Kingston International
Film Festival launches this summer FRIDAY 11 MARCH 2022
ISSUE 114
RIVERONLINE.CO.UK
SEE PAGE: 7
STUDENTS ARE URGED TO ATTEND LECTURES FOLLOWING RETURN TO CAMPUS SEE PAGE: 2
AS THE WAR IN UKRAINE CONTINUES TO ESCALATE, KU UKRAINIAN STUDENTS ASK…
“WHEN WILL IT ALL END?” SEE PAGE: 3
Photo: Zora-Hannah Bansah
News 2
Low attendance: Students urged to attend
lectures following return to campus
Student studying. Photo: Patrick Amoy/Unsplash By Nora Marie Vatland Kingston School of Art (KSA) students received an email from the Dean, Mandy Ure, recently encouraging them to attend all their on-campus classes following the return to mostly in-person teaching. The email acknowledged that students may be used to the online learning environment after two years of remote teaching and may be out of the habit of coming on to campus. Maddie Erb, an interior design student, said she recognised this sentiment: “Since
covid, my attendance is probably less than it would have been as it’s so flexible to be online now and work has been made more digital so can be done from anywhere.” Similarly, Adam Wan, a thirdyear criminology and forensic psychology student, also said he had not been going into classes as much: “I think that because a lot of learning has been moved online, it shows that you don’t really need to go into class physically for some courses, which is the case for me. And another thing is I keep forgetting to sign into classes.”
Recently lecturers have been reminding students, especially international students, of the importance of signing in via the SEAtS app. Russul Al-Madhi, an LLB international law student, actually son classes, saying: “I attend 95 per cent of my on-campus lectures, but I don’t usually attend all the online ones.” MSc forensic psychology students Tanvi Kunder and Aarohi Raorane said that their attendance had not changed since covid. The mix of online and in-person learning suits many students such
student Liam Alvey who said that, although he has only had in-person teaching he would prefer to have a mix of in-person and remote learning: “I think it works better as a mix just because you can get the same experience online as you can in some in-person lectures and it makes it so much easier to work around your schedule.” The email from Ure encouraged students to actively visit campus, to attend all your campus-based teaching sessions, and to spend
time on campus with your peers, as well as making use of the facilities and resources which are available to you here,” read the email. MSc Global Human Resource Management student Soniya Edappadathil thinks it’s easier to come to campus as it is more interactive as some students might not want to participate in groupwork online. Also, “you might face internet issues or a microphone problem.” Edappadathil added that as an international student “coming to campus makes me happy and I feel more connected with fellow classmates.”
Youth Zone: Mental health service opens for young people in Kingston Youth Zone is located a 10-minute walk from the University Photo. Priscilla Du Preez
By Martine Aamodt Hess
A new drop-in service is making mental health support more accessible for young people in Kingston. The Youth Zone is welcoming 12 to 25-year-olds looking for advice, a place to relax or to join a range of workshops focused on mental wellbeing. are mindfulness with clay, yoga and journaling.” Alternatively, young people can come in just for a chat or to chill,” said support worker Billie Quinn. Referring to students, she said university life is often overwhelmget support outside this environment. In a poll conducted by the River on Instagram, 85 per cent of stu-
dents who responded said they would be more inclined to use a wellbeing service separate from the university. The majority of the respondents also agreed that mental health support should be more accessible in Kingston. Mehab Mir, a member of KU’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Society, pointed out that easy access to such services is particularly valuable to students because many are moving to a city away from the supportive network they have at home. In regard to the Youth Zone, Mir emphasised the importance of the service being free considering that “the majority of wellbeing services outside the university are either out of budget for a lot of students or have really long waiting lists.” “Services such as ours can provide
some form of support while waiting to access the further support they need,” Quinn said, agreeing with Mir. The Youth Zone is delivered by mental health charity Mind in collaboration with South West London CCG and Kingston council, following a 2019-2021 report which found the average mental wellbeing score for young people in Richmond to be particularly low compared to other London boroughs. The service launched in February and is a part of a six-month pilot, with plans to open NHS health services and a job centre in the same building. “There can be a lot of advantages for opting for wellbeing services that are available outside of Kingston University because the univer-
sity has to cater to all the students with a limited amount of resources,” said Treasurer for KU’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Society, Manhan Saraf. The business administration student added that compared to seeking help from the University, the Youth Zone can feel more approachable for people who are struggling but are insecure about asking for help. Quinn underlines that the Youth Zone is a casual drop-in service welcoming any young person in need of support. She encourages people to email them questions they may have or to introduce themselves before they arrive to help ease nerves, adding that “we’d be more than happy to help in any way we can.”
News 3
Rippling effects of the Ukraine
crisis on Kingston students
Demonstrators hold placard and flags during a demonstration in support of Ukraine in Parliament Square, in London Photo. Alberto Pezzali/AP/Shutterstock
By Harry Brogan -
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News 4
Kingston University’s Big Read
2022 shortlist finally announced SHORTLIST -
• An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
• Sankofa
by Chibundu Onuzo -
• Bring Back the King by Helen Pilcher
• The Great Godden by Meg Rosoff
• Under Solomon Skies by Berni Sorga-Millwood
• The Gravity of Us -
by Phil Stamper
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The list is comprised of six new titles and the
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selected around April.
First ever KU student to run for National Union of Students election -
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News 5
Student radio station launches at Kingston Hill
Noodle Union:
New study space made for students Photo: Montatip Lilitsanong
By Alexandra Raikov Wagamama have re-launched their ‘student society’ at Kinging a space for students to study, socialise and of course, eat. Running Mondays to Wednesdays from 3pm until 5pm, the
KU’s radio station’s slogan is “Your voice, hear”. Photo: Jamelia Brown By Jamelia Brown KU is setting up its very own student radio station. The station, based at Coombehurst House, Kingston Hill Campus, will use equipment such as mics, turntables and computers that have been donated by the music department. The idea to create a new student radio station came from the introduction of a broadcasting module for BA music students. Sarah Nichol, the lecturer managing the station, said: “It surprised me that KU didn’t have its own radio station.” Moving forward, she
is excited to create so much culture and inclusivity from the station. Nichol hopes to build the station marily as a music station, but in the future, we’re looking to do talk shows, comedy. If anyone has an idea within reason pitch it to us.” KU Radio will be broadcasted on the platform Airtime, which allows access from any point due to its open-source software. “Airtime had a competition at the start of the academic year, open to all universities, to receive Airtime as a playout system. It gave us a
massive incentive to get the radio station going.” The tagline for the radio is “Your voice, hear” and the emphasis will be on all students from diverse backgrounds getting involved and getting their voices heard. “I put an open call out for volunteers for the radio station and we’ve had such an amazing response so far,” Nichol said. She added that one of the people who got in touch is a graphics student who will help design logos, to ensure the radio station will be visible as well as heard.
