOUR FEELINGS
Through movies and characters such as Chris Gardner’s resilience from The Pursuit of Happyness, or learn from Tony Stark’s personal development from a “genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist” to a selfless and courageous man from the Iron Man Trilogy, or be as openly affectionate, and
supportive of fatherhood and husbandhood as Gomez Addams from The Addams Family It is such an irony that the author of American Psycho , Bret Easton Ellis, wrote the book, which satirises 1980s consumerism and corporate culture through the perspective of banker Patrick Bateman, rather than what it has turned into, which is the Bateman fanboys who regard Bateman as a source of inspiration rather than a critique of the fragile masculinity, as Ellis set it out to be.
FANBOYS WHO REGARD BATEMAN AS A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION RATHER THAN A CRITIQUE
Time and time again, audiences have fallen into the wrong crowds of a lack of media literacy, to truly understand what different media means. Resulting in a lack of critical thought and a misconception of its meaning. I truly hope that our media, society and our country begin to move away from the toxic masculinity that has plagued too many generations. A toxic masculinity that breeds self-hatred, intolerance and insecurity. To a more positive and inclusive version of masculinity, one where our fathers, brothers and children can be proud of. A model of masculinity that lets men be proud to be themselves, be vulnerable, be strong and be a truly well-rounded individual. Without the pomp and pageantry of an alleged masculine ideal.
Andrew and the modern monarchy
Isabelle Pearce considers the controversy surrounding the former prince and its impact on the royal family
HE British monarchy has entered a new era of heightened scrutiny following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. He was arrested on the 19th of February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Andrew has continuously denied any wrongdoing and was later released under investigation. However, the ordeal has shined an unprecedented light on the British monarchy and many are wondering if the King’s brother will be shielded from the law. Prior to the Epstein scandal the former Duke of York was a highly regarded and high-profile member of the royal family, partaking in a large number of royal engagements. However, in 2019 following Andrew’s BBC Newsnight interview regarding his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein it was agreed that Andrew would step back from royal duties. Andrew continued to be distanced from the royal family, being stripped of his military titles in 2022 and the ‘Prince’ title in late 2025 by King Charles III. The King has also made active attempts to remove Andrew from Royal Lodge, his former residence in Windsor. However, there have been questions on whether the royal family have tried to protect
Andrew and defend him from the law. For instance, in February 2022, Queen Elizabeth II was widely criticised after it was reported that she helped pay an undisclosed sum to Virginia Giuffre to settle a civil sexual assault lawsuit out of court. This spread the idea that senior royals could be guarded from having to accept full accountability. However, it has been noted that King Charles III has taken a tougher stance on Andrew than his late mother. In a statement released following the arrest of the former Duke of York, King Charles clearly stated that ‘the law must take its course’. King Charles also made it clear that his family, ‘will continue in our duty and service to you all’. This reinforces that the royal family are continuing to distance themselves from Andrew for the sake of their reputation and their future.
THE ROYAL FAMILY ARE CONTINUING TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM ANDREW
Mountbatten-Windsor have placed the British monarchy under unprecedented scrutiny, highlighting the delicate balance between family and business. While past actions suggest attempts to shield Andrew from full legal and moral responsibility recent developments under King Charles III emphasise the importance of the rule of law. For now, the monarchy is seeking to detach itself from the
scandal while maintaining public trust. How effectively they manage to navigate this tension will be likely to shape public perceptions of the institution for years to come.
TO SHAPE PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS OF THE INSITUTION FOR YEARS
The controversies surrounding Andrew
Images: Wikimedia Commons
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Satire
Farage claims AI ‘Decline Porn’ actually footage from the future
THROUGHOUT social media, one might have witnessed a myriad of what has been termed ‘decline porn’; videos depicting absurdly exaggerated urban decline, most often of South London, featuring largely black crowds of balaclava and padded jacket donning roadmen. Initial reports maintained that these videos were simply AI-generated, with the intention to be satirical and garner views through rage bait. However, new claims from Nigel Farage have suggested that this footage is not fake at all, but rather authentic footage from the future. Despite general disbelief at these claims, with some arguing that they are just a desperate attempt to consolidate Reform’s more gullible voters, Farage has doubled down, and revealed that he too is actually from the future.
FARAGE HAS DOUBLED DOWN, AND REVEALED THAT HE TOO IS ACTUALLY FROM THE FUTURE
In a recent interview, Farage asserted that he was sent back in time to prevent the rise of the AI Overlord, ‘Zack Polanskynet’, who enforces the individuals seen within the alleged Decline Porn to wipe out Great British values (as well as reach Net Zero). With fear, Farage referred to these agents of Polanskynet as “Immigraterminators”.
Upon further questioning, Farage has relayed the message “No fate but what we Reform”, stating that the only way to stop Polanskynet’s dreaded carbon free future is to vote Reform, and if members of the public truly want to help the cause, they should purchase at least one personalised video from his Cameo (at approximately the lowly price of £70).
Show-off student spends reading week reading instead of scrolling
Rachel Baldwin
FINALLY it’s reading week, you pack your bags, shout “hasta la vista!” to Sam, who has only just gotten back in after his night out. You’ve got big plans for the week: guilt-free doomscrolling. At least, it would be guilt-free if Sam hadn’t started posting pictures of himself doing the essay due in a month, captioned “#academicweapon”. You roll your eyes, thinking it must be a joke, and quickly scroll onto the next one, soon forgetting Sam’s out-of-character post.
YOU’VE
GOT BIG PLANS FOR THE WEEK: GUILT-FREE DOOMSCROLLING
“Doesn’t Sam do Physics? Why is he in my English Literature lecture, speaking to the lecturer about Dostoevsky???” That’s a message you weren’t expecting to wake up to at two pm on Wednesday, especially because you thought Dostoevsky was a drink. You don’t believe it until you see Sam’s Instagram, where a “pov: you’re multitalented” reel captures your attention, consisting of him completing his further reading and then settling into Crime and Punishment, for a bit of “light reading”. You conclude that Sam’s account has been hacked, so you message him, only to be met with a “Do you want to join Brian and me for afternoon tea next week?” This
only leaves you questioning who on earth Brian is.
Upon your return, your friend asks what you’ve done, and you just utter a “this and that”, because, to be honest, you can’t actually remember what you’ve been doing; it’s all a blur. That’s when you see someone new in your flat, dusty books sprawled across the table, and then you realise it’s Sam, who takes advantage of your shock and gets you to take a video of him explaining how to solve Cain’s Jawbone. You have no idea who Cain is, but you really hope his Jawbone is okay. After witnessing this new Sam, you immediately unfollow and block Sam on everything. You can’t have such a show-off in your life; it makes you look bad.
‘Zeep’ attest Illegal Aliens in Guild elections
ers know though, Exeposé has the rule of law here, and they’ll have to read about the aliens when it’s printed like everyone else.
MANY have been left in confusion this year after the Guild elections were flooded by illegal aliens. Many of you, Exeposé faithfuls, must surely be shaking your fists in anger. We’d like to make you aware though that these are legitimate aliens just like the ones probing Elvis on the side of a dodgy carnival ride. Yes, it is true, this week your heroes at Exeposé are putting the xeno in Xenomorph (instead of the typical xeno in xenophobic) by making first contact with the campus’ new alien population. Everyone had been trying to contact the university to enquire about our new alien peers. World leaders Benjamin Netanyahu, Xi Jinping and Joe Rogan have all offered to pay through the nose for information. It is worth noting that Donald Trump did not enquire, likely due to the fact that he already had this event in his “Alien files.” Little do these pow -
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, XI JINGPING AND JOE ROGAN HAVE ALL OFFERED TO PAY THROUGH THE NOSE FOR THIS INFORMATION
From the perspective of Exeposé, this is all quite shocking, namely because we knew something was suspect about the Guild election afterparty. As always, it was Eyes Wide Shut themed and we were foolish enough to not notice anything off about the masked men with eight big tentacles (one of which being
huge). Yes, dear reader, you are correct, your champions at Exeposé had a night of bizarre alien sex in the great hall. It was actually alright.
This brings us to the overarching issue, why are they on campus? Could it be that they broke contact for the incredible afterparty perhaps? Maybe they liked the look of our wonderful societies and wanted to get more involved. We think it is under our authority to interview the leader of the aliens, the so called, “Glunkzork the Zemperor,” as to enquire about the alien’s motives. We will report back with the results. God in heaven. Dear reader most of us have been vapourised. There’s not really a prettier way of putting that. We could not make out a word of what he was saying. Turns out democracy is not as easy as writing far-right rhetoric in a two-bit newspaper. To not be a total pessimist, we did conclude that the word, “Zeep,” must likely being a sort of alien profanity. We gleaned this from Glunkzork saying it every time we hurled another brick at him. It has become plain to see that we were the wrong people for this job. I think we zeeped the whole thing up and we’re all totally zucked.
Christopher Lyndsay
Image: PickPiks.com
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Sebastien Broom
Christopher Lyndsay Satire Editor
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Images (right to left, top to bottom): Amber Platel, Wikimedia Commons, Wikimedia Commons, Eve Buckley,
Image frames: rawpixel, publicdomainpictures, Pickpik
lifestyle
Exeposing the influencer: Isaiah Smith-Steadman
From fashion to discovering your identity, Yasmine Al-Saket. Lifestyle Editor, chats to Isaiah Smith-Steadman to get the scoop
RUNNING into Isaiah Smith-Steadman at Devonshire House and finally catching him to chat was my first interaction with Isaiah. When someone thinks of what being genuine means, really, his name should come up. Though only a firstyear, he is a growing BNOC. Isaiah has a growing TikTok account with over 142.4K likes and 700 followers; his content is unlike the previous, more serious influencers I’ve sat down with. But rather, his videos focus on lifestyle, university life, fashion, and food, with a satirical touch. In typical 'Exetah' fashion, he had spent summers travelling South East Asia through Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam before university, which laid out the foundation of our conversation. Our chat together was one filled with laughter, and felt much more like a gossip session with an old friend. I was a keen follower who found @vibewithzi through his travel content, seeing his relatable posts about embarrassing yourself at Paddington station on the way back home to my dream meals that Isaiah makes. His authenticity is a rare charm that most “influencers” have lost. His TikTok is a digital diary and a creative outlet, seeing it as a fun way to share some of the bits and bobs he’s up to, highlighting how genuinely just have so much fun making and creating TikToks. He was continually driven to post because he knew that there was endless potential and opportunities in the field of influencing, especially because it’s a field with endless demand and essentially zero competition. Despite there being others with similar interests, "there is only one me", which is his unique selling point, and nobody could ever emulate that.
Unlike the typical pesto pasta struggle meals or eating ramen for weeks, Isaiah’s content focuses on making gourmet meals, with “what I eat this week” videos. From steak dinners, charcuterie boards to various impressive pasta recipes, paired always with his favourite, either a matcha or chicken wine. He exposes his secrets of how, for him, being stringent on his lifestyle is not something he is keen to do. Isaiah will never prioritise his social life over eating like a Victorian child and going out! Something became apparent when we were speaking, cooking and food is a part of him, he loves the culinary experience and being a foodie, which is clear in how he balances his lifestyle. Embedding balanced and healthier habits, as he noted, his way of life is a laissez-faire lifestyle, but with some guidelines. He divugles in what his ideal evening is and as the saying goes “live laugh love” -ing through the night, where he’ll begin the day with a nice brunch, iced crisped matcha, with rustic sourdough and chicken wine. Buying everything he wants in SpaceNK and having a cosy dinner with friends at his favourite place, Côte. Then, getting ready for Timepiece, the best place to end your Saturday. Despite the "live laugh loving" philosophical approach, he reveals how sometimes people underestimate him and his hard work. Being an academic weapon and a PPE student, Isaiah, like many, has intentions to work in finance, but he aims to still work in a more creative field, especially within entertainment, whether that be influencing or having his own talk show, yapping away as maybe the kinder Wendy Williams!
Isaiah hilariously embraced how, though being told regularly that he was a BNOC, he didn’t know what it meant! Contrary to this, off campus, he shared how he is recognised pretty
much everywhere, usually spotted in Fever and TP, but Isaiah has now been recognised on multiple occasions when he’s shopping, or simply grabbing a coffee. On his first walk back from Waitrose in the dark, he was terrified when someone yelled across the street. Reflecting, he calls it a now very humorous interaction. He discloses how he has recently worked with Indu, a teen/adolescent skin care brand, which he feels great to be a part of the revolution in that arena. He expressed how he’d love it if his influencer career would take a similar turn to Emma Chamberlain in high fashion. His dream brand to work with is Ralph Lauren, Cartier or La Vieille Ferme, the infamous chicken wine brand.
As we chatted, we found out that we both did quite similar degrees and turned quite political and philosophical, which is no surprise to anyone when you put PPE and Politics student together. He dives into themes of meritocracy, and he shares how he tries to keep his page as neutral as possible. Isaiah candidly reflects on his identity as a Black Caribbean, openly gay man in Exeter, highlighting the multidimensional struggles he faces within a largely non-diverse environment. He explains how his university experience is intricately and complexly shaped by challenges of intersectionality, as he navigates both his racial identity and his sexuality (among other special characteristics). Furthermore, he discusses struggles in assumptions from people who don’t know him, though he does recog-
nise this may be a result of partial satire and the perpetuation of stereotypes in places with limited representation may persist. He delves into how his sexuality is only a part of him and not the only part of him. He talks openly about at times feeling out of place since he doesn’t have a lot of gay friends, making it harder to share with his friends his general struggles.
