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Peter Hutchinson remains MML Emeritus Reader despite sexual harassment claims

contacted by Varsity, Hutchinson was Joe Cook listed on the MML Faculty website as Associate Editor an Emeritus Reader. Hutchinson said he was “very disappointed” that the Content Note: this article contains dis- University had removed him from the cussion of sexual harassment site and questioned the legitimacy of Dr Peter Hutchinson, a former Fel- this action. low of Trinity Hall, remains an Emeri- A spokesperson for the University tus Reader of Modern German Studies did not comment on the removal of despite widely publicised allegations of Hutchinson from the site but said that sexual harassment made against him. “Dr Hutchinson is no longer a member Hutchinson, who was part of the MML of the Faculty and plays no role within Faculty from 1974 and was a Reader from it.” 2002 to 2011, was conferred this title au-  e title of Emeritus Reader is a sym- tomatically when he reached retirement bolic one “without statutory duties or age in the 2011-12 academic year, as is powers”. However, MML students and ▲ Three waves of strikes in three years stipulated by the University statutes. Until  ursday morning, ater being Full story on page 3 ▶ Full story on page 8 YINUO MENG Campaigning begins for roles in new Student Union

ates and one for postgraduates.  ere are roles, which run for 54 weeks and are Participation. batical role of University Councillor. Sophie Huskisson  ve candidates running for the under- paid positions, as well as for the Uni- Out of the six non-presidential sab-  is position is not a full-time one and Senior News Editor graduate presidential role, the highest versity Councillor, this election season,. batical roles,  ve – both undergraduate is being contested by two candidates number in the last two years, with two Voting opens this Monday, 2nd March, and postgraduate Access, Education this year. It’s that time of the year again. Yesterday candidates last year, and three in 2018. and will close at 5pm on  ursday, 5th and Participation, BME o cer, Welfare Varsity spoke to the presidential can- saw campaigning begin for the  rst year In contrast, two candidates are compet- March. & Community O cer, Disabled Student’s didates about what their campaigns are of the new ‘Cambridge Student Union’ ing for the graduate presidential role, a Alongside the two co-presidential O cer – will be uncontested. focused on. (SU), which was previously two separate decrease from three last year and the roles, candidates will be competing for  e role of Women’s O cer is as popu- Matt Alderton, a third year historian bodies: CUSU and the GU. year before that. six other sabbatical o cer roles, includ- lar as the undergraduate President, with at Magdalene, is likely to be preferred  is year, there will be two co-pres- In total, 17 students are competing ing separate undergraduate and post-  ve students competing for it. idents of the SU, one for undergradu- for the eight full-time sabbatical o cer graduate roles for Access, Education and  ere will also be a vote on the sab- News page 2 ▶

Inside ● To all the girls I hated Pg.12 ● All we are asking is to feel safe Pg.16 ● Talking with Tarana Burke Pg.22 2 Friday 28th February 2020

News Who’s who in New-SU? Meet the 2020 Cambridge SU presidential candidates

Wright promises to reform sexual har- ▶ Continued from front page assment policies by working with JCRs. As well as on a college level, Wright by students who feel disassociated from pledges to work with ARU Students’ CUSU, especially as a result of the colle- Union to launch an anonymous portal giate system. Alderton’s manifesto begins to better understand incidents of all with a memorable alliterative, “Devolve types of abuse that go on in and around and Depoliticise”, which strongly asserts Cambridge. the central points of his campaign. Wright’s ingenious hashtag “#Swipe- Alderton pledges to increase the pow- Wright”, emulating dating app Tinder’s ers of the J/MCRs “by changing the vot- “swipe right” approval, takes centre ing structure of Council, and reducing stage of his manifesto. Wright pledges the pay of the SU executive.” Alderton to create a new website to make navi- told Varsity that “[his] campaign focuses gating the SU clearer and to make it on reforming the inefective and unrep- clear what services the SU provide. His resentative nature of the present SU by concise and punchy manifesto is sure to depoliticising it and devolving powers ❝ echo his promises of clarity. ▲ Candidates for undergraduate president: (from left) Henry Wright, Matt Alderton, Ben Margolis, to the J/MCRs.” Second year HSPS student at Girton, Amira Nandhla & Rusty Smith (COMPOSITE BY STEPHANIE STACEY) Also a third year historian, but this This is the Rusty Smith, told Varsity: “It’s time for nology at St Edmund’s. In her manifesto, well as this, Dahal headed an NGO with time at Robinson, Ben Margolis has made first year a change.” Smith’s campaign is focused Dahal says “Student welfare is the core over 500 students representing all law the biggest variety of pledges in his man- on the “great opportunity to revitalise philosophy guiding my platform”. Da- schools in Nepal. ifesto, from pursuing a fossil fuel- and of the new the Union”, following the recent joining hal is aiming to foster inancial stability Deragon has experience working as arms-free university, to limiting rent of the undergraduate and postgraduate for graduate students, including man- the Admissions and Outreach Oicer, increases to inlation level. ‘Cambridge unions. “he new SU has to be much datory coverage of visa fees and NHS and is currently part of the IT & Market- Margolis told Varsity that he is most Student more visible to students, and the best surcharges. ing team for Shaping Horizons – Sum- focused on his education policy which way to do that is to bring in an innova- Dahal’s manifesto is clear and direct, mit & Action Programme, an initiative “comes as an overall package to improve Union’, tive, entrepreneurial spirit.” with her policies all structurally connect- that gathered young leaders and world Cambridge education for all students- which was Smith’s manifesto sets his proposed ed to one another. Dahal told Varsity it’s leaders to discuss issues related to sci- two vital aspects of that are pursuing a policies into three clear sections: Access, impossible to pick a single main policy, ence, policy and innovation. As well as week 5 reading week to reduce work- previosuly Communication, and Accountability. Un- however her main focus is student men- this, Deragon mentions the personal loads, and implementing a staf appoint- der these subheadings, a clear vision to tal health “especially as the university is experience she has had with univer- ment safeguarding framework across two separate run a “large-scale re-brand and market- faced with a mental health crisis among sity services, including the International colleges that puts the safety of students bodies: CUSU ing campaign” prevails, with multiple its graduate students.” As well as focus- Student Oice, the Counselling Service, irst.” pledges mentioning advertising, market- ing on graduate students, Dahal wants to and the Disability Resource Centre, as Henry Wright, a third year compu- and the GU ing, and visibility. If successful, Smith ensure knowledge-sharing between the she herself is dyslexic. ter-science student at Homerton, has will take a year out from his studies to SU, J/MCRs and diferent student groups, Cambridge-SU elections will contin- a catchy and varied manifesto. Under ❞ serve as president. such as those involved in Decolonisa- ue using the Single Transferable Vote the three pledges used as headings, “do Perhaps the joker of the pack is irst tion, Demilitarisation, and Divestment system, following that of CUSU elec- more”, “listen better”, and “talk less”, year historian, Amira Nandhla, who told campaigns. tions previously. Varsity that she “decided to run for a Luisa A. Deragon Garcia is also com- Re-open Nominations (RON) will also bet”. Her manifesto, with no photos or peting for the graduate presidential role. be a candidate in all elections. editors Lottie Reeder & Jess Ma [email protected] deputy editors Olivia Emily & Molly Killeen [email protected] details of past experience, is a sole list Deragon is a fourth year PhD student in he full manifestos of each candidate magazine editor Gabriel Humphreys [email protected] of 19 pledges, including in irst place, Biological Sciences at Girton. Deragon were published yesterday morning on deputy magazine editor Caterina Bragoli [email protected] “Abolish CUSU”, and in second place, is also driven by mental health issues the Cambridge SU website. digital editor Sally Patterson & Sophie Evans [email protected] “Focus on student issues.” Alongside in her campaign. he most important A referendum to vote on merging business manager Mark Curtis [email protected] news editors Sophie Huskisson & Victor Jack (Senior); Amy Batley & these, Nandhla demands to “Nation- policy for her is determining clear rights the separate undergraduate and post- Christopher Dorrell (Deputy) [email protected] alise Mainsbury’s and Van of Life” and and responsibilities for students and su- graduate unions together took place in news correspondents Grace Lozinski, Lottie Elton, Louis Mian, Alexander that “RAG blind date is a legally binding pervisors. Michaelmas 2019, which saw 2,272 votes Shtyrov, Beatriz Valero de Urquia, Ellie Arden, Gaby Vides, Jack Chellman, contract and pairs are obligated to get Deragon’s manifesto is emotive and in favour of the motion. Joanna Neve, Matthew Parkes, Olivia Mustafa, Peter Mumford, Sam Crawley, Tash Dangoor, Alex Bolot, Yinuo Meng, Zac Ntim married.” passionate, referencing the personal is- CUSU elections last year saw hot investigations editors Amy Batley & Howard Chae [email protected] Nandhla said that “essentially this en- sues she has had with supervisors. Given competition as all roles were contest- interviews editors Georgina Buckle, James Milner and Kyoka Hadano tire campaign is a way of surveying the this, Deragon pledges to “help create a ed, with the role of Disabled Students’ [email protected] student body of Cambridge in order to healthy work/social life balance… [and] Oicer seeing competition for the irst features editors Khadija Tahir & Inez Daltrop (Senior), Orsolya Petocz (Deputy) [email protected] see how engaged they actually are with Identifying and understanding current, time since its creation. opinion editors Oliver Moodie & Cordelia Sigurdsson (Senior); Freya Lewis CUSU and if they care at all.” If success- prevailing issues graduate students face.” Presidential candidates Edward (Deputy) [email protected] ful in her campaign, Nandhla said she She told Varsity that “I’m not saying I’ll Parker Humphreys and Shadab Ahmed science editors Rosamund Powell & Serena Li [email protected] would likely continue with her degree solve them, but I promise to ight for channelled their soft power to charm sport editors Joseph Powell (Senior); Chloe Henshaw (Deputy) [email protected] at the same time as the full-time, paid students’ rights as hard as I did for my potential voters - with Parker Hum- violet editor Katey Parker [email protected] presidential role, exhibiting her level of PhD.” phreys rolling out a Mean Girls-themed arts editors Damian Walsh & Juliette Odolant [email protected] commitment to the role. Dahal, who is a lawyer by training, version of ‘hank you, next’ and Ahmed film & tv editors Jake Boud & Maria Kaminska [email protected] Alderton, Smith, and Wright all have has a huge amount of experience, in- serenading the public with a rendition music editors Nick Harris & Betty Townley [email protected] fashion editors Mier Foo & Isabel Sebode [email protected] previous presidential experience. Al- cluding two graduate degrees at Cam- of Niall Horan’s ‘Slow Hands’, titled ‘Safe theatre editors Solal Bauer & Frances Arnold [email protected] derton, with the most, has served as bridge. At the University, Dahal was Hands’ for the extra security oomph. lifestyle editor Anna Stephenson & Maya Yousif [email protected] Vice-President of Magdalene JCR and Vice-President of St Edmund’s, as is Last year’s hustings saw intense con- Switchboard producers Belle George , Alie Barrishi, and Holly MacAskill President of the University’s History now a Graduate Union employee. As testation between the GU Presidential [email protected] chief sub-editor Hania Bar [email protected] society. Wright has also served as Vice- candidates on graduate students’ sense sub-editors Emma Taylor, Dan Pace, Emily Fox, Rachel Forrest, Sarah Brady, President, on his JCR at Homerton. of belonging with CUSU and the pos- Sarah Ibberson, Lucas Pringle Smith has served as the Co-President sibility of increasing the number of illustrations & photography Lois Wright [email protected] of the University’s Advertising and Mar- graduate students. varsoc president Catherine Lally [email protected] associate editors Rosie Bradbury, Isobel Bickersteth, Joe Cook, Oliver keting society. Competition for the role of Education Rhodes, Miles Ricketts, Maia Wyn Davies, Stephanie Stacey, Chloe Bayliss, Margolis and Smith have both served Oicer was one of the iercest competi- Kiran Khanom, Charlotte Lillywhite, Raphael Korber Hofman and Katy Bennett as faculty board representatives of the tion among the sabbatical roles, with [email protected] History faculty. Overall, Margolis taken candidates Howard Chae and Ali Hyde varsity board Dr Michael Franklin (Chairman), Prof Peter Robinson, Dr Tim ◀ Candidates Harris, Michael Derringer, Caitlin Smith, Noella Chye, Louis Ashworth, Anna the most innovative action over his time for postgradu- emphasising what sets them apart Menin, Daniel Gayne, Ellie Howcroft at Cambridge, being the core organiser from each other during hustings, dem- ate president: for both the Robinson Living Wage and onstrating their distinct approaches to Aastha Dahal © Varsity Publications ltd, 2019. all rights reserved. no part of this publication may be Cut the Rent campaigns. the role. reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, (left) & Luisa mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the publisher. Both of the candidates running for Howard Chae is a member of the Varsity Varsity, 16 Mill lane, cambridge cb2 1rX. telephone 01223 337575. the postgraduate presidential role are Deragon (right) team but has been removed from all of Varsity is published by Varsity Publications ltd. Varsity Publications also publishes he Mays. PhD candidates. Aastha Dahal has just (COMPOSITE BY Varsity’s communication channels for the Printed at ilife Print cambridge – Winship road, Milton, cambridge cb24 6PP on 42.5gsm newsprint. registered as a newspaper at the Post oice. issn 1758-4442. completed her Viva for her PhD in Crimi- STEPHANIE STACEY) duration of the campaign. Friday 28th February 2020 3

News peter Hutchinson is still an NEWS Varsity sums MMl Emeritus reader, despite up Trinity Hall Controversy sexual harassment claims Page 6 ▶

discussing texts with a diicult sexual gation by Tortoise Media that Hutchinson ▶ Continued from front page content.” He says he “regularly used hu- wrote an erotic novel about students in FEaturES Content Note: this article contains discus- mour to lighten the situation” and used the same year, set at a icticious oxford sion of sexual harassment. the questions to encourage students to college and following a irst year student “assess their personal response to the named “peter”. Translating the un- alumni have called for the Faculty to re- work... in order to assess how successful Hutchinson argues the book should translatable view the decision in light of the sexual the author has been”. not be taken too seriously and speaking harassment accusations against Hutch- Varsity understands that around 13 to Tortoise said, “Does the novel speak to a inson. When questioned on the message days after the Master of trinity Hall met particular view of undergraduate women Page 13 ▶ this sent to students, a spokesperson for ❝ Hutchinson to discuss these allegations which is troubling in a teacher? i suppose the university said: “he Faculty and uni- a decision was made by the Business that some might say so, but this is iction, versity take all issues related to sexual I hope this Committee of the university Council, the not life… an author very rarely thinks the opiNioN misconduct and harassment extremely decision university’s top decision making body, to same way as his main character.” seriously.” change the statutes in relation to Emeri- previously, in 2005, Hutchinson faced in 2015, Hutchinson stopped teaching is now tus professors and readers. trial after a former student accused him he face of feminism at trinity Hall following ten complaints subject to his decision, which was recorded in of sexual assault. after an initial mistrial, from students accusing him of sexual the reporter, amended the statutes to he was acquitted of all charges, an event today harassment in relation to “inappropriate scrutiny make clear that Emeritus professors and which was marked by a party at trinity sexual and sexist comments”. according readers are “without statutory duties or Hall. to the BBC, one complainant said Hutchin- ❞ powers” and the title “is retained on an Ellie pyemont, who made this com- son asked if they “ever had any love bites?” honorary basis, rather than a new title plaint, said it was “disappointing to see during a seminar and, while discussing granted. ” that the MMl faculty have not reviewed a dominatrix in a book, asked a female he university did not respond to a peter Hutchinson’s Emeritus reader sta- student: “Does that turn you on?” request for comment on whether the de- tus” and that it was “at odds with #Break- Hutchinson rejects the allegations of cision was made in relation to the com- ingtheSilence on sexual misconduct.” harassment and said comments he made plaints about Dr Huchinson, who at that “He’s notched up a charge and ultimate were rhetorical questions asked “main- time was a Emeritus reader. acquittal for sexual assault, ten student ly during supervisions when we were it also recently emerged in an investi- complaints of sexual harassment, and self-published an erotic novel featur- ❝ ing undergraduates – what else do they I see no need?” Hutchinson conirmed to Varsity that he still holds the position of Emeritus valid reader and said he saw “no valid reason reason to to resign this title.” “i resigned from trinity Hall partly ▲ (KatE toWSEY) resign this for reasons of health, partly to save the title College from a diicult situation. in the light of recent events, that resignation Page 15 ▶ ❞ achieved very little”, he explained, ref- erencing his resig-nation as Emeritus Fellow in November and the recent fall- SCiENCE out at trinity Hall following the tortoise investigation. He also said he had not been on Sidg- Taking steps in the wick Site in several years and while he believed his Emeritus readership gave right direction Could you be the next him the right to access the MMl Faculty and library, he has “never exercised this Page 20 ▶ right and [is] unlikely to do so.” “here are no speciic beneits con- Editor of Varsity? veyed by the title. i have been to the oc- casional Christmas dinner organised by Applications to be Varsity’s Editor for Easter Term are now open. Please the Department of German (for which ViolEt check out our website for further information on how to apply. i had to pay, of course), but i was not invited last year.” However, there have Give it up for our been calls for the MMl faculty to remove You will lead a team producing online content throughout the term a�ter Hutchinson’s title. beloved bedders our 24thApril 2020 print edition and be responsible for producing our tifany page, Cambridge Sociology lec- new for 2020, Varsity Review & Yearbook – a circa 60 page A4 glossy turer and co-founder of the 1752 Group, Page 34 ▶ which lobbies to end sexual misconduct magazine, which will replace our customary ‘May Week’ newspaper at universities, called on the the MMl edition and be published on 12th June 2020. faculty “to address why Dr Hutchinson remains an Emeritus reader, and his af- Sport No previous experience at Varsity is required for the role. All students iliation to the faculty.” “Either giving an individual emeritus who are passionate about journalism, have creative direction for the status or allowing them to remain aili- he Pedagogical Power new magazine, coupled with a high level of expertise with Adobe ated to a department sends a clear mes- sage to students, both current and future, of Backgammon InDesign and an eye for layout and design are encouraged to apply. and staf that his behaviour is acceptable, or, equally as problematic, that MMl has Page 40 ▶ Direct questions to the Varsoc President at [email protected], or not even considered its impact.” the Editors at [email protected]. Emma Hart, who graduated from trinity Hall in 1999, also called on the th Faculty to take action: “i hope this deci- he deadline for applications is midday, Friday 6 March 2020. sion is now subject to scrutiny and po- Interviews will take place on the morning of Tuesday 10th March 2020. tential review.”he university and the MMl faculty have been contacted for comment. 4 F  28 F   2020 News Huawei accused of ‘reputation laundering’ a ter funding a Jesus College study

and OECD. of the Henry Jackson Society, com- important interest”. This group was going to be backed Beatriz Valero de Urquia The study claims that the grant mented that “It is deeply disturb- Last week, it was announced that by up to £25 million in funding and News Correspondent “was accepted under an agreement ing that Huawei has been able to the London School of Economics ap- contributions over the following between the parties to uphold the buy itself a publication endorsed proved a three-year project in the five years and their research would Huawei, a Chinese technology principle of academic freedom, and by Cambridge University”. development of 5G technology fund- focus on issues regarding “photon- multinational, has been accused act to encourage and support open A Jesus College spokesperson told ed by Huawei. OpenDemocracy had ics, digital and access network in- of “reputation laundering” after it and free inquiry and dialogue in re- Varsity: “We work with a range of access to internal documents that frastructure and media technologies was discovered that the company search collaborations.” international partners to support showed that the university was to alongside work aimed at enhancing funded a Cambridge University Col- One of the propositions of the research and innovation, maintain- receive £105,000 from the Chinese the societal impact of communica- lege study. study used Huawei as a model: “For ing robust academic freedom at all company to fund this research. tions technologies”. The study, published two weeks example, to stimulate competitors, times. Labour MP Chris Bryant criti- Last year, Oxford University ago, focuses on global governance all intellectual property associated “Jesus College Cambridge and cised this decision in a conversa- announced that it would suspend reforms in communications and with 5G has been made freely avail- Huawei have a two-year research tion with openDemocracy: “Chinese donations from Huawei, after ac- technology, with contributors from able by the CEO of Huawei, making and innovation agreement, explor- companies are deliberately seeking cusations that China was using its academia, politics, and business. this a fruitful time to be a European ing global telecommunications well-respected UK universities to ties to “subvert” academic insti- Huawei is the only company with technology company working on and technology development. The launder their reputation”. tutions. Other universities such more than one contributor in the these issues.” China-UK Global Issues Dialogue In November 2017, BT and Hua- as Stanford University and Mas- paper. An acknowledgement that various Centre owns all research results; wei announced a 5-year initiative sachusetts Institute of Technol- This white paper was a result of countries “have blocked Huawei, cit- Huawei cannot veto the publica- with the aim of establishing a joint ogy (MIT) shortly made similar a conference held last October at ing intelligence concerns” but stated tion of views, research findings or research and collaboration group at announcements. Jesus College as part of its China- that “there is currently no independ- conclusions.” the University of Cambridge. Professor Anthony Glees, head UK Global Issues Dialogue Centre, ent institution able to adjudicate The China-UK Global Issues Dia- Professor Stephen Toope, Vice- of the Centre for Security and funded by a research grant given whether these concerns are valid.” logue Centre says on their website Chancellor at the University of Cam- Intelligence Studies at the Uni- by Huawei. The conference was was included in the report. that it is “committed to promoting bridge, commented on this project versity of Buckingham, told The attended by representatives from However, Bob Seely, a Tory on the active dialogue between academics, saying: “By working with BT and Telegraph that companies like technological firms including Hua- Commons Foreign Affairs Commit- policy makers and business people Huawei we will be able to demon- Huawei’s of “buying reputations wei but also Google, Facebook, Ali- tee, told The Times that the arrange- around major issues we face in the strate that the insights delivered and influence” and stressed that baba, United Nations Conference on ment “looks like reputation launder- world today and tomorrow, and in through our research have a broad donations needed to be “regulated Trade and Development, the ITU, ing”. Moreover, Matthew Henderson, which China has an increasingly impact.” and ethically sound”.

