The Gryphon: Freshers Guide 20/21

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Contents 4-5 6-8 9-10 12-14 15-18 19-20 21-22 24-25 26-27 28-29 30-31

Exec and Society News Views Music and Clubs Arts and Culture Fashion Blogs and Lifestyle Features Science Business Sport

Image: PNGFuel

Editor-in-Chief Safi Bugel The Gryphon Associates Eleanor Noyce, Michael Keating In The Middle Associates Alex Gibbon, Stephanie Bennett Social Media Associate Neive McCarthy Web Developer Milly Martin Head of Design Milly Coathup Head of Marketing Charlotte Abbott Head of Radio Millie Frain Head of Photography Maariyah Fulat Equality and Diversity Officers Nisha Chandar-Nair, Ruby Fatimilehin

News Alex Chitty, Ella Jones, Isabelle Thom, Kerisa Carlin Views Elena Sotelo, Jamie Welham, Maddy Sherratt, Ruby Fatimilehin Features Amy Ramswell, Clarissa Leung Music and Clubs Elle Palmer, Fern McErlane, Ishmael Silvestro, Liam Cattermole Fashion Bella Wigley, Faye Clayton, Lizzie Wright, Ruby-Mae McAuliffe Arts and Culture Delphie Bond, Emily Parry, Owen Frost, Phoebe Walker, Rory Yeates, Sinead O’Riordan Business Alba Goskova, Georgina Peacock Blogs and Lifestyle Anushka Searle, Beanna Olding, Georgie Wardall, Lucy Abbott

Science Katherine Graves, Morwenna Davies Sport Calum Pinches, Dom Friel, Oliver Sanderson Society Martha Sanders Cover design by Niall Unger @niall_unger_illustration

Stay up to date...

Twitter: @TheGryphonLeeds Facebook: @TheGryphonNewspaper Instagram: @thegryphon www.thegryphon.co.uk

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Editor’s Letter Dear readers, Welcome to all those who are new to Leeds, and to those returning. Campus looks a little different this year - as you’ll quickly notice, there’s a oneway system round the Union, sofas are gone (RIP) and seating is socially distanced. However, the change in circumstance also brings new beginnings and new opportunities!!!!

Admittedly, I am trying my absolute best to remain optimistic, but I do think it will actually be alright.

Whilst many of my formative moments in first year were spent in Wharf Chambers, chugging pints and exchanging loving sentiments with new acquaintances over a background of Kate Bush tunes, some of the really special moments were also in the confines of student housing- a setting we’ll all be spending much more time in this year. Having group dinners, sitting on flatmates’ shabbily carpeted floors for late night chats and pushing the table to the side in the kitchen to dance to Sophie Ellis Bextor’s ‘Yes Sir I can Boogie’ on repeat helped to forge some lasting friendships. These experiences also developed my independence and sense of self in a way that Sixth Form in a dead-end town hadn’t allowed. If you don’t feel too comfortable in your designated household, there’s plenty of lovely outdoors spots to spend some time in (BJ’s foggy rules permitting). I’m a big fan of Woodhouse Ridge and the Hollies.

I’d encourage you to reach out to each other, whether you are new to the city and looking to make friends or whether you have been here for a while.

I found that these university relationships were invaluable to me, especially through the rough periods. Each year I met a great bunch of people through my subject, societies and going out, all of whom helped me keep my shit together.

This Guide will hopefully give you a little introduction to Leeds, a place I’ve been pleased to call home for the last three years. Martha kicks off the issue with an insight to some of the diverse societies on offer, while the News editors highlight some exciting findings here in Leeds and further afield. Views take over on page 9 with a commentary on the excellent work of female leaders in the first wave of coronavirus, while the Music and Clubs section give you a whistle-stop tour of the city’s formidable musical history. Here, I offer my hot take on the brilliant resource that is radiosomething that made a real difference when I was bored in quarantine.

Arts and Culture explore the wonderful places right on our doorstep and round up the section with a feature on the new queer bookshop The Bookish Type by Alex Gibbon, one of our two In the Middle Associates. The Fashion team contemplate masks and the future of fashion week, before Blogs and Lifestyle offer advice on making friends and warding off post-night out tummy aches. Features highlight the oft-harsh realities of being a student, especially in the age of COVID-19. Our treasurer Emma’s article on shielding is a very worthwhile read. The Science team explore the reasons behind homesickness and hangovers, while Business offer advice on managing your finances as a student. And last but not least, Sport give an overview of the current social and political dimensions of the field.

I’m really happy to be working with a big team of forward-thinking people this year- you can catch all their names on the previous page and throughout later issues. I’d also like to thank the wonderful illustrator Niall Unger for being patient with me while I tried to figure out all the technical stuff behind producing a paper. He made a beautiful cover, despite all my rambly instructions; he gets bonus points for the Roger Stevens feature. I think this ever-extending network of creative people can create a really stimulating and progressive student publication.

As one of the longest standing student newspapers in the country, the Gryphon is here to make your voices heard, to represent your views and to respond to your concerns. We’re an independent paper and we’re here to hold the University and the Union to account where possible.

I hope you enjoy this.

Yours, Safi B x

Safi Bugel Editor-in-Chief editor@thegryphon.co.uk

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Meet your Student Exec Izzy Walter

The Student Exec team are here to represent you and your interests.

We voted for them, but what do they have to say?

Community

What is your role?

What is your role?

I’m here to make sure we’re doing the best we can for our members.

I’m responsible for governance and finances at LUU- I chair the board of trustees and ensure students’ interests are at the heart of spending and leadership at LUU.

How will you ensure that LUU does the most for students?

I want to listen to students and to make sure I’m constantly pursuing what you want and how you’re feeling. What would make you feel like LUU is truly yours? My three main priority areas are giving our members a sense of ownership of LUU, promoting inclusivity throughout the university experience and improving LUU’s environmental impact.

What should new students check out in the Union?

This is tricky - there’s so much! Look around the website to find out about all of the different things the Union has to offer.

In particular, I’d recommend finding out more about our Clubs and Societies and getting involved - they added so, so much to my time at uni.

Franks Feng (Jian) International

What is your role?

It’s my pleasure to be your first ever international officer! It’s my duty to represent international students’ concerns, from campus social life to academic progress. I will work closely with all schools to make sure international students are represented. You will be welcome to contribute in any way you want.

Please feel free to tell me your thoughts that can improve our university!

How will you make sure that international students are at home in Leeds?

Besides ensuring the safety of our students, communication between students and staff will be improved. I will organise an international advice board and collect more feedback from international students.

Different cultures should be respected and celebrated on campus, which can break the barriers between home and international students.

What’s your top tip for international students?

Stay safe when you’re back in Leeds.

Keep checking your email and the LUU website in case you miss any events or new opportunities that can improve your university experience. This year will be different, but it doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy your time here. Challenges usually bring good opportunities at the same time.

Lotti Morton

Union Affairs

Lucy Murphy

Activities

What

is

your role?

My role is to take the lead on developing over 300 clubs and societies.

I work alongside the activities t e a m and exec to ensure all our clubs and socs’ voices are represented and work hard in making sure they are running smoothly as well as constantly getting better.

How will you support and improve societies this year?

I want to make sure all our clubs/ societies are aware of the training that is available for them, with face to face training for committee members covering topics such as mental health, diversity and inclusion.

Transparency is another focus, particularly within the current climate as I’m aware there will be a lot of change within our clubs/socs and I want to make sure I am on hand to answer any questions or concerns that our students may have.

How can students make the most of their university experience?

It may seem biased, but I would say joining a club or society. With over 300 clubs/socs there is something for everyone! It truly is the best place to meet new friends, have fun and learn invaluable skills that you can use later in life.

I represent students on issues in their community such as housing and transport, making sure everyone is happy and safe on and off of campus. I work to ensure students feel part of their local community through projects and volunteering. I also make sure students’ environmental beliefs are represented by LUU and the university, pushing sustainability initiatives.

How will you support students in their community?

I will fight for fairer, more flexible student housing and contracts that work for students, not just their landlords. I will make sure all students feel safe and represented in where they live, whether they live locally or commute. This semester, I am particularly focusing on supporting students in feeling safe and comfortable as they return to campus.

How can students connect with their new surroundings?

Explore! There’s so much in Leeds to do and see - as well as in wider Yorkshire. Society events will help you get to know the city and many often run trips in local areas!

There are lots of volunteering opportunities which enable you to get involved with your local community.

Laila Fletcher

Diversity

What is your role?

Carolina HallRodriguez Education

What is your role?

As Education Officer, it is my job to represent all of our students’ academic interests in the aim of ensuring equal opportunities and the best academic experience for each of our students.

How do you plan to improve students’ education experience?

This year my main areas of focus are increasing support and representation for off-campus students, establishing the links between resits and drop-out rates and gaining a better understanding of both in order to break this cycle. I’m also planning to lobby the University to commit to dismantling the barriers that cause awarding gaps.

What’s your top study tip for this year?

I think this year especially, creating a routine that works for you is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your studies and for your mental health. Try not to get caught up in the notion that you must be ‘productive’ at all hours and remember that everyone’s working patterns and self care will look different.

Sophia Hartley Welfare

What is your role?

My role focuses on representation, advocacy, and action for every student.

I work on existing policies, become a student voice in meetings, and work alongside the Liberation Coordinators. Ultimately, my role is to make sure that LUU is a place where the diverse needs of students are voiced and empowered.

It is my role is to ensure that our students’ physical and mental health and wellbeing is being cared for at Leeds. This involves advocating for better student support within University meetings and working on projects that will improve our students’ support systems.

How will you make sure that all students are represented?

This year I will be creating a five-year strategic plan that aims to change university culture on sexual assault and harassment.

I hope this will provide a safer and more supported environment for survivors.

Alongside this I plan to advocate for better culturally-competent mental health support and introduce improved welfare training for our Clubs and Society committees.

What advice would you give to students from marginalised backgrounds?

What’s your top tip for looking after your wellbeing as a student?

It’s impossible to represent every student, but I believe my job is to at least make them heard. I want to have an impact on the students on our campus that empowers them to make the changes that they want to see. You already have a voice... let’s give you a mic.

Be authentic to yourselves and use your power to create your own safe spaces.

Respect yourselves (your peace, your values, your goals) more than anyone else’s. Use the union to create the exact experiences you want out of these years. Lastly, create your own opportunities and continue to do so.

How do you plan to improve students’ welfare?

Be kind to yourself and start conversations about how you’re feeling with a support system that you feel comfortable with. This may be a friend, family member or our support services at LUU. This can be a big step in managing your mental health and finding extra help we might need!

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Societies Who, what, where?

Illustration by Szu-Yu Chen

Martha Sanders Society Editor, luugryphonsociety@gmail.com

Hello and welcome to the Society section of the Gryphon, where we will keep you up to date with all the exciting events put on by the 300+ societies at the University of Leeds. We’re keen to shine a light on the amazing things that societies do here, while reporting on the innovative ways they continue to build communities despite the ongoing restrictions. Here is a tiny taster of what societies are on offer this year.

Who?

Who?

Women in Leadership

Jiu Jitsu

What?

What?

We empower female students at their future workplaces through various events with help from our sponsors and partners. We believe in diversity and inclusion whilst staying open minded and professional! This year’s sponsors include companies like Google, HSBC, Deutsche Bank, Citi, etc.

Because of COVID, we prepared an entire contingency plan, both for professional and social events, moving some of our initiatives to online resources and events. We want to stay as active as possible so stay tuned with our social media, website and events! We will also be organising fun, social events.

Where? www.luu.org.uk/women-in-leadership Facebook: Leeds Women in Leadership Society

We are a friendly, welcoming martial arts club. We teach self-defence focusing on throwing, striking and locking in a safe environment. We practice multiple different scenarios in our sessions and allow our members to learn at a pace that suits them.

Due to social distancing guidelines, the best representation of our club’s vibrant social scene is from previous years. As well as regular post training meet-ups, we have a wide range of inclusive socials.

Last year these included trampolining, movie nights, bowling, and nights out. Throughout the year we make regular trips around the country to train with other clubs. We train and compete regionally and nationally with the best instructors in The Jiu Jitsu Foundation.

As a result of COVID-19, we adapted to weekly online sessions which focused on technique and fitness. We ran weekly online socials, from movie nights to game show quizzes. We also participated in a running challenge over July in which we ran a total of 320.5km.

Where? www.luu.org.uk/jiu-jitsu Facebook: LUU Jiu Jitsu Club

Who?

Who?

Irish Dancing

Comic and Graphic Novels

What?

What?

We hold regular Irish dancing classes that are suitable for all abilities, from beginner level to advanced. Lessons take place twice a week with classes for both heavy shoe and light shoe. There are plenty of opportunities to perform throughout the year at events such as our society Christmas show, the LUU dance show and St Patrick’s Day celebrations. We welcome all students and non-students, and can’t wait to meet lots of new faces!

Since lockdown began, we have enjoyed organising many virtual events to replace our usual classes and socials. Our regular dance challenges proved to be particularly popular amongst our members. To keep everyone occupied at home, we held a variety of Zoom socials.

Due to the current circumstances we haven’t finalised plans for this semester yet, however we are hopefully going to take part in a virtual dance competition and also organise a virtual Christmas show.