With an aim to be fully live and operational after the Easter holiday, Nichol said: “The radio station is coming along really nicely and easily as well, the University has been really supportive and super helpful with everything. “Hopefully this will be a springboard for anyone who wants to start a radio career.” If you want to get involved with KU’s radio station or have any ideas, contact Sarah Nichol at s.nicol@kingston.ac.uk. To listen to the KU radio, use the link https:// kuradio.airtime.pro
Students launch new poetry club By Ella Devereux
Fine Art and Art History at KSA, came together and decided to set up The Party Ring Poetry Club. Considering their background as Art students, they wanted to create a space for people to share art without the pressure of being assessed.
Tessa James said: “Making art and poetry can be really personal and a crit(ique) or assessment isn’t always the place to share that when you’re expecting graded feedback.” James hopes that the club will have “a friendly atmosphere” and be a comfortable space for students to share their work. The Party Ring Poetry Club will at 6pm. but will most likely be in the Avionics Fine Art studios on Knights Park Campus.
The poetry club is named after party rings. Photo: Food And Drink/ Shutterstock
Two Kingston School of Art (KSA) students launched a poetry club for where Kingston University students can come along and listen to each other perform their own poetry out loud. Tessa James and Rosie Robson,
students to connect on study benches, as well as the choice of a bespoke menu with an exclusive student price. Launching on February 28 and running until March 30, main, a side dish and a drink for £18.50, making it hard to resist. Second-year business student, Faisal Haider Talib, shared his opinion: “I don’t really go to Wagamama’s much but when I heard about this, it seemed like a fun and interesting idea. I’d it out.” Wagamama aims to motivate students working on their coursework and assignments. to provide the opportunity to talk and make friends for students who may be seeking social interaction. The return of the Noodle Union comes after its initial 2020 launch. At this time, during the start of the pandemic, Wagamama would deliver food to students stuck in lockdown and in a Wok from Halls campaign. The current Noodle Union promotion is running across a number of other London and UK branches, including Richmond, Stratford, Islington, Ealing and Wembley.
News 6
Kingston Hospital’s maternity
service rated the best in London has given birth to four children at Kingston Hospital was “so pleased and proud reading that Kingston Hospital Trust’s maternity service was named the best in London. “I cannot fault them on the service and care I received each time for antenatal care, labour and birth,
“I have always said I highly recommended Kingston maternity for their service. The ward had
care at home after birth and antena-
are so caring, thorough and profes-
ter in 2013, and was classed as high
Kingston Hospital Trust’s top score was for the involvement of a partner during the patient’s hospital stay where they were rated 9.1 out of 10, compared to the national trust average of 4.7. Kingston Hospital and Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare’s Chief Nurse, Nic Kane, said: “We are delighted with the results of the National Maternity Survey ication of our maternity teams at a
midwives never left my side and Kingston Hospital Trust’s maternity service has been rated the best performing in London by the Care Quality Commission’s National Maternity Survey 2021. In the survey 242 respondents rated their antenatal care, experience of birth and postnatal care.
The response rate was 66 per cent, higher than the average trust response of 53 per cent. Lisa Ncube, a KU nursing graduate who completed her training at Kingston Hospital, agrees with the praise the service has received.
routine instead of enforcing theirs. “By training in a department that the best, so it’s ingrained in them. “It means each generation of new student nurses can be passed that
but the team were reassuring and
Town House shortlisted for yet another accolade By Aimen Rehman
areas to sit and read in, but that’s
After winning the RIBA Stirling Prize last year, Kingston University’s library building, Town House, designed by Grafton Architects, has been shortlisted for another award this year. The jury from the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture- Mies van der Rohe Award, in March before deciding upon the winner, which will be announced at the end of April. Kingston University’s vice-chancellor Steven Spier said: “Being Mies van der Rohe Award constated that: “Since Town House opened its doors two years ago,
from the physical and visual expo-
from a list of 40, from 18 countries the jury panel met in Barcelona to
public libraries. However, I must say it does the job required of it, chives, dance studios, a studio theatre, and cafes which are open to the public.
last two and a half years. After being named as Britain’s best new building by the Royal Institute of British Architects in October last year, Town House is the only UK building to be among the Regular Town House user and pharmacy student, Sulaiman Alomran, said: “Personally I have spent countless hours there studying and hanging out with my friends. I feel
Celebrated architecture. Photo: Aimen Rehman
“I had to be induced with the twins and I believe we held the record for the biggest twins born at
Kingston Hospital Trust was rated the highest in many sections
“Because of this, I had extra care by seeing a consultant and further having extra scans.
By Jamelia Brown
riences and seeing the same midwives for the duration, including postnatal care, made such a big
vey, 58 per cent were found out to
with a set of twins. “The midwives in the twin clinic were amazing, hearing their expe-
to the pandemic. I’m proud of the outstanding care my colleagues deliver to the women of south west
IS
SAYS
The River is written, edited and produced by journalism students at Kingston University. The River aims to serve the university and the local area. Our mission statement commits us to raising and addressing the issues relevant to students and local people, as well as to entertain and inform them. It is our aim to celebrate the achievements of students and loformation or a story which would interest our readers, please contact us. We aim to conform to the standard codes of conduct for the profession of journalism. It is The River’s policy to print tions when we have something wrong. If you feel we have misrepresented or that we have made a
As Adele once famously chimed,
us: editors.river@gmail.com
as an editorial team. Throughout this academic year so much has changed. Covid came and went, at least twice, we discovered our ing over policy, and those weren’t even the students. Over this year we have reported on some really unique stories, from a revolt in the politics department to a who’s who of potential Bonds. These stories have things that capture the interests of the people of KU. As we step away, we pave the way for a new team. We wish them all the best building on the foundation we, and our predecessors, have laid. The River Says has been our our readers. We have said many things over this year, but for now, we say au revoir.
