Emily Sara Rizzo Editor-in-Chief
“I came from London last night, got in about midnight, and I’m raring to go. We’re bringing the energy today, aren’t we?” were the opening words of the Hardest
Geezer - Russ Cook - in our interview on a (fairly early) mid-week morning, by the Mill on the Exe. His first time in Exeter, Russ de-
Harry Morrison Online Editor-in-Chief
IN an attempt to modernise how student voices are represented across the University of Exeter, the Students’ Guild has unveiled its ‘Representation Review,’ followed by a consultation period. Running from 22nd September until 31st October,
buted his UK Run Club Tour with a mix of student and local runners, launching a series of events centred around a social run, and the opportunity to meet the Hardest Geezer himself. From our own city, the tour will then take him to St Andrews, Loughborough, Warwick, and Nottingham - spreading the word on and off campuses about his adventure travel organisation, Hardest Adventures.
The run club tour itself is just a taster of what Hardest Adventures
offers. As Russ explained, “we’re on a mission to inspire people to take on the adventure of their lives, to do meaningful things, and as part of that we’re visiting all of these different universities,” inspiring students to have their own Hardest Geezer experiences.
The inspiration behind the adventure travel organisation is this very impulse to share Russ’s love of challenge, and his dedication to “pushing physical limits while raising funds for important causes.” He explains that
the idea came to him about a year ago, following the momentous Project Africa, which crowned him the first person to have run the length of the continent. In his own words: “I was thinking, I’ve had so many mad experiences and journeys, what can I do to try and pass that onto as many different people as possible? So, I came up with the idea of Hardest Adventures.”
on page 6
the Guild is aiming to hear the opinions of all students, in a bid to make student representation more ‘inclusive, engaging, transparent and adaptable...’. In anticipation of remodelling how students are represented, the Guild has released a review document labelled ‘Student Representation – The future of representation for students at Exeter.’ Taking two years to develop, this 16-page review outlines the reasons, findings,
and future of representation at Exeter.
The decision to review student representation at Exeter has come around as a result of a reflection on the 2023 Big Guild Survey, which saw only 36% of respondents tell the Guild that they ‘felt represented by their elected officials.’ Another point of consideration for the Guild was the recent election turnout of 12%, causing concern for the way in which students are currently engaging with representation.
Guild President Sebastian Racisz admitted to Exeposé that the current structure “has its limitations and is not always widely understood,” stressing the importance of taking time to rethink how student representation works. Sebastian has additionally recognised the crucial nature of taking a step back for this review to “acknowledge a system that hasn’t been very flexible” with an evolving student population. Continued on page 4
Editors
Print: Kayleigh Swart and Emily Sara Rizzo
Online: Harry Morrison and Zandie Howells
Print Deputies Amberly Wright, Lauren Walshand Nina Exton
Online Deputies: Michelle Chung and Daniel Grayshon editors@exepose.com
News Editors
Print: Kayleigh Swart
Online: Zandie Howells news@exepose.com
Features Editors
Print: Ria Brown-Aryee and Bethany Last Online: Michelle Chung features@exepose.com
Climate Editors
Print: Amberly Wright
Online: Freddy Purcell climate@exepose.com
Comment Editors
Print: Tom Richardson and Lucas Eley
Online: Harry Morrison comment@exepose.com
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Print: Lauren Walsh Online: Daniel Greyshon satire@exepose.com
Lifestyle Editors
Print: Yasmine Al-Saket and Betsy Heasman
Online: Isabella Yates lifestyle@exepose.com
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Print: Isabel Bratt and Amber Platel
Online: Brook Cheadle artsandlit@exepose.com
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Print: Sarah Gould
Online: Amelie Marah and Maya Dallal music@exepose.com
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Online: Anoushka Dutta international@exepose.com
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Online: Daniel Grayshon sci-tech@exepose.com
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Devonshire House, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4PZ Advertising editors@exepose.com
Somehow we're almost halfway through the first term, and onto our third issue of the year. We're not quite sure where the time went, espeically since the uni work we've done does not reflect the fact we're in week five. However, let's not think about that, as we're here to distract you from the looming deadlines with the latest edition of Exeposé If there's an important issue at the University or in Exeter that we've missed, please email us at editors@exepose.com
In the past few weeks all of our editors have been working incredibly hard to bring you this issue. As you'll notice when you get further in, our exhibit section has had a redesign! All of our editors have worked really hard to make these pages more fun and colourful! We hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Also, there is no need to worry, we haven't forgotten about the rest of the paper either. This issue is filled with the important, relevant and student based stories you're expecting.
In this issue, News talks to the Guild about their representation review, Climate discusses the Pope and his woke opinions, and Satire has some great grad job offers.
In our brand-spanking new Exhibit, Music spotlights influential Black artists, while Excetera rasies awareness with a piece on Breast Cancer for its national commemorative month. Throughout the paper, we aim to spotlight Black voices and perspectives for Black History Month, and we include some events
hosted in its honour by the University.
If you have any questions for us, or want to find out more about Exeposé, just drop us an email or message and we'll be happy to get back to you. Alternatively, if you want to hunt us down, you can find us stress eating curley fries at the Ram. Once again, happy reading and a big fat thank you to all of our writers, editors, and proofers who made this issue and every issue posssible!
English universities to be charged new levy on international students
LAST month, the government announced plans to introduce a levy on English universities based on their international student intake. The policy, initially outlined in the government’s policy paper earlier this year, titled “Restoring control over the Immigration system,” was "repurposed as a funding initiative for means-tested maintenance grants, supporting students enrolled in designated “priority courses aligned with the government’s missions.”
The Russell Group, an association of 24 researchintensive universities, labelled the move "terrible," projecting a £315 million annual cost for its members. Public First, a research consultancy, estimated a potential overall UK economic impact of up to £1.8 billion each year. However, the Department of Education, in a press release, said that “this will maintain a competitive offer for international students while ensuring the benefits are shared more visibly at home, directly benefiting disadvantaged domestic students.” The Welsh government rejected the implementation of levies for Welsh Universities earlier last week.
Admissions crackdown in Danish Universities
THE Danish government is tightening rules to reduce international student admissions from ‘third countries’, defined as those outside the European single market. In September, Immigration Minister Kaare Dybvad Bek announced the policies in response to high numbers of South Asian students. It was claimed that international students, were entering Danish degrees with insufficient qualifications, to bring family members to Denmark and join the workforce, rather than to complete their degrees. At Aarhus Uni versity, there were more international stu dents from Bangladesh than any other country in 2024. The National Union of Students in Denmark said international students were “a huge asset whose value cannot be understated”.
AU.S. federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration’s efforts to deport international students who protested for Palestine violated the First Amendment. Judge William G. Young rejected Trump's claim that “the First Amendment’s protection of freedom of speech applies to American citizens alone”, affirming that the government had no right to treat non-citizens differently, subsequently ruling that the Constitution’s free speech protections apply to everyone in the U.S., not just citizens. Legal scholars have praised the ruling as a landmark affirmation that “non-citizens lawfully present in the United States enjoy full constitutional rights.” Civil liberties advocates called it a “compelling victory for academic freedom and democracy,” while government officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, dismissed the verdict as dangerously lenient toward “antiAmerican hate.” The ruling is seen as a major precedent affirming free speech rights for non-citizens in America.
AFGHANISTAN has been hit by a series of internet shutdowns over the past month. First in select regions, followed by a nationwide two-day blackout. The Taliban government ordered these actions under the guise of “prevent[ing] immorality”, yet Afghans recognise the wider aim of quelling dissent on digital spaces. This move particularly effected younger women, who have turned to underground education networks online, following the ban on female schooling in 2021. A move towards disconnection from the outside world would worsen an already bleak economic situation for Afghans; business activities, banking systems and NGOs would all suffer dramatically. From the government’s view, these impacts pale in comparison to the sanctions enforced by the international community in 2021. Now it is clear that these punishments have failed, easing them would push the Taliban to reconsider such an isolationist approach, offering a lifeline to the Afghan people.
Michelle Chung Online Deputy Editor
HOSTED by Debating Society, this year’s annual Party Political Question Time included student representatives from all sides of the political spectrum: Lorna Ferguson for Labour, Thomas Richardson for the Conservatives, Lucas Chapman for the Green Party, James Fairweather for the Liberal Democrats, and Jon McBride for Reform UK.
this year’s annual party political question time included student representatives from all sides of the poltical spectrum
Before the event started, a total of 120 preliminary votes were cast by the audience. The Greens won the majority with 32 votes, the Conservatives following its lead with 27 votes, and Labour being the last favoured with 11 votes. 13 students chose to abstain.
In his opening speech for the Greens, Chapman started his speech by, in his own words, “bashing Keir Starmer”, listing out his failures on foreign policy. As the representative of the Greens, his focus predictably shifted to mentioning the need for more investment in renewable energy, and then to the need for more affordable housing. Like party leader Zack Polanski, he argued for more tax on landlords and income wealth. As the representative for Labour, Ferguson stressed that Labour has always put
“people above profit”, listing the party’s achievements of the NHS, minimum wage, and the welfare state. It is the “ party of the present and the future”. When Ferguson brought up how the current government has worked hard every day to put “[our] best interests first”, the audience laughed in mockery. Her overall message was that despite Labour’s failings, its core is that it is the “the party that [is] trying.” and “the party for the people”.
The Liberal Democrats’ Fairweather made the case that his party is the party which stands for social mobility and civil liberties. He claimed that the current Labour government was “draconian” for blocking protests and labelling protesters as terrorists. Reform UK, in his eyes, was “Britain’s AfD” for suggesting to revoke the legal status of indefinite leave to remain.
Fairweather made his criticism of the Conservatives known when he proceeded to list out the “Tory Hits of Stupidity”, with the Rwanda Policy being one of these hits. Echoing the Greens, he advocated for green investment, in addition to reforming the electoral system and getting back into the single market. In his words, these goals are all “fair, doable, and within reach”.
Richardson for the Conservatives started of his opening speech by first admitting that he was a small-c conservative who “[does] not hate socialists.” Yet adhering to ideology is not the way to run a government. He gave the example of Labour’s VAT on
private schools as evidence of the government prioritising ideology in expense of practicality. To Richardson, the fringes of party politics, such as the Green Party and Reform UK, are simply “vibesbased politics” who want to use simple solutions to solve difficult issues in the country. One of the hit quotes of the night was “If your biggest issue is bathrooms, your life isn’t so bad.” Lower immigration and more personal responsibility, these are the goals of the Conservatives.
Speaking on behalf of Reform UK, McBride first objected that they are the party of the fringes. 35 per cent of the country voted for Reform, indicating a clear disunity with the traditionally dominant parties. On anti-immigration sentiment from Reform, McBride argued that this sentiment actually first started from the left, going back to the trade union movements. There is an economic reality to immigration, and the left’s “uncosted manifesto” won’t solve much. Labour’s “massive underinvestment of businesses” combined with the Conservatives’ contribution to today’s housing shortage are reasons why
McBride once again expressed that “It is possible to be anti-immigration without being a monster”
these parties have failed. Concluding his speech, McBride once again expressed that “It is possible to be anti-immigration without being a monster.”
The first motion was a discussion on increasing foreign aid. “The government is running out of money and other people’s money” was the sentiment from Reform. On this, Chapman rebutted that we actually need to spend more to stimulate aggregate demand, as it was evident that austerity has failed Britain for years. McBride further explained that foreign aid reinforces local corruption and questioned whether the aid actually benefits the benefactors. He suggested that we cut foreign aid. Fairweather agreed with his point that there are issues with
how foreign aid is used, but it is a bad idea to cut aid as foreign aid is great for showing that “the UK stands for something.”. Changing how aid is allocated is more ideal. The conservative stance was that we need to increase spending on defence, and if cutting foreign aid can do that, so be it. Ferguson admitted that it is hard to balance fiscal responsibility with moral responsibility, so the Labour Party will have to adapt to the situation.
The second motion was on Britain’s “special relationship” with the US. Richardson admitted that although Trump has been terrible president, the Prime Minister has the responsibility to “get whatever deal he can with the US” so has to not alienate the States and stand alone in the face of Russia and China. Both Fairweather and Chapman contended that we need to lower our reliance on the States, arguing that establishing stronger ties with Europe is the solution. The Green position is that by threatening to attack Canada and Greenland, America has proven to be an unreliable ally. Hearing this, Reform’s McBride sneered that the Greens and the Liberal Democrats were ideologically frivolous. The US buys enormous parts of British services and “funds the NHS”. If Brexit was poorly done, it was the fault of the Conservatives for not having a robust plan. “Beggars can’t be choosers,” argued McBride, and “we are the beggars”.
The third motion on AI and R&D. Reform quoted the well-known punchline “US innovates, China replicates, EU regulates”. McBride argued that the innovation of AI will be quicker than the development of regulation, so it is a waste of money to regulate AI. On this, an audience member shouted “Use your f**king brain, you dumb f**k!”. Labour’s Ferguson disagreed with the anti-regulation of AI but welcomed the use of AI in public services such as the NHS. Fairweather admitted that it was “annoying” that the Liberal Democrats don’t have much to say on AI, but made the point of caution that we are currently using American
AI, which are being overvalued in the current stock market. Chapman argued that by taking away jobs, AI contributes to inequality since wealth is concentrated in stockholders instead of workers. His solution seems more aggressive tax to redistribute wealth.
The fourth motion was on carbon neutrality. Chapman argued for Britain to reduce energy on states like Russia by investing in more renewables. McBride made the criticism that again, the Green position is deeply ideological. He said we need to “drill, baby, drill”. We need policies which won’t bankrupt us, and electrical cars are hard to breakeven. To decarbonise, we need to cut regulation. Fairweather objected to McBride’s view, stating it as “bollocks”. Green energy creates new jobs, and we need more renewables. Richardson mostly agreed with McBride, adding that back in Suffolk where he lives, the Green Party’s Adrian Ramsay only won because of his NIMBY stance of opposing to build wind power plants.
The last motion was on reforming the NHS. Richardson’s primary motive is to ensure that people have access to healthcare, and he objected to how “people clutch their pearls” when we talk about having a new system. It is never a good idea to discuss reform on ideological grounds. Unsurprisingly, Ferguson responded that “the NHS is one of the best things in Britain” and we should increase funding for the NHS and put more money into research.
The final vote was impossibly close. At first instance, the Greens and Reform tied at 27 votes, with the Liberal Democrats close behind at 23 votes and the Conservatives at 22 votes. Labour at 6 votes. After the vote was revealed to the audience, a series of tactical voting took place, leading to the Green victory of 31 votes.
the Greens and Reform tied at 27 votes, with the Liberal Democrats close behind at 23 votes and the Conservatives at 22 votes. Labour at 6 votes.
“Slowly but surely the system will evolve and become more flexible”
Continued from front
THE largest adaptation to the Guild’s new methods is the change in structure. The current structure holds five elected officers, which include the roles of President, Education Officer, Societies and Employability Officer, Communities and Equality Officer, and Student Living Officer. Under the new changes suggested, the Guild will have only two elected officers - those being the positions of Education Officer and Student Experience Officer, with the official titles of these roles to be confirmed in December 2025.
Whilst concerns were raised that this structural change would centralise power rather than broaden it, Sebastian made it clear that this system would create adaptability, as additional roles could be created. These additional paid or elected part-time roles could support a plethora of specific groups and communities across our student population, including postgraduates, degree apprentices and international students.
diverse student population of over 30,000 people. The Guild has claimed this structure will provide "more
In turn, this new system aims to target broader views and widen our representation, accounting for a
ways for more students to lead, influence and be heard, whatever your course, background or experience." With extremely low turnouts for
Guild elections, I further queried whether this change could rebuild trust and engagement for students. Sebastian’s answer to this was that as you “start embedding students at different levels… slowly but surely the system will evolve and become more flexible, rebuilding the engagement with students.” Whilst this new system is not guaranteed to see overnight results – and the Guild is not claiming that – the foundations are being set to make a policy that will adapt to change and represent wider student views for years to come.
What’s next after this consultation period? Once reviewing and engaging with student feedback has been completed, the Trustee Board will decide and finalise the structural changes. In Sebastian’s words, he “hopes it doesn’t die here.” For him, this period represents a legacy of change, built on the principle of “remaining adaptable and flexible.”
As the consultation period draws to a close, the Guild faces the task of proving that these reforms can rebuild student engagement. With the representation of student opinions used to make these decisions, a legacy waits to ensure that all voices at Exeter are heard.
Harry Morrison Online Editor-in-Chief
THE University of Exeter has named its alumnus, Sir Sajid Javid, as chair of its upcoming fundraising campaign. The philanthropic scheme, which is scheduled to launch in 2026, has been profiled as a ‘big change’ by Devon Live. Aiming to raise £150 million in contributions by 2030, the scheme also aims to deliver 150,000 volunteering hours from alumni and supporters over the decade. The importance of this campaign not only lies in the appointment of Sir Sajid Javid as its chair but also in the transformative impact it will have on our university. Since graduating from the University of Exeter in 1991, with a
degree in Economics and Politics, Sir Sajid Javid has had a ‘remarkable career’, as the University described. Having held senior roles within the UK government, including Chancellor of the Exchequer, Home Secretary and Health Secretary, he also spent two decades in international investment banking before his time in politics. With a career profile like that, it is a very exciting moment that an Exeter alumnus leads such an important scheme for our university. Sir Sajid will be succeeding
With a career profile like that, it is a very exciting moment that an Exeter alumnus leads such an important scheme for our university
Gerry Brown, an Exeter alumnus of 1966, who previously guided this scheme throughout the duration of its private and preparatory stage. Gerry Brown co-led the ‘highly successful’ predecessor campaign, which raised over £71 million and secured over 100,000 volunteering hours.
In the University's press release, Sir Sajid said: “I am thrilled to accept this role. Exeter has played a pivotal role in my life, and I am delighted to be able to give back to my university in this way. I encourage fellow alumni and supporters to join us in this endeavour as we strengthen Exeter’s position as one of the world’s great universities.”
In the wider scheme, this campaign fits in with Exeter’s 2030 Strategy. This strategy poses the "power of our education and research to create a sustainable,
healthy and socially just future".
Whilst full details of the campaign won’t be provided until next year, there are several expectations that come as a result of this announcement so far. The funds provided by this scheme are expected to support research and student opportunities, hopefully widening opportunities in the form of bursaries and scholarships. This can take place due to the ambitious scale of this new campaign, positioning itself larger than the previous one, reflecting growth in Exeter’s aspirations and continuity of philanthropy.
The funds provided by this scheme are expected to support research and student opportunities
awarded university of the year for its support of social mobility
Ella Clark
UP in London, on the 2nd of October, the University of Exeter was recognised for its dedication to providing equal opportunities and making these accessible in being awarded the UK Social Mobility Award. The SOMOs (as they are known by the organisation), are awarded to attract attention to the importance of institutions getting involved in increasing social mobility – aiming to inspire and excite
companies into getting involved. The University of Exeter works tirelessly to provide the next reaching steps for young people no matter their background, focusing on their talent. The University dubs it critical for us to create a diverse and inclusive learning environment –across the board not just at a faculty level. The University's achievement reflects the strong commitment of the staff to making a real impact, further established through the initiatives such as the Success for All programme, launched in 2021, which continuously strives for success, alongside the Southwest Social
Mobility Commission and Undergraduate Tutoring Programme. The Success for All programme focuses on social justice and inclusion within teaching and the curriculum itself. Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter, said: “We are thrilled to have been named University of the Year at the UK Social Mobility Awards. This achievement acknowledges the incredible work undertaken by colleagues across our University to make a real and lasting impact to people and communities, here in the Southwest and across the UK ", reflecting the genuine enthusiasm felt.
Exton Deputy Editor
BEING at university, where nights out are such an integral part of many students’ experiences, it can sometimes feel like there is always a spiking story to be heard. Despite its prevalence, as well as the media’s surge in interest in spiking over the last few years, spiking as a phenomena is still shrouded in misinformation, skepticism and doubt.
To find out more about Exeter students’ experiences with spiking, Exeposé conducted a survey with the student body, and found four students willing to share their stories and the toll being spiked took on them. Their testimonies revealed the variance in students’ experiences with spiking, as well as the challenges we face in understanding just how big of an issue it is.
