Issue 14 06.03.15 thegryphon.co.uk

News p.4 The current Student Exec tell us about their time in LUU so far

k Features .u co e. y p.8 We speak to Rhiannon le zin Lucy Cosslett and Holly ga oad Br ma Baxter of the Vagenda m ce Sa fa Features The Gryphon interviews Ed Miliband In The Middle speak to Mercury Music p.10 ‘Think big, act smart’ in the wake of Labour’s tuition fee Prize nominee Ghostpoet about latest •announcement p.7 •offering Shedding Skin ITM p.5 -Roxane Gay

Women’s Issue y le oad Br m

© Samuel Blake LewisSa Fighting for women’s rights: we celebrate International Women’s Day Where are the women? • 13% Engineering academics are women • More men hired for best paid jobs • Twice as many male staff earning top salary Charlotte Mason and female staff at particular grades and are overwhelmingly male. News Editor this is the cause of an overall gender pay Over three-quarters of academic staff gap of 19.3% within the University. This in the Environment department are men, The University has hired more men figure reflects national patterns and it with this figure rising to 85% for Maths for its top-tier jobs than women, and the should not be assumed that the University and Physical Sciences. institution’s highest-paid salary bracket is pay scales or recruitment practices are The Faculty with the lowest proportion dominated by male employees. unusual or unfair’. of female staff is Engineering, with 13% Figures from last month reveal that ‘However, this situation has female academic teaching and research 76% of staff who earn the maximum encouraged the University to press ahead staff. salary are men. with current work on the University’s In contrast, 70% of teaching staff in In addition, the number of male Equality and Inclusion Strategy. Our the Faculty of Education, Social Sciences employees currently outweighs females work to support the career development and Law are women. by more than half in the top pay scale. of women includes implementing the Second-year Civil and Structural By contrast, 64% of staff who earn the recommendations from our Equal Pay Engineering student Prithula Roy University’s minimum wage are women. Audits, as well as addressing inequalities Choudhury said, ‘I feel that women are The investigation found that a within key career transition points and underrepresented in engineering and professor, who typically earns between how the culture within the University because of this, many girls think twice £56,000 and £76,000, can expect to can encourage women to enhance their before choosing it as a career. Girls are have only 24% of female colleagues on careers through the different promotion equally good in this field and we can the same pay scale. routes’. often overtake our male counterparts, A University spokesperson explained, The Gryphon also found that teaching but we need more female role models to ‘There is an uneven distribution of male and research staff in the science subjects inspire us’. Continued on page 2 -> -> 2 Contents

Editor’s Letter: Welcome to our women’s issue I’m sick of hearing people saying Women are assaulted throughout their you. that women’s rights no longer matter. entire lives. They are taught that they They think that the battle has already should favour one CYMK value over Pathetic excuses are made by those

been won. any other. They are told they should scared of conviction. Do you believe be sexually available upon a male’s that men and women should have the 06.03.15 Last year, walking home from a demand, yet will be ridiculed for being same social, political and economic

midnight finish after a long night in virginal or promiscuous. For women rights? Then congratulations, you’re a Weather the office, I was walking down the lit to have a career and a family is to feminist. HI LO streets of Moorland Road when a group struggle under the weight of ‘having Friday cloudy 12 7 “ of eight men decided to corner me. One it all’. Women are asked about their People die because they are women. Saturday cloudy 16 7 of them squared up to me, and shouted significant other before they are asked People are raped because they are ‘get back into the kitchen, mistress!’ about themselves. This is not even a women. People are beaten because they Sunday rainy 11 2 whilst another grabbed me and groped basic compilation of the hypocrisy of are women. Tweet of the Week me. The others laughed as I managed the sexist society that we live in. This to break free, chanting ‘slut slut slut!’ is a time-worn tale in which men are I hope that this issue adds to the On #WorldBookDay we’re as I broke free and bolted, tearful and expected to be dominant forces of discourse that makes sure no-one walks looking at how improving prisoners reading distressed. masculinity, and women are to fall in down a street alone, ever again. I do not skills helps to reduce their wake. mean a physical presence of another reoffending. Had I done anything wrong? No. I human being. We should all know, that -Ministry Of Justice just had the audacity to be a woman, Slowly, the world is waking up to the we are hand in hand together, with @MoJGovUK walking down a street on my own. sexist turmoil that gender stereotypes none of us are left alone, gasping and Spot the typo... Maybe perpetuate, and we are considering running in the dark. the MoJ should focus on Every day since I was thirteen, I more and more issues. What does it “literacy skills closer to have walked in fear of danger. More mean to be a black woman? What home. than 50% of the human population go does it mean to be a woman born through the same. in a man’s body? Even this issue, Contents which the team and I have worked so This is one of the several incidents painstakingly hard on, fails to address 3-7 News I have endured because of my gender. some of these issues. Many of us do The catcalling, groping, menacing not fall into a definition of a BME 8-10 Features comments and trolling seek to shame student, nor are any of us trans*. We Jasmine Andersson my womanhood. welcome your testimonials. We want Editor-in-chief 11-13 Comment It’s not just a physical plague. to hear what being a woman means to

14 Debate Continued from p.1 16-17 Science • 18-24 Sport Charlotte Mason News Editor

Second-year Maths student Rebecca Jones told this newspaper, ‘I’d say that Credits about 90% of my lecturers and tutors are male, but I don’t feel that their sex Editor-In-Chief ~ Jasmine Andersson matters when it comes to how well they teach and help their students. I wouldn’t Associate Editors ~ Jamie Taylor, Ste Topping feel any less comfortable going to a male tutor if I had a problem’. News ~ Abla Klaa, Charlotte Mason, Jake Hookem Second-year French and Maths student Jenny Brown said, ‘I’ve always Features ~ Ruby Lott- Lavigna, Brigitte Phillips found it strange that despite the number of women who study Maths at an Comment & Debate ~ Phillipa Williams, Ella undergraduate level, very few continue Healing into academia. It gives off the impression Science ~ Alice Hargreaves- that postgraduate mathematics is very Jones and Michael Owen much a man’s world. I think the lack of Sport ~ Adam LeRoux, Peter female staff in the department reflects White, Alex Bowmer badly on the University’. Head of Photography ~ The statistics from February 2015 Sam Broadley relate to the University’s Single Pay Photographers ~ Lucie Spine and Grading Structure, which England-Duce, Alice includes lecturers, professors and Heads Greenfield, Will Stanley, Anne Wyman and Sam of Services. Lewis The University was unable to provide Illustrator ~ Danny Wilson statistics relating to staff earning over £75,851, due to the fact that the people Designers ~ Frazer Sparham, Ben Sandin and Sophia earning over the said amount would Kossoski be so small that staff would be easily identifiable.

thegryphon.co.uk News 3

Leeds Exec candidates get grilled Marrow 24-hour cycleathon

©LeedsMarrow

Hugh Baillie-Lane

Leeds Marrow, the Student-led branch of the Anthony Nolan Trust, held a 24 This week’s photo shows the students vying to be elected as LUU’s Union Affairs officer being put hour cycle in the Union from 9am on through their paces. LUU Question Time allowed students to put their questions to candidates in all six Friday morning until 9am on Saturday morning. The event, nicknamed the • categories as well as the two Gryphon Editor candidates. Image: Lucie England-Duce ‘Tour de Marrow’ took place in the Union foyer and the event raised £470 for the Anthony Nolan trust. Alex Olney, the group’s President, said: ‘We’ve had a few Leeds students, some Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, current and some recently graduated, who donated their stem cells in need of people, following on from an Anthony it’s a vagina Nolan campaign’. Anthony Nolan is a charity that seeks appearance of the graffiti. to match individuals willing to donate Elli Pugh Some students have suggested the blood stem cells or bone marrow with Women’s Militia, an anonymous radical people who need transplants to save their A piece of intriguing graffiti has feminist group, are behind the symbol. lives. They also fund research projects appeared on campus in a number of The group have previously removed a to improve the understanding of the locations. The meaning of the abstract sex doll from a roof in Hyde Park and illnesses and treatments involved with design, which was first spotted in Edward attached posters around LUU criticising ©Tayyab Amin blood cancer. Alongside this they act as Boyle, has been subject to debate among the ‘Free the Nipple’ campaign for limiting a support, advice and information service students over the past week. its focus to white women. to those who are suffering with blood Some have likened the mysterious Responses from the university have cancer and their families. symbol to a vagina. Ruby Lott-Lavigna revealed little. A student who has donated her stem told The Gryphon: ‘Disseminating the Malcolm Dawson, Head of Security on cells said: ‘When I signed up I didn’t think image of the vagina is great. Everyone campus, told The Gryphon: much more of it, but only a few months always doodles penises, why can’t we ‘Graffiti is a form of Criminal Damage; later I was contacted by Anthony Nolan, have a few vaginas here and there? We perpetrators are committing a criminal requesting a blood sample for a potential should remember, however, that not all offence, one which both the University match.’ women have vaginas, and that it shouldn’t and West Yorkshire Police take very ‘I recently received a card from the be taken as a symbol for all women’, seriously. ©Ben Cook patient which said that she felt a lot better Jake Leigh-Hogarth, a first-year ‘Removing graffiti is time consuming and was hoping to go back to school in History student, said: ‘I saw it in the for University staff and can also be very September. Knowing I contributed to this Old Bar toilets as well as Edward Boyle. expensive, wasting valuable resources was a fantastic feeling that I can’t even This isn’t just a random doodle - there’s that could be better used elsewhere in describe.’ definitely meaning behind it’. the institution.’ Stem cell transplants are often the Jakob Vanucci, a second-year Do you know anything about the new last chance for patients with blood Mechanical Engineering student, mystery graffiti? Contact The Gryphon at cancers such as Leukaemia. 70 per cent commented that ‘It’s definitely more of a [email protected] of those who need a transplant rely on leaf than a vagina’. the donations of strangers whilst 50 per While the student body ponders the cent of those who need one fail to find a meaning of the symbol, no person or suitable match. group has claimed responsibility for the ©Tayyab Amin

thegryphon.co.uk 4 News

Your current Exec reflect on their time i

Freya Govus Welfare Officer Tom Dixon Education Officer

you didn’t expect. But I’ve managed issues and recognise you can’t do relationships well with the University and everything for everyone, which is key brought in some changes I’m really proud in a role that requires leadership. of. What are your plans for the What are the most important issues future? for Welfare? I’ve got my final degree year to go Mental health is the big one that’s seeing back to once my term is finished. But lots of change on campus. The cost of in the long term, I’m interested in a living and finance are really important career in academia or a leadership too. I’d like to see quite a political Welfare role in the third or public sector. My Officer next year to challenge things. We immediate plans following my degree Why are you re-running to be Welfare need to think about engaging postgrads What have achieved as Education are to travel and broaden myself a Officer? because we’ve discovered that lots of officer? bit more – a characteristic instilled I wrote this big Facebook status researchers feel isolated, and I think it’s I believe I’ve done a good job in me during my year in office. encouraging people to apply for my job, important to work with faith groups to supporting reps, raising debate and but then I thought, ‘I want to do that!’ make sure students feel safe and happy moving the University further towards Have you enjoyed your role as I’ve enjoyed this year so much with my on campus. blended learning in all areas. Part of Education Officer? incredible team and the prospect of my manifesto included moving more It’s an incredibly challenging role but working here again is really exciting. What’s been your proudest moment? towards electronic education and despite that it’s been an incredibly There’s so much still to be done. Big The thing I’ve been most happy about is tackling clashing deadlines, which rewarding year. It takes a massive changes around the University’s mental reducing the price of feminine hygiene was no mean feat as there are a lot toll on your time, relationships and health services are coming into practice projects in Essentials. But I think my of schools in the University which well-being. I’m not sure how well next year, and I want to be there when legacy will be about putting mental assess people differently. I’ve done that this year! The idea that happens. health back on the agenda. We need that you’ve influenced change at the a long-term strategy to make mental What advice would you give to highest level is incredibly validating. How successful have you been? health services easier to access. This is the new candidates? It’s an amazing role and I feel really I think I’ve been pretty successful, but such a huge change that will take time to You have to be capable of building blessed to have done it. it’s easy to doubt yourself. So much of happen but it’s so important. relationships and being credible on Rob Andrews your manifesto is really hard to deliver Charlotte Mason what you are talking about. It is and you’re always faced with obstacles important to prioritise on certain