At its heart, Comic Soc is a friendly group of geeks who meet up for a social every Tuesday evening. We host a large variety of different Tuesday socials, including evenings in the pub, bowling, movie screenings, laser quest, and, of course, our legendary Otley Runs. We also have a large comic collection to borrow from and have plenty of one-off events like con trips and midnight screenings.

Once term starts up again we are dedicated to continuing this precious geeky community in Leeds and running some form of event every week as normal! So far, we have trialled out online quizzes, interactive film viewings, collaborative games nights, and even a “Quarantine and Quills” edition of our famous “Pints and Pencils” event. We also have also developed a new resource: an online comic book library!

Stay tuned as we have some exciting new online events, as well as some never seen before collaborations in the pipeline that you will not want to miss.

Where? www.luu.org.uk/irish-dancing Facebook: LUU Irish Dancing Society

Where? www.luu.org.uk/comics-graphic-novels Facebook: LUU Comic and Graphic Novel Society

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Campus Watch

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University of Hertfordshire Overseas students fear losing their university places due to fees deadline

Overseas students attending the University of Hertfordshire feared they could lose their course place if their tuition fees were not paid on time. The university reportedly gave international students a deadline of 24 th August for their full tuition payment.

One letter sent to a student disclosed “If your debt remains and the final instalment of your tuition fees, which are due 24 August 2020, are not paid, you will be debt chased”. The letter than continued to state “Your StudyNet will be blocked and you may be withdrawn from your course, if your fees remain unpaid”.

In a comment to the BBC, a university spokesperson said “We amended our payment dates to give all students more time to pay both their accommodation and tuition fees - for example, agreed payment plans with students until next enrolment milestone”.

She also added “We are happy to discuss and put payment plans in place for any students affected, to give them more time to repay”.

International students have to prove they have the funds to cover rent, fees and living expenses before being granted visas.

Kerisa Carlin News Editor

The university apologises after sending out ‘incorrect’ offers to A-Level students

Whilst many students celebrated the Government U-turn that meant that they were accepted on to university courses they had initially been rejected from due to undeservedly low A-Level results, some students faced yet another disappointment.

The University of Manchester sent out several offers to students, accepting them on to courses, only for them to contact them again mere hours later to tell them that they had been sent in error.

One student told the Manchester Evening News that he felt “betrayed and heartbroken”.

For those students impacted it is yet another blow in a series of challenges.

They have already seen a move to online teaching, cancelled proms and

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University of Manchester

Sixth Form graduations and, of course, the initial A-Level results algorithm that saw thousands of students receive grades far lower than they expected and deserved.

UoM apologised for the mistake and suggested that it was due to the extra work required due to the Government U-turn on A-Level results. They said that their staff were working extremely hard to process thousands of pieces of additional data following the updated exam grades.

Alex Chitty News Editor

Ulster University

Face coverings made mandatory at Ulster University

Ulster University has followed in the footsteps of Queen’s University Belfast by making masks compulsory on its campus for both students and staff. When the new academic year begins, people must wear face masks in all enclosed areas, including lecture theatres and social spaces, alongside maintaining 2-metre social distancing.

The measures have been introduced to ‘support the phased return to campus,’ following an announcement in June hoping to resume all on-campus teaching by September 2021. The university has released guidelines on how to wear a mask correctly around campus, to ensure these measures are as effective as possible.

This will come as a relief to students studying more practical-based degrees, who will now be able to access practical classes as well as lectures. The opening of libraries and sports facilities also means students can return to some aspects of normal university life. Most importantly, these measures will greatly benefit first-year students, giving them a sense of normality in a completely unfamiliar environment.

The effectiveness of these new measures will certainly be monitored by other universities, hopefully implemented countrywide as the academic year progresses, as students and staff alike push to get back to normality.

Catherine Upex

Meet the editors...

Alex Chitty Hi, I’m Alex. I am a fourth year Politics and Parliamentary Studies student. I think its important that our student newspaper holds the University to account; I want writers to feel confident in pursuing stories that they are passionate about.

Kerisa Carlin I’m Kerisa and I’m an English Language and Literature student.

Not only am I hoping to bring new stories to life, I also want to encourage new voices to share their narratives and create a paper that is more reflective of our diverse readership.

Ella Jones Hey, I’m Ella, one of the Online News Editors. I’m a 2nd year Journalism student from Loughborough.

Including a variety of student voices is important to making the newspaper a diverse and representative media outlet, which is something I’d love to see happen!

Isabelle Thom I’m Isabelle, I’m a fourth year English Literature student and I’ve just completed a Year in Industry in PR so I’m really looking forward to putting those skills into my new role for The Gryphon!

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Earth has lost 28 trillion tonnes of ice in less than 30 years

Image: Jay Ruzesky

Hollie Tuffnell

According to scientists at the University of Leeds, Edinburgh, and Imperial College London, Earth has lost 28 trillion tonnes of ice between 1994 and 2017.

The study was led by Dr Tom Slater from the Centre of Polar Observation and Modelling at the University of Leeds. It combined numerical climate models and satellite observations from the Ice Sheet Mass Balance Intercomparison Exercise (IMBIE) to determine the rate that Earth’s ice is melting – and it is accelerating rapidly.

Having researched mountain glaciers, the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, the Southern Ocean and Arctic Ocean ice, and finally the Antarctic ice shelves, they concluded that all areas had lost ice by the trillions of tonnes.

The Arctic Ocean ice saw the greatest decrease of some 7.6 trillion, while the Southern Ocean ice witnessed the least – approximately 0.9 trillion tonnes. Just over 60% of the ice loss occurred in the southern hemisphere. Atmospheric melting has driven 68% of ice loss from mountain glaciers, Arctic Ocean ice, ice shelf calving and ice sheet surface mass balance. The remaining 32% that occurred via ice shelf thinning and ice sheet discharge.

There is now widespread evidence to suggest a reduction in the planet’s ice has occurred directly because of climate change. Burning fossil fuels, which creates greenhouse gases, is believed to have influenced this.

What is the scientific explanation for this loss of ice?

As annual surface temperatures increase, other alterations such as in the levels, temperatures, and salinity of the oceans and the distribution of ice, thereafter occur. When extra water from glaciers and ice sheets enters the ocean, the seas expand in volume. As seawater expands, it also gets warmer via the process of thermal expansion.

According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), coral bleaching and the loss of habitat are results of ocean warming, this greatly affects marine species and their ecosystems. Similarly, rising ocean temperatures affect humans by increasing the prospect of disease and threatening food security.

What impact does the ice melting have on sea level rise?

Since the 1990s, melting of the Greenland ice sheets has increased the world’s oceans by 10.6mm. Meanwhile, Antarctic has added 7.2mm. Over our planet’s 4.6-billion-year history, sea levels have risen and subsequently fallen considerably. But latest measurements indicate that global sea levels are rising per year by 4mm which is far greater than the average rate of the past two to three thousand years.

Results from the study show that in the last five years, melting ice from mountain glaciers and ice sheets has surpassed global warming as the main cause of rising sea levels. The study

also concluded that compared to the 1990s, ice loss has increased by 49% over the last 24 years.

To confirm the trend, the study examined satellite records of ice shelf range and in situ measurements of the changes in glacier mass which pre-date the survey.

Published thirty years after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) outlined their predictions, the group’s research reveals that the level of ice loss which has occurred between 1994 and 2007 matches the worst-case scenario estimate by IPCC in August 1990.

Additional consequences Alongside this, the ice of the Antarctica and Greenland ice sheets coupled with mountain glaciers are freshwater. When they melt and drain into the oceans, the freshwater alters the delicate balance of salinity in the seas.

A continuation, or at worse, growth in this trend could potentially cause disastrous consequences for the world’s coastlines and those that live among them. If sea levels increase by the predicted 17cm, up to 16 million people are going to be affected by annual coastal flooding.

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Local organisations receive a £2.5m grant from the Climate Action Fund Emily Austin-Howell The group, which includes organisations Our Future Leeds, Voluntary Action Leeds, Together for Peace and Leeds Tidal, wants to create a “zero-carbon, sociallyjust and liveable city by 2030”.

The funds will be directed to meet the needs of local people at a grassroots level.

Paul Chatterton, a professor in the School of Geography at the University of Leeds, supported the bid to the National Lottery as a member of Our Future Leeds. He said “We will be creating a network of hubs in communities across Leeds, where local people will be supported to create a climate action plan so they can make their places more sustainable, safer and liveable.”

“There will be about 16 hubs across a diversity of places over the five-year programme all supported by experts and professionals in sustainable food, housing, energy, waste and more”.

The five-year programme, launched 1st September, will create over 40 local jobs and make available around £400,000 of grants for additional groups to take climate and social justice action.

The project also involves the creation of a Leeds Climate Assembly where communities and other stakeholders will come together to share and learn from their experiences and successes in order to

action a Leeds-wide climate emergency plan.

The Action Programme follows the City Council’s decision on 27 March 2019 to declare a ‘Climate Emergency’ and its commitment to work to make Leeds carbon neutral by 2030. Leeds Climate Commission established the Leeds Climate Change Citizens’ Jury in response. It was the first Citizens’ Jury on climate change to take place outside of London.

The 21 members, selected to represent a “mini public” of Leeds, produced a set of recommendations with a focus on transport and the proposed expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport, energy efficient housing and education. Their recommendations will be used to guide the future work of the Climate Commission and Leeds City Council.

With the local economy severely hit by coronavirus, the cash influx is opportune. The Build Back Better campaign aims to shape COVID-19 recovery policy through investment in a wellbeing economy. It seeks to secure long term-stimulus packages that are “designed around the core principle of building a stronger economy that ensures the long-term health and wellbeing of citizens, job creation, tackling climate change once and for all, and building a more resilient and inclusive society.”

Concurrently, Extinction Rebellion has resumed their civil disobedience campaign under the banner ‘We want to live’. The wave of “uprisings” are

going ahead despite the arrest of several organisers charged with conspiracy to cause criminal damage.

Spokespeople have said that the protesters will peacefully disrupt Parliament as it resumes after summer, “carrying out pressure building actions over two weeks, until they back the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill” The Bill was tabled in Parliament

by Green Party MP Caroline Lucas on Wednesday. It reflects a longstanding XR demand, one of its core asks is for Parliament to create and follow the guidance of a ‘Citizens’ Assembly’, empowering the public to take the lead in tackling the climate emergency.

Actions are also taking place in Manchester and Cardiff city centres.

The creation of the Leeds Climate Assembly will broaden participation and perhaps the appeal of socalled deliberative democracy; demonstrating what is possible when the full diversity of people and through within the UK population is brought together and, through reason and debate, is able to the tackle big questions of social concern.

POLIS students successfully campaign to reinstate modules on gender, race and colonialism Maariyah Fulat The University of Leeds has been criticised for axing modules concerned with gender, race, and colonialism.

Their decision has been described as ‘tone-deaf and disrespectful’ and was taken without consulting students.

Schools involved in this include the School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS), the School of Sociology and Social Policy (SSP) and the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies.

Students first heard of modules being dropped on July 1 st . It is expected other schools will act in accordance for the upcoming academic year.

Outraged by this move, POLIS students Freya Curtis, Eleanor Noyce and Victoria Pearce wrote an open letter to Deputy Vice Chancellor Tom Ward calling for the university to ‘review and reverse’ their decision.

The letter gathered nearly 100 signatures from fellow POLIS students and describes the amended module catalogue as ‘Eurocentric, westernised and whitewashed’.

Freya Curtis told the Gryphon that

“modules such as ‘Reimagining Politics: Race, Gender and Popular Culture’ helped people make their decision to study in Leeds. “I was one of these people and I had been looking forward to this module throughout my university career.”

“Within political science, it is easy to forget the less ‘traditional’ areas such as this, in favour of theory or British politics, both which tend to favour and cover cisgender, heterosexual white men over any other group in society.”

The letter also criticises the university for failing to communicate with and support students in the aftermath of this decision, especially in light of a global health concern and one of the ‘biggest social and political movements’ of our lifetime.

Fellow organiser Eleanor Noyce told the Gryphon, after several meetings with the university and POLIS, Reimagining Politics had successfully been reinstated. In these meetings the university had justified their descion to cut modules across the board (not just in POLIS) as a means to account for the

lack of students attending this year and potential staff sickness.

A spokesperson for the University of Leeds said: “We are committed to creating an environment that meets the needs and aspirations of students and staff from all backgrounds. This includes providing an inclusive, researchled curriculum while developing and retaining a talented workforce with increased diversity at all levels.”

“While modules may fluctuate each year, an ongoing review of course content across the University includes a focus on decolonizing the curriculum.”

This refers to the University’s Race Equality Action Plan.

The plan, instigated in February this year, aims to create a long-lasting cultural change throughout the university by fostering a “culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity for all”. This includes curriculum change.

The open letter asks if “the removal of the modules … the sort of progression in curriculum change” that the university promised.

The letter criticises the university for failing to deliver on it’s plan and highlights the lack of diversity in and support for staff and student communities, as well as a lack of specialist staff for modules on gender, race, and colonialism.

Freya said to the Gryphon: “It exposes a fundamental flaw in the department that there are simply not enough experts in less traditional fields of political science.”

“This year has been unprecedented and will go down in history as such, I just wish that the by-products of this for the department and university were handled much better.”

