News

Council approves plans for new Business School in the Sands area
Following a meeting of the committee on 5th July, councillors decided to approve plans to allow the Durham University Business School to move into the Waterside building, which was initially built to serve as the new headquarters for Durham County Council.

Durham SU remains the worst students’ union for “representing academic interests” for third year running
Out of the 2,492 Durham finalists who took part in this years’ National Student Survey, only 26.6% felt that DSU had effectively represented their academic interests.

Labour bid to have City of Culture money spent across County Durham fails
The motion, proposed by Labour Councillor Alison Batey, was rejected 52-49 at a Durham County Council meeting.

Durham MP voices her support for efforts to save Rocking Horse Rehearsal Rooms
On a visit to the venue in June, Ms Foy said she would be “doing what I can to save Rocking Horse”. The venue has been at risk of permanent closure since January.

Durham University twinned with Zaporizhzhia University in Ukraine
The partnership between Durham and Zaporizhzhia comes as part of a national initiative between Universities UK and the Ukrainian Ministry of Education to offer support to Ukrainian universities caught up in the ongoing war.

Car chase in Durham ends with two suspects entering River Wear
The incident took place in the Sands area earlier this morning, after police were alerted to a suspected stolen vehicle.

Sir Thomas Allen completing final duties as Chancellor
One of the longest serving Chancellors in Durham University’s history is retiring after more than a decade in the job.
Comment

We must preserve the Civil Service Fast Stream
Amber Vallarino-Law argues that the government’s plan to scrap the civil service fast stream is devastating to graduates.

We must fight for tuition fee rebates
Niall Hignett argues that the university should do more to reimburse students after they lost 11.8% of teaching time this academic year.

“Awarding an honorary degree seems unnecessary”
Becks Fleet discusses whether awarding honorary degrees to celebrities devalues other degrees.

Are ball prices creating a two-tier system for students?
Waseem Mohamed argues the current pricing for balls needs reflection against the background of the cost-of-living crisis.

Derry Girls ends with a poignant message
Caitriona Marsh reflects on the finale of Derry Girls and its poignant message about the significance of the Good Friday Agreement and why we need to protect it.

Fatal inaction as the US fails to protect its schools
In light of the Uvalde shooting, Cameron Thurlow discusses the gun-control crisis that has burdened the United States for the past two decades.

Your council owes you (a council tax rebate)
Olivia Montgomery argues that the delays in rolling-out the council tax rebate is costing students.
Politics

Where the bodies are buried
Sophia Massam explores how we can interpret the treatment of bodies in times of conflict, focussing on the war in Ukraine.

Things can only get better? Emanuel Macron’s parliamentary problem
In this long-read, Dan Hodgson explains the outcomes of the recent French legislative elections, looking forward to their implications for Macron.

Roe v. Wade: America’s eternal battleground
Maddy Burt and Joe Rossiter trace the history of US abortion rights in the wake of a leaked Supreme Court decision which would overrule Roe v. Wade.

Windfall taxes and the cost of living crisis
Chloe Hares discusses the nature and history of windfall taxes.

The loss of the ‘breadbasket’ of Europe
Bryn Jones discusses the impact of the loss of Ukraine and Russia’s agricultural exports on global grain markets.

Sri Lanka: the cost-of-living crisis you haven’t heard about
Amid rising living costs worldwide, Waseem Mohamed zooms in on Sri Lanka to examine why exactly their sufferings rank among the top.

Plastic pollution and corporate retaliation
Charlotte Wilkinson analyses the extent to which recent international plastic pollution resolutions have been futile.
Sport

Can football finally overcome its problem with homophobia?
Blackpool fan Joe Cogan discusses professional footballer Jake Daniels’ recent momentous decision to come out as gay.

Neil Warnock – A Marmite Figure of English (and Welsh) Football
“Somehow, some way, he would always manage to get the job done”
Oliver Jervis looks back on the long and illustrious career of Neil Warnock.

Durham Women FC shift to full-time training model
“Full-time training is viewed by the club as the natural next step on the road to professionalism”.
George Simms reports on the latest development at Durham Women FC.

Umran Malik or Arshdeep Singh: Who should India take to the T20 World Cup?
Sanjay Suri breaks down one of the big questions facing Indian cricket ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia.