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Find out more at hoganlovells.com/graduates F  28 F   2020 5 News

Cambridge’s work on coronavirus BIRDS-EYE VIEW CAMBRIDGE CARBON CLEAR TV could help birds Emissions could vaccine advancing ‘very quickly’, live longer reduce by 90% says academic According to a new study by the Researchers from the University are University, birds can learn which foods working with the county council to iden- Novavax has also begun testing a vac- cautious to give estimates of exact tim- to avoid by watching videos of other tify the best ways for Cambridgeshire to Victor Jack cine on animal models, while American ings for when human trials will begin, birds do the same. Ater watching reach the UK’s recently adopted net zero Senior News Editor biotechnology giant Gilead has started as their primary objective was focused birds’ reaction to good-tasting and emissions target by 2050. eir strategy human trials for its antiviral drug, Rem-  rst and foremost “on the safety of the bad-tasting food in marked packets, for achieving this goal involves the full A Cambridge postdoctoral scientist who desivir. vaccine”. fewer Blue Tits and Great Tits chose electri cation of almost all vehicles, full is part of the University’s e orts to de- “Coronaviruses are known to be di - According to Kingsley, the UK gov- to eat when presented with food from decarbonisation of the nation grid and velop a vaccine for the novel corona- cult to develop vaccines against,” Kings- ernment has earmarked £20 million the bad-tasting packets. By watching large-scale investment in public trans- virus (COVID-19) has said that work is ley told Varsity. She said that “previ- in funding for COVID-19 vaccine re- others, birds can learn safely which port. A 90% reduction in Cambridge- “already well under way”, but noted that ous experimental coronavirus vaccines search. prey are best to eat. e  ndings may shire’s county-level emissions is possible a current lack of funding was hindering have caused side e ects in pre-clinical However, recipients of the funds have help increase the survival rates of by 2050 if their policies are taken up. faster progress. studies, making lung disease worse and not been announced. Kingsley stressed birds. Rebecca Kingsley, a liated to Cam- were abandoned before human clinical that only with more funding will the bridge’s Infectious Diseases Interdisci- trials began.” team be able to “continue progressing BISCUIT BOOKMARK FROG FATALITIES plinary Research Centre, is part of Cam- However, Kingsley explained that the through the production of the vaccine bridge’s team leading development of a team is “us[ing] innovative technolo- to the required regulatory standards Crumbling biccie Cambridgeshire vaccine. She argued that their work is gies to avoid the problem by selecting and then into the  rst human clinical found in rare book toads in peril currently focusing on “the design and speci c coronavirus proteins that will trial.” pre-clinical phase of vaccine testing”. be incorporated in the vaccine and will “An increase in funding allows for an Librarians at the UL Special Collections e news has come as the number trigger the human immune system to increase in resources and this would Cambridgeshire and Peterborough found a half-eaten chocolate chip of con rmed cases in the UK rose to 16 produce the important and focussed enable us to speed up the work ow in Amphibian and Reptile Group is biscuit functioning as a bookmark as of ursday aternoon, while Italy – antibody responses that we need to the lab”, she said. working to make life less hazardous in a rare Tudor volume of Augustine Europe’s worst a ected country – has protect us against the virus.” “We are already moving very quickly for Cambridgeshire’s toad population. dating from the 16th century. e seen case numbers rise well above 500. Kingsley added that the research- and with an increase in manpower we eir creative initiatives include toad manuscript was given to the University Public Health England (PHE) and Cam- ers, also including Head of University’s can move even faster.” patrols, installing new toad signs and by a grammar school in 1970. Restorers bridge colleges have also stepped up Laboratory of Viral Zoonotics Professor Kingsley also emphasised that custom-made toad ladders placed in have removed the decaying biscuit but their advice, recommending self-iso- Jonathan Heeney, have “a strong work- though “there is no doubt that we drains to prevent toads from getting unfortunately it has let behind a greasy lation to all those travelling from Iran, ing relationship” with PHE. Ater initial need to take this outbreak seriously stuck and drowning. Over the past stain. It is thought that a grammar and certain areas in both Northern Italy testing in Cambridge, the vaccine will and public health measures to prevent 30 years, the population of common schoolboy may be the culpit, having and South Korea even if not displaying be sent for its  nal stage of pre-clinical the spread of the disease are of utmost toads has declined by almost 70% accidentally dropped his snack in the symptoms. testing at PHE. importance,” there is “no sense in pan- across the UK with East Anglia being book and forgotten about it. In the US, pharmaceutical company But both Kingsley nor Heeney were icking.” one of the most a ected areas.

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* BOOKING ESSENTIAL VISIT THE FITZ EVENT PAGE FOR DETAILS 6 F  28 F   2020 News Trinity Hall investigation fallout continues

college to “restore faith in its policies and tion, CUSU demanded the Revd Canon Dr Jer- ensure that all future responses to this situa- Howard Chae structures”. emy Morris’s resignation as Master of Trinity tion are transparent, accountable, and put the Investigations Editor Signed by more than 210 current and Hall and University Councillor. This was reiter- welfare of students and staff first.” Molly Killeen Deputy Editor former students of Trinity Hall, the letter is ated in an open letter by the CUSU Women’s In an open letter to Morris which was pub- addressed to the College’s Governing Body Campaign which called for all colleges to rec- lished by Varsity, the parent of a student whose Content Note: is article contains detailed and says it is intended to “voice our concerns ognise that they “are inadequately equipped complaint of sexual assault was allegedly mis- discussion of sexual harassment and assault and demand reform in light of the alleged to handle cases of sexual misconduct” and to handled by Trinity Hall called on the Master to and disciplinary proceedings concerning these misconduct and mismanagement outlined commit to a “centralised disciplinary proce- resign for his failure to “[make] the safeguarding issues. in [the] Tortoise Media article.” dure for cases of sexual misconduct” based of the young people under your care your most Pressure has been mounting on Trinity Hall “We have suffered a serious loss of trust on the findings and recommendations of the important priority.” A separate statement by the since last week’s publication of an investiga- in the senior management of the college, due Office of Student Conduct, Complaints, and three former students whose sexual assault cases tion by Tortoise Media into alleged mishandling to the institutional failings of procedure and Appeals (OSCCA). It has been signed by more were the subject of the Tortoise Media investiga- of sexual assault complaints by senior mem- mishandling of complaints,” the signatories than 840 current and former students. tion demanded the replacement of the College’s bers of college staff. In the latest development, continue. Last Friday, Trinity Hall announced that current leadership with “fellows without con- an open letter has been published urging the Within days of the Tortoise article’s publica- both Morris and Dr William O’Reilly had flicts of interest” and an “external, independent, agreed to temporarily withdraw from their and transparent investigation” into both the “spe- respective positions duties within the College, cific cases raised by the article and [...] the wider “pending [its] further consideration of recent culture and management of the College.” Recap: events.” O’Reilly was the Acting Senior Tutor Last Tuesday, Morris announced that Trin- The Tortoise Investigation at Trinity Hall who oversaw the disciplinary ity Hall’s Governing Body will review policies procedure at the centre of the Tortoise article and procedures on governance, “to consider On 18th February Tortoise Media pub- Mathematics – Graduate Assistant and who has also been accused of sexual as- any improvements to the executive processes lished a lengthy article detailing the dis- sault by a student. of the College” and “Disciplinary, Harassment, ciplinary process which followed reports September 2020 This was followed by Morris’s temporary and other associated processes to [...] to give by multiple women of sexual assault by withdrawal from his position on the University reassurance to students, staff and alumni that another student. The article outlines how Radley College seeks to appoint a Mathematics Graduate Assistant to work at the Council and the resignation of Vice Master and any specific claims or complaints we receive the Acting Senior Tutor in charge of over- school for the academic year 2020-21. he position is designed to give a recent Acting Master Dr Nick Bampos on Tuesday. are thoroughly and carefully handled, in ac- seeing the process, Dr William O’Reilly, was graduate in Mathematics (or in a Maths related subject) the opportunity to gain Bampos, who chaired the committee tasked cordance with best practice.” said to have a ‘close relationship’ with the experience of teaching Maths to 13-18 year olds. It is extremely likely that a with adjudicating upon the 2018 case covered The following evening, Trinity Hall an- student against whom the complaints full-time post will be available in September 2021. by Tortoise, explained that he was “mindful nounced at an open meeting between senior were made, ‘D’. According to Tortoise’s in- You will teach a reduced workload – about 12-15 forty-minute periods per week. of the current issues surrounding the Col- staff and students that it had set up a panel of vestigation ‘D’ had specifically requested We will give the necessary training and also provide the opportunity for lesson lege which will require careful leadership to “unconflicted Fellows” to investigate the issues to have Dr O’Reilly as his personal tutor observation. he person we hope to appoint will be an enthusiast for Mathematics, resolve.” raised in the Tortoise Media article and report in 2017 and both were part of the same who is considering a career in teaching. Being a boarding school there is also plenty “Under the circumstances I do not feel that its interim findings to the Governing Body in secretive dining club. of opportunity for the willing candidate to involve themselves in the extra-curricular the best interests of the College will be served the first week of March. Students at the open To consider whether disciplinary ac- life of the College with me in the role,” he continued. meeting, however, expressed concerns about tion should be taken, a ‘Junior Member’s In addition to a salary and an excellent working environment, the College will seek Trinity Hall’s Governing Body will meet in the membership of this panel, particularly the Committee’ (JMC) was convened, made to provide accommodation and meals during term time are free. More information the week of 2nd March “to elect a new Vice involvement of Junior Bursar Glen Sharp. The up of three academics and chaired by the on the role can be found at Master to assume the duties of Acting Mas- JCR committee later agreed in a meeting that college’s Vice Master, Nick Bampos. During https://www.radley.org.uk/about-radley/employment/teaching-vacancies. ter in accordance with College Statutes and Sharp should not “should not sit on [the] panel,” these proceedings, ‘D’ called O’Reilly as a Ordinances, pending further investigation of as he was “too involved” in the College’s past witness. The Senior Tutor used his time Deadline for applications is 2 March 2020. events.” mishandling of the complaints,” according to in front of the JMC to accuse Dr Nicholas At the present moment, it is not clear how meeting minutes seen by Varsity. Guyatt, then an academic at Trinity Hall Radley College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and long Morris and O’Reilly will be stepping back The open letter from students published this and the tutor supporting those making the Disclosure and Barring Service. from their various posts for. With regards to week demands that the College takes “six es- the complaints, of having unfairly guided their respective college duties, Trinity Hall sential steps” to restore this trust, each of which and encouraged the women in formally stated that “[t]his will be until the College, in was discussed and approved at an open meeting reporting their assaults to the college. accordance with its Ordinances and the time attended by more than 80 students on Mon- The JMC ultimately concluded that it frames available to it, can consult further.” day. These demands include an externally-led couldn’t “on the balance of probabilities, On Monday, students and staff at the His- investigation into “both the events specified in conclude whether these acts happened”, tory Faculty were notified by Faculty Chair the Tortoise Media article and historical cases of but suspended and initiated an investi- Professor Alexandra Walsham that O’Reilly alleged sexual misconduct at the College.” gation into Guyatt, who was exonerated had “voluntarily stepped back from his Faculty The letter specifies that such an investigation in 2019 by an external lawyer called in to Economics – Graduate Assistant teaching,” and that the field-trips to Central “must be executed by a body independent of establish the facts. Despite this, Guyatt’s Europe he runs as part of his Part II papers for the University with expertise in sexual mis- pose at Trinity Hall was not renewed and September 2020 undergraduate students had been cancelled. conduct cases and procedures,” and that Drs he has since moved to Jesus College. Radley College seeks to appoint an Economics Graduate Assistant to work at the The History Faculty will be meeting with Morris and O’Reilly resign from their current Tortoise also revealed that two months school for the academic year 2020-21. he position is designed to give a recent student representatives next Monday to discuss positions within Trinity Hall and be replaced before the disciplinary proceedings on this graduate in Economics the opportunity to gain experience of teaching Economics to an open letter signed by more than 300 cur- by “people completely unrelated to the matters case began, O’Reilly himself had been ac- the Lower Sixth Form pupils. It is very possible that a full-time post will be rent and former students, which demanded the raised in the Tortoise Media article” in the event cused of sexual assault by another student available in September 2021. suspension of O’Reilly from his teaching duties that they are found by this proposed panel to at the college. You will teach a reduced workload – about 20 forty-minute periods per week. We in the Faculty “pending further investigation of have “mishandled their duties.” While O’Reilly was not made aware of will give the necessary training and also provide the opportunity for lesson the allegations against him, in the interests of It also demands that “the findings of any the complaint against him until October observation. he person we hope to appoint will be an enthusiast for Economics, the safety of students and staff.” external investigation [...] be made available 2018, at which point he voluntarily attend- who is considering a career in teaching. The letter criticises the Faculty Chair for ask- to the Trinity Hall membership, to ensure full ed a police interview after which no further ing students to “refrain from discussing the mat- transparency and accountability,” and that min- action was taken, Trinity Hall’s master, the Being a full-time boarding school there is also plenty of opportunity for the willing ter with the press or on social media” the details uted discussions of “any matters related to these Revd Canon Dr Jeremy Morris had known candidate to involve themselves in the extra-curricular life of the College. of the Tortoise Media article, and argued that the events” at meetings of the College’s Governing about the allegation for a prior five months. In addition to a salary and an excellent working environment, the College will seek Faculty was “actively contributing to a broader Body be made publicly disclosable. During this time he allowed O’Reilly to re- to provide accommodation and meals during term time are free. More information culture of silence and fear, where both students e letter also calls for Trinity Hall to re- main in his post as Acting Senior Tutor, on the role can be found at and staff alike are discouraged from speaking form its disciplinary policies and procedures refraining from investigating the allegation https://www.radley.org.uk/about-radley/employment/teaching-vacancies. out about sexual abuse and misconduct.” for cases of alleged sexual misconduct and in or taking any ‘preventative’ action. Commenting on Walsham’s subsequent the meantime, refer all cases to the OSCCA. During this time, O’Reilly continued Deadline for applications is 2 March 2020. apology and announcement of a meeting It states that these reforms should follow the to oversee the disciplinary proceedings Radley College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be with student representatives, undergraduate recommendations of the proposed independ- concerning the case against ‘D’. willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. representative Owen Dowling told Varsity that ent investigators and the CUSU Women’s he will be pushing for an open meeting “where Campaign, which recently released its own ▲ Trinity Hall Flag (LOUIS ASHWORTH students can express their concerns [...] and list of demands. F  28 F   2020 7 News Postgraduate application fee criticised as ‘sign cant barrier’ to improving access

Asylum seekers and those with refu- Louis Mian ◀The fee was raised from £50 to £65 gee status also qualify for the waiver, as News Correspondent in 2018 (LOUIS ASHWORTH do applicants from countries included on the UN’s list of Least Developed  e £65 application fee for postgraduate higher application fees than Cambridge, Countries, the World Bank’s list of Low courses at the University has come under with Oxford charging £75 and applica- Income Countries, and the OECD’s list increasing criticism, with the Graduate tions for certain courses at UCL costing of countries in receipt of Overseas De- Union President, Alessandro Ceccarelli, as much as £150. velopment Aid. describing it as “a signi cant barrier to  rough UCAS, an undergraduate ap- If somebody applies for more than fair access to study at Cambridge”. plication costs £20, or £25 for multiple one course at the University, they are Raised from £50 in 2018, the fee has applications up to a maximum of ve. charged for each of their applications. been seen as a potential deterrent to A University Spokesperson told Var-  e only exception to this is if they are talented students applying to the Uni- sity, “To deliver an e ective service we applying to the Graduate School of Life versity. need to levy an application fee, just as Sciences, which enables three appli-  ese concerns follow calls for Oxford other universities do, and UCAS does for cations to be submitted with a single University to abandon their postgradu- undergraduates.” £65 fee. ate application charge which has been “We are mindful of the obstacle this  e application fee is not waived branded “elitist and arrogant” by an may create for some applicants, and under any other circumstance and is academic. A resolution to phase out the so have expanded our application fee charged to students already at the Uni- fee will come before Oxford’s governing waiver scheme.” versity. body next month. “We are committed to widening par- Speaking to Varsity, GU President Many universities, such as Cardi , Ex- ticipation at postgraduate level and have Ceccarelli explained, “Over the last two eter, and York, do not levy an application appointed an o cer to take forward this years, the Graduate Union has helped to fee, whilst others charge signi cantly work,” they continued. limit proposed rises in the application lower rates.  e University of Glasgow,  e application fee is waived for stu- fee and has worked with the Graduate for instance, makes postgraduate appli- dents who, within the last four years, Admissions O ce to expand the system cants pay £25 and this fee is not charged have been in receipt of full state support of fee waivers.” for every course. for maintenance, as an undergraduate “ ere is still a lot of work to do,” Some universities, however, do have student. he added.