Freya and fellow organisers would like to thank LUU for their support during this campaign, the POLIS course rep with whom they worked closely with and members of staff who listened and helped to the best of their ability.

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Research confirms female leaders’ success in Covid-19 first wave Reports throughout the global crisis have praised female leaders for their success in handling COVID-19.

Ana Hill Lopez-Menchero

minister of Norway, made clear from the beginning that she

Moreover, the research does suggest that this success was

was “letting scientists make the big medical decisions.” In

caused by more decisive regulations and earlier action, such as

Now the Centre for Economic Policy Research and the

Iceland, prime minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir gave free testing

full country lockdowns.

World Economic Forum have published analysis to back up

to all citizens, regardless of whether they were showing

In their paper, Garikipati and Kambhampati have presented

this praise. Professor Supriya Garikipati and Professor Uma

symptoms or not. Of course, there are some anomalies to

various reasons as to why the evidence is showing female-

Kambhampati concluded that female leaders were more

this generalisation that all female leaders have succeeded, the

led countries have fared better in this crisis. The main reason

successful, up to the 19th of May, because of their “proactive

main one being Belgium.

is attributed to the early lockdowns of female-led countries.

policy responses”.

As a woman, I rejoice in seeing other women being praised

While some have argued that this supported the stereotype

Professors Garikipati and Kambhampati, who analysed 19

in the press for their formidable efforts. Women are strong

that women are more risk-averse than men, the authors of the

female-led countries and 174 male-led countries, did not just

and resilient. It should not come as a shock that they have

paper argued the opposite, stating that although women were

look at the total number of cases and deaths in female-led

been even more so in such trying times. I would have expected

unwilling to take risks when it came to human life, they took

countries compared to male-led countries. Their research

this, especially when placed in comparison with male leaders

huge risks regarding the economy due to early lockdowns.

used GDP, total population, urban population density, number

like Donald Trump.

Male leaders were perhaps less willing to take risks with their

of elderly residents, annual health expenditure per capita,

While the female leaders in the past couple of months have

openness to international travel and general level of gender

been clear with their measures and backed them up with

The authors also compare the differences in leadership style

equality. After taking all this data into account they still

scientific data, male leaders have tended to adopt a more

between men and women, suggesting that in this crisis female

concluded that “COVID-19 outcomes are systematically and

chaotic approach, changing regulations day to day.

leadership styles have triumphed. Eagly and Johnson’s 1990

significantly better in countries led by women”.

We have seen first-hand how Boris Johnson’s leadership has

economies.

research is brought in, comparing the “task-oriented” style of

Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister of New Zealand, has

led to a relaxed population with no real sense of urgency when

been acclaimed for her reassuring Facebook Live Videos and

it comes to wearing masks and distancing among themselves.

The virus is far from contained, but the evidence is

her “going hard and early” approach which led to the virus

The confusion over why measures need to be continued has

compelling: female-led countries managed the first wave of

first being contained in June. The science-based leadership

led to spikes and “covidiots”. Trump was even more erratic

the pandemic better and more effectively than male leaders.

of Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany, has merited similar

with his leadership, giving no scientific evidence to support

Seeing female leaders excelling is extremely encouraging for

praise, as it has given clarity to the German public on why the

his suggested “cures” to the virus and showing no clarity in

women and girls around the world. Conceivably this pandemic

measures were being put in place.

his strategy. This poor leadership has also been witnessed in

will call for a new surge of female leaders and a stronger, more

Brazil, with president Jair Bolsonaro dismissing the virus as a

united world, as a result.

Smaller female-led countries, such as Sint Maarten, also got the job done. PM Silveria Jacobs gave a clear message at

“little flu”.

the beginning of April: “Simply. Stop. Moving.” Denmark’s

Although it could be argued that it is presumptive to present

prime minister Mette Frederiksen closed Danish borders mid-

this as a gendered situation, there is a clear correlation between

March and swiftly shut down schools.Erna Solberg, the prime

female leaders and a more successful response to coronavirus.

men and the “interpersonally oriented” style of women.

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Features | 13 thegryphon.co.uk

Views

Voyeurism and the fantasy ‘migrant crisis’ Ruby Wait-Weguelin

people smugglers, a narrative adopted to move blame from the hard borders that forced Hamdallah into a dingy, which only further encourage the human trafficking business.

The migrant safari we enjoyed from the comfort of our own sofas last month perfectly represents Britain’s self-avowed existential crisis. According to the mainstream media and our Government, it is the 4000 undocumented migrants arriving in dinghies that

Image: Wikipedia

The cyclical nature of migrant moral panic has once again reared its ugly head - this time the script was seemingly straight out of Black Mirror season 6. In their coverage of events, BBC and Sky News provided us with live voyeuristic commentary on the desperate journey of refugees, enlightening the public of their plight by shouting ‘are you okay?’ with an added thumbs up. This failure to provide any context as to why these people are risking their lives in the most dangerous route into the UK was accompanied by Nigel Farage’s video campaign of a fantasy ‘invasion’. The consequences of encouraging common misconceptions surrounding migration and validating xenophobic discourses were shown in the recent YouGov poll, which recorded 49% of respondants having ‘little’ or ‘no sympathy’ towards those crossing the Channel. Migrant crisis? To me, it looks more like an empathy crisis.

Prevailing misconceptions regarding migrants’ rights were articulated most effectively by Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s description, claiming Channel crossings are “very bad and stupid and dangerous and criminal”. In this case, Johnson is wrong on 3 counts. In reality, seeking asylum is not illegal, and neither is choosing the country in which you wish to stay. The lack of safe and legal routes into the UK forces desperate people to make this journey the PM claims to be “stupid”, especially due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions in place. There has been no travel on humanitarian grounds during the pandemic, and a reduction in the number of lorries crossing the Channel, resulting in the rise of small boat rides. Rather than providing this necessary context, BBC and Sky News presented dehumanising footage of vulnerable migrants and asylum seekers on their perilous journey.

By toeing the line of the Government’s stance on immigration, the mainstream media are eroding the public’s ability to form an educated perspective on migration.

The fabrication of this crisis has particular significance when used as a scapegoat for the highest Coronavirus death toll in Europe and the United Kingdom’s largest recession on record. Who is the real threat, a dingy load of immigrants or our own representatives?

This toxic narrative of a ‘migrant crisis’ has been inherent in tabloid media for decades now, legitimised by the policies of New Labour and reinforced by Farage’s ability to spread his language of hatred through social media. Both Farage and Natalie Elphicke - the MP for Dover - have recently posted videos denouncing refugees, encouraging the Government to announce further militarization of migrant policy.

This attempt to make the Channel crossing “unviable” proved depressingly successful following the death of Abdulfatah Hamdallah, who was fleeing war-torn Sudan, and was found drowned on a beach near Calais. Priti Patel was quick to condemn

pose the largest threat to British civilisation in 2020. It seems as though the United Kingdom’s media culture is struggling to separate facts from popular sentiment.

Alternatively, a push for safe and legal routes, stronger resettlement programmes and humanitarian visas starts with more accurate representation of asylum seekers and migrants in the media. Throughout this often callous debate, I believe it is particularly powerful to remember Warsan Shire’s poem ‘Home’, there to remind us that

“No one puts their children in a boat / unless the water is safer than the land”.

Kamala Harris as VP: A step in the wrong direction?

Ishmael Silvestro History was made by Joe Biden last month when he selected Californian senator Kamala Harris to be his running mate – the first-ever female person of colour to be selected for the ticket. In many respects, this serves as a landmark moment for US politics, potentially allowing Harris – who is of mixed Jamaican and Indian descent – to help usher in a much- needed movement of increased diversity and representation within the political sphere.

There is no denying that representation is important, both within the Democratic Party itself and in relation to the voting public as a whole. Harris’ selection shows that the Democratic Party believes she can play a powerful role in the future of the party and provides her with a platform to help disprove the misconception that it is only white men who are palatable to the average American voter.

Whilst all of this holds true, it does not necessarily mean that the Democrats’ attitude towards progressivism is anything more than merely symbolic. In the current age of identity politics and the prominence of the Black Lives Matter movement, it could be said that the Democratic Party establishment are simply jumping on social trends to try to increase the appeal of Joe Biden as a presidential candidate. This seems especially true given his poor track record on criminal justice reform, historic “tough on crime” stance, and support of policies that helped worsen deep structural inequalities within the US justice system.

Harris’ past career is similarly problematic. Despite currently advertising herself as a

criminal justice reformer, certain choices she made when she acted as district attorney of San Francisco and California’s attorney show Harris has often done the opposite.

She frequently failed to act upon cases of black individuals killed at the hands of the police, dismissing cases of appeal from innocent civilians wrongfully convicted, and actively working to decrease the release of prisoners across California, despite levels of overcrowding in prisons being so severe that the US Supreme Court declared them as a form of “cruel and unusual punishment”. Harris’ selection is being presented by the Democrats as a bold move that will help reform US politics, but her track record suggests this will be anything but the case.

The prospect of Harris being Vice President, although groundbreaking in some ways, is nowhere near the step in the right direction that it appears to be. Biden’s presidential run seems hauntingly similar to Hillary Clinton’s lukewarm attempt in 2016, and Harris’ selection as running mate looks too much like a surface gesture aimed to increase support for a candidate for whom enthusiasm is lacking amongst the electorate.

In truth, painting Harris’ selection as a win for women and POCs is a distraction from the reality of the situation – a perpetuation of the neoliberal policies favoured by the Democrats that will inevitably leave marginalised communities much worse off. The choice of Harris as a potential Vice President is a hollow attempt by the Democratic Party to come across as radical and progressive, despite blatantly being neither.

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In the Middle

Music Map Of Leeds Szu-Yu Chen

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Kirkstall A North-West suburb of Leeds, Kirkstall is where leopard-print icon and Spice Girl Mel B grew up before becoming famous for her zig-a-zig-ah. Being out of the city centre, Kirkstall has plenty of recording studios for any budding bands, producers or DJs. Local rap duo the Northaze, who you should definitely check out, recorded all their early work in Dubwhy Studios.

Burley Burley is an area of Leeds neighbouring Hyde Park, and it‘s also where George Evelyn, better known as Nightmares on Wax, began to perfect his craft as a DJ/Producer. N.O.W got his break at a house party on Chestnut Avenue, where the promoter of a student night called DownBeat let him play at the age of 15. He became their resident turntablist, and continues to have an unrivalled influence on Leeds’ musical landscape. He regularly plays some of our greatest venues, so keep your eyes peeled when life is all back to normal.

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Szu-Yu Chen

Leeds Beckett

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University of Leeds Our Uni has looked after one or two familiar faces over the years.

Alt-J formed here whilst studying Fine Art and English, whilst Hayden Thorpe (of Wild Beasts) and Mark Knopfler (of Dire Straits) may well have sat in the same seat you find yourself sat on in any given lecture.

Stylus, our student union’s designated venue, has hosted countless incredible gigs over the years too. In 2019, Little Simz, the Cult and Ocean Wisdom all took to the stage and Princess Nokia is currently rescheduling a date there for November.

The annual varsity competition, which sees sport matches held between our University and Leeds Beckett, has created a fierce competitive spirit between the city’s universities. Off the pitch, Beckett’s biggest musical triumph has been synth pop legends Soft Cell as Mark Almond and Dave Ball met at the uni in 1977. After graduation, the creatives lived in a Leeds housing association to pursue a career in music, gigging around the cities various venues and pubs every week.

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Hyde Park Pearson Grove, Hessle Terrace, Midland Road? You may not have had time to mooch around Leeds’ busiest student district, but its streets are laced in musical history.

British DJs, producers and rhythmic innovators Ben UFO, Pearson Sound and Pangaea set up Hessle Audio, the groundbreaking British record label, there 13 years ago.

Midland, the man behind house party favourite ‘Final Credits’, also named his alias after Midland Road.

etsy

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Szu-Yu Chen

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by Liam Cattermole

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Harrison Street

Back in the 90s, post acid house, Dave Beer and Ralph Lawson set up the internationally acclaimed club night Back to Basics. Once Europe’s longest lasting weekly club event, people would flock T’up North from far and near to get in on the action. The night began at the music factory, later known as Mint Club, which lived on Harrison Street. Basics were consistent in putting on nights of quality house music, and they still put on events in Leeds’ newer venues.

Musicand andClubs Clubs Music

new music reviews Disclosure - Energy With Energy, Disclosure appear to be aiming to bring back the frenetic groove of their debut album Settle. While occasionally missing the mark, it generally reminds us just how talented they are. The first half, depending on your mood, is either a non-stop workout playlist or an ode to the still-closed nightclubs. With that, the lyrics call for unity and motivation throughout, while Disclosure’s trademark pulsing garage beats and high-quality production abound. On Lavender, vocalist Channel Tres implores “get closer, baby”, while follower My High contains a constant refrain of “please don’t fuck up my high”.

The quality dips slightly in the second half, due partially to the reduced pace, with both the slow-jam interludes Fractal and Thinking ‘Bout You being pleasant, but an unnecessary change in tone. Birthday, with its lyrics about calling an ex-partner, feels out of place and can be skipped, while Reverie feels unfinished and ends the album too abruptly.