News 7
Kingston residents have highest credit score in the UK By Clirimtare Rashica Recent data has shown that Kingston residents have the highest credit score ratings in the UK, standing at a national average of 593 out of 710. The national average has increased from 569 to 573, a small but promising increase. Other cities that follow Kingston with high credit score ratings according to data from MoneySuperMarket include Guilford, Redhill, south west London, Reading and Bromley. In the UK you need to be 18 to be eligible for a credit card and according to Experian, 54.3 per cent of 20-year-olds have already reKatie Neglian, a third-year law when she was 18: “It seemed like a really good idea at the time. Me and my best friend always joke that our credit cards are free money, which obviously are not because we have to pay it back.” Nelgian applied for an American Express card and received a £4000 limit. “American Express set me up, because there is no reason a
By January 2021 there were £62.8 million credit cards issued to UK residents. Photo: rupixen.com on Unsplash student on a £12,000 yearly salary should get that high a limit. I also think that as kids we’re not taught about credit cards and it’s so easy for young people to fall into the trap of oh yeah it’s free money”. I mean I’ve not checked my credit
score in months because I know it’s probably really bad.” Baby boomers are the age group most likely to have a credit card, whereas millennials are less likely to have one. Experts suggest that this could be because millen-
nials and generation Z are more cautious when it comes to taking generations. Experts cite the 2008 global recession as a cause for this concern. The recession left a number of Britons devastated with high
levels of debt. David Conglaves, a business student, said he didn’t have a credit card: “I don’t need one right now. Maybe in the next couple of years I will, to help build my credit. But I think it’s just a slippery slope, I think to have a credit card you have to have a really good level of self-restraint and I don’t trust that I do at this moment in time.” Britons had racked up nearly £60 billion in credit card debts as of late 2020, and by January 2021 there were £62.8 million credit cards issued to UK residents. There were 196 million credit card transactions in January 2021, this was 31 per cent fewer than January 2020. The outstanding balance incurring interest from all credit card accounts decreased by 19 per cent in January 2021 compared to January 2020. A big factor for this could be the national lockdowns we were under during the beginning of 2020 and 2021. Many Britons were on furlough receiving at least 80 per cent of their monthly wages with nowhere to spend their money. Many would have taken the oppor-
Kingston International Film Festival launches this summer “The industry is crying out for a festival such as this, that is passionate about championing young, independent talent, particularly those starting out in the industry, to help create opportunities for talent that is too often overlooked.” Marciniak further added that KIFF comes at a great time for
KIFF will be taking place in theatres, venues and cinemas across the borough, aiming to support in-
Local artist Sky High partners with KIFF to bring mural to the Rotunda. Photo: Eleanor Yates emerging talent.
By Evie Barrett and Eleanor Yates unique opportunity to showcase their work as Kingston International Film Festival (KIFF) is set to launch this summer. The festival will be taking place on June 24-26 for three days of screenings, workshops and events.
ciniak, who said: “I believe it’s a great opportunity. Kingston is such a diverse area, mainly because of the university, so I think it’s a winwin. A chance to promote your With a category dedicated to students, it is hoped that KU’s very
April 21, KU students are some to win prize money, ranging from One of those getting involved is
challenge. Marciniak has encouraged her classmates to apply, saying: “I think the category is needed, as student projects tend to have a lower budget compared to inde-
pendent productions and are not as advanced as other ones.” The festival will be exhibiting a from around the world, with patron support from BAFTA award-winning director Mike Newell and Academy Award winning actress Dame Vanessa Redgrave. “KIFF is a more practical, a more solidly founded and optimistic way dustry than the often ostentatious said Newell at KIFF’s press launch.
“The festival is dedicated to providing a new, supportive platform to promote British cinema, in particular the small independent production companies that are the bedKIFF’s organisers on its website. Supported by the Rotunda in Kingston, home to the Odeon cinema, KIFF has been given a studio space for working with students on various projects, hosting talks and In celebration of the festival, a mural from local artist Sky High is located within the Rotunda. Elsewhere, other festivals such as Emerging Filmmaker’s Night
Kingston Film Society continues to Park campus.
Scan to learn more about KIFF. Photo: Eleanor Yates
of this festival and gaining reputation takes time, so I’d say it should be easier to win this year than in
(EFN) are similarly keen to hear lighting the importance of students
Comment 8
Our co-dependency with Russia make sanctions a double-edged sword By Diego Evrard-Broquet As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, there have been numerous sanctions imposed on Russia by many countries around the world, from the halting of some banking services to trade restrictions. However, those measures are missing the point. Firstly, most of Russia’s revenues come from fossil fuels which Europe is highly dependent on. Secondly, western tax havens allow Russian wealth to evade these sanctions. The EU depends on Russia for over 40 per cent of its natural gas and 25 per cent of its oil imports, thus making Russia the largest supplier to the EU. EU countries pay about €1bn a day to Moscow to heat homes and power industries, according to the sian gas companies are state-owned and this represents 36 per cent of the Russian state budget. The executive director of the International Energy Agency, the global energy watchdog, said: “Russia is using its natural gas resources as an economic and political weapon.” Oveall it is hard to tell if Europeans could sustain imposing sanctions if the backlash results in peotheir homes. “The Ukraine crisis highlights the absence of a rational plan for Europe to free itself from fossil futhink tank, Jean-Marc Jancovici. The EU has announced it will end all imports of fossil fuels from
Russia “well before 2030”. In the long term, this crisis could be an occasion for Europe to move away from its reliance on fossil fuels and use more sustainable energy in the future. Although this would take time, and research in the area is still limited, solutions could include massively improving the insulation of buildings and a dramatic reduction
in consumption of energy generally - even if this means giving up some of the Western like standards of comfort. The issue for the UK, which is less dependent on Russian gas, is that London has become a renowned haven for Russian oligarchs: meaning the ultra-rich at the head of key sectors in the Russian economy.