While we wrapped up our conversation, he shared how he only sees himself growing and aims to collaborate with many brands alongside his studies and any careers he goes into. He wishes to continue to be a free spirit, with aspirations to make a lot of money, do what he loves, and travel extensively. Eventually, settling down with a husband who worships him, owning a house with two children, a sausage dog and perhaps a few cats. He hopes to be on an endless journey with himself and share his enjoyment with all his loved ones. These aspirations truly sum up Isaiah as a person, someone who lives large!
Exeposé eat at Somboon Thai Shop
Tara Singh shares a taste of Thailand in the heart of Exeter
TUCKED away on Sidwell Street, this charming little spot is one of Exeter’s most beloved hidden gems; a place where warm smiles, authentic flavours and sunshine-bright Thai hospitality meet cosy café vibes. Locals and visitors alike are often drawn in by the delicious smells wafting from the kitchen and the buzz of contented diners inside.
The cosy restaurant has become known for food just like you’d find back in Thailand. One of the nicest things about Somboon is that it feels friendly and unpretentious. You won’t find a huge, intimidating menu here, just a thoughtful selection of dishes done really, really
well. Whether you’re rushing in for a quick lunch between classes or settling down for a relaxed dinner, the staff’s warmth (many are Thai and share their culture through food and conversation) makes every visit feel special. My recommendations are the beef noodle soup, which is hearty and delicious; it’s the perfect hangover cure. Along with the Thai iced milk tea which is also creamy, cool and not too sweet. And if you want to bring the taste of Somboon back to your own kitchen, you can even pick up Thai groceries and spices right there in the shop. In a city full of chain restaurants and predictable menus, Somboon Thai Shop stands out as something heartfelt and personal, a reminder that the best meals are often the simplest, made with care and shared with kindness. Despite its small size, this little restaurant has a big heart. It’s the sort of place where you might go for lunch and end
up staying a little longer just because the atmosphere feels so welcoming. Students, families, and regulars are treated like family. We all appreciate the friendly service and generous portions. Everytime we enter Somboon, it feels like visiting an old friend’s house, heartfelt and welcoming. Whether you’re craving comforting noodle soup on a chilly day or want a refreshing Thai milk tea in the sunshine, or just need a warm hug in a meal, Somboon Thai Shop offers a genuine slice of Thai comfort right here in Exeter.
A COMFORTING NOODLE SOUP ON A CHILLY DAY OR ... A REFRESHING THAI MILK TEA IN THE SUNSHINE
Image: Tara Singh
HIS VIDEOS FOCUS ON LIFESTYLE, UNIVERSITY LIFE, FASHION, AND FOOD, WITH A SATIRICAL TOUCH
Image: Isaiah Smith-Steadman
How to dress like you have a personality
Rosa Terry shares how to stop trend-chasing and start dressing like yourself
WE'RE verging on "Spring clean" season, so if you’re feeling the urge to empty your wardrobe, perhaps it’s time to think about what is next. Finding your personal style can feel like a mountain to climb, as you look to strike the balance between comfort, costs and a look that represents you. But this needn’t be scary; it should be a fun and exciting process.
And this mindset is the first step. Finding your style can be a great way to learn more about yourself. Especially due to our overexposure to social media, there can be pressure to fit the pre-made styles that popular trends sometimes follow; the likes of ‘streetwear’, ‘bohemian’, or ‘vintage’. It’s okay if your style doesn’t fall into one of these categories. Your style doesn’t need a name, nor is there any obligation for it to remain permanently set in just one. Allow yourself to move through different styles in different seasons, develop alongside
trends and have an open mind – this is a time of exploration, not one of robust decisionmaking. The most important thing is that it is a reflection of you. Let’s break it down. Start by assessing the clothes you already have. Which pieces are your favourite? Which outfits are the ones that you get excited to wear, and save for a special occasion? You can analyse these outfits to decipher what it is you love about them, and use this as a springboard for what to buy next. Then, head to the online shops or fitting rooms to experiment with what you feel suits you — know that it may be a trial and error process. And, I would recommend going for cost-effective options at this stage, as it can alleviate added stress to know that you can change your mind on something, without having lost very much. Later down the line, when you feel assured in your style, you can invest in long-lasting and higher-quality pieces. When finding your style, remember to place
Sunny days in Exeter
Amore emphasis on how you feel, rather than wondering what other people will think. You need to be comfortable, and comfort means not just actual comfort (like the feel of the material on your skin or the tightness of a top) but also appearance. Make sure your style is made up of clothes that you feel flatter you, and that you can wear without feeling self-conscious — that is the opposite of what your clothes should do for you. Don’t be afraid to be individual, daring and unique. By the same token, don’t be afraid to lean into the trends of the day. Either way, approach this with a positive attitude — this is perhaps the refresh you need!
DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE INDIVIDUAL, DARING AND UNIQUE.
Ria Brown-Aryee, Features Editor, shares what to do as Spring approaches
S Spring draws near, Exeter is finally giving us a glimpse of those rare sunny days. With the rain starting to ease up, it's time to embrace the sun and set aside our umbrellas. Here’s a quick inspiration of activities to make the most of those sunny days when they arrive.
First, it’s time to transition your wardrobe. Say goodbye to your winter puffer jackets and bring out your trench coats and jackets, and pair it with a cardigan or a hoodie for your stroll to campus.
Just remember, Exeter weather can be unpredictable, with sudden rain and its famous floods. However, as the season changes it's important to keep an eye out for both winter discounts and those spring releas -
es that are popping up in stores and online.
JUST
REMEMBER, EXETER WEATHER CAN BE UNPREDICTABLE
Next, seize the opportunity for a walk. Check the temperature and head outside, perhaps for a stroll to the quayside or a visit to a nearby cafe.
I remember one sunny day when I met a friend on campus, and she shared that she had just visited Reed Pond. That day was the perfect chance to explore Exeter without the burden of carrying an umbrella. Consider hopping on a train to Ex -
mouth to soak up the outdoors before you find yourself back inside for longer stretches. Lastly, immerse yourself in nature. Last year, my friends and I enjoyed picnics in the green spaces near Duryard, and we even studied outside at a café near Queen’s. Those warm, sunny days are ideal for outdoor gatherings, such as barbecues, so take advantage of them!
As the weather warms up, make sure to embrace all the activities, fashion and moods that come with this change of season in one of the rainiest towns in the UK.
Image: Geograph
Partying meets wellness: soft clubbing
Emily Saunders unpacks how Gen Z are reinventing the rave
WITH dreadful weather and deadlines piling up, clubbing has slipped down the priority list for many uni students. In fact, nightlife has been gradually declining, with over 400 clubs closing in the UK since COVID. Gen Z are drinking 20 percent less than our parents did at our age, and with nights out getting pricier, more students are choosing to go sober and prioritise their health and wellbeing. However, saving on money (and hangovers) can also mean missing out on socialising. With drinking no longer the default route to meeting people, social media is replacing real interaction, and uni students can find themselves stuck on how to socialise without drinking. So, where is the sweet spot between having a social life and looking after yourself?
This is where “soft clubbing” comes in. It’s a growing trend that re-centres socialising around daytime, alcohol-free events designed to create real connection while emphasising self-care. Blending Gen Z’s health consciousness with a good time, soft clubbing is redefining what it means to go out. Soft clubbing is emerging in many unexpected settings. Coffee clubbing pairs specialty coffee with live music - a refreshing upgrade from the usual Pret filter in the library. Morning raves turn a late-night boogie into an energising start to the day, instead of a disruption to the sleep schedule. Sauna raves and cold-plunge parties are part of the “thermal gatherings” bringing the party to the spa. For those who work up an appetite
on the dancefloor, brunch parties mix good food with music for a nourishing experience. Each of these experiences promises a wellness-focused way to socialise. Smaller crowds, lower volume levels and alcohol-free activities leave you feeling energised, rather than overstimulated from shouting over drum-and-bass in the dark. These events typically take place in the daytime, ending before your social battery does, so you can get your fun fix and still make your 8:30 lecture the next morning. What’s more, soft clubbing involves more affordable experiences, saving you from dipping into the overdraft for yet another round of Jagerbombs. As a final year student who has heard about — and experienced — one too many expensive and repetitive nights out in Exeter, soft club -
bing sounds like a perfect way to revive our social lives. Instead of trading TP for an early night, we could try resetting with a coffee clubbing or sauna partying session. Soft clubbing offers new ways to meet people while actually feeling good – a chance to enjoy going out again without sacrificing sleep or your bank account.
Image: Flickr
Image: Flickr
arts & lit
International Women’s Day, March 8th
Kirstin Hannah: an inspirational writer on female struggles
Sarah Gould,
Music
Editor,
covers her favourite female writer
ONE of my favourite writers, who I believe is a perfect standout this International Women’s Day, is Kristin Hannah. Kristin Hannah writes primarily historical fiction books, weaving stories about women and their relationships with one another as well as the challenges that they face. Her highest rated novel on Goodreads, The Nightingale , follows the fictional tale of two sisters in France in WW2, facing separate hardships whilst also repairing their relationship. It’s a heartbreaking novel, but one that explores resilience during war. This theme is something that Kristin continues to explore in her most recent novel The Women , a story about a female nurse in the Vietnam war who suffers from PTSD in the aftermath.
WEAVING STORIES ABOUT WOMEN AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS
Both narratives explore the role of women in war, something that has been neglected in many historical fictions on the same topics. Kristin also encapsulates the beautiful, yet often complicated relationships between women in Firefly Lane
Adapted into a limited series on Netflix in 2021, Firefly Lane explores the 30-year friendship between Tully and Kate as they go through puberty, first love, heartbreaks, jealousy, betrayal and loss. It is also incredible
in its depiction of the relationship between a mother and her hormonal teenage daughter, stressing the heightened emotions faced that I’m sure many readers can relate to.
Ultimately, I think my favourite Kristin Hannah novel has to be The Four Winds , something that surprised me the first time I read it. Set in the Great Depression of America in the 1930s, it follows the courageous Elsa, single mother of two children, as she has to make a difficult choice: to stay and fight for her land against the Dust Bowl, or to go to California in search for a better life.
The novel follows the extreme hardships the family face, including oppression and poverty, but also highlights the strength of a woman who will fight to get her family
to safety. My mum recommended this to me, and she was right when she said it would stay with you long after you have finished it. Kristin Hannah is an author who successfully and tastefully highlights the struggles that women go through in contexts where women’s experiences are often overlooked, and I really hope this encourages you to go and read some of her work!
TASETFULLY HIGHLIGHTS THE STRUGGLES THAT WOMEN GO THROUGH
Gisèle Pelicot’s A Hymn to Life: A Shame Has to Change
Erin-Rose Morris covers Gisèle Pelicot’s new autobiography
This article contains discussions of rape and abuse which some readers may find distressng
WITH the words: “shame has to change sides”, Gisèle Pelicot refuses to claim what was never hers and dismantles the expectation that a woman violated must live diminished. Instead, she shifts the burden of disgrace and guilt back onto those who earned it.
In A Hymn to Life, Pelicot recounts the devastating revelation that her husband of more than fifty years, Dominique Pelicot, had been drugging and incapacitating her for years, inviting men into their home to rape her while she lay unconscious. The scale and calculation of the abuse is grotesque, almost incomprehensible; the
kind of horror that feels more at home in fiction.
For Pelicot, this horror was a reality. Yet this memoir is far more than a chronicle of the atrocity she endured. It is a deliberate act of reclamation, a profound rewriting of what survival means in the aftermath of sexual violence. Pelicot guides readers through the architecture of her life, from childhood, marriage, motherhood, friendship and work, recounting an existence built on domestic familiarity. She reconstructs the world she believed she inhabited before revealing how abuse had been woven, invisibly and insidiously, into its very fabric. When the case reaches court, she faces another battle. Pelicot writes of moments that felt less like protection and more like prosecution,
as though she herself stood trial before men determined to excuse or deny their culpability. The inversion is chilling and her account speaks powerfully to those who fear not only the crime itself, but the scrutiny that so often accompanies the pursuit of justice. Most striking is her decision to waive her right to anonymity, refusing to be silenced by a guilt and shame that were never hers. By rejecting invisibility, she fundamentally altered the trial’s impact and forces the public to confront her not as a statistic, but as a human.
A Hymn to Life unsettles, and it should. It exposes how easily abuse can hide within domestic routine, how brazenly defendants attempt to escape responsibility, how fragile systems falter under pressure, and how vic-
tims so often find themselves scrutinised in their pursuit of justice. Pelicot admits she is not invincible. She is resolutely human; wounded, grieving, yet unbroken in her refusal to disappear and bear another’s shame. It is a memoir that demands attention, and long beyond the final page, her voice lingers as an enduring testament to the power of standing publicly and unapologetically in one’s own truth and experience.