One Exeter student found their experience more humiliating than anything. They were spiked within 20 minutes of arriving at a local club, suddenly feeling overwhelmingly drunk after just one drink. They experienced slurred speech and felt weak, with friends noticing they were struggling to hold themself up. Venue staff accused the student of being on drugs, and asked them to leave – concerning their friends who knew they were neither on drugs nor had drank very much. When asked how the experience affected them, they said “it was in my first year and my friends had to ask a flat mate to come collect me, I was embarrassed.”
This student was confident they had been spiked but said many people around them shared in the venue’s staff's skepticism, with people thinking they had simply gotten too drunk. When asked how they wished people around them had reacted, they had this to say: “I wish they had taken it seriously and made it clear to the bouncers that this was not me on drugs or drunk, this was a serious issue.” This sentiment was echoed by another student, who wishes they had been given “the benefit of the doubt” by those around them. Similarly, the majority of students who shared their experience with spiking had no doubts about what had happened to them – “I knew I had been. [...] I know how I should be after one drink” said another respondent. For this student, however, those around them were not as confident. “Initially, my friend was hesitant to believe I was spiked. But when I began to deteriorate to
the point I didn't know my name or where I lived, he realised.” After this, they described their friends as being “very supportive, and incredibly angry that [they] had been spiked”.
Each of the four respondents was impacted differently in the aftermath, with three of four students describing their experience as embarrassing or humiliating.
One student experienced intense paranoia, worrying that everything they ate or drank had been spiked. It led to the return of panic attacks they described as “crippling” –something they had struggled with in the past. It also left them unsure of who they could trust. The incident had occurred on their first night out.
Another student felt guilty about ruining their friends’ night.
This student also felt hesitant about labelling their experience as spiking, despite apparently knowing the difference between being very drunk and what they felt the night they were spiked, as “I felt like my friends didn't believe me and would think I was using it as an excuse for getting black-out drunk”. Symptoms of spiking as reported in the survey included hallucinations, difficulty moving their body, confusion and nausea – a feeling respondents felt they could clearly distinguish from feeling drunk. These symptoms are mirrored on the Metropolitan Police website, alongside unconsciousness, problems with vision and lowered inhibitions.
Regarding spiking victims not being believed, one student said “I think in universities with drinking cultures, it’s common for people to not be believed when it comes to spiking, people just assume heavy drinking. It needs to be taken seriously”.
I think in universities with drinking cultures, it’s common for people not to be believed when it comes to spiking
Many respondents agreed that the fear of not being believed is why many spiking victims feel unable to report their experience to the police.
Another student suggested that “lack of evidence, as date rape drugs leave the system quickly” was another reason. This is true – while the use of any drug without the recipeint’s consent or awareness classifies spiking, the ‘date rape’ drug GHB is among those most commonly used. According to an NHS hospital
toxicology test, GHB is metabolised quickly, with the drug undetectable in urine 12 hours post dose, making the detection window relatively small. Despite this, according to Police.uk, other drugs can remain in the system longer, meaning you can be tested up to four days later.
Respondents also reported fear of inaction as something deterring spiking victims from reporting. Another said they were scared of wasting people’s time, with the skepticism they faced from others beginning to cloud their own mind with doubt.
These reasons, amongst others, have resulted in an underreporting of spiking incidents. An investigation by Members of Parliament, published in a 2022 Home Affairs Committee report found insufficient data to give an accurate picture of the prevalence of spiking. When students were asked if they knew many people who had been spiked, the results varied. One said “a few but not an insane amount” and another responded with “not really”. One student, however, said that “for a good few weeks last year, each weekend I knew of someone different who'd been spiked”. It would seem that the pursuit of a thorough and accurate understanding of spiking’s prevalence is extremely complicated, but nonetheless crucial.
Only one of the four respondents sought medical assistance after being spiked, with one of their flatmates calling campus security, who gave them a quick medical examination before taking them to the hospital – something this student has no recollection of.
While information on spiking precautions and symptoms is abundant and readily available online, the motives behind spiking remain unclear to many. According to research conducted in 2022 in collaboration with Cambridgeshire Constabulary, 55.1 percent of those who believed they had been spiked said no additional crime occurred. According to one student responding to Exeposé’s survey, “I’m not aware of anyone who was spiked who had something happen to them. The ones I know of were just spiked, full stop”. While sexual assault and theft are both known and deeply concerning outcomes of being spiked, the fact that many incidents occur without any further harm being inflicted adds to uncertainty surrounding the motives behind spiking.
For the other three respondents, power and control emerged as the central theme in their understanding of spiking. One attributed it to “the
power to easily ruin someone’s night”, and the other to “a power trip”.
one [student] attributed it to the power to easily ruin somenoe else’s night
There are many groups across Exeter who are doing their best to spread awareness against spiking, like Academics Against Assault’s Exeter branch, established by our own students.
This is a student-led organisation committed to the expansion of consent education and sex-positive conversations across universities.
Exeposé was recently in contact with their Exeter branch, which this week has been curating resources to raise awareness against spiking on their social media. While not experts on spiking, Academics Against Assault is dedicated to addressing the elevation of sexual violence within university settings. To access Academic Against Assault’s guide on staying safe on a night out, as well as their other campaign work, you can find them on instagram @ academicsagainstassault_exeter.
We asked the University to comment on spiking in Exeter, and a University spokesperson had this to say: "Spiking can happen to anyone. Don’t accept a drink, or a vape, from someone you don’t know. If you feel unwell or more drunk than you should, get help immediately. Tell someone you trust, or bar staff or venue security, so they can keep an eye on you and provide support. Report spiking online through the Devon & Cornwall Police website or by calling 101 or 999.
"Bottle tops, inserts, glass covers and drink testing strips are available for students at campus accommodation receptions, the Sports Park, Ram Bar, St Luke’s SID Desk and Estate Patrol reception"
A spokesperson from Exeter Students' Guild added that "no one should ever experience spiking. We know how frightening and isolating it can feel when someone is spiked, and it is never your fault. Every student has the right to feel safe, supported and cared for when enjoying a night out in Exeter.
We have listened to the experiences of students and are taking action to keep you safe. Your Student Living Officer, Kira, is working with NHS Devon to improve access to specialist support for anyone affected by sexual assault, and with Devon Rape Crisis to end violence against women and girls through the upcoming Reclaim the Night march. Kira is also working with the University to improve the SafeZone app and extend its coverage beyond campus so students can get help quickly across the city. But we know we all need to do more to end sexual violence – working with the University, local community and venues.
Spiking has no place here. If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact Devon Rape Crisis, NHS sexual assault support services, or Wellbeing Services for free, confidential and tailored support. If you feel comfortable, we’d encourage you to share your experiences through the University’s Support and Report tool. It helps you access the right support and allows us to make Exeter a safer place for everyone – because safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility."
If you have been spiked, you can access many different support channels, including the Devon Rape Crisis and university wellbeing services, for ongoing wellbeing support. You can also report a spiking, no matter how long ago it happened, on the Devon & Cornwall Police website. It is never too late to reach out.
‘Everyone
get involved in it’
AS outlined on their website (and on the many posters dotted around the university), Russ and his team of Geezers offer a range of adventures to both students and the general public, including treks to Machu Picchu, Kilimanjaro, and Everest Base Camp. However, Russ reassures me that Hardest Adventures isn’t just for the endurance athletes, but that “adventure really is for everyone, and that’s what we’re here to do - it doesn’t matter if you’ve never run a 5k, or if you’re banging marathons out every weekend, we’re here for the people - to encourage them to take that first step (...) we just want to get people moving.”
Another key aspect of the initiative is fundraising, helping students to “raise a bunch of money for a cause they really care about, and have the adventure of their lifetime in the process!” A member of the
UoE’s Athletics Club, who attended the run, mentioned this being a key focus for them too. He explained: “throughout the year, we’re looking to do lots of different events with our run club,” including charity events, and partnering the club with inspirational figures like Russ. He added that, “run clubs have become such a big thing of recent, and we want our run club to be something inclusive that everyone can get involved in,” emphasising the community-building side of running.
run clubs have become such a big thing of recent, that we want our run club to be something inclusive
Other attendees, including members from Cool Runnings (the UoE’s casual running society), explained that the communal aspect was essential to their love of running too; with some having rediscovered a
passion for it at uni, or inspired by the impact of events like the London 2012 Olympic Games. One runner stated, no matter the reason you started, “you’ve always got a family in running!”
Kitty Foss, the Student Account Manager for the Exeter division of Hardest Adventures, also stresses this side of running. She told me that although she “started running because it was my personal time, and it was something that I could just go and do by myself,” she then discovered the social side of it during her time studying at Exeter. She pointed out that “it’s like your own sport, but you can still do it with other people.” This is echoed by members of the local All In Run Club, who share that, though they started running in lockdown “to lose weight and just get out of the house,” the passion has stuck, and brought many of them together over the last five years.
Of course, the solo aspect of running is something Russ is more than familiar with,
too. Having been very open online and in his other interviews about the link between mental well-being and running, he shares that: “that’s my journey with it all - using adventure, running, fitness as something that can really benefit my mental health, and I know that it can have that effect for a lot of people.” The sentiment resonates with many of the runners there, and is a foundational part of what
Hardest Adventures aims to provide for their adventurers.
that’s my journey with it all - using adventure, running, fitness as something that can really benefit my mental health
Though the Hardest Geezer, ever in motion, has moved
onto the next legs of his tour, the Exeter team for Hardest Adventures has more than enough adventure to offer locals and students who want to get involved. To keep an eye on what’s available, you can follow their Instagram account (@hardestadventures_exeter) for further information on events, their website, and upcoming info sessions.
‘Substantial savings’ needed for Exeter
ON October 8th, the Devon County Council approved the restructuring of Devon County Library Services in response to increased financial pressures and the shifting needs of Devon library users. The Council plans to collect feedback from local residents and libraryusers, before finalizing what changes will be made. Changes will be implemented as soon as May 2026, ending as late as March 2028. Devon’s library engagement has shifted over the course of the past decade, largely in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to an October 8th report, last year brought
2.3 million visits to Devon libraries, as well as an 85 percent increase in event attendance. However, the recent surge in digital borrowing — with over 1 million annual digital issues, while physical borrowing remained 22 percent below pre-pandemic levels — indicated to the Council that budgeting needed to be reevaluated to accommodate these shifting needs.
last year brought 2.3 million visits to Devon Libraries
The Council currently funds 50 libraries — including the Exeter Library — through a contract with Libraries Unlimited, a charity dedicated to supporting communities through access to library services. Set to end March 31, 2026, the 10-year contract allotted £7.025 million to Libraries Unlimited for the 2025-26 financial year. However, due to larger budgetary constraints for the Council, this year’s number is the result of a steady decrease in funding for Libraries Unlimited over the past few years.
“Every year we have had our service fees reduced from [the Council],” Chloe Reynolds, Senior Supervisor at Exeter Library, said in an interview with the Exeposé. “[But] they’ve always been super supportive, and they’ve never closed any of our libraries… they’ve been way more supportive of us than we know other counties have been [of their libraries].”
To accommodate for the shrinking library budget, the Council delayed certain
maintenance programmes and implemented a recruitment freeze, the latter of which the Exeter Library has worked to minimize the impact of.“The staff that we’ve already got here are busier than before, but we are lucky that we do still have a really great, really supportive team here,” Reynolds explained.
Still, because the Exeter Library has been planning with these constraints in mind, these shifts in budgeting and staffing haven’t stopped the Exeter Library from offering a variety of need-based services. From parent groups to free Wi-Fi and PC access, the Exeter Library staff works hard to provide accessible social and study spaces for the community.
“We offer a lot of really great information and resources, which is really important at the moment — because there’s so much misinformation out there — that we are a trusted source of information,” Reynolds said. “[We] also [offer] loads of… great community stuff. So anyone who’s kind of feeling isolated, or just wants somewhere to come get some company, some advice, we’ve got loads… we’re kind of something for everyone.”
we offer a lot of really great information and resources, which is really important at the moment because there’s so much misnformation out there.
The Council recognized the importance of these library spaces in their October 8th report, where they outlined a long-term solution to these budgetary constraints. The Council will start a 12-week consultation process in November, in which they will gather local feedback on how Devon residents are using their libraries. Survey respondents will be asked about possible changes to libraries’ statutory opening hours; options for extending these hours through local volunteers, technology, and other funding; and the development of Community Hubs, where community organizations can take control of their local library with the support of a Council grant.
Following this consultation, the Council will then develop and present revised proposals to the Cabinet from February to April 2026, before finally implementing the approved proposals from May 2026 to March 2028. To Reynolds, this plan marks the beginning of positive change.
“Knowing that we’re going to have this public consultation is a huge step forward, in a way, because we know something now,” Reynolds said, emphasizing the Council’s support of their public libraries. “We don’t want to see libraries close. And that’s one of the things that Devon County Council [is] saying to us, is that no libraries will close. So we’re really, really happy about that.”
THIS year’s theme for Black History Month UK is “Standing Firm in Power and Pride.”. This theme honours the progress and commitment that define Black communities globally, while calling on everyone to continue building a world where Black voices are centred and celebrated. The “Power” aspect honours the legacies of Black pioneers, leaders, and activists who have transformed history. Meanwhile, “Pride” highlights the culture, heritage, and the ongoing excellence within Black communities.
At a time when racism is on the rise among the far right in the UK–with protests attracting over 100,000 people in September alone– the need for communities to stand firm in power and pride is greater than ever. It is also crucial to highlight the achievements of influential Black visionaries, both past and present, who tirelessly advance justice and equality.
Dr Paul Stephenson, OBE, is a powerful example. Dr Stephenson famously led the Bristol Bus Boycott on 29 April 1963, alongside other community leaders, after Guy Bailey was refused a job because he was Black. After sixty days of protest, the Bristol Omnibus Company lifted its “colour bar,” which had prevented people of colour from working as bus drivers. Stephenson also played a pivotal role in paving the way for the first Race Re-
lations Act in 1965. Reflecting on the ongoing need for resilience, Stephenson stated, “Every generation has a duty to fight against racism, otherwise it will find its way into our country and into our homes.”
EVERY GENERATION HAS A DUTY TO FIGHT AGAINST RACISM, OTHERWISE IT WILL FIND ITS WAY INTO OUR COUNTRY
Visionaries like Altheia Jones-LeCointe, leader of the British Black Panthers (founded in 1968), have played a vital role in challenging racism and repression from the state and police. The British Black Panthers stood out for championing gender equality, with women such as Jones-LeCointe and Olive Morris taking leading roles and refusing to accept inequality based on race or gender. After being arrested at a peaceful protest alongside nine others, Jones-LeCointe represented herself in the Mangrove Nine trial of 1970, which led to the English court acknowledging for the first time that there was evidence of “racial hatred” within the Police. Other breakthroughs have been achieved by black leaders such as Diane Abbott, the black
woman elected to the UK Parliament; Baron Paul Boateng, the first Black Cabinet Minister in Britain and Phyllis Akua Opoku-Gyimah, co-founder of UK Black Pride. It is also important to highlight those in the US who also fought tirelessly against racism and prejudice, such as Reverend Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Harriet Tubman, as well as Carter G. Woodson, who founded black history month in 1926.
As a young Black person, I feel inspired every day by the barriers that were broken in the past and those
still being challenged by the black community. Black History Month encourages us to reflet on history and motivates us to work toward a better future. I feel the impact of this legacy in my daily life—when I go to university, at work, and in my daily experiences. That’s why I honour Black history every day.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH ENCOURAGES US TO REFLECT ON HISTORY
“Good Mental Health is constant”
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS CONTENT RELATING TO SUICIDE AND DEPRESSION IN WHICH SOME READERS MAY FIND DISTRESSING
WORLD Mental Health Day is celebrated annually on the 10th of October around the globe, to raise awareness around the importance of looking after your mental wellbeing and decreasing the stigma around asking for help.
This year, the theme is ‘Good mental health isn’t constant’, reflecting the unique challenges and uncertainties that many around the world are navigating. Mental health problems can affect anyone, but minority groups are currently more at risk. It is estimated that 61 per cent of LGBT individuals have experienced anxiety over the past year, and over half have experienced depression. Furthermore, those living in poverty were more likely to experience mental health problems, with 1 in 4 reporting a mental health problem in any given week. Refugees and asylum seekers are also more likely to experience mental health issues than the local population, with higher rates of depression, anxiety disorders, and PTSD,
linked to pre-migration experiences such as war, and post-migration conditions like poor housing and estrangement from loved ones.
MIND ESTIMATES THAT 1 IN 4 PEOPLE WILL EXPERIENCE A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM OF SOME KIND
Mind estimates that 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England, most commonly anxiety and depression. 1 in 4 people will experience suicidal thoughts in their life, with 1 in 13 people attempting suicide. Worldwide, 1 in 7 people will live with a mental disorder. These harrowing statistics are one of many reasons that World Mental Health Day exists, aiming to raise awareness on how you can look after your mental health, and how to access resources and helplines. Mental health difficulties usually arise during times of stress and uncertainty – for many of us, we experience these at university. The graduate job market, deadlines, and student housing are just some of the stressful experiences
that are acute with university. For most, university is the first time we live independently and away from home, leading to changes in support systems. The House of Commons shared statistics on student mental health in April this year, showing that the number of students who had disclosed a mental health condition rose from <1 per cent in 2010/2011 to 5.8 per cent in 2022/2023. In 2023, Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) and the Tab found that only 12 per cent of students feel they handle their mental health effectively at university.
Societies and sports clubs are a great way to meet new people and ease stress while at university. Exercise has been shown to release endorphins, with hobbies and socialising releasing dopamine and oxytocin – these ‘happy hormones’ are natural chemicals that aid mental wellbeing. By far the best way to look after your mental health is by talking to someone. As mental health can affect anyone, you never know who is struggling – mental health doesn’t have a look. So, invite that friend out for a coffee, ask your course mate how their day is going, and call your loved ones to see what they’ve been up to. The conversation around mental health saves lives.
You can find more mental health and wellbeing pieces in our previous issues, and
on exepose.com. Make sure to check out our mental health zine ‘Talk About It’, which can be found around campus and online on Issuu. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, you can reach out to the university’s wellbeing services and the educational welfare team. Outside of university, there are teams and charities like Talkworks and Devon Mind that can offer general mental health help. Organisations like the Devon Rape Crisis offer specialist help for sexual violence in and around Exeter. For a 24/7 helpline, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123.
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS CONTENT RELATING TO BREAST CANCER AND DEPRESSION IN WHICH SOME READERS MAY FIND DISTRESSING
THIS October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to shed light on the most common cancer in the world and celebrate those affected. Each year, over 55,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK alone, and yet it is one of the most stigmatised cancers, making individuals feel ashamed or silenced about their journeys. The physical toll on the body during and after is significant, and many women, but also men, struggle with their appearance after having surgeries and chemotherapy to treat the condition. This not only physically changes the anatomy of your body, but both men and women lose aspects of their reproductive rights, feeling out of control and hopeless. But I want to focus on the hope that is very much out there for anyone suffering from breast cancer.
I WANT TO FOCUS ON THE HOPE THAT IS VERY MUCH OUT THERE FOR ANYONE SUFFERING
This is why the charity Breast Cancer Now has a vision that by 2050, everyone diagnosed with breast cancer will live. This is a powerful statement that provides a glimmer of hope in a dark place. At least one in four breast cancers can be prevented, but this can only be achieved through early detection, emotional and physical care, as well as the development of new and more effective treatments.
BREAST CANCER NOW HAS A VISION THAT BY 2050, EVERYONE DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER WILL LIVE
One part of the journey that often goes untold is the emotional impact, not only for the individual but also for their family and friends. Having a strong support network is vital in facing the disease with resilience and determination, which is why I want to focus on one particular person, whose story
I believe deserves the spotlight — Strictly Come Dancing’s very own Amy Dowden.
ALL OF A SUDDEN MY EVERYDAY LIFE CHANGED
Amy Dowden began her breast cancer journey in 2023, after finding a lump the day before her honeymoon. As a young girl, Amy had two dreams: to become the British Latin Dance Champion and to be a professional dancer on Strictly. Not only did Amy achieve both, but she had recently married her partner Ben and was looking forward to a life together and starting a family. But after her diagnosis, her response was ‘All of a sudden my everyday life changed’. Amy spoke out about her cancer journey on social media and later went on to create a BBC documentary called Cancer and Me to share her story. She wanted to be the one who people heard about her diagnosis from, but she was worried about the reception she would receive and how it would determine her role as a Strictly pro. A confident young woman who performs for thousands of people year in year out, and yet releasing her cancer story to the world was one of the bravest and hardest things she’s ever had to do.
