Concrete 336

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>> Thought about those PostGrad plans?

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>> Former Guardian Editor-inChief talks fake news

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>> How to travel on a student budget

28th February 2017 Issue 336

The official student newspaper of the University of East Anglia | concrete-online.co.uk

Marking not automatically anonymous Caitlin Doherty Deputy Editor The anonymous marking of student coursework is subject to uncertainty following the transition of online submission for some units from E:vision to Blackboard.

Since the implementation of the new e-marking system, essays no longer appear anonymous to the marker through default. To ensure that students remain unidentified, staff must ‘self-amend’ the system settings by a several step process.

Even when the issue has been rectified, it is possible that the student’s

name still appears on screen.

Anonymity of summative assessment is ensured in the UEA student contract. In 2015, the Senate Guidance on Assessment and Feedback made clear that “all summative work is [marked] anonymously.”

This was reiterated by the Institutional Review later that year which asserted that: “summatively assessed work is subject to anonymous submission in keeping with the University’s policy on Anonymised Submission. This ensures that markers’ judgments are objective, as well as those of moderators.”

The new marking system was implemented following several tri-

als in the academic year 2015/2016.

Commenting on the situation Postgraduate Education Officer

"Even when the issue has been rectified it is possible that the student's name still appears on the screen" Madeleine Colledge said: “It is very clear to us that the type of anonymi-

zation on offer through Blackboard [manually hiding a name after it appears] does not currently meet the basic requirements of UEA’s anonymous marking policy.

"The feedback we’ve had from a number of academics is that the number of steps required to hide names means they’re just not bothering, and overall the situation gives students no confidence at all that their work is being fairly markedwith a clear and obvious danger of unintended discrimination.

“Given the differential rates of achievement particularly amongst international and BME students this is a very serious issue. Students need

to see a clear timeline for the fixing of this issue and urgent consideration given to bringing forward the date for Blackboard changes to be implemented” A university spokesperson praised the new marking system, and assured students that any faults would be resolved over the summer: “This issue is well understood by the University. The new e-marking system and treatment of anonymous marking has been carefully considered and a manual fix on anonymisation has been put in place ahead of automation becoming available.

Continued on page 6

'PREVENT stopped me studying the modules I wanted,' says student Malia Bouattia and Moazzam Begg speak at union event

Complaints of panel bias

L - R: Malia Bouattia, Muqaddam Malik, Jon Sharp, David Nowell Smith, Moazzam Begg Photo: Jo Swo Megan Baynes Editor-in-Chief A UEA student has spoken out about how government legislation PREVENT kept him from choosing to study modules that interest him.

Muqaddam Malik made the comments at the SU’s event ‘Is it ethical to monitor students?’ last week.

The PREVENT strategy is government legislation aimed at preventing the radicalisation of young people in the UK, through academic

monitoring.

Featuring NUS President Malia Bouattia, CAGE Outreach Director Moazzam Begg, Model UN society President Muqaddam Malik and Lecturer David Nowell Smith, the panel discussed the rise in Islamophobic hate crimes in the UK. All the panellists condemned the racial profiling that they felt was a key part of the legislation.

Mr Malik spoke about how a fear of PREVENT and racial stereotyping has kept him from picking a module he actively wanted to study. He

spoke about the third-year module ‘terrorism and counter terrorism’ and said: “When I came to UEA I was looking forward to studying that module because it is highly relevant and something really contentious, and being a Kenyan citizen where we struggle with terrorism quite a bit it’s really interesting.

“After I found out about PREVENT I knew I was not going anywhere near that module, just because it does not seem like a safe thing for me to do. I am here on a tier-four visa. Why would you want

people to see you researching this kind of extremism?

He added: “Obviously PREVENT has had an actual impact on me not being able to engage with certain topics that I want to for fear of what can come from that.”

The panel continued, with comments from Moazzam Begg who said questioned the use of words such as ‘jihadist’ and ‘radical’. He said: "What is wrong with radicalisation, really? The term ‘radical’ has been used throughout history by movements and individuals who

want to change something that is taboo.”

As the floor opened to discussions one UEA student questioned the Union’s decision to filter all questions through Postgraduate Officer Madeleine Colledge.

Greg Walsh, who spoke to Concrete after the event, said: “At events in the past, with speakers such as UKIP, free questions were encouraged. 100 percent their views went unchallenged.