Gemma Turner Equality & Diversity Officer Bradley Escorcio Union Affairs Officer

made sure students know they should feel also had a question and answer session safer and able to report any incident they with students and the MPs for Leeds experience. Central and Leeds North-West. In terms of taking our presence out across campus What has been the best and worst part more, we are doing a little LUU on tour. of your job? We did our first one 3 weeks ago, and we The worst part of the job has been not popped up in cafes around the University knowing everything from the beginning so and we’re doing it again next week. when students come to me with a problem it was hard to relate straight away. But I Do you have any advice for your now always think about how I’d feel in successor? that situation; it’s the best way to approach Stay organised and try to get out of the How has this year been for you? it. The best part is to be able to make What do you think have been your office as much as you can. You can easily It’s been so good. Now is the time to reflect connections with the University to get the greatest achievements? underestimate how important it is to go and I’ve realised how much I’ve learnt this message across. The cuts to the Disabled I think one of the best achievements this out and talk to students. Remember why year. I came in with a few objectives and Student Allowance is something I’ve been year has been the work we did around you were voted in, and try and keep a I feel like I’ve got through them quite well nagging the Vice Chancellor about and he’s ‘Express Yourself’. We did a large amount focus on those objectives you set out in and it’s really interesting to think about responded that it’ll be a positive change. of market research and got over 4000 your manifesto. what I’ve learnt and what I didn’t really students to fill out an in-depth survey, know at the start of the year. I feel like it’s What are your plans for the rest of this which was great. another great thing What are your plans for next year been a really good year. year? we’ve achieved is getting the building and beyond? I want to make sure I solidify my objectives project off the ground, and I’m really To be honest, I’m not 100% sure yet. What do you think you’ve achieved and make sure I finish them all off. excited to come back and see it all I’m just keeping an open mind at the this year? One part of that would be to increase transform. moment, but I’d really like to do some The main thing includes the ‘Zero Tolerance’ diversity within committees and society travelling over summer and then get project which I’ve implemented to make membership. I found it hard to join clubs In your manifesto, you spoke of stuck into it for real after that. sure as many venues are trained on sexual and societies and wanted to make sure getting more MPs into the Union and Alice Handy harassment, which I’m really proud of. I’ve that the training is the best it can be for all having more of a presence in Leeds. got two great project workers, so I’ve been committee members. How successful has that been? able to look at feedback and make sure Abla Klaa We had Rachel Reeves, the MP for Leeds that it’s the best training possible. I’ve also West, on campus in December and we

thegryphon.co.uk News 5 e in office so far Editorial candidates,

Fi Metcalfe Activities Officer who gets your vote? We speak to the two candidates hoping to be elected to why many of our groups can’t currently as The Gryphon’s editor-in-chief for the next year. access certain suitable rehearsal spaces on Vote for them at luu.org.uk from March 9th at 9am. campus. This is especially important with to someone who can create an iOS app the planned building works in the Union Ste Topping and I’m confident it would be available building. before Christmas. Lots of students access news online, so if we can push How important do you think campaign notifications to students’ phones, The videos are to getting elected? Gryphon will become their first source It depends whether or not it plays to your when there is a breaking story. strengths. If you’re someone who is creative Why is it important for The Gryphon and you can talk about your policies while to support campaigns? making it amusing then that’s great. To I feel we have a responsibility as a student What has been your main achievement be an officer you need to have the ideas publication where, if there is a motion that so far this year? and brains to do it, but you also have to has support throughout the University, Meeting my fundraising objective. The be friendly, approachable and likeable we should back that. The Gryphon has clubs are raising more money than ever too. People have criticised having videos, already supported campaigns such as before, even though a lot of them have but I think it’s actually quite important FemSoc’s campaign against Tequila and never done fundraising in the past, so im for showing their personalities, and with Why do you want to be Editor? ‘No to Censorship’. However, we would really proud of that. Also, creating a support everyone being on social media, it’s a clever I’m really passionate about the paper. I’ve only support a campaign if there was culture around our sports. I pushed for our way to reach people. been working on it since the start of my a general consensus of student support sports teams to make varsity supporter time at Leeds. When I got here, it was behind it. t-shirts, and we sold over a thousand, but Have you got any future plans for life the only stall I wanted to go to at the How will you get students involved? I’d say the best is yet to come. after LUU yet? Fresher’s Fair and even then, I knew this It’s really important to me to get readers Yes, I’m in the process of applying and job was something I would want to do involved through online polls, and I’d also What do you aim to achieve before the having interviews now for grad schemes three years down the line. I started out create a feedback section to get student year ends? at the moment. Ideally I’d really love to try writing for the Sports section, moving opinions about current issues. I want I have had policies passed at forum and secure something, defer it and maybe on to become Sports Editor and I’m now to increase readership by putting the trying to reduce the cost of sport, and I’m work a ski season and on a cruise ship for Associate Editor. paper in all Halls of Residences and in researching into how Leeds compares to a few months. What are your ideas for content? local businesses around Hyde Park and other Russell group universities for value Jake Hookem I want to rejuvenate the magazine and Headingley. Hopefully, this will help the for money. Also, I’ve been gathering info as create new sections for Travel and Life, all word of The Gryphon to get out. about things to do in Leeds, on campus Elli Pugh and with society events. I’ve been talking

George Bradley Community Officer homophobia and ‘lad culture’. I’d also be Ben Cook keen for more music coverage. Leeds is is to support the good work that’s already really up-and-coming so I want students happening. On the other hand, my idea to to make the most of the city during their create The Student Skills network should be time here. It’s a great platform for our online by the end of the year, probably as a writers if we can get young, professional Facebook page; we just need to prove that people in Leeds reading The Gryphon there’s the demand. too. How will you keep the newspaper What’s been your best achievement? fresh? We’ve made a significant step with the In the wider world of journalism, social Rate Your Landlord scheme. After months media is changing the way we do things. of hearing from many different people, it’s The Gryphon has started to adapt to that turned out to be a bit of a legal nightmare. world and we need to continue to adapt Your campaign video went viral last However, I’m confident that it will happen to get more news out to students. I’d year. Was coming into office an anti- within a year and I’m proud of having set Why should students vote for you? love to develop the digital side and get climax? that in motion. Also, in the next few months, Firstly, it’s a great opportunity. But I want online updates throughout the week, with I’ll be chairing the Unipol Code renewal to make sure The Gryphon helps the the print newspaper to more in-depth Not at all! There is a really nice, slow start, process, which only takes place once every students of Leeds get their voices heard perspectives on stories. over the summer, before Fresher’s hits and three years, so it’s a lucky opportunity to and hold the Union 1and the University How would you promote a responsible everything just goes absolutely crackers. look after the best interests of students. to account. I have experience with a newspaper? Everybody warns you in advance, and variety of responsibilities with the paper. There seems to be a sense that The after Fresher’s it’s non-stop. No amount of What advice would you give to your I’ve written for Lifestyle and Culture and Gryphon is looking out for itself. I want preparation can get you ready for that. It’s successor? became Online Features Editor in my to build closer, more robust links with been difficult, but really rewarding. I’ve always thought that this should be a second year. I’ve worked as Lifestyle and societies and make sure students know one-year thing. It’s important to have fresh Culture editor and I’m now Associate where the office is. I’d put a big sign Have you have managed to deliver on blood and fresh ideas, especially with the Editor of In The Middle. on the door and maybe have an open your manifesto? Community role, because it’s so broad. I’ve What changes would you make to hour for consultation, so they can come At the beginning of the year, I realised that done a lot of good work on housing, and I The Gryphon? speak to me about any issues. I want to some of my manifesto wasn’t very well hope it doesn’t get dropped, but if the next I want the paper to be a campaigning make the faces of all the editors more informed. For instance, one of my policies, person decides to focus somewhere else, then tool. It’s our social responsibility to recognisable too. the portal for local businesses, is basically that’s the whole point. It’s their prerogative. address issues on campus and make Elli Pugh what the Union job service is. My role there a stand against problems like racism,

thegryphon.co.uk 6 News

LUU’s first ever Black Feminist University society established in legal LUU’s BME co-ordinator, Naomi Anderson Whittaker, told The Gryphon, battle ‘We want to push forward the importance of intersectionality, particularly around the areas of race and ethnicity, but also over in other ways such as class and disability.’ She added, ’We really want to educate people about great black feminist thinkers, squatting writers, poets, and academics, who are often not considered or referenced due to the centrality of Eurocentric, white norms, protestors focuses and discourses in mainstream feminism.’ Miss Anderson Whittaker says the society was inspired by Susuana Charlotte Mason Antubam, the NUS National Women’s News Editor ©Naomi Whittaker Officer, who said, ‘When people talk about feminism, Lucy Connolly The society already has a number of they’re usually talking about it in the The University has confirmed that it is events planned, including a reading group limitations of a Eurocentric perspective, seeking legal advice to reclaim land as a This week saw the formation of Leeds which takes place every Wednesday or “white feminism”. But if you take the dispute with protesters intensifies. University Union’s first Black Feminist between 6pm and 7pm. Members are word black (in its political sense, meaning Activists from Leeds Community Society. encouraged to bring their own texts and non-white) we’d still be talking about a Project re-entered 6 Grosvenor Mount on The society aims to create a space ideas along to the discussion. more realistic representation of gender Wednesday after being removed from for students to become familiar with the A “Night of Black Arts” event has also inequality in the majority of global the site last month. struggles of Black feminists. Students will been planned to engage Black students to society.’ The group claims that it was be encouraged to engage marginalised participate in creative expression through ‘unlawfully evicted’ following a six-day feminist thought. art, dance and poetry performances. occupation in protest of plans to sell the University-owned land to private investors. Three activists were arrested during the incident, and later released without charge. ‘#StudentsNotSuspects’ : CTSB Leeds Community Project has since announced that it is planning legal action against the University. opposed by campaigners In a statement, a representative from Leeds Community Project said, ‘LCP The Bill also puts a legal obligation on strongly opposes the unlawful eviction public bodies, including university staff, and the actions of the University of Leeds school teachers and GPs, to monitor and and of the police. Therefore, we have report anyone they suspect of being at legally re-entered the site to continue risk of ‘radicalisation’. our primary goals. These include to Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education, immediately stop the sale of 6 Grosvenor Vivian Jones has condemned the Bill, Mount, open it up to the communities of along with Sir Alan Langlands the Vice Leeds and facilitate discussions exploring Chancellor of the University during last the potential of the unique infrastructure week’s Q&A event in the Union. on the so it better benefits local communities grounds that mental health problems and interested groups.’ should not be included within the On Thursday, Leeds CP tweeted, definition of radicalisation, as defined by ‘And finally another morning in the government’s PREVENT programme. the glasshouses…reading, growing, LUU Welfare rep, Lawrence Thompson painting. Stop by, enjoy the site and who supports the counter-movement, #reclaimgrosvenor for everyone!’ said, ‘we shouldn’t confuse national Leeds City Council rejected a bid to security issues with ones concerning award 6 Grosvenor Mount with status as student welfare’ and that the University a ‘community asset’ in January because should not be asked to ‘investigate non- the site is not currently used. ©Abla Klaa violent organisations’. Over one hundred people expressed Harry Shotton, one of the campaign their support for the redevelopment of the the implications of the targeting of leaders urges students to ‘oppose and work site in February. Alice Handy minorities and criminalization of students against such problematic legislations’ in with ‘mental health issues’. order to protect students and their right Your Say A student led movement against the The campaign argues that university to express themselves. Counter Terrorism and Security Bill was staff should not be legally obliged to ‘spy’ The Counter-Terrorism and Security ‘I think more community spaces are initiated at Leeds University Union this on students and that the new Bill causes Bill which was introduced by Theresa a good idea. It would be good PR week. a suppression of academic freedom May, was given the Royal Assent making for the university to give something The campaign known as and targets suspect and vulnerable it an official Act of Parliament in February. back to people.’ ‘#StudentsNotSuspects’ aims to address communities. Steve, Second year Geography

thegryphon.co.uk News 7 ‘I’m looking you in the eye and saying it’s going to happen’ – The Gryphon meets Labour Leader Ed Miliband

©Sam Broadley ©Sam Broadley

Jasmine Andersson Editor-in-chief

Why did you come to Leeds for the youth pledge, in which you said that Labour will reduce student fees to 6k a year?