However, while there are certainly a few missteps, Energy showcases not only the talents of Disclosure but a diverse array of collaborators. Fatoumata Diawara provides a superb Bambara vocal performance on Douha (Mali Mali) over a funky bassline, and Blick Bassy sings several dialects on Ce n’est pas. Overall, it is clear that Disclosure have not lost their touch, and hopefully they continue to improve. - Alex Howe

Angel Olsen - Whole New Mess Contrary to its name, Angel Olsen’s fifth studio album Whole New Mess isn’t exactly new. Almost all of the tracks come from the singer-songwriter’s preceding album, All Mirrors, released last year and marked by its orchestral instrumentation. Now, Olsen takes tracks which once felt meticulously produced and lessens the distance between listeners and her heartbreak, reducing the songs to just her and a guitar. She told Pitchfork that she wanted to record while she was still processing, ‘These are the personal takes, encapsulated in a moment,’ and you can hear it. While before, the emotional climaxes of songs such as ‘All Mirrors’ took the form of dramatic swells in orchestration (almost film-score-esque), the emotion now stems from Olsen’s intimate performance. ‘(We Are All Mirrors),’ the stripped-down version, allows the strains in her voice to shine through for a more vulnerable display of her heart ache. It’s likely no coincidence that ‘Spring’ is one of just two tracks not reprised from All Mirrors, a song Olsen told Apple Music was ‘one of the happiest on the record.’

In an interview with the Evening Standard, Olsen suggests that on All Mirrors she was separated from the songs because ‘other people had their hands in the pot,’ but that ‘On Whole New Mess, I’m feeling every feeling that they evoke.’ There are no external forces imposing on her new record, no collaboration, no elaborate production; it’s just Olsen, her guitar, and her pain. Whole New Mess is a mirror itself to its predecessor – a little messier, not quite as polished or restrained, but it makes you feel her heartbreak all the more for it. - Eleanor Palmer

Kelly Lee Owens - Inner Song Kelly Lee Owens often speaks about wanting to find power through her music, and in nowhere is this truer than her intimate and expansive second album Inner Song. Across its ten tracks, the Welsh producer brings forth an intelligent, nuanced blend of techno and dream pop, whilst also letting her own voice shine out. Recorded over just a month, Inner Song reflects the deep and protective world Owens has created inside her head to cope with a world swirling with uncertainty, anxiety, and chaos. Each drum kick and textured synth shimmers with a personal intimacy, and amongst the soundscapes of Inner Song, the listener feels completely taken in.

The album constantly shapeshifts, and with each listen each track throws up something slightly different. ‘Corner of My Sky’ is a strange, poetic paean to the Welsh landscapes with the Velvet Underground’s John Cale, ‘Arpeggi’ is a minimalist rework take of the famous Radiohead track. Certain moments on the album seem deceptively simple, but on closer inspection are instead drenched in symbolism. Album closer ‘Wake-Up’ is like this, with glistening strings speaking of a natural world drowned out by a culture of intrusive technology and instant gratification.

There cannot be discussion of Inner Song without mention of ‘Melt!’, the dazzling jewel in Owens’ crown. A self-confessed ‘techno banger’, the track is also frighteningly complex – containing samples of glaciers melting and humans literally skating on thin ice, it’s a cathartic and emotive response to the impending climate crisis. Inner Song is a glorious exploration into the beautiful insides of one woman’s mind, a wondrous moment of serenity and peace produced in reaction to the troubled times we live in. When it seems like the world outside is crumbling to oblivion, sometimes looking inwardly is all you can ever do. - Ishmael Silvestro

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In the Middle

Lockdown, lock in: the importance of community radio When COVID-19 forced clubs and gig venues to close their doors earlier this year, radio became a balm for those who were left with a live music-shaped void in their day-to-day. With most operating online and for free, community radio stations offer a more accessible alternative to the ticketed events we’re used to; one that thrives in a social distancing context too.

Though they lack the multi-sensory experience of live events (no sweaty shoving here!), radio is also incredibly intimate, to be listened to from home as a soundtrack to your daily errands, or to substitute your friendly chit chat with friends, family and colleagues. When off-screen company and voices in real time are scarce, radio steps up.

Independent radio stations have been operating for decades now, from the pirate approach popularised by Rinse FM in the nineties to the regional set-ups that have been popping up in venues and arts centres in recent years. However, the platforms took on a whole new importance in lockdown; one which still resonates in the altered reality we now occupy.

NTS and Rinse FM, now licensed, lead the scene in the UK, with 7-day week schedules and major artist residencies, whilst smaller stations

such as Manchester’s Reform Radio and Bristol’s Noods follow suit and explore the nooks and crannies of their respective music scenes.

DIY and led by people with their ears to the grounds, the shows favour content that leans far further towards the left-field than the commercial radio your parents listen to in the car. It’s a nice break from the often crap sounds of Heart and Capital FM, who play Jess Glynne and ad breaks like nobody’s business.

Closer to home, Sable Radio champions people of colour in Leeds and further afield with a range of music, mixes, spoken word, recipes and live scrabble tournaments. Whilst broadcasting from the Mabgate studio took a hiatus in March, Sable ran a ‘Live at Home’ series; a warming comfort when the sound of friends’ voices echoing round your living room seemed a little more distant. After a long few months, Sable reopen their doors on corona-friendly terms this September.

Image: Hypebeast Sable Radio. Image: Bdaily

The future of the music scene is uncertain, but the past few months have made one thing clear: independent radio is crucial, now more than ever.

Safi Bugel

Meet the editors

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Ishmael Silvestro Favourite album: Kate Bush - Hounds of Love Favourite venue: Wharf Chambers Lockdown tune: Kelly Lee Owens - Melt!

Elle Palmer Favourite album: Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense Favourite venue: Brudenell Social Club Lockdown tune: Black Marble - In Manchester

Fern McErlane Favourite album: Kaytranada - 99.9% Favourite venue: Brudenell Social Club Lockdown tune: Green Gardens - To Leave Her Alone

Liam Cattermole Favourite album: Gorillaz - Demon Favourite venue: Wire Lockdown tune: Umi - Populous

Culture Lives In Your Sub-Par Leeds Accomodation

Musicand andClubs Clubs Music

Everyone reading this is probably aware that coronavirus is still about.

There is no other word but ‘pain’ to capture the emotion felt at having Leeds’ club nights robbed from you. Normally, an artistic and cultural experience for a Fresher is discovering how many different types of strobe lights one city can have.

It just so happens, however, that culture lives inside your sub-par accommodation room. Inevitably, this year’s students will be spending more time in their room than in previous years, alone with posters badly blu-tacked to the wall and the muffled music of your flatmates. For those looking to still engage with cultural experiences and feel connected to a city you mostly see from the kitchen window, here are some suggestions.

Society19

HydeParkBookClub

EDUCATION!

WALK AROUND!

In an era of apathy, now’s the time to learn. In the 1960s, rebellion was long hair. In the 2020s, rebellion is long reading and watch lists which include artists from underrepresented communities. As I’m sure everyone posted on their Instagram stories, civil liberty and equality isn’t a fad and momentum is always needed. From those stuffy four walls, you can easily become a conscious consumer of television, film and books by diversifying the content you interact with. A multitude of recommendations are to be found, The Gryphon itself has compiled a few lists of BAME-produced content to pay attention to.

Remember that high you got in March from going out for your daily walk? You can still ride that in your new city! Leeds genuinely has a lot of hidden treasures that you can find out on a walk: Kirkstall Nature Reserve, Kirkstall Abbey and the canalside are to name but a few. If you want to turn the walk into a drinking game with your new bubble, take a sip every time you see a can or a small clear bag on the ground- you’ll be drunk soon enough.

DEEPDIVE! Have you ever tiptoed around the edge of a subculture and pulled yourself back from the precipice to avoid falling in? There’s that one Soul song or anime episode that replays in our heads as we go to sleep.

I say deepdive. Drown in all a subculture has to offer and end up trying to crawl out of 5-hour long YouTube holes. Not only will you become a fountain of pop culture knowledge, you’ll probably end up winning a pub quiz or two- and that’s a true aphrodisiac.

LOCAL COLLECTIVES! Many independent artistic groups and collectives are supported and bolstered in Leeds, all of which are well worth becoming familiar with. You can tune into Sable Radio, pop down to Hyde Park Picture House, buy a new plant at Heart in Headingley or attend one of Hyde Park Book Club’s various online events.

I realise that a few of those suggestions require you leaving the room you just beautifully decorated; so if you don’t want to go outside, just imagine doing them.

ents24

The truth is it that this year is going to be strange, and there is no normal way for you to cope with this, DECORATE! but hopefully this offers reassurance that whether it’s If culture were to live in your sub-par accommoda- safer to stay inside, or you want to venture out there tion, it has to look the part. There’s a lot to be said is still loads to do, for creating a space you want to be in and isn’t depression-inducing. Fairy lights and polaroids aren’t strictly the only decorative items that don’t break tenancy agreements, so get creative. It will kill a day or two, at least.

Sinead O‘Riordan LeedsMindfulness

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In The Middle

Reading Is Fundamental!

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After finding success as a pop-up stall, the team behind The Bookish Type have opened up a new premesis to give Leeds its first ever queer bookshop. Associate Editor Alex Gibbon caught up with Ray and Nicola to talk about setting up shop, perservering through the pandemic and their exciting new plans for their business.

Firstly, congratulations for finally opening your doors! How does it feel to be behind Leeds‘ only queer community bookshop?

Thank you! It feels really exciting to finally have a shop, I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet. We’ve had a great first week and it’s been lovely to see how positive people are towards the shop.

Obviously it has been a turbulent year for everyone, has COVID-19 affected the process of opening up The Bookish Type?

COVID-19 slowed everything down for us because we were hoping to open in the spring. However, it forced us to be creative and set up a website so we started selling online a few months ago and delivering books locally. It’s been a real delight to do that because people are always so happy when you turn up with a package of books for them.

How important is it to give leeds another LGBTQ+ space?

COVID has hit hard and it’s a shame to see so many LGBTQIA+ spaces closing down. For us it feels important to have a dry space and one that is open during the day that caters for queers of all ages, a bit like Flamingos Café. We’re here for all the quiet queers and bookish types.

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We’re here for all the quiet queers and bookish types.

What is one thing that might surprise people about setting up your own business?

The amount of furniture you have to build!

What were your plans/initial ideas for designing and decorating the bookshop?

We wanted to create an open, friendly space full of books but with lots of room to browse.

In our last interview your mentioned Hull‘s Page One, the former radical bookshop you both frequented as teenagers. Did you take any inspiration from there?

Page One was a radical bookshop rather than a queer one, although they certainly stocked lots of LGBTQIA+ books. As teens in the late ‘80s it felt like a lifeline; a safe, friendly space where you could explore lots of different ideas, learn about queer culture and feel part of a community.

Have you established a relationship with any other LGBTQ+ bookshops from across the UK?

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Yes, we know Portal in York and we’ve visited Category is Books in Glasgow and Gay’s the Word in London. The queer bookshop community in the UK feels really supportive and we’ve had lovely welcoming messages from various bookshops.

Arts & Culture

What have you both been reading during lockdown?

Ray: I’ve just finished reading Saeed Jones’ memoir ‘How We Fight For Our Lives’ which is stunning in its portrayal of a young black gay man growing up in poverty in the US and struggling to get by. It manages to be brutal, poetic, honest and tender. I also loved ‘Cantoras’ by Caroline de Robertis which is a beautiful book about a group of lesbians in 1970s Uruguay who create their own community and a breathing space from the repressive military government in power.

Ray and Nicola‘s Reading Recommendations:

We’ve both enjoyed ‘Playtime’ by Andrew McMillan which is wonderful; it’s so well observed, looking at masculinity, changing bodies, rites of passage and growing up gay. Nicola has also read ‘Little Blue Encyclopedia (for Vivian)’ by Hazel Jane Plante, an incredibly playful novel that is like a queer love letter from a trans woman to her dead friend.

Tales Of The City

by Armistead Maupin

Nicola: This is my all time favourite book. It came out in 1978 but still feels relevant 40+ years later with the idea of queers of all stripes moving to a city to live their best lives. It’s a book with so much heart and one that I have re-read many times since I first read it as a baby queer back in the early 90s.

Finally, I know you have only just opened, but do you have any future plans or goals for the shop?

We’d like the bookshop to have more of a community focus but that’s tricky during COVID, so in the future we hope to put up a community notice board, offer the space for LGBTQIA+ meetings and collaborate on events.

We’ve started a ‘pay it forward’ scheme whereby people can donate books or money for those with limited funds. It feels like a great way for the local queer community to support each other and we’re really pleased that in our first week people have already kindly donated. We’re also going to have a table curated by different local groups so they can promote themselves but also select relevant books that are important to them.

The Bookish Type is now open and can be found on the upper floor of The Merrion Centre.

Words: Alex Gibbon Photography: Ellie Hodgson

Confessions Of The Fox

by Jordy Rosenberg

Ray: It’s hard to describe the plot but it’s basically a made up bawdy tale of a trans guy named Jack, an 18th century thief and jail breaker, told by a trans academic who has found some manuscripts about Jack.

I guess it’s like a less dense and very queer version of a Charles Dickens novel. I read it for Queer Book Club Leeds and it was such a layered novel with so many things to talk about

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In The Middle

Remembering Chadwick Boseman Last month, both Hollywood and the world suffered a shocking and devastating loss as Chadwick Boseman passed away after a four-year secret battle with cancer.