SHE IS RESOLUTELY HUMAN; WOUNDED; GRIEVING, YET UNBROKEN IN HER REFUSAL TO DISAPPEAR
The mistreatment of Emily Brontë’s Isabella
Isabel Bratt, Arts & Lit editor, comments on Emerald Fennell’s worrying distortion of Brontë’s characters
SPOILERS AHEAD
FOLLOWING the grotesque mockery of an adaptation that was Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights, I believe it’s prevelant, now more than ever, to consider the distinctly feminist narratives in Emily Brontë’s work, particularly in the character of Isabella. Despite Fennell’s unforgivable reduction of Isabella to nothing more than a consenting sex doll, Brontë’s original character displays a
harrowing yet courageous feminist tale of resilience in the face of female suffering. In the novel, she enters an abusive, loveless marriage with Heathcliff, and eventually finds liberation in fleeing her husband, and raising her son as a single mother. Brontë’s Isabella is nothing like the giggling, submissive, infantalised girl we have seen recently on cinema screens; she is an unconsenting victim of abuse, who fights for her own agency. She was certainly not a willing participant in Heathcliff’s deviancy. Fennell seems to
have taken it upon herself to not only mock, but also fetishise Isabella’s escape from abuse; in the novel, Heathcliff hangs Isabella’s dog, which was reinterpreted by Fennel into a BDSM dog-play scene. Brontë’s Isabella is first and foremost a victim; she isn’t intended to be romanticised or provocotive. Her story is one of unhealed trauma, and a fight for freedom, and Fennell’s depiction has alarming, uncomfortable indications into the romanticastion of abuse, and the robbing of female agency.
Ode to Winter
Hannah Oliver bids farewell to winter
Winter’s a harsh reminder of the power nature holds
The rushing in one’s ears. The frostbite in one’s toes
Animals migrate to a warmer life
But surely it can’t be all chill and strife
For if you look a little closer you might see
That magic can be found amongst the frozen debris
The early morning sparkle that spreads across the land
As the sun sprinkles glitter across the bare and the bland
And when it snows, the world is transformed
With intricate flakes each leaf, branch and blade is adorned
Schools tend to close, which you’ll admit is a plus
When the world has turned white, mitochondria, no one wishes to discuss
The world now seems endlessly full of possibilities
Will you toboggan, build an igloo or fight with snow balls so you don’t freeze
You could make an angel in the snow, or simply watch it fall
Build a buddy with your friends, seeing who can find the best carrot of all
But for those who may not like the cold, and think its quite a bummer
The inside world becomes rather different than it is in summer
Cosiness is a wonderful feeling that comes alongside the cold
Without this weather we’d never experience the warmth of a blanket’s hold
Think of little marshmallows, bobbing in their chocolatey jacuzzi
A fire burning in the grate, watching your favourite movie
The flames enchant with their oranges, yellows, and reds
Reminding us that although the outside is cold heat is not dead
Winter contains more holidays than the other times of year
The biggy being Christmas, bringing sackfuls of cheer
Do we ever really lose the wonder of waking Christmas morning
Running down the stairs, seeing presents under the tree, a visual so heartwarming
A Christmas dinner is divine in every way
Christmas is a guilt free ticket to eat chocolate every day
Boards games are played, and cheated at, and argued over
Then a week ensues of eating nothing but leftovers
New Year’s next, each family with a different tradition
Some drink port, or sing Auld Lang Syne in their own personal rendition
People party, people kiss, people pull an all nighter
Feeling the next day like they went against an MMA fighter
Valentines is for couples galore
Pancake day, sugar, lemon, berries and more
And this year we’ve experienced the rush of winter sports
The Olympics were quite wild except curling of course
As we’ve reached the end of winter, as we’re dawning on a new day
I have only one more thing I think is left to say
Best of all, in this abysmal season, is the excitement you gain
For springs arrival as the frosty giant’s slain
2026: The National Year of Reading
Lauren
Walsh, Deputy Editor, discusses The National Year of Reading
IN 2025 the National Literacy Trust, or NLT, found that literacy rates in the UK were the lowest they have been since records began twenty years ago. The British government declared 2026 ‘The National Year of Reading’ in order to combat this ‘reading for pleasure crisis’.
The NLT found that in 2025 approximately one in three (32 percent) children enjoyed reading for pleasure — a decline of 36 percent from 2005 — and only 18 percent of eight- to 18-year-olds read daily in their free time. The number of children reading for pleasure decreases as children get older with an especially sharp decline in reading as a hobby among secondary school aged boys. Reading for pleasure is important as previous research from the NLT shows that enjoying reading as a hobby leads to wider literacy, wellbeing and empathy skills, as well as improving confidence and aptitude for learning.
Many possible reasons have been suggested for this decline in reading for pleasure, such as the cost-of-living crisis meaning many can’t afford books, and with one in
seven schools in England and Wales being without a library, it seems access to books is an issue. The average attention span is also decreasing among today’s youth, as a result of increased screen time. This has led to shorter books and the more visually engaging graphic novel form experiencing an increase in popularity.
ONE IN SEVEN SCHOOLS IN ENGLAND AND WALES BEING WITHOUT A LIBRARY, IT SEEMS ACCESS TO BOOKS IS AN ISSUE
There are three aspects of the National Year of Reading initiative, as the NLT says the crisis calls for a multisector approach. The first part of the strategy involves the national communication and public-facing side of the campaign. The second is where the “bulk” of the budget will be directed, and involves “community activations across the UK, in
Gaudí’s
schools, in libraries”. One example of this is the ‘Libraries for Primaries’ initiative which aims to ensure that every primary school in the country has a library by 2028. The third and final strand is the behindthe-scenes action like research and analysis that supports the campaign. David Hayman, Director of National Year of Reading has spoken about how they are hoping this Year of Reading lays the framework for its legacy to carry on past the end of 2026: “We’re not thinking about another year, we’re thinking about the next decade. What can really good practice look like to encourage reading for pleasure across the UK and how do we embed that long term?”
Sagrada Família
Pheobe Andrews explores the history of the monumental cathedral
ON 20th February, the final piece of the central tower of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona was put into place, an occasion made even more significant as this month is the hundredth anniversary of Gaudí’s death. The upper section of a glass and steel cross was winched into position, with the planned final height of the church, a staggering 172.5 metres, being reached.
MADE EVEN MORE SIGNIFICANT AS THIS MONTH IS THE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF GAUDI’S DEATH
Gaudí, the visionary architect and designer who began the work on the Sagrada Família had already worked on many properties in Barcelona, including the Park Guell and the Casa Vicens and the basilica proved to be his most ambitious project and his last. Gaudí devoted the later years of his life to the Sagrada Família until he was killed by a tram with only 25 percent of the building work completed. He was buried in the church’s crypt with hundreds of citizens attending his funeral.
Gaudí’s vision for the design was a combination of both Gothic and Art Nouveau architectural styles, and the work needed to properly execute his plans has led to the area becoming a building site for the last 144 years. Of course, partially due to the unconstructed nature of the project, the building has also had its critics. George Orwell famously commented that the Sagrada Família was “one of the most hideous buildings in the world” and during the Spanish Civil War, anarchists even destroyed Gaudí’s original drawings and plaster models for the structure. These plans had to be painstakingly reconstructed
using a form of adapted rocket software to fully realise the design. Currently, even in an unfinished state, the Sagrada Família is the top tourist destination in Barcelona. While the building makes millions every year, most of the money made from ticket sales ends up going into the cost of the building work, meaning that the visitors are highly important due to their contributions for the continuation of the project. The full completion of the site is expected in around a decade, but this important placement of the cross marks another step closer to Gaudí’s design being fully realised.
Image: Amber Platel
Image credit: Pexels
Image: PRC Book Printing
MUSIC
Is music generational?
Lauren Walsh, Deputy Editor, explores how much of our music tatse is inherited
WHEN you’re young, your music taste is invariably that of your parents, simply because you have no choice over what music is being played in your vicinity. (There is, for example, a video of a baby me dancing to a Rolling Stones song.) As we get older we tend to develop our own music taste, but to what extent is your music taste a reflection of your parents? Is music taste something that can be inherited?
TO WHAT EXTENT IS YOUR MUSIC TASTE A REFLECTION OF YOUR PARENTS?
The first time I went to Cavern I couldn’t help but think how much my dad would have loved the music there, and then somehow Cavern Indie Night became the club night I frequented the most in Exeter. We also had an ABBA Gold CD, which originally belonged to my mum, that we played on repeat on any long car journey when I was younger; this obsession later developed into Mamma Mia be-
ing one of my favourite films of all time. But did I enjoy these songs because of nostalgia for when I was younger or because I genuinely have the same music taste as my parents? Another interesting question is, if music taste is in fact generational, then how do my brother and I have such different tastes? I have a penchant for musical theatre and pop, whereas he likes rap and drill, neither of which,
THE 'Indie' genre is one that allows listeners to explore a range of artists, albums and tracks that differ so widely from one another. You may have a favourite artists and not realise that they are classed under this genre because it encompasses such a stretch of the music world.
For example, the indie genre is broken down into sections itself, such as Indie-Pop, Dance-Punk, Madchester, British Folk, Indie-Rock, and this is to just name a few! When it comes to artists, you have your
Das far as I’m aware, our parents listen to. This shows the other influences on our music taste, which, for me, came from my friends. My Taylor Swift obsession, for example, emerged in lockdown: when we couldn’t do much else, one of my best friends and I would go for our daily allotted walk and dissect each Taylor Swift album in quite frankly alarming detail.
Another way I discover new music is through recommendations on social media, and even film or TV show soundtracks — I can’t have been the only one who listened to 80s music on repeat after the season finale of Stranger Things came out. That being said, the more conventional route for your voyage of musical discovery is probably listening to the recommended mixes on Spotify, which are generated to suggest songs based on your music taste. In particular, Spotify’s Discover Weekly playlist is good for finding songs you haven’t listened to before but have a similar vibe to your favourites.
While we don’t have a concrete answer to the question of whether music taste is something that can be inherited from your parents, a study from the Max Planck institute of Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, found
Genre spotlight: Indie
that music taste could be somewhat passed down from parents to children. The study, which was published in March 2025, compared music enjoyment in identical versus fraternal twins, and the researchers found that DNA differences affect 54 percent of your enjoyment of music.
RESEARCHERS FOUND THAT DNA DIFFERENCES AFFECT 54 PERCENT OF YOUR ENJOYMENT OF MUSIC
However, this is more about your capacity to feel emotions caused by music, rather than the specific music taste or genre of song you prefer listening to. That being said, I’m pretty sure I inherited a good chunk of my music taste from my parents. I’m reminded of the time I was home for the holidays and played an old-ish song that I had discovered myself through a TV show, only for my mum to go “How do you know this song? I loved this when it came out!”
Sarah Gould, Music Editor, highlights all that the Indie genre has to offer
classics like The Smiths, Arctic Monkeys, The Stone Roses and Kraftwerk. But Indie has developed over the last decade or so to encompass more than just the grungy
YOU MAY HAVE A FAVOURITE ARTIST AND NOT REALISE THAT THEY ARE CLASSED UNDER THIS GENRE
and sultry sounds of the popular artists. The rise of the calm and chill beats of artists such as Arlo Parks and Mitski has proved that there is space in this genre for other sounds to also thrive. Below we have two music writers recommending a track and album from this genre to check out. Some personal favourites of mine are 'Naive' by The Kooks, 'Wet Dream' by Wet Leg and just about anything from Two Door Cinema Club.
Music writers contribute one track and one album to encourage you to listen to this genre
Track: 'Fools Gold' by The Stone Roses
ESPITE only peaking at number eight in the UK charts in 1989, this era defining giant of a tune has had an immeasurable and unprecedented influence on the genre of indie.
The track was inspired by the Humphrey Bogart film The Treasure of the Sierra Madre , which depicts impoverished individuals searching for gold, only to end up with greed fuelled betrayal. This inspiration heavily embodies the idea of the “Madchester” era, where working class musicians from the Manchester area dominated the charts, including key figures such as The Happy Mondays, James, as well as independent The Stone Roses themselves.
The iconic dance groove is born from the band’s, specifically bassist Mani’s, appreciation for the club culture, inspiring the use of a bass line from Young M.C.’s 'Know How' as well as a drum loop from the godfather of funk, James Brown.
The track itself was created around a four-bar loop, producer John Leckie commenting that unlike the rest of the live sounding album, this track had been painstakingly layered with instrumentals and electronic
elements. The groove of the guitars and funk of the drums mixed with the heaviness of the bass and dark vocals caused many to say that this track could possibly have been the first ever blend of funk and rock.
THE HEAVINESS OF THE BASS AND DARK VOCALS CAUSED MANY TO SAY THST THIS TRACK COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN THE FIRST EVER BLEND OF FUNK AND ROCK
The legacy of this song spans indefinitely across the genre. Said to have heavily inspired Britpop, especially Oasis, The Stone Roses can still be seen in modern bands such as ‘Wunderhorse’, most notably in their guitar/groove heavy track ‘Poppy’. Sampled by Run-DMC, Sonic the hedgehog and jungle to name a few, the funk of this song seems to be an immortal source of inspiration for generations of indie bands to come.
Eve Buckley
WAlbum: Funeral by Arcade Fire
HEN it comes to discussing the best ‘Indie’ album of all time, it is hard to first narrow down the category, but Wikipedia defines it as "a broad style of music characterized by creative freedom, low budgets, and a do-it-yourself approach to music creation". With that basis, there can be no greater example than a first-release album that has both a humble beginning but also ends up being a smash hit and defining a genre for years to come.