I think that Leeds students are great students — I would say that, wouldn’t I! I think it’s really important to say to Leeds students that there is a party that understands what they are going through. Times have been tough and I think people have been desperate for a party that will stand up for students, and we are, and that’s why we’re going to cut the tuition fees. That’s why we’re going to increase the grant and I think it’s absolutely the right choice, and it’s ©Sam Broadley ©Sam Broadley the fair choice. Yes it says the richest in our society are going to pay a bit more, is going to happen, no ifs, no buts, we get the circumstances that people are all students in all subjects. but I think that’s a fair thing to do and Nick Clegg… this is going to happen. facing. People don’t want skyless icons it’s great to be in Leeds to do it. I’m looking you in the eye and saying and they had that with Nick Clegg. But Students graduating this year will have it’s going to happen. I want to restore let’s not have pie in the sky promises. paid £9000 fees and will graduate with Of course, we’ve seen a pledge people’s faith in politics. One of the ways Let’s have something we can meet. the looming threat of unpaid internships happen before. We saw 2010 which we’re going to do that is by carrying out That’s what we’ve done today. and unaffordable housing. What can saw fees tripled to £9000 by the what we’ve promised. Labour do for them? coalition government. How can you Right-wing parties are illustrating a comfort students like me who have Although some will welcome the predilection for the sciences over the arts We want to make a difference to unpaid been disillusioned by tuition fee £6000, critics have come forward internships, and we’re going to have promises and want to know that the and said that education should be I think it’s really important that this more to say about this in the coming pledge matters? free, and that the pledge doesn’t go is an across the board fee cap. There weeks. I think it’s really important to far enough. What would you say to was a really good question from the distinguish the difference between Well, that’s why I’ve done what I’ve those people? audience about the importance of the internships and employment. When done. Years ago I made the statement arts subjects. Creative subjects are you’re working month after month after about £6000 and lots of people said, Obviously we’d always want to go incredibly important to the future of our month on no wage you’re technically ‘he’s not going to keep the promise. further, and that’s why I said for the country. I take this incredibly seriously, employed, and that doesn’t create a Once he’s in that position, he’s not going longer term we’d look towards the and spoke earlier on in the week about great future for our young people. We to keep the promise. I am going to keep graduate tax. I think it’s right that we do the importance of the arts. I don’t have are going to have to look at it, so watch the promise. That’s why I’ve given you that. People know it’s tough times, and two classes of subjects in my mind. I this space. an unconditional promise today. This people want to know that we get it, and think it’s really important that we help

thegryphon.co.uk 8 Features Under the Covers: An Interview with the Vagenda Features Editor Ruby Lott-Lavigna talks to Holly Baxter and Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett, the brains behind the hugely successful feminist website, the Vagenda, and authors of The Vagenda: A Zero Tolerance Guide to the Media. Ruby Lott-Lavigna really know what going viral was,” says would circle around my Facebook, from a masters in Gender Studies,” Holly adds. Rhiannon. They then found themselves one friend to another. As a result, we “We wanted it to be for everybody, Not wanting to mess up this thrown into the media limelight, (without realising) began critiquing for every woman on the street, not kind opportunity to interview the Vagenda suddenly heading the online movement and analyzing the world around us as of some exclusive thing where you need editors, I arrive at Rhiannon’s house (one of online feminism. “It was really feminists. My friends and I would read it, proper terminology.” half of the Vagenda) embarrassingly strange, we didn’t have a twitter, we thinking it was hilarious, and then would In 2012, after the success of website, early. This leaves me with two options. didn’t have any social media presence. realise “oh, all these ideas align with and the development of the pair’s Either knock on the door and just hope We had no idea where it had come from. feminism. Huh.” It was a glorious online journalism careers, they got offered a my extreme punctuality doesn’t make “One minute I was just literally living Trojan horse of feminism, right when we book deal with publishing house Square me look uncool, or stand outside like a in that cupboard there [Holly points to needed it. Peg. There was a big demand for a stalker. Naturally, I opt for the latter. I’ve wanted to meet the two editors, Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett and Holly Baxter, for a number of years now. Not only because I love the Vagenda, a witty website designed to call bullshit on magazine culture and beyond. Or because they published a great book in 2013 entitled The Vagenda: A Zero Tolerance Guide to the Media. But because, back in the summer of 2012, I sent tentatively sent an email asking if I could write for them. They were one of the first websites that ever agreed to publish any of my work, and since then I’ve been eternally thankful for the presence of the Vagenda in a world full of GQ, 50 Shades of Grey and Bic pens. Two things struck me when I began talking to Holly Baxter and Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett. The first thing was the emphasis they put on the website being funny. It is funny, and I’ve never laughed at anything like quite like the Vagenda, yet somehow I had labeled the website as simply ‘feminist’, a pit fall that many of their critics fall into. (Of course, it’s a comedy website, I think. Damn sexist brain.) The second thing was that the Vagenda didn’t intend to start as a feminist website. “We set it up for media criticism and stuff. We were talking about the portrayal of women and things but we didn’t attach the label ‘feminist’ to it consciously. “We never thought of it as a feminist website, we thought of it just like a funny website. But then the media did this whole ‘the fourth wave of feminism’ a small room-cum-storing cupboard “We tried to be a bit more book, and they were able to be selective thing, and said ours and some other next to the living room in Rhiannon’s populist about it and be more open with who they were published by. It people were at the forefront of it and flat], and the next, people were coming and accessible and I think accessible marked a clear change in the zeitgeist: it was obviously feminist. When they in with photographers and were taking feminism hadn’t really existed before this post-How To Be A Woman. Feminism said that we were like ‘yeah, sure’ pictures of us and being like ‘this is did for very long. had become financially worthwhile. but it wasn’t consciously set up using where it all began!’.“ “…we set up the blog for girls like us, Feminism had become mainstream. feminism.” The Vagenda hit a niche. It pioneered and for the kind of girls that we went to The book released a mixed response, The website was set up in 2010 by a style that was hilarious and clever, school with, and our mates. We weren’t which is essentially a euphemism for: the the two university friends and a group speaking to thousands of young women necessarily embroiled in that kind of press thought it was far too light, and of other journalists, and unexpectedly who had a lot of things to be pissed off academic discussion.” not rigorous enough in its fact checking. blew up overnight. “We didn’t even about. I remember it well: their articles It was for women, “who weren’t doing Germaine Greer, in one of her madder

thegryphon.co.uk Features 9

moments, wrote a review which the New Rhiannon manages to put a positive Statesman titled “The Failures of New spin on it. “Well, I sort of saw it as par Feminism.” Notable moments of the for the course because Germaine Greer review include the brutal deconstruction has insulted pretty much every young of the name which, according to Greer, feminist that’s come out in the last “like much of the wordplay on the blog twenty years. She did it to Suzanne and in the book… doesn’t really work, Moore, she did it to Naomi Walsh, she’s being neither amusing nor informative.” done it to everybody.” Ouch. It goes completely bizarre toward Much like my ignorant paraphrasing the end as Greer writes the sentence, of the Vagenda blog that overlooked “The human breast, like the bovine its clear comedy element, the reviews udder, will not squirt unless compressed.” similarly ignored or overlooked the fact It’s got to be the strangest review I’ve that the book was a piece of satire and read. humour. I’ve read it, and I knew it wasn’t “Poor Germaine,” says Rhiannon. going to be an academic discussion on None the less, Greer is an important the discourse of cis heteronormativity. figure, if a little out of date, and What the Vagenda did, is write a understandably the review would have feminist book that I read by the pool been a blow to the authors. “It was on holiday. And that is a space where a real low point for me” says Holly, the discussion of gender and oppressive “because…when they said ‘Germaine beauty norms has almost certainly never Greer’s going to do it’ we were like ‘God, reached. That’s exactly where the book Germaine Greer!’ She’s such a feminist succeeded; it brought feminism into a powerhouse. I thought, well, there are place where it hadn’t been previously. going to be things - because she’s so There was something upsetting in the way most (often, female) reviewers had cut into the Vagenda book, succumbing to the almost sexist stereotype that all women were just out to get each other. The reviews were pedantic, picking up on bizarrely small parts of the book, as if they

were looking for something to critique. “There were journalists who had been sharpening their pencils for two years just waiting to get back at us [for critiquing their work in magazines like

Grazia] because it’s embarrassing to be ridiculed, especially to be held up for doing something hurtful and sexist. It was like, you know, little girls getting The Vagenda © too big for their boots, I think that was a factor as well.” should hold onto the word feminism. intelligentsia of journalists, but the Just like the website, the book gave It has a rich history that doesn’t need young girls who spend their even“ ings an entry to feminist for those who editing out.” watching make-up tutorials on YouTube felt alienated by it. They avoid using This will always be the central for hours. That’s not to say that there terms like ‘the patriarchy’ until the end, debate around the Vagenda. By using aren’t flaws to this style, and they’re attempting to create a tone and style humour, and a style that’s limited but aware of the criticism they’ve received. that hadn’t been blacklisted by the easily accessible, does the Vagenda Ultimately though, you have to take the Daily Mail. They’ve been doing this their whole career: In a slightly controversial move in 2013, the Vagenda started a campaign to “rebrand feminism,” with When they said ‘Germaine Greer’s going Elle magazine. Depending on how look at it, it was either democratizing to do [the review]’ we were like ‘God, feminism, or giving into the idea that feminism was a dirty word. Germaine Greer!’…the fact that there really They dealt with this issue when writing the book. “If we opened up wasn’t a single positive word… It felt, with ‘this is why you should hate the patriarchy’, I think a lot of people actually, nasty. Alfie HoHoppee © would put the book down.” Says Holly. “Unfortunately, if you’re writing, and much more experienced and she’s been you’re conscious that part of your writing for so much longer - that she’ll audience are teenagers who have been reach out to a new audience, or does Vagenda on its own terms, and that’s pick up on and she won’t like or she fed a lot of shit from the Daily Mail it generalise feminism by ‘dumbing to reach people like my little sister, who won’t get on with; but ultimately I’m about how evil ugly disgusting feminists down’? As Rhiannon points out, “It’s got are just beginning to understand what a sure she’ll see it as something really are going to destroy little boys’ lives, “teenagers into these kinds of issues, and sexist world they live in. positive that the younger generation you have to reel them in a bit, before we know that because they’ve said that Saying that, there’s a fair amount of are doing. And the fact that there really you start explaining those words and to us.” blow job-based humour in the book. So wasn’t a single positive word in there talking about them because they are I know that, for one, I can’t wait to I might wait a few years before passing and that she ended on ‘pouring bile into very loaded terms now. It’s a shame, and give the book to my twelve-year-old it over. a blood won’t change anything.’… It felt, I don’t think the answer is renaming sister. That’s always been the place actually, nasty.” feminism to ‘Equalism’, I really feel we for the Vagenda – not the London

thegryphon.co.uk 10 Features Roxane Gay: “Think big, act smart” Editor-in-chief Jasmine Andersson speaks to Guardian US columnist and ‘Bad Feminist’ Roxane Gay about her heroes, intersectionality, and Scrabble.