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Visit Barbri-International.com or email [email protected] to learn more. 8 Friday 28th February 2020 NewsNews UCU Strikes Back to the picket lines: Cambridge’s 3 waves of strikes in 3 years

making processes, and more direct in- Sophie Huskisson, Jess Ma, Zac volvement in negotiations. Ntim & Gaby Vides susanne Hakenbeck, a senior Lecturer in Historical Archaeology and member he University and College Union (UCU), of Cambridge UCU, told Varsity: “since which represents around 110,000 staf CUCU is not recognised by the Univer- working at universities across the UK, sity, we don’t have a regular low of com- is currently well under way in its third munication with the University manage- wave of strikes over the past three aca- ment, as is the case at other universities demic years. Varsity has spoken to mem- where UCU is recognised.” bers of Cambridge UCU to trace staf de- “his makes it diicult for us to make mands from 2018 up until now, as well as our voices heard. hursday’s Open Meet- changes in the dispute nationally. ing with the Vice Chancellor shows that February – March 2018 strikes: he management is much more receptive to Pensions Dispute listen to students’ concerns than to those Beginning in February 2018, the UCU of staf. we are very grateful to CUsU for undertook 14 days of escalating indus- inviting us along to this event.” trial action at 65 universities across How has student support varied the UK to challenge proposed plans by since 2018? Universities UK (UUK) which would As with this round of strikes, and see ‘deined beneit’ pension schemes the enduring support of student cam- for university staf on incomes under paigners, including Cambridge defend £55,000 replaced by ‘deined contribu- education and Cambridge Zero Carbon, tion’ pension schemes. the irst wave saw support from some his would have meant that instead student groups and mounting pres- of providing a guaranteed income upon sure at the University level. here was retirement, the value of pensions would a ive-day occupation of Old schools, depend on returns from underlying in- with student occupiers leaving after vestments. UCU cited analysis that de- Toope agreed to an open meeting, and ined contribution schemes could po- that striking academics would not be tentially leave a typical lecturer almost expected to reschedule teaching time £10,000 a year worse of in retirement. without pay. he UUK made a new proposal in In 2018, CUsU Council voted on wheth- March 2018, which included the intro- er to support a motion calling for reim- duction of a ‘Joint expert Panel’ (JeP) to bursement to students afected by missed assess any future transition to ‘deined contact hours. he issue split many sup- contribution’ pension funds. Professor portive of the strike: some claimed that Clément Mouhout, a mathematician at any calls for reimbursement reinforced King’s and then-member of Cambridge the ‘marketisation’ of higher education UCU’s industrial action committee, told while others, including several Cam- Varsity that between the Lent 2018 and bridge UCU members, argued that calls the Michaelmas 2019 strikes, the JeP for refunds would make the strike more examined the valuation of the pension disruptive, and therefore more efective. scheme and how to resolve the conlict. ▲ Members of Cambridge UCU on the picket lines in November 2019 (ANdrew HyNes) However, the motion was rejected. He said that UCU was “sad to report Last week, a motion “to increase the however that the two reports produced Uss pensions for september 2019. 80% voted in favour of strike action. the indings of the Joint expert Panel. efectiveness of strike action” was pro- by this panel have been ignored by the November 2019: Strikes for pay Cambridge UCU announced last week Member contributions to the scheme posed by a current undergraduate sU employers and the managers of the pen- equality, and pensions again that, following the November strikes, the are set to rise even further to 11% in 2021 presidential candidate, Henry wright, sion fund.” November 2019 saw eight days of UCU Hr Committee at the University have unless an alternative agreement can be which aimed to “get the University to What is the Joint Expert Panel? industrial action. agreed to consider the transfer of hourly reached in the 2020 valuation. listen in the only way they actually do he Joint expert Panel (JeP) compris- he key diference between this round paid teachers to employment contracts, susanne Hakenbeck, a senior Lecturer which is to hurt them inancially”, and es six members, three appointed by UUK of strikes and those in 2018 was the in- along with a review of around 700 ixed- in Historical Archaeology and member that strike refunds were a policy of an- and three from UCU. he chairperson is clusion of action against unfair pay and term contracts in roles in roles of an on- of Cambridge UCU, told Varsity: “Aside ti-marketisation “since it shows a huge independent: Joanne segers OBe, who inequality in addition to pensions. going nature, to identify who staf that from more branches taking part this negative of their approach to pricing of took up the role in May 2018. In April 2018, following a round of could be transferred from ixed-term to time, this new round of strikes is not education as fees”. while the JeP deliberated, the Uni- negotiations in which UCU demanded open-ended roles. fundamentally diferent from the strikes He argued that the 2020 strikes was versities superannuation scheme (Uss), pay uplifts for employees, the Universi- Lorena Gazzotti, Cambridge UCU anti- in Michaelmas 2019. he current man- evidence that “the irst round wasn’t one of the largest higher education pen- ties and Colleges employers’ Association casualisation oicer, described this as date for industrial action is live from efective enough in getting senior uni sion schemes, announced that, as the (UCeA) proposed a 1.7% pay increase, “a huge win” in their campaign to sup- November to April (6 months). Unfor- management to change their mind.” legal deadline for addressing the pension raising this ofer to 2% in May. his igure port casualised staf at the University: “A tunately, negotiations did not lead to an It was rejected after opposition from fund’s deicit had passed, it would raise was not consistent with the rate of inla- year ago none of this would have been ofer that UCU could accept, so the union attendees, including from Ben Margolis, both staf and employer contributions to tion, translating as a real terms wage cut possible.” has decided to up the pressure with a also an undergraduate sU presidential maintain the scheme’s beneits, in line for employees. February – March 2020: Largest new round of strike days.” candidate, who argued that fee refunds with statutory procedure. he proposed since then, several ballots on strike education strikes in modern times Cambridge UCU cites ‘hurdle of would feed “into the logic of marketisa- raises would be introduced over a year; action over unfair pay and pay inequality In the current wave of strikes, staf at communication’ tion”, and he pointed out that “fee re- rising from the status quo staf contri- have failed to surpass the 50% turnout 74 universities across the UK, nine more Cambridge UCU have said that they funds were not necessary in 2018 for the bution of 8% to 8.8% in April 2019 and required by the Trade Union Act 2016. than in 2018, are undertaking 14 days of face challenges of communication with university and UUK to make signiicant 10.4% in October. hese strikes were further prompted industrial action staggered across Feb- the University establishment which oth- concessions in negotiations”. A review was released by the JeP in after the chair of the Joint Negotiat- ruary and March. Although this marks er regional branches of UCU do not. It is notable now that some JCrs september 2018, criticising the mecha- ing Committee backed new proposals the third large-scale round of industrial In January, Cambridge UCU (CUCU) have changed their tone since the irst nism of valuation recommending adjust- which would have increased members’ action at UK universities in the past three made three speciic demands to the round of strikes in 2018, although they ment of the methodology and data used personal contributions to their Uss pen- years, UCU have said that support from University. First, for the University to still maintain that they support staf in in the 2017 valuation of the Uss scheme. sions. UCU had demanded a cap on staf staf and students remains “solid”. oicially recognise their union, second, their decision to strike. For example, UCU supported the recommendations of contributions at 8% of salaries. his time, UCU is focusing on the sus- to give a public statement calling on Christ’s JCr said it “believes that it is the Joint expert Panel, like UUK, whereas Another two ballots opened in sep- tainability of the Uss, on rising costs for UUK and the Universities and Colleges fundamentally the individual choice of Uss which wouldn’t accept the recom- tember 2019; one demanding higher pay staf members, and on failures to make employers’ Association (UCeA) for a new students whether to, and how to, sup- mendations in full.UCU in June 2019 and equality, and the second rejecting an signiicant improvements on pay, equal- pensions ofer, and third, to hold an open port staf. No student should feel at all warned Uss institutions of industrial ac- increase in pension contributions. In Oc- ity, casualisation and workloads. meeting. uncomfortable if they decide to cross tion later in 2019 if they did not rule out tober, the results were announced, with he current industrial action aims to recognising Cambridge UCU would a picket line – you are fully entitled to beneit cuts or contribution increases, national turnout reaching 53%. Cam- pressure employers to work with UCU mean that, as a union, it would have cross the line and nobody should intimi- and outlined a timetable for balloting on bridge saw a turnout of 57%, of which in campaigning for the Uss to accept more input in the University’s decision date you as a result.” Friday 28th February 2020 9 News NewsNews It’s ‘new-SU’, but why is engagement with student politics so low?

are debated fairly – and that sabbatical Oliver Rhodes and Sam Crawley oicers do not overstretch their inluence Associate Editor and News Corre- – will be a key challenge for future sabb spondent teams. Students’ perceptions about repre- Campaigning for the ‘new-SU’ elections sentation this year will also rest on the has just begun. For the irst time on Mon- range of candidates that choose to stand day, students will take to the polls to this year. In the past, CUSU has strug- elect sabbatical oicers to a new and gled to ensure contested races. he 2017 combined Student Union, with two Co- elections saw ive out of six sabb oicers Presidents to represent undergraduates elected unopposed and one position at- and postgraduates included among the tract no candidates at all. range of new roles. Parker-Humphreys hopes “as many Yet the incoming bombardment of cam- candidates as possible” will run this year, paign material on social media and ly- noting that last year’s elections saw all ering at Sidgwick belies a profound en- positions contested for the irst time in gagement problem with University-wide over a decade. “As we go forward and student politics. Only 3,009 students have more contested and better publi- – 13.5% of the voting population of stu- cised elections, that turnout will creep dents – participated in the vote to merge up over time.” the former CUSU and Graduate Union he perception of student union poli- (GU) late last year. he National Union tics is a long-standing problem which is of Students (NUS) election, which sends unlikely to change overnight. he job of 6 delegates to represent the University, this year’s candidates, and the team of achieved a turnout of only 7.1%. sabbatical oicers who are elected, will Data gathered by Varsity shows that, be to convince students that ‘new-SU’ is on average, turnout to CUSU elections not just the same old. has stood at 18.7% over the past six years. ▲ CUSU elections hustings in 2018 (LOUIS ASHWORTH) Turnouts for GU elections are lower, av- eraging just 5.1% across both Presidential and Executive Committee elections over tation and accountability remain hot on do get from them are their condoms and the past ive years. the agenda following a succession of high- their voting system.” Lacklustre engagement in student proile media incidents involving CUSU. Two colleges, Gonville & Caius and Cor- ADVERTISE politics, and the chronic sense of mis- Earlier this month controversy sur- pus Christi, are currently disailiated from representation which it fosters among rounded the NUS delegate elections after a CUSU. heir JCRs are not represented at students, is nothing new. However Ed- winning candidate was refused a position Council, though their colleges still pay an ward Parker-Humphreys, current Presi- on the delegation. hough the decision annual levy to CUSU after rule changes WITH US. dent of CUSU, is hopeful that a combined was repealed, the Elections Committee last year. Student Union will help simplify the stated that the incident had “highlighted Corpus has held a referendum to re- To advertise in any of our print publications or message to voters. “We’ll have more re- signiicant issues in relation to how the de- ailiate every year since its departure, sources and be more able to spread the cisions made by the Elections Committee but in last year’s vote, 67% of Corpus online, please contact our Business Manager: workload throughout the team, which are communicated to the wider student students opted to remain dis-ailiated. will hopefully free up more time for sab- body in a clear and transparent manner.” his represents a reduced majority from tel : 01223 33 75 75 batical oicers to be out in Cambridge his followed media controversy over previous years, however the presence email: [email protected] engaging students,” he says. a recent motion to ban irearms at CUSU- of the CUSU President at each year’s web: varsitypublications.co.uk One problem with previous CUSU related events which was signiicantly al- debate on the issue is yet to persuade elections was that most postgraduates tered after vocal opposition from student students. were simply unaware they could vote. societies. “I know the work sabbatical oicers A breakdown of turnout at last year’s Capitalising on these recent incidents, do behind the scenes is excellent”, says elections shows that undergraduates the Cambridge Union Society last week Dominic Bielby, Corpus’ current JCR were ive times more likely to vote than debated a motion entitled ‘his House Be- President, citing recent contributions postgraduates. “Now that we’re voting lieves CUSU does not represent Students’. to faculties and education boards. “But I for one SU, we’ll hopefully have more Of the 85 who attended, 53 voted in favour feel they obscure their role, and at times postgraduate voting”, remarks Parker- of the motion, with 23 against. misunderstand what their role should Humphreys. Speaking to Varsity after the debate, a be, when they take on a partisan politi- Students nonetheless prefer to keep third-year undergraduate from St Cath- cal voice”. their politics local. Data obtained from erine’s College explains why he feels that College loyalties die hard, and the SU’s electoral archives for 16 Junior Combi- CUSU does not represent students: “CUSU ability to win over JCRs will be critical nation Rooms (JCRs) shows an average is overly politicized, it is detached from to its future success. A healthy turnout participation rate of 39.4% for JCR com- tangible, practical student issues.” at Jesus College – alma mater of Parker- mittee elections over the past ive years.* Varsity also reached out to current and Humphreys – helped ensure his victory Smaller colleges tend to have much high- former JCR Presidents to hear what they last year. However other colleges need  er participation rates than larger colleges. thought about the issue. What emerged more persuasion. Last year, Robinson  Peterhouse, which averages around 270 was a clear sense of alienation from the voted in a referendum to stay in CUSU, students, recorded a 64.8% turnout at operations of CUSU. but by a margin of just 51% to 49%.  the most recent election. “Most people in Downing are entirely hat requires some input from JCRs Among postgraduate MCRs, turnout ambivalent about CUSU. It doesn’t come themselves, whose representatives act  is lower but, at an average of 23.2% over on their radar until CUSU does something as key intermediaries between students the past ive years, still four times higher that irritates them a little bit”, says Cam and University-wide organisations. One  than for GU elections. O’Connor, outgoing president of Downing MPhil student at the Cambridge Union “It’s always going to be harder at a col- JCR. “My opinion is that CUSU should be debate remarks that, while their college  legiate university”, says CUSU President, almost entirely about providing services committee “may attend CUSU Council, Edward Parker-Humphreys. “But it’s to, and lobbying for, students” and “turn they never tell us anything about that  worth knowing that we do a lot better away from inconsequential political is- goes on”. than other collegiate universities.” Ox- sues”, especially national politics. But that also means the experiences of  ford University’s Student Union held Tim d’Aboville, the newly elected JCR Presidents can have a large impact on leadership elections earlier this month co-president of St John’s JCR, describes student perceptions. his includes how  in which just 12.9% of eligible students the relationship between students and they relay their experiences at CUSU voted. CUSU as “basically non-existent, besides Council, where all ailiated colleges are  Institutional change, however, will do the Freshers’ Fair at the beginning of the entitled to send two representatives to Christopher Dorrell  little to improve perceptions among the year”. He says that “we don’t do much with propose and debate CUSU policy. Convinc- Deputy News Editor student body. Questions about represen- CUSU as a JCR. I think the only thing we ing students that CUSU Council motions Features10 F  28 F   2020 Finding time to read for pleasure in Cambridge

or as long as I can remem- ber, I have always had a Mind constantly in aca- book on the go. And, since F the age of seven, when I was first able to independently tackle a demic overdrive, Helena novel, reading has held a special place in my life. It is an activity that I associate with relaxation, whether pacing through chunks Heaton discusses her strug- of text whilst lazing on a beach on holiday or reading a quick chapter before going to sleep at gle to wind down and read night. There is also something magically soothing about sink- ing into a good book whilst in the bath, allowing you to temporar- for pleasure in Cambridge ily escape from the stress of the real world. At fifteen, I started working in a local independent bookshop tion and concentration. I lack of social engagement is un- which, for me, was a haven. Unlike consider myself as hav- doubtedly detrimental to mental eBooks or audiobooks, I’ve always ing a pretty strong abil- and emotional health. After a read- felt a strange sort of emotional at- ity to focus on tasks for ing day, everyone needs to step out tachment to physical books; the a long period of time, of the library or their room and have smell, the knowledge that a story is yet I regularly find a good old chat. your possession, and the pleasure of myself having to re- Not only has university changed browsing physical copies will always turn to the start of a my patterns of reading, but it has make me happy. page, having read it ❝ changed the way I read. Through Unsurprisingly, my reading pat- without absorbing a my degree, I have had close reading terns changed drastically when I single word. Instead and critical thinking instilled in my started university. Swamped with After a day spent of natu- approach to literature, so much so reading lists, I was quite over- working, head that it is difficult to pick up a book whelmed by the realisation that the craned over my rally sink- lightly. This is positive because it majority of my time was now to be desk, it is very ing into a increases the intellectual benefits of spent with my head in a book, al- unlikely that I book, it can reading: being able to ‘read between though not necessarily a book that reach for anoth- the lines’ enables access to the inter- I would personally pick from a shelf. er book in search sometimes esting theoretical aspects of books That’s not to say that I never enjoy of relaxation. As a feel like the and reveals the big questions that academic material. I enjoy my course result, the notion of it takes into consideration, which and, every now and again, have the reading for pleasure brain is in could otherwise be overlooked. experience of reading some seriously seriously dwindles. overdrive On the other hand, being un- inspiring text. My routine, however, Not only does ❞ able to break out of this habit has has buckled under the pressure of reading require the danger of making pleasurable academia. concentration, reading feel like work. Instead of It’s no secret that time is a pre- but it is an in- naturally sinking into a book, it can cious thing in Cambridge; I was dependent sometimes feel like the brain is in hardly expecting to spend hours activity. overdrive, constantly trying to glean indulging in the latest publica- At home, intellectual substance. I believe, tions with a cup of tea in hand. Yet, I valued though, that this is manageable, and I rarely manage to even squeeze the alone that it only takes the right mindset in a chapter of a novel in the time that for it to become a benefit. evenings, since I’ll either be came with The biggest influence that my working (still), spending reading – at life at Cambridge has had on my time with friends, or Cambridge, attitude to reading is that I now winding down with it can be- appreciate reading for pleasure so the aid of Netflix. The come rath- much more. Now halfway through concepts of both er isolating. my degree, I have come to accept time and reading I’ve seen that reading for pleasure is re- for pleasure far too served for the holidays, and that are somewhat many isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This ambivalent ▲ no choice Camfess- way, I can set aside those hefty within the ILLUSTRA but to spend es regarding classics for a time when I can truly Cambridge TION BY most of our days read- loneliness than can be immerse myself in the experience bubble. JAKOB WER ing, and it is relentless. justified and feel that reading for of storytelling. This summer, I am Humanities students are particu- BROUCK FOR Not only does this take time, but pleasure arguably takes a role re- determined to tick Les Misérables larly affected by this issue. We have VARSITY it takes its toll on levels of motiva- versal when applied to uni life, as off my list. EXCEPTIONAL BRITISH TIMEPIECES

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OXBRIDGEWATCHES.COM 12 F  28 F   2020 Features To all the girls I hated...

Mattie O’Callaghan writes an open letter to her peers from school, discussing the struggles she faced at an all-girls school

Content Note: is article contains de- tailed discussion of eating disorders, mental health and body image.

o all the girls I hated in school... You’re incredible. I was so jealous of how much better you Tpretended to cope with being is devastating that we wanted connec- warming honesty and everything feel less scary. I send love to in an all-girls’ grammar school – how you tion, but ultimately that we drove each passion for whatever the girls who have continued to support could perfect the smile, the make up and other so far away with our cliques and you loved. me and show me the incredible power the out t for it. I was so in awe that you hurtful gossiping. I love you and wish I was jealous of and positivity of friendships. and I became the target for my pain. we could have been friends instead of your authenticity I send so much love to myself, a girl  e all-girls system created such a enemies. and connection. I who hated her body and her mind. A girl competitively driven spirit that I lost my I’m sorry to those I judged or de- thought ignoring who created a regime so strict and hid con dence, I disconnected from myself ranked as ‘less pretty’ or ‘less cool.’  is you or being ‘too from all her feelings just so she could and others, I hid an eating disorder, I ❝ wasn’t true. I couldn’t know my worth cool’ to be your ❝ feel worthy. I send love to the girl who hated everything, and eventually, I let. I send love unless I compared it to being bet- I hated you made me punish myself for eating pizza Now that I have healed and reconnected, ter than others. You guys by doing four minute planks. I send love I understand, I emphasise, I apologize, to all of the were – and still are – because I to the girl who didn’t believe she could and I love. women still amazing: for your was trying do anything except make herself smaller. I write this to send love to the girls suffering strong sense so hard as I send love to the girl who traded her love that were trying so hard to be liked, to of iden- of dance and performance for constant eat less, to speak to all the boys, just to from the tity, well injury and muscle ache just so she could be ‘cool’. I hated you because I was try- expecta- ❞ measure her worth in numbers. ing so hard as well, but only one of us I send love to all of the women still could be better. I’m sorry I judged you so tions and su ering from the expectations and self- harshly – we were all struggling. self-hatred hatred that they impose on themselves I send love to the girls who got drunk, they im- and each other. I send love to speaking hooked up with people they didn’t like, friend out and apologising. I am so sorry for and did things they didn’t really want pose on would treating you so badly. I am sorry for treat- to do; the girls who hid any part of their themselves make me ing myself badly. actual desires and sexuality; the girls feel better. It I take accountability to care for my- who couldn’t say no, or who didn’t know and each didn’t. I love self, to be soft in the pain, and to realise how to. It’s always ok to say no, create other you for all your what love is. If you feel the same, let me boundaries and safe spaces – we will ❞ strength. know. If you don’t, I send you love too. not judge you for whatever choices you I am grateful to Being at Girton – a college with such a make with your body. the girls who didn’t female legacy – I’ve learnt that femi- I send so much love to those who hate me even when ▲ “ e all-girls nism is not about getting women to judged and hated me too. If only we I hated myself; the system created the top, getting them to compete, or spoke and realised we didn’t need salad girls who made com- such a competi- to work harder than ever. It’s about diets to impress each other and realised ing to school worth it. tively driven giving people of all genders the space how our su ering was shared. I’m so  ey spoke to me about spirit...” to find their passions, to support each sorry that we had to compare ourselves my diet-induced, infre- WIKIMEDIA COM other in whatever that is and at what- and be competitive about everything. It quent periods, making MONS ever level, with empathy. Friday 28th February 2020 13 Features Translating the untranslatable

Cecily Fasham writes about the trickiness of translation, how it relates to religion, and how she keeps falling in love with the un- translatable