Continued on page 4

28th February 2017

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Editorial

The University of East Anglia’s Independent Student newspaper since 1992 Tuesday 28th February 2017 Issue 336 Union House University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ 01603 593466 www.concrete-online.co.uk Editor-in-Chief Megan Baynes concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk Deputy Editors Jessica Frank-Keyes Caitlin Doherty concrete.deputy@uea.ac.uk Online James Chesson Online Assistant: Gavin O'Donnell concrete.online@uea.ac.uk

The afterlife of university

Happy Birthday Whether you've thought about graduation or not, Concrete! our features team have got you covered Megan Baynes Editor-in-Chief

“So what are you plans postgraduation?” This is quite possibly the most annoying question any soon-to-be graduate can be asked.

I know most people fly into an irrational bout of rage as soon as anyone dares to utter these words anywhere within a three-mile vicinity, however, perhaps it is time the face the facts: graduation will soon be upon us. Grad Ball tickets have gone on sale, and students are already finding out where next year is going to take them. From jobs, to internships, to fleeing the country and the threat of student loan repayments: whatever your plan is — or indeed whether you have one — rest assured that you are not the only one in a mild state of panic.

Most of us, myself included, feel slightly nauseous about the thought of donning that cap and gown.

This week our features team looked at the afterlife of university (p.12-13) and have considered what options you have available to you, if you need some inspiration. And remember, if you ever need any help — CareerCentral are on hand to guide you. On Saturday, they hosted ‘Working with Words’ and showcased some of UEA’s finest alumni talent. Hats off to Adrienne Jolly who managed to make 300+ students feel both inspired and terrified about their futures

concrete-online.co.uk

simultaneously. With panels on radio production, television, journalism, publishing and everything in between it was a great reminder of all the places that UEA graduates go.

"From jobs, to internships, to fleeing the country and the threat of student loan repayments: whatever your plan is — or indeed whether you have one — rest assured that you are not the only one in a mild state of panic" And for all you first and second years, don’t be disheartened if the course of that summer internship does not always run smoothly…

We spoke to some of you this week to find out your interning horror stories and it’s nice to know that we aren’t alone in hating our summer work experience. When I interned at a newspaper in the States last year, my editor used to start talking to me in the most godawful British accent you’ve ever heard — but he had absolutely no idea he was doing it and I was too polite to ask him to stop. So, I spent the better part of

ConcreteUEA

Caitlin Doherty Deputy Editor

the year gritting my teeth. However, it is a rite of passage to be cherished.

If you’re looking for a good one this summer, CareerCentral are offering eight placements at the Independent.

Myself, Caitlin and Jessica have all been lucky enough to complete this, and can’t recommend it enough.

For more information check out the careers website, and get your applications in in plenty of time!

If you are planning on fleeing the country in July, make sure to turn to Travel (p.21) and get the lowdown on how to do so on a student budget. With advice from fellow cheapskates it’ll help you save your pennies for what really matters (wine).

Whether you’re heading to Boston, Brighton or don’t have a bloody clue: you have plenty of time left to figure it out.

This week was a first for me: I made my debut in the sports section.

After almost a year of the Sports Editors rolling their eyes every time I open my mouth to ask a question, I am finally a published Sports writer.

Caitlin and I spent the evening at Highball in Norwich, most of which I spent wishing she'd fall off the wall because she was such a show off. However, once I'd got over my fear of looking like a tit (and got to the top of the wall) we had a fun, if exhausting, evening. Maybe you'll see me competing at Derby Day...

Just kidding, I'll be the one running around with a notepad and a slightly confused look.

concreteuea

concrete_UEA

1992: did anything really happen?

Most of us weren’t around a quarter of a century ago (unless you happen to be Peter Sheehan).

John Major was elected Prime Minister and George Bush Snr was filmed throwing up in the lap of the Japanese Prime Minister at a state dinner. And in a morethan-likely-beer-stained office in a students’ union in the depths of East Anglia, ‘Modular Mess Up’ was being printed as the first ever Concrete front page. Some things never change…

Our award-winning student newspaper is all grown up.

Concrete turns 25 years old this year and we want to celebrate.