In her documentary, Amy raises a common misconception about breast cancer only being considered a risk after the age of fifty. In the UK, the NHS invites women aged between fifty and seventy to have a routine mammogram appointment every three years. This was a huge revelation for Amy as she thought that at thirty-three, she was completely alone in her journey and couldn’t believe that it had happened to her. What took her by surprise was the outpour of love and support by a community of women going through or previously having breast cancer in their early twenties and thirties. Kindness and hope are what Amy looked for in all the messages she received, and these online spaces kept her going in the desperate months of her journey, describing them as ‘a community of friends online’ in which she ‘held onto those messages for hope’.
For Amy, one of the hardest battles she faced was losing her hair during her chemo treatment. Diane, current Strictly pro and Amy’s best friend, explains how, as dancers, their career is centred around how they present themselves on the dance floor, with anything physical playing a mental role too. That is why Amy believed that holding onto her hair was ‘a way of hanging onto the old me’. She began
using a cold cap that helped freeze the hair follicles when having chemo, but it only made her sicker; after much contemplation, she made the brave decision to shave her hair. Amy was invited to be part of one of the Strictly shows for the 2023 season, where she agonised over whether
AMY DOWDEN CHOOSING NOT TO WEAR A WIG ON STRICTLY TONIGHT HAS JUST SHOWN EVERY LITTLE GIRL GOING THROUGH CHEMO THAT BALD IS BEAUTIFUL
she would wear a wig on live television — she decided not to. This was a huge turning point in Amy’s journey. A viewer who had watched the show air that night posted this, ‘Amy Dowden choosing not to wear a wig on #Strictly tonight has just shown every little girl going through chemo that bald is beautiful’. This message gave Amy the strength to keep on fighting. Without realising, she had become a role model for girls and women alike to show that hope was possible, even when at times, it felt out of reach.
Amy also raised awareness about the fertility treatment she underwent to have any chance of having children in the future. Chemo can affect your hormones and fertility, and so she had to have daily injections and an egg collection to have any hope of having children. Amy found it particularly distressing as everyone around her was either talking about having children or actually having them. One of her most moving remarks was this ‘It’s only when that chance of having children is suddenly taken away from you, that you realise just how much you want them’. Amy has now been two years in remission and, since then, has been on the 2024 and 2025 seasons of Strictly Come Dancing, returning to her well-deserved role both before and after breast cancer. If you take anything from this article, I encourage you to dedicate an hour of your time to watching the documentary and remember, in Amy’s own words, to ‘please check your chests’. On October 24th, Wear It Pink Day takes place, where you can raise money for the biggest fundraising event in the UK. So get involved and make a difference today by supporting those affected and celebrate breast cancer awareness not only in October, but all year round.
PCLIMATE EDITOR: Amberly Wright
Kayleigh Swart, Editor-in-Cheif, shares Pope Leo’s views on climate change
OPE Leo has recently made his stance on climate change clear in a recent address.
When the new Pope was elected earlier this year, many people assumed his beliefs would be more conservative than his predecessor Pope Francis, however recent months seem to be disproving that. Instead, Leo is following in Francis’ footsteps.
The Pope recently spoke in front of a crowd filled with indigenous groups and environmental organisations about the need to act on climate change. Throughout this address, Leo highlighted that people need to pressure their governments to take action. He also highlighted how the attendees of the next U.N
conference need to hear “the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor”. He, of course, addressed this topic from a place of religion saying: “God will ask us if we have cultivated and cared for the world that he created for the benefit of all and for future generations, and if we have taken care of our brothers and sisters — what will be our answer, my dear friends?” Additionally, in a symbolic display he also blessed a piece of ice which had been sourced from a glacier in Greenland.
This address took place a decade after Pope Francis first put out his papal encyclical which addressed climate issues. Many people credit this papal as helping to establish the Paris agree-
Iment. Pope Leo also mentioned how the problems we face are much larger than ten years ago.
The Pope has also come in conflict with Donald Trump. Trump previously told the U.N that climate change was “the greatest con job every perpetrated”. Earlier this year Trump removed the U.S from the Paris agreement for the second time. The Pope however, has affirmed his opposing opinions on the matter saying: “Some have chosen to deride the increasingly evident signs of climate change, to ridicule those who speak of global warming, and even to blame the poor for the very thing that affects them the most”.
T is with great sadness that it was announced that Dame Jane Goodall, world-renowned primatologist and conservationist, passed away on the 1st of October, aged 91. Goodall was most famous for her expertise on chimpanzees, particularly her study of chimpanzee social and family life in Tanzania in the 1960s. She was also a huge advocate for the protection and restoration of nature, as well as animal welfare.
Born in London in 1934, Goodall was interested in animal behaviour from a very young age. After leaving school at 18, she worked as film production assistant before heading to Africa to assist palaeontologist and anthropologist Louis Leakey.
It’s her work with Leakey that enabled her establishment of camp Gombe Stream Game Reserve (which later became a National Park) in 1960 so that she could observe the behaviour of chimpanzees.
In her work with chimpanzees, Goodall made discoveries that overruled several mis-
understandings. She discovered that chimpanzees are omnivores, not vegetarians and that they are able to make and use tools and have highly developed social skills.
In 1965, Jane Goodall’s discoveries soared to an international audience when the National Geographic television programme broadcasted “Miss Goodall and the Wild Chimpanzees”. Also in 1965, Goodall was awarded a Ph.D. in ethology by Cambridge University, making her one of the few candidates to receive a Ph.D. without first having an A.B. degree.
Goodall stayed in Gombe until 1975, and in 1977 she cofounded the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research, Education and Conservation. While it initially focused on the continued field research of wild chimpanzees, its work expanded to promoting the power of individuals to protect the environment for all living things. She also developed many other initiatives, including the Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots in 1991, a youth service programme
Isabel Bratt, Arts & Lit Editor, explores the clues Japanese hot springs hold to early life on
ARECENT study in Japan, led by Fatima LiHau and Professor Shawn McGlynn, has shifted scientific understanding of the origins of life on Earth. The team examined five rare iron-rich hot springs in Japan, which mimic the chemistry of Earth’s ancient oceans at the time of the Great Oxygenation Event, roughly 2.3 billion years ago. The team found that, in four of the five hot springs, microaerophilic iron-oxidising bacteria were the dominant microbes. These organisms thrive in low-oxygen conditions, and use iron as an energy source. They found that these microbes converted a toxic compound into an energy source and helped maintain conditions that allowed oxygen-sensitive anaerobes to persist.
Their findings suggest that Earth’s early atmos-
phere used iron, as well as oxygen, for energy, through a process of releasing photosynthetic microbes. This implies an ecosystem in which waste products were transformed into energy sources, prior to photosynthesis. The study proposes a shift in our understanding of early life, suggesting that Earth’s early ecosystems were composed of diverse microbes, including iron-oxidising bacteria, living alongside one another.
which now operates in over 50 countries.
In addition to her work, Goodall wrote many books and articles including “In the Shadow of Man” and “My Friends the Wild Chimpanzees”. She also appealed to children with her works “Grub: The Bush Baby” and “My Life with the Chimpanzees”.
She also wrote about how our diets can affect the environment in “Harvest for Hope: A Guide to Mindful Eating” (2005) where she encouraged readers to think about the impact that our food choices can have.
In 2002, Goodall became a UN Messenger of Piece, and a year later, Queen Elizabeth II awarded her title Dame of the British Empire (DBE). Dame Jane Goodall continued to lecture about environmental and conservations issues into the early 21st Century.
She will forever be remembered for her incredible work, which changed the trajectory of thinking about chimpanzees and their behaviour.
INDEPENDENT climate advisors have warned that the UK is not adapted to the worsening extremes of weather, as 2025 is estimated to see a two degree increase. The Climate Change Committee (CCC) addressed the government, asking them to prepare for climate change beyond the long-term temperature goal outlined in the Paris Agreement, says the BBC
The letter came as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) comfirmed that the previous year had seen a record rise of CO2 in the atmosphere.
In 2015, the Paris Agreement was signed by almost 200 countries, including the UK. This agreement came with a
pledge to try and prevent global temperaturs from rising 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, keeping it “well below” 2°C.
Once this 2°C level is reached, the UK would suffer from more exttreme weather events, such as droughts, flooding, wildfires, and heatwaves. The increase of CO2 in the atmosphere between 2023 and 2024 was the largest we have seen, says WMO. Deputy Secretary General Ko Barret urges the public to reduce their cardon usage, as “Reducing emissions is therefore essential not just for our climate but also for our economic security and community well-being”.
Tom Richardson
Lucas Eley
Lucas Eley, Comment Editor
IN Rachel Reeves’ recent Sky News interview, the Chancellor hinted at the prospect of a tax rise once again. This is part of her ongoing expectation management, whilst the announcement of her Autumn Budget looms next month.
Instead of addressing spending problems which the government is aware of, it continues to rule out completely feasible spending cuts, backing down at the first sign of pressure from the backbenchers.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies notes a ‘widespread expectation that tax rises will be the key feature of the budget’, while alternatives such as spending reductions or a loosening of fiscal rules are now regarded as increasingly ‘unlikely’ by most observers.
Now fifteen months into her tenure since Labour’s return to power, the Chancellor appears to be abdicating meaningful responsibility for the structural spending pressures that have long challenged successive governments.
Rachel Reeves is citing Liz Truss as an example of the government’s spending problem, three years after her 49-day ministry, which the public clearly is not taking seriously.
Rachel Reeves continues to cite former Prime Minister Liz Truss as a cause of the government’s spending challenges. Yet three years after that 49-day episode, references to the brief impact of her mini-budget are becoming increasingly unpersuasive with the public.
Kemi Badenoch’s abandonment of the pledge to achieve Net Zero by 2050 is a disturbing development. Whilst eco-protesters such as Just Stop Oil have contributed to the politicisation of climate change, there has still always been a considerable consensus amongst the public for serious action.
This was a pledge set by a pragmatic and serious Conservative government under Theresa May. The Baroness is right to criticise Badenoch’s speech, correctly stating that “delaying action will only harm the next generation and increase both the economic and social costs of climate change.”
While removing the legally binding element of the Climate Change Act 2019 may be understandable amid the current energy cost crisis, a challenge the Labour government has yet to address, further delaying decisive action is not a credible solution.
Despite broad recognition that nuclear power is integral to achieving Net Zero, its share of the UK’s energy mix has declined from 23 percent to just over 15 percent.
Steering the ship: can Labour maneuvre through the storm and what pushed them to sail into it?
Lucas
Eley, Comment Editor, debates the possibility of renewed success for Starmer’s Labour government
IT would be uncontroversial at this point in the current British Government’s term to say that they seem to be floundering in almost all aspects, flip-flopping between given and abandoned policy points like a barrel on stormy seas. However, it was only a year ago that things had seemed incredibly hopeful for the incoming Labour government, winning a decisive parliamentary victory in the July general election of 2024. So what went so terribly wrong in just over a year, and can Labour possibly get out of their current predicament?
IT WAS ONLY A YEAR AGO THAT THINGS HAD SEEMED INCREDIBLY HOPEFUL
When it comes to what has led them into such a precarious position, nothing is more evidently culpable than the inability of the current government to even minorly increase income tax rates. A
policy that might have helped them avoid their endless economic woes and controversial policy decisions as a large proportion of these have stemmed from desperately trying to find a solution to the lacklustre tax income without taking this seemingly obvious step. However, if this decision seemed to be the clear path forward, why have the government been unable to make it? The simple cause is the lack of political cultural impact the current Labour government, has and because of this their inability to meaningfully shift the Overton Window, the British political term that describes a moving spectrum of acceptable political policy. Looking back at Labour politicians who have made significant reform or change to the wider British politique, they all share a common denominator: identity. For example, Blair won on the basis of the “hope” that the New Labour campaign was driven by; even Corbyn won a similar number of voters as Starmer in a more enthused electoral year with his return to older more meaningfully left-wing
policy positions. The simple fact is, Starmer’s government has no such identity; they only won so heavily in 2024 due to the disillusionment of the people with the Conservatives, and as per turnout, the electoral system as a whole.
THEY ONLY WON SO HEAVILY IN 2024 DUE TO THE DISILLUSIONMENT OF THE PEOPLE
So, what can they do to resolve this? Ironically, when remembering the driving force that got them into power, it is likely that they will have to make a distinctively Trussesque move and sack the current Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, and replace her with someone who can serve as a driving force behind a new economic vision. This alone will not allow the government to prosper. However, it is vital that the entire government, and particularly the Prime Minister, focus on making it clear that the change represents a broader difference in
the aims of the party. This could be best done by rolling back on some of the more controversial policies of the last year, such as the proposed digital ID scheme or increases in national insurance. However, it is not only economic issues on which Labour has driven away their support. In large part people in the UK have seen the inaction of the current government on international issues, particularly the conflict in Israel/ Gaza, as reflective of a larger disfunction or inaction among senior ministers in relation to popular issues.
THE SIMPLE FACT IS STARMER’S GOVERNMENT HAS NO SUCH IDENTITY
After all, it is impossible to say whether the government can claw back electoral victory from what appears to be a looming defeat in the next general election and it certainly will not by following on the course of this currently sinking ship.
Yasmine Al-Saket, Lifestyle Editor, discusses costumes and terrifying realities you could use to scare students this Halloween
THE one time of the year when you can dress up besides your Wednesday Sports social and get up to some classic Exeter tomfoolery; here is the ultimate style guide of the best Exetah Halloween costumes so you can still bleed green on the spookiest night of the year. Firstly, what is an Exetah Halloween without throwing a reenactment of Boris Johnson’s iconic parties, where you and your friends can dress as your favourite disgraced Tory politician, from Michael Gove, Matt Hancock, Dominic Raab, Priti Patel and of course, who can forget the longest lasting Prime Minister, the lettuce. I’m sure you can get into a few more partygate scandals, just try not to get caught like Matt
WHAT IS AN EXETAH HALLOWEEN WITHOUT A REENACTMENT OF BORIS
THancock with his aide.
Other than dressing like a posh rugby lad or donning your Ralph Lauren as always, you could try something actually scary, like dressing up like your parents or your old school headmaster. You’re bound to get a few frightened screams if you constantly remind everyone that university is actually for studying and not spending your
trust fund on venoms at Castle Street. Along with going around every social gathering asking “what are your plans after graduation” or “did you do all of the readings”, I’m sure a few
people will faint at the mention of those dreaded questions.
Another Exetah costume idea is dressing up as a cigarette, so when the Rah girlies say “where’s my baccy”, you could respond with “I’m right here”. I’m not entirely sure if it’s scary, but it might help with not spending the night alone, which is definitely the scariest thing of all. During Halloween, you can try wearing all purple, just like a blueberry from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, to represent your favourite university, our arch nemesis, Durham and Loughborough. You’ll most definitely run into a BUCS player who will screech at the sight of something so ghastly: purple.
Liv Carter discusses the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel and threats to free speech by the Trump Administration
HE U.S. government has once again come to a standstill after Republicans and Democrats failed to reach an agreement on a spending bill, triggering a shutdown at 12:01 a.m. on October 1. This marks the first government shutdown since 2018-19 during Trump’s first term. Republicans currently control all branches of governmentbut remain short of the 60 Senate votes need to pass their bill. Democrats, on the other hand are demanding an extension to expiring tax credits that would make health insurance more affordable for millions of Americans, as well as a reversal of the Trump Medicaid cuts to support elderly, disabled and, low-income citizens.
The shutdown has forced many federal services to come to a halt. Including federally funded preschools, student loans, food assistance programmes, national parks, museums, and new benefit-payment systems.
Roughly 40 percent of the federal workforce (around 750,000 employees) are now on unpaid leave, uncertain when or if they will return to work. Essential services such as hospitals, law enforcement, border control, and air traffic control continue to operate, but will only receive pay once the shutdown ends. Economists estimate that each week the shutdown persists
ROUGHLY 40 PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE ARE NOW ON UNPAID LEAVE, UNCERTAIN WHEN OR IF THEY WILL RETURN
could shave 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points off U.S. economic growth. Yet this crisis runs much deeper than just fiscal disagreement. The deadlock reflects an increasing political divide in Washington that makes compromise increasingly rare. The shutdown was not due to a lack of policy options but a refusal to cooperate. Each side presented proposals that the other side would never accept, showing that partisan identity now outweighs practical governance. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer accused Republicans of taking a ‘my way or the highway’ approach, while Vice President JD Vance blamed the Democrats for ‘refusing to do the right thing’.
Both parties could have used each other’s plans as a starting point for negotiations. Instead, they treated the standoff as a test of political strength rather than a matter of leadership and governance. In today’s hyperpartisan climate, lawmakers
seem to be more concerned with appearing loyal to their party base than with ensuring a stable government. When negotiation is equated with weakness, even short-term funding bills become politically impossible to pass. The shutdown could have been avoided through genuine bipartisan talks on a short-term funding deal, followed by broader fiscal discussions. But preventing future shutdowns will require more than just procedural fixes. The United States needs a political culture that rewards cooperation rather than punishing it. Until compromise is seen not as capitulation, but as an essential feature of democracy, America’s govern-
OUR ARCH NEMESIS, DURHAM A POLITICAL CULTURE THAT REWARDS COOPERATION RATHER THAN PUNISHING IT
Francesca Clarke
AMIDST Trump’s recent claims that Tylenol usage in pregnancy has clear links to autism in children, one understandably may have multiple questions. Where is the scientific research? Why has he decided to try and push this narrative? Where could he possibly go from here?
With the US government currently in shutdown over healthcare bills, with little progress in sight, I see the President to be afflicted with a touch of boredom. He is perhaps yearning for a sprinkle of attention, a touch of mischief, and a bar-
rel of lies to have at his disposal. Therefore, I have taken the liberty of providing Mr. Trump with an exciting bucket list, one that is sure to incite further controversy, outrage or just plain bewilderment.
HE IS PERHAPS YEARNING FOR A SPRINKLE OF ATTENTION, A TOUCH OF MISCHIEF, AND A BARREL OF LIES
1. Double down on the links between preg-
ARE you a hardworking, intelligent, and motivated individual with convenient family ties to the CEO? Do you thrive in high-pressure environments where mistakes are punished with public shaming and the occasional light stoning? Are you just desperate enough to let us treat you terribly because we know you’ll stay and still say thank you? Then CorporateDreamDestroyers™ has the perfect opportunity for you!
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Amber Platel, Arts and Lit Editor
nancy medicine and neurodivergence. Suggest that the use of epidurals during labour has strong links to ADHD. Urge all pregnant women to claim hate crimes against the government if offered by nurses.
2. Insist that fake tan seeps into the blood, causing chronic fatigue disorder. This leaves more fake tan for you and ensures no one copies your look (as inspired by Kim Jon Un and his leather jackets). Deny hypocrisy claims when you appear orange during press talks.
3. Take a page out of a book across the pond. Maintain that yes, immigrants are being given free driving lessons, and after passing they get to pick a Ferrari or Lamborghini of their choosing.
4. Restart the conspiracy theory that Obama was
AS reading week approaches, university campuses across the UK have transformed into emotional departure lounges, with students clutching tote bags and saying tearful goodbyes before their five-day sabbatical, the modern equivalent of exile to pretending to study and “catch up on their readings” despite knowing that it’ll be catching up on their Netflix watchlist instead. Campus halls echoed with emotional farewells on Friday as friends prepared to endure a full week apart, bravely facing the loneliness of their family homes and slightly slower Wi-Fi. Farewell dinners have been held and postcards half-written, all in anticipation of the journey home, where students hope to find peace and recover both financially and emotionally from five relentless weeks of TP nights out. In the Forum, students can be overheard saying “we’ll keep in touch,” exchanging heartfelt goodbyes before realising they’re on the same train back to London or Surrey. By Sunday evening, most had already reunited with their dearly missed friends over drinks, pretending to be surprised that reading week was over and that not a single book had been opened in the process. Some even claimed to have “read a little,” bravely referring to the captions on their Instagram stories.