The government has been criticised for not acting fast enough in Russian business interests are embedded in the City of London and complex deals involving property nies make the ‘who owns what’ largely hidden. The government says its Eco-
Russians using the City of London for money laundering and hiding ill-gotten gains. Questions have also been asked as to the circumstances surrounding the elevation of Evgeny Lebedev to the House of Lords. Opposition leader Kier Starmer has called for an investigation into how exactly the son of a former Russian
Why the minimum grade student loan threshold is not as bad as you think These restrictions however, for the most part, already exist. According to The Complete University Guide’s University League Table 2022, the lowest average entry requirement at a UK university is Metropolitan University - for comparison the average entry requirement at Kingston University is a total of 116 points. If a prospective student only has two A-levels at grade E, the minimum required by the proposed restrictions, they would only have Government produced data shows that only 4,800 students currently at university would not meet the new require-
By Will Arnot While it has been called an “attack on working class learners,” the reality of proposed changes to student loan accessibility is far less daunting than some feared. The plans, which are coming as a response to the Augar review of
post-18 education, are set to introduce restrictions on who can access student loans based on their results at GCSE or A-level. These restrictions would be: students without English or Maths GCSEs or students who do not have two A-levels at grade E, would not qualify for student loans in England.
would need to study at even the most accepting of universities. Secondly, let us consider how many people this would actually the number of students that are currently studying at UK universities that do not meet the requirements, makes up roughly one per cent of the total current UK student body. The quantity of students that this restriction will apply to is so small
that if you averaged it out across all UK universities, it would apply to less than 30 students at each university. This would be 0.2 per cent of the current student body at Kingston University. Onto the argument presented in the opening - that working class and economically disadvantaged individuals are going to be more es, than those from richer backgrounds. Once more, the data indicates otherwise. by these changes, 13 per cent will come from what are deemed to be disadvantaged neighbourhoods based on their low historical higher education participation, while people from historically high-participation neighborhoods will make up ed, at 26 per cent. This is all according to data prowho have analysed 9324 neighbourhoods across the UK to de-
velopthe participation of local areas dataset. Kingston falls into the high-participation quintile. This data is not disproportionate either, with low-participation neighbourhoods making up 17.4 per cent of the UK compared with 24.4 per cent of the UK being high-participation areas. While on the face of it, these proposed changes may seem harsh, and put the futures of many at risk, the outrage should not be directed at how the changes affect the working class. Outrage, rather, should be directed at how these changes may tional needs. While the data shows limited impact regardless of class, 93 per cent of those who currently ed if the restrictions existed at the time they applied, are those that have at one point had special educational needs. While many have deemed these plans to be classist, it is the ableism that stands out far more.
Comment 9
Degree show funding should not come out of student’s pockets -
been working with student unions across the country for years to campaign to end hidden costs at
the door in exchange for a themed sic to the decoration to the dress
courses as the courses which were ty spokesperson.
By Ella Devereux
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me that they thought fundraisers
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that they got any funding for degree shows outside of their fundraisers.
ing the end of art-based degrees.
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dents be expected to fund them?
own pockets?
Western media coverage of Ukraine war is ‘racist’ and ‘biased’ The Western media has been accused of hypocrisy in its reporting of the Ukraine war when compared ased statements. -
These biased statements about -
empathy and generosity towards -
-
This statement was far from reand diminished the experience of
that there is an expectation of chaos -
issued a statement condemning the the Western media to be aware of its racist and biased news reporting. This treatment from the media has dehumanised the refugees from
tation and commitment to be unbiThere is a certain power in the way
against the trauma caused by dec-
Features 10
Travelling after graduation: where to go Travelling after graduation is a common way Photo: Mesut Kaya/Unsplash By Xenia Cherednychenko Have no idea what to do after graduation and feeling stressed out? Travelling might be a good solution for you. Many graduates choose to travel after university before settling down and going into a ‘real world’. This is a perfect chance not just to take time to yourself but also to get ready for the next stage of your life. In addition to this, travelling might help you in learning cultures as well as making new friends across the globe. Communicating with locals is the key to understanding anoth-
er culture is its people. Here visiting after graduation. Barcelona Barcelona is one of the cities most visited by tourists in Europe and for good reason. Firstly, Barcelona is very Spain. Secondly, it has beautiful settings, delicious Spanish and Catalan food, the Mediterranean Sea and a Mediterranean lifestyle. It will not leave in the world have both mountains and sea in easy reach and Barcelona is one of them.
Prague Prague is one of the oldest cities in Europe and full of fascinating architectural masterpieces and many fine old bridges. The city offers the possibility of a unique 518 km trip by tram with 34 lines or there is also the opportunity to take a cruise on the river Vltava offering breathtaking views of Prague from the water. And if you love meat, be sure to try the popular dish, koleno. Istanbul Istanbul might be the perfect choice for those who are looking for a place with amazing landmarks, a wealth of his-
tory and culture as well as a vibrant and active nightlife. Istanbul has many traditions which will make your trip even more interesting. It is a unique city where east meets west, or vice versa, making it a true melting pot of cultures.. Sicily Another amazing place to visit is Sicily. It is the biggest island in Italy and one of the best destinations for a vacation. There are many beautiful beaches, where the sand is soft and clean and the water is so clear that you can see the bottom of the sea. Sicily is an island rich in history
and traditions. There is always something interesting to explore regardless of your interests. The Norwegian Fjords If you like Northern landscapes and the wonderful scenery of Scandinavia, you should visit The Norwegian Fjords. Their astonishing aspects will seduce you with their blue crystal clear water, towering mountain peaks and unforgettable views that will imprint on your memory for years. There are many different activities you can try such as heading to the Geiranger Skywalk, a platform 1500 metres above sea level.