▲ ‘Untranslatable words are a paradox in that sense’ (ILLUSTRATION BY KATE TOWSEY FOR VARSITY)

here’s a certain glamour “Moments like this are why we love streets and proclaimed the good news and his English translator, Dorothy I met this word, trover, while about untranslatability. our languages.” of Jesus, and everyone heard them Bussy. In the letters, it’s clear that working on a set-text for transla- TWords like hygge, zeitgeist or Untranslatable words are a para- speak in their own language. As a Bussy is in love with Gide. Her direct- tion in the Post-Conquest paper of flâneur (to name a few) have dox in that sense. On the one hand, protestant, Biblical translation – the indirect expression of this is to write, the English tripos. For the exam, I’d become buzzwords denoting particu- they seem to show us how much we ability to encounter the Word of God ’Je vous aime, cela sonne mieux en have had to translate it as ‘find’ or lar aesthetics. They are apparently all experience the same things; we in my own language – is fundamental français.’ Briggs writes, ‘write’, depending on ‘untranslatable’, expressing concepts meet these words in other languages to my faith. People died during the ’I love you, it sounds bet- context. But to do that so peculiar to their own culture that and think, ’oh, there’s a word for this Reformation so that I can hear God ter in French (would be ❝ felt like such a loss; I’ve there is no equivalent in other lan- thing that I feel – it’s not just me’. speak my own language. Translation the obvious – the only? – Moments like this been obsessing over it guages, and so they have come into But, at the same time, they demon- projects remain a form of mission- translation). But the vous. for so long that it’s be- English untranslated (though prob- strate the rifts between people caused ary work: my church, Holy Trinity It is striking and impor- are why we love come a pinpoint of my ably horribly mispronounced). by languages, the gaps between my Cambridge, supports a member of tant: what it is to make a thinking. I’m planning The fascination is that English-language com- the church who works in Tanzania declaration of love with a our languages to do a third year dis- these words give names to prehension of the world to translate the Bible into local lan- formal ‘you’.’ sertation on the play I concepts that are somehow ❝ and the understanding guages, so people there can meet God It might take a whole ❞ met it in, in large part simultaneously alien or in- Untranslatable of someone who speaks in their own language. I have to be- book to express what here is ex- because of it. describable, and intensely a different language. lieve that through God – through the pressed in such ‘small compaction My fascination with impossible, familiar – who hasn’t ex- words are what Untranslatable words work of the Holy Spirit – trustworthy of language’, she explains: ‘I could untranslatable words like this is perienced schadenfreude are moments when translation is possible. After all, as write something for you on this mo- what has kept me studying Insular (German: pleasure deriving make you fall in- the impossibility of Jesus himself said (though referring ment, of this moment, but I’m not French, despite it being an objective- from other people’s mis- escapably in love perfect, fluid transla- to salvation rather than translation): sure I’d call it a translation.’ It’s a mo- ly hideous language. Think French, fortune) or seen komorebi tion crystallises. You ‘with man this is impossible, but with ment that stops the translator in her but someone’s put it through a wash- (木漏れ日– which, accord- with a language, cannot convey all the God all things are possible.’ tracks, but it’s also part of why this ing machine and tumble dryer on ing to the internet, is the and what keep meaning. “Untranslatable words are what exchange is so interesting, so electric. the wrong settings; it’s peppered Japanese word for sunlight In spite of its impos- make you fall inescapably in love Moments like this are why we love with k’s and z’s, all the syllables are filtering through trees)? Of- you pursuing it sibility, I still see trans- with a language, and what keep you our languages. pronounced, and you can speak it in ten, untranslatable words lation as a necessity. For pursuing it.” For me, the word is ’trover’. It’s a whatever accent you like. also offer ideas which are ❞ me, as a Christian, this On a secular level, being able to word from medieval Insular French These things are like that. Un- beautiful or thoughtful: is theologically rooted: share astonishing concepts only found (the French spoken in Britain after the translatable words are what make my personal favourite is the Swed- language barriers are a result of a in other languages with monoglot Norman conquest). According to the you fall inescapably in love with a ish smultronställe, a ‘wild-strawberry fallen world; languages are designed readers who would never otherwise Anglo-Norman dictionary, it means language, and what keep you pursu- place’, which is a special, secret place to separate us – to curb our arrogance encounter them is the dream. Diffi- ‘to compose’ or ‘to invent’ (usually ing it. They’re total nightmares for that you must only visit with some- in thinking we could set ourselves up cult as it is, it’s what we do transla- in writing), but it also means to find, translators, but trying to translate one you really love (according to the against God, as we did when we built tion for. seek, meet with, come across, and them reveals the shadow-work at Eva Ibbotson Young Adult romance the tower of Babel (Genesis 11) and Kate Briggs writes eloquently in is the origin of the Modern French play in particular words. They show novel, Magic Flutes, which I obsessed God introduced languages as a source This Little Art, her book on transla- ’trouver’, to find. As I keep telling us what learning other languages is over as a teenager, at least). Untrans- of confusion amongst humanity. tion, about the frustration and fas- everyone, it’s almost as if everything about, why we keep doing it, trying latable words give us ways of naming But my God is also a God of transla- cination of untranslatable moments. were already written, somewhere, to translate, because you can’t get things that we might never otherwise tion. The first act of the Holy Spirit One thread of the book is about the somehow, and writing is somehow the same intricacy of understanding have been able to quite put our finger at Pentecost was an act of transla- correspondence between the 20th just finding some part of a thing that if you never reach beyond the limits on or adequately describe. tion: the disciples came out into the century French novelist, André Gide, already exists. of your language. 14 F  28 F   2020 Features Pressing pause on Cambridge Matilda Head thinks about the amazing memories made when we take a moment to pause Cambridge

ack in November, Varsity pub- read in two days, the work is intense, lished an article about how and crammed haphazardly into such a time moves di erently in this short period. Bstrange Harry Potter town, and When you’re living life essay dead- I couldn’t agree more. As a  rst-year line to essay deadline, time escapes you. student, the most prominent thing dur- But, with the lead up to university  lled ing Michaelmas was just how fast the with promises of it being ‘the best time time went. Yet, at the same time, a few in your life,’ there’s an increasingly in- hours could feel like days. trusive nagging feeling that I need to Even now, looking back over Michael- slow down, and enjoy time outside of mas, I’m struck by how much happened ❝ academia. in Freshers’, and the following  rst few Unfortunately, I am a master pro- weeks. Weekly trips to Wednesday Cin- Time crastinator. Just earlier today, one of dies all blur into one, alongside lectures my  atmates had to actually con scate and supervisions, because life is just so outside of my laptop and phone to force me to get fast paced that it’s quite literally unfath- on with my reading, as I had spent the omable that we cram so much into each contact whole day re-watching e Good Place… disorienting  ursday to Wednesday hours for the third time. week. However, all this procrastination What’s even scarier is the fact that or essay comes with an unwelcome by-product, time seems to be going even faster this whenever I’m not working, there’s a term. We have just passed the halfway writing is constant niggling feeling that what I re- point of the academic year, and yet like gold ally should be doing is making progress it feels like I’ve achieved nothing. Of on an essay, or  nishing my supervision course, Cambridge’s infamous eight- dust reading. week terms don’t help. Whether you’re  is raises the question, in such a a NatSci with nine-to- ve days, or a hu- ❞ high-pressured environment, is it ever manities student with seven books to possible to truly switch o from your ▲ ‘A walk or cycle to King’s Parade or Market Square can be a lovely reminder of what a beautiful place we study at’ LOUIS ASHWORTH

degree – to press the metaphorical more than likely be in the exact same pause button? position. The rules on ‘keeping term’ are a ❝ Recently, my friends and I have Public Consultation reminder that, unlike peers at other become slightly addicted to trivia universities, we can’t just easily pop Is it ever games and chamomile tea, which is home for a weekend. On top of that, such a nice way to de-stress. In the You are invited to the third public consultation on the our distinct lack of a reading week possible past ten days, we have spent a shame- means that the eight-week term is tru- to truly ful number of hours sitting around future of 104-112 Hills Road, Cambridge, following our ly relentless, with the infamous Week the table in our gyp desperately try- Five Blues often acting as a kick when switch off ing to guess the link between various previous two public consultations last year. you’re down. random answers in games of Linkee. Time outside of contact hours or from your Whilst this does sound very tame for essay writing is like gold dust, but student life, it’s important that in it’s during these breaks that the most degree - to such a fast-paced environment, you entertaining things tend to happen – press the have something to do in the evenings when the funniest memories are made – aside from essay writing or going through late night YouTube spirals metaphor- clubbing. with your flatmate, and drinking too Of course, you don’t have to be with much cheap wine at formals. These ical pause friends to press pause on the hustle are the moments that need to be max- button? and bustle of Cambridge life. Sim- imised to perpetuate the cheesy ‘uni ply watching Netflix for a few hours days are the best days of your life’ ❞ can be both a good reward for doing mantra. however much work you’ve achieved I have yet to meet anyone at Cam- that day, or just some time to take for bridge who would be willing to agree yourself. to a three-hour break, or a day off work. Getting out of your room can help My friends and I have been saying, to detach from a working mindset; practically since Freshers’, that a walk or cycle to King’s Parade we should go punting, but or Market Square can be a 104-112 HILLS ROAD, CAMBRIDGE it’s impossible to get eve- lovely reminder of what a ryone to concede to time beautiful place we study Thursday 12 March 2020, 4-7pm Pace Investments, owner and developer of the away from work. How- at, and a quick break ever, it’s pretty much a from the academic Saturday 14 March 2020, 10am-2pm site, has a vision to create an outstanding and sustainable new Cambridge landmark. The daily occurrence that side of uni. plans would see a dynamic new workplace a five-minute tea The one thing I The Lobby, Betjeman House destination, providing an enlivened public 104 Hills Road break turns into two can be sure of at realm ofering with cafés, restaurants and other hours, and suddenly Cambridge is that Cambridge, CB2 1LQ community and leisure spaces – including the existing Flying Pig pub at its heart. Following it’s dinner time, and time does pass in a If you have any questions in the consultation to date, the project team has been you spend another different way here, working to develop the designs in line with the meantime, please contact us at: hour at hall. and pressing pause on feedback received, and we would like to invite These are the mo- the academics is nec- the community to come and view the proposals [email protected] - or - ahead of submission later this year. The project ments when you can essary: for self-care, and www.104-112hillsroad.co.uk team will be on hand to answer any questions. enjoy a pause. The lone- to create the memories liness of working away in that we’ll (hopefully) fondly your room or the library can look back on when Wednes- PRODUCED BY THE PACE INVESTMENTS PROJECT TEAM FEBRUARY 2020 all merge into one if you’ve had day Cindies and May Balls are a a work-heavy week, but friends will thing of the past. Friday 28th February 2020 15 Features Visiting Extinction Rebellion’s roadblock ‘How did British protestors stack up with my own experiences in Hong Kong?’ asks Issac Fung, as he considers the recent Extinction Rebellion roadblock

▲ ‘...their methods reminded me of how things were done back home’ (STEPHANIE STACEy)

t was on a whim that I visited Ex- recycling. groups’ took charge in local protests. to support democracy, but now your tinction Rebellion’s (XR) roadblock ❝ By contrast, XR’s roadblock was I felt like I was on familiar territory – protests are making me late for work!’). on Saturday morning. Until that Looking manned, at most, by two-dozen peo- their methods reminded me of how Both movements have also had to deal Iday, I had never paid much atten- ple. It was much smaller than Occupy things were done back home. with the bickering and splintering of tion to Extinction Rebellion. None of at their Central, and much less impressive. I hey also told me that over a hun- internal factions. my friends were involved with it; more told myself that XR should be judged dred people, all from diferent parts of he principle of unity, or ‘no-splitting’, to the point, their roadblock did not roadblock, by the merits of their cause, and not the country, had travelled to Cambridge was something which all protest move- interfere with my daily commute to by the number of supporters they com- to help them set up their roadblock. ments must struggle to sustain. Despite Sidgwick Site. I was manded. ‘Where have they all gone?’, I asked, our diferences, I could not help but see My interest was only piqued after I reminded I also had to remind myself to slip out thinking about my earlier concerns. As myself in the activists I was talking to. saw Trinity College’s lawn, which was of old habits of thinking. he 2019 Hong it turns out, most of the activists went Protestors around the world, regardless torn up earlier in the week by XR ac- of Occupy Kong protests had instilled in me a sense home after helping out. Numbers then of what they believe in, are united by tivists. he pristine-green grass, which of paranoia: the threat of violence had dwindled from one 100 to 50; from the solidarity of opposition. had been cultivated by generations of Central... always loomed. his was why I could 50, to 30. By the time I visited, only a It was this solidarity of opposition gardeners, was scarred with holes and not help but cast a critical eye over XR’s few remnants of the original occupy- ❝ which stopped me from leaping to con- dug-up soil. Visitors shook their heads ❞ blockade. heir roadblock, built around ing force were left. Most of the tents clusions. At a recent Cambridge Univer- as they walked past it. I decided I had to a roundabout, was vulnerable to attack were empty, and clusters of mosquitoes Despite sity Conservative Association (CUCA) ind out more. How did British protes- from three directions. he limsy barri- buzzed around the site. meeting, I heard the historian Andrew tors stack up with my own experiences ers would be no good against a police XR were right when they limited their our dif- Roberts describe XR as ‘smug’ and in Hong Kong? charge. None of the volunteers seemed roadblock to one week – they would not ‘self-satisied’. If I had never protested Sauntering down Trumpington Street, very alert to potential threats. have lasted much longer than that. ferences, I in Hong Kong, I would have agreed I was greeted with a wall of barriers and I had to remind myself that I was in Despite their fading momentum, could not with him on the spot. But the activists traic cones. Large banners displayed Cambridge, not Hong Kong. here were many of the activists were perked up I talked to at the roadblock were very XR’s slogans (‘Climate Justice is Social no water cannons, no rubber bullets, when they found out I was from Hong help but reasonable. hey seemed vulnerable, Justice!’). Looking at their roadblock, I and no tear gas. Unsuspecting protes- Kong. hey wanted to make common sympathetic – human. was reminded of Occupy Central, when tors will not be ambushed by the riot cause. ‘Us lot, we protesters, we need see my- I do not think I will come to agree thousands of pro-democracy protestors police. If anything, the two constables to stick together, eh?’ self in the with the aims of Extinction Rebellion shut down Hong Kong’s inancial centre hovering around the roadblock seemed here certainly were many similari- any time soon. But I’ve learnt that I in 2014. A battalion of protesters had set rather bored. he protestors did not ties. For one, both protest movements activists I shared much more in common with up a vast enclosure of tents, which in seem any livelier. have had to deal with fair-weather them than I previously thought. My turn was defended by barricades bris- Still, XR’s activists were quick to an- friends. Apparently, many angry Cam- was talk- morning at the roadblock was a irst tling with defences. Student-volunteers swer my questions. hey explained to bridgeshire residents withdrew their step in inding that elusive common set up stations dedicated for studying me that their movement was highly de- support from XR after having their ing to ground with the ‘opposition’. Not all po- and revision; they also went around the centralised, communicating over social commute delayed. his was exactly ❞ litical disagreements need to be fought site, picking up rubbish and organising media and the Internet. Smaller ‘ainity what happened in Hong Kong (‘I used out on the slopes of a barricade. 16 Friday 28th February 2020 Opinion All we are asking for is to feel safe Chloe Newbold argues that Cambridge has continually failed its students who are victims of sexual violence, and that the University needs to do more to centre student welfare at the heart of such cases

sexual misconduct. his made it shocking Refusal to acknowledge these issues is – but hardly surprising – when it emerged also predominant in our lecture content. months later that, due to reforms in the dei- At points during my second year of study, nition of ‘harassment’ planned to take place the everyday act of opening a book or at- in October, that any sexual assault prior to tending a lecture became an uncomfortable this date would not be subject to investiga- – and often traumatic – experience. Most tion. Again, Cambridge seemed unwilling departmental reading lists and lectures fail to listen. to include content warnings for potentially It is diicult to explain the personal triggering themes, meaning that, as students, trauma associated with an act of sexual as- we may be forced to listen to content related sault, a feeling that you do not belong in your to sexual violence and misogyny that can body, a permanent sense of threat that can bring up past memories. be diicult to shake. It’s a feeling that can In an environment so heavily focused on return frequently, even in the absence of academic excellence, the entrance of this any immediate danger or physical threat. insecurity into my working life became al- his feeling returned for many of us last year most unmanageable. Instead of providing when we discovered that the University was us with adequate notice, we are expected allowing an event to be held by a so-called to sit in silence in lecture halls and librar- men’s rights group ies, surrounded entitled ‘Justice for ❝ by people, and at- Men and Boys’ on tempt to hold back University property. Cambridge has consist- our tears. Failing to listen to No voice can us wasn’t enough, ently dragged its feet speak for the nu- they were now pro- merous students viding a platform to when it comes to sup- that have been a group that openly porting the voices of negatively impact- expressed contempt ed by recent events and ridicule toward those brave enough to on campus; we all women and non- process trauma, binary people that report instances of sexu- often in extremely ▲ The University has been criticised by students and alumni for its handling of allegations of sexual violence had sufered sexual al misconduct complex and per- (LOUIS ASHwORTH) assault. sonal ways. But Nothing was ❞ one thing that we Content Note: his article contains discus- Cambridge, such as the introduction of a to support websites added to the bottom of more symbolic of can all agree on is sion of sexual violence Sexual Assault and Harassment Advisor at the email – a mere afterthought. his email the University’s attitude than standing that this University must take fundamental UCS, Amy O’Leary, and an ‘Investigating Of- at once communicated a lack of attention to outside with my fellow protestors while and radical steps to regain the trust of it’s his has been the year that I icer’ role in University complains proceed- student welfare and sent a wider message this group of vile rape apologists were sat students and many staf members. stopped feeling safe on campus. ings with experience of the complexities of that we will not be taken seriously when warmly inside Mill Lane lecture halls. In that Senior members of the University, col- It’s hard to explain the all-per- sexual misconduct. However, he University making the diicult decision to report in- moment, campus became for me what I am lege’s and department that have treated vic- Tvading discomfort I experience of Cambridge – and many of its colleges – stances of inappropriate behaviour. sure it had become for many other victims: tims with cynicism and disregard owe an as a victim of sexual misconduct in my have proven on numerous occasions that Despite years of campaigning by student a place where I no longer felt safe. apology to those that have taken the brave everyday life at this University: sitting in they do not prioritise the welfare of victims. activists, and in particular by the CUSU But this sense of insecurity stems not step to speak up about their experiences. lecture halls that have been open to misogy- hroughout my three years at Cambridge, I women’s Campaign, Cambridge is still merely from the failure of our institutions, whilst the ‘Breaking the Silence’ campaign nistic rape apologists such as Justice for have witnessed in the student press a con- unwilling to commit to truly breaking the but it is embedded within a wider culture signiies a zero tolerance, it should be re- Men and Boys (otherwise known as ‘J4MB’, tinuous cycle of discontent at the failings of silence. he University was willing to accept that enables sexual violations. Coming to iterated clearly and publicly that there is who have shared posts including ‘13 reasons the University to adequately investigate and praise for the decision of Regent House to University having already experienced the zero tolerance for sexual misdemeanours why women lie about being raped’ and a act on reports of sexual misconduct. he re- reform the Disciplinary Procedure stand- dark side of sexual violence, I was shocked on campus, no matter the identity of the video ‘he glorius rise of men who won’t cent Tortoise investigation into the handling ards of proof to “the balance of probabilities” to ind that ‘consent’ was an issue squeezed victim or the perpetrator, and the actions date feminists’ on their website); borrow- of allegations at Trinity Hall isn’t an isolated last July, forgetting their years of inaction into a 60 minute session in Fresher’s week. of the University must match this. Plat- ing books from my departmental library event, but is part of a longer narrative that on calls for change. while this may have he only other times that I would hear this forms must not be ofered to groups that after receiving an email calling for silence has seen the institutionally embedded cyni- been a hard-fought victory for student cam- word uttered would be in the student press actively disregard the rights of victims. on the accusation of sexual assault against cism and suspicion with which victims are paigners, within the wider context of higher or in online support groups following from Consent education must be an ongo- a faculty member; opening my reading lists treated. education, this was Cambridge taking a step incidents of sexual assault. Nobody seemed ing process that is built into the very and lecture notes without any prior knowl- An email received by myself and other which had been made years ago by most to be aware of how the complaints proce- foundation of our academic institutions, edge of the potentially triggering content I students within the History faculty last week other British higher education institutions. dures worked within each college, relecting incorporated in a fashion that enables could ind inside. asked students to respect the rights of the Cambridge has consistently dragged its a culture of passivity that acted as if sexual honest discussions while protecting the Over the past ive years, there have accused Dr O’Reilly to his privacy. he only feet when it comes to supporting the voices misconduct was not an issue within our welfare of students. been some positive steps taken within concern for victims was found in a few links of those brave enough to report instances of University. All we are asking for is to feel safe. F  28 F   2020 17 Opinion Clare’s refusal to y the LGBT+ ag speaks nothing but intolerance