Yasmine Al-Saket, Lifestyle Editor
actually not born in the US. For no reason, with no evidence, just to get those tinfoil hats secured a bit tighter. 5. Start a feud with RFK Jr. Hire your own set of “healthcare professionals” who insist that Coca Cola (with REAL cane sugar as per your preference) will instead reverse diabetes. Compare such holistic benefits to those of a green juice. Axe RFK when he doesn’t agree, but not before arguing with him on twitter for a couple days. Hire a new Secretary of Health who will vehemently support any of your claims.
I would advise the president to release all these claims within the period of one week. This results in minimal time left open for interrogation of each claim, with maximum attention on the Trump Administration.
THERE are many things that terrify students: deadlines, your bank account, the hills. However, now Spooky Season is here, what would make the scariest Halloween costume? A ghastly Halloween costume that you could try out is definitely an 8:30am lecture. When we first received our timetables, we were all scrolling through with the dread of seeing “8:35am” on that list. Taking your darkest eyeshadow and drawing on enormous bags under your eyes, accentuating how drained of energy we all are at that time, wear a thoughtless outfit and forget something at home. Nobody has any brainpower at that time in the morning and your costume must reflect that. For the Exetah students out there, it would be eerie dressing as somebody in the (God forbid) working class. Ditch that Ralph Lauren Polo and swap to a Primark get up, which is a horrifying thought in itself. To heighten fears, try the uniform of a blue collar job! Now, something that gives us all goosebumps is the looming nature of Cardiac Hill. If you aspire to be the hill itself — although people will run from you in fear — perhaps buy a grass suit and stand perfectly straight all night. Alternatively, dress up in your normal university outfit and stand in the shower before you leave for any spooky event; you have to reflect the buckets of sweat it is mandatory to create when you walk up. Forget the perfume whilst you’re at it. Don’t wear purple, and have a very happy Halloween!
Christmas started earlier this year, according to sources
Lauren Walsh
Deputy Editor
ACCORDING to local sources, Christmas celebrations have started even earlier this year, in order to maximise how much money can be made from impressionable consumers. Reports are saying that if you haven’t bought Christmas presents yet, then you’re already too late. Mariah Carey has already defrosted, and mince pies are on shelves in your local supermarket. Halloween? You’ve missed it I’m afraid, it was moved forward by national decree and was actually last week, you must have missed the memo. Christmas is most commonly associated
with long winter nights, snow falling, and spending time with your loved ones, right? Wrong! Christmas is about spending as much money as humanly possible (don’t worry about your bank account, the overdraft is there for a reason) by
buying things people don’t want or need. And why limit that to a certain time of year? It would be much better for you (as well as the people who run the mega-corporations who make all the money from useless tat) if you spent more money than you earn ALL year round. And why stop at spending copious amounts
of money? Play Christmas music all year round too, your flatmates are guaranteed to love that.
Music for that time of year is famously eclectic, features deep and meaningful lyrics (such as “Santa baby, hurry down the chimney tonight”) and is widely regarded as the least annoying music genre out there — especially when listened to 24/7 while working retail. Who’s Jesus? Why would Christmas be anything to do with the birth of Jesus Christ, when it’s clearly about 21st Century late-stage capitalist consumerism? Stick to the holiday’s roots, come on. Christmas next year is slated to start even earlier, on the 25th of June, allowing for a full six months of money-spending, I mean, celebration. Who needs nostalgia for a certain time of year when you can get it six months out of twelve?
LET Becca Bloom ‘rich right’ as she gets ready for a Parisian ball wearing a George Hobeika dress straight off the runway and dons an Oscar de la Renta and a Chanel dress for her wedding rehearsal. Chloe L recommends caviar on crisps as a late-night snack as she wears three Van Cleef bracelets. The rise of these millionaire influencers came from a place of working-class insight. Their content features something the working and even middle classes do not experience, and most probably never will. It created an almost morbid fascination of watching a ‘get ready with me’ where the creator throws around outfits worth more than most people’s houses. This fascination stuck with audiences for a while – until the influencers tried to become relatable.
MORBID FASCINATION OF WATCHING A 'GET READY WITH ME' WHERE THE CREATOR THROWS AROUND OUTFITS WORTH MORE THAN MOST PEOPLE'S HOUSES
These creators market themselves as ‘down to earth’ so their audience begins to feel equal with them, almost overlooking the inaccessibility of that level of wealth. We start to forget that capitalism does not support the working class. I would argue that no one is watching this content to see their own lifestyle reflected within it, and that this (originally) was not the intention of the creators. But when we watch Mikayla Nogueiras who just couldn’t say no to a luxury bag haul amounting to $60,000, alarm bells
start to ring. In no world is this type of wealth relatable – especially not currently.
The rising cost of living crisis is not a secret to anyone, leaving a bitter taste to these videos flaunting immense wealth. The Trussell Trust reports that in the last decade the level of emergency food bank packages issued in the UK has risen by two and a half times. In 2024, 10.6 percent of the US population were in poverty, according to census data. Is this really the time to be championing unnecessary spending?
AIS THIS REALLY THE TIME TO BE CHAMPIONING UNNECCESARY SPENDING?
TikTok creator ‘nikkyupnext’ has a running series titled ‘Rich People who Rich Right’. Generally, she will showcase people who use their wealth to buy designer clothes, artists who pay for album marketing and often the unachievable weddings of creators such as Becca Bloom herself. However, she must have felt a change in the tide of attitudes and criticism of such wealth disparity, as a recent video showcases Mackenzie Scott, who donated $70 million to the charity UNCF, which provides college scholarships to students from marginalised groups. This is what influencer millionaires should be. Why flaunt your million-dollar dog bowl, when the same money could go towards helping people to live?
WHO DONATED $70 MILLION TO THE CHARITY UNCF
Alannah Driscoll shares her tips for keeping stomachs, and bank accounts, full this autumn
S the nights draw in and library sessions stretch out late, we’re all after one thing — tasty, filling food that doesn’t drain your student loan. Here’s your guide to eating well, saving money, and staying cosy this autumn. Starting with shopping trips, frozen fruit and vegetables are cheaper and last longer, adding beans or chickpeas is filling and budget-friendly, and freezing meals and meats prevents waste while making meal prep easy.
FROZEN FRUIT AND VEGETABLES ARE CHEAPER AND LAST LONGER
Lidl and Aldi are lifesavers for cheap essentials, but if you shop at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, or Morrisons, make sure you’ve got a Clubcard or Nectar Card to grab discounts. Many supermarkets now have “student budget meal” sections, like Lidl’s five meals for £20. These list ingredients and recipes, giving you affordable,
varied meal ideas without stress. If eating out, check UniDays and StudentBeans — Exeter restaurants also often run student discounts, meal deals, and student nights, make sure to ask!
As for meal prep, it’s tempting to grab snacks or lunch from the Forum Pret, Market Place, or Forum Kitchen, but doing it every day adds up. Meal prep is a total game changer. Follow @EmtheNutritionist for high-protein pittas, wraps, soups, and salads that stay fresh, plus hearty dinners, and check TikTok accounts like Beat the Budget for more cheap, tasty meal ideas. Some buildings on campus, such as Amory and XFI, have microwaves and boiling water taps to reheat your home-cooked meals. Bonus hacks: Pret often does 50percent off at the end of the day, and the library fridge sometimes has free food too. Remember that the SuperSavourKitchen does £2.35 lunches too if you do find yourself caught out! When lectures get too dull and you find yourself needing a coffee, resist the urge to go to Pret or Starbucks. The Marketplace in the Forum has a coffee machine at the
back with hot drinks for less than £3. Bringing your own reusuable travel mug also lowers the cost of hot drinks around campus.
SOME BUILDINGS ON CAMPUS HAVE MICROWAVES AND HOT WATER TAPS TO REHEAD YOUR HOME-COOKED MEALS
Apps such as Olio and TooGoodToGo also provide great value food at low prices, often from your favourite cafes and restaurants. While they are often soon going out of date, lots of the food can be frozen too! My favourite dinner ideas include burrito bowls, chicken fajitas, one-pan red Thai curries and loaded jacket potatoes. But you could even consider going veggie! Using plant-based alternatives, such as mince, is often a lot cheaper, and more sustainable. In chillis and bologneses you can’t even taste the difference.
Sainsbury’s plant pioneers range is especially amazing for affordable frozen protein choices.
From nagivating university sober, to studying in pursuit of a legal career, Lifestyle Editor, Yasmine Al-Saket, sits down with Connie Barker to get the scoop.
SPEAKING to Connie Barker, a second-year law student and being on the Law Society committee with her, is surprisingly refreshing as her honesty shines through, with her love of academia. She opened up the conversation about her journey navigating university lifethrough the normalcy and what can be seen as “mundane” to some. Connie started herTikTok account last year and now has over 1000 followers. She isn’t what you’d call a traditional “influencer”; she doesn't spend her platform opening PR packages, going on lavish holidays or doing anything particularly exciting. But rather she shares the wholesome elements of university life through her day in a life videos, typically consisting of a lot of studying, reading, meeting up with her friends, and having a quiet evenings, watching YouTube. Not the flashy
elements of university, on nights out, pub crawls and getting drunk, that we often see too much of. Her page is a warm, cozy, safe space where she shares advice on studying law and navigating daily life sober. She shares how, before starting university, she had seen how influencers often seem to be doing something exciting, from partying to seemingly doing no work. Connie wanted a role model who shared the real experience of university, which consisted of studying, the quiet moments and staying in, which led her to create her page.
HER PAGE IS A WARM COZY, SAFE SPACE
@Conniedoeslaw on TikTok, encompassing what she’d look for before university. For her, Titkok is a creative outlet where she documents her university experience and connects with others who feel left out in the typical discourse of university life, spotlighting
the quiet days alone. A highlight of her content creation is hitting the milestone of 1000 followers and working with a brand. She shared how she’s keen to work with other brands, but only those that truly align with her ethics and she’s interested in authenticity. Watching Connie and her content grow reminded me slightly of myself in first year.
I too found university hard to figure out at
EVEN SHARING HER EXPERIENCES OF HOMESICKNESS, CALLING HER FAMILY, MISSING HER DOG, FEELINGS I AM SURE WE HAVE ALL FELT
first, especially never being particularly fond of the drinking till I dropped philosophy. Instead I spent more time in the library and spent most evenings just like Connie’s. Her page inspires me and other students and lets the homebodies and introverted ones know that being “boring” is fine. In fact it is normal to spending your days alone curled up with your seminar readings. Throughout her content creation journey, she’s received various messages from aspiring law students to current law students asking for academic and personal advice on their university experience. Connie’s page is primarily based on academics, making her a study-influencer, reassuring her viewers that enjoying their degree. and the everyday
life of university is wonderfully great. She also combats the Exetah stereotypes through sharing her regular routine of studying, being part of academic societies, taking part in Department Officer meetings with the Guild, movie nights and cooking regularly. Her platform is not given but earned, through posting regularly and candidly, even sharing her experiences of homesickness, calling her family, missing her dog, feelings that I am sure we have all felt at some point in our degrees. For the big question of what she plans to do post graduation, Connie shared how she deeply enjoys her law degree and is committed to qualifying as a solicitor. She’s completed work experience schemes over summer, won awards for Career Development and is on the Law Society committee, Connie highlighted how her content goes hand in hand to navigating a legal career, with time management. She aims to carry on with her legal aspirations alongside her content creation, sharing how she only posts content that she wouldn’t mind her future employer seeing. Our interview later turned into a study session, reminding me that stripping down all of the pizzazz and fluff of university life, it is actually incredibly enjoyable and fulfilling to savour the moment. Being in our twenty’s and having all the time in the world to study something we are passionate about.
IT'S ...ENJOYABLE AND FULFILLING TO SAVOUR THE MOMENT
EAre socials a new third space?
Francesca Clarke shares her love for socials and how university socials are turning into a third space.
ARLY this week, my friends and I were cutting through an alleyway to the Cathedral when we were hit with an alarming, overstimulating sight: a bellow of “LADS IN THE YARD!”. A gaggle of students crammed into the metre-wide space, all donning matching t-shirts, awkwardly going quiet for a moment as they let us pass, before continuing their debauchery. Ah yes, I thought: a social is taking place. Now in my second year, I’m well acquainted. I’ve battled through the Rum Run, darted around Primark trying to find a costume, felt the stares as I walked through the city centre in a Shrek costume. Realistically, this was nothing out of the ordinary.
AS I WALKED THROUGH THE CITY CENTRE IN A SHREK COSTUME.
Despite this, my brain began whirring as I thought about the concept, especially in relation to today’s society, and to the ‘Loneliness Epidemic’. In an increasingly digital world, Gen Z and Millennials are battling a growing
sense of isolation: folks with little to no interest in fitness are joining Running Clubs just for an hour of face-to-face interaction every week. Co-op workspaces are filling up with freelancers who yearn for a pseudo-familial structure, complete with kitchenettes and sofas. This is especially relevant to university students. Lectures are available online; food shops can be delivered to you with the click of a button, and the cost-of-living crisis makes you feel like you’ve spent £40 the minute you step out the door. All in all, it’s easy to forget to fit in some physical interaction occasionally. This is why societies and their weekly socials occupy are crucial in university culture. They act as a third space, away from home or study, with a tangible sense of community, not to mention the free tickets and discounted drinks — luckily, Welfare and Sober Secretaries are on hand to
THIS IS WHY SOCIETIES AND THEIR WEEKLY SOCIALS ARE CRUCIAL... THEY ACT AS A THIRD SPACE
manage the chaos.
The activities are phone and judgement-free. They bring a sense of belonging and connection whilst away from home, and attempting to forge a sense of self with your newfound adulthood. Their sense of camaraderie cannot be understated.
On that note, I applaud the secretaries, treasurers, and all who participate each week. I will keep this in mind the next time I see a group of freshers doing press ups on the side of the road, or a mound of Rugby boys in chinos in Top Top on a TP Wednesday. I have a newfound respect for this strange Third Space, and I hope you do too.
I HAVE A NEWFOUND RESPECT FOR THIS STRANGE THIRD SPACE, AND I HOPE YOU DO TOO
Isabel Bratt, Arts and Lit Editor, delivers a glowing review of Exemen: the story of the Exeter Chief’s success
ON the Ninth September, I had the pleasure of watching Exemen , the inspiring rags-to-riches story of our very own city’s Exeter Chiefs. The stage play was running in the Northcott theatre until the 18th of October, running over the fifth anniversary of the team’s European Rugby Champions Cup win.
Based on the award-winning book Exe Men by Robert Kitson, Exemen was a delightful watch, full of laughs, suspense, and stirring inspiration! I love a good underdog story, and was moved by experiencing a key story to Exeter’s identity, and close to our hearts. The acting was brilliant, with actors impressively switching characters multiple times, implementing new accents and mannerisms each time. I enjoyed the method of storytelling, giving voices to all the characters, including off-the-pitch. Wives, families, and staff were given voices, exemplifying how much work and
dedication went into the Exeter Chief’s success.
The stage play was packed full of laughs and emotions, showcasing the ups and downs of sporting life. Watching the show, I felt like I was right there with the team, laughing in their tour bus, playing grueling
“
matches in the rain, celebrating their wins.
The set was a particular favourite element of mine, immediately immersing me into the story; the Northcott Theatre had been transformed into Sandy Park! The stage was in-the-round,
Isabel Bratt, Arts and Lit Editor, shares her favourite short horror story, Carter’s The Bloody Chamber
OVER this summer, I had the pleasure of reading Angela Carter’s ‘The Bloody Chamber’, and it quickly became one of my favourite horror short stories. Carter rewrites typical fairytale stories, creating sensual, gothic, subversive classics. The Bloody Chamber features a young girl, shipped off to her newlywed’s castle, only to uncover his dark secrets. The story depicts archetypal tropes, only to twist their typical ending: a young, innocent bride who gets her revenge; a sprawling, gothic home; and an older, mysterious husband, with a myriad of dark secrets.
Carter’s writing is luscious and distinctly her own, her unique storytelling style giving her female agency over a long history of patriarchal fairytales.
“CARTER’S WRITING IS LUCIOUS AND DISTINCTLY HER OWN”
With its unique feminist twists, gorgeous gothic setting, and beautifully crafted writing, The Bloody Chamber has become a modern classic, and its easy to see why. This Halloween, why not try reading something new, and give it a go!
featuring a grass floor and a stage barrier designed to resemble a pitch barrier, showcasing local sponsorships. The play contained many set changes, utilising drop-down sets resembling locker rooms, rugby posts, and bars. Huge wall-mounted screens showcased team names, pictures of real players, and designs resembling those of Sandy Park during a match.
Coming from the West Country myself, I found the play’s dedicated immersion into local culture particularly inspiring. The actors showcased Devon’s countryside charm, utilising accents and phrases, demonstrating the “fierce local pride” mentioned in the play’s description. There was particular emphasis on the prejudice the team faced in their journey to the top, describing their origins as a “little team from the middle of nowhere”. In a speech at the end of the play, the show’s Creative Director Martin Berry emphasised his aim of
telling local stories, and supporting local talent. Now, I’m not a die-hard rugby fan (I’ve maybe watched one or two full matches, ever!), but I found Exemen to be charming, captivating, and moving.
Isabel Bratt, Arts and Lit Editor explores why we should buy books second-hand, and where from
AS the academic year has begun and the weather is getting colder, its only natural to want to update your bookshelf. Whether you’re searching for niche textbooks or cosy autumnal reads, September is a good month to start. I certainly feel inspired to read, perhaps by the productive energy of a new term, or by the tempting concept of spending a rainy day devouring a new novel. So, where to buy all of these new books?
I love the concept of buying second-hand — stories were originally told by being passed from person to person, so why shouldn’t physical copies be the same? I’m always the first to pass a book on to my friends, embarassing annotations included (bonus points if the second-hand book you’re buying has notes!).
It’s comforting to know that something has already been loved and read, and its always interesting to know what other people thought. Who knows, if you’re buying a textbook, you
Wmight find some helpful notes for your studies! My personal favourite places are the Exeter Book Cycle, or any charity shop! On a sunny day, grab your friends, your cosy hot drink of choice, and do a book shop ‘crawl’ - you’re sure to find some great finds!
HEN Hamilton first premiered in New York in 2015, few could have predicted that a musical centred around American Revolution would resonate with audiences in Britain. Yet, a decade later – and following the UK cinema release of the filmed production – Britain’s enamoured relationship with Hamilton shows no signs of slowing. When the show made its London debut in 2017, it was met with sold-out performances, glowing reviews and a rapidly growing fanbase
of devoted theatregoers. With its blend of rap, R&B and traditional Westend show tunes, Hamilton offered a bold, contemporary soundtrack that drew in audiences eager for something fresh and unlike anything else on the West End. So why has a story centred around America’s fight for independence connected so powerfully with UK audiences? Part of that answer lies in its themes: ambition, immigration, revolution and a journey for legacy. These ideas, woven through inventive staging, lyrical brilliance and an inclu -
Image: Lauren Walsh
sive, diverse cast, transcend national borders and feel especially relevant in today’s political climate. There is also an undeniable fascination in the way Hamilton reimagines how we experience history on stage, breathing life into the past. The American Revolution becomes not a distant history lesson, but a vibrant, human story told through rhythm and rhyme. Combining humour, heart and historical reflection, it is no surprise Hamilton resonates so deeply with UK audiences – transforming distant history into some-
thing relevant, relatable and impossible to forget.
IN honour of celebrating the world’s most notable Black literary icons, one deeply prevalent author thought of is Maya Angelou. Maya Angelou is an actor, memoirist, social justice advocate and poet who boasts many laureates for her ferocious work, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and 3 Grammy awards. With a career spanning almost all facets of the arts, including singing, dancing, film, and spoken word poetry, Maya Angelou is above all an advocate for the Civil Rights Movement, working with Martin Luther King Jr and Malcom X to speak out against racial oppression in America. Her notable work, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings , is an autobiographical fiction that follows Angelou in her youth, facing racial adversity in the deep South of America. The book draws from her personal experiences growing up in Arkansas and follows a transformation in Angelou’s identity from a timid child who faced racist frictions against her and her
family, to a headstrong young mother, determined to survive and give her son a better life.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings represents many black Americans’ experiences navigating the legacy of slavery, prejudice, and systemic racism in the 1930s and 40s, exacerbated by pervasive wealth inequalities during The Great Depression. The illustrative metaphor of a caged bird singing represents the resolute spirit of black women in America facing extreme adversity, and Maya lends her story to shed light on unrepresented women’s voices.