Over the last two-and-a-half decades, thousands of reporters have penned tens of thousands of stories on anything and everything that matters to students: sex scandals, sombreros and Taylor Swift.

We’re hosting a reunion party in the Sainsbury Centre on Friday April 28th - please consider this your formal invitation. We’ve tracked down Concrete’s most glittering alumni from all over the UK, so if you’ve ever wanted to chat about fake news to a BBC correspondent, or debate the state of the Labour Party with a political blogger, here’s your chance.

Tickets are £22 for members of the Media Collective and £25.50 for UEA students. A bargain for a night of networking, nibbles, a goody bag stuffed full of Concrete merchandise. Plus there will be wine. We hope it proves an unmissable event!

News Emily Hawkins Senior Reporter: Amanda Ng concrete.news@uea.ac.uk concrete.seniornews@uea.ac.uk Global Sacha Silverstone concrete.global@uea.ac.uk Features Lillie Coles Lydia Lockyer concrete.features@uea.ac.uk Comment Charlie Dwyer concrete.comment@uea.ac.uk Science Milly Godfrey concrete.science@uea.ac.uk Travel Jennifer Redfern concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk Sport Richard Ewart Nick Murphy concrete.sport@uea.ac.uk Chief Copy-Editors Molly Burgess Emma Slaughter concrete.copy@uea.ac.uk Marketing Director Katie Gleeson concrete.marketing@uea.ac.uk Social Media Coordinator Charlotte Spencer concrete.socialmedia@uea.ac.uk Events Manager Sam Naylor Events Assistant: Grace Fothergill concrete.events@uea.ac.uk

Editorial Enquiries Complaints & Corrections concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk

No part of this newspaper may be reproduced by any means without the permission of the Editor-in-Chief, Megan Baynes. Published by the Union of UEA Students on behalf of Concrete.

Concrete is a UUEAS society, but retains editorial independence as regards to any content. Opinions expressed herein are those of individual writers, not of Concrete or its editorial team.

News

28th February 2017

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"Trust in the media is low"

Concrete spoke to Alan Rusbridger, former Editor-in-Chief of the Guardian, ahead of his lecture at UEA

Caitlin Doherty Deputy Editor “Journalists have got to adapt to this new age, and think quite radically about how people consume news”.

That is the advice of Alan Rusbridger: former Editor in Chief of the Guardian, and Principal of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, who visited UEA on 24th February to deliver the John Garrett Memorial lecture.

I spoke to Rusbridger ahead of his lecture to discuss politics, 21st century media and the rise of fake news.

Having first joined a news team in his Cambridge holidays in the early 1970s, the news media changed immeasurably during Rusbridger’s time with the reporter’s notebook, before he retired from journalism eighteen months ago.

He told me that “the monopoly that newspapers had has changed...

Newspapers came out of an era when very few people had printing presses, and therefore, very few people could distribute information.

That’s now changed. We all hold a printing press in our pocket. Politicians, celebrities, even the President of the United States can address billions without the help of a newspaper”.

“What a newspaper was, what a newspaper did for 200 years has fundamentally changed.”

Whilst everybody now has the potential to be a reporter that doesn’t mean that everybody has the potential to be a good reporter.

‘Fake news’ is a term that has dominated the political agenda in the last 12 months: from Brexit claims on the side of red buses, to Donald Trump loudly dismissing any headline that suggests a connection with Russia and stories about Clinton’s apparent corruption filling our Facebook feeds: it’s difficult to discern what the term really means. On the day that Rusbridger delivered his lecture, several of the world’s biggest and most influential news organisations including the BBC and the Guardian found themselves lumbered with the label, having been banned from the White House press briefings.

I asked Alan how this phenomenon has influenced reporting, and how we can be sure to trust what we are reading. He said: “clickbait and fake news: the terms are now being used indiscriminately, but I think of fake news as a reasonably narrow category of stuff, whether it is created deliberately, or the product of careless production.”

During his lecture, he spoke more about the nature of fake news, and how we should try and differentiate what we read. “Fake news for financial gain is disinformation, fake news for political ends is misinformation, fake news like cat videos is just rubbish...We have lost sight of the value of journalism: the fundamental need to know what is true.

It’s now no longer easy to see what is true and what is not, and that has great implications for democracy.

People are waking up to that now.”