Trevs retain Women’s Football Floodlit Cup alongside South Owlesses
Joe Harston reports on South/Trevs’ Women’s Football Floodlit Cup Final win over Butler.

The myth of an ‘African style’: how prejudice still lines football discourse
“We must leave our expectations at the door, lest we miss out on appreciating the unexpected”: Luke Power discusses the dangers of lazy stereotyping in football discourse in the wake of England’s friendly win over Ivory Coast.

Collingwood deny Trevs double to take home Men’s Football Floodlit Cup
Joe Harston reports on a Men’s Football Floodlit Cup victory for Collingwood.
Profile

Ambassador Matt Field: “the pandemic changed absolutely everything about how we worked as an Embassy”
Profile speaks to Ambassador Matt Field about his winding career path, from leaving Durham in 1999 to serving as the current UK Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

What is Love? Philosopher Simon May explains
Thomas Hennessy in dialogue with Simon May about why the Reformation may be more relevant to our love lives than we might think

Nathan Law: “we’re not entitled to lose hope”
Nathan Law on global democratic decline, idealism in student activism and maintaining hope in the future of Hong Kong.

Crispin Blunt: “Right around the world, people like me are criminalised”
Profile speaks to MP Crispin Blunt about his time at Durham, the government’s response to the pandemic, and Partygate

George Arbuthnott: “The Prime Minister’s handling of the pandemic has been one of the most scandalous failures of political leadership in British history”
Profile speaks to Sunday Times journalist and Durham alumnus, George Arbuthnott, about Boris Johnson’s leadership, the government’s handling of the pandemic, and myths in journalism

Dr Philip Rushbrook: joining the real world
Thomas Hennessy talks to Dr Philip Rushbrook, British governor of St Helena, about societal change, cabbage trees and local democracy

Stuart Heritage: “A fifteen-year career, and I’ve cashed it all in for some coconut cake”
Profile speaks to writer and Guardian columnist Stuart Heritage about his career in journalism, Mission Impossible, and white chocolate coconut bundt cake
SciTech

Photographing Sagitarius A*: first images of the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole
The black hole, with a mass of 4 million suns, is the point around which our entire galaxy revolves. But why is this image so important?

Bi-ology: the science of bisexuality and bi-erasure
Young people in the UK are increasingly identifying as bisexual. Does science help the bisexual community, or cause it more harm?

Evaluating the Durham STEM experience: reflections of a graduating biology student
Michelle Leung reflects on her time studying biology at Durham, and how it shaped her decision to pursue the field of immuno-oncology.

Durham research: optimising public health messaging
Waseem Mohamed discusses a Durham University study on which public health messaging methods work best.

Fighting cancer with bacteria
Becca Sealey explores a promising new immunotherapy technique that stimulates bacteria to destroy tumours.

The science Brexit
UK researchers are at risk of losing funding and scientific collaboration if negotiations regarding the EU’s Horizon Europe research programme prove unsuccessful.

Footprint climate conference: taking a step in the right direction
Footprint, a free and unique climate innovation event, returns to Durham from 16th to 18th June.
Features

Body neutrality: the attitude of summer ‘22
“This attitude is about being at peace with your body rather than giving it excessive importance”: Emilia Dunne argues that body neutrality is the healthiest mentality to adopt this summer.

Wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey: an overview of Durham’s brunches
“Durham’s brunching tradition is a proud one”: Emilia Dunne reviews the best brunches Durham has to offer.

“God save the Queen!”: an exploration of the Queen’s role today
“Those under the breadline cannot be blamed for an absence of feeling personal connection or commonality with this woman”: Hannah Ferguson explores the Queen’s significance within modern Britain.

The pride in me
“To have pride in myself has been a struggle my entire life”: Emerson Shams explains the significance of queer Pride for them.

The five Durham University values: where is inclusivity?
“How are departments supposed to evolve without listening to everyone seriously?” Michelle Leung explains why Durham University needs to value inclusivity more highly.

To Mum
“I am forever grateful to not only call her my mum, but my best friend.” In her piece, Travel Editor Holly Downes reflects upon the important role her mum has played in her life.