LEDGENDBORN by Tracy Deonn is a young adult fantasy book, published in 2020, which explores grief, race, and Arthurian legend. It was Deonn’s debut novel.
The book follows 16-year-old Bree Matthews, a black girl who has grown up in the American south. Following the tragic death of her mother, she enrols at a residential programme at a local college and joins a magic secret society, after learning that there was more to the circumstances surrounding her mother’s death than meets the eye. Legendborn intertwines elements from the legends surrounding King Arthur, with African-American folk magic, to explore racial violence and intergenerational trauma. As the tagline reads: “Some legacies are meant to be broken.”
Deonn expertly draws on her own experiences in Bree’s story—her grief after her own mother’s death, which lead to her stopping writing for ten years, and her own experiences growing up as an African-American in North Carolina. In 2021, she shared the anecdote:
“IJUST had to visit. Especially after I heard about your daughter” I looked at the couple—sure enough, they were already tearing up. So, I pushed it. “Stolen in her prime. My condolences.” A thin wail emanated from her husk of a mother. Perfect.
“For one night....” I paused, allowing tension to seep into the room. “She will visit this realm again and speak to you once more.”
At these words a burst of lightning struck the clouds, followed by a furious growl of thunder which shook the very foundations of the house. What luck! Nature had decided
ON October 18th, the British Museum will host its Inaugural British Museum Ball, an event which is being labelled as the British Met Gala. The theme chosen for the opening of this event is Pink. On its own, this may not seem that interesting but nevertheless we must look beyond the surface. When we delve deeper and look to what the British Museum has stated on their website, they want to draw “inspiration from the colours and light of India”, linked directly to the Museums exhibition, ‘Ancient India: living traditions’. Co-chair Nicholas Cullinan OBE, who is also the director, expressed in an interview that “It has to be this pink that almost has a bit of purple. It can’t be too blush, or too garish. It can’t be Barbie pink. It’s got to be right.” In Indian culture, the colour pink symbolises hospitality and is steeped in tradition. The city of Jaipur is known as the “Pink City” as the buildings were painted pink in order to wel -
“There would be coursework at elementary and middle school, like, tell where your family came from, and [there was] this assumption that there was a European origin... And for the Black American students, this was just this horrifying, sort of traumatic, school assignment that white instructors never really thought about how painful that was.” Deonn also attended UNC, the college where Bree’s residential programme takes place in Legendborn
Following its publication, Legendborn became a New York Times bestseller, and won the 2021 Ignyte Award for Best Young Adult Novel. It also earned Deonn the Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe Award for New Talent from the American Library Association, which recognises outstanding new African-American authors and illustrators of children’s books. Deonn said, “Winning the Steptoe feels like a huge win not just for me and this book, but for fantasy as a genre and Black American fantasy in particular.”
Phoebe Andrews, shares an excerpt from a longer story, Phantasmagoria
to help me in my course. “You know the rules, do you not?” I turned to my believer.
“Madam Fortuna must first cleanse this space of negative energy and restless unwanted spirits before you may return for the seance,” she prattled, parroting my usual lines.
The dead girl’s family nodded and with a swish of skirts and perfume, the room was clear. The maid, unnoticed in the corner, lingered, but after a sharp glare from her mistress she left reluctantly with the others.
I got to work. I undid the bag, sending my assistant tumbling onto the plush crim-
rain. No time to waste. I grabbed the muslin, shoving it into my sleeves. Then, I added my string tied weights under the table. Could I
James, discusses the British Museum Ball
come the Prince of Wales to the city in 1876. This theme seems perfect for a Gala that’s purpose is to raise money to fund the Museums’ international collaborations. What better way to bring this about than through the concept of giving and affec tionately welcoming guests?
I think it is fair to say that we can expect big things, with global icons such as Naomi Campbell and Idris Elba forming the Ball’s committee—one which is made up of 100 people. There is going to be over 800 in attendance, and as tickets were not purchasable by the public, we can speculate that there will be sev eral high-profile celebrities in attendance. Those in attendance will enter into a drinks reception and speeches, before taking their seats
for dinner amongst a few striking objects from the Museum’s collection—though we do not know which objects these will be. There will be musical performances as well, but it is unclear if these, and much of the evening, will be recorded and shown to the public. I believe a high-society gala can work for a British audience, especially as the museum is keeping this audience at the forefront of their mind. The British Museum does not want to compete with the Met Gala, it simply aims “to highlight London’s status as one of the world’s leading cultural capitals”. They have stated in numerous articles that they want the evening to feel British, even drawing reference to the feeling of the celebrations around the London 2012 Olympics. As well as this, the ball has been timed to coincide
use my knife to lift the tabletop, or would it be unsuccessful? A quick attempt showed me it would be unwise, and I discarded that plan. I would have to rely on my basic tricks. And of course, my new lantern. I headed to the bag to retrieve it. It was metallic black and heavy, the gold rim around the lens slightly tarnished. My assistant set up the translucent screen, hidden from view. I set it down softly, partially behind the long curtains that hid the light. Putting the slides into place, we went over the plan for the final time before she too disappeared behind the drapes. The stage was set.
with the ending of Frieze London and BFI London Film Festival - an idea which will certainly help draw in an impressive crowd. Finally, while the Met Gala is livestreamed every year thanks to Vogue, nothing of the same has been mentioned for the British Gala. Hopefully in future years the Museum will adopt a similar concept, but for now we must appreciate the beauty of the unknown and look forward to seeing what the weekend holds.
THE BRITISH MUSEUM DOES NOT WANT TO COMPETE WITH THE MET GALA, IT SIMPLY AIMS “TO HIGHLIGHT LONDON’S STATUS AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LEADING CULTURAL CAPITALS”
Music writers share their favourite black artists in honour of Black History Month
QUINCY Jones, one of America’s finest record producers, passed away in November last year, leaving behind a legacy that redefined music and elevated Black artistry on a global scale. As a young adult, he crossed paths with Ray Charles, who taught him to read music in Braille — an experience that formed his belief in inclusivity and accessibility of the arts. Jazz stars Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie later invited him to join their orchestras, giving the young Jones a taste of the world and a chance to bring recognition for Black artists.
AN EXPERIENCE THAT FORMED HIS BELIEF IN INCLUSIVITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF THE ARTS
FOR 2025’s Black History Month, I want to highlight an artist who I believe deserves more attention and greater focus in the media — Tinashe. Born as Tinashe Jorgensen Kachingwe, but known monogamously as Tinashe, is a phenomenal popstar/R&B artist who dances, produces, and writes her own songs. She is an American of Zimbabwean and Norwegian descent, and grew up in Pasadena, California.
A PHENOMENAL POPSTAR AND R&B ARTIST WHO DANCES, PRODUCES, AND WRITES
By the 60s and 70s, Jones had become one of the biggest producers in the industry, working with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Lesley Gore. His partnership with Michael Jackson on Off The Wall and Thriller reinvented the sound of pop and broke sales records, with my personal favourite track being ‘Get On The Floor’, a beautiful dance anthem in which Jones’ production pairs expertly with Jackson’s voice. As a solo artist, Jones showcased Black musical talent through blending jazz, gospel and hiphop, in The Dude and Back On The Block . ‘Ai No Corrida’ showcased production value that brought emotional depth and sophistication. In 1985, Quincy Jones produced ‘We Are The World’, raising millions in famine relief for Ethiopia. He equally co-founded the Institute for Black American Music, to preserve African American cultural heritage.
In 2013, after the release of her debut EP, she signed to RCA Records. At RCA she released some of her more recognisable songs: '2 On' and 'All Hands on Deck', which both feature on her debut album Aquarius . Under RCA she struggled creatively and careerwise due to poor marketing and album delays, which hindered her momentum.
However, since 2019 she has been flourishing as an independent artist with her song 'Nasty', which hit charts in 2024. My love for Tinashe stems from my admiration for her dedication to her craft and love for the music she
releases. She has been able to overcome poor management and truly developed her artistry and artistic vision which can be seen in the majority of her post-RCA releases. Songs I’d recommend listening to are 'Cross That Line', Shygirl’s 'Heaven feat. Tinashe' and the addictive summer song 'Superlove'. I also recommend her albums Joyride and 333 , as they perfectly encapsulate her dedication to elevating her sound and R&B production. 333 specifically displays her experimental approach to producing and writing, and Joyride is truly a tribute to her dedication to her
Tyler Gregory Okonma, known by his stage name Tyler, the Creator, is a 34-year-old alternative hip-hop rapper, singer, and songwriter from California. Tyler’s father is from Nigeria, and his mother is of African American and White Canadian ancestry. Tyler’s musical journey started when he co-founded Odd Future, an alternative hihop collective with other major artists such as Frank Ocean and Earl Sweatshirt, in 2007. In 2015, Tyler released his first album Cherry Bomb, with collabs from artists such as Kanye West and Lil Wayne. It was on this tour that Tyler was banned from playing in the UK due to lyrics deemed inappropriate by then-Home Secretary and later Prime Minister Theresa May. Tyler later said he felt the ban was racially motivated.
Tyler’s fifth album Flower Boy launched him into fame and was a turning point in his career. On this album, he collaborated with other artists like Estelle and Rex Orange County, as well as Kali Uchis who featured on the song ‘See You Again’ which has collected over two billion streams on Spotify and is Tyler’s most streamed song.
'SEE YOU AGAIN' WHICH HAS COLLECTED OVER TWO BILLION STREAMS ON SPOTIFY
Tyler has never formally confirmed his sexuality, but his lyrics describe queerness in a fluid manner, and he has described himself as “gay as
f***” in an interview with Rolling Stone. Tyler’s music is a great intersection between activism and art, and he regularly speaks out about political issues both through his boundary-breaking lyrics and on his social media channels. He showed solidarity with George Floyd protesters during the Black Lives Matter movement and
His voice lives on in The Weeknd’s
, where Jones delivers a
By Quincy’, recounting his childhood trauma whilst a hauntingly nostalgic theme plays in the background. Released shortly before his death, this track serves as a reminder of Jones’ enduring influence, with his production skills and penchant for perfectionism continuing to shape and inspire music’s greatest.
THIS TRACK SERVES AS A REMINDER OF JONES' ENDURING INFLUENCE
craft amidst clashes and delays from her label. Tinashe’s influence transcends genres. Her unique production and composition, where she combines various elements of a myriad of genres like R&B, house, hip hop, drum and bass, trip hop, even inspires the compositions and writing of some of her contemporaries.
THEY PERFECTLY ENCAPSULATE HER DEDICATION TO ELEVATING HER SOUND
was seen attending a BLM protest in LA in 2020.
I had the privilege of seeing Tyler perform in Birmingham on his Chromatopia tour in May and can confidently say it was one of the best concerts I have been to. His presence on the stage is incomparable to anything I have ever seen – he doesn’t just sing, he performs. Hearing New Magic Wand live was honestly a highlight of my year. As the opening line “Sometimes you gotta close a door to open a window” echoed throughout the arena, and the crowd went wild. A GREAT INTERSECTION BETWEEN ACTIVISM AND ART
EDITOR: Sarah Gould
Lauren Walsh, Deputy Editor, delves into Swift's
new controversial album
POP-STAR sensation Taylor Swift’s twelfth studio album The Life of a Showgirl was released at 5am BST on the 3rd of October. It has been eighteen months since Swift’s last album THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT , and Showgirl contains more light-hearted themes than the bleakness of Tortured Poets . The twelve-track album sees a return to the pop genre, verging in some tracks on soft rock (such as in ‘Actually Romantic’) and is more reminiscent of her previous albums Reputation and 1989 — which makes sense, as Swedish producer Max Martin, who collaborated with Swift on those albums, has also made a comeback for Showgirl . Overall, the album is moodier and angrier than simple upbeat pop, but some of the catchy, good-to-dance-to tunes remain, like the track ‘Opalite’, and the album’s lead single ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ (and even the sexual innuendo filled ‘Wood’). Thematically, the tracks tend to fall into two categories: much of the album contains critiques of fame and celebrity culture (‘CANCELLED’!, ‘Wi$h Li$t’) interspersed
with love songs (‘Honey', ‘Wood’). Many of the romantic tracks are obviously about her now fiancé, American Football player Travis Kelce, who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs. Showgirl was even announced on Kelce’s sports podcast New Heights . A few weeks ago, Swift also announced The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, inviting fans to experience the album in cinemas. The show consisted of the global premier of the music video for ‘The Fate of Ophelia’, as well as some behind the scenes clips, and lyr-
ic videos for the rest of the album. However, The Life of a Showgirl has received a lot of backlash online, with many fans disappointed that the album does not have the same level of clever writing as Swift’s previous albums (such as Tortured Poets’ , or fan-favourite Folklore ). Some of the lyrics reference internet memes, which some say they find hard to take seriously. Even prior to the album’s release, Swift admitted that this album was more about catchy melodies than complex lyricism. But a bastion of fans who still enjoy the album remains, with one TikTok commenter saying, “Like can we just have 41 minutes of joy in this godforsaken dumpster fire of a year”. But even with this division in fans, TLOAS still broke Spotify stream -
Fing records on its first day, becoming Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day in 2025 so far. ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ becoming the moststreamed song in a single day in Spotify history. All in all, The Life of a Showgirl, both the album as a whole, as well as the eponymous track featuring Sabrina Carpenter (whose latest album Man’s Best Friend , and in particular the album cover, also received backlash online) show that fame is not all its cracked up to be. Given the initial reception of the album, she might just be right.
SHOW THAT FAME IS NOT ALL IT'S CRACKED UP TO BE [...] GIVEN THE ALBUMS INITIAL RECEPTION, SHE MIGHT JUST BE RIGHT
Sarah Gould, Music Editor, discusses Louis Tomlinson's and Zayn Malik's roadtrip announcement
ANS of both One Direction and Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik individually were recently sent into shock with the announcement that these former band mates will be reuniting in a three-part road trip documentary across the United States. The project, produced by Netflix, will see them embark on a journey together that will, according to Tomlinson and Malik, see them on an “adventure of reconnection, exploration, and a lot of laughter”. The two stars met in 2010 when they were put together in the band on X-Factor and soared into fame with the global success of One Direction. They had always been seen as two of the closest bandmates, but things took a turn when Zayn unexpectedly quit the band in 2015, just over a year before One Direction called it quits altogether.
ZAYN UNEXPECTEDLY QUIT THE BRAND IN 2015
With his departure came a divide between Zayn and the rest of the band, and Louis and Zayn particularly have had a painful history between them. On Steven Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO, Louis claimed that he was “crushed” when Zayn left the band, and felt that Malik should’ve at
Mleast let him know, as they were the only ones sharing a dressing room at the time, and so felt more of a comradery between them. The two also had a bitter history, with a twitter war leading to the cut of contact for a few years.
THE TWO ALSO HAD A BITTER HISTORY, WITH A TWITTER WAR
After former bandmate Liam Payne’s death at the end of 2024, the members of One Direction came together to mourn at his funeral. Louis has opened up to say that, even though never say never, he doesn’t believe that the band could have a reunion without Payne. Tomlinson also commented that what’s ironic is that Liam would’ve been the first to campaign for the reunion of the band. This surprise reunion between Malik and Tomlinson has shocked and
pleased fans but has also made them hopeful for even more, which may lead to disappointment down the road. No matter what happens, I’m glad to see the two are on good terms and want to be a part of each other's lives again.
Music writers give their recommendations for the best creepy songs to add to your Halloween playlist
ANY university students are constantly quoted to say that the season of autumn is their favourite of all the terms. Often, this is because of the warm, academic aesthetic fostered by new study playlists, big scarves and cosy movies. However, smack in the middle of this season is also Halloween. My personal favourite song for a cross over of seasonal and spooky is the 1976 release, ‘(Don’t Fear) the Reaper’ by Blue Öyster Cult. It has a perfect eerie autumn atmosphere and sits nicely next to songs like ‘Bad Moon Rising’ (Creedence Clearwater Revival, 1969) or House of the Rising Sun (The Animals, 1964). All of these songs seem to bring about the image of a quaint little American town troubled by something sinister and dark just as the nights grow longer, making it unsurprising that they find their way into the classic rock soundtrack of the TV show Supernatural.
THE tune that propels me into the chilly autumn season is not a spooky tune at first glance, but something else entirely. It is night and dawn and dusk all at once. It is darkness and colour. Everything that is equally frightening, dangerous and beautiful about Halloween to me is captured in ‘Once Upon a Dream’ by Lana Del Rey. This song was initially written for the musical Disney film Sleeping Beauty, but Del Rey covered it for the dark fantasy retelling, Maleficent. Its eerie undertone serves to represent the powerful, fierce magical fairy who seeks revenge after a betrayal. This version offers a new haunting perspective on a more light-hearted, familiar story. The sinister tone of the song is achieved through the slightly grainy audio and the delicate piano, which envelops the listener into something soft yet somber, as opposed to the original sound. To me this song is the moon, the darkness, the curses, and all the alluring spookiness that accompanies Halloween.
WITCHES by Alice Phoebe Lou might not be traditionally creepy, but its hypnotic synths, ethereal vocals, and spellbinding lyrics surrounds the listener in a quiet magic. The repetition of “I’m one of those witches, babe,” acts as a rallying cry for anyone drawn to the occult. With its shimmering production and softly supernatural energy, the song is perfect for your gently haunted nights. After all, what is Halloween if not a time for the Whimsy Gothic genre? Lou sings, “Me, I’ve got my own little magic / And I’m not tryna wreak havoc,” and who doesn’t love a celebration of harmless witchiness? The song celebrates a key emblem of Halloween, the full moon. In the lyrics, she sings, “I put a spell on the moon / it was three times the size / in your moon-lit eyes.” This added layer of romance within the spooky-season sound makes it stand out in the genre, making “Witches” the perfect haunted and love-struck song to add to your October playlist.
THE eerie beginning of 'Les Fleurs' leads us into a sense of uncomfortable anticipation, with the velvety voice of Riperton in a high octave guiding us to the inevitable crash out halfway through. The lyrics hold no creepiness or sinister nature in anyway, in fact, they are uplifting, with the chorus singing “Light up the sky with your prayers of gladness/and rejoice, for the darkness is gone”. It is purely the disjointed melody, paired with the sinister sounding vocals of both Riperton and the backing vocalists, which gives the song a spooky and ghostly atmosphere. The tense build up to the chorus, with the tremolo of the brass instruments and screaming vocals, brings a climax of clashing symbols and passionate lyrics that despite the sweet message, brings a bitter and menacing vibe. It makes me feel like an evil villain whenever I listen to it, and I highly recommend it being on your Halloween playlist this Autumn.
Lottie Wall discusses how cinema scares us through empathy
IT is a common theory that we find psychological horror films “scarier” than films which utilise “cheap” effects like jump-scares or fake blood. While these film-making devises make us shriek in the cinema, psychological horror follows us home, crawls into our beds and creeps into our dreams. But how do they achieve this?
After all, fear is subjective to each individual. No two people have the same room 101. Mine would be a room full of escalators and snakes, but yours might be spiders and jaffa cakes. Even the most common fears only affect a portion of the population— just one in four British adults admit they are scared of the dark.
FEAR IS SUBJECTIVE TO EACH INDIVIDUAL. NO TWO PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME
So, how does a Horror Film scare the other 75 percent of the cinema?
Perhaps, instead of endeavouring to tap into every niche anxiety in the audience, a successful horror film makes us assume the position of someone with a specific fear, and empathise with them. Nobody had a fear of being turned into a walrus until Tusk came out in 2014. And yet, the fear level is the same— if not scarier— than a film dealing with a common fear, such as a classic horror trope like home intrusion.
Perhaps these tropes get less impactful with each recreation, as the audience learn their conventions. Studies have continuously shown that people do feel increased discomfort if faced with unpredict -
Yasmine Al-Saket, Lifestyle Editor, considers our return to Nevermore
AFTER audiences eagerly awaited for three years, we finally received Season Two of Wednesday , welcoming us back to Nevermore Academy, featuring Jenna Ortega as our favourite teenage goth, Wednesday, and Emma Myers as her colourful werewolf roommate Enid.
We’re introduced to a new era of Nevermore Academy under the new Principal, Barry Dort, portrayed by Steve Buscemi, as well as more of the Addams family, such as Grandmama, who plays a vital role in Wednesday, trying to gain her psychic abilities after abusing them over the summer. There’s even a celebrity appearance from Lady Gaga. We follow Pugsley as he has developed electrokinesis, joining Nevermore with Wednesday.