hroughout Cambridge, Pride Oddly, the college is employing here Clare’s position seems to misunderstand that the college has fewer concerns over  e decision ags are ying in celebration of the same logic upon which the design what the ag actually means: a ag ying the Union ag and its links to Britain’s taken by some LGBT+ History Month, includ- of the rainbow ag was based: across a from the top of every college exclaims imperial past than over a symbol of un- colleges to not Ting at Old Schools for the  rst diverse spectrum, be it of colour, gen- that Cambridge is a place where diversity quali ed inclusivity.  y the LGBT+ time this year. However, not all of Cam- der or sexuality, members of the LGBT+ and individuality is celebrated by all, or  is dubious logic seems to speak pride  ag is bridge’s colleges have done the same. An community stand together.  e ag’s at least it should be. less to an unwillingness to celebrate the a powerful email was released over the weekend by designer, Gilbert Baker, articulated this Maybe it is the visibility of the ag LGBT+ community and its history than to statement of the Union of Clare Students (Clare Col- very point in his memoirs, saying of the as an expression of support and toler- a reluctance to make a visible and o cial intolerance lege’s JCR), reporting the logic as set out ‘battle for equal rights’ that ‘this was our ance that is so troubling to the college’s ❝ political statement of support. Concerns to them by the Senior Tutor for refusing new revolution: a tribal, individualistic senior sta ?  e crux of their argument over the o cial nature of ying a Pride to display the ag. and collective vision. It deserved a new was that the college doesn’t object to If these ag from a college’s main agpole have  e  rst explanation was that the Por- symbol.’ Being an individual is not the the Pride ag in particular, but ags in colleges are arisen in the past. In 2018, St John’s raised ters dislike using the agpole. Seriously. same as being alone, and it is this collec- general. Clare, like many other colleges, the ag over their boathouse and Queens’ Fortunately, this argument appears to tive ethos, not any diversity of expres- typically ies only the college ag and, anxious draped it over the Mathematical Bridge, have broken down in the meeting itself sion, that colleges are undermining in when required, the Union ag. In prac- not to take while Trinity and Trinity Hall displayed ater students o ered to raise the ag refusing to y the ag. tical terms, as the college suggested by it in their JCRs. Clare opted to use their themselves.  e distaste of college per- Aside from any theoretical notion of way of example, this likely amounts to a politi- back gate. Similarly, this year, many will sonnel for agpoles is an absurd attempt what the Pride ag truly represents, it’s little more than the routine rejection of cal stance, have noted Trinity’s use of a temporary to rationalise their failure to stand in somewhat unclear how the college’s sug- national ags for patron saints’ days. short-pole on their front lawn, something solidarity not only with the LGBT+ com- gested compromise of rainbow bunting  is would be much more convincing they have the Clare Student Union suggested as a munity, but also with the overwhelming was more materially diverse than a rain- if the ethos of the pride ag weren’t so failed mis- compromise, but to no avail. majority of University students, colleges bow ag. Sure, none of the other colleges, radically di erent from that of, say, St If these colleges are anxious not to and other bodies. to my knowledge, have erected bunting George’s Cross. erably take a political stance, they have failed Moving on from pole-hating Porters, for the month, but for good reason.  e  e rainbow ag opposes exclusion ❠ miserably. With nearly all colleges, many the issue of diversity was raised: that ag is not only a celebration of individu- rather than fostering it. It seeks to rep- departments and an increasing number everyone ying the ag fails to re ect ality, it is also designed to be highly vis- resent a global community based on of University sites raising the pride ag, the pride movement and LGBT+ History ible.  is was Baker’s vision: ‘Our job as acceptance and celebration of one an- those that refuse to do so are making an Month as a celebration of the individual gay people was to come out, to be visible, other’s di erences. National ags repre- overt statement of intolerance.  ey are expression of one’s sexuality and gender to live in the truth, as I say, to get out sent communities, yes, but they do so in deviating from a norm backed by enor- identity. True, these are core tenets of the of the lie. A ag really  t that mission, oppositional terms, placing a nationalist mous student support, and must justify Jack Durand Jack movement, but they provide no cause because that’s a way of proclaiming your dividing-line between ‘us’ and ‘them’ their position. as we have seen, their rea- for refusing to raise the ag. visibility or saying, “ is is who I am!”’ where the Pride ag does not. It’s curious soning is, to be generous, weak.

he Varsity Trust If suitable candidates present themselves, the BUY ONE Trustees intend to make awards to students GET ONE FREE about to graduate, or who are recent graduates, from either the University of EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Cambridge or ARU who intend to undertake JUST USE CODE: PIZZA241 AT THE CHECKOUT approved training in journalism for 2020/2021. Trust awards will be tailored to individual circumstances but are normally intended to make a signiicant contribution to the fees for the training concerned. Up to £5,000 is potentially available. THE OFFICIAL FOOD OF For further information and how to apply ❝ STUDENT LIFE visit: www.varsity.co.uk/trustThe longer users engage with this process, the 34 HILLS ROAD, CAMBRIDGE 113 HISTON ROAD CAMBRIDGESHIRE, CB2 1LA 24hr CAMBRIDGE, CB4 3JD more dangerous the 01223 355155DELIVERY 01223 359333 emotional and mental /DominosPizza @Dominos_UK StudentsOfDominos Click Tap the app effects can become. *Buy one get one free on medium & large pizza only. Valid online only. Free pizza must be equal or lesser value than the first. ❞ Not valid with any other offer. Offer can be withdrawn without notice. Available in participating stores only. Student ID required. EXP 31-5-20 18 Friday 28th February 2020 Opinion he face of feminism today

he ensuing ugly skirmish over equal pay – which saw the resigna- tion of China Editor Carrie Gracie, followed by Radio 4’s You and Yours presenter Winifred Robinson prohib- ited from hosting a programme about gender pay after publicly supporting Gracie – exposed the deep inequity at the broadcasting corporation. he BBC launts its female contributors; but it seems less eager to pay them. Feminist? Not quite. A feminist media industry is more than gender quotas and equal pay. Work produced, directed or presented by women are not automatically femi- nist. Instead, a feminist media chal- lenges and subverts the devastating stereotypes of women peddled by our ilm and broadcasting industry. he media has systematically sexualised, domesticated and degraded women, disregarding their professional identi- ties and achievements. From television shows like Married at First Sight (where female participants have publicly been called “sluts” and “C***s”), to Fox News host, Tucker Carlson’s on air descrip- tion of women as “primitive” and “like dogs”, discrimination is endemic. his has been a critical issue for women of colour. Black women’s rep- resentation on screen has ignored the depth and complexity of their real- world experiences. As Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis articulated elo- quently, black female characters have been systematically marginalised and essentialised in ilm. he same is true in television. Reality dating programs including Love Island and he Bachelor have perpetuated racialised politics of female desirability, with the latter facing a law suit for racial discrimina- tion. A feminist media industry not only calls out this misogyny but carves new discourses. It challenges cul- tures of toxic masculinity and insti- tutes constructive dialogues around Isobel Duxield reflects on whether gender-based quotas and issues including paternity leave and women’s sport, as well as more taboo subjects like menstruation and the virtue signalling really address feminist issues in the media menopause. Podcasts have become an interest- ing platform for this. he Guilty Feminist, and entertainment industry hosted by Deborah Frances-White, pro- vides a supportive forum for discuss- merican actor, Natalie Port- ▲ "A feminist media on gender ratios. Portman’s motion is disparity. he BBC’s 50:50 Project has ing the realities of feminism- exploring man, made headlines ear- industry is more not the irst, the Oscars have repeat- ❝ challenged teams across the organi- the big topics, whilst confessing the lier this month for calling than gender quotas edly been utilised as a forum for calling sation to ensure 50% of contributors hypocrisies and fears that undermine and equal pay." As we ap- out gender discrimination out lack of female faces. Last Febru- in news, current afairs and topical our lofty principles. In a similar vein, A (ILLUSTRATION BY proach In- at the Oscars. Her dress, embroidered ary, Director Ridley Scott and actress, programmes are female. he scheme Take it From Her, a podcast run by KATE TOWSEY FOR with the names of female directors who Frances McDormand both decried the ternational has seen much success, with 74% of Cambridge students, aims to open up VARSITY) were passed over for prizes, denounced absence of female voices behind the Women's programmes hitting this target. Simul- debates around contemporary gender the academy for its failure to reward camera, while Brie Larson condemned Day, we re- taneously, growth of non-proits – such equality concerns, garnering opinions female talent. the over-representation of white males as Women in Film and Television, and from leading female professionals. However, it wasn’t so much what on review panels. flect on the indeed Cambridge’s own Women in “Women need to be heard,” said her dress did that caught attention, but Hollywood’s red carpets are indica- face of con- Media (WiM) – have proved driving Sally Patterson, co-founder of Take it rather what it didn’t do. Activist and tive of the gender imbalance pervad- temporary forces behind gender equality, provid- From Her. “his is particularly perti- actress, Rose McGowan branded Port- ing the global media industry. When ing research, advocacy, education and nent for women of colour, those from man’s outit hypocritical. McGowan it comes to gender parity in front of – feminism support for female-identifying screen the LGBTQ+ community and disabled has since apologised for her remarks; ❝ and behind – the camera, the statistics ❞ industry practitioners. women, who are so often left out of nevertheless, her accusation that Port- A feminist speak for themselves. Women account However, parity is not equality. the mainstream narrative.” man paid “lip service” to anti-sexism media for only one quarter of television and Women entering the industry face a As we approach International Wom- advocacy raises a fundamental ques- radio professionals, and under 10% of ight for equal pay and career progres- en’s Day, we relect on the face of con- tion for the media industry in 2020. In industry not directors, with BAME women making sion. In the UK alone, female media temporary feminism. Who can be a a sector plagued by sexual harassment only calls up merely 1.5% of all key personnel. professionals earn 17.4% less than their feminist and what constitutes feminist scandals, where women account for a out this mi- Meanwhile, in news and journalism, male colleagues. his is a trend brought action is avidly contested. Natalie Port- fraction of professionals, if Portman is females are the focus of only 10% of to bear by the exposure of the BBC’s man’s protest was a reminder that the a “fraud”, what does feminism actually sogyny but news stories and comprise just 20% of gender pay gap in 2017, which revealed media industry is still failing women. look like? carves new experts or spokespeople interviewed. all top seven earners were male, with However, in 2020, gender quotas won’t For many, increasing female repre- discourses In 2020, these igures are disgraceful. the highest-paid female receiving less cut it. A feminist media is one which sentation is the irst step. Award season Many major news and media outlets than a quarter than her male counter- speaks of women, for women, in their is always an interesting time to relect ❞ have launched initiatives to rectify this part, Chris Evans. own voices. F  28 F   2020 19 Opinion Ghosting may seem insigni cant, but it can have damaging e ects

very year, RAG Blind Date proves tation of not knowing, and it goes without ing nothing as opposed to sending rejec- friendly co ee, or simply asking the rep While to be one of the most popular saying that, for even the most mentally tion, and the other party can justify the if they could sort another pairing.  e no one is student charity initiatives, this stable individual, this completely avoid- ghosting with ‘perhaps they didn’t see notion that it is acceptable to blank a obliged to Eyear raising just over £10,600. able situation can induce anxiety. the message request.’ Moreover, there message is deeply  awed, and generally A welcome respite from the quotidian When the issue is transposed onto the may be complications with a recent rela- stems from a certain kind of self right- entertain stresses of Cambridge student life, Blind conversation surrounding Blind Date, the tionship, and ghosting can seem to be an eousness; students sat around laughing anyone Date provides an opportunity to meet impact becomes even more signi cant. easier way of dealing with the situation ❝ at the Facebook pro le of their RAG Blind someone from a di erent social circle, Whereas going for a drink with some- than direct honesty. Date who they are deciding to ignore is they don’t with a potential new friendship or ro- one is usually attached with In signing up to the It can inherently toxic. wish to, mantic interest up for grabs. a set of preconceptions, programme, it’s true often feel Furthermore, it is easy to lose sight ghosting is However, each year the event issues a Blind Date tends to be that there isn’t a of the principle purpose of the event; quite sinister reminder; that despite its universally accept- responsibility like less to raise money for charity.  ere is a never the charitable aims, students are continu- ed as a harmless to go on the sad irony in the knowledge that one of solution ously subjected to ‘ghosting’ from their endeavour, with date. How- damage RAG’s 2018-19 chosen charities was Mind, blind pairing. most of the  rst ever, there a charity dedicated to helping those with Most of us are familiar with the idea dates being the is still a is being mental health problems, and yet some of ‘ghosting’ or ‘blanking’, referring to the last. social and caused of the behaviour surrounding RAG Blind act of ignoring someone else’s attempts Set against moral Date is so blatantly disrespectful and at communication, oten by leaving said this context, responsi- by send- belittling of the mental disposition of communication attempts unread. Given ghosting bility to others. By no means is it a step too far how much of our lives are now spent one’s pair the other ing to suggest that ignoring a message from on our phones, we would be remiss to tends to im- person; nothing a RAG blind date could directly induce ignore how the motivations and conse- ply that they they are anxiety and damage self-esteem. quences of ghosting have altered the way looked so awful, expecting as op- For all the bizarreness of Cambridge we communicate with each other.  e even a 30 minute a response, students, there is an incredible array of phenomenon is not uncommon, with a co ee is out of the given that both posed to wonderful and interesting people out 2016 survey by dating site, Plenty of Fish, question - a decision people signed up there. RAG Blind Date provides a unique reporting that around 80% of millennials oten made based on a to the same pro- sending opportunity to meet someone interesting aged 18-33 had experienced ghosting. Facebook pro le. gramme with the same rejection outside of what might be your usual so- As Oliver Burkeman put it for  e While the implication is per- initial expectation of going cial circles, while supporting some bril- Guardian, “In the old days, instant replies haps unavoidable, there may be other on the date. ❞ liant charities. As easy as it is to ignore were either obligatory (as in face-to-face reasons for why people feel they have to Whilst no individual should feel pres- a message from a pairing if they don’t conversation) or impossible (as in snail ghost. It may be that personal anxieties sured to go on a date that they are feel- initially seem your type, such a small mail). Now, though, we’ve hopelessly make it di cult to face messaging the ing uncomfortable or anxious about, it gesture can have such a damaging e ect, confused the two. So when no reply pairing, particularly if to say they would is equally sinister to leave the pairing and getting out of one’s comfort zone is forthcoming, we’ve no idea what to rather not go on the date. It can oten feel in online suspense.  ere are a range of to meet someone new is something we Oliver Cope Oliver think”. Burkeman highlights here the irri- like less damage is being caused by send- alternatives to a romantic drink, be it a should all be able to take joy from. Why is Dave’s BRIT Awards performance so controversial? he 2020 BRIT Awards provided bicycle-riding MP on a mission to foil an A drat conclusion of the delayed image of ‘acceptable’ racism and weap- a platform for Dave, winner of Islamist plot against Parliament? Windrush review found the Home Of- onise prejudice for political advantage. Racism is so best British album for ‘Psycho- We know where Johnson stands, and  ce ′institutionally racist,′ a term that He is a ‘real racist’.  is is not a state- endemic in Tdrama’, to highlight a series of it hasn’t remotely hampered his elec- appears notably in the 1999 inquiry into ment that ought to be controversial. acute political issues: from Grenfell to toral success or credibility.  is isn’t even the murder of Stephen Lawrence by the  e evidence speaks overwhelmingly today's society Windrush to the treatment of Meghan the  rst time that the issue has been Metropolitan Police.  e Home O ce is to Johnson’s character and beliefs, and that calling Markle in the press. Most controversial, raised on the BRIT Awards stage, echo- attempting to water down these judge- ❝ the fact that it seems to have been met though, was the accusation he levelled ing Stormzy’s criticisms of  eresa May ments in review.  is is not to mention with indi erence from the electorate is it out has be- against Boris Johnson, labelling him a last year, as well as performances from that one of the few policies in Johnson’s Dave disturbing. Why Dave’s words proved come a topic ‘real racist’ in an extended performance Skepta in 2017 and Kanye West in 2015. 2019 manifesto sought the criminalisa- didn’t contentious is a matter for speculation: of debate of his song, Black.  ese claims have However, no matter how many times it tion of traveller communities, an ugly partisan allegiance in some cases, per- proved divisive, encountering unadul- has been argued in the past, this is a mat- expression of anti-ziganist bigotry. While say any- haps bigotry in others. terated praise from some as a watershed ter that bears repeating as long as people Johnson may not have personally con- A long-standing feeling of politi- moment in British music and politics, – be they Priti Patel or the denizens of ceived these policies, he is responsible for thing that cal correctness gone mad, and ‘woke’ and outrage from others. Twitter – continue to defend Johnson. unapologetically overseeing their imple- we don’t intolerance seems to be at play – that One recurring criticism of Dave’s politi- His racist remarks cannot be dismissed mentation and refusing to oppose them. allegations of racism tarnish the ac- cal message is that it is simply boring, an as the ga es of a lovable bu oon, and Regardless of your opinion of the Win- already cused too indiscriminately and are too uncontroversial statement designed to earn they should raise serious concerns over drush report, questions as to whether frequently applied to perceived minor the adulation of the ‘Guardianista market’. the nature of Conservative policy. or not there are any tangible examples know, nor indiscretions. Dave’s words on this point Albeit in soter terms, this point is raised  ere is a pervasive idea that John- of Johnson’s racism in policy ignore a did he are some of his most powerful, asking even by those who agreed with him, and son is not, as Dave alleges, a ‘real rac- more insidious threat.  e presence of a why he should be ‘grateful’ that soci- not altogether unreasonably. Dave didn’t say ist,’ because he does not materially or politically acceptable face of unrepentant frame it ety is more equal than it once was: ‘the anything that we don’t already know, nor politically discriminate against people of racism at the head of government has least racist is still racist’. Dave was not did he frame it in a new light. Johnson’s ref- colour. In the wake of the BRIT perform- enormous potential for harm beyond its in a new alone on the BRIT Awards stage in de- erences to African children as ‘ ag-waving ance, LBC celebrated Nick Ferrari tying a policy implications. nouncing institutional racism within the piccaninnies’ with ‘watermelon smiles’ or caller in knots, unable to o er any exam- ‘Racism’ is a word that de es nuance. light British government: Tyler, the Creator, ‘AIDS-ridden choristers’ have been revisited ple of Johnson putting forward a racist It is an absolute. To be racist is to be ut- ❞ hit out at  eresa May for his  ve-year time and time again. His prejudices have policy. Perhaps the Windrush scandal, terly indefensible, and critics could likely ban over lyrics that supposedly incited been freely available in print since 2004, the continuation of deportation  ights bene t from an extended vocabulary that hatred. Artists like Tyler and Dave are smuggled under a  imsy cover of political and May’s ‘hostile environment’ policy, isn’t stretched to cover everything from right to make use of the BRIT Awards for satire in his novel, 'Seventy-Two Virgins’. touched upon by Dave in his much-dis- microaggressions to apartheid states and as long as their comments provoke the How could anyone hope to discern John- cussed verse, comes to mind – or maybe the Ku Klux Klan. While Johnson does same hateful vitriol they are accused of son’s authorial voice in the  ctive world of the recent hire of an outspoken advocate not belong to this latter extreme, he is spreading and people like Boris Johnson