Cultural straddlers: navigating the fine line between “who I am” and “who I’m not”
“I started to experience an identity crisis because I did not know where I belonged in this world”: Ian Cheung, a second-generation Asian immigrant, details his experience being raised in a predominantly Western society and the cultural dissonance felt by studying abroad.
Books

Al fresco reading: is it really worth the sunburn?
“Nothing really beats sitting in the grass with a book and the sun” — Jessica Donaldson and Rosie Nicholls discuss al fresco reading.

Fine-Tuning Your Shelf: ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’
In this edition of ‘Fine-Tuning Your Shelf’, Marni Ward offers a playlist to accompany Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’.

My degree has ruined my relationship with reading
Has your degree ruined your relationship with reading? Holly Downes examines her relationship with books since beginning her degree. Can it be reclaimed?

“It gives me the long-term perspective that I often lose, especially in exam season”: comfort reads for exam season
“We should not view books as tasks to be completed, but as forms of art like any other”. Eleanor Strain offers an insight into the power of re-reading in times of exam stress.

‘Returning to this book is paying a visit to my childhood best friend’: comfort reads for exam season
“Re-reading this book is me looking back on my past in a non-critical, loving way”. In Books’ Comfort Reads Series, Sea Pawanrat Vachanavuttivong returns to an old friend, Leigh Badugo’s ‘Six of Crows’.

Colleen Hoover: the author for a Sad Girl Summer?
Is ‘CoHo’ worth the hype? TikTok seems to think so. Jessica Donaldson does a deep dive into what precisely it is that’s made Colleen Hoover so popular and if she’s worth the hype.

“It has fundamentally shaped me in the best of ways”: a reader’s ode to BookTube
“To stumble on this community of readers making videos about books on the Internet was genuinely life-changing for me”. Amy Whitaker elucidates the powers of BookTube and gives her recommendations for top channels.
Food & Drink

Wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey: an overview of Durham’s brunches
“Durham’s brunching tradition is a proud one”: Emilia Dunne reviews the best brunches Durham has to offer.

Durham’s delicious date destinations: part one
In the first article of a two-part series, Derek Wong offers his recommendations for date-worthy dining experiences in Durham.

Review: nkdBIRD
“nkdBIRD is another fast-food spot in Durham which stands out from the others for its simple and scrumptious menu”: Goya Verity reviews the new Saddler Street restaurant.

Celebrating seasonal ingredients: the mighty mint leaf
“Not only are there profound environmental benefits of eating seasonally, you can also save so much money from simply buying in-season foods”: Dherran Titherington-Bragg shares a variety of recipe ideas which transform this seasonal star.

#CookForUkraine: discovering Ukrainian cuisine for an essential cause
“The campaign is so important as it encourages us to appreciate the individuality of Ukrainian culture, as well as donate to a great cause”: Chloe Codling shares her experience cooking Ukrainian pancakes.

Spring’s savoury staples
Three students share their favourite spring vegtables to brighten your plate.

Seeking refuge in hot cross buns
“I came to appreciate the thrill of experimenting in baking as a way to work away my stress.” Food and Drink Editor Nia Kile celebrates the comfort of spring baking.
Film & TV

Bede Film Society: 60 years of screenings
Freya Williams provides insight into the history of Durham’s oldest student-run cinema.

‘Conversations with Friends’ and the art of the stylised slow burner
“Binge-worthy, high-quality television at its finest”: Film & TV Editor, Charlotte Grimwade, reviews the television adaption of Sally Rooney’s ‘Conversations with Friends’.

The Indigo Canon: ‘Maurice’ and its significance within queer cinema
In the latest instalment of ‘The Indigo Canon’, Holly Hughes-Rowlands makes the case for why ‘Maurice’ is significant in the history of LGBTQ+ representation in film.

The veil as a symbol in cinema
“The ability to reject male authority using the veil is one of the most important messages in the film”: James Hunter-Young explores Marzieh Meshkini’s film ‘The Day I Became a Woman’ and how it reconstructs interpretations of the veil.

Laying ‘Killing Eve’ to rest: TV’s obsession with the ‘Bury Your Gays’ trope
“There are, understandably, many issues with such a convention existing at the forefront of queer representation onscreen”: Alexandra Kramskaya explores the ‘Bury Your Gays’ trope in relation to the ‘Killing Eve’ finale.