Jennifer Silverberg ©

Jasmine Andersson about me. I began openly embracing As an Haitian-American feminist, Who is your hero? Editor-in-Chief feminism in my thirties when I began to you have to deal with the difficulties understand what feminism is and how of race and gender inequality. My heroes are many but my first and What is the definition of a feminist much it has made possible for me. How can the feminist community longest lasting heroes have been my to you? rally around to better understand parents. Why do you think people struggle to intersectionality? Feminism is pluralistic. There are identify themselves as feminists? What advice would you offer to multiple definitions and ways of Feminists need to realize that we’re student feminists in regards to how approaching feminism. That said, we There is, unfortunately, a great stigma not only women, we also inhabit other they can effect change on campus? have to start somewhere. A feminist attached to the word “feminist”. People identities at the same time and we need believes women are equal to men, and hear that word and think of anger and to consider this breadth of identity and Think big, act smart. should be able to move through the separatism and lots of other nonsense how it affects women’s lives. world in the same way men do. Our that’s not accurate. It’s also strange What is your highest Scrabble score? bodies should be free from legislation. because given the ways in which women I wouldn’t call being a Haitian American We have to care not only about women are marginalized, anger is a perfectly woman a double-edged sword, though. My highest score is probably around 580. whose life experiences are similar to appropriate response. Who I am is not a liability. ours, but also those women whose What do you hope for women’s rights experiences are different. What is the biggest concern of Your bestselling book, Bad Feminist, in 2015? inequality for women today? acknowledges that human beings When did you first realise that you can be contradictory in their actions I hope we spend less time discussing were a feminist? It really depends but one of the most whilst still being a champion of the word feminist or who can claim it critical concerns is reproductive freedom gender equality. What do you think and spend more time acting upon our I’ve probably always been a feminist but and unfettered access to affordable is your most significant patriarchal feminism. there was definitely a time when I was means of birth control. Subsidized achilles heel? not comfortable claiming the identity childcare is also critical, as are maternity because I worried about what it said and paternity leave. I love romantic comedies, way too much.

thegryphon.co.uk Comment 11 Comment Tax on tampons International Women’s Day This Girl Can Justice for Men and Boys Ella Griffiths: Why are we taxed for Rachel King discusses why we are Clio Tsivanidis on why This Girl Eleanor Healing argues why this something we can’t help? still in need of feminism Can is a breath of fresh air radical party desires inequality, not justice We shouldn’t be taxed for bleeding, period. Ella Griffiths English [email protected]

omen who menstruate have to pay tax on top of what they already have to forkWout for sanitary products because they are classified as non-essential, luxury items. Let’s be honest with ourselves: if men had periods, sanitary products would be free, or at the very least tax-free. I’m not saying that in a resentful way. I’m saying it because guys would simply not stand for having to pay, let alone be taxed for the material between their legs which allowed them to go about their business. To clarify, I am in favour of paying taxes. I’m especially in favour of companies like Apple and Google paying them. I am not in favour, however, of being taxed for a bodily function over which I have no control. This isn’t because I feel personally aggrieved that the money isn’t going in my pocket, though I could definitely use it to buy an extra pack of sanitary pads. hufingtonpost.com The extra money - estimated to be around three pounds a year - is for most © The Guardian It’s even more baffling when you a health issue. Unwashed rags carry the where menstruation is still horrifically Anyone who has either study the list of supposedly ‘essential’, risk of vaginal infection, even urinary taboo and products are inaccessible. In experienced a period or tax-exempt products. This once included tract infection. India for instance, an AC Nielsen survey knows anything about them men’s razors. If making women pay Sadly though, we may be waiting in 2011 found that only 12 percent of knows that there is nothing extra for unwanted bleeding while men a while for that. For an item to become women use sanitary pads because of the luxurious about the feeling of are afforded the luxury of shaving off exempt from tax, all 28 member states stigma that surrounds monthly bleeding. menstrual cramps their beard isn’t discrimination, then I in the EU would have to agree on it. UNICEF estimates that 10 percent of don’t know what is. And to be fair to past governments, the African girls don’t attend school during of us, not that much. But for the poorest Perhaps the most illogical item tax was reduced to 5 percent back in their periods. Without affordable, “women in our society, three pounds currently on the list is incontinence pads, 2001, the lowest it can be under EU law. accessible products, having periods can could be the difference between eating which are essentially the same product George Osborne’s next budget is this mean missed education, missed work and going hungry. Besides, it’s the as pads. Also included are various exotic and missed pay. principle, isn’t it? It’s always the principle. meats, flapjacks and Jaffa Cakes. Call In an ideal world, I would Women have bigger battles than this There is no logical justificat”ion in me crazy, but I would rather pay 20 like sanitary products, like to fight all over the world. But I am a the classification of sanitary products as per cent VAT on some Jaffa Cakes and contraception in this country, firm believer in starting small, with what non-essential, luxury items. Anyone who know that I wasn’t being taxed for being to be free we can change, and making sanitary has either experienced a period or knows a woman. Those who do not menstruate products affordable and accessible is just anything about them knows that there can think of this Jaffa Cake tax as a month and it’s unlikely that we will see that. is nothing luxurious about the feeling of small price to pay for not dealing with any change in that. However, the very menstrual cramps or discovering your periods every month for most of their le“ast we can do is lobby whoever is in Laura Coryton is campaigning purse is empty when you’ve run out of life. power after the General Election to bring to have the tax on sanitary products tampons. Without affordable sanitary In an ideal world, I would like this issue up in European Parliament. reduced to 0%. To sign her petition, products, those women who menstruate sanitary products, like contraception If the UK could stop taxing”its visit https://www.change.org/p/george- are prevented from leading a normal life, in this country, to be free. After all, women for menstruating, it would set a osborne-stop-taxing-periods-period both in public and in private. menstrual hyg“”iene, like contraception, is precedent around the world, in countries thegryphon.co.uk 12 Comment I still need feminism, and so do you

Rachel King per cent, or about £100 per week, and still being judged on their appearance before us, who had to fight far harder, English and Classics that is before including factors such rather than their merits. Children’s toys to be heard. So if you don’t identify as [email protected] as race or non-binary genders which are still divided by gender. Paternity feminist for fear of being branded a increase the disparity hugely. Surveys leave is still not equal to maternity man-hating lesbian, then think about regularly report that upwards of 60 whose opinions you’re valuing. If you unday 8th of March is per cent of women have experienced Women’s clothes never don’t identify as feminist because you International Women’s Day. sexual harassment. Out of the 650 UK have any sodding pockets think these issues don’t affect you, which Cue the mild grumblings of constituencies 320 have never elected a and I still have to shave is unlikely, then think about those whom ‘SurSely we don’t need that anymore, woman, and there have only ever been every innocent hair off my they do affect. If you don’t identify as the feminist war is won!’ and ‘That’s 12 female MPs who belong to an ethnic body before I feel remotely feminist because you think it doesn’t misandry. What about Men’s Day?’ It is minority. In 2013, 31 million primary attractive address discrimination you face, then worth noting that some of these queries school aged girls worldwide were not join the movement and change that. are not without merit; male suicide is in education compared to 4 million leave. There are rarely baby changing There are times when I doubt terrifyingly high, boys are still being boys, and 1/3 of the world’s illiterate fa“cilities in men’s bathrooms. Bras are feminism. But then I remember one of told that they can’t play with dolls or population were women. Women are still being pinged in schools. Women’s those statistics, and I remember why it wear pink and women from many clothes never have any sodding pockets matters. It is my hope that the feminist walks of life are indeed climbing the ...being better than being and I still feel compelled to shave every movement will continue to grow and to career ladder higher than ever before. publically silent, jobless, innocent hair off my body before I feel become more inclusive; I strongly believe But caring about men’s issues doesn’t remotely attractive. ” that there are as many kinds of feminism voteless baby-machines does detract from blindly obvious inequality, not mean we have equality That is the list of someone who has as there are kinds of women. We will and being better than being publicly led a privileged life: I can only imagine still need International Women’s Day as silent, jobless, voteless baby-machines how much longer it would be if I hadn’t. long as there is systematic oppression of does not mean we have equality. still being groped in nightclubs and It’s important that we keep using women, and I will still need feminism We still need feminism itself for catcalled on the streets. Menstruation is the term feminist. To call it something until my list of reasons for needing it is such a large number of reasons, that I “still causing embarrassment, shame, bad that doesn’t allude to women’s issues totally and utterly blank. almost can’t believe that I’m having to health, and financial strain for women undermines the fact that we are still repeat them. But sadly, they still need the world over. Female celebrities are still facing a global hierarchy based solely to be hammered home. In April 2014, being judged on their appearan”ce rather on gender. Rejecting the term feminist the gender pay gap in the UK was 9.4 than their merits. In fact, all women are undermines decades of work women This Girl definitely Can with being proud of your appearance, shapes, sizes and abilities. Not once, the huge grins plastered on their faces, Clio Tsivanidis encouraging exercise merely as a means though, does it have to tell us these women these women aren’t conforming to sexist History of achieving that ‘perfect’ body can often are ‘real’; the advertisement lets them speak standards, and they expect you to ‘deal [email protected] detract from it being something healthy. for themselves. Most refreshing though, is with it’. What’s more, the photos of food that the implicit message that these women appear alongside the hashtag are often are exercising as a form of enjoyment, hen I first saw the ‘This limited; there is an obsession with ‘clean’ stress relief, or simply to have fun with Girl Can’ campaign advert choices, ‘cheat’ days and ‘naughtiness’. their friends rather thathan to ddeevveellopop rroocckk-- in the cinema, one of my Essentially, the vocabulary associated hard abs in order to be appreciated firstWthoughts was ‘finally’. Finally, an with food choices is dripping in moral by society. Tellingly, the shots that advertisement encouraging women to judgements. Subconsciously or not, then, zoom in on specific body parts exercise because they love their bodies, not both the photos of the food and the do not sexualise them, but because they hate them. emphasise the strength of the We’ve all heard of ‘thinspiration’, or Unlike other campaigns, it woman in question. Instead ‘thinspo’ as its come to be known. We’ve does not shame women who of hovering over cleavage, been warned about the toxic websites do not fit into the binary of close-ups focus on a set up to encourage eating disorders and ‘thin’ or ‘curvy’ powerful leg kicking sharing dangerous ‘tips and tricks’ with its a ball, or pounding followers. Most people would agree such down on pedals. sites are abhorrent. ‘Fitspo’, however, is a impossibly toned and lean bodies that These women are slightly more nuanced issue. Formulated as “accompany #fitspo encourage negative kicking ass at sports, a ‘healthy’ response to thinspo, last year saw comparisons amongst men and women. some of which the ‘strongnotskinny’ hashtag brandished For many of us, the type of body promoted are traditionally across magazines and websites all over the is as unattainable as the frighteningly thin deemed ‘masculine’, country. Undoubtedly, for some, fitspo is a bodies displayed on these ‘thi”nspiration’ such as football, wonderful thing, and I hesitate to criticise it websites, and I worry that the body image and in doing so entirely. Yet, while it doesn’t encourage you obsession it generates perpetuates the view add a completely to starve yourself or advocate exercise as that a woman’s worth is based on her new meaning to a means of self-torture, I believe there is a appearance. the phrase ‘like a certain insidious underbelly to it. This makes the This Girl Can advert a girl’. Women aren’t Search ‘#fitnotthin’ on Instagram and breath of fresh air. Unlike other campaigns meant to swsweeaatt,, or look you’ll generate a variety of the same supposedly aimed at also empowering anything other than images. Girls often in skimpy gym gear, women (Dove, I’m looking at you), it put together, yet as charting the changes in their bodies via does not shame women who do not fit conveyed through ‘progress pics’ and listing extensive exercise into the binary of ‘thin’ or ‘curvy’. Rather, regimes. While there is nothing wrong the women it features are of all different twitter.com