An outpouring of love and support has been seen from around the world towards Boseman and his family, giving testament to just how treasured and significant the actor was, both on and off the screen. As we look back over the life and career of one of the big screen’s most iconic actors of the last decade, we see why Chadwick Boseman’s legacy will live on for so long in the minds and hearts of all those he inspired.

Born and raised in South Carolina, Boseman’s passion for the arts began outside of the spotlight, as he wrote and directed plays at school, subsequently going on to graduate from Howard University with a Bachelor of Arts in Directing. Through funding from one of his university teacher’s friends, he and his classmates were able to attend the Oxford Mid-Summer Program of the British American Drama Academy in London. After studying acting to help his directorial pursuits, he eventually shifted his focus towards the craft, leading him on the path to the great roles that he came to be known for.

While directing a play in New York and considering giving up acting entirely to pursue an offstage career, he landed his first lead role as the baseball star Jackie Robinson in 42. His powerful and pragmatic acting style was clear to all straight away, with Robinson’s widow noting that his portrayal of the athlete “was like seeing him again”. He then went on to star as another black icon, James Brown in Get on Up, bringing all of Brown’s energy and charisma to the screen with his own dancing and singing. His work, most notably in 42, landed him his quintessential role as King T’Challa across four of Marvel’s films. It was of course his portrayal of the comic book icon in Black Panther in 2018 which brought him the most acclaim. The film grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide, breaking numerous other records including highest grossing film by a Black director. With seven academy nominations and a further three wins, Black Panther remains a ground-breaking step forward for black creatives in the arts industries, with its unprecedented success paving the way for new opportunities for so many who have always been underrepresented and unheard. Of course, without the charm and talent that Boseman brough to the leading role, it is unknown if the film would have had the same prosperity.

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As well as his talent on the screen, Boseman brought all of his charisma with him in his everyday life. Not only is this clear in his perseverance and strength to carry on his acting career throughout fighting an illness that one can only imagine the pain of, but also in his outspokenness towards injustices and causes he felt so strongly for. Through his speeches at award ceremonies, most notably that at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2019, Boseman highlighted issues within his industry, using these times not to discuss himself, but to discuss his community. In the aforementioned speech, Boseman repeats the phrase “to be young, gifted and Black”, discussing the endless hurdles and obstacles that must be overcome by those in Hollywood simply because of the colour of their skin. His empowering speech at Howard University’s 150th graduation ceremony further highlighted his incredible skills as an orator, speaking honestly about the unavoidable systemic discrimination that the students would go on to face in the working world. “Sometimes you need to get knocked down before you really know what your fight is”; these words only resonate more gravely in retrospect, given the private battle Boseman was facing alongside the various trials and tribulations he faced throughout his career as a Black artist.

DigitalSpy

As a peer, he was cherished and admired by all who knew him. “He was a historical figure as the Black Panther, but also such a good and decent human being”, says co-star Mark Ruffalo. “The way he handled his life and battle with cancer with such humility and grace and dignity let’s us all know that he truly was a superhero”, says Oprah Winfrey. The unparalleled likeability Boseman oozed in all that he did, be it on the screen or at any given public appearance makes it clear that he is a man who could do no wrong. Even in his final few months in an Instagram Live video, he was still speaking out against the racial injustices existing in America, namely that of the disproportionate effect of coronavirus on ethnic minority communities.

The life and work of Chadwick Boseman was truly incredible, and cut tragically short, and it will be a while until we can truly see the full impact that his legacy will have on the world. As Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige aptly states: “Chadwick’s legacy is almost too big to comprehend yet”, but it will undoubtedly stand the test of time. Rest in power to the King of Wakanda.

Rory Yeates

NME

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Maskne: How to Protect your Skin As we power through yet another month of COVID-19, it is evident that face masks will continue to remain a part of our daily routine as we re-enter university life. Although face masks are crucial for public health and the vanity of our complexion is not the greatest issue right now, let’s not ignore that, for many, wearing a face mask has wreaked havoc on our skin.

Having a piece of material sit tight to your skin for hours throughout the day has caused many to experience the lockdown phenomenon known as ‘maskne’ (mask + acne). There are multiple reasons why maskne occurs, namely the friction on the skin created by constantly wearing a cover. On top of that, makeup, sweat and dirt are easily trapped behind the mask and work together to create the perfect environment for acne. Furthermore, some find that they are particularly sensitive to certain common mask materials.

So how can we prevent this? Firstly, it is important to find a mask that is comfortable on your skin. I have switched to a silk mask I found on Etsy which has greatly reduced the irritation on my skin. Silk is very gentle on sensitive skin which makes it a much better option than some of the coarser masks on the market. If you can’t get your hands on a silk mask, look for other smooth materials such as neoprene.

Keeping your mask clean is vital when combatting maskne. Switching to a new or clean mask every day is incredibly important in order to avoid bacterial build up which may transfer onto your skin. It’s handy to get hold of a few masks to keep them on rotation.

Next up: consider taking a break from makeup. If you’re going to be wearing a mask throughout the day, the build-up of foundation or lipstick trapped behind the mask can get intertwined with condensation from our breath and sweat which leads to breakouts.

Therefore, if you wish to maintain clear skin as best you can, avoid makeup in the area that the mask covers up. To keep makeup fun, play around with new eyeshadow ideas such as bold liner or smokey eyes.

Finally, adapt your skincare routine. It is important to ensure that the moisture barrier of your skin is intact to combat the friction created by the mask. Moisturise with a good quality product every night, such as the Cerave Moisturising Lotion. Don’t attempt to clear any new breakouts with a number of harsh ingredients such as retinols. Slowly supplement acne busting products into your regime, such as salicylic acid. A firm favourite in the skincare world is Paula’s Choice 2% BHA liquid exfoliant. Combine with a gentle cleanser. Remember to not overload your skin with harsh ingredients as it will already be sensitive from the mask.

Image: Lovelyboydesigns on Etsy

Faye Clayton

A Note to Freshers on Wardrobe Worry After a summer of anticipation, trips to IKEA and Facebook-stalking your flatmates, freshers’ week has finally rolled around. There’s plenty to stress about- how you’re going to find your way around campus (will campus even be a thing?!), what your neighbours are like, whether you’ve picked the right course… But, if you’re anything like me, there is something much worse than all of that: the familiar pain of wardrobe worry.

The pressure is understandable. How you dress is the first real impression your fellow students will have of you. And the clothes you choose to wear will accompany you through so much, most of which will be immortalised in photos, Snapchat memories and Insta posts. For these reasons, your wardrobe can seem like a vital part of your identity and, by starting uni, you’ve been offered a chance to re-shape both completely.

So, what to wear? To withstand the highs and lows of university life, your wardrobe must be durable and comfortable, and not just in the physical sensealthough please take into account the Leeds rainy days and how likely your friends are to throw up on your jeans after one too many vodka lemonadesbut mentally too.

Dressing comfortably is all about wearing what you enjoy, rather than dressing to ‘impress’. For many of you, the move to Leeds is a completely fresh start, and you should take advantage of that. It is a chance to get creative and express yourself in a way that maybe felt too scary at home. Leeds students are renowned for loud prints and bright colours, so don’t be afraid of judgment because you can get away with wearing pretty much anything here. That said, don’t feel the need to perform or put on something that isn’t you. Being yourself is the one sure-fire way you will feel comfortable and confident.

The takeaway? Try not to get too hung up on your freshers’ wardrobe. We place so much pressure on first impressions, when in reality freshers’ week is a very blurry memory for most of us. A combination of drinking too much and self-absorbed anxiety makes for a pretty fuzzy account of first meeting even the best of friends. University is one massive learning curve - it’s months and years of trial and error in every aspect of life. And your style is a fluid thing that will change, change and change again for years to come. Remember that at the end of the day, it isn’t the clothes you wear, but the memories you make in them that count.

Bella Wigley

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In The Middle

Image: medium.com

Is There a Future for Fashion Week?

During the many fashion weeks hosted across the world throughout the year, cities are taken storm by a flood of journalists, models, designers, photographers and influencers, hectically commuting between an endless schedule of shows.

Initially orchestrated behind closed doors for buyers, Fashion Week has since metamorphosed into a seemingly incessant ballet, with pre-collections, cruise collections, haute couture and women’s and men’s fashion weeks all part of this choreographed routine. But when the coronavirus crisis forced brands to seek new ways to present their collections outside of the traditional runway format, the question of whether there is really a need for physical fashion weeks was brought onto the table.

The idea of an industry without fashion weeks isn’t exactly a brand new phenomenon. Last summer, environmental activist group Extinction Rebellion called for an end to London Fashion Week, staging a funeral for LFW in the city’s streets, with posters emblazoned with statements like ‘No Fashion on a Dead Planet’ and ‘Fashion=Ecocide’ serving as a stark reminder of the detrimental environmental impact of the industry. And though luxury fashion doesn’t perpetuate throw-away attitudes towards clothes in the same way that fast-fashion does, it’s certainly not free of blame when it comes to the impact of production, not just of the clothes themselves, but of the continuous cycle of shows that take place across the globe. Take cruise collections, for example, where the industry’s major fashion houses fly thousands of influencers and fashion personnel across the planet to specially-selected holiday locations, all for a 10-minute runway show. In an age where sustainability is at the centre of almost every conversation in the industry, it seems pretty bizarre. Not to mention the impact of this vicious cycle, where creativity is stifled by the pressure of creating constant newness, on the mental wellbeing of designers.

The pandemic has compelled brands to take a new approach to showcasing their collections- shifting to digital formats out of necessity, but equally minimising the cost, waste and emissions that usually go into creating a runway show. For Gucci’s digital show in July, creative director Alessandro Michele invited the designers who created the garments to wear their own creations, offering a livestream runway accompanied by a 76-look catalogue of mens- and womenswear designs.

But so far, only a few shows have really resonated - such as Jonathon Anderson’s ‘Show in a Box’ for Loewe, which celebrated creative process and craftsmanship,

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or Maison Margiela’s 50-minute film which gave a behind-the-scenes look at the way a collection comes together - and engagement has dropped significantly in comparison to real-life shows. You only have to look at the power a runway show has to elevate a brand’s status - take Jacquemus’ viral SS20 collection, unveiled on a train of fuschia within a sea of lavender in the heart of Provence last summer - to recognise how fundamental they are to the industry. If digital shows are going to have the same impact as real life runways, brands need to do more than simply copy and paste the traditional formula online, and go beyond simply livestreaming a private runway.

While there are those brands looking to embrace new formats and technologies, breaking away from tradition, others didn’t hesitate to make a swift return to the physical runway. In July, Dior presented its Resort 2021 show in Lecce, Italy, meanwhile influencers gathered in a field of wheat near Paris for Jacquemus’ ever-aesthetically-pleasing runway show. Copenhagen Fashion Week became the first post-lockdown city to host a significant schedule of IRL runway shows, with exhibitions, presentations and runways adapted to Covid-19 regulations.

Meanwhile, this month’s Spring/Summer 2021 fashion weeks are set to feature a mix of physical and digital shows, with brands like Simone Rocha and Roksanda showing their collections in person at London Fashion Week - with social-distancing guidelines in place, of course. In any case, it’s clear that many brands just aren’t ready to break up completely with the traditional runway format.

When physical fashion shows have long been seen as the ultimate fashion experience and height of creativity, if digital shows are the future, it’s going to take time for generations of both designers and consumers to adjust to this new way of consuming fashion. What’s clear is that the pre-Covid model of fashion weeks is unsustainable, both for designers and the planet. The fashion industry mirrors the cultural zeitgeist, but also plays an important role in creating it - if fashion weeks could evolve to become a platform for celebrating the visual and artistic aspects of fashion, embracing both physical and digital forms of presentation, while simultaneously promoting a message of sustainability rather than one of overconsumption, the future of fashion shows - and the planet - could look a little brighter.

Ruby McAuliffe

Blogs & Lifestyle

A Fresher’s Guide to Making Friends and Beating Coronavirus Loneliness Congratulations! You’ve survived the studying and the exams and you’ve made it to the University of Leeds!

But instead of feeling excited by starting your university life, you may be feeling deflated because, thanks to coronavirus, your fun-filled freshers could be a disaster! How are you going to socialise and meet friends with imposed social distancing, cancelled events and online learning?

But don’t let Covid get you down. There are plenty of ways you can still have socialise safely.

1) Make an effort with your new household bubble!

3) Still join a society

My first advice for making friends at university is to get to know your flatmates. Your new household bubble are likely the people you’re going to interact with the most during this year, so don’t be shy to get to know them.

Many societies have made the decision to turn virtual during the first semester, but that doesn’t mean you can’t join. Societies are a great way to meet people with similar interests so, don’t let the virtual aspect put you off!

Wondering how to break the ice with your flatmates?

Why not try the AT HOME OTLEY RUN? A tradition to the Leeds freshers experience is the famous Otley Run. Packing the streets between Headingly and Woodhouse Lane, students pub crawl the night away until they reach the epitome of a first year's night out- Fruity Friday! But while the Otley Run in all its glory might be off the cards for now, doesn’t mean you need to miss out on all the fun!

If you can’t go to the Otley Run, then bring the Otley run to you!