I would argue that Arcade Fire’s 2004 debut album Funeral is just that, and is the greatest indie album of all time. Starting life as a passion project of the band’s members having just lost several key family members, including Win and Will Butler’s grandfather, Alvino Rey, and Régine Chassagne’s grandmother, their grief and soul-searching is musically embedded throughout the album and its highly emotional tracklist. Of course emotions are not the only key ingredient for an album to be considered one of the greats, but it certainly goes some of the way. The highlights include the common final song of their live sets: ‘Wake Up’, ‘Rebellion (Lies)’, ‘Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)’, and the groovy ‘Haiti’. These songs often end up in critics’ lists of the best songs of the modern indie genre, and
the album is ranked by Rolling Stone as both one of the 500 Greatest Albums of all time and one of the 100 Greatest Debut albums of all time.
THESE SONGS OFTEN END UP IN CRITICS' LISTS OF THE BEST SONGS OF THE MODERN INDIE GENRE
The album was produced and recorded on a relatively small budget, but this didn’t stop it being nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 2005 Grammy Awards, nominated for Alternative Album of the Year and Best Album Design in 2005 at the JUNO awards, and a nomination for International Album at the 2006 BRIT awards. It preceded the much more commercially successful Suburbs in 2010, but Funeral remains their seminal and arguably most sonically impactful work to date. It has very strong competition to be considered the best indie album of all time, but I would argue that its musical strength, enduring appeal, and critical reception place it firmly within that classification
Felix Masssey
Image: Wikimedia Commons
THE Howlers, an up-and-coming indie rock band from London performed and awed the crowd in Exeter’s own grassroots venue The Cavern on February 27th. The self-coined desert-rock band taps into wild west iconography and cowboy symbolism. Clad in denim and neckerchiefs the young two-piece band, fronted by a charismatic Adam Young, provide not only fashion and flair but also uses their lyrics to tap into and highlight men’s mental health issues, working class struggles and the difficulties in pursuing a music career in the modern age.
THE SELF-COINED DESERT-ROCK BAND TAPS INTO WILD WEST ICONOGRAPHY AND COWBOY SYMBOLISM
Balancing showmanship with haunting lyricism, the young men make it terribly difficult to not want to follow their journey. The band were supported by Exeter’s own, Halfcut, with suave, wailing guitars and strong post-punk vocal performances the band warmed up the crowd in a spectacular fashion, with an audience spanning many ages it seemed that the entire room was behind Halfcut. While speaking to me they noted how at ease they felt in Exeter and Cavern in particular, saying that the venue has given them unrelenting support in their endeavours and has never ceased in giving them opportunities to perform. I would strongly recommend clearing your calendar on
THE atmosphere walking into Cologne’s Palladium to see The Last Dinner Party live for the first time was electric. Seemingly everyone was dressed head-to-toe in immaculately crafted outfits reflective of the band’s quintessentially exuberant on-stage style — think baroque dresses, puffy sleeves, and plenty of ‘cottagecore’.
EVERYONE WAS DRESSED HEAD-TO-TOE IN IMMACULATELY CRAFTED OUTFITS REFLECTIVE OF THE BAND
Having kicked off their tour in Dublin last year for their new album From The Pyre , the audience was in a fantastic mood for their return to the city for the first time since 2024.
The opening act was the pleasantly surprising Sunday, who impressed with a highly enthusiastic display to get the crowd warmed up. After an intermission that felt like years, and a good amount of wriggling through the crowd to get a better position, the house lights dimmed and the band walked out to rapturous applause and quickly moved into their classic opener "Agnus Dei". This was followed by the emotional "Count The Ways", and a jolly welcome from lead vocalist Abigail Morris.
One of the consistent highlights of the night was the regular audience interaction that kept things varied and made it feel like the band truly valued their fans. Continuing the show through hits "The Feminine Urge", "Second Best", and "Rifle", the passion in the crowd only kept
EDITORS: Sarah Gould and Katie Roberts
Concert Reviews
Music writers review recent concerts they've attended
The Howlers
March 25th to go and see Halfcut and many other stand-out Exeter bands at Bomba Nightclub. Opening with one of their most recent and also most streamed tracks, "Night crawling" instantly assured the crowd of a great night of live music. In a way that can only be described as late Arctic Monkeys with Jake Bugg vocals, The Howlers’ prowess is difficult to define, with hard hitting drum lines contrasting the softer vocals there was a gentleness in the rock. Although the vocals were very occasionally inaudible, this was quickly explained in an apology owing the mistake to a "blown eardrum." Despite this quite detrimental injury the band soldiered on performing and interacting with the crowd, bantering with the disembodied voices.
Powering through brand-new tracks such as "You Can Be So Cruel" as well as fan favourites such as "How Long" and "Further Down The Line" the energy of the band and the force of the instruments were never caught slacking.
THE ENERGY OF THE BAND AND THE FORCE OF THE INSTRUMENTS WAS NEVER CAUGHT SLACKING
With swinging guitars and karate kicks the band was visual addicting to watch, you'll never being able to expect what was coming next. The slashing guitar and head banging rhythm had your own two feet moving, with aching legs and camera roll full of videos I would thoroughly encourage anyone to go and see them perform. After a lengthy tour across UK club venues the band has only one date left on their tour, but fear not they have expressed an eagerness to return, in speaking to me, the incredibly kind Adam Young described how they had “never headlined Exeter before” but in spite of this found the crowd “very cool despite being so far out of the way”. When asked about grassroot venues such as Cavern he expressed to me how he wished for the UK to pick up a more European approach in funding the artists, tours and crew not only the venues. He stated to me that currently “we live in a society where people don’t want to sacrifice to gain” describing that he himself has “lived in poverty
at the start of the band” choosing music over comfort he argued that there is very little “instant gratification for those without parental/ financial backing”, ending in a kind hug the artist wished everyone surrounding the merch table good luck with their degrees. Despite the battle to the top this band has clearly not been hardened by the process. Without a doubt download their songs and buy their tickets.
Eve Buckley
DESPITE THE BATTLE TO THE TOP THIS BAND HAS CLEARLY NOT BEEN HARDENED BY THE PROCESS
The Last Dinner Party
building. It was made even more excitable by the inclusion of the unreleased but much-performed "Big Dog", which has quickly become a fan favourite live. Leading on in full-swing with "The Scythe" and "Sinner", the band arrived at the anthem "Lady of Mercy", a song inspired by feelings of teenage angst and sexual awakening amidst a Catholic upbringing and education.
ONE OF THE CONSISTENT HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NIGHT WAS THE REGULAR AUDIENCE INTERACTION THAT KEPT THINGS VARIED
Continuing the strong trend of audience interaction that The Last Dinner Party are well-known for, the song "Inferno" was succeeded by lead singer Abigail going back-andforth with a fan and ultimately drawing a tattoo template for them while the band played instrumental riffs of "Nothing Matters".
If you want to see a live band with a truly interactive personality, look no further! As my feet started to ache just a little, and my phone battery crept scarily close to low battery mode, we were treated to a performance of the additionally-unreleased "Knocking at the Sky", before the joyous and climactic megahit of "Nothing Matters", which is a memory that will stay long in my mind.
Of course, the final note is never quite the end, and the band came back on just minutes later for an encore of "This is the Killer Speaking" and a reprise of "Agnus Dei", with the former including the audience being choreographed through a two-step dance that, although tough, provided a fantastically energetic way to close out the night.
A TWO-STEP DANCE ... PROVIDED A FANTASTICALLY ENERGETIC WAY TO CLOSE OUT THE NIGHT
Leaving the event, and on the train, I couldn’t help but look over the videos I had taken, hoping that any future live music experiences might have a chance to live up to what I had seen. Get tickets while you still can!
Felix Massey
Image: Eve Buckley
Image: Eve Buckley
Image: Felix Massey
Review: How to Get to Heaven from Belfast
Amy Jones dissects Netflix’s new series from the creator of Derry Girls
THE creator of Derry Girls is back, but this time Lisa McGee trades teenage mischief for a more mature thriller-comedy steeped in intrigue. How to Get to Heaven from Belfast reunites three women decades after a traumatic incident at school that fractured their once-unbreakable bond. Once “separate, but inseparable”, they are now entirely estranged from their mysterious schoolfriend, Greta. When they are invited to the funeral after her sudden and gruesome death, they are pulled back into a past they have long tried to outrun.
Tonally darker than Derry Girls, the series still bears McGee’s unmistakable signature. The macabre premise — hovering around murder and the occult — is offset by sharp comic irreverence
and a near-frantic pacing that barely stops for air. What could feel jarring instead becomes deftly balanced, thanks to McGee’s gift for underpinning absurdity with sincere emotional depth. Beneath the thriller scaffolding lies the same poignancy that defined her earlier work: the intensity of teenage loyalty and the peculiar, formative intimacy of growing up Northern Irish, where identity is shaped as much by community as by conflict.
SHARP COMIC IRREVERENCE AND A NEAR-FRANTIC PACING
The four women at the heart of the story have diverged in obvious ways: one tightly wound and career-driven, another brash and deflecting with humour, a third outwardly settled yet quietly restless, and Greta lingering as an unresolved presence. Yet when reunited, they slip into old rhythms with barely a word. Their shared history, marked by coded glances, half-finished sentences and even matching tattoos — speaks to a bond that time and resentment cannot fully erode.
Though How to Get to Heaven is darker terrain for McGee, her work remains an ode to schoolgirl friendships: messy, enduring, and capable of haunting us long after the bell has rung.
Pre and Post: What goes on outside of filming
Screen writers explore the importance of casting and marketing in box office successes
Casting call!
Cristina
Ferrina Pereda
looks at make or break castings
THIS year’s Oscars are introducing a new category for Best Casting, and although the BAFTA’s have recognised this as a category since 2020, the prestigious Academy Awards adopting this really brings to light the impact casting can make on a screenplay.
In my opinion, casting should be a commended category because it really can make or break a show or movie. Good casting consists of the ability of the actors to embody the character, the chemistry between the actors, and how well they carry out the writer’s vision. A good cast is not always made up of well-knows actors, in fact movies with recently discovered actors tend to be more enjoyable because they feel fresher. The recycling of actors in Hollywood often ends up feeling fatiguing, especially when those actors are only chosen for their reputation rather than their talent or ability to represent that character well.
Undiscovered gems in TV are become more popular lately, most notably Owen Cooper in Adolescence, but also Sora Wong in Bring Her Back
Owen Cooper’s brilliant performance as Jamie Miller in Netflix’s Adolescence makes it hard to believe that was his first acting role; subsequently his portrayal of young Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights” was so emotive and heartbreaking it left a lasting impact. Less known is Sora Wong, who played Piper in the Australian horror movie Bring Her Back. Also visually impaired in real life, Wong secured the role through her mother’s response to a Facebook advert and was essential to the film’s intense and realistic horror.
THE RECYCLING OF ACTORS IN HOLLYWOOD OFTEN ENDS UP FEELING FATIGUING
Some of my favourite casts consist of a mix of renowned and novice actors. In terms of recent works, both Hamnet and Sinners are some of the best casts I have seen on screen, from raw talent to the chemistry between actors, it’s no surprise that both of these are nominated for ‘Best Casting’ at this year’s Oscars. When talking of individual casting choices, some insurmountable decisions are Heath Ledger as the Joker in The Dark Knight and Alan Rickman as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter saga. Both were legacy-building roles that stuck with them throughout their lives and defined them as actors due to their dedication to becoming their characters. These examples demonstrate how casting directors’ choices can determine the success of a screenplay. Nina Gold is widely-regarded as one of the best casting directors, with notable works being The Crown and Game of Thrones, both of which have starstudded casts and have boosted many into stardom. Their casts are one of the main reasons those shows are so highly acclaimed and rated. Overall, I believe there should be more credit where credit is due.
TAll press is good press
Louisa Gautrey considers film publicity ploys
HE modern film press cycle rarely begins with trailers. Instead, many recent high profile productions generate publicity by entering public discourse through controversy, using debate and backlash to attract audience attention. Emerald Fennell’s recent adaptation of “Wuthering Heights” attracted significant attention well ahead of its cinema release, reflecting this shift in contemporary film promotion and audience engagement.
particularly accusations of the film being “woke”, functioned as promotion, keeping Barbie in constant public discussion. Rather than correcting or clarifying this backlash, the studio allowed it to circulate, sustaining interest across a wide audience.
THE MODERN FILM PRESS CYCLE RARELY BEGINS WITH TRAILERS
The film quickly became a subject of online discussion, drawing criticism from readers of the novel, particularly in relation to casting choices.
The involvement of well-known actors Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie sparked debate over authenticity, with some viewers arguing that their contemporary appearances and “iPhone faces” conflicted with the gothic realism traditionally associated with Brontë’s work. Further controversy emerged around the casting of Heathcliff, with some audiences criticising the decision not to cast an actor of colour, given longstanding interpretations of the character’s racial ambiguity. While some fans viewed this backlash as damaging, it significantly increased the film’s visibility, raising the question of when controversy stops being a risk and starts becoming an asset.