Review: Anatomy of a Scandal
“It is a must-watch and will leave you considering its terrifyingly real implications”: Erin Waks reviews ‘Anatomy of a Scandal’.

The popularity of ‘Heartstopper’
“I finally caved and watched ‘Heartstopper’”: Paul Ray gives his personal take on the popularity of the new Netflix series.
Stage

Review: These Bloody Chambers
“A standing ovation must be made for both the cast and production team who put together, what was in my opinion, the best dramatic play I had seen in my four years at Durham” Emerson Shams is blown away by ‘These Bloody Chambers’

Review: The Comedy of Errors
“This production of Shakespeare’s ‘The Comedy of Errors’ is a must-see for anyone who is still in Durham, and if you missed it, certainly catch them on tour!” Sam Jones is enthralled by CTC’s ‘The Comedy of Errors’.

Review: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief — The Musical
“With infectious energy and synergy between the cast from beginning to end, the production brought the audience nothing but pure joy” —Emily Phillips enjoys FTHC’s Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.

Review: Miscast Showcase
“The evening was filled with clever innovation and pure talent and brought the dynamism and variety which makes showcases so enjoyable”: Anna Kendall is enchanted by the 2nd Annual HBT Miscast Showcase.

Review: Leaves on the Line
“The quality of student theatre productions has astonished me throughout this year, and never the more so than when watching DULOG’s new original, student-written musical”: Hetty Mentzel is impressed by ‘Leaves on the Line’

Review: May Contain Traces of Nuts
“An extremely enjoyable immersive experience and the entire prod team, cast and the writer should be extremely proud of this innovative piece of theatre.” Tansy Adam enjoys ‘May Contain Traces of Nuts’ by Celestine Stillwell with Fourth Wall Theatre Company.

Review: The Addams Family Musical
“‘The Addams Family’ is genuinely astounding for its quality in every aspect; it dares you not to be entertained.” Joe Rossiter is enthralled by DULOG’s ‘The Addams Family’.
Fashion

Gilded Glamour: The Met Gala Problem
‘It’s turned the Gala into an excessive display of wealth and affluence’: Freya Barker thinks critically about the Met Gala.

Boohoo and the ‘barely-there’ dress
“What is objectification and what is empowerment?”: Fleur de Bono discusses Boohoo’s recent controversy.

A look back at DUCFS…
“It was one of the best experiences of my time in Durham.”: Grace Jessop and Anna Johns chat to model Chris Newton about his DUCFS experience.

The power of lingerie
“The hidden beauty of such items form their appeal.”: Erin Waks explores her relationship with lingerie.

The fountain of youth
“The face that never ages”: Grace Jessop discusses the worrying rise in the use of Botox amongst young women.

The most iconic models of the current era
“Since the late 2010s, models have undoubtedly gained a larger presence in popular culture.”: Valeria Prado-Benavides asks who are the most iconic models of the 2020s.

‘Euphoria’: femininity and feelings through the lens of fashion
“The second season of Euphoria is officially back on the air.”: Katerina Panayiotou explores the series’ iconic fashion.
Visual Arts

Homosexuality on the canvas
Visual Arts contributors contemplate a selection of paintings depicting homosexuality.

Immerse into the art; feel a painting come alive
“The trendiest and most well-known collaboration between art and technology.” Nicole Wu discusses the recent phenomenon of immersive art exhibitions.

Aggressively splattered paint: determining the value of art
“Who are we to create a standard by which we can judge the value of art?” Erin Waks ponders how we can best appreciate artworks.

‘One Day Changes’: The art of photojournalism
“Striking, emotive and thought-provoking.” Erin Waks’ reviews the opening of the ‘One Day Changes’ exhibition at St John’s College.

Chila Kumari Burman and the ‘museum aesthetic’
“Judging the way people appreciate exhibitions won’t get you anywhere.” Holly Downes discusses how social media users are challenging cultural conventions.

‘Derek Jarman Protest!’: autobiography and abstraction
“Watching the footage in the exhibition felt almost voyeuristic.” Grace Clare Marshall reviews Derek Jarman’s work, on display at the Manchester Art Gallery.