From episode one, we are introduced to various conflicts and plotlines, such as a mysterious stalker, the revival of a zombie, and Nevermore having a financial issue.
I enjoyed season two exploring more of the different types of outcasts, from learning about Enid being an Alpha and the complications following it, to meeting Dort’s pyrokinesis and the world-building of Jericho.
Packed with suspense and drama, it navigates various story lines throughout, though this season sometimes lost its quirky high school
I ENJOYED SEASON TWO EXPLORING MORE OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF OUTCASTS
antics, making it slightly hard to get through.
Critics have highlighted the episode “Woe Thyself” as one of the best episodes of the series, praising performances from Ortega and Myers. The episode balances the supernatural while moving forward with the plot.
Despite this episode, the plot seems to be unconnected from part two, where we move from the storyline of the “blind crow” to the “zombie” story; it has lost its charm, evident through the drop of 43 percent in viewership in the first five days of part two.
The overall feeling of Wednesday season two is being left wanting more, with unfinished story lines, leaving more questions than answers.
We are all looking forward to an -
THE OVERALL FEELING OF WEDNESDAY SEASON TWO IS BEING LEFT WANTING MORE
other year at Nevermore, with more conundrums to get through.
ability; in other words: we fear the unknown. If audiences are terrified of the unexpected, a successful horror film may lean into making the audience experience fear from a different perspective. Famously, Alien (1979) uses body horror to evoke the experience of pregnancy, whereby the female body is taken over by a parasitic entity. To broaden this experience for the general viewer, director Ridley Scott devised the parasitic alien entity to erupt from a male body’s torso, with all the blood, guts and screaming we would expect of a child birthing scene. This allows the male audience to feel the anxieties of childbirth, tapping
into an unexplored psychological dimension. Similarly, Jordan Peele’s Get Out (2017) allows a white audience to feel the horror of a co-opted and controlled black body. The psychological horror in this film is especially effective in moments of realisation— as we see evidence of this control— and feel the discomfort of an oppressed identity. These films utilise effects like jump-scares and body horror to tap into specific fears and make them scary for every viewer. As horror’s genre becomes increasingly over-saturated, directors will have to get more creative with their concepts. The audience craves a different perspective, a new take on the ancient tradition of a scary story. But will horror one day stop being able to scare us, as we repeat existing formats, or will it be able to keep finding new ways to make us scream?
WILL IT BE ABLE TO KEEP FINDING NEW WAYS TO MAKE US SCREAM?
Molly Panagi-Williams discusses satire and nostalgia in Powell’s new film
THERE are some shows that will never be award-winning, but can be great when all you want is a night off and a (questionably) good laugh. This can be found in the new Disney+ show, Chad Powers , a cringe-worthy comedy starring Glen Powell as the all-American Russ Holiday.
Russ is an unlikeable crypto bro who drinks, parties, and angrily drives a cyber truck after one scandal too many costs him his American Football career.
The show makes no secret of its inspirations; when Russ spots a poster of Robin Williams as Mrs. Doubtfire, he decides to steal facial prosthetics from his special effects artist father and try out for a college football team under a new name, Chad Powers.
Giving 90s/2000s nostalgia and overt masculinity culture, Russ stumbles his way through a plot reminiscent of S he’s the Man , Mulan , and Ted Lasso all rolled into one — in exactly as chaotic a manner as you would expect.
Deeply unserious and reasonably selfaware, the show is rounded off by heavy handed metaphors about second chances, crowned by ‘catfish’ as the team’s name and mascot. The overall effect is a little beyond tongue-in-cheek, bordering on the satirical.
DEEPLY UNSERIOUS AND REASONABLY SELF-AWARE
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Slagheap,
ALL Hallows’ Eve, known to all as Halloween, is a favourite holiday across the globe. As October begins and the autumn breeze fills the streets, one of the best ways to end the day is to get cosy with some of the best seasonal films and TV shows. Whether you are looking for family-friendly vibes, some unsettling horror, or even a lengthy TV show to binge watch with some Halloween treats, these recommendations are for you! Family-friendly autumnal films have graced cinema for decades. Balancing nostalgia with warmth and spookiness, a great cosy choice for this October is Brad Silberling’s 1995 Casper. Recently celebrating its 30th anniversary, this friendly ghost left a lasting impression and remains loved by many. As stated by New York Times critic Caryn Jones, “it is an engaging fantasy for very small children.” Leaning away from the spookiness of the season, Wes Anderson’s 2009 Fantastic Mr. Fox is a perfect choice. Critically described as “the film equivalent of a warm duvet” by Robbie Collin, Anderson’s adaptation evokes the most
comforting feeling. Other honourable mentions include Kenny Ortega’s Hocus Pocus and the incredible stop motion animated works of Tim Burton, ranging from The Nightmare Before
CRITICALLY DESCRIBED AS
Christmas to the Corpse Bride
Heading into this spooky season, I find myself once again wondering what TV shows to watch. Having always loved longer shows with a higher episode count, certain shows fit the ideal criteria for an autumn mood. A top pick being Pretty Little Liars , this show is extremely effective at kickstarting the desired cosy feeling. Following the lives
of four teenage girls whose darkest secrets slowly prevail, this show is very binge worthy! If you are a fan of this show but require some supernatural fantasy, then The Vampire Diaries is for you. Exploring the history of vampires, witches, and werewolves, this show integrates these fictional beings into the lives of American teenagers. Another binge-worthy and very spooky show for the Halloween lovers is Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story . Delving into a new world of dark themes per season, this artistic show provides the best creepy October feels. And finally, for the horror lovers of autumn and the Halloween enthusiasts of October, here are some of the best spooky films. If you are eager for a slasher horror film, then I recommend the Scream , The Texas Chainsaw Massacre , and Friday the 13th franchises for you. For the lesser gore audience, the 1996 horror/ fantasy The Craft will be sure to fulfil the witchy and spooky vibes required. These groundbreaking horrors are sure to set the atmosphere for those pumpkin carving evenings!
THESE GROUND-BREAKING HORRORS ARE SURE TO SET THE ATMOSPHERE FOR THOSE PUMPKIN CARVING EVENINGS!
Marnie James, commemorates the achievements of actor Colman Domingo for Black History Month
Black History Month offers a time to commemorate the achievements and contributions of the Black Community to society. Deciding on one singular person or project to memorialise in this piece was an incredibly difficult task but upon reflecting on the media I consumed within the past year, there was one person whose work has stuck with me throughout — Colman Domingo.
I was first made aware of Colman Domingo through Euphoria . In the show, he plays a character called Ali — a recovering drug addict who is the main character Rue’s sponsor. Colman has won an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a drama series for his portrayal of his character, and it is blatantly clear why. In his scenes, he delivers every line with such humanity, and the brutal honesty the character delivered to Rue gave such an insight into the cycle of addiction and the emotions it can evoke.
This ability to bring humanity to characters whose humanity are often diminished by society is why I believe Domingo has had a monumental contribution to the film industry. Domingo has starred in films such as Rustin and The Colour Purple — and that was only in
ARE villains simply born evil or are they formed by circumstance and society? This question has played an influential role in the crafting of antagonist’s backstories with characters like Darth Vader, Cruella De Vil and Harvey Dent providing the audience with the chance to challenge their pre-conceptions on morality by making them sympathise with the past versions of the villain. You would be justified in asking how anyone could feel sympathy for a sadistic puppy killer like De Vil? However, Disney’s Cruella takes this challenge head on, with it masterfully eliciting sympathy for the villain. They achieve this through showing her backstory as a struggling upcoming designer who, at the hands of dalmatians, tragically lost her mother as a child. The compelling display of
2023. In Rustin , Colman plays Bayard Rustin, a Black Civil Rights leader who, despite orchestrating the 1963 March on Washington, was not given the recognition he deserved due to being an openly gay man. He brought soul to his perfor mance, honouring a man who did so much for the rights of others and yet was largely unknown.
I wish I could delve into Domingo’s entire filmography, but this article would be much too long. Instead, I want to discuss the magic of what he created in the eighteen days he had between the shoots for the two previously mentioned productions — Sing Sing Sing Sing is a movie that follows Divine G
(played by Domingo), a man who was imprisoned at Sing Sing Correctional Facility for a crime he did not commit. Divine G discovers a purpose for himself through a theatre group of incarcerated men seeking rehabilitation. What is beautiful about this movie is that it shines a light on real stories while also drawing attention to a remarkable programme. Rehabilitation Through Arts is a real program that was founded in 1996 at Sing Sing. Less than 3 percent of RTA members reoffend compared to 60 percent nationally in America. This indicates how important it is to provide the chance for rehabilitation to incarcerated individuals, as well as the significant impact access to the arts has. The cast of Sing Sing is primarily made up of previously incar-
cerated men who are actually playing themselves. The vulnerability it must have taken these men to return to prisons and wear prison greens once again is truly inspirational. Sing Sing is a must-watch film that speaks to the themes of brotherhood and community. One of the most touching moments throughout the film for me was the discourse around the men in the theatre program calling each other ‘Beloved’. Seeing a group of men who are sometimes looked down upon by society and who are in an environment where it is deemed weak to show emotion openly display such love to each other was such a pivotal moment to witness. Domingo said it best in an interview with The Film Maker Magazine ; Sing Sing is not inherently a political film in any way, or telling anyone how to feel about the prison system — “it’s telling you that there are people in there”. I think this quote sums up not only the film, but Domingo’s gift. He transforms into people and puts their souls and humanity on display for the world. He encompasses what it means to be black and is an inspiration for a generation of young black and queer people.
When a villain is a good person
Evie Merrilees, discusses some of cinema’s most iconic villains
Cruella’s ambitious rise in the ruthless fashion industry under the tyrannical Baroness conveys De Vil as an eccentric underdog and perhaps even a hero? This portrayal twists and confuses the audiences’ original preconceptions on morality with them unwittingly finding themselves rooting for Cruella despite knowing her future villainous deeds.The infamous Darth Vader has long struck fear into viewers with his imposing nature making him one of the most iconic villains in cinema history. The prequel trilogy provides further layering to his character, by presenting Anakin as the charismatic poster boy for the jedi order through his status as a decorated war hero. However, masked below, the pressures from the grief of losing his mother, the fear of his wife dying and the dismissive nature of jedi slowly push a desperate Anakin
to become more disillusioned with the order and fuels his turn to the dark side. This humanistic and multifaceted portrayal of his fall invites the audience to ponder if evil is simply born or made from a combination of tragedy, societal pressure, and suffering.
THIS HUMAN AND MULTIFACETED PORTRAYAL OF HIS FALL INVITES THE AUDIENCE TO PONDER ON IF EVIL IS BORN OR MADE
Harvey Dent is introduced in the Dark Knight as an infallible pillar of the community who in his role as District Attorney embodied fairness, idealism and justice amid the
chaos and corruption of Gotham. As such, Harvey and Batman are presented as two sides of the same coin (ignore the pun!) with them both representing the last beacon of hope for the audience and the city. Unfortunately, this position makes him a target, with the Joker killing his partner and inflicting life changing injuries upon Dent. This misfortune spiralled Harvey into taking the law into his own hands, with him implementing his own perverted form of justice as his villian alias Two Face. However, in doing so, he began to represent the very evil and decay he once sort to eradicate. Consequently, Harvey Dent’s backstory provides a complex commentary on how the incorruptible can become corrupted due to cruel and unfair circumstances..
CAPRICORN (22 DEC — 19 JAN)
Just keep manifesting, it’ll come true, I promise.
AQUARIUS (20 JAN — 18 FEB)
Beware of the sharks in the club. Stick with the fishes.
PISCES (19 FEB — 20 MAR)
Are you sure you want to go out? You can say no to FOMO.
ARIES (21 MAR — 19 APR)
You will find a job, just keep pushing through.
TAURUS (20 APR — 20 MAY)
Remember that the ‘uni lifestyle’ includes going to your classes.
GEMINI (21 MAY — 20 JUNE)
Part of being an adult is making your own decisions.
CANCER (21 JUN — 22 JUL)
Keep hold of those friendships, you’ll want them when you least expect.
LEO (23 JUL — 22 AUG)
Realistically what is the worst that could happen?
VIRGO (23 AUG — 22 SEP)
You may have been joking, but do they know that?
LIBRA (23 SEP — 22 OCT)
Time to re-evaluate your standards, you deserve better.
SCORPIO (23 OCT — 21 NOV)
Stop. You know what I’m talking about.
SAGITTARIUS (22 NOV — 21 DEC)
The law library is not love island. Please study.
Let’s
Amberly Wright, Deputy Editor, discusses the symptoms of breast cancer
BREAST cancer is a cancer that starts in and around the breast tissue. Breasts are made up of lobes, fatty tissues, ducts, and lobules, as well as a network of lymph nodes which extend to the armpits. Breast cancer most commonly occurs in the cells that line the ducts of the breasts. There are several different types of breast cancer, the most common is invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), which makes up around 79-80% of cases. If you suspect breast cancer, you can be tested in several ways, including an ultrasound, a mammogram (which is a low-dose x-ray), and a biopsy. Once diagnosed, there are a range of treatments available for all types of breast cancers. These include surgery to remove all or part of the breast tissue, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and radiotherapy. Further tests, such as a CT scan, PET or PET-CT scan, and an MRI may be conducted to establish the size and location of the cancer, and to check is hasn’t spread elsewhere. Breast cancer will touch the lives of many of us, whether it is you, or someone you know.
BREAST CANCER WILL TOUCH THE LIVES OF MANY OF US
It is estimated that 56,500 women and 390 men are diagnoses each year, with 1 in 7 women developing breast cancer during their lifetime, most commonly in older women. Around 15% of newly diagnoses cancers are breast cancers.
AROUND 15% OF NEWLY DIANOSED CANCERS ARE BREAST CANCERS
While the chances of men developing breast cancer are low, it still happens, with over 300 men diagnosed each year. This is because men have a small amount of breast tissue behind their nipples, where breast cancer has a chance of developing.
OVER 300 MEN DIAGNOSED EACH YEAR [...] MEN HAVE A SMALL AMOUNT OF BREAST TISSUE BEHIND THEIR NIPPLES
Breast cancer awareness is so importamt as it decreases the stigma and fear around checking yourself, and allows information to circulate.
The conversation around breast cancer can be scary and uncomfortable, but by regularly checking your breasts and armpits, we can reduce the stigma and take important steps to understand our bodies further.
When checking yourself, these are the signs to look out for:
- A new lump or thickening in your breast or armpit
- A change in size, shape, or feel to your breast
- Skin changes such as puckering, dimpling, a rash, or redness
- Fluid leaking from the nipple of someone who isn’t pregnant or breastfeeding
- Changes in nipple position.
Similarly in men, you should look out for:
- Painless lump
- Discharge oozing from the nipple
- Nipple is pulled into the breast
- Swelling of the breast
- An ulcer or sore in the skin
- Lump or swelling under the arm
- A rash on or around the nipple.
Recipe: Indian chickpea curry
AWARM and comforting
meal, perfect to eat during the colder months.
Makes 2/3 servings
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
· 2 tbsp olive oil (plus extra if needed)
· 1 white onions, diced
· 1 tbsp minced garlic (or garlic paste)
· 1 tbsp minced ginger (or ginger paste)
· 30g raisins (about a small handful — trust me)
· 1 tbsp garam masala
· 1 tbsp ground cumin
· 1 tbsp ground coriander
· Salt and black pepper
· 2 tbsp tomato purée
· 400ml cans coconut milk
· 400g cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
· 100g frozen spinach
· 200g white rice
· 1 handful fresh coriander, chopped
· Juice of 1/2 lime
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pan. Add the onions and raisins and cook over medium heat, stirring, until the onions are golden brown. Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute more.
2. Reduce the heat to low. Add the garam masala, cumin, coriander, and a dash more olive oil. Cook gently for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant — don’t let the spices burn.
3. Stir in the tomato purée and 70ml water. Cook on medium heat for a few minutes until
the tomato mellows and thickens — this is your curry paste.
4. Add the coconut milk and chickpeas, stir well, and bring to a gentle simmer. Drop in the frozen spinach and cook until it has fully defrosted and blended into the sauce.
5. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot over rice, topped with fresh coriander and a squeeze of lime juice. Bella MacLusky
Across
7 Furthermore (2,4)
8 Sponge substance (6)
9 Alienate (from friendship) (8)
10 Sundry (1,3)
11 Ajar (anagram) - Javanese prince (4)
13 European country, capital Bratislava (8)
15 Hypothetically (2,6)
16 (Japanese) legislative assembly (4)
17 Long hind-legged amphibian (4)
19 Taisches (anagram) - scold severely (8)
22 Aquiline birds (6)
23 Vacuum-clean (6)
Down
1 Distinctive practices (informal) (4)
2 Criticise - slate (8)
3 Style and vigour - Lena? (anagram) (4)
4 Moral parable (8)
5 Cycle of duty (4)
6 Have a short break (informal) (4,4)
12 Deviating from the usual (8)
13 Misticos (anagram) - indifference to pleasure and pain (8)
14 Performer’s test (8)
18 Loud outburst (of laughter) (4)
20 Desire - craving - itch (4)
21 Waxy cooking fat (4)
BORN ON HALLOWEEN ARE SAID TO HAVE WHICH SUPERNATURAL ABILITY?
All you need to do is scan the QR code here in order to purchase your society membership from the Student’s Guild. After that you can join our Exeposé Members 25/26 facebook group in which you’ll find content calls from section editors on pretty much any topic you can imagine! We’ll have a link to this page on our instagram! If you see a content call that takes your fancy, simply comment under the facebook post, write your article and send it to the editor. Whilst they may send you some feedback or ask you to make a couple of changes, no articles will ever be rejected and we encour-
age writers to get involved regardless of previous experience. If financial hardship prevents you from gettng involved, the Guild offers a Society Hardship Fund, aimed at any student awarded the University Hardship and Retention Fund or who is unable to take part in societies due to financial barriers. We can’t wait to meet you all and publish your writing!
AS the days grow darker and the chill of autumn creeps into the air, the vibrant festival of lights remains a beacon of light for many Indian students at the university and around the world. Diwali represents the triumph of light over darkness and the welcoming of prosperity to the home. Families come together at this time to clean and decorate the house with lights, eat traditional fried, oil-based food and share their gratitude to animals. Diwali represents different things for all walks of life; it can symbolise the new financial year for traders, the welcoming of the harvest crop or worshipping the holy animal, the cow. Above all, Diwali is the celebration of the joys in people’s lives. According to the story of the Ramayana, Diwali is celebrated in honour of the return of the Padwa family to their rightful kingdom after exile, thus restoring balance and harmony in home life. Diwali is celebrated as a 5-day celebration, each day with its own customary traditions and meaning. On the first day, Dhanatrayodashi, it is considered auspicious to purcahse items of utility and value, such as utensils or gold. The second day is called Choti Diwali, or ‘little Diwali’ when people partake in cleansing rituals of the body and the house before the main event. On the main day of Diwali, the house conducts a puja, or prayer, to the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, sharing mithai
(sweets) and lighting diyas (oil candles). Lights are turned on throughout the house to drive away the darkness and invite blessings from the goddess of wealth herself. The two remaining days each celebrate the blue-skinned God Krishna’s gesture of protection to devotees and Bhai Dooj, the bond between brother and sister, respectively.
Diwali is due to begin this year on the 18th of October, with the main day falling on the 20th. So, if you’re feeling the autumnal blues, light a traditional diya or a candle in your room to welcome good fortune and reflect on what you can do to ensure a prosperous academic year ahead.