Jack Durand Jack Roger Barlow, a hapless and messy-haired of eugenics. more than happy to project a normalised occupy positions of power. 20 F  28 F   2020 Science Taking steps in the right direction: decolonising the Sciences in the HPS department Charlotte Zemmel and Ellie Aris explore how the decolonisation movement should be applied to science subjects at Cambridge nce walked by famous g- ferent scienti c traditions would permit ures such as James Clerk- the drawing of parallels between the pro- Maxwell, Ernest Rutherford duction of science in a range of localities Oand J.J.  omson, the halls ❝ and backgrounds. of the old Cavendish Laboratories are It is clear  is would debunk the myth that sci- now home to Cambridge University’s ence was produced in Europe and then History and Philosophy of Science that the di used globally. Treating scienti c Department. In the very same rooms ethically traditions not as universal truths but where the electron was discovered as the expression of di erent themes some 130 years before, we are now dubious would allow for the safe comparison of beginning to reconstruct our concep- origins of knowledge created at di erent times and tion of science by moving away from places, without the implication that one a series of celebrated individuals, and much of is superior. towards an acknowledgement of the what we Moreover, it was suggested that the deep colonial roots of what we now inclusion of ‘bad works’ in the curricu- call ‘science.’ call ‘science’ lum (predominantly Eurocentric and Whilst the romanticised argument today are racially motivated pieces of literature) for a science built by western icons is would allow students to recognise what somewhat convincing, it lacks an ap- shielded is ‘bad’ scienti c reasoning. Comparing preciation for the darker forces of ex- from us as ‘bad works’ with contemporary ap- ploitation, industry and imperialism. proaches permits aspiring scientists to By situating the history of science and students understand rst hand how scienti c medicine within its colonial roots, we and as sci- literature should not look. are now able to address the current of untold stories and unseen perspec- entists Should we colonise the tives of non-western voices. Such is the ❠ sciences before decolonising aim of the ‘Decolonising the Sciences’ them? movement. We might have lost some of the un- A most intriguing proposal was sug- dergraduate physics students at this gested by Professor Simon Scha er, who point, but this is exactly the problem. not be thought of as the sole basis of hu- ate about decolonisation, where a range argued that it was rst important to colo- Since science is perceived to be the man logic. It should not be considered of practical decolonial strategies were nise the sciences before decolonisation most important way in which modern as a standard to which other traditions debated. could take place. In other words, it is knowledge is produced, it is thus one of knowledge are to be compared.  is  e rst to be suggested was diversi- necessary to encourage those entering of the most crucial disciplines in need necessarily involves reconstructing in- fying the geographical locations taught scienti c disciplines to engage critically of a new, decolonised approach. digenous and other non-western knowl- in the course to ‘de-Euro centralise’ the with the dogmas they are taught to take ‘Decolonisation’ has become a cul- edge systems as equal to Euro-localised ❝ study of science, and help reconstruct for granted. Decolonising the sciences tural and academic buzzword, mani- traditions. Essentially, scienti c decolo-  is would knowledge from various indigenous will begin and end with a re-evaluation festing as an ambition, a strategy for nists aim to challenge the conception populations. Increasing the breadth of of how science is taught – both in HPS critique, and a perspective we should that modern science was born with the debunk the knowledge systems studied is an ap- and beyond – by integrating the themes all be aiming to take. Broadly speaking, British Empire, despite the fact that what myth that proach that has already been in place explored here into mainstream curricula. the movement challenges the way we we learn today under the title ‘science’ for some time. As Dr Staley put it, ‘understanding the think about the impact of European has its precise origins in this period.  e science was Dr. Richard Staley, a lecturer and re- signi cance of scienti c involvement in colonisation on global cultural infra- science we are taught to accept as dogma produced search fellow at the department, high- colonisation is central to many of the structures. It strives to recognize the today is a colonised science. lighted HPS’s ‘commitment to diversify- issues important in decolonising di er- systems of oppression that have been With this in mind, it is important in Europe ing its teaching.’ Dr. Mary Brazelton also ent elds’. made implicit in our methods of knowl- to appreciate that there is no straight and then teaches courses on the modern history It is clear that the ethically dubious edge production, and to break them line from a colonised science to a de- of East Asian Science, allowing under- origins of much of what we call ‘science’ down. colonised one.  ere are many di erent di used graduate science students to recognise today are shielded from us as students  e HPS department facilitates the avenues to explore when pursuing this globally that there have always been other im- and as scientists. It seems intuitive that only undergraduate courses available to path depending on which dimension of portant systems of scienti c knowledge the rst step in decolonising the scienc- students taking Science Tripos’ which ‘colonisation’ we choose to tackle: Geo- ❠ production outside of Europe. es is to remove the wool from our eyes actually provide the tools scientists so graphical? Ideological?  ematic? Here, However, it seems unsustainable to by learning how to critically question desperately need to decolonise their we present a ‘food for thought’ introduc- spread the course thinly over the whole what is dogma and what is constructed. disciplines. It invites a meta-study of tion to some of the strategies on the table globe. Making a conscious e ort to in- Surely, this is the rst step in the right science; an analysis of how theories for decolonising HPS, and for thinking clude some localities over others adds direction. and methods are constructed and in- more generally about what we believe yet another dimension of complexity ▲ ‘ e HPS  e meta study of science provided evitably situated within broader social, should constitute a ‘science’. to the issue at stake.  is necessitates a department by HPS is crucial for this very reason. It political and economic contexts. As a complicated trade-o between breadth facilitates the provides an ‘insider-outsider’ perspec- result, the engagement of this depart- e problem with the and depth that stands at the forefront of only under- tive on what occurs in science.  rough ment with decolonial sentiments is es- problem discussion surrounding the restructur- graduate courses studying the history of what we call sential for the reconstruction of science ing of curricula to highlight decolonial ... which actually ‘science’, it can be ‘colonised’ by per- from the bottom up. It is one thing to proclaim that all sentiments. provide the tools mitting scientists to understand their of modern science is colonial. It is an In terms of increased depth, another scientists so discipline’s interaction with imperial e roots of the problem entirely di erent matter to display and suggestion has been to organise the desperately need geopolitics. Only then can we enter a change this narrative. We were invited course thematically. Introducing di er- to decolonise new stage of decolonial science by con-  e decolonisation movement rests to a department open meeting, hosted ent themes, such as instruments, or the their disciplines’ sciously throwing o the yolk of sci- on the view that Western science should by Rory Kent, a PhD student passion- use of calculation, to bring together dif- (GEOGRAPH) ence’s past. F  28 F   2020 21 Science The regulation of AI in a post-Brexit world With the rapid development of technology outpacing regulation, Rosamund Powell discusses the future of AI policy in Britain and abroad

new whitepaper released by the ing a rather laidback stance.  is exam- is essential to look beyond facial recogni- algorithm to be released. With no clear been proposed for the mitigation of bias, European Commission on 19th ple stands out particularly pointedly as tion and our most intuitive fears. Debates distinguishing feature of these algorithms, from the introduction of protected classes February has set the terms for a drat of the same document, leaked in over the proper place for regulation in the such a strategy risks being inapplicable to which would prevent predictions made A the future of AI regulation in January, was more stringent. Many there- digital realm are in their infancy, and a a huge number of potentially dangerous on race and gender to the creation of un- the EU. But, with a post-Brexit UK on the fore see the whitepaper as a move by the clear, universal and ethically sound strat- technologies. More thought is needed to biased data through experiments. Di er- hunt for ways to strike out alone, it is by EU to weaken regulation. egy is yet to be found. With development create a precise de nition of “high risk”. ent strategies not only di er in cost but in no means clear that similar strategies will In the case of facial recognition, people of the technologies themselves accelerat- Despite this, many of the paper’s key the accuracy of results. Sometimes, bias be adopted on this side of the channel. In worry about governments’ use of it lead- ing rapidly, it has already become neces- commitments demonstrate an under- cannot be removed without decreasing fact, while the UK is likely to continue ing both to bias and to potential breaches sary for governments to have some form standing of the issues at play. For exam- accuracy, and it is these tricky cases that following European rules (as set out in of privacy.  ere are serious real-world of legal strategy on arti cial intelligence ple, choosing a clear strategy on who is have not been addressed by the EU. the General Data Protection Regulation impacts of identifying the wrong person and its potential threats. Many govern- accountable for the actions of these arti-  is move to think about issues such (GDPR)), some have suggested that we and it causes distress to all involved.  ese ments are not ready for this. cially intelligent beings should be an EU as non-discrimination in AI by the EU may choose to diverge on the strategies consequences can also weigh dispropor- Before the UK decides whether to priority. However, with the limited detail should be welcomed, but we must wait set out in this new paper, developing a tionately on minorities, as the data used head in a di erent direction, it is worth provided in the whitepaper, it is di cult to see whether these strategies can truly separate approach in the realm of arti - to train the algorithms rarely matches up exploring EU plans in more depth and to see how far the EU will go in applying get to grips with the complex issues at cial intelligence. to a goal of diversity. whether they truly address our pressing these strategies. Of course, these are not play.  e  ip- op over facial recognition, As of May 2019, a total of 42 coun-  ere is a reason the press has seized fears over issues on AI, bias and privacy. intended to be fully  eshed out policies and the backdown over a proposed ban tries, including both the UK and US, have on this one algorithm rather than focus- In particular, is this regulatory and in- and so details cannot be expected. But show how di cult it is to apply these signed up to the OECD principles on the ing on strategies as a whole. Firstly, it has vestment-oriented approach really going with issues such as transparency and fair- principles to concrete cases. Regulators regulation of AI.  ese can provide some been in the news before, with Google’s to protect us from very real risks, or will ness, stating a commitment to the princi- have quite a task on their hands if they are global unity but they are non-binding and old version of the technology making it simply facilitate increased pro ts for ple is easy. More information is needed to to develop this document into concrete leave room for a degree of divergence. headlines for racism when it labelled multinational corporations? give meaning to the statements. policies applicable to real world uses of While Trump’s US focuses on fostering black people as gorillas. Secondly, this Beyond facial recognition, the paper  e case of diversity and fairness can technology. innovation, other countries are taking a single technology continues to combine deals with all “high risk” technologies. be used to demonstrate the complexity of In the meantime, there is plenty of more ethics-driven approach.  e merits many of our most intuitive fears over AI Itself a questionable strategy, this lets issues at play.  e EU focuses on issues time for the UK to diverge from this and and ambiguities of the EU paper and the as it faces accusations of undermining many potentially dangerous actions  y arising “from the use of data without cor- come up with our own set of rules in the possible advantages of divergence there- privacy and transparency, as well as being under the radar, receiving little attention. recting possible bias” but provide less de- digital sphere. Ultimately, the big chal- fore need to be addressed as the UK ap- associated with discrimination against For example, the requirement of “human tail as to how such bias can be corrected lenges will come when we get to address- proaches a signi cant fork in the road. minorities.  e failure of the EU to ban oversight” is to be applied di erentially, for. We live in a world where raw data ing the nitty gritty aspects of implemen- Headlines have focused on the omis- facial recognition has therefore led to depending on the stated risk of the tech- is inevitably biased and certain groups tation and translating broad principles sion of a ban on facial recognition from disappointment for many. nology. Only in such cases will human are hyper visible in the data while others – such as “transparency” – to the rapidly the paper, suggesting that the EU are tak- But much more is at stake here, and it approval be required for the output of the are invisible. A number of strategies have developing world of AI.

❝ The longer users engage with this process, the more dangerous the emotional and mental effects can become. ❞ 22 Friday 28th February 2020 Interviews Me Too’s Tarana Burke: ‘his movement is built on the back of everyday survivors’ Interviews Editor Georgina Buckle talks to activist Tarana Burke about reclaiming space with the words ‘me too’

ntering the room to meet Tara- na Burke, I am immediately made aware of her poised and E commanding presence. Radi- ating a sense of self-assurance whilst surrounded by an entourage of men, Burke cuts a powerful figure. This im- pression is made deeper when hearing Burke’s sharp and eloquent speech, both through our interview and later in her Cambridge Union talk. It should come as no surprise that a woman who has founded a global talking point regarding sexual assault will be surrounded by a team, duly accompanying her on talks across the world. As Burke mentions in her Union talk, she was speaking in a college in Canada a few weeks past. The ‘me too’ movement has had a long timeline since Burke’s coinage of the phrase on Myspace in 2006, where she ini- tially used the phrase on the social networking app to encourage survivor empowerment. Despite the term ‘me too’ first being used by Burke in 2006, it is still very much propagated in the media. The demand for Burke to give talks across the world demonstrates a rightly continued interest in a phrase that has become somewhat of a ‘buz- zword’ with its frequent media at- tention and use. Burke’s founding of the phrase is often less reported. The typical as- sociation of the ‘me too’ movement ▲ Tarana Burke discussing survivor strength at the Union (CANDICE ZHANG/CAMBRIDGE UNION) was its launch into mainstream me- dia in 2017, when #MeToo went viral after a group of Hollywood women people could even say it. Creating that experiences and trust her, when it fi- your body and not just about telling stepped forward with sexual assault kind of space where people could talk nally happened Burke recalls feeling the whole world, and that's solidar- allegations against the then-famed about, think about, explore what it as if she had been ‘hit by a tonne of ity too.’ director Harvey Weinstein. But what means to be a survivor.’ bricks’. At that moment, Burke offered Burke frequently refers to how we Burke wants to assert is that the crux During Burke’s Union talk, she opens ❝ as much verbal support as she could, all need ‘spaces’ to enter into a safe of the movement’s viral peak was the up more about the origins of the phrase- except the sharing of her own story. ❝ dialogue concerning sexual assault public. ‘What made the hashtag go Having experienced sexual assault both This poignant moment weighs heavily and abuse. Where there is room, it viral was everyday people who got as a child and a teenager Burke was What on Burke’s conscience, after realising It’s not is vital that these conversations are the courage to come forward and say left isolated to any form of help to be- that perhaps the only thing she should happening in order to dismantle me too’, Burke stresses. ‘There’s a come ‘whole’ again. Her low-income, is lost have said to make a difference was just men a pervasive rape culture. Pressed way that we erase the fact that this working-class roots are also crucial to amidst simply: ‘it happened to me too’. about her response to individuals movement is built on the back of address, with the inancial disparity This was a moment of realisation who stuck in their criticisms against the everyday survivors. Those survivors between survivors leading to vast in- this noise for me. The noise of the mainstream movement, Burke laughs, ‘it’s lazy.’ were you and me, our cousins, our equalities in the support available to media has propelled the phrase into need ‘If you have the space to hear, then mothers.’ them. What Burke seriously highlights is the fact the limelight and has inevitably we can have a conversation… For With all the people that came in addition to this is that of the limited warped it into something ‘clickable’, these the people who may come in with forward to tell their stories in mind, support available to black, Asian and that the its purpose and effect sometimes that idea and then hear something Burke is wholehearted in saying she minority ethnic individuals in com- unclear. This has garnered attention conversa- and think ‘that’s not what I thought’ wasn’t surprised that the phrase parison to their white counterparts. A phrase since 2017. From backlashes branding – that’s somebody that I want to con- ‘me too’ became viral. ‘I knew what fundamental principle of Burke’s ac- the movement as ‘totalitarian’ and tions...we tinue to have a conversation with.’ the breadth and depth of the effect tivism is placing women of colour as ('me its sparking unsubstantiated accusa- Burke is adamant in saying that it’s of sexual violence was around the the centre focus for her work, arguing tions against men, to the association all have not just men who need these conver- world and the hashtag allowed peo- that prioritising support of these mar- too') is of it being part of the women’s move- sations: ‘Women are sexist, women ple to get this information. If it was ginalised groups is necessary. Think- ment, Burke denies them all. What to share propagate misogyny, so we all have ever to take off, this would be the ing back to her younger self ’s thought there to is lost amidst this noise is the fact [responsi- to share [responsibility]’. It is these result because there’s too many of process, Burke becomes impassionate: that the phrase is there to reclaim dialogues which carry the power to us.’ ‘it felt unfair that I couldn't have [hap- reclaim space, partly through the knowledge bility] build community and bring people Whilst the ‘me too’ movement is piness] and other people could. Was you are not alone. It is for survivors to onto the side of the movement: for still living off this viral energy from it because I'm poor? Because I can't space say that ‘we might have had different ❞ allies and advocates to bring an end 2017, there’s a feeling that this main- afford therapy? Why can't I have what ❞ experiences happen, but the feelings to sexual violence. stream media attention has diverted other people have?’. of trauma we can recognise in each With continued open dialogues away from the roots of the phrase. It is this isolation – survivors left other.’ More than that, it doesn’t just and acknowledgement of the harm Certainly, I entered the conversation alone with no guidance toward healing have to be spoken to another person. caused by sexual assault, there with one idea of ‘me too’, and left en- – that the very phrase ‘me too’ seeks Burke is aware that she is vocal about is hope for survivors and allies to lightened by Burke’s deconstruction of to counteract. Burke recalls a story her ‘me too’ for all the people who reclaim more of their space in the the term. Thinking back to 2006, her regarding the phrase’s foundation: a cannot speak or choose not to. There world. This acknowledgement, both purpose for the phrase was to ‘create girl came to her within a youth group is immeasurable power within these within ourselves and with others, space’. ‘It’s declarative, right?’ Burke and shared her own story of sexual as- words just by acknowledging them. can begin with Burke’s phrase. As intently explains. ‘Once you say it you sault, which drew many similarities to ‘You can say it in your pillow, think she aptly says, ‘me too can be the give permission for other people to say Burke’s experience. Although she had it, whisper it to yourself ’, Burke says conversational starter, or it can be it. And there were no spaces where encouraged survivors to share their movingly. ‘It's about getting it out of the whole conversation.’ ● vulture.

ARTS◀ The evolving imAge of big bRoTheR ∙ 26 fAShion◀ STReeT STyle: Seeing double ∙ 28 muSic◀ Illustration by lgbT+ ARTiSTS To wATch ThiS decAde ∙ 33 Lisha Zhong 24 Vulture Friday 28th February 2020 Film & TV ● Uncut Gems: stylish, stirring, Oscar-snubbed In Josh and Benny Safdie’s latest work, Alex Harrison inds glimpses of genius

that, in the underbelly of the inspirational vaporwave character: desperately grasping against-the-odds story, there can be a deeply to reclaim a life that may or may not have tragic narrative of somebody who won’t give ever existed. up when they really should. In a wonderfully sweet video made with No less signiicant is the directors’ decision the Criterion Collection DVD label, Josh Safdie to continue their collaboration with compos- casually refers to De Sica’s Bicycle hieves as er Daniel Lopatin for the ilm’s score. Lopa- the greatest ever ilm, and perhaps the Safdies are the true modern heirs to the neo-realist movement. More so than any other director ❝ claiming inspiration from De Sica, the Safdies seem to have understood that the lynchpin to he Safdies have transi- realistic human drama is a direct, materialist anxiety. hey not only capture the igurative tioned further from being sense of being trapped in a dire situation, but also the feeling that the only way to get just ‘ones to watch’ out is through risky snap decisions – even as deiance of logical consequence continues to ❞ make the situation worse. Even though Uncut Gems opts for a slightly more elliptical and epic structure than the tin is widely credited as being an originator strict real-time attack of Good Time, the con- of the ‘vaporwave’ musical movement and stant onslaught of deals, scams, and creditors aesthetic style in his album Eccojams Vol.1. is somehow even more oppressive, and at It’s an expression of tainted nostalgia that is times recalls the vulnerable, apocalyptic tone one of the most recognisable aspects of late of Mike Leigh’s Naked. he directors have 2010’s internet culture. His peculiar blend of realised that one doesn’t need to be trapped cool, electronic minimalism, choral chanting, in the kitchen sink to speak to human fears and anxiety-inducing repeated tape loops and vulnerability. heir use of vivid, highly add an unnerving backdrop to the quieter saturated 35mm colour compositions as a scenes in the ilm, and a vicious intensity narrative tool bestow a vigour that deies the to the dramatic scenes. his ilm lacks a UK modern fashion for moody slowcore, washed ▲ Adam Sandler is stellar as the troubled jeweller Howard Ratner (TWITTER/@VARIETY) cinematic release: the efect of some of the out palettes, and mumbled dialogue. f, somehow, I still had any lingering when this goes far beyond what anyone could glorious soundscapes, generally consisting of Having now made two relatively main- respect for the Oscars, this has been consider rational. here are various points in three shouted conversations at once on top of stream independent ilms with A-list actors totally snufed out by the Academy’s the ilm at which his balance sheet is barely the ominous synths, is somewhat dampened and received both critical plaudits and popu- Idecision to overlook Adam Sandler for a positive, and he’s able to walk away with without the full force of surround sound. he lar success, while maintaining and develop- best actor nomination, with voters allegedly his lover if he wants to – yet he has an all- choices of non-original music for the sound- ing their distinctive style and artistic integ- not considering his brand as a popular come- consuming addiction. track are also inspired, with songs from Billy rity, it is justiied to say that the Safdies have dian ‘Oscar-worthy’. Without wishing to liti- Sandler’s performance encompasses this Joel’s he Stranger, Gigi D’Agostino’s L’amour transitioned further from being just ‘ones to gate the merits (or lack thereof) of Sandler’s mixture of childlike naivety and adolescent toujours, and a haunting electronic arrange- watch’. With the majority of their career still back catalogue, it is undeniable that without posturing, and he harnesses his comedic tal- ment of Haydn’s ‘Symphony No.88 in G Ma- ahead of them, one can but hardly wait to his central performance as Howard Ratner, a ents for embodying an outwardly ridiculous jor’ underlining key scenes in a triumphal see where their profoundly humanist, post- Jewish New York jeweller trapped in a spiral character to play the tragic anti-hero Howard. post-boomer milieu that neatly encapsulates neorealist style, rooted in direct material of his gambling addiction, Uncut Gems would the tragedy of Howard as the prototypical anxiety, will take them next.● not exist in any recognisable form. he ilm, the ifth feature from directors ▼ Sandler triumphed at The Film Independent Spirit Awards 2020 (TWITTER/@HIGHSNOBIETY) Josh and Benny Safdie, is centred on his ac- ❝ quisition of the titular uncut gem, a ‘lucky’ Ethiopian black opal. Howard attempts to Even a character as sell it to the basketball player Kevin Garnett in order to pay of his gambling debts. While foolish and callous as the premise might sound farcical, the ilm Howard deserves our love ultimately plays out as a grand tragedy as the tightening net of debt, addiction, and and sympathy bad decisions threatens to consume Howard, watching his inances and personal life col- ❞ lapse around him in pursuit of ‘the win’. Howard appears to experience life as a series of borderline unconnected sketches, with little ability to maintain cognitive per- Critics have debated whether Howard is to manence between events. While in Sandler’s be viewed empathetically, but I feel the an- comedies this is a comedic device to keep the swer is obvious. Even a character as foolish jokes lowing, here its efect is overwhelm- and callous as Howard deserves our love ingly tragic. Both towards his debts and in and sympathy, as per the Safdies’ principle his relationships with his wife (Idina Menzel) of radical humanist ilmmaking. It is an in- and lover (Julia Fox), Howard persistently version of the classic sports movie ‘plucky makes inadvertently dreadful decisions, even underdog’ trope; the Safdies here highlight Friday 28th February 2020 Vulture 25 Theatre ● Meet Bread, the theatre company ighting for diversity in Cambridge Shruti Sharma speaks to the people behind Bread Theatre Company about their past, present, and future efforts to make Cambridge Theatre more diverse Ananya Mishra, Suchitra Sebastian, and Bread’s current president Shameera Lin on their stories of founding Bread, as well as their current endeavours.