thegryphon.co.uk Comment 13 Injustice For Men and Boys Eleanor Healing society are stemmed from a patriarchal appears to have been lost in translation. all genders, and the feminist gender- English culture and the demonisation of Feminism is a movement for gender equality movement will help overcome [email protected] everything ‘feminine’, it should make equality, but it often gets blamed for the these issues. sense that feminism will fix these problems men face instead. We forget When women finally seem to be on issues. Men’s suicide rates are higher that it’s the feminist movement in the the path to an equal foothold in this ike Buchanan wants to scrap than that of women, because needing US which lobbied the FBI to categorise world, the idea that it has gone too far the Equality Act. Despite help in that regard is considered rape against men as being just as serious is ridiculous. It’s a skewed perception; statistics showing the ‘emotional’ and ‘feminine’, and these the fear of being treated the same way contMrary, he claims that women’s rights traits are considered humiliating for a We forget that it’s the women have been for centuries, and have gone too far and that women really man to have. Male survivors of abuse feminist movement in the Mike Buchanan is afraid. If somebody have no interest in ‘scientific’ jobs. Most and rape often stay silent about what US which lobbied the FBI to really wants to help men and boys they shockingly of all, he also demonises has happened to them; because these categorise rape against men shouldn’t waste their vote on Buchanan’s female rape survivors who are attacked crimes are more commonly committed as being just as serious as twisted policies. Instead, they should when intoxicated. But Mike Buchanan against women, for a man to suffer the rape against women support and donate to charities such isn’t just a random member of the public same fate is again ‘feminine’ and ‘weak’. as Men United (men’s health) and with an opinion. He has his own political Mothers are often favoured in child ManKind Initiative (for male rape and party: Justice For Men And Boys. custody battles because child-rearing is as“rape against women. It’s feminists abuse survivors). They are the people I will be brutally honest here: this seen as a ‘weaker’, female role. Feminism who advocate equal parental leave. It’s doing the real good, not this frightening party absolutely terrifies me. Not just advocates for a change in this, for it to feminists who support male survivors of extremist party. because they compare feminists to Nazis not be ‘shameful’ for a man to speak up rape and abuse. Prolific male feminists (considering the Nazi’s attitudes towards about an attack against him, and for it such as Terry Crews, Joseph Gordon- women and the LGBT community this to not be humiliating for a man to seek Levitz, Mark Ruffalo and ma”ny more comparison is absurd), but because help for a mental illness, or to want to have also publically acknowledged that fundamentally, they don’t really seem to care for his children. Sadly, something patriarchal expectations are harmful to Justice For Men And Boys aims to completely turn the clock on women’s employment and health rights

truly care about men at all. Rather than help men in areas where they may be “at a disadvantage, Justice For Men And Boys aims to completely turn the clock on women’s employment and health rights. According to Mike Bu”chanan, women being more domesticated is a natural thing, and any indicator of them being forwarded in the economy or socially is unfair in his books. He aims to actively take women out of high ranking jobs (despite the fact that only 16 per cent of board directors are female) to place men in these positions. His agenda is frightening. The same way UKIP intends to ruin the lives of those who benefit from multiculturalism and same-sex marriage, Justice For Men And Boys seek to take a retrograde step with gender equality. Since the inequalities men face in witf.org Women’s rights: a brief history

Women over 30 Women gain Contraceptive Rape in granted the right equal voting pill made Equal Pay Act marriage made to vote rights to men available passed a crime

1918 1928 1961 1970 1994

thegryphon.co.uk 14 Debate The Big Debate Can you be a Page 3 girl and a feminist? Telling girls they shouldn’t do page 3 is NOT being a feminist; women should do WHATEVER they want! Women should empower and encourage other “women. For that is the only way to truly be “equal” and have rights...” -Jodie Marsh YES Charlotte Gray

In the last few years, the Sun’s attitude sadly suggests that Page 3 isn’t what a woman does with her own body. precedent for everyday life. notorious ‘Page 3’ feature has become going anywhere soon. The real issue with Page 3 models It is important for women to be a go-to example of the lingering and But when thinking about how next identifying as feminists is that posing able to choose how to use their bodies anachronistic misogyny that underlines to tackle Page 3, it is important that for The Sun is a lot different than free of judgement; but there is a time our society. The ‘No More Page 3’ the spotlight remains on The Sun itself doing the same for any other medium. and a place for it which is dependent campaign has gone from strength to rather than on the models who feature Female nudity has an unsettling place on the medium and intention. It is also strength and The Sun has been banned in it. It is counter-productive to the within a newspaper. Setting aside the important that feminism remains an from sale in our own union because feminist movement to dictate what questionable journalistic value of the inclusive movement as this is the only of this very feature. In January, the women should do with their bodies and newspaper itself, the casual placement way that real gender equality can be newspaper showed that they were perpetuates the false idea that feminism of specifically female nudity in between achieved. The Sun is clever, but Page unfazed by the controversy surrounding is an uncompromising movement with the weather and current events is a 3 isn’t. Page 3 models who identify as their feature by removing Page 3 only to a strict entry policy. After all, the single problematic one. It normalises the feminists should be able to do so, but bring it back the following day. Rather unifying principle that underpins the objectification of women by removing should also take a critical glance at the than respecting the views of those who idea of feminism is that of gender the naked woman’s body from the sexual corporation that they’re baring their oppose Page 3, they’ve started to use the equality. So really, it’s a backward step sphere and dumping it in the everyday. bodies for. backlash to gain publicity whilst making to undermine the pursuit of this equality Allowing the blatant sexualisation of a mockery of its critics. Their blasé for the sake of a disagreement over women in a newspaper sets a worrying NO Li Disbury

It seems quite clear to me that you important point to remember: when expect to see an equal representation clearly not compatible with the ideals of cannot simultaneously be a Page 3 girl we talk of Page 3 girls we are talking of women in Parliament, say, or a more feminism. This should not be mistaken and a feminist. To say that you are about the third page of the highest equal number of females on boards as a criticism of the girls themselves a member of a movement seeking to selling national newspaper in Britain – of directors helping to lead large who appear on Page 3, but instead establish the equal place of women not a top-shelf magazine – and every companies? By getting rid of Page 3, we as a criticism of what this represents in society is not a claim that you can day that page bears a manifestation would be making a clear statement that and the attitudes they arguably justify make whilst being a daily ‘fuck you’ of the inferiority of women in society, it is no longer acceptable to view or treat by appearing on Page 3. I think it is to the very idea of that movement. and every day it helps reinforce that women in this manner and that it is time irresponsible and unfair to label this a Page 3 girls are a daily reminder that perceived inferiority. for society to progress towards a more case of ‘telling women what to do with women are more-often-than-not seen as A large step towards establishing harmonious situation. their bodies’, rather it is asking women nothing more than sexual objects by an the equal place of women in society As long as Page 3 exists, I do not to respect themselves enough as people alarmingly large amount of men. They would be to abolish Page 3, for how think that the cause of feminism will be to fight the perception that the only are a daily perpetuation of the ‘Dapper can women seek equal roles to men in able to advance towards these noble and thing that matters about them are their Laughs’ mind-set. society if society does not even see them necessary ends. Thus I do not think you bodies. If this can be achieved then I There is no equivalent objectification as having equal worth as people? When can call yourself a feminist if you are a doubt that the cause of feminism will of males to the objectification of women women are still seen as mere objects Page 3 girl; you are an accepted display have ever been quite so strong. on Page 3 of the Sun, and this is an by so many men, how can we possibly of daily, national misogyny and this is

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thegryphon.co.uk 16 Science Destructing science’s glass ceiling: The article that shouldn’t have to exist Holly Edwards

A simple Google search for ‘women male colleagues. of working my way up, from what some unaffected. All it tells us is that men and science’ brings up a plethora of Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Esther might call a “soft science” through jobs and women may think about problems web sites aiming to encourage women Lederberg, Chien-Shiung Wu and Lise and a masters, to my current PhD in differently. Scientific research teams in the subject. But weirdly, when I see Meitner are examples of these women engineering. I have seen sexism in many would benefit from a mix of both men this, I get an uneasy feeling. I am a who all have something in common. different forms throughout this time. and women to find the best solutions to woman in science, I should be glad They were all shut out of receiving The only time it nearly brought me to problems. these organisations exist. I start asking the Nobel prizes between the 1940’s to breaking point was in a job in which a There is also evidence that women’s myself questions – have I turned against the 1960’s. They all had to stand by more senior engineer sexually harassed interest and ability in science is more a feminism? Do I think it’s not really that and watch their male colleagues take me. The company knew about it, but nature vs. nurture issue. Many scientists big of a deal? all the credit for work that they had wanted to sweep it under the carpet believe that a difference in cognitive Thankfully I was relieved when I substantially contributed to. as he was needed in the company and testing and choice of career results from realised the answer to these questions Many argue that Rosalind Franklin I was just a temp. Others told me: “he a culture where science is a boys subject was no. What makes me uncomfortable should also be in this list, but she died always has a different girl he does this being embedded into girls at an early is that these organisations have to exist before her colleagues received the Nobel with, this time it’s you”. age; one of the issues is the difference at all. They highlight the fact that there Prize for uncovering the structure of Maybe the most notorious between boys and girls toys. Whilst are still problems with both the number DNA. The award is never awarded controversy concerning women in STEM some shops, such as Boots, have recently and treatment of women in science. posthumously, so we will never know if came in 2005 from Lawrence Summers, stopped gendering toys, others have only History shows us that the situation she would have received the prize along the then President of Harvard. At a given lip service to the issue. has got better, although there is still a with Watson and Crick, although upon conference on Diversifying the Science In August 2014 Lego brought out a long way to go. From the 16th and 17th receiving the award they failed to credit and Engineering Workforce, Summers limited edition set called the Research centuries when the dominant opinion her. Watson even questioned Franklin’s proposed a hypothesis that there were Institute made up of three female was that women in science were at place in the industry, and Crick admitted more men in science owing to the scientists. This was in response to a odds with their domestic duties – that they used to have a patronising seven year old’s letter to the company “anyone engaged in serious intellectual attitude towards her. She was also that went viral, in which she complained endeavours should have a beard” criticised for her presentation. She did A more senior of the lack of female professional Legos. accoding to Immanuel Kant – to the rise not wear lipstick or revealing clothing as engineer sexually But this hasn’t seemed to change the of scientists such as Carolina Herschel, women believed that to gain recognition harrassed me. The overall ethos of the company. On their Mary Fairfax Somerville and Ada they had to hide their feminine qualities. company knew about website, Lego has a category called Lovelace in the 18th and 19th centuries. Clearly things are not quite that bad it, but wanted to ‘Girls’. In this section you can find From then on women’s participation now, but sexism is still present. The sweep it under the Heartlake Lighthouse, Elsa’s Sparkling in science was increasingly accepted, Everyday Sexism Project allows women carpet as I was just a Ice Castle and Naida’s Spa Secret, whilst with a rise in educational opportunities. to catalogue sexism they experience on temp products such as their artic range seem Marie Curie became the first woman its website. These comments include “ to feature exclusively men. to win the Nobel prize in 1903, making “maths is not for girls”, “it’s good to have Maybe it’s time to start realising it the double in 1911, and to this day a skirt at a meeting”, “you are too pretty difference in “intrinsic aptitude” between that encouraging women into STEM is the only person to win both the to do science”, “maths lecturer described men and women. This is believed to courses and careers is much more Chemistry and Physics Nobel prizes. But a graph and why all the women would have led to his resignation the following effective when dealt with at a young women involved in science faced some recognise it as shaped like a washing year as Harvard President and cost him age by targeting both boys and girls. extraordinary battles for their work to line”, and “being told at a university his job of Treasury Secretary for”the By making it culturally acceptable that be recognised and faced significant interview that I’ll probably get an offer Obama Administration. women have just as much a place in discrimination along the way. They as not many girls apply for my course, But was Summers entirely wrong? STEM as men, many of these problems often worked “voluntarily” as faculty and they like having ‘girls’ on the course After all, there are studies that do show of discrimination and lack of women members, were written out of textbooks to keep the boys in check”. that women’s brains are different to taking these career paths can be solved. and saw their life’s work attributed to I can add to this my own experiences men’s. Firstly men do have bigger brains, A saying that came about in the but in terms of 18th century regarding women’s roles intelligence it as “equal but different”. This has really isn’t about traditionally been seen as an insult but the size, sorry there is a lot of truth in it. We are of guys. Men have course equal, but it is our differences 6.5 times more that can lead to better scientific research grey matter and understanding. This does not just than women but include the differences between women women have ten and men, but also between race, age, times more white location, hobbies and all other qualities matter than men. that let us see the world in different This is likely to ways. account for the As for me, I am a woman in science, differences in how and I hope that I can encourage others women and men to follow. But this is not my definition. think, accessing I am a scientist, I am an asset to my different parts of subject area and I love what I do. My their brains for the hope is that in the future articles like same task, but it this do not need to be written, as all does not tell us scientists, whoever they are, will be anything about treated equally. intelligence with DonSmith/Alamy © IQ scores being