Scams: Protecting your data and your safety By Elijah Cruz Have you ever wondered how you get emails or messages from com-
Surge in phishing messages as pandemic has accelerated growth in cyber crime. Photo: Mikhail Fesenko/Unsplash
discounts even when you have not provided any of your details? While the world has been focusing on coronavirus for the past two years, a new wave of digital viruses and scams have been lurking on our digital devices. Cyberattacks involving brand hijacks from platforms such as Instagram and Facebook have increased by 274 per cent during the third quarter of 2021 compared to the same period a year earlier, according to an analysis by Fraud and Payments Trends. KU students have been involved in multiple cyber-attacks over the past year where expertly crafted texts and emails have been designed to fool recipients into clicking through to a fraudulent brand page. A third-year business student, Nicholas Pilcher, described his experience: “Just recently, my friends and I kept on getting messages on Instagram saying we had won iPhones. I think almost everyone got one of those. Not to mention, I am constantly getbrands saying I have won a prize almost every single day.” He added: “Some of them are
obviously fake, but some of them can really trick you and look believable... These scammers are getting really good at making them look real.” Whether it be chatting with friends and family on social media platforms or communicating via emails, our valuable data is constantly being collected and traded online. In order for platforms like Google and Meta (Facebook) to provide us with free services, these platforms require us to provide our data in This data is sold into an online market where companies exchange information such as our name, email and other details with advertisers. author and professor, coined the term “surveillance capitalism” to describe the “economic system built on the secret extraction and manipulation of human data.” These exchanges and the vulnerability of systems to hackers can inevitably result in our data falling into the hands of scammers who are able to message or email us. Understanding the issues surrounding internet safety is more important than ever. It would be virtually impossible to stop using the internet, so it is vital to try and reduce the risk from cyberattacks.
to do this would be to only provide your personal details to web sites Many students tend to access websites where they are able to access free online streaming services, unaware of the malware and viruses that are able to access their devices as a result of doing so. When logging into websites, using a strong password will provide the best form of protection from fraud or identity theft. Using the same password for multiple sites may seem tempting, but it also makes it easier to compromise your sensitive information. site and use a password manager. Keeping your social media accounts private rather than public amount of false messaging that can reach your device. If you do receive any phishing messages, check if the message or email has been sent using unusual fonts or if it comes from a strange email that you do not recognise and don’t click on links in these emails. Reporting phishing to the National Cyber Security Centre by sending a screenshot will not only reduce the amount of scam emails you receive but will also make you a harder target for scammers.
Features 11
Is financial independence possible for students? By Chris Dudek Financial freedom is something that most people strive for, hoping to one day say that they made nancially stable. This is not so easy, particularly as the pandemic still looms over people. It is not giving everyone a clear break from the devastating economic impacts. More recently, the news from Ukraine has given people a stark reminder of how fragile the world really is. economy, and inevitably fuel gas prices are at record highs. The Bank of England recently announced its forecast with percent by April.
Put simply, what students have today will be less valuable as things will cost more. Jessica Marie, who studies child psychology, said: “We all want to feel secure but it is hard when you hear so much negativity, and I don’t know what that means.” One thing to do is to work out your budget and stick to it even if it may be tempting to give up. It is important to highlight that it can be very frustrating when people with money give advice to people who struggle with things like heating or eating nutritious food. But there are many ways that you can try to stretch your budget without going into debt. The key is to not panic and to not hide your head in the sand.
Be pragmatic and try to be honest with what you need. meal is a simple way to quickly save from £3 to £15. Depending on how often you cook, swapping a takeaway meal for a delicious ready-made supermarket meal can save a small fortune. Swapping branded products for cheaper supermarket basic items, which arguably is very similar, but usually a lot cheaper to their branded counterparts. If you live in a home with other students and are worried about the prices of utilities, an effortless step is to put on a jumper and turn down the heating slightly. When cooking, do not forget to cover pots with lids because it
Gas prices are going up and students are struggling Photo: Simon Eelcher/imageBROKER/Shutterstock will save energy and time. Often forgotten and an under -used tip is to simply walk as much as possible and skip public transport. Budget in the essential trips and try using buses rather than the underground or Uber. Most notably, you can take several small steps to save
money, but sometimes these little steps are not enough. Do not be embarrassed and go to your local bank provider and ask for help with finances. All banks are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the bank is the best place to give you appropriate tools and help.
By Emily Kimber You might have been told that you could meet the elually some truth in it. You are, of course, surrounded by like-minded people of similar ages who share an educational background and interest within the same subject. Take Kate Middleton and Prince William, for fell in love at the University of St Andrews in Scotland in 2001. Much closer to home (and a bit less aristocratic), are the couples who met within the very walls of KU and are continuing to maintain these relationships to this day. Kingston graduate Louise Mountain described how she met her Husband, Sam, while both studying Fine Art: “I didn’t like
Being surrounded by like-minded people of similar ages can help facilitate a relationship. Photo: Annette Sousa/Unsplash
of second year, after a group trip to Wetherspoons in Surbiton. “No one thought we would last as he left for Erasmus pretty shortly afterwards, but we ended up getting marall of our KU friends. Now, we’re still happily married with a toddler who loves art just as much as we do.” Another story of KU romantic success is that of Frankie Price and Tom Pilling, who studied Graphic Design together. word, terrifying. He was loud and drunk to the point that I can’t repeat what he actually shouted as he strolled through the uni accommodation door,” Price said. “After walking me home that night to my own halls, which was an hour walk away, I distinctly remember saying goodbye to this complete stranger thinking I’d never see him again.” around the room of new faces, and who did I see? A (thankfully) sober Tom Pilling clocking me from across the room.” The pair remained friends until the start of their second year, when they started to pursue a romantic reKingston together, the couple plan to one day hopefully start their own Creative Studio business.