How did Bread come about?

“Bread’s work builds on four-year-old efforts to change the face of Cambridge theatre. Student productions of Shake- speare with an all-BAME cast started de- spite criticism, and are now a mainstay supported by the Marlowe Society. This year saw the largest ever black cast on the ADC stage in a production of Danai Gurira’s The Convert, a production that was unanimously praised for the Zimba- bwean history it brought to the stage.” Bread Theatre and Film Company wants to catalyse this slow murmur of connecting voices into a movement.

What are your ambitions for this year?

“We aim to create productions of professional calibre in cities across the UK, focusing on cutting edge theatre techniques, experimental forms, and innovative writing.” In the aim of ex- ploring more experimental forms of theatre and making the stage accessi- ble to overlooked performers and play- wrights, Bread’s programming includes a series of workshops known as Bread ▲ The Bread theatre company launch (JEnDAyI RUKIyA AKAnKE) Labs (hosted at The Lab, in collaboration with Jason Mellad – a Cambridge alum- epresentation in Theatre is all-en- ed their first production (supported by the nus, and Bread’s first patron), that bring compassing; it applies to casting Marlowe Society and ETG), an adaptation ❝ industry theatre professionals to Cam- selections, acting and directing of Abhishek Majumdar’s Djinns of Eidgah bridge. This term’s Bread Labs include R roles, and choices of plays and in the Corpus Playroom. A composition on We aim to create produc- the first BAME director at the national playwrights, whether it be on stage in the military occupation in Kashmir, the Theatre, Jatinder Verma. Cambridge, or UK-wide. However, BAME performance gave life to the stories of the tions of professional cali- “Though we love staging our own representation in UK theatre, both on and marginalized civilians in the embattled work, we are also involved in ADC pitch- off stage, is still rare as reported by the territory. As an avid local theatregoer, this bre in cities across the UK, ing panels to actively affect decision- Arts Council (Arts Council England: Analy- was the first time I had seen a production making to select which plays to stage sis of Theatre in England, 2016). Rather and cast so rich in cultural and ethnic di- focusing on cutting edge at the ADC and Corpus Playroom”. This than adopt solutions whereby minor- versity. The Varsity review for their play has helped to bring eight BAME-focussed ity students find themselves invited to made it clear that a fresh representative theatre techniques, experi- shows to the ADC and Corpus Playroom increase diversity rather than being able voice in the performing arts was both mental forms, and inno- just in Lent term 2020, in comparison to take space, Ananya Mishra and Suchi- welcome and needed: “This is tragic and to just three such performances over tra Sebastian founded the newly minted haunting theatre characterised by a rich- vative writing the entirety of Cambridge theatre his- Bread Theatre and Film Company to be ness and captivating quality throughout tory prior to 2019. “These productions a fresh voice for representation in Cam- […] Given that all but one of this play’s ❞ grapple with lesser-known narratives bridge. Bread aims to use new narratives cast are actors of an ethnic minority back- from a variety of performance traditions, to transform existing artistic spaces, its ground, it does beg the question why Cam- bringing new writing and less familiar name taken from a poem by Salvadorian bridge theatre casts are still overwhelm- Lab, Cambridge, in a joyous celebration of playwrights into focus.” Bread’s efforts poet Roques Dalton: “I believe the world ingly white. This is a loss for the casts, taking space, performing spoken word, have been warmly and enthusiastically is beautiful and that poetry, like bread, is directors and audiences, but most impor- Hip Hop, Jazz, sketches, and more to a received by the community, bringing in for everyone.” tantly the actors themselves!”. jam-packed audience of students, academ- fresh faces to auditions and drawing new I first encountered Bread when I attend- Bread was launched in June 2019 at The ics, and Cambridge residents. I spoke to audiences to the theatre.● 26 Vulture     A ● e evolving image of Big Brother On the anniversary of Orwell’s death, Esmee Wright tracks the changing reception of his classic novel 1984 through its cover art

eorge Orwell died 70 years kept them in a box with camp plans and his ago this year. He’s never own drawings, tied shut with scraps of his G exactly suffered from a lack own camp uniform. This book cover, with of popularity, but in a its photographed eye staring eerily world of fake news and constant down a ridged tunnel conveys an surveillance, his final novel, air of claustrophobic menace, with its Thought Police, Big and bridges the gap between Brother, and doublethink unreal and unnervingly real, has never seemed more much like the novel itself. relevant. Nineteen The eye has become a Eighty-Four was first motif for covers of Nine- published in the year teen Eighty-Four; it fea- before his death and tures in some form in thus will be out of the 1983 edition, both copyright early next editions in 2003 and year. This will no in 2008 as well as doubt be followed in the 2009 Marion by an explosion Deuchars version. of retellings and Staring out at us, reimaginings for it conveys the hor- our present day. ror of constant sur- However, before veillance. The book bracing for the is, literally, always inevitable horror of watching us. the capitalist market However, not all im- taking on George ages used for Nineteen Orwell, now seems like Eighty-Four have been a good time to explore created expressly for the ▲ The 1966 edition features William Rob- the artistic ventures most book; four versions of the erts’ deceptively bright The Control Room, closely linked with the book published by Penguin Civil Defence Headquarters (1942) TWITTER novel currently: the book feature artwork by artists of SEANJCOSTELLO covers themselves. varying style and fame. The first The first edition covers from was the 1966 edition, which shows which a totalitarian state might hide its Secker & Warburg in 1949 and Penguin the painting The Control Room, Civil more nefarious aspects. in 1954 were not exactly the height of im- Defence Headquarters (1942) by William The 2000 edition also focuses on an office agination - the former a block colour with Roberts. There are certainly elements which scene; one which is still not outright threat- a word art font, the other the traditional give this painting the air of an office in Oce- ening, but certainly contains elements of image for Penguin’s ‘six pence novels’. This ▲ “Big Brother is watching you” INSTA ania - the oddly ironed-out appearance lent distinct unease. Stephen Conroy’s Abstract latter series was once described by Orwell GRAMTHEFIRSTVINTAGE to the figures by Roberts’ cubist style, the Painting (1992) depicts a man in a grey himself as “splendid value for sixpence, so boundary maps on the wall with deper- suit, stood by a phone and three clocks, splendid that if other publishers had any uniform, this look did little to inform and sonalised numbers in place of names. The all showing different times. This scene is sense they would combine against them inspire the reader about the actual contents painting, like Nineteen Eighty-Four, takes disrupted by an ominous shadow, obscur- and suppress them”. Part of the reason for of the book at first glance. for its subject the ideal of social planning. ing the man’s face and darkening the cover this paucity in price was indeed the sim- By 1962 Penguin was looking to mod- Unlike the many openly menacing covers, - a different, but no less effective way to plicity of the orange-white-orange print ernise, and so Penguin founder Allen Lane here the bright colours and almost cud- suggest the underlying horror in this ag- of the books covers. Although pleasingly hired Germano Facetti to be the new Art dly figures hint at the pleasant lies behind gressively normal world. The 2019 edition Director. Facetti’s first move was to change of Nineteen Eighty-Four appeared with the format of the cover, using a design made Self Portrait (1976) by Francis Bacon. Once by Polish Freelancer Romek Marber, which more the features are obscured but rather became known as the Marber grid. Its sim- than shadow, it is by colour and distortion, ple ruled style meant that title, author and hallmarks of Bacon’s technique. Equally, price could all be displayed neatly, with the Bacon association affects which aspect room on the cover for an image inspired of the book arrives at the forefront of the by the contents of the book. reader’s mind. Rather than the monolithic Nineteen Eighty-Four was actually the horror of Big Brother, Bacon’s portrait of first science-fiction title to be printed in mental distress evokes the subtler psycho- this fashion. The image itself might be rath- logical torture of living within such a brutal er of its time in its use of collage and colour, society; men are not machines here but but Facetti’s personal history alone makes shattered creatures. it a starting image well worth considering. I can only hope - probably in vain - that Unknown to most of his colleagues, Facetti in future people will feel less of an intense had spent his teenage years as a committed kinship with this 70 year-old novel. Yet anti-fascist in Italy, and was deported to even if we achieve such a rosy future, I the Austrian concentration camp of Mau- am certain that the covers of Nineteen thausen in 1943, aged only 17. When the Eighty-Four will continue to inspire, and camp was liberated, he collected photo- to encourage new and novel readings of the ▲ INSTAGRAMTHEFIRSTVINTAGE graphs left behind by the camp guards and ▲ INSTAGRAMUYGARSAHAF story each time readers encounter it. ●     Vulture 27 F ● Sharpening Perceptions is art uncovered This small exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum whets one’s appetite but doesn’t always strike home, writes Stephanie Stacey

ld paintings can o ten seem pretty Despite all this, the exhibition certainly boring. I realise that this might not isn’t without its  aws.  e dim lighting of the be a particularly promising outlook room, presumably for preservation purposes, O to have when setting out to review can be forgiven, but the chaos of the layout an exhibition featuring a whole range of old remains a barrier to complete enjoyment. paintings, but Sharpening Perceptions peels Essentially, the exhibition seems lacking in back layers of paint – sometimes quite liter- any real order, gathering artworks dating ally – to reveal the interesting features and from Ancient Egypt alongside some from processes hidden underneath. just a couple of centuries ago, without any  e exhibition’s concept is fairly straight- apparent attempt at thematic or chronologi- forward, presenting old, somewhat faded, cal organisation. In a single-room exhibition, original masterpieces alongside new copies, it shouldn’t be such a challenge to orient ▲SPIKE BUCKLOW, COPY OF JAN VAN OS, FLOWERS AND FRUIT; JAN VAN OS, FLOWERS AND FRUIT; COMPOSITE:DAMIAN WALSH in various stages of completion, made by art yourself. conservation students at the Fitzwilliam Mu- seum’s Hamilton Kerr Institute.  ese cop- ies are made with the goal of examining the ❝ ALL-INCLUSIVE original artist’s tools and techniques. When working to conserve or restore a painting, Sharpening Perceptions and equally when visiting this exhibition, MEMBERSHIP it’s important to draw attention primarily to o ers the rare chance to the processes behind a painting’s construc- see timeless paintings bro- tion, not simply to the aesthetics of the  nal product. ken down into their raw In a single-room exhibition, Sharpening Perceptions sees celebrated works of art materials and processes, stripped down to their nitty gritty details: the pencil marks sketched out behind an and put back together by elaborate still life, the individual pigmented powders o ering vibrant splashes of colour skilled conservators to a several hundred year-old portrait, and the intermediate layers of paint making up ❞ a gloomy skyline. Daniela Leonard’s 2009 copy of Dirck van Delen’s 1628 painting In- Nevertheless, Sharpening Perceptions is terior of a Church, o ers a particularly direct worth a visit if you want to get an inside representation of the various stages that go look on art. Some people – young children into constructing a masterpiece. Her work especially, who haven’t yet  gured out that consists of six separate strips representing damaging other people’s possessions isn’t a the original painting in various stages of its very popular pastime – feel compelled to tear development, from the initial background things apart in order to  gure out how they Silver Membership wash and pencil sketches to the  nal layers work.  is, it goes without saying, doesn’t of paint. tend to go down very well in art galleries, Silver Membership entitles you to unlimited use Each pair of paintings is accompanied by a but a visit to Sharpening Perceptions o ers detailed recipe of the pigments and materials the rare chance to see timeless paintings of Outlooks Gym, Free Weights Gym and ALL used, with the student conservators having broken down into their raw materials and gone to great lengths to replicate the exact processes, and put back together by skilled tools used by the original artists. Perhaps student conservators. Fitness Classes. it’s just because I know a whole lot more Sharpening Perceptions shows us art de- about cooking than I do about art, but these constructed. Sure, the exhibition may not be Also included is use of the sauna and hot tub. ‘pigment recipes’ were a standout feature of su ciently ordered or detailed to impress a the exhibition. Upon entering the exhibition, conservation expert or art historian (despite Spike Bucklow’s 1993 copy of Jan van Os’s the clear skill of the student conservators For only £30 per month Vase of Flowers is immediately eyecatching whose work is on display) but, for the uniniti- thanks to its pastel vibrancy.  is half- n- ated, it’s certainly an engaging whistle-stop 01223 462226 or visit us at ished re-creation far outshines the original, tour of art conservation. which has seen its colours fade somewhat Sharpening Perceptions is open until Sun- www.kelseykerridge.co.uk over the past couple of centuries. day 17th May at the Fitzwilliam Museum.● 28 Vulture Friday 28th February 2020 Fashion Street Style: Seeing double On her wanderings around Cambridge, Isabella Martin documents the stylish pairings found on our streets

n all those American high school movies, have you ever noticed that each “clique” dresses Ithe same? he skater boys, the “mean girls,” the jocks, the nerds… here’s no escaping the fact that the way we dress can form a large part of our identity, and visually associates us with our friends. he irst thing someone sees about you is what you are wearing and what you look like: you have the power to externally manifest your identity by seizing your style. here is no doubt that we are inluenced by those who surround us, and so friendship and style are linked hand in hand. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s noticed that I’ve started dressing like my mum or like my best friends. As we know, imitation is the greatest form of lattery. In these images, I wanted to capture this comfort CHARLOTTE AND EMILY and joy which comes with being at ease with your surroundings: wearing clothes that make you feel Charlotte studies French and Italian at conident and around friends who relax you. On my Newnham. Emily studies Philosophy at Trin- wanderings around Cambridge, I wanted to cap- ity. Charlotte and Emily have been friends for ture that blissful happiness and most importantly 5 months. sense of safety and security you feel when you are Charlotte’s aspirational alter ego would totally at ease with those around you. his, I think, be Liza Minelli in Cabaret, but realistically it is so intrinsically linked to style and the way you would be Dewey Finn from School of Rock. dress: dressing how you feel comfortable can give Emily is currently obsessively listening to you a great sense of power and self-assurance. Grace Jones,’ “Pull up to the Bumper” he clothes are important in these images, but Charlotte wears trousers stolen from her what I really want to convey is how the people last chef job, a jacket from Cambridge kilo feel: there’s no denying that you can feel it when sale, Doc Martens, and her mum’s necklace someone exudes a certain aura, a glow, a certain from the 80s. ease within themselves. And that, I think, can be Emily wears a jacket from Beyond Retro, the power of clothes: to release this most natural trousers from a thrift store, and Doc Martens part of yourself. from eBay. Friday 28th February 2020 Vulture 29

FRANK AND SCARLETT

Frank studies Spanish and Italian at Trinity. Scarlett studies History and Spanish at Pem- broke. Frank and Scarlett have been friends for 2 years. ❝ Scarlett’s last meal would be beans on toast. Frank hasn’t washed his hair since 1993. here's no escaping the fact that the way we Frank wears a Carhartt jacket and Joseph dress can form a large part of our identity trousers. Scarlett wears a vintage suede jacket from ❞ Portobello Market, and a headband which she bought in Havana, Cuba.

LUDO AND ALAYO

Ludo studies History of Art at Trinity Hall. Alayo studies History of Art at Gonville & Caius. Ludo and Alayo have been friends for one and a half years. Alayo wears H&M earrings, a vintage leath- er jacket, and trousers from Chazza Shopping. (Chazza Shopping is a pop-up clothes re-sale run by a second year architect at Gonville & Caius.) Ludo wears Rick Owens boots, Raey jump- er, and a dress stolen from his mum. 30 Vulture Friday 28th February 2020 ● ❝ On my wanderings around Cambridge, I wanted to capture that blissful happiness and most importantly sense of safety and security you feel when you are totally at ease with those around you ❞

APOLLINE AND CHRISTINA

Apple studies History of Art at Trinity Hall. Christina studies Philosophy at Trinity Hall. Apple and Christina have been friends for one year. Apple and Christina irst met whilst paint- ing a sun God inspired by Egyptian murals, for the set design of a play. Apple wears her friend Chater’s vintage suede jacket, Primark hat, corset from Chazza B Shopping, Christina wears a headband made by a friend, Claire’s Accessories hair clips, M&S slip dress. ❝ he clothes are important in these images, but what I really want to convey is how the people feel: there’s no denying that you can feel it when someone exudes a certain aura, a glow, a certain ease within themselves ❞

TOM AND LILY

Tom studies History of Art at Gonville & Caius. Lily studies History of Art at St. Johns. Tom and Lily have been going out for nearly two and a half years. hey met when Lily climbed through a fence to get into the History of Art depart- ment, and the irst person she saw was Tom, “that boy in navy.” Tom wears a his grandpa’s coat, YMC jump- er, Universal Works trousers, Doc Martens. Lily wears an Arket shirt, Paloma Wool trousers, Vagabond boots, and a Four Sea- sons coat.     Vulture 31   Hidden gems for the weary student Maya Yousif gives her alternatives to the slightly over-visited classic Cambridge haunts

hen we think of iconic pubs, picturesque views, and cafés. Af- places in Cambridge, ter four long years here, I’ve narrowed classic images of the it down to some of my favourites. Wgrandiose Kings Chapel, cosy Fitzbillies, and the idyllic Bridge of Sighs tend to spring to mind. But G David Book- after too many Chelsea buns and too many Instagram pics of the river Cam seller all taken from the same angle, it’s fair to say that even these gorgeous I am absolutely obsessed with this sights can become slightly tedious. place. If, like me, you find independent It’s easy to feel as though we’ve bookshops an absolute haven, then G Dav- seen it all and we're a bit (I daresay) id Bookseller is a must visit. Established slightly bored of what Cam has to in 1896, it’s situated right off of Kings Pa- offer. Admittedly I’ve had many a rade. Its store font is so unassuming that hushed conversation with fellow one could easily be forgiven for missing city natives where we’ve uttered it entirely. It’s home to a whole host of the fateful words ‘but what is there literary genres but its antiquarian section actually to do here?’ is truly special. This is the perfect place But Cambridge is littered with hid- to spend an hour or so in escape from den gems unbeknownst to tourists and your faculty library, or just to rekindle a freshers: quiet corners of bookshops, love of books. ▲ INSTAGRAM XUYINN

Number theory Probability Numerical analysis Integer factorisation

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degree and be on track to achieve a rstclass honours ualication. Curious and passionate about learning, we’ll teach you everything you need to know. o nd out more and apply, visit .ghareers.o.u 32 Vulture     ● Hot Numbers Amnesty Interna- ❝ Gwydir Street tional Bookshop It's easy to feel as though ink you know hot numbers? ink again! For those looking for a more contemporary we've seen it all, and feel is gorgeous branch is located in a former literary escape rather than an Antiquarian Victorian brewery on Gwydir Street just o of one – the Amnesty International Bookshop by a bit (I daresay) bored of Mill Road. It’s slightly bigger than the Trump- Parker’s Piece is really great. ey have such a ington branch and has a really excellent food fantastic collection of  ction and non- ction what Cam has to o er menu (defo try the homemade focaccia – it’s (and hold a surprising number of new publi- divine.) It’s the perfect place for spending a cations) which are sold really cheaply. And of lazy aternoon reading and drinking really course, pro ts go to a really great cause. ❞ good co ee. ey also host gig nights – so if ▼ CIRCULARCAMBRIDGE.ORG you’re tired of the Wednesday Cindies playlist it’s defo worth visiting to dip your toe into the vibrant local music scene. ▼ INSTAGRAMHOTNUMBERSCOFFEE

▲ TWITTERKELLEYGREEN Castle Mound

Castle mound is an incredibly special place. Although it’s literally just a hill between Magdalene and Medwards, it rewards climb- ers with beautiful, picturesque, and expansive city views. If you want a spot for a lazy/boozy picnic this Easter, I’d recommend foregoing the well-trodden Laundress Green in favour of this ex-Norman castle. Hodson's Folly ❝ Hodson’s Folly can be found around on the Cambridge is full of hid- cycle from Homerton to Sidgwick through the e Peters eld Coe Fens. ough it isn’t listed, it’s known den gems: quiet corners as a Building of Local Interest. e Folly was Pub built in around 1897 and sits in a small gated and stunning views plot of land by the river. It’s an idyllic spot Okay this is literally everything you could for picnicking, swimming, and watching the want in a pub, and possibly more (the Platonic sunset in warmer weather ❞ Form of a Pub, if you will). ink cosy atmos- ▼ TWITTERCAMCITCO phere, fairy lights in the garden, board games, and a fantastic Sunday Roast. ey also o er a Saturday brunch with bottomless prosecco, need I say more? ▼ INSTAGRAMTHE_PETERSFIELD