Get each person to deck their room out as a makeshift pub by supplying their favourite tunes, snacks, party games and drinks (alcohol-free choices included). Then, make your way down each room, letting the "host" introduce themselves a bit more! Finally, dance the night away in the communal spaces by tuning into the good vibes of a live-streamed fruity Friday. Don’t forget to dress up though, it isn’t a real Otley run without the costumes!

2) Although your lectures might not be in person, still make an effort to get to know the people on your course

Something important to remember right now is that so long as you follow the government guidance, you CAN still have a relatively normal first year. Socialising IS allowed, socially distanced, so don’t let the ‘Rona’ make you feel like you have to isolate in your room the whole year.

Social distancing is important but so is your mental health. Loneliness can be crippling and it is much more common than you think: higher education group Wohnke reported that a third of students admitted to feeling loneliness on a weekly basis even before the pandemic began.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or lonely at any point, remember that you can get support from the student-run Nightline which operates from 8pm-2am every night during term time. Here’s the number just in case: 0113380285 Wishing you all the best of luck!

Katelyn Shearer

When I was a fresher last year, coronavirus hadn’t even been mentioned on TV yet but virtual aspects of socialising were still a big part of how I made friends at uni. I went onto Facebook and asked on a “Leeds Uni students 2019/20” group whether anyone was doing my course and to my surprise, there were many people who wanted to connect and start a group chat. This is a great way to meet people even if you can’t see them in person.

Lucy Abbott

Beanna Olding (Bea)

I’m Lucy, a 3rd year Journalism student, and I am one of the online editors this year.

I’m a 2nd year International Relations and Spanish student.

My passions include creative writing in the high fantasy genre, environmental protection, human rights, politics and travel.

Fact 1: I have been playing/learning the piano for 11 years Fact 2: I’m highly obsessed with cats

Fact 1: My name came from a crumbling headstone found on Lindisfarne, Holy Island Fact 2: I’ve solo backpacked around a few countries

Anushka Searle (Nush)

Georgie Wardall

I’m a 3rd year English Language and Literature student, and I am a massive foodie!

I’m a 4th year English Literature and French student just back from my year abroad!

Fact 1: I started becoming vegetarian after I watched Char-

Fact 1: I’m a big lover of coffee

lotte’s Web when I was 8 (traumatised!)

Fact 2: I read a lot of YA fiction. My favourite author is Sarah J. Maas

Fact 2: My favourite book is “Sons and Lovers” by D H Lawrence

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In The Middle 22 | Sports

BLOGS & LIFESTYLE

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Freshers’ Week soulmates: The lie

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Forget the pressure to go out every single night of Freshers’, or the not-so-gentle encouragement to “Down it fresherrrrr” (a chant so common you’ll hear it in your sleep); for me, the most nerve-wracking expectation of Freshers’ week was that I would find the friends that I would bond with for life. My soulmates, the gals and guys who’d be there at my dying bedside 70 years from then.

I can guarantee that anyone embarking on the university experience will have heard this promise before, the promise of friendships that will last a lifetime. Perhaps for some of you this assurance of an immediate intimate social haven was a selling point. This, I was sure, I would find in that first, intense, chaotic week of boozin’.

And you know what? I do believe that I’ve found them – my soul sisters – I really do, but they are not the same people that I bonded with in Freshers’. In that first week, you will probably find a group and cling on to them with the formidable clutch of FOMO (fear of missing out, for those who aren’t in the know), and that’s totally okay! I know people who did develop some serious sisterhood/brotherhood friendships in that short week, which is awesome, but save yourself some unnecessary stress and don’t enter Freshers’ like I did – with the weighty expectation of finding the greatest friends in that time and

Image: people.howstuffworks.com

absolutely crapping myself if I didn’t get along with everyone I met.

The beauty of all universities, particularly a university with a diverse demographic like Leeds, is that there are so many potential friends out there and so many opportunities to meet them – if you put yourself out there. I was still making new friends right up until the end of my 1st year and I very much intend to be doing the same this year, and the year after that, and the year after that.

Be open to friendships beginning, changing, disappearing and reappearing. Remember that almost everyone is nervous and almost everyone is a potential friend. Above all, be yourself, be honest and be kind, and you’ll find a way.

Good luck, solider.

Beanna Olding

Image: clipart-library.com

The ultimate hangover cures!

Phoebe Turner

This year’s Freshers’ Week may be a slightly different experience than previous years, but if there is one thing we can nearly guarantee, it’s the involvement of a hangover at some point.

From my trials and errors (many, many errors), I have compiled a list of some well-known hangover cures and assessed whether they truly cut it (or if they’re complete nonsense) so that you don’t have to!

Water

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As simple as it sounds, water really is the basis of any good hangover cure. Sure, it’s not the most exciting cure on the list and you’re probably going to need to drink a lot of it to really start feeling better, but if there’s one thing you definitely need after a late-night drinking, it’s rehydration. I have found that a glass of water before bed then another in the morning normally sets the hangover recovery process well into motion, and even better it’s the cheapest and most convenient method.

Fry-up

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Fatty foods sometimes feel like exactly what you need to perk yourself up again, and it turns out all the protein found in eggs, bacon and sausages (and their meat-free counterparts) may actually be pretty helpful in getting you back on your feet again after a rough night! This is possibly the most expensive and time-consuming option on the list, making it not the most student-friendly option, and let’s be honest who really wants to cook a full fry-up while hungover? Though, it is definitely essential that you get some food in your stomach to make you feel human again.

Ginger Tea

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Ginger has anti-inflammatory effects, which can prove really useful in helping to reduce symptoms of nausea associated with a hangover.

Using slices of ginger or ginger teabags over hot water, along with a little bit of honey to sweeten, makes this a really simple but effective way of combating the nausea, and it’s pretty tasty too!

Green Smoothies

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Whether they contain spinach, kale, broccoli or any other green vegetables, there’s no denying that these smoothies are packed full of nutrients and antioxidants, which in theory could help replace those lost during a long night of drinking. Despite this, I don’t think any amount of convincing could get me to drink another one of these drinks again. Utterly disgusting, and zero hangover relief!

Coffee

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Undoubtedly, a cup of coffee will wake you up enough to give you energy for the day but is likely to leave you feeling groggy, drained and unable to concentrate when you’re crashing from the caffeine.

Thus, I’d recommend coffee as a quick fix for those times you really need to drag yourself out of bed for a couple of hours, but not if you have a full day of lectures ahead of you.

Culture InArts The & Middle Sports | 23

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Illustration by Szu-Yu Chen Insta: @rosychenart

Image Credits: The Guardian

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Features | 13 thegryphon.co.uk

Features

Image: Sky News

From shielding to uni life: How to access support as a vulnerable student Arriving at university for the first time can usually be pretty stressful, even without all the added complications of coronavirus. Emma Ferguson speaks about her experience of shielding at home during lockdown and offers advice to help at-risk students stay safe while studying.

Emma Ferguson

shielding, it seemed as though we were being forgotten.

to them if you applied to Leeds and filled out a Disabled

It was difficult for me because while I was the person

students allowance form, it’s still worth finding out who

In mid-March of this year, I rushed home from Leeds to

required to shield, my mum, brother and boyfriend all

your designated contact is and introducing yourself to

remained at home with me, limiting their contact with

disability@leeds.ac.uk.

Belfast, before the university had begun closing.

I suffer from a congenital heart-lung condition which,

others and keeping strictly to social distancing when

among other things, means that I am more susceptible to

seeing friends protect me. Because we were one household,

4. Stay aware of the counselling services available on

colds and flu, and take longer to recover from them. In the

it was as though we were one person suffering from the

campus. If you are feeling very anxious about your health

three months before lockdown, I had been labouring with

same condition. Meanwhile, outside of our bubble, people

during this time, there are various services available to

an infection, meaning that the risk to my health increased

were beginning to relax about regulations and create a

you. These include the Student Support Officer in your

as my immune system was already compromised. For

space I was apprehensive about entering.

school, The Chaplaincy (chaplaincy@leeds.ac.uk) or the

this reason, I decided to leave my studies early and fly

What this has taught me is that people very quickly

home. I arrived home on 15th March, and by the 18th, the

forget about problems that don’t relate to them. My family

university had closed completely.

took the guidelines seriously because they knew first-

Having come home, I was able to recover, and by May, I

hand what a lapse in judgement might mean for me. As

was feeling more like myself. By this time, I had received

we all return to university, at-risk students will have to

three letters from different medical authorities advising

advocate for themselves in an unfamiliar setting and with

me to stay at home and shield.

Union’s Student Counselling and Wellbeing service (scw@ leeds.ac.uk).

5. Contact your GP. If you are coming to Leeds, make sure you are registered with a GP in the City.

unknown people. While I’m sure many will have chosen

6. Use the Anxiety UK website resources. They have a

For everyone, and particularly those who have been

to remain at home this year, I have created a list of ten

section of their website dedicated to corona anxiety and

shielding, the lockdown has been a difficult time for our

tips to help advocate for yourself at university - whether

have lots of free resources to help dispel any fears you

mental health, sense of general well-being and security.

online or in-person - to aid the transition back into full-

might have.

As restrictions eased, I have found various points for

time education: 7. Speak to your tutors. It may feel awkward bringing

anxiety - one of these being the apparent lack of care taken by the general public to maintain social distancing.

1. Get in touch with charities that support people

up your medical condition with your tutor; however, in my

In Northern Ireland, where I live, I was advised that I

with your condition. If you feel like the university or

experience tutors are very understanding and appreciate

could begin easing my shielding from 6th July and could

government response is lacking, make sure that you are

the heads-up.

stop shielding by 31st July. Meanwhile, by 13th May,

in contact with, or looking at the materials created by your

people were being allowed out for unlimited exercise.

charity to see what support and advocacy they offer.

8. Feel free to ask for extensions or go home if you need to. No work for your degree is worth risking your

Non-essential shops were opening by 15th June and by the 22nd, travel to Spain was allowed, without UK tourists

2. Get hold of a sunflower lanyard. They are available

being expected to quarantine upon their return. By 23rd

in Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and many more shops and

June there were talks about lessening the social distancing

are becoming a universal symbol increasingly in the UK

9. Finally, make sure you surround yourself with

requirement from 2 metres to 1 metre.

for someone’s non-compliance with mask rules due to

people who take your health seriously and do not put

medical reasons.

you at risk. While we have to remember that we cannot

All the while, I wasn’t supposed to leave my house.

health over.

eliminate all risks; by taking steps to protect yourself as

Whilst the regulations rolled out in Northern Ireland and England differ slightly in chronology, these dates are still

3. Contact the university disability services. Disability

much as possible and making your situation known, you

representative of many things returning to ‘normal’ for

services are there to advocate on your behalf and put

can rest in the knowledge that you have done the best you

the majority of people, while others were still shielding.

in place relevant measures to make sure you are not

can to stay as safe as possible.

This isn’t supposed to be a tragic story. I appreciate the

set at greater risk or disadvantaged due to your health

need to boost the economy; however, for those who were

condition. While you should be automatically referred

Features

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image: Louis Quail / In Pictures / Corbis

The darker side Of drinking culture It’s easy to brush off and laugh away concerns, but excessive alcohol consumption at university often has a hugely damaging impact on students. Amy Ramswell takes an honest look at the drinking culture that is ingrained in university life.

Amy Ramswell The first thing I learnt at university was that anything

students. Under the veil of anonymity, many people have

campuses to keep an eye out for students who are

come forward and bravely shared tales of alcohol addiction

succumbing to addiction.”

and binge drinking in recent weeks.

Even people who don’t drink are being harmed by a

could be used as a mixer. Hold your Ribenas close, my

In one post, someone had written: “the drinking culture

decadent drinking culture. When events revolve around

friends: my sweet squash was taken as a token gift to

in Leeds is fun, and we all have a good time drinking, but

alcohol, non-drinkers are not being facilitated. It is not

another flat’s pres on day 2, never to be seen again. I could

don’t promote it. People have serious drinking problems

so much that they can’t attend, but that it’s the norm to

almost see it evaporating from my flatmate’s hungover

and think they’re normal for drinking every day because

drink at such events. Thus, the non-drinker may end up

forehead the next day... too many vodka-Ribenas, it

we laugh about it and think “oh it’s just what students

feeling like an outsider. You can still go clubbing without

seems.

do.” It’s so unsafe to get into that mentality.”

alcohol- of course- but the experience is so frequently

Because, during freshers week, alcohol was our 6th

A further post told of daily drinking, finishing with

conducted drunk that it would be unusual to attend sober.

flatmate. We socialised over drinks, did shots in clubs and

“wondering if any other student has felt like this because

There are dedicated societies for non-drinkers such as

went to events where alcohol was the centrepiece. Us law

I’ve never heard of anyone my age being an alcoholic”.