thegryphon.co.uk Science 17 The little known Lacks legacy

Hilary Robinson Despite repeated treatment and blood transfusions, Lacks passed away Henrietta Lacks is a name you might on October 4, 1951, aged 31, due to both not recognise, but probably should. an acute kidney injury, a complication Thanks to Lacks’ cells, scientists have of the cancer, and the spreading of the developed a polio vaccine, and done cancer throughout her body. research into AIDS, radiation, toxic Henrietta lived on in science due substances and gene mapping. They to the immortality of her cancer cells. were also the first human cells to be The immortality allows the cell to be successfully cloned. Lacks was never stimulated to continuously divide, and thanked for her contribution to science, avoid the process known as cellular but disturbingly, she was never made senescence (when cells continue to aware that any cells had been taken function normally, but cease to divide). from her body. George Gey named the sample HeLa, Born on 1st August 1920, Henrietta after the initial letters of Lacks’ name. Lacks was an African American woman The cells quickly became in high raised by her grandfather in Virginia. demand, and Gey donated them freely Henrietta had her first child aged 14 to any scientists requesting them. with her first cousin, David Lacks, who Consequently, Lacks’ cells were produced she later married and had a further four on a mass scale. henriettalackslegacy © children with. During this entire process however, In 1951, Henrietta went to the John not one person in the Lacks family There was no uproar, not even publishing the book, The Immortal Life Hopkins hospital (the only local hospital was notified of the use of the cells. when the background to the world’s of Henrietta Lacks. The key conclusion which would treat black patients) with Henrietta was a poor, unschooled, black most famous cell line became public Skloot draws is that “tissue is so often pains she aligned to having a ‘knot woman, whose own views were not once knowledge, while the law allowing dehumanised – it’s referred to in medical inside of her’. During examination, considered. Despite the unbelievable doctors to use patient’s cells/tissues reports and documents, and no one ever Henrietta’s doctor found a tumour in profit made by pharmaceutical without their permission was never seems to remember that for every single her cervix, which turned out to be a companies and scientists using the changed. biological sample that’s used in any malignant squamous cell cancer. The cells – a single tube of HeLa cells costs Whilst there is the principle of laboratory, anywhere, there’s a person.” cancer was caused by the uncontrolled around £175 – the Lacks family saw ‘Informed Consent’ in medical research Henrietta Lacks was a wife, a multiplication of epithelial cells. These none of this money, even though they in our day and age, there is no clear mother and the key to many incredible types of cells line the outer layer of the so desperately needed it. Henrietta’s law regarding the ownership of human medical discoveries. Neither she nor skin, the surface of most body cavities, second child – Elsie – was committed to tissue/cell specimens, and who controls her family have benefitted in any way. and the lumen organs, such as the gut the Hospital for the Negro Insane (now their fate. As a result, whilst the It’s hoped that as this story continues or vagina. They used a cancer therapy known as Crownsville State Hospital) chances of deception on such a large to spread – with a film version of The which involves placing a radiation to receive inadequate and outdated scale are limited now, there is a chance Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks in the source near the tumour. It was during treatment; money made from the cell that similar experiments could be carried pipeline – the Lacks family will get the this treatment that two samples of line could have provided Elsie with much out without the patient’s knowledge. recognition they deserve. Henrietta’s cervix were removed without more beneficial treatment, meaning that Rebecca Skloot is one of many permission, both a healthy and a she may have survived into her 20s, people shocked by this story, and took cancerous sample. rather than dying so prematurely at 16. it upon herself to raise awareness by

The Week in Science

Lisa S/shutterstock © M. ElseMavierrtStinokLema-Mnsay©© theautismblog © BBC © Tobacco Kills Two Out of Furry little daredevilAutism caused by genetics African synchrotron bid Three Smokers gathers pace A four-year follow-up study of more Amateur wildlife photographer A study on 516 twins by researchers Africa looks to become the setting for than 200,000 people has shown Martin Le-May caught orthinologist’s at King’s College London concluded a brand spanking new synchrotron that as many as two in every three unaware with this stunning that autism is caused by genetic as momentum gathers pace behind cigarette smokers will die from the photograph of a cheeky little weasel make-up in 74-98% of cases. 181 the idea. A meeting is scheduled habit. The study published in BMC hitching a ride on the back of a of the teenagers had autism but for November at the European Medicine this week estimates that woodpecker. The photograph was identical twins who share the same synchrotron ESRF in Grenoble to smokers will die 10 years earlier than taken at Hornchurch Country Park DNA were far more likely than non- discuss the idea further. Synchrotrons non-smokers. In better news, people and it’s been suggested that the identical twins. Both twins had been are accelerator that produce X-rays; who quit before the age of 45, their weasel was probably trying to attack raised in the same household to try X-rays can be used in a raft of mortality was almost the same as the bird before it took off in shock. and minimise environmental effects applications such as fluorescence never-smokers. Both managed to escape the ordeal although they have not been ruled studies, medical imaging and with their lives. out. chemical analysis.

thegryphon.co.uk 18 Sport Annabel Croft: Exclusive Interview Alex Bowmer talks to former top-30 player and Eurosport pundit Annabel Croft about gender equality in tennis, the state of the British game, and the potential stars of the future

Has women’s tennis done enough to address inequality of the sexes? It seems to be one of the only sports where men and women enjoy fairly equal status.

Billie-Jean King has been one of the main drivers behind the formation of the WTA and is a big reason that women are now able to make a living from playing tennis. All the players have her to thank for the fact that the tour even exists. She fought for women to have equal prize money, because I think she felt she was as marketable and putting as many bums on seats as the men were. Now they offer equal prize money in the

Grand Slams, and in Dubai. However, the popularity of the women’s game has dropped a bit recently, but I think the interest is coming back with the emergence of all these new youngsters. I definitely think tennis is the only sport where women have equal prize money, all “ the way through. It’s not true that all tournaments offer “ equal prize money, and it has to be said that quite often Portugal Resident © the turnout for the men’s week is quite a bit higher than for the women’s week. matches have tended to be an awful lot longer, as for Do you think that the game will become some reason the points tend to last longer than in the increasingly physical? men’s game. You can imagine that best-of-five sets for What more needs to be done to address equality of women for a TV scheduler, you can’t plan the adverts, It’s very physical. If parents ask me for advice on the sexes? what their child should do to get to the next level, I would say they need to get out and get fitter than they One of the things women are fighting when they have ever been. It’s almost an athlete’s training, as well are competing at tournaments like Miami and Indian I am not in favour of women as the tennis. It wasn’t really like that, it was more Wells - where the men’s and women’s tournaments are tennis-based. You used to go for a run and do a few held at the same time - is centre court coverage and a having five set matches... sprints, but now the level of fitness that’s required and lot of air-time on TV. The tournament scheduler has a the athletic ability, it’s extremely professional. I think difficult situation to contend with, as he has to listen to most players would accept it, that’s equally as important as hitting tennis balls every the demands of players like [Novak] Djokovic, [Roger] day. Federer and [Rafael] Nadal on the one hand, and players like Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Caroline but there just isn’t the demand Why do you think Britain has struggled to Wozniacki so it is difficult to accommodate everyone. produce top-level players consistently, compared to The scheduler also has to consider the TV audiences countries like France and Spain? around the world as well, and therefore has to think so this is why the American TV company who aired the about which matches will cater to the Asian market. end-of-season championships dropped it. I don’t feel that we always have enough competition Serena Williams is a respected player, but if she is not I can sympathise with people who argue that it at an early age. If you have enough breaking through selected to play that day, you’ve got the WTA fighting may be unfair that someone playing best-of-five sets then we all push eachother. When I was growing up, for their players because they want the TV coverage. earns the same amount. Given the fitness levels of the I had loads of juniors around me that were pushing These events are definitely market-driven. “modern player, if there was a serious offer put on the me all the time. You’re fighting for your position all the table about women playing five sets, then I’m sure time, and the trouble is that we only have one or two Which female players would you say have done most players would accept it, but there just isn’t the on the men’s and women’s side. Heather [Watson] did the most to push women’s issues to the fore? demand. Also, when I watch men play five-set matches have Laura Robson as competition, but Laura’s been at Grand Slams, when you consider how injured a lot injured for over a year, and it’s really hard. As a junior, Venus Williams is one player who has done a lot for of the players are becoming now, it’s not worth it. It’s I went abroad and Heather went abroad to train, I went women in that respect. She has spoken up and taken not like footballers who turn up once a week to play a to America when I was 15, and it’s really tough to train quite a prominent role. She seems to enjoy standing match. Tennis players are playing every other day, and back here in this kind of climate and condition. Then up for women, and has appeared on the board at the sometimes back-to-back matches, so you can imagine you head out to Florida to play in 80% humidity, and WTA, and has had a big say in some these matters. It’s if you play five hours one day, and then come back and you feel sick on court because you have no energy, interesting, because I didn’t think she would be someone play five hours the next day as you’re not used to that kind of heat. I think it’s who would get involved in that sort of thing. Wimbledon was the final Grand Slam to introduce impossible not to train there and acquit yourself well in equal prize money, and their argument had been that these tough conditions all around the world. It is also Would you be a supporter of five-set matches in because women only played best-of-three sets, they tough to keep playing tournaments locally over here, the women’s game? had time to play in the doubles or mixed doubles whereas in Spain, if you go to Barcelona, they have events, boosting their prize money, and therefore get hundreds of tournaments for parents to take their kids I am not in favour of it actually. They tried it more money than the men by being able to compete in to, and the level is very high. In addition, you don’t have in America a few years ago when Steffi Graf and all of these events. In addition, they argued that unless to travel very far to get to a local tournament. Whereas Martina Navratilova were at the top of their game, and the value of the women’s tour outside of the Grand here, you have to travel hours to get to a tournament, introduced it at the end-of-season championships. It Slams was the same value as the men’s tour - so if the and parents have to then stop what they are doing with wasn’t popular and also became very difficult for TV women’s game is not the same marketplace outside of their other children and dedicate everything to the one to schedule it, and when I had to cover Dubai and then, the Grand Slams as the men - then they should not child, and it’s logistically very tough, and it’s actually the following week, the men’s matches, the women’s command the same prize money. very preventative.