Given the influential role of the media in the democratic process, I asked Alan if it were possible for the media to be too involved in politics.

I gave examples of some inflammatory front pages featured in the lead up to the EU referendum, but he defended the right to report, and pointed out that there are always centrist outlets to turn to.

“Journalists have a responsibility when there are plainly difficult decisions with more than one side of the argument, we have to be fair to both sides and say 'this is a complicated question, here are both sides as we see it'.

"It is when journalism does not acknowledge both sides of an argument that it poses a threat. “Journalism that simplifies it or only gives

one side is not really contributing to democracy.

“In the U.K the print press tends to be very partisan, and the TV press more centrist. In America, it is the opposite. Whereas the New York Times tries to be very fair, Fox News is obviously very partisan.”

We need both types of journalism, Rusbridger argued, to analyse the debate. “If in Britain you had Fox News and Fleet Street you wouldn’t be in hope of having a very enlightened debate. The BBC tries to maintain a central position: that’s helpful because you can measure the more argumentative media”, but admits that the name-calling, mudslinging, has altered the public relationship with journalists. “Trust in the media is low. The most powerful person in the world is saying it’s all fake, just trust me, there will be some people who will be-

lieve that and say “I don’t trust anybody, they’re all the same".

But Rusbridger remains optimistic about the role of journalism in democracy. “This also has the counter effect. People are taking New York Times subscriptions in their thousands. People understand that we need journalism more than ever. Imagine what the world would be like with only Trump [to listen to."

We’re now in an age where people don’t have to be intermediated, if you’re a politician, you can go straight to the public. That’s the great change of the last ten years, anybody can contact anybody else and directly communicate, but at the same time, I think people will realise it’s a form of un-intermediated propaganda.

Some people know that Donald Trump doesn’t always tell the truth. Journalism as an independent force is very valuable: to be able to say what’s true and what’s not.

An independent measuring tool is very important.”

Photo: Megan Baynes

in brief: Universities to offer two-year degrees News LGBT+ Trans place James Chesson News Reporter

Universities in England will be able to charge over £14,000 per year for two year ‘fast-track’ degrees, under new plans announced by the government.

Students would obtain a Bachelor’s degree in two years, rather than three, but universities would still be able to charge for the equivalent of three years’ tuition, as the education would not be of diluted quality. Students taking a degree over two years would save the cost of a year’s accommodation and living expenses, but there would be no saving on tuition fees. The proposal is likely to be introduced by 2020.

This policy would make tuition higher in England than many US State universities, but Jo Johnson, Universities Minister, believes that flexibility would make course more attractive for mature students or others who may be put off by the commitment of a three-year degree.

After a speech to university leaders in London, Johnson said: “It's not fewer credits, or lower quality of provision, it's the same standard, the same quality, but in a compressed period of time and that involves an increase in resources,

officer resigns

Flickr, Matthew Sparkes which needs to be recognised in the fee structure.”

Previous attempts to promote two year courses have failed, as the universities would receive less in tuition fees. The new plans would mean that the course providers would not miss out on a year of income by having students on the shorter courses.

Under the plans, students would be able to start working earlier.

The two year courses could prove

“Universities would still be able to charge for the equivalent of three years' tuition...

This policy would make tuition higher in England than many US State universities"

to be popular for those from less wealthy backgrounds, however this has raised concerns that it may lead to a two-tier higher education systems, with students from betteroff families more likely to study a three year course.

Three year courses will soon cost over £28,000 in total, with tuition fees set to rise to £9,250 a year, followed by further increases in line with inflation. Repayment for loans starts at 9 percent above £21,000.

Lee Brown, UEA SU’s LGBT+ (Trans and Non-Binary Place) Officer, announced he has stepped down from the role. In a tweet dated February 21st Brown said: “Resigned from being LGBT+ officer.”

He added: “I am so grateful for the work this role has allowed me to be a part of, and the friendships I've forged along the way.”

Commenting on Lee’s resignation, SU LGBT+ (Open Place) Officer Sharmin Hoque said: “Lee has been an amazing friend to work with and I'm glad he was alongside me this year. He has worked incredibly hard to support all trans students across campus.”

SU Campaigns and Democracy Officer Amy Rust commented on the issue of support for part-time SU officers, saying: “While Lee has made it clear that his resignation isn’t about a lack of support from the SU, we are conscious that SU roles can be a big responsibility especially for liberation officers who have huge contact with their specific minority.”