Films such as Barbie were immediately framed as either a feminist statement or an attempt to address complex political issues. Backed by an exceptionally large marketing budget, the film’s pink branding dominated public spaces and online platforms, making it difficult to avoid. As a result, many critics and commentators reacted before seeing the finished product. Heavy online criticism,
The recent Joker movie starring Joaquin Phoenix was widely deemed dangerous and socially provocative before its release. Media concern over its depiction of Arthur Fleck’s descent into violence framed the film as transgressive rather than a conventional comic book adaptation. This shaped audience expectations, encouraging viewers to engage with the film as a cultural event and to participate in the surrounding debate.
Don’t Worry Darling demonstrated how offscreen drama can dominate marketing. Weeks of speculation about tensions between Olivia Wilde and Florence Pugh, alongside viral presstour moments involving Harry Styles and Chris Pine, became central to the film’s publicity.
Controversy has become an important element in contemporary film marketing. While backlash once posed a threat to a film’s success, it is now often strategic to generate attention, and encourage audience participation. In an increasingly crowded media landscape, controversy does
Image: Flickr
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Review: The Artful Dodger season 2
Katrina Nahar reviews Netflix’s new season of the show reimagining Oliver Twist
THE Artful Dodger follows the titular character, based on the Charles Dickens character of the same name, as he attempts to shed his criminal past by making a better life for himself in the Australian colonies as a surgeon, while still tied to his former guardian, Fagin. Season two throws the audience in at the deep end, starting with Jack facing murder charges and a public hanging, while his friends attempt to save him. While they succeed, he is condemned to probation, one of the terms being that he can no longer see his love interest, Belle, an aspiring surgeon at the hospital.
While the show incorporates comedic elements, with Fagin and his gang engaging in various criminal enterprises as Jack and Belle attempt to save lives, it also addresses serious issues that persist in contemporary society today. Despite her brilliant mind and education, Belle’s future as a surgeon rests in the hands of men, who often ignore and question her, an experience that many women, even in contemporary society, can relate to.
BELLE’S FUTURE AS A SURGEON RESTS IN THE HANDS OF MEN
Not only this, but the class divide and mistreatment of the poor are issues that plagues the narrative, highlighting the difference in how they are treated, both by the gentry and the hospital. Belle’s mother believes Jack to be a common thief and nothing more, forbidding their relationship, and Fagin dislikes Belle because of her privilege. Yet, we find ourselves rooting for Fagin and his
Politics on screen
Tcriminal gang, perhaps because we are told to by the directors, but also because we can see how the upper classes mistreat, ignore, and vilify the lower classes at every opportunity, and are given no choice but to resort to crime to live. Ultimately, The Artful Dodger is a fun and engaging watch, utilizing both comedic and dramatic elements to create an entertaining narrative that balances comedy and social commentary.
CLASS DIVIDE AND MISTREATMENT OF THE POOR IS AN ISSUE THAT PLAGUE THE NARRATIVE
Chandrayee Raha discusses the pro-immigration message of Paddington 2
HERE’S a scene in Paddington 2 where the Brown family rallies an entire neighbourhood — diverse, squabbling, gloriously ordinary — to save a small Peruvian bear from wrongful imprisonment. It’s funny, warm, and utterly disarming. It is also, unmistakably, a political manifesto. In an era of hostile environment policies and rising anti-immigration sentiment, Michael Bond’s creation didn’t just entertain children. He made a case for
openness and decency that no campaign leaflet could replicate. That’s the quietly radical thing about political cinema: its most powerful arguments rarely announce themselves.
We tend to reserve the label “political film” for the obvious culprits: All the President’s Men, JFK, Vice. Films that name names and pick sides. But the more interesting question is whether cinema that smuggles politics underneath entertainment is doing something potentially more troubling than transformative. Wall-E is a children’s animation and a damning referendum on consumer capitalism. Get Out is a horror film and the sharpest cultural critique of liberal racism produced this decade. These films work precisely because audiences don’t arrive with their defences up. And that should give us pause. If a filmmaker engineers an emotional re -
sponse to steer a viewer toward a political conclusion, where does art end and propaganda begin? Cinema has always understood that feeling precedes thinking, and that an audience moved to tears is an audience made pliable. That’s not incidental to the medium. It’s foundational to it. What separates legitimate political art from propaganda is not the presence of a viewpoint, but accountability to complexity. The best political films — I, Daniel Blake, Roma, 12 Years a Slave — don’t foreclose argument. They show systems, not simply villains. Propaganda reduces. Art, at its most rigorous, resists reduction even when it has something urgent to say.
The danger in our current political climate is that urgency becomes an excuse. When filmmakers believe, with some justification, that democracy itself is under threat, the temptation to sub-
ordinate craft to message grows stronger. The result is cinema that preaches to the converted, hardens the divisions it claims to dissolve, and mistakes emotional catharsis for political action.
WHEN DEMOCRACY IS UNDER THREAT THE TEMPTATION TO SUBORDINATE CRAFT TO MESSAGE GROWS STRONGER
Cinema’s capacity to make us inhabit another life for two hours and return to the world slightly changed remains one of the more underrated civic tools we have. But that power demands scepticism about its intentions. Even when the messenger is a bear in a duffel coat.
Review: Love Story so far Beth Casey, Screen Editor, reviews the dramatisation of the 90s sensation relationship
AVAILABLE on Disney+, Love Story is Hulu’s classy dramatization of the relationship between John F Kennedy Jr, son of JFK, and Carolyn Bessette, a fashion publicist for Calvin Klein. Visually, it’s nostalgic, tinted and grainy, with that perfect low lighting haze that can make anything appear tasteful — even a gala waiter serving champagne in his underwear. Only half of the series
this is where the similarities end. John is confused, a tad thoughtless and lacks clear direction after struggling to pass the bar exam. Carolyn is driven, and career-focused and knows exactly what she does, but more importantly doesn’t want.
has been released on Disney, but I’m hooked. Without spoiling the prestige, it sets up the story in the ‘before’ era of their relationship. Both leads have separate partners and are making their way in a vibrant New York scene, but
An interesting parallel early in the season sums up the narrative intentions quickly. Both leads experience what I’m going to call a ‘taxicab moment.’ When John is arguing with his girlfriend Daryll, she solemly steps away to get into a cab. He is fully stationary, calling her name without conviction and not taking a single step to follow her. It almost completely mirrors (and inverts) a scene from episode one. Carolyn offends
Michael (her on-and-off guy), walking to a taxi and away from the prospective permanent relationship. But where John is stationary, Michael follows. In creating these parallels (and let’s not forget the visual similarities between both the partners e.g. blond and slim, and brunette and built) the show maps out an obvious collision path. Carolyn, in all her running, will at some point smack into John, who is standing still, not interested in moving forward with his current partner. And the collision itself is the show’s best aspect. I’ve read enough romance stories and rom coms in my life, to tell when a conflict is shoved in between the happy moments simply for the sake of it. A stamp that says: ‘you can’t
call this unrealistic. Look, they’re fighting. They’re real.’ But when it’s done crudely, this only breaks rather than validifies the realism. It’s manufactured and forced and sticks out like a wax figure in a room of living people. People aren’t perfect, and they don’t simply fight because it was overdue in the plot structure. What I liked about the latest episode of Love Story, was that the fight didn’t feel due. It felt sudden, and scary, and I was left much the same as both John and Carylyn — off balance and panicked. Because in contemporary love stories, the conflict ‘stamp’ is just a few chapters before the happy epilogue — you’re upset, but catharsis is only pages away. Here, the conflict is right out the gate — just as they finally get off the start line. Therefore, as irritated as I am that Disney have eschewed the streaming binge culture and reverted to the traditional broadcasting ‘make them wait’ strategy — the cliffhanger did its job. Carolyn, typically wafting charismatic charm around the Calvin Klein office, is instead faced with a two page cover of her fears and worries spread out like it’s the next catalogue up for review.
Image: Wikimedia commons Images: Wikimedia commons
Excetera Excetera...
Student
Stars
CAPRICORN (22 DEC — 19 JAN)
Be careful around sharp objects, you don’t want to become the next house hospital trip.
AQUARIUS (20 JAN — 18 FEB)
I know you’re busy with deadlines, but when did you last do your dishes?
PISCES (19 FEB — 20 MAR)
Stay vigilant, you never know when someone is going to prank you.
ARIES (21 MAR — 19 APR)
When was the last time you worked on your dissertation?
TAURUS (20 APR — 20 MAY)
Now that the sun has finally returned, don’t forget to wear suncream!
GEMINI (21 MAY — 20 JUNE)
Do it for the plot.
CANCER (21 JUN — 22 JUL)
Take a break, work-life balance is important!
LEO (23 JUL — 22 AUG)
Go to a rage room and let out all your frustrations. Crash out, queen.
VIRGO (23 AUG — 22 SEP)
Treat yourself, retail therapy works!
LIBRA (23 SEP — 22 OCT)
Healing isn’t linear, steam your face, you’ll get better soon, I promise.
SCORPIO (23 OCT — 21 NOV)
Stop putting your romantic prospects on a pedestal, you come first.
SAGITTARIUS (22 NOV — 21 DEC)
Sort out your sleep schedule, staying up until 6am is not normal. Get some sleep!
Let’s Talk About It...
Amberly Wright, Deputy Editor, delves into her experiences playing sports for her mental health
I’VE always been sporty. From a young age I would join my mum on parts of her runs, and kick footballs around my garden — I even asked my parents for my own football goal for Christmas when I was little. If there’s a sport, it’s safe to say I’ve tried it.
One sport in particular has always stuck out to me: hock ey. When I was 14, I decided to join my local hockey club, Dereham Hockey Club, for which I am for ever grateful to, as my experiences playing semicompetitive club hockey have shaped the per son I am today. I had already been playing for my secondary school for a while and had fallen in love with the sport. Seven years later, I’m still playing, and my love hasn’t faded.
At university, particularly sporty institutions like Exeter, it can be daunting to participate in sport for pure enjoyment; Many people feel the pressure to compete at a high level rather than casual ly, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of taking nothing short
of perfection, and giving up when you inevitably don’t reach the unrealistic targets you set out for yourself. Research from Women in Sport revealed that 35 percent of girls aged 14–16 avoid sport due to low confidence, and 34 percent avoid sport due to the fear of being watched.
New research by the This Girl Can campaign reveals that 38 percent of women do not fail confident when playing sport and feel unsure about their ability level. These statistics, combined with the expectations to appear skilled and professional, as well as meeting aesthetic demands, combined with the fear of failure, are what drive many, not just women, to give up sport.
For me, though scoring goals is brilliant, hockey has never been about winning; Hockey is my safe space. As soon as I step onto a hockey pitch, I feel the weight of university deadlines, graduation worries, and homesickness lifting, and for those few hours, I can be entirely myself. Hockey has always been something I’ve done for myself; I have always started at new clubs on my own, turning up to training sessions not knowing anyone (which may I add, though scary, is oddly liberating). Research estimates that hockey lifts mood and increases self-esteem, as well as providing social benefits by being part of a team. Among female players, hockey can contribute to concentration, resilience, confidence, and management of adversity. These benefits aren’t unique to hockey either; Psychologists suggest that physical activity can increase hippocampal volume and improve memory performance, keeping your body and mind in check . So, the next time you think twice about joining a sport team or trying a new activity, though it’s hard, try to let go of the insecurities and societal expectation that are pressed upon us, and remember the physical and mental benefits. And if you think you’ve failed, you can always try again. This is your sign to dance like no one’s watching.
Recipe: Chocolate Sauce Pudding
THIS pudding is a favourite among my family, and I have fond memories of learning to make it with my dad when I was so young that I had to stand on a chair to see reach the kitchen worktop. It makes a delicious chocolate sponge with a chocolate sauce. This recipe is lovely and simple, and requires minimal washing up too!
Makes: 6 servings Cooking time: approx. 40 minutes Ingredients: For the sponge
·2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
· 1 cup self-raising flour
· 3/4 cup sugar
·2 tablespoons cocoa
·1/2 cup milk For the sauce
·3/4 cup brown sugar
·1 tablespoon cocoa
·10 fluid ounces boiling water
1. Preheat your oven to gas mark six, or 200 ° C.
2. In an oven-safe 22cm pudding dish, mix together all the ingredients for the sponge. (See, told you this was easy!)
3. In a jug, mix the ingredients for the sauce, stirring until the sugar and cocoa has dissolved.
4. Pour the sauce over the sponge mix. It will sit on top of it, and should completely cover it. Don’t worry, it’ll sink to the bottom as it bakes!
5. Bake for approximately 40 minutes. One trick to test when it’s done is to stick a knife in the sponge, and if it comes out clean, then it’s ready!
6. Serve and eat! If you want to go a step further, I’d reccomend serving with vanilla ice cream or custard!
Lauren Walsh Deputy Editor
Image: Wikipedia Commons
Images: Wikimedia Commons, Pexels
EDITOR: Emily S Rizzo & Kayleigh Swart
CROSSWORD
Across
1 Dishonest man (5)
4 Team leader (7)
8 Radioactive metal - atomic number
92 (7)
9 Believe eagerly and uncritically (3,2)
10 State (4)
11 Massive-jawed fish - or HND joy? (anagram) (4,4)
14 (Large) animals (6)
15 Style of dance music (6)
18 Keyboard key (5,3)
19 Biting fly (4)
21 Loosen - open - free (5)
23 Illuminated by Earth’s natural satellite (7)
24 Makes a casual visit (5,2)
25 Belgian province - GI Lee? (anagram) (5)
ANSWERS
Down
1 Edible (red) leaf-stalked plant (7)
2 Central American republic (9)
3 Departure (4)
4 Make an entrance (theatre) (4,2)
5 Very rare element - atomic number 84 (8)
6 Basic SI unit of electric current, in short (3)
7 Diaper (5)
12 Specialised part of a cell (biology) - e.g. llanero? (anagram) (9)
13 Endeavours - essays - tries (8)
16 Name - license (7)
17 Bantam (anagram) - an officer’s personal servant (6)
18 Group of close friends (informal) (5)
20 Billiard game (4) 22 Menagerie (3)
SUDOKU
Trivia Corner
1 Rogue, 4 Captain, 8 Uranium,
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 25/26 facebook group in which you’ll find content calls from section editors on pretty much any topic you can imagine! We’ll have a link to this page on our instagram! 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. 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. We can’t wait to see all the amazing writing you guys get up to!