thegryphon.co.uk Sport 19

Heather Watson had an excellent start to the developer, but now her tennis is really starting to come If she plays her best tennis, there is no question that

year. Do you think that she can really put down a good and she has had a fantastic start to the year. She’s she is the favourite for any Grand Slam title. She came marker this year, having been dogged by injuries served over 100 aces already this year, which is right up out firing on all cylinders in Australia, which she didn’t in the last few years? there. Her service motion is similar to Serena Williams’, do the year before. She is clearly still hungry for titles in that it’s very smooth and very fluid. Keys is someone because she wants to surpass Steffi Graf, who is on 22 She has had an unbelievable run in that, after she I really like. There’s another girl called [Belinda] Bencic, Grand Slams. Serena is on 19, so she could equal that contracted mononucleosis, she then for the first time who is only 17, and she got to the fourth round of the this year, which is very possible. If she suffered an early “ in her professional career saw her ranking decline, US Open last year. She’s got a really calm head on her. ex“ it, the field would be blown wide open in women’s which was a difficult thing for her to witness. She had [Eugenie] Bouchard was someone who rose through tennis. You’ve always got the ‘old guard’ – Sharapova, to go back to qualifying for tournaments and back the ranks last year, and reached three Grand Slam Azarenka - who is starting to play better tennis again into smaller events, and it wasn’t very glamorous, semi-finals, including the final at Wimbledon. This - and Halep, who is becoming more experienced and but she worked hard and got herself right back up got to the final of the French Open. I would say that she in the rankings. She’s just a grinder. The problem would be the next favourite to win a Grand Slam after that Heather’s got is she isn’t like Pliskova who has Serena, but after that, I think it is up for grabs. After this massive serve and can just bang down aces and What Murray was looking for Bartoli won Wimbledon a couple of years ago, you motor through service games. However, Heather has to never know what might happen. grind every game out, and if you look at her matches during the course of the year, so many of them go when he appointed Mauresmo What have you made of Amelie Mauresmo’s to three sets and that is difficult to keep up. She has progress, and why do you think female players are these peaks and troughs, so it’s really tough for her. was a calming influence, which averse to hiring female coaches? Also, she is quite pint-sized compared to a lot of the women, many of whom are around six foot tall. She she provided. Lendl may not Traditionally, female players have always hit with doesn’t have big weapons or big reach on the court, so male players, due to the fact that they tend to hit the it is quite an uphill battle for her, but I admire the way have been so forgiving ball quite a bit harder, so that when they go back to she goes about her business, and she works hard. She hitting with female players, they have a lot more time to applies herself and is a great competitor and match- think. The coaches tend to chop and change, but most player, but it’s really hard for her to keep maintaining year is going to be difficult for her, it’s always difficult of them are established. A number of female players it week-in, week-out. A player who bucks the trend to replicate the performances during a breakthrough may prefer a male coaching them, as they tend to be when it comes to height is Simona Halep, who’s only year, so all eyes will be on her. She was overpowered by more direct. What Murray was looking for when he 5ft 6in, but is ranked third in the world. She managed“Kvitova in last year’s Wimbledon final, but it was still appointed Mauresmo was a calming influence, which to overcome that, but I think Halep has a little more a great run to the final for her. Some have questioned she provided, and her ability to listen to him and be pop on the ball than Heather, and is more powerful and whether her technique is quite as good as it should sympathetic when he was feeling fatigued, whereas smooth. Heather’s working on all the right aspects of her be, but she certainly makes up for that with her Lendl may not have been so forgiving. Murray found game, but it’s hard. determination. the approach more sensitive, but the litmus test for Murray will be whether he can win a Grand Slam under Do any of those have a chance of Grand Slam his new coach. Murray clearly wants to do as well as Who are the rising stars of women’s tennis that we success? possible and feel vindicated in the appointment that he should be looking out for? has made. Murray is also working with a psychologist, Madison Keys is one, [Karolina] Pliskova, who got I don’t know about this year, but having said that, and he has been taking all these notes on court, which to the finals in Dubai. She’s 22, and a rising star, she women’s tennis is in an interesting period. At the is a new innovation for him, and hugely significant. has the most phenomenal serve. She’s a slightly late moment, Serena Williams is clearly the dominant force. Women in sport: Who to look out for and France have set the pace with climbing up to 38th in the world Championships kick-off this weekend Peter White three wins from three. A late penalty rankings, Watson has since claimed just with young starlet Katarina Johnson- from Ireland’s Niamh Briggs last Friday one victory over an unranked opponent. Thompson vying for gold in the Women’s sport in is the headlines condemned World Champions England After a disappointing defeat in the pentathlon. Following a frustrating more than ever, and with plenty of to their second defeat of the series which opening round of the Australian Open, 2014 in which a foot injury prevented British stars in action over the coming leaves them with little chance of adding she will be hoping for an improved run her competing at the European months, there is plenty to get excited the Six Nations crown to their global title. ahead of the French Open in May. Championships and Commonwealth about. England are seemingly going through England’s netball team will travel Games, Johnson-Thompson is one of The women’s football World Cup in a tough transition period following the to Sydney for the World Cup in August the world’s form athletes after breaking Canada kicks-off in June with England introduction of several new players and with hopes of going further than they British records in the long jump and high being the sole British representative. The the departure of long-serving coach ever have before. With several youngsters jump in recent weeks. The Liverpudlian Three Lions have been drawn against Gary Street. The side will be joining established stars such as Jo is also targeting heptathlon success old rivals France in Group F, along with hoping to recapture some form Harten and Geva Mentor in the side, at August’s World Championships Colombia and Mexico. Mark Sampson’s ahead of their final two games England’s squad is as strong as ever in Beijing, but will undoubtedly be side will be hoping to improve on their against Scotland on 13th March and many are tipping them to reach a challenged by the return of Olympic best-ever quarter-final finish that they and France on 21st March. World Cup final for the first time in their champion Jessica Ennis-Hill. equalled last time out in 2011, and With Laura Robson still history. Following a successful their first game against Les Bleus on the sidelines with The 2015 Women’s Ashes will get Commonwealth Games for the home will provide a strong indication a persistent wrist underway in Taunton in July, with the nations, 2014 ended brightly for women’s of how far they really can injury, women’s series being contested across all three swimming with Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, go. England are currently British tennis hopes cricket formats for the third time. One Fran Halsall and Hannah Miley all competing in the Cyprus rest largely on the test match, three one-day internationals shining at the Short Course World Cup in preparation, and shoulders of Heather and three Twenty20 internationals will Championships in Doha. Six-time world Wednesday’s comfortable 3-1 win Watson. Whilst starting be played over a month across England champion Mark Foster has recognised over Finland suggests that the side the year strongly by securing and Wales and the hosts will be hoping the squad as the ‘best for 30 years’ and are in good shape. her second WTA title at to retain their title after a tight victory the girls will be hoping to take this great In rugby union, the women’s the Hobart international in down under last year. form into the main World Championships Six Nations is currently underway January and subsequently In Athletics, the European Indoor event in Kazan in July.

thegryphon.co.uk 20 Sport Australia hoping for ODI success

Euan Cunningham so far - has done nothing to dispel squad is not particularly impressive. The fact that the ghost of Kevin Cricket the impression that the Black Caps Failure to reach the knockout Pietersen is again looming large must really could go all the way. Brendon stages would probably have serious not distract the team; it is time for Eoin As the World Cup - cricket’s premier McCullum’s ultra-aggressive style of consequences for several members of Morgan’s men to prove they deserve to be limited overs competition - continued captaincy has certainly reaped rewards, the England ODI team, and indeed part of the national side once and for all. this week, the most likely winners have and with qualification from the group possibly the coaching hierarchy as well. started to emerge. Several teams have stage essentially already sewn up, shown that if they can keep up these maybe now is the time to try out early performances and take them into different players and really utilise the the knockout stages, it will be almost entire squad. impossible to stop them. South Africa have recovered from The hosts Australia are definitely one their initial setback against India - who of these teams, as their recent mauling are themselves looking ominously of Afghanistan demonstrates. They have powerful and impressive - to take shown themselves capable of amassing control of their own destiny in the enormous totals, with a mammoth 417 tournament. Their success has been scored against the cricketing minnows, based on the relentless batting, with and have also shown their potential to AB De Villiers in particular producing reduce various sides’ batting orders to a some utterly incredible hitting. This state of chaos and ruin, as England will World Cup will forever be known as the testify. David Warner, Aaron Finch and tournament when 400 became a very Glenn Maxwell have all been impressive realistic and attainable score; something with the bat, while the Mitchells Starc no one surely would have predicted, and Johnson have been the usual even just a year ago. suspects with the ball. England, meanwhile, face two do- New Zealand have also retained the or-die games against Bangladesh and confidence and swagger that comes then Afghanistan, both of which they with being both hosts and tournament will probably have to win in order to favourites. Their win against England, advance to the quarter finals. as well as their white-knuckle-ride At the start of the tournament this success against Australia by one wicket was really the minimum expectation - surely the game of the World Cup for the team, even considering that the cricket.au © Squeaky bum time in Premier League

Nancy Gillen position, having had an excellent season, battling for the remaining two places teams seriously threatened by relegation. Football as Jose Mourinho continues to weave his in the finest football tournament in It looks as though Leicester are magic down at the Bridge. The recent Europe. returning to the Championship after a With the end of the Premier League addition of the Capital One Cup to Arsenal seem to find themselves in season in the Premier League, but will it looming, it is becoming clear how things the trophy room will give them further this situation every season and so have be Aston Villa, Burnley, QPR, Sunderland will turn out. But with the fights for confidence. the most experience in grinding out or Hull that join them? the Premier League title, Champions Manchester City aren’t far behind the necessary results, and Manchester Though unlikely, a slip up League places and survival all very tight, though, despite having a disappointing United will be wanting to reclaim their from Everton, West Brom or anything could happen in the remaining 2015 with defeats to both Liverpool place among European football’s Crystal Palace could also see two months. and Arsenal in the past two months. elite. Things are so close, however, them get tangled up in the First to the battle for Arguably Chelsea have the hardest that Liverpool, Southampton or scrap. The amount of teams the top spot. For much of run in, with Southampton, Tottenham could claim the places if involved show that those the season it has been Manchester United, Arsenal results go their way. Liverpool’s form currently at the bottom have between the holders and Liverpool still to play, of recent times, as the only unbeaten every chance of moving up Manchester City and and Man City could team in the Premier League in the table if they Chelsea, and this is take advantage of 2015, could prove achieve good still the case. any potential slip dividends, and results, meaning Chelsea are uuppss.. a crunch tie it’s all to play currently in pole Unless with United for at the both teams at Anfield bottom of make on March the table. a severe 22 could go With blunder over the some way only two coming months, to deciding months the teams in the positions who clinches a left until below them should not threaten European spot. the end of their title hopes. They are in a The struggle the Premier League, fight of their own, attempting to for Premier League the remaining secure a Champions League place. survival has the potential to be fixtures are going Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, even more exciting than the to be extremely Southampton and Tottenham are all race for the title, with at least six intriguing.