She continued: “We’ll be boosting support for students taking up any role in clubs, societies or the SU.” JFK

28th February 2017

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News

News in brief: Fire extinguisher stolen from Paston

According to students living in Paston House, two fire extinguishers were stolen from separate flats in the same week.

Zoe Ganday first posted on the 'LCR ticket exchange' appealing for the extinguisher's return after it dissapearing following an LCR. The university’s Terms and Conditions for living in campus accommodation outline that “the cause or the cost of replacing items or areas damaged in communal areas” is the responsibility of students unless residents of a flat “can reasonably demonstrate that he or she was not responsible for the damage.”

After investigating the first incident in Paston House, the accommodation office told the affected group that no resident living in their flat would be fined for the missing extinguisher.

Emily Hawkins

Bishop of Norwich's LGBT+ report rejected News in brief: the issue will now have to be produced.

LGBT+ rights campaigners, who staged a protest before the debate, A report put forward by the House welcomed the Synod’s decision not of Bishops, and backed by the Bishto accept the report. Howop of Norwich, stating that marever, there are others riage should remain between who fear that this a man and a woman and not signals a departure be extended to same-sex coufrom the Scripples, has been rejected by ture as the ruling the General Synod. foundation for The report, which was Christian faith supported by Reverend and practice.

Graham James, the Bishop While openof Norwich, was backed ing the debate, both by the House of Bishops Reverend Graham (43-1) and by the House of LaJames commented ity (106-83).However, it failed that he himself felt to win the support of the “conflicted” in presentHouse of Clergy, who ing the report, saying that rejected it by 100 he has “cherished the votes to 93. friendships of many The rejected gay people report can no and sought longer play any to support role in future the gay discussions, and clergy in a new report on Flickr, Awareness Campaign [his] dioRebecca Graham News Reporter

cese”.

He went on to say: “I am also a bishop who seeks to be loyal to the Catholic tradition of our church and to the doctrine of the universal Church as we have received it” “I do not seek to elevate my opinion and experience above that of scripture and the received tradition of the Church”, he said.

However, he said that he regretted any “pain or anger” caused by the report.

The Bishop of Willesden, Reverend Pete Broadbent, apologised to those in the Synod who felt disappointed in the report and to anyone who did not “recognize themselves in it”.

"On behalf of the House, and without being trite or trivial, I'm sorry”, he said.

When asked about the decision

by Concrete, UEA's Christian Union declined to comment because they are a “non-denominational group of Christian and therefore do no take an official stance on issues such as this”.

Norwich teachers try to combat recruitment crisis Tony Allen News Reporter A local school is taking part in a Department for Education (DfE) campaign to encourage students to consider a career in teaching.

After long-term efforts to persuade graduates to enter the classroom, the government’s Get Into Teaching initiative is now focusing on local publicity campaigns.

Norwich was among the first six areas to be announced as government Opportunity Areas, and now receives additional education funding.

Students at Thorpe St Andrew School, on the outskirts of Norwich, were surprised last year to see the faces of some of their teachers on billboards and buses around the city in advertisements promoting the profession.

“People who are considering it should go into a school to see what it’s like” Two of the teachers involved in the campaign, Steve Ashbee (Science) and Georgie McDougall (Modern Foreign Languages) told Concrete about their experiences in the job, and why they believe UEA graduates should consider teaching.

Spanish specialist Miss McDougall said she had wanted to be a teacher “since sixth form.” After graduating, she returned home to Norfolk and took her Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at UEA. In 2016 just under 500 people in Norwich registered interest in teacher training, 180 of whom were graduates.

Miss McDougall described her teacher training, which included two in-school placements: “They

Photo:: Ptptaylor, Wikicommons were very supportive if there were ever any problems. They try to get you quite a variety of experience and they also really help to prepare for job interviews.”

The east of England has been pinpointed as particularly hard hit by a national teaching recruitment crisis, hence the government’s focus on Norwich.

Miss McDougall, who also teaches French and has led the introduction of Spanish, had this advice for UEA students: “[teaching] has got many positives. You get to meet a lot of different people."

She said: "The kids are hilarious

every day, they keep you entertained.

People who are considering it should go into a school to see what it’s like.”