Image Credits: Wikimedia commons
INTERNATIONAL
EDITORS: Jed H. Gibbins Antoni Kałduński
The war in Iran
Jed H. Gibbins,
International
Editor,
explains what has led to the 2026 War in Iran
IN the early morning of Saturday 28th February US and Israeli forces started a bombing campaign on the Islamic Republic of Iran, targeting government, broadcasting and military sites. One of the first bombs targeted the headquarters and residence of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, successfully assassinating him, along with his family. This put an end to his 37 year long brutal, authoritarian regime. However, the path to this moment has been a long time coming. Since October 7th 2023, tensions have been very high across the Middle East, and reached a flash point in June 2025 when America bombed multiple nuclear facilities and uranium enrichment plants in Iran, killing nuclear scientists, military leaders. Iran started too rebuild its nuclear facilities and in early 2026 refused IAEA inspections on their nuclear facilities. Diplomatic talks began between Iran and the US in Geneva and Oman to reach a deal which the US hoped would stop Iran’s nuclear programme. These talks failed.
In late December 2025, large protests started against the Iranian government amidst a growing economic crisis. On January 9th 2026 over five million people reportedly were out protesting country-wide. The Iranian military murdered thousands of protesters increasing both domestic and international pressure on Iran. US President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu both urged Iran to fight against their government Netanyahu visited Washington D.C. in early February. The contents of the visit has since been made clear: that Israel was going to preemptively strike
Iran, and wanted unilateral strikes with the US, as confirmed in a press conference by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 2nd. The US was conscious that any Israeli attack on Iran would lead to attacks on American interests too, and acted as such.
Since that meeting, huge swathes of American military aircraft made its way to Europe, Israel and Middle East, notably not via the UK as the British government avoided involving itself in US offensive intensions in Iran. Fighter jets, reconnaissance aircraft, bombers as well as a large Naval fleet, with America’s two largest aircraft carriers, the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln going to the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean respectively.
Iran responded to the bombings with missile and drone attacks on the American Central Naval Base, Bahrain and the Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, which has 10,000 US personnel stationed there. Kuwait, Dubai and Abu Dhabi have also seen attacks on civilian infrastructure as well. Tel Aviv and Jerusalem have also been attacked. Although the British were not involved, Iran also attacked the RAF Akrotiri airbase in southern Cyprus. As such, the UK has now given permission for America to use British airbases, and the UK is now sending a warship to Akrotiri to help protect it.
Due to the conflict, multiple countries, including Qatar and the UAE have shut their airspace As such global airport hubs, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha have closed leading to thousands of people stranded across the world trying to get home as Etihad, Emirates and Qatar airlines cannot fly.
Farage on the Chagos Islands?
Sarah Gould, Music Editor, looks at the current state of the Chagos Island handover deal
IT’S been a deal long in the making for the UK to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, ending the years of discussions over Britain’s last African Colony, which it has controlled since 1814. A main term of the deal is for the UK to give up control of the Chagos archipelago whilst paying to keep control of the joint US-UK military base situated on the island of Diego Garcia, under a 99-year lease. Over the past year, Donald Trump’s wavering of support has been nothing short of whiplash. Between Feburary 2025 and January 2026, Trump was supportive of the deal, but it was on the 20th January this year that Trump suddenly claimed that there was “no good reason” for the UK/Chagos deal. He quickly changed his mind back again on the 5th February, writing on Truth Social “I understand that the deal Prime Minister Starmer has made, according to many, the best he could make”, only to then write “DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA” 13 days later. Government sources believe the president with-
drew support due to the UK’s refusal to permit its airbases to be used for a pre-emptive US strike on Iran.
Despite Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer commenting, “We are pausing for discussions with our American counterparts.” The government insists it is still in the process of passing the legislation to ratify the deal.
Amid the chaos, Nigel Farage recently attempted to travel to the Chagos Islands, only to be denied entry. Farage tried to claim in a video on social media that he was on a mission to bring aid to four Chagossians aiming to colonise a deserted island, and that he had been blocked by the UK government from delivering the food and medicine. However, the Foreign Office advises that anyone wishing to travel to the UK-US military base requires a permit. Farage has come under fire from critics, with Ex-Tory Defence Secretary Ben Wallace calling his actions a “cheap stunt”. Others have praised his attempt to provide aid. Either way, it seems Farage was outraged at the idea that he couldn’t just do what he wanted.
Ukraine four years on
George Hartburn looks at the situation in Ukraine as the war enters its fourth year
ON February 24th, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered 200,000 soldiers to invade neighbouring Ukraine, aiming to swiftly take the capital Kyiv. Four years on, amid 15,000 civilian casualties and a changing political climate, Ukraine is still fighting for survival.
During the tense early events of the war, Russia expected to take the capital in a matter of days but underestimated the task and strong Ukrainian resolve. It was during these tense scenes a Russian resupply convoy, reaching tens of miles in length, marched along the main road to Kyiv and stopped after Ukrainian efforts.
Following the failure to take Kyiv, Russia pivoted its invasion to the East of Ukraine. Since then, the war has grinded on in Ukraine’s eastern provinces. Russia controls the entirety of Luhansk and Crimea provinces as well as territory in Donestk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Although movement is slow, Russia is making gains.
On the front lines, a war of attrition and rapidly changing technology have defined the nature of the war. Unmanned and cheap drones mean that near those front lines can be targets can be stuck 25 miles deep. Thus, camouflage is more important than ever and supply lines must disperse to be effective. Most impor-
tantly, the value of human life has hugely increased in the wake of new drone technologies. The international politics of the war is unrecognisable compared to four years ago. Immediately after the invasion, sanctions were imposed by the UK, US, EU and allies on Russia, targeting key industries and assets. Depriving $450 billion to the Russian economy or the equivalent of two years of funding for the war. As of February 2026, the UK government is providing $21.8 billion in support for Ukraine.
Waning support from President Trump in the US has created a new challenge for the Ukrainians. Shown most starkly in the White House meeting between Ukrainian President Zelensky, Trump and US VicePresident Vance one year ago where Zelensky was attacked for continuing fighting in Ukraine. Since then, a peace plan brokered by the US has been tabled. A revised version omitting its worse elements has since been presented by Ukraine’s European allies.
As the war enters its fourth year, new fluctuating realities mean that a clear end cannot be predicted. A new “coalition of the willing” including the UK and France is forming to achieve peace.
Trump’s illegal tariffs
Alex Beale discusses the US Supreme Court ruling on Trump’s main economic policy
LAST week, the conservative-majority Supreme Court of the US decided against Trump, ruling that the tariffs he had imposed to bring in income to the country were done so illegally.
In the six — three ruling, the court held that the president had overstepped his powers. This represents a major blow to Trump and his aggressive foreign and economic policies. Three of the nine Supreme court judges were appointed by Trump during his first term, with the ruling being a test of his relationship with the nation’s highest court. The decision was, however, a major victory for businesses and states that had protested the duties, opening the door to potentially billions in tariff refunds, whilst also creating uncertainty in the global trade network.
The court battle was focused primarily on the import tariffs that Trump unveiled last year against goods from nearly every country in the world. The tariffs initially targeted Mexico, Canada and China, before expanding dramatically to dozens of trade partners on what the president labelled as “Liberation Day” last April. The measures were not popular with domestic businesses who faced rapid rises in taxes on shipments coming from outside the US, and fuelled worries among the public over increased prices for goods.
The decision to strike down the tariffs was joined by the court’s three liberal justices, as well as two justices nominated by Trump: Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch. Three conservative justices, Clarence Thomas, Brett Kavanaugh and Samuel Alito, all dissented. Speaking from the White House, Trump said he was “absolutely ashamed” of the Republican appointees who voted against his policy. He said they were “just being fools and lap dogs” and were “very unpatriotic and disloyal to our Constitution”. However, on Friday Trump signed a proclamation imposing the new ten percent tariff under a never-used law known as Section 122, which gives the power to put in place tariffs up to 15 percent for 150 days, at which point Congress must step in. Despite this, over 900 companies have sued the US over Donald Trump’s tariffs, raising pressure on the administration to issue refunds that could total to over $160 billion. FedEx became the first major American company on Monday to sue the government after the Supreme Court ruling. In more than half of the cases, courts have upheld the challenges to the government, a Financial Times report has found. Over the next weeks, the number of cases is expected to surge leaving the POTUS in a difficult predicament if the courts rule in favour of the businesses case.
Image: Diego Garcia, Store Norske Leksikon
THE year of 2026 celebrates the year of the horse — the fire horse, specifically, which occurs only every 60 years.
The seventh of the twelve animals in the Chinese year cycle, the horse represents swift action, forward motion, vitality, speed and independence. This year therefore, should incite bold changes, innovation and at times, recklessness or impulsivity.
Despite the optimism of all these associations, however, the origin story of the horse brings a weight to this lofty ambition. In Chinese legend, the horse originally had grand wings which made it the Jade Emperor’s — one of the primordial Chinese deities — prized steed. But in all the praise, the horse became arrogant and reckless.
THIS YEAR ... SHOULD INCITE BOLD CHANGES, INNOVATION
The year of the horse
Beth Casey, Screen Editor, examines the Chinese New Year
It killed the tortoise when it was denied entry into the Dragon Palace and was thus stripped of its wings and imprisoned under the Kunlun Mountain. When a human ancestor passed its prison decades later, the horse pleaded for freedom. It offered its service to humanity, and would then plough fields, pull carts and charge into battle in times of war, all in repentance for its past mistake. When the Emperor selected the twelve zodiac animals, humanity lauded the horse for its contributions and loyalty.
The story seems to remind us, that while the forward motion is admirable, action without decision and consideration can be reckless. Our recklessness might not get us imprisoned under a mountain, but I’m sure we’d all like to avoid mistakes.
Fittingly, In China, an icon for the Chinese Year of the Horse has become Draco Malfoy — a character well known for his cunning and scheming. His popularity is due
to the play on his name, with ‘Ma’ meaning horse and ‘Fu’ meaning fortune in Chinese.
FITTINGLY, IN CHINA, AN ICON FOR THE CHINESE YEAR OF THE HORSE HAS BECOME DRACO MALFOY
More locally, the Chinese New Year was celebrated at Exeter University on the 17th of February, when Forum Street on the Streatham Campus was decorated with red, cultural stalls and performances lining the space.
The Spring Festival is regularly praised for bringing together the universities vast range of nationalities, as well educating students on the culture and celebrations of each one.
MULTILINGUAL ARTICLE
Beyond cheese, chocolate and watches
Sophia Cuschieri, Welfare Executive, reveals some of the things you might know about Switzerland
WHEN you think of Switzerland what are the first things that come to mind?
Mehr als Käse, Schokolade und Uhren
Sophia Cuschieri, Wohlfahrts Managerin, erzählt uns ein paar Dinge, die du vielleicht noch nicht über die Schweiz weißt.
The typical answer includes chocolate, cheese and watches, but what if I told you that’s just the tip of the iceberg? Growing up in Switzerland I’ve picked up a few things that make it stand out, starting with their impeccable punctuality. When it comes to transport, Swiss trains and buses are incredibly dependable. They arrive exactly on time, and any delays over three minutes are met with disappointment and irritation, as punctuality is part of the Swiss identity. Sundays in Switzerland have their own set of rules, with most shops and businesses being closed to allow for employee downtime. Sundays are meant to be a day of quiet rest, so activities that produce loud noises such as washing the car, recycling bottles and lawn mowing is discouraged. Instead the Swiss take the time to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling or visiting friends and family, simply enjoying Sundays instead of working. Similar to this, during the
WHEN IT COMES TO TRANSPORT, SWISS TRAINAS AND BUSES ARE INCREDIBLY DEPENDABLE
week, after 10pm, supermarkets are closed, with noisy activities being prohibited. The Swiss love their routines and quiet time! My favourite tradition, celebrated in the city of Zürich, is Sechseläuten, a traditional spring holiday where a giant cotton-wool snowman is burnt. After the parade of Zürich’s Zünfte (Guilds), the snowman, called the Böögg, is prepared with explosives. The time it takes between lighting the pyre and the explosion of the Böögg’s head predicts the summer’s weather. The faster the explosion means a warmer summer, and a drawn-out one indicates a rainy and cold one. In 2023, I was able to see the record for the longest time being broken, with the Böögg taking 57 minutes to explode. To finish off I’ll leave you with my favourite fun fact about Switzerland. There are strict laws surrounding pets, meaning that you cannot buy, for example, one guinea pig, because they are social animals and it is considered abuse. It is done to prevent stress and loneliness for them and you can even rent a guinea pig if one of yours dies.