thegryphon.co.uk Sport 21 Gryphons win crucial relegation clash

Euan Cunningham break, what Leeds needed immediately made sure his side maintained their by the visitors to somehow get back in Men’s Hockey afterwards was a period of calm, shape and discipline after the goal, and the game and keep their season alive. Leeds Uni 2s 3-1 Durham 3s composed passing, just to settle everyone set about frustrating Durham in the final The Gryphons kept the ball well in the down. What they got was a Durham minutes. The best way of doing that final few minutes and were rewarded On what was a tension-filled equaliser almost immediately from the as it turned out was by going straight after what seemed like an interminable Wednesday evening at Weetwood, Leeds restart. A very well-worked move led to a back up the other end and scoring wait in the cold night air by the sound men’s hockey 2s won an extremely Durham forward being one-on-one with another fine goal. After the ball broke to of the final whistle, which was greeted important game against Durham 3s, all keeper Nicky Thompson, who stood no him on the right hand side of the box, with jubilation both on the pitch and the the while knowing that defeat would chance as the ball was knocked casually George Bucknell made light work of sidelines. probably consign them to relegation this into the far corner. the tight angle by slamming home an This result ensured survival for the year. Their opponents, who were bottom At 1-1 the tension soon returned. unstoppable volley, another brilliant goal Gryphons with one match still to play of the table going into the match knew Knowing that a draw did not really help and surely enough to make the points with a thoroughly deserved 3-1 victory that only a win was good enough for either side that much, both teams pushed safe. and ultimately saw their opponents them. forwards in an attempt to win the game And so it proved, despite late efforts relegated. Leeds started confidently, passing and take a giant leap towards the ball with purpose and assurance. safety. They did so of course Although there were no clear-cut in the full knowledge that chances in the opening minutes, the this would inevitably leave spectators who crammed the sidelines gaps in the defence. It was and vocally backed Leeds could tell who Uni who exploited one of was the better side, and so redoubled these gaps first, earning a their efforts to get behind their team. short corner after some good Durham were looking flustered, play on the left hand side. with one of their defenders’ persistent The ball was sent back to complaints earning him a short, sharp the edge of the box and reprimand from the referee, who told was set up for Will Flett to him exactly where he would go if the strike. He hit a thunderous backchat continued. It did not, but Leeds’ shot which flew into the roof early pressure did. Eventually the all- of the net and almost took important goal arrived with 17 minutes it off its moorings. It truly played. Some pinball around the D led to was an exceptional goal, a Leeds short corner, and when the ball and coming this late into the was swept back to the edge of the box game it was hard to escape there was Tom Berry to stroke a powerful the feeling that this was the drive into the far corner, beyond the knockout blow Leeds had despairing dive of the Durham keeper. been searching for. With the score at 1-0 going into the Captain Gareth Wright Beth Moorley © Try something new with Adam LeRoux Frequent readers of The Gryphon’s For those unfamiliar with ultimate, it’s As the training drills came to a of their every move. One quick slip and sport section – and I know there must be a high-octane and hugely entertaining close, I was getting compliments for they’re away to the end zone, leaving one or two of you out there – will have sport which can be played both inside my throwing technique; those hours you chasing their shadow, so you’ve got seen the success of our ultimate frisbee and outdoors. With teams of seven spent trying to avoid knocking down to be on guard at all times. teams over the course of this year. playing – which can be mixed or single sandcastles and sabotaging barbecues This is where I got my moment to They have put in strong performances gender - on a football pitch sized area, it had obviously paid off. With confidence shine. As one elusive runner stormed at the Indoor Nationals for both men can be tiring if you’re not up to the mark, sky high we moved on to playing some clear of the defence and, with my and women this year and claimed first trust me. The aim of the game is to keep real games, where I could really test my delegated attacker also lurking, a pass place for both in Outdoor Regionals. The the disc from touching the ground as mettle. got thrown forwards. It was down to this team are as good as any university side you attempt to pass to your teammate This is where the experienced novice to stop what looked like an easy in the country. So I joined them up at in the opposition’s end-zone, which players really came into their point for the opposition, and boy did I. A Weetwood for a training session to see earns your side a point. own, with international players full stretched leap, like a bearded ginger what makes this frisbee so ultimate after It almost sounds easy when in the team like Alice Beeching gazelle wearing a Plymouth Argyle shirt, all. written down, but as the training pulling out every trick in the book. saw me get fingertips to the disc and cut Now, I don’t know about you, but I drills began, and the tactics come Backhand, forehand, overhead, out the move. For all of three seconds I enjoy a bit of recreational disc throwing out, the game took on a whole upside down, whatever which was the hero, caked in mud, but it was every now and then; on a beach in the new side. With cuts and pulls way the disc would end up in a worth it – what an experience. height of summer, or in Hyde Park as and all sorts of other names teammate’s hands – and there was I was expecting to be carried off you clamber over the hordes of picnickers being thrown around, me over the moon with being able the pitch on their shoulders after such a and sunbathers to retrieve an inerrant the jargon is definitely to get it going in a straight line. move, but that’s just the norm for these throw. There’s nothing quite like a frisbee something to get your You can pull out all the tricks guys. Plenty of verve, plenty of skill, and landing on a stranger’s freshly made head around. The players you like with the disc but if your a great bunch of characters to boot. It’s cheese and pickle sandwich to break the would seamlessly defence isn’t up to scratch you are a great sport that anyone can enjoy, and ice. perform renditions of never going to get anywhere in mixing with such quality players makes So to be told to bring football boots different moves over and this game. In ultimate it’s all it all the more better. and plenty of water with me obviously over again; no wonder about concentration, as meant this was no place for a barbecue, they are one of the country’s you man-mark a player and the flip flops had to be put away. best teams. Will Stanley © each and keep track

thegryphon.co.uk 22 Sport Beckett comeback to crush Gryphons

Nancy Gillen a strong opponent and push further up end affair with both sides coming close the favour of the Gryphons. Women’s Football the table. to adding to the score line. Beckett’s Beckett side soon had their third Leeds Uni 2s 1-4 Leeds Beckett 3s It certainly looked like a win was a pressure increased, and while the Uni goal though. Uni continued to fight but real possibility when the game kicked defence held them at bay for some time, with the result of the game effectively It was a case of intense university off, with the Uni team immediately the visitors equalised and then took determined, Beckett got a fourth. rivalry for the Leeds Uni women’s testing the Beckett defence and looking the lead in quick succession. The half The remaining 20 minutes of the football 2s on Wednesday, as they the more threatening. This initial time whistle blew on what had been an game passed with little incident, and the faced Leeds Beckett Carnegie 3s. dominance paid off, as Sian Smith took intriguing and well fought 45 minutes. final whistle confirmed the 4-1 scoreline After emphatically winning their advantage of Beckett’s shaky defence, The home side continued to assert in Beckett’s favour. Despite a valiant last fixture with a 4-0 trouncing away breaking free to fire in a well-taken the pressure as soon as the second effort, the Leeds Uni team had failed to at bottom side York St John and saving goal. half began and Uni found it hard to defeat their rival team. themselves from relegation, the Uni side The balance of play soon swung keep their play flowing. They still had were hopeful that they could transfer though, as Beckett finally kicked into a few good chances which could have that performance into this game against gear, and the game became an end to changed the direction of the game in

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thegryphon.co.uk Sport 23 Leeds taste frisbee success in Outdoor Regionals

Badminton 1s (M) 5-3 Liverpool 1s

Badminton 2s (W) 6-2 Keele 1s

Basketball (W) 29-72 Newcastle 1s

Fencing (M) 127-105 Newcastle 2s (Cup)

Fencing (W) 114-131 Manchester 1s

Football 4s (M) 1-1 Huddersfield 2s (Cup)

(Loss on pens)

Football 1s (W) 7-0 Sheffield 1s

Football 2s (W) 1-4 Leeds Beckett 3s

Sarah Norman captain Dan Lovesey. conditions, both first teams reached Football 3s (W) 1-4 Leeds Trinity 1s Ultimate Frisbee Sunday’s games were stepped up a the final on Sunday, with the men’s 1s level as the top teams from the region playing Sheffield in a close game with Leeds Ultimate Frisbee Club has fought it out for a place in the final, and both teams breaking through the wind once again had an extremely successful places at Nationals. However as well as and scoring some upwind points. Men’s Hockey 2s (M) 3-1 Durham 3s weekend, with both the men’s and tough games for our teams on Sunday, Captain Dan Lovesey reflects that for women’s 1s winning their respective the weather also decided to play its the 1s to go undefeated all weekend Hockey 2s (W) 3-1 Durham 4s outdoor regional tournaments, earning part, bringing 45 mph winds and rain in what has been shown to be a very them both places at Nationals. For to the pitches. Such extreme weather difficult region was very pleasing, with Hockey 5s (W) 4 - 1 Hull 1s the men, they earned one of only two made playing conditions particularly the whole team raising their game. It Division 1 spots at Nationals. difficult, but also highlighted the really was also impressive to see everyone Despite a shaky start, the women skilled players in attendance at the coping so well with the difficult weather comfortably won all their pool games tournaments. Those players with most conditions. Rugby League 2s 38-12 Hull 2s on Saturday, holding their second place experience seemed unfazed by the The women’s 1s came up against seeding into Sunday’s matches. No one wind, simply using their knowledge Loughborough yet again this season, really knew what to expect with this of the sport and skill to work around having previously lost the semi-final to women’s team, with several key players it. The wind meant that games often the same opposition at Women’s Indoor Rugby Unions 1s (M) 7–39 Bristol 1s away at GB commitments, the squad turned into a trading of upwind and Nationals. was made up of both experienced downwind points, which meant that at Captain Amelia Kenneth puts the (Championship) and developing players. Experienced times the results of the toss to decide women’s success down to ‘coming out handlers Rachel Douglas, Katie Lear (GB which teams start at which end, was fighting for every point and utilising Rugby Union 2s (M) 12-26 Durham 3s u23) and Rachel Finch (GB u23) worked pivotal to the end result. each individuals strengths on the pitch’. the disc up the pitch to key point- This contributed to the 15th place We can be proud of the entire club for Rugby Union (W) 76-5 Liverpool Hope 1s scorers Alexis Soo and Jess Gregson. position for the men’s 2s. The team, playing hard in gruelling conditions, The men also won all their pool despite being more inexperienced than gaining experience for all our games on Saturday, holding their third the first team, demonstrated great developing players and being rewarded place seeding. Given that the men’s promise and skill, particularly given that with a double Leeds victory. Squash 2s (W)3-1 Newcastle 2s team placed second at Indoor Nationals a large number of players only picked This is shaping up to be an earlier in the year, the squad for outdoor up the sport in September. Stand out extremely successful season for Leeds regionals was expected to be very developing players were key point- Ultimate Frisbee, particularly with the strong, and they did not disappoint, scorer Josh Holden and strong defensive recent announcements that so many Tennis 1s (W) 0-12 Manchester 1s bringing a very experienced team to player Mike O’Sullivan. The team of our players have been selected to the tournament. This team included even managed to get a crucial upwind represent Great Britain, and one player GB players Will Carter and Rob White, point thanks to a pitch length huck by for Ireland. The society look forward to Ireland player Nicolas Peters, as well Captain Nick Mortimer. the Nationals in April where they are no Volleyball (W) 1-3 Northumbria 2s as ex-captain Nick Moss and current Despite the adverse weather doubt hoping to dominate.

thegryphon.co.uk Issue 14 06.03.15 thegryphon.co.uk

We take a look at the Premier League and Yet more success for Leeds Uni ultimate The Gryphon talks exclusively to tennis Leeds Uni Boat Club put in a strong matters at both ends of the table p. 20 frisbee sides at Outdoor Regionals p. 23 ace Annabel Croft p. 18 performance at the BUCS head p. 22

Lucie England-Duce © Uni suffer cup semi-final heartbreak • Cup run ends at hands of league leaders • Uni can’t retain early lead as Northumbria fight back to reach cup final Daniel Nixon Leeds and Northumbria entered double as powerful spikes from Nicole Morgan home side’s flow. The visitors unleashed Women’s Volleyball figures, no-one must have told Amber gave the home side an unbelievable run some ferocious spikes which even left Leeds Uni 1s 1-3 Northumbria 2s Chen and Tassie May about the visitors’ of points which saw them turn the score Gökçesu with little chance of a return. unbeatable form. Pinpoint serves and around to 8-4. Northumbria began to Eventually Northumbria won that The Gryphon Centre played host unstoppable spikes left the Northumbrian show their form and they eventually took all important third set, leaving them to the Women’s Northern Conference frontline shell-shocked. Northumbria tried the second set comfortably to make the favourites to claim a place in the final. Cup semi-final tie on Wednesday to send in some of their own tantalising score 1-1. Uni looked disheartened as they where Leeds Uni lost 3-1 to a ruthless serves, but time after time Irmak Many would have expected entered the fourth set which allowed Northumbria 2s side. Gökçesu was there with an impressive Northumbria to push on and dominate Northumbria to stamp their authority Despite the two teams being in the dig from the back-line. The visitors the third set, but with so much at stake, on the game. The final 20 minutes same league, Leeds knew that they were missed their serve at set point, handing Leeds refused to give up. Northumbria just seemed like a formality for the in for a tough test with the Newcastle- Leeds the opening advantage in what did score their fair share of points but visitors who cruised through, earning based outfit unbeaten and ten points could only be described as a perfect Leeds always seemed to have an answer. them a spot in the final against either clear at the top of the Northern 2B start. Nicole Morgan and Ashton Hills kept Manchester Met or Bangor. Leeds will division. Despite the promising opening, Leeds replying to Northumbrian winners by now concentrate their attention on their The first set began in a very anxious found themselves 0-4 down at the start returning their own. Santantoni, the final game of the league season at home manner with both teams battling of the second set. However, some superb Leeds setter, unfortunately went off to Sheffield Hallam 1s next week as they through some long, tense rallies. As both serving from Martina Santantoni, as well injured which seriously disrupted the look to end the campaign on a high.