Jed H. Gibbins, International Editor, covers the newly signed ceasfire agreement between Israel and Hamas
ON Monday October 13th an internationally backed and recognised ceasefire agreement came into effect between Israel and Hamas, the current, but disputed, government of the Gaza strip. Compared to previous ceasefires, this has led to the freeing of hostages on both sides, with Hamas releasing all twenty living Israeli hostages, which had been held since the initial outbreak of violence on October 7th 2023. Israel has also released 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in Israeli prisons. Hamas also handed over four bodies of deceased Israeli hostages. 24 Israeli hostages bodies still remain within Gaza and held by Hamas, Israel remain calling for their immediate release. However, a potential disruption to the ceasefire has now surfaced, with Israeli declaring that one of the bodies returned by Hamas was not the hostage. Israel has threatened that due to this discrepancy, it will reduce the number of aid trucks entering the Gaza strip and will postpone the opening of the Rafah border crossing, the sole border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza strip. This threat has already caused price increase in Gaza markets, and puts increased strain on people needing medical attention. Hamas’ had predicted there may be trouble returning bodies to Israel. In the ceasefire agreement
it acknowledges Hamas may not be able to locate all the remains of all hostages. Hamas has said some hostages bodies are under rubble and it will need heavy machinery to recover the bodies. Hamas’ limited attempt at returning hostage’s remains has caused anger among the Israeli population, as has happened before in February 2025. Hamas had handed over the body of Shiri Bibas, however Israeli forensics proved it was not her body. Hamas did later rectify this and hand over the correct body. Donald Trump, as well as leaders in Qatar, Egypt and other countries involved in the ceasefire agreement are still hopeful that this ceasefire will hold, especially as all living Israeli hostages have now been released, something Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said was the condition for ending this war.
INTERNATIONAL EDITORS:
Jed H. Gibbins
Antoni Kałduński
Zandie Howells, Online Editor-in-Chief, discusses the how the Day of the Dead festival is celebrated and consumerised in 2025
DESCENDING from Aztec beliefs regarding the period of year where deceased souls returned from Mictlan, the place of the dead, back to the land of the living, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a festival celebrated every year on 1st and 2nd November, primarily by Mexican and Latin American people. The goddess, Mictecacihuatl, the Lady of the Dead, was responsible for the protection of these souls, and it is in her honour that the festival was first conducted.
Nowadays, after the fusion of Catholic practices and American consumerism, the Day of the Dead is a vibrant, colourful spectacle full of street parades and dancing.
Día de los Muertos offers the opportunity to combine grief and joy in one celebration of remembrance. It is a festival honouring the loved ones you have lost and your ancestors who have passed their culture down for generations.
Brightly decorated altars called ‘ofrendas’ are covered in candles, orange mari -
golds and pictures of loved ones, often next to some of their favourite items. The ‘ofrendas’ act as personal expressions of honour towards the deceased person you are celebrating.
One great example of this in the Disney Pixar film, Coco, which has Día de los Muertos as central to its story. The family ‘ofrenda’ is elaborately displayed and the importance of being reconnected with deceased ancestors is emphasised.
Día de los Muertos is certainly not the same as Halloween. In fact it was only recently that the Americanised concept of dressing up as death was introduced, a result of the Chicano art movement, a campaign by Mexican-American artists to establish a unique artistic identity in the art world, particularly in the US itself.
However, those celebrating have still decided to accept these new participants as they recognise the festival as a wider healing process for people dealing with grief.
Above all though, it is important to remember the roots of Díade los Muertos, as a ritual that respects the cycle of life and death, emphasises the importance of family and ancestry, and turns the pain of losing loved ones into a celebration of their lives.
Amber Platel, Arts & Lit Editor, explains how Black History Month came about and spread overseas
BLACK History Month has its roots in the work of Dr Carter G. Woodson, who founded the Association for the Study of N*gro Life and History (ASNLH) in 1915. Believing that African American contributions were “overlooked, ignored, and even suppressed,” Woodson sought to centre Black achievement in the study of history. In 1926, he and the ASNLH established “N**ro History Week,” declaring, “We are going back to that beautiful history, and it is going to inspire us to greater achievements.”
Half a century later, in 1976, the United States officially recognised February as Black History Month. President Gerald Ford urged Americans to “honour the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavour throughout our history.”
Black History Month crossed the Atlantic in 1987, when Ghanaian activist Akyaaba Addai-Sebo organised the UK’s first celebration to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the Caribbean. Like Woodson, AddaiSebo sought to challenge racism, celebrate Black heritage, and recognise the lasting contributions of African and Caribbean communities in Britain.
Today, Black History Month continues to evolve, shifting from a focus on remembrance to one that celebrates identity, sparks education, and inspires activism. It invites us to reflect not only on past struggles but also on the ongoing pursuit of equity, belonging, and representation. At the University of Exeter, the month is marked through exhibitions, workshops, conferences, and community events that honour the contributions of the Black Community on culture and academia. It serves as a vital space for dialogue, reminding us that acknowledging Black history and identity is essential to building a truly inclusive community. By continuing to tell these stories, we strengthen our collective understanding and commitment to diversity and justice.
Nina Exton , Deputy Editor, discusses the Parliamentary Election in Syria
On October 5th, Syria held its first parliamentary election since the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad, a landmark in the country’s postwar transition after decades of tyranny and nearly 14 years of conflict.
Syria has been at war since 2011, following violent state responses to Arab Spring protests. It has been regarded as one of the deadliest conflicts and worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century and left Syria a failed state. In December 2024, al-Assad’s dictatorship collapsed, with Damascus falling to Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Within two months, HST’s leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, had consolidated power and assumed the presidency, promising to hold elections within five years. Earlier this month, al-Sharaa delivered on his promise.
These elections were dictated by indirect vote, and for a number of reasons. Al Sharaa’s government primarily attributed this to the loss of documents and mass displacement of citizens during
the war, which saw the movement of 13 million Syrians since its onset in 2011. Instead, one-third of parliamentary seats were appointed by al-Sharaa and the rest by province-based electoral colleges.
Critics have been skeptical of the chosen electoral college system, worried that it will favour well-connected candidates and only serve to consolidate al-Sharaa’s power at the expense of the Syrian people.
Not helping al-Sharaa’s case was his rejection of proposals for a quota-based system, which would have ensured better electoral representation. Results of the election were announced the following day. According to observers, amongst those elected were several ethnic Kurds. This was in spite of the Syrian authorities postponing voting in areas outside government control, including regions held by the Kurdish and Druze minorities respectively. Syria’s Kurdish administration called this a “[justification] of the policy
of denial for more than five million Syrians”. Another group marginalised by these elections were women. According to election observers, only six women have been elected to the new People’s Assembly. Women were amongst those most impacted by the civil war, bearing the brunt of economic sanctions and humanitarian crisis as often goes in patriarchal societies, making their political representation crucial to rebuilding Syria.
For many Syrians however, this is the closest to a free and fair democratic election they have experienced, with the elections held by the al-Assad dynasty over the last fifty years marked by repression and widespread voter intimidation. Many countries have a stake in Syria be-
ing rebuilt, as the conflict produced seven million refugees, overwhelming humanitarian aid systems and straining host countries. With one million Syrians already having returned following the fall of al-Assad, a stable Syrian democracy will ease the refugee crisis. Additionally, the conflict has acted as a breeding ground for terrorist groups like ISIS with global agendas. Following al-Assad’s fall a strong state system will be necessary, lest a power vacuum fuel the rise of terrorism, as seen with Libya. If anything is to be learnt from Syria’s other Arab Spring counterparts, it is that democracy is both hard-won and fragile. While Tunisia showed promise following a transition to democracy in 2011, nearly a decade of democratic gains have since been reversed. If Syria is able to build a plural and stable democracy, it will be a beacon of hope in both the region and worldwide, following global democratic backsliding.
Antoni Kałduński, International Editor, discusses homesickness and reflects on his experiences at university
AS a third year student I feel well acquainted with the experience of homesickness. It is a feeling that arrives quietly, lingers unpredictably, and takes time to understand.
At its core, homesickness reminds us of our roots, of where we come from, the people who shaped us, and the small, ordinary things we once took for granted until we moved away. Many students can relate to this.
When I first arrived at university, I was filled with excitement. The prospect of a new beginning, meeting different people, exploring unfamiliar surroundings, and embracing independence, felt thrilling. It was a chance to reinvent myself and experience opportunities that I could never have imagined back home. Homesickness, however, did not strike immediately.
The first weeks felt like a honeymoon period, full of meeting new people, going out and new beginnings. Everything was new and exhilarating. Yet, as the weeks went on and the excitement began to settle, I started to sense something missing.
THE FIRST WEEK FELT LIKE A HONEYMOON PERIOD
The routines I once knew, seeing my parents daily, chatting with old friends, having family dinners, were suddenly gone. The structure that anchored my life had disappeared, replaced by a new and unfamiliar rhythm. Adjusting to that change was not easy, but it became one of the most valuable lessons I have learned.
Living away from home builds character in ways few other experiences can. It teaches resilience, adaptability, and problem solving, skills that extend far beyond university life. It also helps you to appreciate the people and places that make home feel like home.
Even though I do not live particularly far away compared with international students who have crossed continents, the process of adjustment has been profound.
My advice to anyone struggling with homesickness is to face it directly. Resist the urge to go home every weekend, as com -
forting as that might feel, because growth often begins at the edge of discomfort.
In time, what once felt unsettling becomes empowering, and you realise that independence does not replace home; it helps you understand its true meaning.
Antoni Kałduński, redaktor międzynarodowy, rozmawia o tęsknocie za domem i wspomina o swoich doświadczeniach na studiach.
JAKO student trzeciego roku dobrze wiem, czym jest tęsknota za domem. To uczucie, które pojawia się niespodziewanie, zostaje z nami dłużej, niżbyśmy chcieli, i wymaga czasu, by je zrozumieć. W gruncie rzeczy przypomina nam o naszych korzeniach — o miejscu, z którego pochodzimy, o ludziach, którzy nas ukształtowali, oraz o drobnych codziennych rzeczach, na które wcześniej nie zwracaliśmy uwagi, dopóki nie wyjechaliśmy. Myślę, że wielu studentów może się z tym utożsamić. Kiedy po raz pierwszy przyjechałem na uniwersytet, byłem przepełniony ekscytacją. Nowy początek, możliwość poznania różnych ludzi, odkrywania nieznanego miasta i smakowania niezależności wydawały się czymś niezwykle ekscytującym. To była okazja, by spróbować czegoś nowego, rozwinąć się i otworzyć na doświadczenia, o których wcześniej mogłem tylko marzyć. Tęsknota jednak nie pojawiła się od razu. Pierwsze tygodnie przypominały miesiąc miodowy — pełne spotkań, wyjść i nowych początków. Wszystko było świeże i pełne energii. Z czasem jednak, gdy emocje zaczęły opadać, poczułem, że czegoś mi brakuje. Zniknęły dawne rytuały: codzienne rozmowy z rodzicami, spotkania z przyjaciółmi, wspólne kolacje. Nagle zabrakło struktury, która wcześniej porządkowała moje dni. Przyzwyczajenie się do tej zmiany nie było łatwe, ale z perspektywy czasu widzę, że to jedno z cenniejszych doświadczeń w moim życiu. Mieszkanie z dala od domu kształtuje charak -
PIERWSZE TYGODNIE PRZYPOMINAŁY MIESIĄC MIODOWY
ter, uczy odporności, elastyczności i radzenia sobie w nowych sytuacjach. Pokazuje też, jak bardzo warto doceniać ludzi i miejsca, które tworzą nasze poczucie domu.
Choć nie mieszkam szczególnie daleko — zwłaszcza w porównaniu z osobami, które przyleciały z drugiego końca świata — proces przyzwyczajania się był dla mnie bardzo ważny. Moja rada dla tych, którzy zmagają się z tęsknotą, jest prosta: nie uciekajcie przed nią. Nie wracajcie do domu co weekend, nawet jeśli to kusi, bo prawdziwy rozwój zaczyna się tam, gdzie pojawia się odrobina dyskomfortu. Z czasem to, co dziś wydaje się trudne, staje się źródłem siły — a niezależność nie zastępuje domu, lecz pozwala lepiej zrozumieć, czym on naprawdę jest.
ZWÓJ ZACZYNA SIE TAM, GDZIE POJAWIA SIĘ ODROBINA DYSKOMFORTU
SCI-TECH EDITOR: Julia Szewczyk
Molly Panagi-Williams, discusses a gene therapy clinical trial that has produced positive results for treating Huntington's Disease
AT the end of September 2025, those with Huntington’s disease were given hope that the genetic condition that has long been considered a death sentence might now be possible to treat, and even cure. The Dutch biotechnology company, uniQure, published the findings of a 6-year study into an experimental treatment called AMT-130. This treatment has been shown to slow the effects of Huntington’s disease by 75 per cent, with the results of the clinical trials in the UK and the US showing that the decline expected to appear over one year has been increased to four.
THE TREATMENT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO SLOW THE EFFECTS OF THE DISEASE BY 75 PER
This is could mean a significant improvement for those suffering from the condition. Those with Huntington’s disease experience physical and mental decline, with the first symptoms usually appearing during their 30s and 40s. The deterioration continues, attacking the brain, causing forgetfulness, difficulty with movement, problems eating and swallowing, mood swings, issues in speech, and, eventually,
a premature death. Most sufferers will require support with everyday life during the later stages. As a genetic disorder, passed from parent to child with a 50% likelihood that their child will inherit the condition, it is frightening for those diagnosed, and acts as a looming death sentence for their children. Consequently, this development is a dramatic step forward in scientific research and treatment of the disease.
The condition is caused by a protein in the brain becoming mutated by the Huntington gene. The mutated protein attacks and kills other neurons, creating the degeneration which eventually robs those with the disease of communication, movement, and independence. The new therapy, involves introducing a non-harmful virus into the brain via a 12-18 hour surgery in which a catheter is inserted into the skull via drilled holes. This virus acts as a carrier of the gene therapy to where it combines with the patient’s DNA. It then encourages the brain cells to create a small genetic molecule, called microRNA. This molecule is then intended to intercept and disable the instructions sent by the Huntington gene that produced the toxic protein. This prevents it from continuing to ravage the brain. So far, the one-off treatment appears to be enough to considerably lower the levels of the gene in the brain, and lasts the lifetime of the patient.
This opens the possibility for the treatment of this disease, which affects several hundred thousand people worldwide, with approximately 75,000 in the UK alone. The downside to this new treatment is that, as with any gene therapy, it is estimated to be very expensive. It is currently without a price, but it is suggested by the BBC to be a similar cost to the gene therapy treatment for haemophilia B, which is around £2.6 million per patient. Even so, the potential extension and quality of life that this can provide to victims of the disease and their loved ones may make whatever final price tag worth the cost.
THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 75,000 PEOPLE LIVING WITH HUNTINGTON'S DISEAS IN THE UK ALONE
There is some concern that it has yet to be approved by the FDA in the US or to have the evidence reviewed by other specialists. UniQure is aiming to remedy this with applications to the FDA, and then the UK and Europe, in early 2026. The goal being that this loose end may be tied and the use of the therapy approved. However, the initial findings are positive enough
that the scientific community has reacted to the news with otherwise limited scepticism. It has been seen as a landmark development for the treatment of Huntington’s, with some experts hopeful this could be the beginning of treatment breakthroughs for other neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's.
HISTORY likes ghosts. They pass not only through walls, but also through the cultural and temporal boundaries that separate people. They cross from age to age, reappearing in the art, literature, and legends of every civilisation as an enduring feature of the shared human folklore.
“Ghosts and ghost stories had many functions,” says Laura Sangha, an Associate Professor of Early Modern History who has researched supernatural belief and theological understandings of angels and ghosts. “Generally, the evidence suggests that ghosts served important emotional ends, that they provided spiritual consolation to the living, and that they helped people to navigate the social disruption caused by death”
For as long as people have shared stories of ghosts, there have been attempts to explain them, and as knowledge grew, those explanations shifted from spiritual to scientific.
“There were scientists who saw the study of ghostly, spiritual and ‘supernatural’ phenomena as an exciting frontier for the sciences,” says Richard Noakes, a historian of science and technology with special interests in psychic phenomena and the occult. “New developments in physics were used to try to explain ghostly phenomena — those monuments of twentiethcentury physics, relativity and quantum mechan-
ics, have all been mobilised for this purpose.”
In the 1980s, neuroscientist Michael Persinger tested the effect of weak magnetic fields targeted at the temporal lobe. Eighty per cent of participants reported sensing a presence in the room. Persinger argued that this “sensed presence” could explain experiences of ghosts, gods, or angels. Yet when Swedish researchers repeated the experiment under double-blind conditions, they found no discernible effects.
Another possible explanation lies in the altered states of consciousness created by hallucinogens and psychedelics, such as those produced by toxic mould. I spoke with Dr Andy Letcher, a lecturer at the University of Exeter who specialises in psychedelic studies, and author of Shroom: The Cultural History of the Magic Mushroom, to understand the role such substances might play in supernatural encounters.
ONE POSSIBLE EXPLANATION IS ALTERED STATES OF CONCIOUSNESS CREATED BY HALLUCINOGENS AND PSYCHEDELICS
“They say it may be psychedelics or mould
causing people to see these things. And yet, when people take psychedelics, they don’t routinely talk about seeing ghosts,” he says. “On certain psychedelics, particularly psilocybin and those containing DMT, people often have entity encounters, but they tend not to be seen as spirits of the dead.”
Letcher reflects: “Which comes first, your culture, which allows you to interpret a psychedelic experience, or the experience that gives you the cultural lens by which to make sense of the world? They inform each other.” He adds, “In all my research, people who have psychedelic experiences don’t talk about ghosts or the dead. I’m unpersuaded that psychedelics lie at the root of ghost beliefs.”
A third line of explanation comes from psychology. In one study, participants toured a theatre before completing a questionnaire about their perceptions. One group was told the site was haunted, the other that it was under renovation. Those expecting ghosts reported experiences akin to paranormal happenings, pointing to the power of suggestion in creating supernatural experiences.
However, research has produced inconsistent results. A study in Hampton Court, which is known for ghostly phenomena, found that suggestion had no effect on participants' expectations or their tendency to attribute events to ghosts.
Across centuries of inquiry, ghosts have shifted from matters of faith to objects of investigation. Yet, despite repeated attempts to contain them within empirical frameworks, whether through the lens of physics, psychology or psychedelics, they continue to evade definitive explanation. It may be that this is why they persist, lingering beyond our understanding, suspended between belief and doubt.
DR Jewel Plummer Cobb was an African American biologist and cancer researcher, best known for her discovery of methotrexate as a drug for treating childhood leukaemia (a type of blood cancer).
Cobb began her higher education at the University of Michigan; however, she left after only three semesters due to the racism faced by African American students. Cobb was determined not to let this discrimination stop her, transferring to Talladega College,
Kfrom which she graduated with a degree in biology. From here, she went on to earn a masters and doctorate from New York University.
In the early 1950’s, Cobb started working at Harlem Hospital’s Cancer Research Foundation, where she made her discovery that methotrexate slowed cancerous cell growth. This drug is still used today as a chemotherapy to treat acute leukaemia, breast cancer, and lung cancer.
In 1969, she became president of California State University at Fullerton, where
she worked tirelessly to improve diversity and create opportunities in science for students from minority backgrounds. She also became the first Black woman appointed to the National Science Board and chaired the first Conference for Minority Women Scientists. Reflecting on her life, Cobb said she would “like to be remembered as a Black woman scientist who cared very much about what happens to young folks, particularly women, going into science”.
ATHERINE Johnson (renowned NASA mathematician) excelled throughout her early career, progressing to university level at just 15 graduating with highest honours in mathematics and French in 1937. As part of a flagship incentive, she became the first Black female postgraduate student, but unfortunately had to leave the program to care for her family. Despite her obvious exceptional abili -
Kayleigh
Dties, her race and gender left her struggling to find work as a mathematician. She was eventually accepted in 1952 by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (which would later become NASA). At first, she was only given the job of checking work done by the other male scientists. Even after proving her abilities and being given more meaningful work, her name was not allowed to appear on a report she had written, as they did not want it
known that it had been written by a woman. Katherine persevered and became integral in calculating the flight paths of a number of US space missions, including Alan Shepard’s spaceflight, John Glenn’s orbital mission, and eventually the Apollo 11 moon landing. Her work and enduring resilience were integral to the success of these missions, and her pioneering attitude continues to inspire the next generation of women in STEM.
Editor-in-Chief, reflects on the contributions of Dr Charles Richard Drew to medical science
R Charles Richard Drew was a doctor and medical researcher who transformed and vastly improved the way blood transfusions were handled. He developed techniques which were used during the Second World War to improve blood storage. Born in 1904, Drew was raised in a heavily segregated America. When he received his Doctorate of Science in Medicine, he was the first African American to do so. Towards the start of his research career, alongside John Beattie, he discovered that blood
transfusions were vital to treating shock. However, at the time, there was no successful method of storing or transporting blood. Later on in his research, Drew discovered a way for blood plasma to be preserved for longer through a process called de-liquification. This is the separation of liquid blood from the cells allowed blood to be kept for two months longer than previously. During the war, he put this into practice and helped run the Blood for Britain program. This program got Americans to donate blood to British soldiers. During this
time, he also developed standardised blood screenings to test for infectious diseases in blood donations. This program was only possible due to Drew’s work in blood transfusions. He also worked for the American Red Cross blood bank, but eventually left after they wouldn’t change their policy of racially segregating blood donations. The work that Drew did over his life helped to save countless people, and we can still see his legacy today in the way modern blood banks work.