THE FASTER THE EXPLOSION MEANS A WARMER SUMMER
WAS kommt dir als Erstes in den Kopf, wenn du an die Schweiz denkst? Die typische Antwort ist Schokolade, Käse und Uhren, aber was wäre, wenn ich dir sagen würde, dass es nur die Spitze des Eisbergs ist? Da ich in der Schweiz erwachsen bin, habe ich einige Dinge gelernt, die dieses Land so besonders machen, angefangen mit seiner unvergleichlichen Pünktlichkeit. Wenn es um den Transport geht, sind Schweizer Züge und Busse unglaublich zuverlässig. Sie kommen pünktlich an, und jede Verspätung von mehr als drei Minuten wird mit Enttäuschung und Verärgerung aufgenommen, da Pünktlichkeit Teil der Schweizer Identität ist. Sonntage in der Schweiz haben ihre eigenen Regeln: die meisten Geschäfte und Läden sind geschlossen, damit die Mitarbeiter sich erholen können. Der Sonntag ist ein Tag der Ruhe, deshalb sind Aktivitäten, die laute Geräusche produzieren, wie Autowaschen, Flaschensammeln und Rasenmähen, unerwünscht. Stattdessen nehmen sich die Schweizer Zeit für Out -
WENN ES UM EN TRANSPORT GEHT, SIND SCHWEIZER ZÜGE UND BUSSE UNGLAUBLICH ZUVERLÄSSIG
door-Aktivitäten wie Wandern und Radfahren oder Freunde und Familie besuchen, um einfach den Sonntag zu genießen, anstatt zu arbeiten. Ähnlich ist es, während der Woche, nach 22 Uhr, bleiben die Supermärkte geschlossen und laute Aktivitäten sind verboten. Die Schweizer lieben ihre Gewohnheiten und ihre Ruhe! Meine liebste Tradition, die in der Stadt Zürich gefeiert wird, ist Sechseläuten, ein traditionelles Frühlingsfest, bei dem ein riesiger Schneemann aus Watte verbrannt wird. Nach dem Festumzug der Zürcher Zünfte wird der
Schneemann, der Böögg genannt wird, mit explosiven Stoffen vorbereitet. Die Zeit zwischen dem Anzünden des Feuers und der Explosion des Kopfes des Böögg sagt das Wetter im Sommer voraus. Je schneller die Explosion, desto wärmer der Sommer, und je länger sie dauert, desto regnerischer und kälter wird es. Im Jahr 2023 konnte ich miterleben, dass der Rekord für die längste Zeit gebrochen wurde, denn der Böögg brauchte 57 Minuten um zu explodieren. Zum Abschied möchte ich euch noch meine liebste Anekdote über die Schweiz erzählen. Es gibt strenge Gesetze in Bezug auf Haustiere, sodass man beispielsweise kein einzelnes Meerschweinchen kaufen darf, da es sich um soziale Tiere handelt und dies als Missbrauch angesehen wird. Damit soll verhindert werden, dass die Tiere Stress und Einsamkeit empfinden. Man kann sogar ein Meerschweinchen mieten, wenn eines der eigenen Tiere stirbt.
JE SCHNELLER DIE EXPLOSION, DESTO WÄRMER DER SOMMER
Images: Roland zh, Wikimedia Commons
Image:PublicDomainPicture.net
Sci-Tech
Hidden Figures
Hannah Oliver celebrates the work of women in science in honour of International Women’s Day
FROM inventing the dishwasher to discovering the composition of the Earth’s core, you may know their work but not their names. Women are often overlooked in history, buried under men, or made famous for being a wife, mother, or an inconvenience to the male species. There is an estimated ratio of one to three women to men in a year studying physics at the University of Exeter. Given this high proportion, it is time to shed light on some of the incredible women who have built the backbone of our world over the centuries.
YOU MAY KNOW THEIR WORK BUT NOT THEIR NAMES
In 1944, Otto Hahn was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery of nuclear fission, a key process in nuclear power plants and the creation of the atomic bomb. However, he never worked alone. Lise Meitner, an Austrian-Swedish physicist, co-discovered nuclear fission with Hahn and Fritz Strassmann. Meitner and Hahn spent many years investigating radioactive elements, writing countless papers, but in 1938, Meitner, an ex-jew, was pushed out of Austria by Hitler. Although Hahn and Fritz performed the experiment that would define nuclear fission forever, they had continued to correspond with Meitner, sharing findings and asking for
her help. It was Meitner and her nephew Otto Frisch who realised — using Einstein’s famous energy equation (E=MC²) — that nuclear fission released an enormous amount of energy, a revolutionary idea that changed science. Even without the Nobel Prize, Lise Meitner won many awards throughout her life; in 1946, she was voted ‘Woman of the Year’ by the Women's National Press Club in Washington, D.C., followed by the Max Planck Medal in 1949, the Otto-Hahn Prize for Chemistry and Physics in 1955, and many more. One of her forever-lasting honours was the naming of the 109th element Meitnerium (Mt), in 1992. From Earth, stars appear to vary in brightness. For thousands of years, people had assumed the brighter ones were nearer and the fainter ones were further away. However, many methods have since been discovered to determine the distances of celestial objects. One such method is for a class of stars called Cepheid variables, which was discovered by Henrietta Swan Leavitt in 1912. These stars fluctuate in brightness, like a pulse, over a set period. She noticed that there was a relationship between their luminosity and this period, leading to an equation linking distance and luminosity. Although dying at the fairly young age of 53, Leavitt attended many prestigious institutions; Cambridge as a student and Harvard as one of their "computers" to measure the brightness and spectra of stars. She was
Ohighly respected by her male colleagues, and the Leavitt period-luminosity law will forever be a reminder of her scientific brilliance.
THE LEAVITT PERIOD-LUMINOSITY LAW WILL FOREVER BE A REMINDER OF HER SCIENTIFIC BRILLIANCE
Although underfloor heating systems date back to Roman times, Alice H. Parker patented the first modern, natural, gas-powered central heating system in 1919. An African American inventor, her original designs reduced the danger of having a fire constantly burning and increased the heat flow around the whole house. Her legacy lives on through the Alice H. Parker Women Leaders in Innovation Awards, which aim to celebrate the contributions of women in the field of innovation in New Jersey. Marie Van Brittan Brown, an African American nurse, often felt unsafe living in Queens in the 1960s. With her husband, an electrical technician, Brown devised a basic, modern home security system. This included a camera and microphone on the front door, connected to a TV and speaker inside, with an alarm to alert the police via radio. In 1969 they were awarded a patent for their invention, with Marie listed as the lead inventor.
These are just a fraction of the discoveries and creations women have contributed to the world, proving time and time again, they deserve the same respect, gratitude and opportunities that men are constantly afforded. SCI-TECH
PROVING TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT THEY DESERVE THE SAME RESPECT, GRATITUDE AND OPPORTUNITIES AS MEN
Formula 1: Motor engineering at its finest
Madison McNair discusses the physics behind Formula 1 ahead of the 2026 season
FTEN described as the pinnacle of motorsport, Formula 1 is home to some of the finest engineering the motor world has to offer. Every aspect of the car, from the engine to the bodywork, plays a key role in the overall running of the car and its ability to aid a driver in chasing that highly coveted championship title. A team’s place in the constructors’ championship at the end of the year is what decides the distribution of funds for the teams, therefore, it is crucial that each team’s designers and engineers alike get the components just right.
One of the most fundamental aspects of a Formula 1 car is its power unit. The teams are all supplied their power unit from a different manufacturer, for example Mercedes and McLaren are supplied by Mercedes, while Red Bull are newly supplied by Ford starting this season. With the first generation of hybrid power units having been around since 2014, in 2026 the sport is introducing a new set of technical regulations. In order to highlight and promote the importance of sustainability, these new power units will incorporate a notably larger hybrid element along with much more sustainable fuel blends. With the season starting soon, it will be
very interesting to see which constructors and manufacturers manage to truly nail these new regulations and get the best performance out of their cars.
There are many ways in which For mula 1 cars can be optimised in order to get the maximum speed out of them, and the most well known is none other than the Drag Reduction System, more commonly abbreviated to DRS. Drag is something that reduces the speed of the cars, thus DRS was created and has been in place for a long time to help combat this issue. This feature causes the rear wing of
the car to open to allow air to flow through the wing, therefore, reducing the impact of the drag, which in turn grants the drivers a few extra kilometres of speed. Under the new regulations this season, DRS will be changing its name to ‘overtake mode’, however its function still remains primarily the same. A new feature this year is the fact that the front wing of the cars will now contain moveable elements to provide the car with more stability and, therefore, goes hand in hand with the movement of the rear wing. The
shape of the car is also designed in a way that will help to reduce drag. The streamlined nose of the chassis minimises the frontal area of the car to allow drag reduction as it helps the car to essentially cut through the air, therefore enhancing the car’s overall aerodynamic efficiency. While having an excellent car is a crucial tool when it comes to winning either one of the championships, whether that be the drivers’ or constructors’, the mindset of a driver also plays a significant part. The role of athlete psychology in sport is a major one, and Formula 1 is no exception, as a driver has to have the right attitude, mentality and approach to their job. Being an F1 driver takes commitment, focus and unwavering concentration. If one does not possess these qualities, then success would prove rather difficult to come across. All these factors — design, engineering and psychology — are what come together to drive success in a sport like Formula 1. The unique design of the cars and their exemplary standard of engineering are what truly make Formula 1 the finest example of motor engineering in the world.
Astronauts set to return to the moon
Isabel Bratt, Arts & Lit Editor, explains
NASA’s Artemis II mission set to depart in early April
NASA has announced their plans to send astronauts back to the moon for the first time in over 50 years.
At the time of writing, the Artemis II mission is set to depart in early April, with aims to embark on a ten-day journey around the moon and back down to Earth. NASA has set the earliest departure date as March 6th, following a successful pre-launch test in the beginning of February. The crew, made up of three Americans (Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, and Christina Koch) and one Canadian (Jeremy Hansen), will begin their journey on NASA’s SLS rocket, strapped into the Orion Spacecraft, where they will remain for the ten days. The
rocket has launched once before, in November 2022, although with no people onboard.
The aim of Artemis II is to journey 9,500 km above the lunar surface to the far side of the moon, which is impossible to view from Earth. If successful, this will pave the way for a proposed Artemis III, which will see astro nauts setting foot on the Moon’s
surface for the first time since 1972. Hopefully, Artemis II will become a pivotal milestone in space exploration, as part of the Artemis Programme. It bears the ambitious weight of aiming to help establish a long-sustained human presence on the Moon (named the Lunar Gateway), and eventually extend this presence to other planets, such as Mars. As NASA prepares for this
goal, it seems they have competitors. China has promised a lunar landing by 2030, and has long been making steady progress toward this. They aim, just like America, to land on the Moon’s south pole and establish their nation’s presence. Under pressure to compete with this, NASA aims to successfully land astronauts on the moon within the next two years.
NASA AIMS TO SUCCESSFULLY LAND ASTRONAUTS ON THE MOON WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS
Mental health apps: helpful or digital band aids?
Julia Szewczyk, Sci-Tech Editor, discusses the pros and cons of relying on mental health apps for support
WHETHER you’re looking for guided meditation to keep calm through exam season or just need something to vent to, there are countless mental health apps that claim to help you through the stress of everyday life. But can they actually make a difference?
Some of the most popular apps are Headspace and Calm , which offer guided meditation and mindfulness for reducing anxiety and helping with poor sleep, as well as Day One (for digital journaling) and I am (for daily positive affirmations).
On the one hand, these can be great, accessible and low-cost tools for managing stress, processing negatitve emotions, building new habits, and improving sleep. According to Headspace , 96 percent of users reported less stress after using the app. The anonymous nature of these apps also allows those who may not yet feel comfortable reaching out to some -
one to access an initial form of support. Furthermore, they can be used alongside therapy, allowing patients to apply skills to real life.
ACCORDING TO HEADSPACE, 96 PERCENT OF USERS REPORTED LESS STRESS AFTER USING THE APP
On the other hand, while they may be an initial step towards seeking help, some experts warn that apps oversimplify support, offering false hope with one-fix-for-all solutions. This can be particularly concerning for those struggling with serious mental health conditions who likely require professional help in the form of therapy or medication. This is because the apps often focus on managing symptoms rather than treating the complex root causes of psychological conditions, meaning they work more like dig -
Sebastian
ital band aids. Moreover, while many apps claim to utilise evidence-based techniques like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) it is important to note that a very low percentage of them have been clinically evaluated. Therefore, the best approach is to use these apps to support your mental health and wellbeing, but not in place of professional help.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative use only and is not to be taken as, or in place of, professional medical advice. It’s also worth checking how your data is stored and used, as mental health apps often collect sensitive personal information.
THE BEST APPROACH TO USE THESE APPS TO SUPPORT YOU ... BUT NOT IN PLACE OF PROFESSIONAL HELP
The invisible ingredient
Pancorvo explains how
Wmicroplastics find their way into our food chain
E live in the era of plastic. It is cheap and everywhere, lying at the centre of the global food trade, health and safety requirements, machinery, toys, most other everyday objects, and it is also in the depths of the Mariana trench. Doubtless, it would be impossible to maintain our current lifestyles without this miraculous, malleable, petroleum-based substance. But at the same time it poses an invisible risk.