Features 12
How the hijab has made its way into fashion Fashion has always been something that has brought people together, from the way they express themselves through what they wear, to how it can ignite a never-ending conversation. Although the hijab has been around for over a thousand years, since 627 CE to be exact, it has only recently made its way into the mainstream fashion industry, and the fact that it is being recognised is inspiring to many. By Halimah Khan The meaning behind the hijab and The hijab is not only worn by Muslim women but in other reforms, in this instance it would be called a head covering. People are most likely to associate the hijab with Islam as other religions such as Christianity and Judaism, have either updated their practice of head covering or wear a head
Woman wearing the hijab Photo: JAGADEESH NV/ EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
In Arabic the literal meaning of “hijab”, is a barrier or partition, however it has a broader meaning in Islam. Women in Islam wear the hijab to protect their modesty against males who are unrelated to them, and although it is seen as a form of oppression to many who do not understand it, it is far from that, as the hijab is not only for women but men too, just in Most women choose to wear the headscarf as it is a form of worship and is stated in the Quran (Muslim Holy book), as a practice of faith that should be taken into consideration. Some Muslim women choose to wear just a head covering, whereas some wear a niqab (face covering, as well as head covering) or burqa (a loose cloth that covers the whole body and face). Wearing any of these types of hijabs is a testament to a Muslim woman’s faith as it is something out of today’s norm in western societies. Some women wear the hijab as it is a part of their culture, more so than their religion. If this is the case, it would be appropriate to call it a head scarf or head covering as it is not linked to religion. A lot of times this is because the country has a Muslim majority, therefore they
Modest fashion making its mark on the fashion industry Photo: John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock
who may not practice the religion but associate it with the culture. In countries such as Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Iran the hijab is compulsory, meaning even if you do not identify as a Muslim the head covering has to be worn as it is part of their government rulings. Something that we can establish from this is that people do not necessarily wear a head covering because they are Muslim.
There are many up and coming modest fashion brands and designers in the industry, who are paving a way for people who dress modestly or wear the hijab to feel as if they are a part of the fashion world and have people that they can look up to. Companies like Louella, which was founded by Olympic fencing medallist Ibtihaj Muhammad, althat are not only comfortable but stylish, and the big plus point is that they are all modest. This means that you will not be wasting your time, all in one place. Some models that have made their mark on the fashion industry are Mariah Idrissi and Halima Aden. Even though Halima Aden has since quit modelling due to her faith and beliefs, she is still a prominent the inspiration that she has given to young girls like her. Ex-model Halima Aden’s modelHalima Aden made headlines as she model. By doing this, she brought inclusivity into the modelling world as she showed young girls who wear the hijab and dress modestly that you can do whatever you put your mind to. Halima’s modelling days came to an end in November 2020, when she said she felt she was compromising parts of her religion. “Never again taking a job that will require me to a necklace...I’m a hijab-wearing woman!” said Halima Aden when explaining why she had made the decision to leave on Instagram. Halima showed that she took her modelling job seriously, but when it came to her questioning if she was doing the right thing towards her religion, she decided that maybe it was not the right thing for her. Showing her followers that it is ok to make mistakes. The fashion magazine Vogue recently published an article following 2022’s Fashion Week, highlighting the best modest looks. This may not seem like a big deal to some, however for those who have loved fashion sense of inclusion.
Features 13
Four ways to support Ukraine
essential supplies. Additionally, The University of the Arts London (UAL) Women in Media Society are working on a way to organise some form of humanitarian aid and material support that will be transported to Ukraine. You can contact the society via Instagram or email them: ualwomeninmedia@gmail.com Join a protest in your city Your voice is important in mak-
By Xenia Cherednychenko
On February 24, at 5am Eastern European Time, Russia started a fullscale invasion against Ukraine. On that morning Ukrainians woke up to the sound of sirens and explosions. Russian troops have since destroyed many civilian houses, stores, petrol stations and regional administration buildings mostly in the eastern, northern and southern parts of Ukraine. People have had to leave their homes and move to a safer place. Some of them have found shelter ures from the United Nations (UN) show that more than two million the Russian invasion began. A variety of Ukrainian and international agencies are appealing for support from other countries and there are various ways people can help. Donations The UK Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has launched an appeal for Ukraine and the UK
Donations are an important Photo: Joel Muniz/Unsplash government have pledged to match donations up to £25 million. DEC is made up of 15 member charities such as the British Red Cross and works with local partners in Ukraine to deliver humanitarian aid and medical assistance. Ukrainian banks have also set up funds that allow people to donate to support Ukraine’s army. The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU)
has opened a special account to raise funds. Mono Bank accepts SEPA transfers and once a day they transfer donations to a single account at the National Bank of Ukraine. The Return Alive Foundation has also helped Ukrainian armed forces since 2014. Send humanitarian supplies Shipping service, NOVA Poshta Global, delivers humanitarian help
from their warehouses to Ukraine. If you want to help, volunteers to one of their international warehouses and they will send them to those who are in need. The Global Support Fund, With Ukraine, set up by the Ukrainian Embassy in the UK, will accept donations as well as humanitarian and medical aid or other
are being organised in various locations so look out for information. Post on social media and sign petitions By posting information on your social media accounts about the war in Ukraine, you can spread news of what is happening. However, be careful and always check all information before posting to avoid sharing disinformation. Remember to use only official websites as your sources. By signing petitions, you can help Ukrainians to fight just from your phone, tablet or laptop wherever you are based.
How to get a better night’s
sleep this exam season Journal and write to clear your mind. Photo: Finde Zukunft/Unsplash By Jamelia Brown With exam season fast approaching, pulling all-nighters and staying up late to complete assignments is tempting - but at what cost to our health? The National Sleep Foundation advise that healthy adults need between seven to nine hours of sleep a night but according to
Sleep is just as important as eating a healthy and balanced diet and cal as well as mental health, with the NHS stating that chronic sleep debt leads to higher chances of developing anxiety or depression. With so many of us not getting enough sleep due to busy student schedules, implementing a routine
from poor sleep.
night’s sleep.
regular bedtime and sticking to it. Sleep researchers at Harvard Medical School have found that keeping a regular sleep schedule, even on weekends, maintains the timing of the body’s internal clock and can help you wake up more easily. By working out what time you need to wake up each morning, you can create a comfortable bed-
sleep, plus time to wind down and wake up each morning.
hormone, and keeps our minds psychologically engaged instead
it hard to relax at bedtime due to days packed with activities and assignments, some simple winding down practices can help you get to sleep. This may include taking a warm bath, journaling and writing your to-do list for the next day to clear your mind. However, one thing that may be contributing to poor sleep and feeling tired that many of us are guilty of is using our phones just before bedtime.