▲ INSTAGRAMOCEANPOND Relevant Records

I know, I know – another Mill Road haunt (it’s really not that far, promise!) Relevant Records is an uber-cool co ee shop and vi- nyl emporium. Set up in 2014 by a music and co ee loving husband and wife duo, this place is genuinely well worth checking out. It has a Shoreditch-esque feel to it, making it the perfect antidote to feelings of claustrophobia and stress that seem to permeate the city cen- tre around week 5. It also stays open in the evenings and sells delicious cocktails with a fab 2 4 1 deal!     Vulture 33  ● LGBTQ artists to watch this decade As LGBTQ History Month comes to a close, Kwaku Gyasi looks to the LGBTQ artists of the future

Content note: is article contains mention of so often lacks substance. With a deep, full with self-assurance and conviction, and a LGBTQ violence tone to her voice and a sound rooted in deft ability to flow over a variety of gen- soul, the singer addresses a vast range res, the Grime Barbie is a force to watch, he influence of artists from the of topics in her lyrics, including the especially as other artists like him make LGBTQ community on popular beauty of dark skin, a longing for a room for themselves in the hypermas- music is great but also hard to fairer world and her life before she culine world of UK hip-hop. Among my T quantify, especially because for began a career in music. In her very personal favourites are the perennial “Hoe much of music history, pressures put first single she recites, “There’s an Diaries”, a summery hit reminiscent of on entertainers has kept them in the outcast in everybody’s life, and I am the ‘90s where he runs down a list of his closet, either to sell a family-friendly her,” reflecting on the ways that our filthiest escapades, and new track “Vibes”, normativity or to maintain their safety. society marginalises her and other a chilled yet confident party tune. His But in recent times, several artists are Black, trans women, singing with mixtape Game Over, Vol. 1 dropped earlier making waves, and even breaking into gravitas and duly-earned convic- this month and is available to stream on the mainstream, who feel emboldened to tion. While she hasn’t released Spotify and SoundCloud. reflect our experiences in the work and anything new since last summer, proudly represent their community. As her music is available to stream LGBTQ History Month draws to a close, and purchase on all major plat- it feels like an appropriate time to look forms.London-based artist Rina to the future and consider the brightest Sawayama is an eye-catching Want to write queer and trans stars the music indus- artist who also happens to be try has to offer. a Cambridge graduate. Influ- for Vulture? enced by 2000s-era rhyth- bit.ly/ mic pop, her delicate yet ❝ agile voice is often stacked writeforvulture in airy harmonies which float Shea Diamond o ers over saccharine synths in much of her work. With fan-favourite single a perspective sorely and music video “Cherry” the art- ist announced her bisexuality to her Los Angeles native Syd can only be needed in an industry audience and extols the virtues of described as a hidden gem. Former lead self-love, complete with expressive vocalist of Grammy-nominated neo-soul which so oten lacks choreography and a soaring chorus. band. Her timeless song “Body” is a strong More recently, Sawayama released contender for one of the greatest slow substance the nu-metal number “STFU!”, aimed jams of the 21st century. She also lent at casual bigots who refuse to pipe her vocals to KAYTRANADA’s shimmer- ❞ down, as the lead single of her up- ing hit “You’re the One”, a queer dance coming debut album RINA coming out floor anthem if there ever was one. The this April. singer has confirmed a new solo album For an artist who was adored will arrive in the near future, and in the by the legendary Prince, a no- meantime, her debut effort Fin still sets toriously discerning artist, it ❝ her apart as an artist to watch, her warm is a crying shame that Janelle voice floating over intimate bedroom R&B Monáe isn’t seen as the icon she Karnage Kills is a force to and slinking trap beats. is, a decade into her career. Her As the drag queen with the most In- most recent offering Dirty Compu- watch, especially as other stagram followers in the world, surpass- ter, accompanied with a visual she ing even legends established for decades, dubs an “emotion picture”, received artists like him make it is surprising that many beyond Latin universal acclaim upon release and America are still unaware of Pabllo Vittar. a Grammy nomination for Album of room for themselves Her 2017 Carnaval hit “K.O.” has already the Year. The common thread running surpassed 350 million YouTube views, a through her work is her penchant for in the hypermasculine remarkable feat in a country with alarm- concept albums, her exploration of ingly high rates of anti-LGBTQ violence. Afrofuturism in her aesthetic and world of UK hip-hop Her music blends traditional sounds from visuals and the broad range of the Brazilian north-east from where she musical influences, including ❞ hails, with from trans-Atlantic future pop, funk, soul, gospel and dance- which makes for anthems rooted in the ready pop. In addition to her The next artist has been drawing summery horns and upbeat rhythms of stellar discography, she attention in his London hometown Brazil but marked with a keen ear for holds undeniable power for a few years now, but hasn’t global trends. Those plugged into the as a proud and visible yet gained the widespread vis- pop scene might have already noticed Black, pansexual and ibility he deserves. Karnage her collaborations with artists such as non-binary perform- Kills is a trailblazer within cupcakKe, Charli XCX and Diplo. At er. grime as a fearless femme the tail end of last year, she released Shea Diamond of- gay rapper. With throat- a four-track teaser EP featuring songs fers a perspective cutting bars which drip in Portuguese, Spanish and English, sorely needed in the second part of which is due this an industry which ◀ INSTAGRAMJANELLEMONAE year. 34 Friday 28th February 2020

Adventures in validating apps We need to stop swiping in our search for self-worth, writes Rachel Imrie

hether done in a flash of spontaneously decide to stop talking to Wdrunken confidence or someone in the middle of a light-heart- induced into action by ed conversation, it’s all now part of the a pint of ice cream and an ill-advised game. And, indeed, it is a game. late-night rom-com marathon, the ❝ Blue? Right. Snapchat ilter? Yikes, left. decision to join ‘the apps’ is almost Dated your best mate? Hard left. Right. always a fateful one. Tinder’s a Right. Left. Oh, I know him from my lec- Like every irst time, the irst time konami code tures! Right. It’s a match! Brief dopamine you decide to bare your soul via a witty where the high. Quickly realise that you’ve now one-line bio and relinquish yourself to only Easter created an unassailable awkwardness the unfettered rejection of total stran- which means you can never make eye gers is always a deeply personal experi- Eggs you can contact with him again. Shrug. Carry on. ence, one bound to be retold to future unlock are Left. Left. Left. generations. One day, grandchildren stilted small Tinder’s a Konami Code where the will gather round the ire to hear of talk and only Easter Eggs you can unlock are ▲ Dating apps offer little more than a temporary ego boost (FLICKR) this early 21st century rite of passage, stilted small talk and the occasional trip listening intently to grandma’s various the occa- to Spoons. And that’s only if you get to the potential for a lasting relationship, at we may actually take pause from our exploits with ‘Joe – 6ft 2 if it matters’ sional trip to the really advanced levels. university at least, this is a story so rarely swiping and invest some time into mes- and ‘Craig – Promise I’m not just a bor- Spoons If you do inally manage to ‘complete’ ❝ told that we know only how to tell it in saging that person. Instead, we remind ing STEM student’. Grandma will sigh Tinder, there are other options. Bum- either the ethereal imagery of fairy tales ourselves that they need only ind us and say that Craig’s admission was all ❞ ble, and the more recent entry into the One day, or the hushed whispers of hearsay. attractive enough to move their thumb for nought. Because he was just a boring rather dismal scene, Hinge, both claim to grandchil- Instead, it is the beneits which are incrementally to the right over the left, STEM student. hey always are. be geared more towards actual relation- dren will much more easily accessed and exploit- that we ought to just uncover more When I say ‘the apps’, I do of course ships. Each allow you to apply various gather round ed which we come to expect from our matches to accumulate more self-worth mean ‘the app’, Tinder. By now we’re ilters, like height and political ailiation, intermittent engagement with our apps: coins – better that than face the rejection all familiar with its particular eccen- to ind more appropriate matches. Who the ire to the endless stream of nearby singletons, of them not messaging us back. With tricities, having abandoned what little would have thought that applying the hear this 21st the convenient access to company, and, dating apps, more is always more. concern we may have once had for our logic of ASOS sale shopping would be century rite most importantly, a sense of our own Most of us have a somewhat un- self-esteem and human decency upon the key to uncovering my diamond in of passage worth and attractiveness which is both healthy relationship with our apps and downloading the beloved and bewitch- the rough? tangible and measurable. we know it. So, if dating apps are a game, ing little app. Whilst we previously Dating apps, no matter their individu- ❞ Whilst the short-term satisfaction perhaps the inal boss is not attaining might have thought it cruel to pass al marketing gimmicks and peculiarities, of discovering that this attractive per- marital bliss as we might have previously judgement over our fellow creatures all ofer their users a number of com- son inds us attractive is appealing, the thought, but overcoming our insatiable with a callous lick of the thumb, or to mon beneits. Although there’s always feeling evidently does not last. If it did, appetite for validation. It is time to give it up for our beloved bedders Sofia Johanson leads us through some of the interesting encounters the most cherished of our staff members face when we are far from looking our best

or most of us, having some- Both the sofa and the carpet have what inebriated. One ive-hour trip to or their surroundings in any way one come into your room on a been ‘redecorated’ by various individu- Addenbrooke’s later and his shattered presentable. A beaming, apologetic daily or weekly basis to clean ❝ als who felt their dinner had got a lit- elbow and fractured and dislocated smile is plastered on his face when- Fyour room is a bit of a shock. As you can tle too comfortable in their stomachs. shoulder were wrapped up in a sling ever she is around, and he makes How do you act around your bedder? imagine, the Rather than throwing away any re- and he was unable to move from his triple the effort to ensure that Dan- Polite and formal or easy-going and maining empty bottles of wine, vodka bed. he occupant, in so much pain and iella has at least one charge who is friendly? How do you respond to their smell, mist and whiskey (each to their own), the setting up permanent residence on his vaguely sentient. odd quirks? How do you apologise of sweat and occupant decided to collect them, ac- mattress, had to urinate in a vase next His greatest effort in prevent- when your room resembles a WW2 unidentiiable cumulating 74 so far. to his bed. He was greeted a few hours ing her pain came earlier this term, bomb-site? His afectionate nickname has its later by his bedder who, a term and when Bio Hazard Boy succeeded in Fear not! he following anecdotes substances origins in the two bio-hazard kits that a half in, was hardly taken aback by blocking their communal toilet and will make you realise whatever you don’t make were lovingly given to him by the por- this sight. Curtains spent hours using washing do, or however you act, your bedder for pretty ters in an efort to make some kind of As an apology for the unbecoming up liquid and brute force in order to would prefer your stuttering awk- viewing at improvement to his living situation. nature of his person and his room, undo the damage, so that Daniella wardness to what one bedder, let’s hey were largely unsuccessful. As you Failed Acrobat penned a poem to would not be greeted by such a ter- call her Daniella, has to deal with. 9 am in the can imagine, the smell, mist of sweat his bedder, including the line “thank rifying sight. morning and unidentiiable substances don’t you for keeping all our secrets”. So, there are those who make us Introducing her charges: ❞ make for pretty viewing at 9 am in the heir bond has never been tighter. cringe at their ineptitude and make morning – nor does its occupant, who ❝ us feel glad that we have not fallen Bio-hazard boy prefers not to shower after a night- [Bedders are] Curtains into such situations (or down two out. flights of stairs), but there are bea- He has the best room in college. So, the most Across from Failed Acrobat sits cons like Curtains who we should try it was only natural that, from Fresh- Failed Acrobat courageous, one room the bedder does not dread. and emulate in picking up the slack ers’ Week, every single pres would be reslient work- Its occupant feels panging guilt at of our less considerate neighbours. hosted by him – which, as you can Next door to Bio-Hazard Boy lives- force out there the position she is placed in every Overall, everyone agrees - bedders imagine, has had rather extreme con- this legend, who vastly over-estimated Monday and Thursday morning as are the most courageous, resilient, sequences. his agility on the stairs when some- ❞ the boys fail to make themselves and tolerant work force out there. F  28 F   2020 35 Sport Tiddlywinks Varsity flicks into action Former Cambridge University Tiddlywinks Club (CUTwC) President, Zach Bond, spills his cup on this year’s Varsity

n the a ternoon of the 29th felt mat on a table. Players start at each skill and strategy are equally impor- of February, Cambridge corner and take it in turns to  re a wink tant but one which anyone can take and Oxford go head to head (a thin plastic counter) at a small pot part in. O in the only sports  xture in the centre of the mat. To motivate Since 1959 the Cambridge Univer- worth talking about – Tiddlywinks. the winks a larger, thicker disk called sity Tiddlywinks Club (CUTwC) has But what is Tiddlywinks? Many stu- a squidger is used in a swi t and con- played the Oxford University Tiddly- dents have never heard of this noble tinuous motion. Players o ten have a winks Society (OUTS) for the Varsity sport or seem to think it is some sort range of squidgers which they use for Cup. The team this year has a consid- of Cambridge joke, but they would be di erent shots. Many players though erable reputation to uphold – CUTwC far from the truth. will play most shots with their fa- has only lost 5 times in total.  e modern game of Tiddlywinks vourite squidger which they will have, The team consists of 4 pairs of play- was  rst invented in Christ’s College undoubtedly, shaped and polished to ers who each play against the 4 pairs on January 16th 1955. From humble achieve their own preferred edge. on the Oxford team. The points scored beginnings the game became highly  ough the aim of the game is to get in each game are summed to give the popular with as many as 37 Universi- the winks into the pot (with a highly final score (there are 7 points available ties competing during the 60s for the satisfying “plink” noise), the inven- in each game). The team with the most “Silver Wink” trophy which was estab- tion of the squop (a wink covered by points then returns home to eternal lished by HRH Prince Philip. an enemy wink) rule (rule 8.2 in the of- Tiddlywink glory.  e Oxford University Tiddlywinks  cial English Tiddlywinks Association Absolutely enthralled by the above? Society (OTS) has recently been re- rules) has resulted in a game of  erce Of course you are. Join the convoy and founded in 2019, its establishment fol- area control, the position of guards and get yourselves along to Wadham Col- lowed CUTwS by three years, in 1958. other tactics to prevent winks from lege on the 29th! You’ll be in for quite ▲ Cambridge’s 2020 Varsity Squad: Left to Right – Top: Alexei Newton, As such, Tiddlywinks can resume its being squopped and therefore immo- the show. Patrick Moore, Edward Green, Marc Mills, Zach Bond. Lower: Edward place amongst the Varsity pantheon. bilised by the opponents. Tiddlywinks For more information see: www. Brown, Sophie Brawn, Molly Birch. MEGAN VAUGHAN  e game is played on a 6 t by 3 t has evolved to become a sport where cutwc.org

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game is most frequently oriented around gambling, but when the Joseph Powell game is played without any kind of wager it’s players and processes sits down with function quite differently. “When you play for money every the Trinity point matters, and as soon as you don’t have that, accumulating lots alumnus to of points means very little”. This can be countered by a modest wager of discuss teaching the gold bullion of children’s cur- rency, some sweets, in order to en- the game, sure minds are focused. These considerations are however Monte Carlo, no longer at the top of Zoe’s to-do- list. After a fateful reassessment of and octopus what she was doing and what she wanted to be doing at age 35, she banquets with threw herself into her childhood passion of performing. Fast forward David Cameron to now, and after numerous screen performances and shows, the lat- ▲ Zoe Cunningham: managing director, actor and backgammon champion (ZOE CUNNINGHAM) ter of which frequently involved her booking a venue herself and filling oe Cunningham is a real ren- I got lucky to get through the draw”. tionally and less rationally. to play it you won’t pick it up”. in the blanks later (“If you book aissance woman. When we As she states, however, backgammon, Before long, the cracks started to For her, this came during her time at something you’re committed and meet on a cold Friday after- as a dice based pursuit, constitutes a show and the points tumbled with Trinity, where she and her sci-i/board you no longer have the choice not Znoon in London (a day after game of 50% skill and 50% luck, thus them. From the edge of glory, her op- game-loving peers spent most evenings to do it”), she now looks forward the General Election and its roller- as such, the emergence of good fortune ponent went on to lose seven points hunched over one game or another in to a busy 2020 which will include coaster all night coverage, which she is always a possibility. without reply and Zoe walked away the corner of a pub. a run at the Edinburgh fringe and sensibly didn’t bother with), she’s on She describes the inal that secured victorious and into the backgammon For many players of a new genera- two feature film releases as both her lunch break from a day working her eternal Backgammon glory to me history books. As well as receiving the tion however, this familiarisation has producer and actor. at home in her capacity as a manag- in what sounds like it could be a scene prize, she now occupies a position few come through online videos and com- In this realm, she’s keen to em- ing director of a software irm, where’s from any of the most gripping sport- other Cantabs have reached as a former puter programmes which have bought phasise the importance of building she’s been since graduating from Cam- ing epics. Having ably sidestepped the world champion of her discipline. this millennia old game through 21st connections and networking (on bridge. competition all over the ‘school hall’, And yet it is a status that few in century media. which she’s quite literally written his is, however, only one of a broad she found herself in the inal up against Cambridge and in the wider country It’s exactly amongst this next gen- the book, ‘Networking Know-How’). collection of hats she wears. When the wife of one of the main mixed gen- would likely recognise her for. Back- eration that she sees the game holding “Work breeds work, so when you’re she’s not software-ing, she’s acting, der competitions leading participants. gammon does not enjoy the same the most potential for. “here’s a great working you meet more people and when she’s not acting, she’s producing, Playing to seven points, her opponent standing in the UK as it does in those organisation called Chess in Schools for you’re able to get more work again in and when she’s not producing she’s managed to establish a six point lead countries geographically closer to it’s Communities and chess teaches some the future”, skills presumably honed writing. Despite this, it is another pur- at 6-0 leaving Zoe staring down the origins, such as Iran, Turkey or Leba- really useful skills”, she says, careful away from a backgammon environ- suit entirely I meet with her to discuss wrong end of a whitewash. non. Further aield, Japan and Ukraine not to denigrate another member of ment she describes as frequently today. hat was, however, until the psy- have recently contributed world cham- this ever so tightly knit board game terse and ill-tempered. Ten years back, Zoe was mingling chological battle shifted in her favour. pions, and Denmark, Zoe informs me, community. “But I think backgammon Before we part (and before I with the Bond villains and billionaires “You see it in all sports and particu- now has a burgeoning backgammon is even more beneicial because it re- try and leech some of her wisdom of Monte Carlo at the 2010 World Back- larly in those like snooker for example, scene as the result of a Carlsberg pro- volves around managing probability, through some speedy games of back- gammon Championship. “It looks very when you’re about to win and all those risk and reward”. gammon on her iPad at my insist- glamorous from the outside”, she says thoughts start going through your head It’s a convincing argument. While ence, in which I unsurprisingly fail of the tournament venue, “but you’re you actually play worse”. ❝ ambitious parents, keen to give their to register a point) I ask her about just in some big room in a hotel with Particularly so when external agents kids an initial push in life, have long one of the quirkier aspects on what lots of boards so it really just feels like start helping the opposition. he afore- I think backgammon is looked to the perhaps more outwardly is an already eclectic CV. What was a school hall”. mentioned husband, clearly valuing his even more beneicial be- intellectual game of chess, backgam- it like flying to China as part of a Setting was to prove no distraction, backgammon acumen above his wife’s, mon can offer practice in the manage- trade delegation led by then PM however. After multiple days of play opted to make his thoughts known on cause it revolves around ment of unknowns and external forces David Cameron as part of her soft- Zoe was able to channel her mind - and the game when his side was on the managing probability, invaluable in any business, she says. ware work? her dice - to return to the UK with the verge of winning. “You can also pick it up much quick- “I didn’t really get the chance to World Women’s Title, a sizeable trophy “He obviously felt this moral im- risk and reward er as it’s essentially like Ludo when speak to David that much amidst and a slightly less sizeable prize for perative not to help her but he kept ❞ you irst play”, a comparison which many people sucking up to him” her eforts. walking over and tutting or nodding provides me with fond lashbacks to she says, evoking an image one can For any unaware, backgammon is at all of her moves”. his was a sure motion which saw branded boards sent the ‘popping’ dice of my childhood set. visualise without struggle. “But I did a millenia old board game which sees ire recipe for a ‘psyche out’, and after to pubs across the land. “And in chess you will always lose to a get to share in the experience of a players race counters round a board – losing several points Zoe witnessed I ask why it seems this lag exists, stronger player, whereas in backgam- six course Chinese delicacy buffet as determined by the rolling of dice - in the start of a ‘tilt’ in her opponent, a asking if a sense of inaccessibility sur- mon luck means you always have a of pickled octopus and squid”. On an attempt to be the irst to ‘bear of ’, term most frequently used in poker to rounds the game whose rules and scor- chance”. this resplendent image we head our or remove all of their counters. describe frustration at how the game ing are sometimes seen as alien to UK One important aspect of back- separate ways. “he women’s tournament was much has gone and a resulting anger which crowds. “It’s just like anything, until gammon’s DNA complicates this Alas, one for my next backgam- smaller than the main competition and results in a player operating more emo- you have someone to show you how task however. Much like Poker the mon lesson, perhaps.