High On Life society at Leeds. However, it would be great

students stumbled back from Pryzm at 3am after our first

In the comments under another post, I read: “I think

if non-drinkers could be better facilitated in all societies,

social, which might as well have been an introduction to

we need to normalize how toxic the drinking culture and

and if fewer events revolved around alcohol. Some sports

the Drunk and Disorderly offence.

expectations are for young people, especially students.”

societies hit the pubs very hard initiation-style in Freshers

Yet I can’t imagine it any other way. Alcohol offset

Alcohol is harmful. In 2017, there were 7551 alcohol-

social anxiety. It made it easier to break the ice and meet

related deaths in the UK. Perhaps we are desensitised to

Furthermore, for those of us who do drink, drinking is so

new people, which is the purpose of Freshers week and a

morbid statistics after the last 6 months. But 7,551 deaths

normalised that it is hard not to bow into overconsumption

crucial part of university. Not to mention that alcohol is -

were caused by the same ‘harmless’ beverage we invite

or increase the frequency of drinking. Clubbing is not just

for many people - enjoyable to consume.

into our flats and revolve our lives around. Alcohol can

on a Friday night in Leeds. You can find a club any night

It’s all fun and games, right? A hangover isn’t going

be consumed safely, in moderation. But when excessive

of the week, making it easy for alcohol to increase its

to kill you. And a bit of overconsumption here and there

drinking is encouraged from the ripe age of 18, I worry

presence in daily life. Our vibrant city is a blessing and a

doesn’t mean that you have an unhealthy relationship

that it creates bad habits for the future. It is a slippery

lure. Alcohol is everywhere, and moderation is not.

with alcohol.

slope into alcoholism, and a total myth to think that only

Drinking isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. I don’t need to list

older people struggle with alcohol addiction.

week, which can deter new members completely.

Alcohol isn’t going anywhere. Freshers week isn’t going to be a sober one, just because it’s not taking place in

the potential health problems associated with alcohol-

A spokesperson for Alcohol Concern said: “Habituation

traditional circumstances. And societies aren’t going to

because I’m not your mother. I don’t need to remind

is the real issue. Some people can just leave heavy drinking

make all their activities alcohol free. Because drinking is

you that certain religions and cultures don’t advocate

behind at university and get on with the rest of their lives

ingrained in the university experience, for better or for

drinking- because you don’t live under a rock. And I don’t

but people who’ve got a propensity to problem drinking –

worse.

need to tell you that it’s a personal choice. You know that.

that can be what kicks them off. More needs to be done on

But does the university? We are Leeds, home to the Otley run. Nowhere else in Britain have I seen so many people dressed up as Mario/ Fanta / bananas, traipsing from pub to pub, increasingly more inebriated by the hour. Beer cans pile up in flat kitchens, Echo Falls leaves its acidic footprint in mouths and VKs are chucked across clubs in a moment of drunken euphoria. Alcohol is a facilitator of many of the fascinating (arguably reckless) phenomena that Leeds holds dear.

That being said, at what point does our drinking culture become damaging?

LeedsFess is a confessions page for University of Leeds

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Science

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There’s no place like halls

Image: Mark Henry / Unsplash

Rose Shipley It may seem unorthodox to feel alone even when you are surrounded by people, but homesickness is a natural physiological response to unfamiliar environments. As happy as everyone around you may seem, a 2020 study found that all undergraduates consider dropping out at some point during their first year. Whether you’ve travelled from Bradford or Bangladesh, homesickness can take effect regardless of your distance from home, and most often occurs in the first few weeks of university or upon returning from the Christmas holiday. It can cause emotional distress that brings feelings of nervousness, loneliness, and shyness, regardless of prior self-confidence. If this wasn’t already a rough deal, physical symptoms of anxiety such as difficulty sleeping, headaches, and lack of appetite may be present also, resulting in a cycle of feeling overwhelmed and uncomfortable.

Overall, this can hinder our ability to form important social connections and study well.

When we enter an unfamiliar environment, the hypothalamus in the brain stimulates the adrenal glands to release hormones; similar to the ‘fightor-flight’ response via the sympathetic nervous system, except without the risk of imminent danger.

Hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline then

Katherine Graves

Print Editor

Hi! I’m studying for a PhD in Chemical and Process Engineering. My project is specifically looking at turning plastic ito higher value materials - I’m a bit of a nerd about the environment ad I really want my PhD to help the global plastic crisis!

Best Science Fact: If you took all the empty space out of all the atoms, Earth would be the size of an orange.

facilitate a variety of physical actions that are often what makes us feel how we do. Digestion becomes slowed or stopped which reduces our appetite or even makes us feel sick, and dilation of blood vessels can cause headaches from hypertension (high blood pressure), not to mention increased heart rate and anxiety. These are instinctive defensive processes our body has evolved to protect us from potential danger. However, when we think of the familiarities of home, these symptoms subside and we begin to miss its safety and wish to return. In the comfort of these thoughts, we can then end up being distracted by them and start to feel disconnected from both home and university. Homesickness isn’t necessarily a particular person or activity we miss, just the security of a space that we know.

Luckily, homesickness isn’t usually a long-term condition and can be eased in many simple ways.

Short-term anxiety relief can be brought through acceptance of how you feel, understanding why you feel the way you do, and knowing it is completely normal. A way to ‘trick’ your body into feeling less anxious is to smell something familiar or homely such as a candle, perfume, or blanket. This works because when we smell something, the information is processed in the olfactory cortex which is placed next to the hippocampus in the centre of the brain – where

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Why we feel homesick and what we can do about it.

memories are shaped. Hence why smells can evoke strong memories. Calling someone you miss should also provide quick relief, but frequently contacting home can make forming close relationships at university difficult.

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“All undergraduates consider dropping out at some point during their first year.”

This is where long-term strategies help – the best way to stop feeling homesick is to make your new city feel like home so you no longer feel out of place. A great way to do this is to spend time getting to know your flatmates better and opening up to them. In addition, joining a society or sports team will enhance your social life and can ease anxiety through physical activity – releasing pleasure hormones serotonin and adrenaline. The first step to getting adjusted to your new city is understanding that homesickness is simply a natural reaction to change and continuing to socialise with those around you will soon make you feel at ease.

Morwenna Davies Online Editor

Hi guys! I’m coming back to Leeds this year to do a Masters in Geography - and to give the world some funky science content!

Best Science Fact: Coral prodcues its own sunscren to protect it from the sun.

Science

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What really causes a hangover?

You’re not alone if you feel under the weather after a big drinking session. Here’s the science behind the morning after the night before.

Phoebe Turner

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We all know the feeling of waking up with a pounding headache, nausea and the overwhelming urge to curl up in bed for the rest of the day. Many of us accept this fate as just one of the downsides of having a bit too much to drink, and often swear we’ll never drink again, which is often forgotten when someone fancies a trip to the pub! However, why is it that we get these horrible hangover symptoms? Well, let’s have a look at the science and figure this out once and for all.

Shockingly, the amount we know about why we get hangovers is considerably less than you might think. The most commonly known theory is that of dehydration, and whilst the diuretic property (increase in urine production) of alcohol certainly supports this theory, simple dehydration is not the full story here.

Ethanol, the chemical that makes up what we know as ‘alcohol’, is broken down in the liver, first to acetylaldehyde (AA), a toxic intermediary, then acetic acid, which is better known as the acidic component of vinegar. During this process, NAD+ — a compound found in every cell of the human body that is involved in many of the body’s essential functions — is converted to NADH. Without going into details, this causes an imbalance in NAD+/NADH levels. which is bad news. An imbalance can cause changes in the

production levels of hormones, electrolytes and fats.

Many scientists conclude that this is the underlying factor behind a hangover, but this is still disputed due to the lack of evidence of a relationship between hangover severity and electrolyte levels.

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“Your choice of tipple can influence the severity of your hangover.”

Another theory behind the hangover lies with AA. This incredibly toxic intermediary product is produced in the breakdown of alcohol. Due to genetic variations, some bodies can only break down AA into acetic acid very slowly, which leads to a build-up of AA. This is known as the ‘alcohol flush reaction’. Studies have shown that people with a slow AA breakdown are more likely to experience a hangover more quickly and with greater severity, compelling many scientists to believe that AA build-up is the real culprit behind

Image: Peter Oumanski / TIME

a hangover. Therefore, when someone comes along and claims that they never get hangovers there may actually be some genetic truth to it.

Furthermore, your choice of tipple can also influence the severity of your hangover, with drinks containing high levels of congeners more likely to produce a severe hangover. Congeners, such as methanol, are toxic byproducts formed in the process of making alcoholic drinks and are found in higher concentrations in darker-coloured drinks, such as red wine and rum.

Contrary to popular belief, vodka may actually be your friend if you’re planning to avoid a bad hangover, due to it being a pale liquor with low congener levels — a win-win if you’re a fan of a vodka and coke!

So now we know what causes a hangover! Or at least, we know as much as scientists currently know about the subject. Whether you’re a fresher about to experience your first taste of university life, or a seasoned university veteran going into your final year, science’s advice to help curb that hangover is to drink in moderation, learn to accept water as your new best friend and stick to pale drinks with lower congener levels. Good luck!

A-Levels 2020: Derailed by a mutant algorithm How did the government get A-Level results so wrong?

Elizabeth Sarell An algorithm used to determine A-Level grades left thousands of students devastated after their predicted grades were marked down. Statistics showed that 39% of students had their results downgraded. Those downgraded were more likely to attend state schools - in contrast, not a single student from Eton had their grades reduced. The country erupted in protest, with some claiming that the algorithm was classist and others arguing that a computer is clearly smarter than a teacher and cannot be biased.

When people hear about algorithms and Artificial Intelligence (AI), they often assume the computer has human-level intelligence capable of making decisions.

But this is completely wrong - an algorithm is just a series of instructions for the computer to follow with no concept of morals. It simply does what you tell it!w Okay, but mustn’t it be intelligent? Well, it’s worth noting there are two types of AI: Weak and Strong.

Chances are when you think of AI, you’re thinking of Strong AI, which is able to make decisions and learn in an attempt to mimic human intelligence. However,

most AI that is currently in use is Weak AI. Weak AI doesn’t resemble human intelligence, but rather it tends to notice patterns and then works out the next logical step, for instance, playing chess against a computer. The AI has been taught thousands of chess moves and searches through to determine the best possible next move based on what’s currently in play. It’s highly likely that weak AI was used in the A -Levels algorithm.

So how do we end up with bias within algorithms?

Well, the first kind of bias is caused by malicious intent. As previously mentioned, an algorithm will do what it’s told, so if you want to build an algorithm that discriminates against a group of people, the algorithm will do just that. The second kind of bias is the inability to recognise bias occurring within data.

This is often harder to recognise, as people tend to just accept numbers, forgetting that numbers leave no room for real-world context.

For example, you are tasked with building a system to direct police patrol cars around a city. The first thing you might look at is which areas have a higher arrest rate and then choose to distribute more officers there. However, what those numbers don’t reflect is the fact that areas with a higher percentage of people of colour historically have been, and still are, more

policed and therefore have been unfairly targeted.

This results in a higher arrest rate. By not looking at why there are more arrests in certain areas, you could end up building a system which is systematically racist.

It then becomes the responsibility of the algorithm developer to spot bias and identify prejudice within the data. They would need to adjust the algorithm to account for this. However, something as simple as a lack of diversity in a development team could mean that some forms of discrimination are overlooked.

The A-Level results in August would appear to suggest that the algorithm used reinforced class prejudice against students from working-class backgrounds by consistently downgrading them. It is highly likely that this was a result of ignorance, but it does beg the question: who was ultimately responsible for overseeing the algorithm and highlighting this inbuilt prejudice?

Had these issues been picked up at an earlier stage, the algorithm could have been a force for good - equalising results across private and state schools. However, what was ultimately developed just reaffirmed the classism that exists within the UK.

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Managing your money during Covid-19

Image: Will Southall

Business editor Georgina Peacock offers some guidance for students to manage the financial impact of coronavirus.

Georgina Peacock Daily life has drastically changed for the majority of the world. According to the Office for National Statistics, from April to June 2020 approximately 1.34 million people were unemployed. Students in particular have been affected, often by losing parttime jobs or by zero-hour contracts not reflecting true pay through furlough. However you have been financially impacted, money management is likely to be different due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Here are 5 useful tips to help you manage your money this academic year.

1) Reviewing It is important to recognise that circumstances are different. Perhaps you were required to dip into savings and want to build it back up or wish to save more in anticipation of financially difficult times.

With Covid-19 rules still in place, spending habits this academic year may look different. The first place to start is reviewing your budget with the possibility of saving more for an emergency and adjusting each category’s budget with your ‘new normal’ in mind.

2) Internet banking Most banks offer an app or online banking, so it may be worth exploring what the banking app and websites have to offer. They often have a tool which shows a breakdown of your spending over the past month or year, and this can allow you to set realistic budgets and track exactly what you spend.

Another way to make full use of internet banking is by moving money between your accounts. A big mistake I made as a fresher was keeping my full student loan sat in my current account, it’s way too easy to spend it that way! I have found the best thing is to have two accounts, one where rent and bills come out and the other with everyday spending money.

3) Discounts As students we can receive many perks through UNiDAYS, NUS and other student discounts. Research before you buy anything to see what deals are out there.

The standout deals this September: - A key one for Leeds Students is the NUS card, which amongst other discounts gets you 10% off at the Co-Op in the student union.

- UNiDAYS offer: The usual 10% off clothing brands and money off various laptops, around 30% off at

Pizza Express and other restaurants. Apple Music and Amazon Prime also offer a free 6-month trial.

- Some restaurants are extending the Eat Out to Help Out scheme where you get 50% off up to £10 per person. In Leeds, this includes Giorgio’s Ristorante in Headingley, Bill’s in Albion Place, Mad Frans every Friday on Whitehall Road, as well as Toby Carvery and the Harvester.