One way of avoiding using your phone before bed is leaving it to
“Sleep is just as important as eating a healthy and balanced diet.” Research has found that the blue light emitted from our devices suppresses melatonin, the sleep
before bedtime. Additionally, replacing scrolling through social media with reading a book right before bed is a great alternative and helps you to wind down and relax. Lastly, your environment plays a big role in sleep quality, it should be a relaxing environment that is dark, quiet and tidy. Remove anything that could be a distraction such as devices that make noise and make your room as dark as possible. Investing in blackout blinds to block light coming into your room at sunrise is helpful during the summer season when the nights are shorter. If you are easily distracted by the noise of others, especially if you live in a shared house or halls where the walls are thin, earplugs block out sound.
Entertainment 14 Peaky Blinders Returns for its to our TV screens
Vigilante turned detective: The highly anticipated return of The Batman
Photo: Mcpix/Shutterstock By Davina Jethwa KU Peaky Blinders fans will have welcomed the show’s return to BBC One and iPlayer for its sixth season airing on TV each Sunday at 9pm. [Spoiler alert] The show returns without Helen McCrory as Shelby family matriarch, Aunt Polly, since the death of the actress last April. The premiere episode began by revealing that Tommy Shelby’s (Cillian Murphy) suicide attempt had been foiled by his suspecting brother, Arthur (Paul Anderson) who had removed the bullets from his gun. Upon arriving home, the Shelby Company Limited head found three dead bodies on his driveway, one of which belonged to Aunt Polly, as a warning from the IRA for his attempted assassination of politician Oswald Mosely Filming was delayed due to the pandemic, McCrory did season before she lost her battle with cancer. However, last Sunday’s epback to earlier seasons of Polly warning Tommy that “there will be a war in this family, and one of you will die”. The show will continue to on April 3 although show crethat “the story will continue in another form.”
Pattinson at The Batman Premiere. Photo: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
After a decade in hiding, Batman is back with his darkest solo reinvention yet in a Neo-Noir excapade By Evie Barrett After years of waiting, the latest incarnation of the caped crusader has arrived. Hitting cinemas on March 4, The Batman, sees Robert Pattinson fill shoes previously worn (somewhat mediocrely) by Ben Affleck in the likes of Justice League, and by Christian Bale prior to that in the fan-favourite Dark Knight trilogy. Being the hero’s first solo outing in a decade, it is safe to say there were high hopes for The Batman, but the film has a sly way of subverting any expectations rather than explicitly meeting them. Feeling significantly more like a crime-thriller from the mind of David Fincher (think Se7en and Zodiac) than anything else, The Batman is tonally different from what DC Comics, or indeed any superhero film has set out to accomplish previously. This is by far the most grounded in reality that the hero has ever felt, with the storyline easily feasible within our own universe were it not for the fictional setting of Gotham and the guy walking around in a bat suit. At certain points it actually feels
quite surreal to have someone in such extravagant attire fulfilling a glorified detective role, but rest assured the intensity of the crime quickly necessitates his presence. The extremities this film explores to reach the heights of the crime-thriller genre are quite astounding, with the sadistic treatment of victims by the main villain feeling reminiscent of horror movies like Saw at times. Matching the film’s sinister tone is the consistently sombre lighting. Very few scenes are set in broad daylight and the weather consists only of pouring rain. This tense and gritty atmosphere is matched by the orange hue that engulfs much of the film. Such a dark setting is understandable when considering the twisted personality of the enemy Batman is hunting down. Paul Dano makes a superb villain in his portrayal of The Riddler, being genuinely creepy and intriguing, yet scarily realistic in his use of social media to build a following, and his motivations of social justice. Not quite so interesting is Colin Farrell’s The Penguin, who forms a less integral part of the plot, but is played amusingly by Farrell.
The same cannot be said for Zoe Kravitz, who completely steals the show as Catwoman. Whilst Pattinson’s Batman can feel solemn and hard to read at times, Kravitz’s charismatic and feline portrayal feels like a breath of fresh air in comparison to other characters. Batman’s detachment cannot be seen as a flaw in acting performance so much as a humanisation of the character by way of an intense personal journey. Bruce Wayne’s struggles hold just as much importance in this film as his heroic alter-ego, perhaps signalling a move towards a more sober superhero genre on the horizon. Adding to this notion is the lack of airtime given to the Batmobile, once a staple feature of any flamboyant caped crusader outing. Despite this, there is of course a healthy dose of action pumped into the film, something you would hope to find in its almighty three-hour runtime, and certainly necessary to break up the tension of the twists and turns that come with chasing The Riddler. There are perhaps too many big budget stunts saved until the film’s
final act, seeming a bit excessive in comparison to the initial slow start, although pacing issues are bound to arise within such a lengthy film. For all its duration, Batman’s self-titled flick does not portray him as heroically as you may expect, as for the most part he only really succeeds in saving himself. Though the hero has never had ‘superpowers’ as such, this film really highlights what a saving grace technology is for him. After all, I think we’d all seem talented if we had a set of contact lenses recording and identifying everyone we came into contact with. It is safe to say then that if you want an impressive and endearingly predictable superhero film, you should stick to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and come back to The Batman when you are prepared for something a bit edgier. It was unlikely The Batman was ever going to beat the extravagant glory of The Dark Knight, which continues to hold the gold standard of comic-book films, but it is certainly the most interesting thing DC has done since then, and a step in the right direction.
Entertainment 15
Do KU students still trust video game developers to develop new and engaging concepts?
By Elizabeth Wiredu
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Nobody can deny that we are living in the golden age of video game proferent or do better.
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opened up a whole new world full
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Persuasion adds comic twist to beloved classic
Sasha Frost Playing Anne Elliot. Photo: The Other Richard
Adding a modern twist to any classic novel always risks being met with raised eyebrows but The Rose Theatre’s production of Persuasion, directed by Jeff James, is daring in its comedic take on a tale of two ill-fated lovers. Think of Jane Austen’s novel set in the 1800s, the romance, the wit, the brutality of tortured love and add in silly TikTok-style dances, add a waterfall of bubbles and the scandalous feature of WAP by Cardi B.