Painting spring: a snapshot of a season
Visual Arts contributors discuss a selection of paintings which epitomise spring.
Music

A Guide to: Passiontide choral music
“Music, being the cross-denominational instrument of worship it is, is central to the commemoration of the Lenten season.” In our ‘A Guide to Series’, Music Editor Annabelle Bulag introduces some of their Lenten favourites.

Gig Review: Brockhampton at the O2 Academy in Brixton
“Brockhampton’s penultimate concert, the culmination of a half-decade’s work” Dite Bagdonaite reviews Brockhampton’s concert at the O2 Academy in Brixton.

Gig Review: ‘An Evening of Standards’ — After Hours #1: Durham University Jazz Society at Cafédral
“Drenched in warm atmospheric lighting and surrounded by an abundance of plants and greenery, its intimate ambience would prove to be the perfect setting.” Henry Bashford reviews Jazz Society’s first After Hours gig of the year.

Facing the music: Durham University Palatinate Orchestra (DUPO)
‘Facing the Music’, the series in which we introduce Durham University’s music societies. In this instalment, DUPO lets us in on what they have to offer.

Facing the music: Durham University Big Band (DUBB)
‘Facing the Music’, the series in which we introduce Durham University’s music societies. In this instalment, DUBB tells what they have to offer.

Loving Yourself this Valentine’s
Join Music Editor Annabelle Bulag and these LGBTQ+ artists on a self-love journey.

London Nu-Jazz: The aspirant soul of modern Britain
“British Nu-Jazz remains to be fully embraced, or perhaps discovered, by its progenitors.” Peter Hipkin introduces the London Nu-Jazz scene.
Creative Writing

Follicles
Grace Wakefield examines the stigma still associated with women’s body hair in this artful poem.

Woman
“That dares love twice as much as venus”: Laura Gibbs shares her experiences of bisexual womanhood in this powerful poem.

Is it just me?
Eleanor Tait talks Mother’s day, daffodils and being a daughter in this candid prose.

Before I really knew what a womb was
‘How could something be so painful and so bright’ — on International Women’s Day, Molly Knox beautifully explores her own relationship with menstruation and her body.

It must be love
Who says the season of love has to end in February? Matthew Ainley’s short story celebrates a moment between lovers.

Stupid in love
‘Figuring out my thoughts that fly with rose tinted glasses’
Charlie Williamson delves into the hazy world of love sickness in this quirky poem.

A deep shade of you
Colour, music, art and nature combine in this delicate love poem by Freya Barker.
Travel

A pick-pocket guide to travelling around Spain
Francesca Fantoni gives us an in-depth guide on how she kept safe during her Spanish travels.

The art of slow travel
Tom Godfrey explores how we can have richer and more genuine travel experiences.

The joys (and tribulations) of travelling solo
Goya Verity reflects on the character building experience of travelling as a party of one.

To glamp or to camp is the question
“It’s what festivals are known for – the camping experience”: Travel Editor, Holly Downes, discusses whether we should glamp or camp during festival season.

Easter escapes
Three contributors give us a guide to unusual short breaks for a refreshing Easter holiday.

Barnard Castle: rediscovering UK’s historic spots
Caitlin Ball explores the rising popularity of the historic spot, Barnard Castle.

The rise of ‘workations’
Hugo Millard explores whether the future of travel combines work and play.
Interview

Julia Catton: 30 years of pigging out on Percy
Fleur de Bono speaks with Julia Catton, the M&S product developer who conceptualised Percy Pig.

In conversation with Julia Mallaby
Interview Editor Josie Lockwood meets with Julia Mallaby, co-founder of social media platform, Bimble.

In conversation with Ahir Shah
Flo Clifford meets with stand-up comedian Ahir Shah to discuss the impact of the pandemic on his career.

Nightline: meeting the voices on the other side of the screen
Interview Editor Josie Lockwood meets with Nightline volunteers to discuss Durham’s student-led active listening service.

A bold story of home: Khaled Khalifa
Interview editor Lara Moamar speaks to award-winning Syrian author Khaled Khalifa.

Behind the lens with Callum Robson
Interview Editor Steph Ormond speaks to Callum Robson about street photography in England and Spain, and his biggest project — Humans of Durham.

Talking fashion with Eleanor Pritchard
Arjun Seth meets with DUCFS fashion director, Eleanor Pritchard.