4) Banking Due to Covid-19, banks have implemented several schemes to help customers manage their finances.

Although many of these, such as a mortgage or holiday loans, are not relevant to the majority of students, it may be worth seeing if any schemes are relevant to you. For example, accessing fixed savings without a penalty. Freshers should also research into the best student bank accounts, as well as consider perks such as the overdraft offer.

5) Maximise income A part time job is a great way to maximise your income as a student, however, in the current climate it may be more difficult to find work. Considering this, we suggest you check out our article on side hustle ideas to help you make money while at University.

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Student loan interest rate: What do I need to know?

Image: FE Week

As student loan interest rates increase this year, Nina Patel breaks down the obscurities around what this means for those at university.

Nina Patel Various factors, ranging from location and ranking to social life, determine a student’s decision to attend university. However, one factor strongly associated with student life and university is finance: student loans and debt.

The maximum interest rate on student loans issued after 2012 (Plan 2 loans) will increase this academic year from 5.4% to 5.6%. Naturally most students, current and prospective, might be concerned about how an increase in interest rate on top of a very large sum of money might affect them and their plans for the future.

It is important to remember that student loans are very different from other loans, primarily because they are issued by the government rather than banks and because after 30 years, the debt is wiped regardless of how much has been paid back.

(RPI) in March. This year’s figure was 2.6%, up from 2.4% in March 2019.

Whilst studying, the interest rate is RPI + 3% so, from September 2020 to 31 st August 2021 the interest rate will be 5.6%. However, the April after students graduate the interest rate changes and depends on income.

Currently, graduated students who earn £26,575 or less do not need to make any repayments on their loan. This threshold will increase to £27,295 from April 2021. For these students, the interest rate will be the RPI rate (2.6%).

Those whose annual salaries are above the threshold will see the interest rate on their total loan amount rise from the RPI, or 2.6%, on a sliding scale of up to RPI + 3%. The maximum interest rate is 5.6% for those earning £49,130 or more per year.

How are interest rates calculated?

A summary of interest rate calculation is given below, but a more detailed explanation can be found on the government website. The interest rate is charged on the total amount borrowed from Student Finance England. Each year the student loan interest rate is recalculated based on the Retail Price Index

How will this affect me?

As a result of the interest rate rise, students will now owe more overall. It is worth mentioning that the average UK salary for graduates according to Graduate-jobs.com is between £21,000 and £25,000– below the repayment threshold. Therefore, most students will see no effect, especially since the

threshold will rise from April 2021.

Those that will be affected will be high earning graduates and those that borrowed a small amount.

In other words, those most likely to fully pay back their loan. Nonetheless, the Government predicts that only 30% of graduates will pay back their loan completely.

Statistically speaking, therefore, graduates are unlikely to be impacted by the increase in interest rate this year.

Additionally, since the interest rate is based on the RPI rate, it is possible for interest rates to decline. For example, the year 2018-2019 had an interest rate of 6.3%.

The student loan system is designed so that students are not expected to make upfront payments, allowing more people to access higher education. The size of the loan, or the interest rate should not deter anyone from pursuing a university degree or a career they are passionate about.

Want more info? www.gov.uk

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Jacob Blake’s shooting sparks sports protest across the U.S

Image: wtae.com

Harry Tong Postponing professional sport is never a decision lightly taken. Sport dominates our media whilst generating immense profit for broadcasters. Its athletes are some of the most influential role models in society. Millions are drawn to watch them, day in, day out: Around sixty percent of Americans would describe themselves as sports fans, estimately 200,000,000 people. Amidst the confusion of the past 6 months, for many the return of sport has symbolised a return to normality.

As such, the postponement of sports matches across America during the past week is no minor occurrence. The implications will be felt across the social spectrum.

Led by athletes themselves, the protest comes after Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old African American, was shot

7 times by police on the 23 rd of August in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Mr Blake is currently in hospital, paralysed from the waist down. It is unknown whether he’ll recover.

The movement was initially led by the Milwaukee Bucks, also based in Wisconsin, who refused to play their basketball match against Orlando Magic on Wednesday. The subsequent boycott from other basketball teams prompted the NBA and WNBA to postpone all games that day.

An official statement released by the Bucks said that “Despite the overwhelming plea for change, there has been no action, so our focus today cannot be on basketball.” After 3 days of further postponements, play resumed on Saturday.

Player boycotts have affected other American Sports: three baseball games were called off on Wednesday, as well as five football matches.

Naomi Osaka, former tennis world number one, also cancelled her semi-final match at the WTA in New York. The U.S Tennis Association later stated it was going to postpone all matches on Thursday, in doing so “collectively taking a stance against racial inequality and social injustice”.

Osaka herself tweeted that “there are much more important matters that need immediate attention, rather than watching me play Tennis”.

The movement has garnered support from a host of U.S politicians. Barack Obama commended the Bucks for “standing up for what they believe in,” issuing a timely reminder that it will require “all our institutions to stand up for our values”. Praise was

also forthcoming from the Democrat’s presidential candidates Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, the latter urging athletes to keep standing up and demanding change.

President Trump was less appreciative of the efforts made by athletes: he stated that the NBA had become akin to a “political organisation” and demanded on twitter that American Football games be resumed.

Trump’s desire to separate sport and politics would undoubtedly change if, say, the LA Lakers or New York Yankees endorsed his presidency.

The truth is that sport has a vital role to play in shaping the political future. We need only look back to the impact that American Football quarterback and civil rights activist Colin Kaepernick had on the national conscience by refusing to stand during the national anthem in 2016. His actions inspired other U.S athletes to follow his lead. The political reaction, be it positive or negative, catalysed a nationwide conversation. Kaepernick was protesting, as players were just last week, police brutality and injustice against America’s Black population.

The past week’s events will hope to mirror Kaepernick’s work. It is a reminder that Professional sportsmen and women hold power in influencing the politics of a nation. If change is not forthcoming, they will exercise this power again.

Whyte’s WBC world title drive brutally stopped by powerhouse Povetkin Sport can be cruel. Whether it’s conceding an injury time equaliser in a game you’ve dominated, or a leading horse falling at the final fence, injustice is a common hazard in physical competition. On Saturday night, Brixton heavyweight Dillian Whyte found this out in the most shocking of manners.

Having been the number one WBC world title challenger for over 1,000 days, Whyte finally looked to be on his way to his shot at the heavyweight title as Povetkin wearily climbed off the canvas twice in the fourth round. The WBC had informed promoter Eddie Hearn during fight week that if Whyte could come out on top against Povetkin, he could begin to prepare for a title shot against the winner of December’s trilogy fight between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.

Finally, after multiple risky fights against other fellow title contenders that he didn’t necessarily need to take, Whyte could plan for the future. A few minutes later, the plan was shattered.

The main event on the final evening of Matchroom’s Fight Camp started cagily, with Whyte looking much slender than in his previous fight, an uninspiring

victory over Mariusz Wach. 20lbs down from that outing, Whyte used his jab to good effect in the opener.

In the second, ‘The Bodysnatcher’ started to live up to his name as he landed some heavy blows to his Russian opponent’s body. Whilst Povetkin wasn’t exactly unravelling, he was beginning to look all of his soon-to-be 41 years of age.

The body assault continued in the third round, with Povetkin also landing some heavy blows to the midriff. In the following round, the Russian twice found himself on the canvas.

Put down by a short left hook and then by a left uppercut, Povetkin managed to reach the end of the round. It seemed a matter of when, not if, Whyte would manage to finish off his opponent.

Then it happened. 1,000 days of being the mandatory challenger, ended by one of the most brutal onepunch knockouts seen in recent times. Povetkin tore up the script with an uppercut that threatened to take Whyte’s head clean off his shoulders and into the front room of Matchroom HQ. Four rounds of clever, controlled boxing by Whyte where he showed just how much he had improved as a fighter, were made futile by a concussive left hand.

So what does this do to the heavyweight picture?

The WBC have stated that Povetkin winning doesn’t necessarily mean he is guaranteed to fight for the title like a Whyte victory would’ve. It’s also important to note that Whyte is likely to immediately trigger his rematch clause and we should see that fight by the end of this year.

Whyte’s defeat also moves up the timeline for the fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, provided they both beat their opponents later on this year. Accounting for a Dillian Whyte victory in his inevitable rematch, and it’s certain to be a lively 2021 for the British heavyweight scene.

Image: the Independent

Kyle Goldsmith

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Southgate’s Euro squad building begins Oliver Sanderson Editor In early September, Gareth Southgate’s England squad will face international opposition for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak, with Nations League fixtures against Iceland and Denmark.

These fixtures mark the beginning of a season which will culminate in a chance for glory at the European Championships. Southgate’s first squad of the season indicates that planning for next summer has already begun.

England’s 24-man squad comprises many of the usual suspects. Eric Dier, Joe Gomez and AlexanderArnold will take up defensive roles, whereas Kane, Sterling and Rashford are to provide their typical attacking firepower. If it were not for injury or a controversial legal saga, Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire would also have made the cut.

However, the goalkeeping position makes for an intriguing topic of discussion. England have historically struggled for depth in this department, yet Southgate’s inclusion of Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope and Dean Henderson shows that the Three Lions are finally spoilt for choice between the sticks. Each of these three are first team regulars at Premier League level.

Despite Pickford being tried and tested for England, his club form in the 2019/20 season has placed his first team position in jeopardy. The Everton goalkeeper conceded 56 goals last season, 23 more than Henderson did for Sheffield United. Based on stats and form, Henderson appears the favourite to assume the goalkeeper position, as he recorded an impressive 13 clean sheets in his debut season in the Premier League. It remains to be seen how Southgate will decide between three talented young goalkeepers, each with their own claim to a starting spot.

Southgate’s selection of midfielders has also posed interesting questions. Kalvin Phillips has been welcomed into the squad for a deserved first England call-up, having recently helped Leeds in their long-awaited promotion to the Premier League.

Phillips is naturally a holding midfield player who acts as a pivot in building attacks. His presence alongside Harry Winks, Declan Rice and James Ward-Prowse shows that Southgate is intent on constructing a midfield adept in ball retention with an ability to protect the defence from counterattacks.

This defensive approach gives the likes of James Maddison, Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley an uncertain future in Southgate’s long-term plans.

If it is midfield balance that the Three Lions are looking for, attack-minded midfielders such as this face an uphill struggle to break into the first team.

England’s starting-11 to face Iceland is far from decided, yet their setup promises an exciting albeit slightly experimental approach. With the inclusion of teenagers Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood, Southgate’s desire to build a squad for the future is evident. If he can answer the questions that his own squad selection has posed, this could be a season for English football fans to remember.

Image: thefa.com

Breaking down barriers: Being a confident woman in the gym Yaz Bugel

It can be easy to forget that confidence in the gym doesn’t necessarily come from what weight you can lift or how defined your abs are- confidence can simply come from comfort and familiarity in the gym you go to. It’s important to remember that everyone has to start somewhere; there’s always a ‘first time’ for everything. At some point, we have all, regardless of gender, been a new person at the gym, trying a daunting piece of equipment for the first time.

Even as an avid gym-goer, the moment I step into a new gym with an unfamiliar set-up, I feel lost and I freak out. However, the more times I go to or try something, the more familiar it becomes, and with greater familiarity comes greater confidence.

Particularly as a woman, it can be daunting going into certain areas of the gym, or even going to the gym full-stop, due to fear of looking inexperienced or of being judged. The weights section of a gym is almost always dominated by men and so I understand that a lot of females feel out of place.

But once you step out of your comfort zone and face it, it just becomes any other part of the gym. It’s the same with going to the gym alone; the first time you do it you can build up so much anxiety about training, but after a while you forget what it’s like to train with someone else.

Here are some tips I’d give to anyone trying to build confidence in the gym:

1) The day you start, ask a member of staff to take you round and show you where everything is. Ask questions to put you at ease- no question is a silly question.

5) I follow a few fitness accounts on Instagram where people post videos of gym equipment and how to use it correctly. Consult their videos in the gym for inspiration and clarification.

2) Go to the gym at quieter times in the day. I avoid the gym any time after 5pm because it gets crowded and there’s less equipment to use. I like going during off-peak times if I want to experiment with new exercises and machines.

6) While I don’t usually listen to tunes at the gym because I like to be aware of my surroundings, I’d recommend putting in headphones and listening to upbeat music that makes you comfortable as a way to distract yourself from worrying about what other people think. It puts you in your own little zone and you just become oblivious to everyone else.

3) Don’t be afraid or too proud to ask for help or advice at the gym. Many times, I’ve asked people to check my form when lifting heavy weights to make sure I’m not causing my body any damage. The first time you ask can be humiliating but once you realize everyone in the gym is there for more or less the same reason, to improve in some way or another, mentally or physically, you’ve broken down another barrier.

4) Invest in some gym clothes that make you feel confident to train in. Have no shame in how you look; the more comfortable you feel, the more confident you will be! I remember the first time I ever wore a sports bra to the gym- I worried about showing too much of my stomach. AT A GYM!?

Again, once I broke down that barrier and realized I deserved to embrace what I’d worked hard at the gym for, I lost all care for hiding it. When I’m on my period I like to wear something looser that covers my body a little more to feel more comfortable. It’s all about how YOU feel.

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Illustration by Caroline Spelman Insta: @css.art