You have probably been told by a morally righteous housemate or an Instagram reel to stop using your plastic chopping boards because they get flakes of microplastics in your food. And they are right. But getting rid of your colourful plastic boards would not even cut it close to saving you from microplastics.
Defined as bits of plastic smaller than 5mm, they enter food through plant roots and animal feed; they enter salt and ultra-processed foods during industrial processes, and
naturally, they are particularly hard to pick out.
MICROPLASTICS ENTER FOOD THROUGH PLANT ROOTS, ANIMAL FEED, AND INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES
Because there is no decisive evidence of their particular effects, they remain largely unregulated. However, some scientific articles point to links with cancer, cardiovascular disease and infertility. But much like with other instances of socially produced ignorance — like how tobacco companies insisted on their product’s safety until “all reasonable doubt” had been removed — we prefer to emphasise what we do not know, to feel comfortable with our use of the all-pervasive plastics. Is there anything you could do to minimise
your intake? Probably not, and it is best not to worry. Our society is riddled with similar invisible risks, and your peace of mind matters. Manufacturing companies are ultimately responsible for offering plastic-free alternatives. But at a local level, I’d encourage you to support initiatives like Exeter’s Zero Waste Shop, buy durable plastic-free utensils, and be more mindful when handling unavoidable plastics.
Image: Pexels
Image: Pexels
Image: Pexels
Britain face Australia in Billie Jean King Cup clash
Poppy Fellows, Climate Editor, reports on Great Britian facing Australia in
KNOWN to tennis fans as the “World Cup of Tennis”, the Billie Jean Cup qualifiers will take place in April. This will take place at the John Cain Arena in Melbourne, with Australia playing against Britain with a home court advantage, for the first time since progressing to the finals in 2022.
AUSTRALIA PLAYING AGAINST BRITAIN WITH A HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
Based on player performance over the last four years, Great Britain is ranked number three; Australia, twelfth. However, these
rankings might not be any reliable indicator — despite playing in every single Billie Jean King Cup since it began, Great Britain have failed to take the title. Could this be their year?
This may depend on the line-up. Australia has already announced number one singles player, Maya Joint, alongside Storm Hunter, who returned to the Australian Open winning her first-round match despite a recent surgery on her Achilles tendon. Last year’s British team included Sonay Kartal and Katie Boulter (British second and third ranked singles players), who may return. Still, tennis fans remain hopeful for an Emma Raducanu appearance. Despite this, if the Australian Open is anything to go by, both Kartal and Boulter were first round exits, with Kartal stating it was her “worst performance in years”. However, in the recent WTA tour,
Boulter has had a winning streak of seven matches, only losing one at the recent Merida Open. Those hoping to gain a sense of the state
the high-stakes qualifier
of play may want to be watching matches taking place throughout the WTA Tour taking place now, such as the upcoming Miami Open.
Townsville Fire beat Southside Flyers amid courtside drama
Alex Beale discusses the WNBL semi-final ending in controversy for Southside
Flyers
THIS last weekend saw passionate clash between the Southside Flyers against the Townsville fire in their quarterfinal match of the WNBL. The Fire claimed a close-fought 84 – 75 victory in the match, booking their place in the WNBL final against Perth Lynx. Maddy Rocci had her 200th appearance of the league during the match as she proved a dominating force for the Southside Flyers despite their close-fought loss.
However, it was not her actions on the court that were the talk of the league. Flying to Townsville for the landmark game, Rocci’s father became engaged in an argument with another fan during the game. He could be seen walking from his seat before turning to confront the other fan. He was overheard shouting “you're a f***ing moll” in the direction of what appeared to be a group of Townsville supporters. He appeared to yell furiously in the face of a Townsville En-
tertainment and Convention Centre steward before being escorted out the arena by security. It came as his daughter, Maddy, was also involved in a tense courtside incident with a spectator. The 27-year-old guard appeared to become incensed by something in the crowd following the match. Rocci rushed to the side of the court, stood on a chair and was seen exchanging some heated words with a spectator before her team-mates were forced to pull her away.
HE WAS OVERHEARD SHOUTING "YOU'RE A F**ING MOLL"
The matter has been referred to Basketball Australia’s Integrity Unit and remains ‘under review’ at the time of writing.
Premier League match week 28 round-up
Alex Horton and Kayleigh Swart,
Editor-in-Chief, give an overview of recent Premier League matches
THE first game kicked off on Friday evening, with Villa vs Wolves, a heated West Midlands derby. With Villa winning the reverse fixture back in November, and considering the big gap between the two teams in the table, a Villa win was highly expected. However, their struggling form vs Wolves’ rising form led to a surprise Wolves 2-0 victory, meaning that Wolves have officially surpassed Derby’s unwanted record of lowest points in a season. Burnley vs Brentford was perhaps the game of the weekend, with own goals, and VAR controversy. By the 34th minute, Brentford were already 3-0 up with Burnley pulling one goal back through a Michael Kayode own goal just before the stroke of half-time. The momentum then stayed with Burnley throughout the second half with two more goals, to complete an extraordinary comeback and level the game to 3-3 by the 60th minute. Burnley then thought they had the lead through a wellworked set-piece, only for it to be disallowed for
an offside. Brentford added to the misery by finding the net in the 90+3’ to make it 4-3 to Brentford. Burnley then thought they had equalised in added time, only for their goal to be ruled out (AGAIN!) this time for hand ball in the build-up. Thus, concluding an exciting seven-goal thriller, with Brentford taking the spoils with a 4-3 win.
In the same vein, Liverpool vs West Ham also saw seven goals in the game, with favourites Liverpool coming away with a 5-2 victory. Elsewhere, title contenders Man City were able to scrape a 1-0 win against a formidable Leeds side under the lights at Elland Road; Everton managed a 3-2 victory over Newcastle united; Bournemouth and Sunderland shared the points after a 1-1 draw at the Vitality stadium to round-up the Saturday action. Four games were shown on Sunday with each one presenting a 2-1 score line. Brighton beat Nottingham Forest, ensuring that the latter now has a more difficult job staying above the relegation zone. With fellow relegation candidates, Tot-
tenham, also suffering a 2-1 loss to Fulham it is starting to look bleak for Spurs as they carry on their dreadful form being the only premier league team to not register a win in 2026, could they actually be relegated?! Meanwhile, Michael Carrick appears to be performing miracles at Old Trafford, with another win meaning that he is yet to lose a game as Man Utd manager, and to add the cherry on top, the 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace sees Man Utd rise to third place in the table.
The last game of the weekend provided good viewing as league leaders Arsenal took on Chelsea. Arsenal gave more evidence as to why they are the best when it comes to set-pieces with another goal from a corner in the 21’ minute. But Chelsea struck back just before half-time, after what appeared to be a hand-ball from Declan Rice in the Arsenal box, many were left confused as to the referee’s decision to just award a Chelsea corner. But perhaps justice was delivered as Arsenal defender Hincapié put the ball into his own net from the awarded corner. The
second half saw another Arsenal defender with a goal involvement, this time Timber putting Arsenal 2-1 up, with a yellow card being shown to Pedro Neto for dissent in the follow-up. Surprisingly, Pedro Neto then went on to get a second yellow only a couple minutes after this, for a foul on Martinelli, with Neto seemingly claiming that he was not aware he was even already on a yellow card. Either way, Chelsea now has an increasingly worrying habit of being shown red cards, we will have to find out if they will be able to get their discipline in check.
CHELSEA NOW HAS AN INCREASINGLY WORRYING HABIT OF BEING SHOWN RED CARDS
Image of Katie Boutler: Wikimedia Commons
Sport
Mercedes lead the way in 2026
F1 pre-season testing
Madison McNair discusses how Mercedes are setting an early pace with sweeping regulation changes
PRE-SEASON testing for the 2026 Formula One season took place on 11th-13th and 18th-20th of February, and across the two weeks we gained a fair amount of insight into what to expect from the upcoming season.
The 2026 season comes with what seems to be the most dramatic changes to the technical regulations the sport has seen in a long time. With the introduction of new hybrid power units, narrower and lighter cars, along with the debut of overtake mode, which will act as a replacement for DRS, these new regulations present the grid with a level playing field. Therefore, as the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how the drivers fare against these changes, and which of them will crucially be able to adapt in order to get the most out of the season.
MOST DRAMATIC CHANGES TO TECHNICAL REGULATIONS
Believed to have the potential to end 2026 as world champions once more, Mercedes proved to be living up to the expectations set for them throughout testing. Their innovative engineering de-
signs seem to be paying off for Mercedes as both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli topped the timing sheets at various points during testing, with Russell recording the fastest time of any driver over the whole of the second week with a time of 1:33.459.
To the joy of the Tifosi, Ferrari were certainly a team that impressed during testing. Lewis Hamilton looked to be feeling much more settled in the team and suited to this year’s car, while Charles Leclerc recorded what was not only the fastest time of the first week but across the whole of testing with a time of 1:34.273. It seems as
though it can be said with confidence that both Leclerc and Hamilton should be able to go on to win a handful of races this season at the very least.
RUSSELL RECORDING THE FASTEST TIME OF ANY DRIVER OVER THE WHOLE SECOND WEEK
that stood out in testing for all the wrong reasons. They completed the least laps of any team, which likely stems from the fact that Honda discovered an issue with the battery they provided. Such major signs of poor reliability before the season has even started is certainly not a good look for the team.
Following testing in Bahrain, there were certainly mixed opinions from the drivers regarding the new regulations and their hopes for the season. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen was left feeling rather agitated about the changes to the regulations, believing them to have been designed in an ‘anti-racing’ manner and how it seems more like ‘Formula E on steroids’ rather than the Formula One we all know and love. On the flip side of things, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was certainly feeling positive after testing, claiming he is ‘in the best place he’s been in a long time’, and it definitely seems as though he feels more connected to the development of the car this season. If testing has shown us anything, it’s that the season could go many ways, with various teams looking promising. However, I believe that this year Mercedes will reclaim the Constructors’ Championship, while the drivers’ is George Russell’s for the taking.
GB celebrate record medal haul at Winter Olympics
Rachael Baldwin reviews the historic wins and shock defeats at Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
THE Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics closed on the 22nd of February, leaving us with historic achievements, dramatic finishes, and an adorable set of mascots. Whilst Norway topped the medal table, achieving a staggering 41 medals in total, Great Britain won three gold medals, along with a silver and bronze, making this the most successful Winter Olympics ever for GB. In addition, Matt Weston, who won Gold in the individual and mixed team skeleton, became the first British athlete to win two medals at the same Winter Olympics. Furthermore, Charlotte Banks and Huw Nightingale complemented the skeleton wins with their gold in the snowboard cross mixed team after facing disappointment in their individual events. The men’s curling team also won a Silver after losing to Canada in the final, and Zoe Atkin was awarded bronze in the women’s ski halfpipe. This success by GB perhaps marks a new age for British athletes’ prospects at future Winter Olympics.
MOST
SUCCESSFUL WINTER OLYMICS EVER FOR GB
Aside from the curling drama between Sweden and Canada, the figure skating never fails to be full of surprises. In the Ice Dance event, US skaters Madison Chock and Evan Bates appeared to be a shoo-in for the Gold. However, having first competed together last November, Olympic champion Guillaume Cizeron and new partner Laurence Fournier Beaudry became a formidable pair. This was especially controversial as Beaudry’s skating and romantic partner, Nikolaj Sorensen, was suspended from the sport for six years, after sexual allegations. In addition, Cizeron’s former partner, Gabriella Papadakis, released a memoir describing Cizeron as “controlling” and “demanding”. Their journeys, as well as those of Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, were followed in the Netflix docuseries Glitter and Gold Despite all the controversy, France’s Cizeron and Beaudry won Gold, only 1.43 points ahead of Chock and Bates, marking a “bittersweet” result for the previous Olympic favourites. The “Olympic favourite curse” made a reappearance this year in the Men’s Figure Skating event. The overwhelming favourite, US skater Ilia Malinin, self-proclaimed as the “quad god”,
had a five-point lead after the short programme. However, he had a disastrous free programme, with falls and single/double jumps rather than quads, destroying his technical points and his Olympic dream. Whilst it was devastating for Malinin, placing 8th overall, Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov won Gold, becoming Kazakhstan’s first-ever figure skating Olympic champion.
“OLYMPIC FAVOURITE CURSE” MADE A REAPPEARANCE
One of the big names to come out of the 2026 Olympics is US figure skater Alysa Liu, who, having retired at just 16 years old, came back two years ago on her own terms, winning Gold in both the team event and women’s. She has gone viral on social media due to her bubbly personality and halo hairstyle. Other notable moments include Maddie Schizas emailing her sociology professor asking for an extension, as well as Norwegian Bronze medallist Sturla Holm Lægrid announcing he had cheated on the “love of [his] life” during his post podium interview.
However, the standout favourites from the Olympics were the mascots, specifically the stoats Tina and Milo. Their popularity has led to official flagship stores selling out of them, leading to high resale prices online. Due to such high demand, arguably the only way to get a Tina plush was to win an Olympic medal! Ultimately, these Olympics have left us with upsets, dramas and new records.
In the case of Aston Martin, they are the team
Image: dutchnews.nl