Lola Milroy-Tompkins, explains how scientists have created a human embryo from skin cells for the first time
FOR the first time in human history, scientists at Oregon Health and Science University have developed a method to turn DNA from skin cells into viable embryos. In their paper published on September 30th in the journal Nature Communications, Professor Amato, Professor Mitalipov, and their team outlined their process for forming human embryos by fertilising a combined egg and skin cell with sperm. First, human eggs were stripped of the DNA coding and injected with a nucleus, which acts as a DNA container, from a skin cell. Human skin cells already have a full set of 46 chromosomes, 23 from the mother and 23 from the father. As a result, the merged egg and skin cells were treated to make them discard half of their chromosomes, leaving them with 23. Finally, a sperm cell carrying the other set of 23 chromosomes was allowed to fertilise the merged cell, creating a blastocyst, or a small clump of cells with 46 chromosomes. In other standard IVF treatments, the
final step would be to implant the blastocyst into a human womb, where it can grow into a baby.
The greatest challenge faced by these scientists was how to make the skin cell discard the correct chromosomes. With the current treatment used, chromosomes are removed at random, meaning that important DNA coding may be discarded by accident, or the number of chromosomes at the end of the process is not 23. Currently, the team is working to discover a solution to these issues.
There are incredible implications for this groundbreaking research. Skin cells can be taken from any human, man or woman, and combined with an egg. This would allow same-sex male couples to combine one partner’s skin with another’s sperm, meaning the resulting child could be genetically related to both parents. Due to age or medical conditions, women who have difficulty conceiving children and men who do not produce enough viable sperm could also greatly benefit from this breakthrough. With the increasing demand for IVF, this research
presents a milestone in fertility treatments. However, there are major cautions to be taken with this research. In this study, scientists
THIS WOULD ALLOW FOR THE CREATION OF AN EMBRYO THAT IS GENETICALLY RELATED TO BOTH PARENTS IN A SAME-SEX COUPLE
were only able to create 82 oocytes (merged skin and egg cells) which could be fertilised with sperm. Of this group, the success rate of the fertilisation producing a healthy and viable embryo stood at only 9 per cent. All other attempts ended in failure, or with the blastocyst cell being especially prone to birth defects due to having the wrong number of chromosomes. None of the blastocyst cells were maintained for longer than six days, so it is unknown whether
problems after this period would have arisen. The research team and other scientists warn that there is at least a decade’s worth of further testing necessary to determine whether these cells can be safely carried to term within a human and produce a healthy baby. This is only possible if these tests are permitted in the United States, where the researchers are based, which is not a guarantee. From a political standpoint, researchers emphasise the need for governments to build public trust that these scientific discoveries will be conducted responsibly. Overall, though this research offers great promise for future fertility treatments, further testing will be long and likely tedious to ensure the procedure is safe for parents and their children.
THERE IS AT LEAST A DECADE’S WORTH OF FURTHER TESTING NECESSARY
ENGLAND'S Red Roses have officially taken the title of 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup Champions. Their 33-13 win over Canada at Twickenham has ensured them only their third ever win in this tournament after a long run of finishing second; the England team have been in every final in this tournament (excluding 1998, where they came third) but haven’t secured a win since 2014. The team are thrilled to have gained themselves another world cup trophy after multiple streaks of always coming second. This highlights the resilience of the team; something that was seen multiple times throughout the tournament.
The Red Roses made strong progress throughout the tournament, opening in Sunderland to a crowd bigger than the combined attendance of the entire tournament in 2010. In their second game, England defeated Samoa with ease. Although easy for England, this match was particularly special as it marked Jess Breach’s 50th try for England, the fifth player to ever do so. By the end of the games in Pool A, Australia put England under pressure in a nail-biting match. However, the Red Roses turned things around and landed themselves both the top spot in the pool and a quarter-final against Scotland. England went into quarter-finals favourites to win on 1000-1 odds. Even though their victory was comfortable (ensured early on by highquality rugby even from reserve player Hannah Botterman, who scored two first-half tries) the difficult weather conditions almost set them back. Nevertheless, England persevered and continued undefeated, taking them swiftly into the semi-final against France. This semi-final ended up be-
ing the most difficult for the Red Roses. The match was tight between both teams and, had France been able to take advantage of their chances, England may have lost the match. However, an excellent performance from Ellie Kildunne and a stroke of luck meant that England had achieved a place in the final, a spot they were so used to receiving.
At the final, Canada’s Asia Hogan-Rochester scored early, making England uncertain about whether or not their winning streak would continue. However, a solo score by Ellie Kildunne acted as a powerful response, a fleeting symbol of hope that was later put to rest by Sophie de Goede kicking a penalty to keep Canada afloat. Abby Ward taking the first try of the second half and two tries from Alex Matthews sealed the win for the Red Roses. Just as it had happened 11 years prior, England defeated Canada to become world champions. Sadia Kabeya - named Player of the Match - claimed that ‘it’s been years and years in the making’ and, as a result of their triumph, coach John Mitchell has been named World Rugby’s Coach of The Year. This is yet another
international recognition of the hard work and dedication of the England women’s squad. There were 81,885 spectators crammed into Twickenham for the final, a record crowd for both a women's rugby match and a Rugby World Cup match, and the second most attendees for any Rugby World Cup final (men’s or women’s). This is a reflection of the groundbreaking surging momentum in the popularity of women’s sport, something that the Red Roses are particularly determined to aid, notably shown through their public ambitions to become the first England team to be backto-back winners of the tournament and get 100,000 women and girls playing the game by 2030. Their recent win will no doubt help them in this campaign as they have proven themselves to be good role models and clear champions. This win cements England’s place as the pinnacle of women’s rugby and the Red Roses are paving the way for future generations to uphold this position for many tournaments to come.
CARLOS Alcaraz picked up where he left off in his first ATP Tour-level tournament since winning the US Open by storming to his eighth title of the year with victory in the Japan Open in Tokyo. But, having battled injury throughout the week after rolling his ankle in his first-round match the Spaniard was forced to subsequently pull out of the Shanghai Masters, the tournament the Japan Open was in preparation for.
After pulling up earlier in the week, doubts had arisen as to whether Alcaraz was going to be able to see out the rest of the tournament. The doubts were to be short-lived however as Alcaraz, competing with a heavily strapped ankle, fought his way to a final with world no.4 Taylor Fritz.
Fritz had beaten Alcaraz just a week earlier in the Laver Cup, the tournament that, despite the efforts of the organisers, still struggles to shake the reputation is has as merely an exhibition and achieve the ‘Ryder Cup of Tennis’ status it seeks. Unsurprisingly, the six-time Grand Slam champion made easy work of the American, beating him 6-4 6-4, albeit hampered by mobility issues.
In pulling out of the subsequent Shanghai Masters, Alcaraz joins a long list of other seeded who have succumbed to injury and been forced to skip the event in China. Five seeds,
including Britain’s Jack Draper after he announced he would be unable to compete for the rest of the year, withdrew before the tournament could even begin. Once the tournament got started, there were seven retirements midmatch due to injuries, among them being world no.2 Jannik Sinner and Casper Ruud, both of whom had made deep runs the previous week.
When tennis makes its way to Asia for the season’s final act, tournaments often find themselves in these predicaments as players fall victim to the fatigue brought on by the tour entering its tenth month of the year.
Those who don’t pull out of events to protect the ranking points do so often nursing ailments or shrouded in concerns surrounding
NOVAK DJOKOVIC WAS SEEN VOMITING ON COURT
their physical conditions. Taylor Fritz, Holger Rune, and Alexander Zverev all entered Shanghai all with their own injury worries. Zverev himself subsequently slumped to an early loss, and Novak Djokovic was seen vomiting on court. Alcaraz’s choice to prioritize rest and recovery over pushing himself beyond the limit in Shanghai looks to be a smart one. With the Grand Slams for the year now over, the Spaniard has a given himself the best chance to return fully fit and do it all again next season.
Amberly Wright, Deputy Editor, discusses the recent contract developmemts in English Football
REPORTEDLY, 24-year-old Bukayo Saka almost missed out on his England call-back, despite scoring two goals in five matches since his return to Arsenal’s starting XI. Saka’s contract at Arsenal expires in 2027, but the club are eager to keep him on, giving him a top deal and making him one of the largest earners at the club, and the rest of the Premier League. Their decision to keep Saka long-term comes alongside their decision to offer William Saliba a long-term contract, who has
recently signed to stay with Arsenal until 2030.
Micheal Carrick, iconic Manchester United defending midfielder, is speculated to return to Old Trafford amidst controversy surrounding Ruben Amorim. Carrick left Middlesborough in June and is a top candidate for a managerial job at Rangers after Steven Gerrard turned them down. He has just been appointed as a technical observer for UEFA, but this new role hasn’t kept him out of the spotlight for Amorim’s replacement, which
comes after increasing pressure as Amorim has won only 19 of his 49 matches at United.
To compare to previous United managers since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, Amorim has taken 34 points in the last 33 games, compared to Solskjaer who took 56, Moyes with 57, Ten Hag with 63, Mourinho with 64, and the top, Van Gaal with 65.
Carrick worked as assistant manager to Ole Gunner Solskjaer at United in 2021, and even acted as caretaker manager for three matches
where the team won every match, increasingly the likelihood that he will return to United again. James Ward-Prowse is set to leave West Ham after Nuno Espírito Santo’s appointment as boss. According to a report by talkSPORT, West Ham will listen to offers from Ward-Prowse, after he was dropped from the starting XI, which came as a surprise to Ward-Prowse and the rest of the team. The Hammers are looking to introduce “aggressive” attacking midfielders to their line-up in January, as Espírito Santo looks to change the midfield entirely.
Jed Gibbins, International Editor, discusses the Brisbane Lions' Grand final win over
AFTER an entertaining opening ceremony performed by Snoop Dogg, the Brisbane Lions won the AFL Grand Final for the second year in a row this time against the Geelong Cats, having beaten the Sydney Swans in 2024. The game was hosted at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 27th. The final score was Lions 12275 Cats. An AFL goal
BRISBANE LIONS WON THE AFL OPENING FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW
is worth six points. A goal is scored when the ball is kicked between the two tall middle posts. Adjacent to the middle posts are two smaller posts, making four in total. If the ball passes between one of the smaller posts and a taller post, it is called a behind, worth one point. Scores are presented like this: Geelong 11.9 (75) | Brisbane 18.14 (122). In Brisbane’s case, they scored 18 goals (108 points) and 14 behinds (14 points), giving them a total of 122 points. Throughout the game there were some impressive plays from both sides however, Brisbane dominated throughout.
During the second quarter, the Lions’ three-goal streak was ended by a 55-metre goal from the Cats’ Shannon
Neale. However, Brisbane’s Levi Ashcroft quickly rebounded with a 50-metre goal to put Brisbane back in front.
At the start of the third quarter, the Cats’ forward Jeremy Cameron caught Brisbane’s Jaspa Fletcher with a strong one-armed tackle. Cameron then went off for the rest of the final with a suspected broken arm. This did, however, lead to a Geelong goal.
Within the last seven minutes of the third quarter, Brisbane scored three goals in quick succession, two of which came from the Lions’ Charlie Cameron. The Lions’ co-captain Lachie Neale, who had been injured and was not expected to appear in the Grand Final, scored the Lions' last goal of the quarter. Geelong’s energy quickly dissipated after this, as
Brisbane had built a 19-point lead. The key moment of the game came when Geelong defender Zach Guthrie lost the ball to Brisbane's Cam Rayner in Geelong’s goal square of all places. Rayner then scored, followed by Will Ashcroft and Brisbane vice-captain Hugh McCluggage, who added two more goals, putting Brisbane a comfortable 39 points ahead and shattering any remaining hope for Geelong. Brisbane and Geelong went on to score four more goals each. Brisbane won with a 47-point margin over Geelong. Will Ashcroft claimed the coveted Norm Smith Medal, awarded to the best player in the Grand Final, for the second consecutive year.
Connor Meyers, Online Sport Editor, explores the French Open's decision to retain human officials
DESPITE the switching of the US Open, Australian Open, and Wimbledon, to using automated line calls in recent years, the French Tennis Federation has announced that the French Open will continue to use line judges to determine whether shots are in or out in 2026.
The electronic line calling system uses a combination of cameras and sensors to pinpoint the landing position of a ball after a shot or serve. Previously, the technology had been introduced but only in a challenge-based capacity, where line judges were still present, but players had the option to challenge a decision which would use the technology to confirm or overturn the line judges call. It became widely adopted dur-
ing the Covid-19 pandemic as the tours sought to reduce the number of people on site, and it’s now used universally across the ATP Tour.
In 2021, the Australian Open became the first Grand Slam to do away with line judges when they adopted the system, followed by the US Open in 2022, before Wimbledon utilised it for the first time in 2025. The decision to maintain
Othe tournament’s human element was, according to the French Tennis Federation, to ‘continue to highlight the excellence of French refereeing.’
This year, a total of 404 match officials were employed, and the federation’s president Gilles Moretton believes the tournament should continue to have them present, explaining ‘I say this with all humility, we are the best country for providing officials on the tour.’
THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 404 MATCH OFFICIALS WERE EMPLOYED
The clay courts of the Roland Garros pose a unique challenge for line judges. The surface is the only of the three used in professional tennis where a clear mark is left for determining whether a ball is in or out. Often umpires will be seen descending from their chairs onto the court to check a mark and verify a line judges' call themselves. Electronic line calling has not been without fault either. A malfunction at Wimbledon this year saw Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova denied a game against Britain’s Sonay Kartal. Remaining the exception amongst the Grand Slams in still relying on human calls seems to be simultaneously avoiding such mishaps while maintaining the heritage the French Open prides itself on.
Annabel Gowling, Sport Editor, highlights the growth in the women's rugby club over the last decade
VER the past decade, EURFC Women’s Rugby has transformed from a small squad into one of the largest and most dynamic university women’s rugby programmes in the country. In 2015, the club had fewer than 30 players and just two teams. Ten years on, more than 140 players now proudly represent EURFC Women across four competitive sides, with rugby available virtually every day of the week. This incredible growth reflects not only
the strength of Exeter rugby but also the wider rise of the women’s game. The recent Women’s Rugby World Cup, hosted in England and won by the Red Roses, has further inspired new players to get involved. At this year’s taster sessions, over 50 novices turned up to give the sport a go—proof that the passion for women’s rugby has never been stronger.
This weekend, 18 of those new players will make their debut in the icon-
ic green and white hoops, marking another milestone in the club’s journey.
EURFC Women are also benefitting from the strongest coaching setup in their history.
The addition of international stars including Canada captain Alex Tessier, alongside Emily Tuttosi, Flo Robinson, Emily Robinson, and Abby Middlebrooke, has brought world-class experience and mentorship to the programme.
The 2025 season is set to be a record-
breaker, with a minimum of 55 fixtures scheduled — more games than ever before. From humble beginnings to a thriving, multi-team club, EURFC Women’s Rugby continues to set new standards in participation, performance, and passion. Their success is a shining example of what dedication, community, and belief can achieve in the women’s game.
Reuben Rowell gives us a brief overview of some key higlights from this weeks premier league matches
MATCHWEEK 6 provided plenty of entertainment across the Premier League. Liverpool's unbeaten run ended against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Palace opened the scoring through Ismaïla Sarr, but an impressive goalkeeping performance from Allison kept it to just one goal. Liverpool thought they'd swindled a draw when Chiesa levelled the game in the 87th minute. However, Eddie Nketiah had other ideas, scoring dramatically 7 minutes into injury time. Despite the loss,
Liverpool are two points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table. Palace have emerged as surprise early title challengers. They sit three points behind Liverpool and are the only team in the league with an unbeaten record. Oliver Glasner's versatile attacking style has transformed a Palace team that sat in 15th when he took over in 2024. Elsewhere, Manchester City demolished Burnley 5-1 in a nightmare game for Clarets defender Maxime Esteve, who turned the ball into his own net twice. Burnley, sitting one point
from safety, are the only promoted team in the relegation zone; a pleasing break from the previous two seasons, when no promoted teams stayed in the division. As for the other promoted teams, Leeds sit in 12th after drawing against Bournemouth, and Sunderland's summer spending spree is paying off. They occupy 5th place, which would qualify them for European competition at season's end. Even the most optimistic Sunderland fan would not have dreamed of that. They defeated Nottingham Forest, who are yet
to win under new manager Postecoglou, whose appointment is becoming increasingly puzzling.
EVEN THE MOST OPTIMISTIC SUNDERLAND FAN WOULD NOT HAVE DREAMED OF THAT
The part that sports teams play in supporting physical and mental health can never be understated; from wellbeing social runs, to Movember events, Exeter’s sports clubs have always stepped up to represent causes important to them. This October, the University of Exeter Netball Club is going pink to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
They have planned a range of events, socials, and training sessions in honour of this cause, which can be found on their Instagram page. Kicking it all off, their Pink Social will take place on October 15th, followed by Unileague Pink Training on October 19th, a Pink Run Club and BUCS Pink Training on October 20th, and BUCS Pink Training on October 21st.
They encourage as many people as possible to get involved, adding to the caption of their post: “pink goes good with green!” — driving home their commitment to raising awareness and supporting those who have been affected, or have had loved ones affected by breast cancer, as well as giving the issue visibility.
Emily S Rizzo, Editor-in-Chief
UOEWFC shows their support for Black history Month
The University of Exeter Women’s Football Club (UOEWFC) is proudly supporting Black History Month 2025, celebrating and honouring the remarkable achievements, resilience, and contributions of people of Black heritage and their communities. Black History Month has been celebrated in the UK every October since 1987, when it was introduced by Ghanaian analyst and activist Akyaaba Addai Sebo. The month-long celebration aims to promote racial equality, challenge discrimination, and highlight the vital role that Black individuals have played in shaping society. This year’s theme, “Standing Firm in Power and Pride,” is a powerful tribute to the strength, unity, and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe. In recognition of this, UOEWFC will be participating in Wear Red Day 2025 on Friday, 17th October, an annual campaign organised by Show Racism the Red Card, the UK’s leading anti-racism educational charity. The initiative encourages people across the country to wear red as a visible stand against racism and to show their support for equality and inclusion. The team will also wear red during football and futsal training sessions on the 9th and 10th of October to further raise awareness within the university community. In addition, UOEWFC is encouraging support for several impactful charities that promote equality and empower Black communities, including Show Racism the Red Card, Sporting Equals, Stop Hate UK, UK Black Pride, and Black Minds Matter. Through their continued commitment to education, inclusivity, and advocacy, the University of Exeter Women’s Football Club demonstrates that football is far more than a game—it is a unifying force and a powerful platform for social change, equality, and respect both on and off the pitch.
Annabel Gowling, Sport Editor
This October, the University of Exeter Boxing Society is showing its support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month by hosting a range of events aimed at raising awareness and funds for charity. The society is combining its community spirit and love for sport to make a positive impact beyond the boxing ring.
The first event in their month-long campaign is a Pub Quiz at Henry’s Bar on Sunday the 12th at 7pm. Participants are encouraged to wear pink to stand in solidarity with those affected by breast cancer and to help raise visibility for the cause. Tickets cost £2, with all profits being donated to a breast cancer charity. It promises to be an evening of friendly competition, laughter, and meaningful contribution — proving that making a difference can also be fun. Tickets are available now via FIXR. The boxing society has also announced that this is just the beginning. Throughout October, they will be running additional fundraising activities and awareness campaigns, giving students multiple opportunities to get involved. Whether through sporting events, social gatherings, or educational initiatives, the team aims to unite the university community behind an important message: early detection, support, and awareness save lives. By blending their passion for teamwork and charity, the UoE Boxing Society are fighting in their own way — not just in the ring, but for a cause that touches countless lives.
Keep an eye on their social media channels throughout the month to stay up to date on upcoming events and ways to show your support.
Annabel Gowling,
Sport Editor