The cast perform with light-hearted comic confidence, successfully portraying Austen’s story about two damned lovers, while also depicting the societal pressures of marriage which are still relevant today. Sasha Frost’s portrayal of Anne Elliot was exceptional, her acting throughout the play gripped audiences and really depicted the torture she experiences after re-encountering her true love Frederick Wentworth, played by Fred Fergus. Matilda Bailes, who portrays Anne’s demanding sister Elizabeth and Anne’s love rival
Louisa Musgrove, stole the show. She had a flamboyant and loud presence on stage, and her wacky dancing had the audience in fits of giggles. This was Bailes debut performance, after graduating LAMDA with BA (Hons) in professional acting. The cast all did a phenomenal job, with most playing more than one character. Alex Lowde has opted for a very simple stage design, a rotating stage was simple yet effective and added dramatic flair. The bubble machine centred at the top of the stage was a fun and entertaining touch used to create a beach-
like scene inside a theatre room. Lowde’s unembellished costume designs kept up with the modern theme in the play. Slight changes to costume allowed audiences to differentiate between characters who were being played by the same actor. Ben and Max Ringham have come up with an amazing soundtrack, featuring Dua Lipa’s Levitating and Don’t Start Now, Frank Ocean’s Thinkin Bout You and Lost, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion and many more. The modern playlist was familiar to the audience and went well with the comic dances – Matilda and Adam dancing, in particular, was a personal favourite and had the whole audience laughing out loud. The characterisation of the married couple Charles and Mary by Dorian Simpson and Helen Cripps raised a lot of laughs with their constant bickering and arguing – but served as a reminder of what an unhappy marriage could look like. This prospect had been a very real possibility for Anne. However, Anne doesn’t make the same mistake she made seven years ago, she refuses to be with anyone she doesn’t truly love and her choices pay off. The play ends with Anne and Fredrick confessing their love for one another.
Sport 16
Drive to Survive returns to beckon
in a new Formula One season By Will Arnot
By the time you are reading this paper, the fourth series of Netflix’s hit show, Drive to Survive, will be available for you to watch on Netflix. Picking up where the third series left off, Drive to Survive takes you behind the scenes of the high-octane drama-infested 2021 Formula 1 season. Giving you a peak behind the curtain at one of the most enthralling seasons of motorsport to date. The series, comprising the standard 10 episodes, will be missing one of the real-life season’s key stars - Max Verstappen. Verstappen, who ended the 2021 season as World Drivers Champion, told the Associated Press last year that he no longer wanted to be part of Netflix’s documentary series, saying “They [Netflix] faked a few rivalries which don’t really exist” as the reason behind his refusal to participate. Footage of Verstappen is used throughout the series, but his always outspoken presence as a talking-head is sorely missed.
The question going into the new season remains, will the new cars favour Hamilton or Vestappen more? Photo: Hollandse Hoogte/Shutterstock While Vertsappen’s input is not something you can look forward to, the series features many twists and turns, such as the tensions at Mercedes when the ly becomes public knowledge as Valterri Bottas sees himself replaced by former-Williams driver George Russell. Russell leaves Williams as they prepare to enter
KU futsal team held to By Hasan Ahmad KU’s futsal team were held to a stalemate in their seventh game of the season, away to the University of Portsmouth, drawing by a score of 10-10 at the Ravelin Sports Centre in what was a topsy-turvy encounter. It was a nervy moment for the KU Cougars, as they fell behind, equalized, and led, at various phases of the game, a stark contrast to their previous games against Brunel University which they won by an aggregate score of 19-1. “This was one of the toughest games of the season, we’ve had we showed we can compete with the best,” said Dominic Harding, captain of the team. “They’re high up in the league table for a reason, but we showed fantastic character to get a draw out of the game.” The game was end to end, akin to a basketball match, as the Cougars relentlessly attacked the Portsmouth defense from the onset, pressing their backline from
not as sturdy as usual, conceding ten goals, the most this season. “We’ve had to replace a few players due to injuries, which dedicated squad, and we’re still learning the game,” Dominic Harding remarked. “Sam [Sandri] is a wonderful coach, and we’re in good shape because of the way he’s improved our understanding of the game.” Kingston face the University of Surrey in their next fixture, in an away tie at Surrey Sports Park after winning the home tie 4-3. It will be their eighth game of the South Eastern Conference League. The result puts Kingston third on the Men’s South Eastern Tier 2 table, level on points with the University of Portsmouth with a game in hand over them. “It wasn’t an entirely convincing performance, but sometimes all that matters is getting the result,” said Sam Sandri, KU’s Men’s Futsal Team coach. “We’ve got some momentum going now, and hopefully we usurp Surrey and reach the top of the table very soon.”
out the guiding hand of founder and name-sake Frank Williams, who sadly died in November. The series ever-present Haas team once again get their own special feature episode that focuses on optimism and a changing of the tide, only for reality to strike once more. For regular viewers of the show this will feel
like the fourth time you have seen this episode with the only consistency between the seasons being fan-favourite Team Principle Guenther Steiner. The episode looks closely at Russian driver Nikita Mazepin in his debut season in Formula 1, however, as can be seen from recent events, Mazepin’s debut season looks to have been his
one-and-only as poor driving and geopolitical events have caused the US based team to strip him of his seat less than a month before the season begins. The upcoming season looks to be the most exciting in decades, which is saying a lot considering how captivating the fight between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen was last year. Coming down to the final race on equal points before Verstappen claimed victory in a race shadowed by controversy that eventually led to race-director Michael Masi losing his job. Come March 20, racing will resume once more. New rules and regulations have completely revolutionised the way the 10 teams have to design their cars, and if pre-season testing is anything to go by, this is the most variety we will see in car design on a teamby-team basis since the 90s. Could it be two in a row for Verstappen? Can Hamilton get his revenge? Or will someone time will tell.