Head of Physics Mr Ashbee also trained to teach at UEA. He said that he felt the profession is extremely rewarding, despite the recruitment crisis. He said: “The pastoral side is, kind of unexpectedly, where I’ve had some of my biggest successes.

It’s the most rewarding job I’ve ever done.

“Every day is different. It’s the only thing I’ve done where at the end of the day I can go home and think ‘I’ve achieved something

there.’”

Miss McDougall agreed: “You have some days when you go home and think ‘I really got through to that child today.’ I had some [students] recently who spent their half term in Spain, they came back and said ‘I used that phrase!’- I find that really enjoyable.”

UEA students interested in a career in teaching could be eligible for a scholarship or bursary of up to £25,000. Postgraduate teacher training courses can be based both in schools and universities, lasting a year full-time or two years parttime.

Unio to go coming to Library

The SU have announced that they will be introducing a “Unio to Go” service on the bottom floor of the library.

The service will also be available overnight for students studying late, according to the SU. SU Campaigns and Democracy Officer Amy Rust said this plan is a response to to students being "sick" of Unio queues and a "lack of hot drink options" in the library.

She said: "We’ve been working with Estates and our chums in the Library to fix these issues.

"We’re putting in Coffee to the Grab n Go and new queue busting vending options into Unio."

There will also be a "dedicated Union hot drinks and snacks vending option in the Library itself to ensure that students can get their fix when they need it", she said.

Emily Hawkins

Continued from front page “Under the PREVENT scheme, anyone with extremist views must be challenged. CAGE is a group that has had direct links to terrorism — for example in the past they have defended Jihadi John. They should have had someone who defended PREVENT. It would have been more balanced.”

CAGE is a London-based advocacy organisation which aims to empower communities impacted by the war on terror. The organisation has been criticized in the past for defended extremist Islamist beliefs, organizations and individuals.

On January 6th 2016 the Telegraph reported that six British universities were facing an inquiry after CAGE “used meetings on campus to encourage the “sabotage” of the government’s official anti-extremism programme.’”

Commenting on the event, SU Welfare Community and Diversity Officer Jo Swo said: “This event was designed as a challenging panel discussion on student safety, treatment and monitoring.

"Students were invited to submit questions which were collated to ensure that the panel could address as many of these as possible. As ever we could not ask all the submitted questions.

“It is however simply untrue to suggest that the event did not feature debate or challenge. Questions raised by students included asking for clarification on UEA and its staff's stance on PREVENT and any obligation to comply to the PREVENT legislation; how PREVENT might work if it stuck to its initially well intended roots; a question to Moazzam Begg on investigations surrounding him being given a platform at other unis; opinions on 'new terrorism' post-9/11 and the ‘AltRight’.

"Queries were aimed at the speakers that challenged their previous comments, experience and affiliations- all of which were addressed in their responses.”

28th February 2017

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News

Virtual abbatoir comes to UEA Amanda Ng Senior Reporter

The UK-based charity, Animal Equality was on campus from Monday 20th to Wednesday 22nd, showcasing a virtual reality headset transporting students into slaughterhouses and factory farms.

The ‘iAnimal’ project is the first to use virtual technology in this way and are visiting 20 UK universities this term, including UEA. Several UEA students joined the project and helped set up a stall in the Hive to educate students and staff on the issues surrounding the meat industry and treatment of animals reared for slaughter.

Second year International Relations student, Tom Collier, said: “We want to create a dialogue between different people on what the issues are concerning the environment, health, climate change, human poverty and of course the ethical relations it has for animals themselves”.

The film comprises of footage gained by 13 investigators in six countries, including from a chicken farm in Devon.

Animal Equality are working through universities to promote a more receptive approach to veganism among students.

Second year Natural Science student Kirsty Niece and International Relations student Sam Killing said they understood some students’ aversion to veganism because of cost.

News in brief: Academics disagree with the TEF

The Times Higher Education (THE) survey has found a majority of academics disagree with the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and National Student Survey (NSS).

Around 1,1,50 higher education staff, mostly academics, were asked their opinions on university teaching.

Only 7 percent of academics said they felt that the NSS accurately represents teaching quality. The primary reason for this sentiment was a belief that students can respond negatively to academic challenge.

Speaking to THE, one anonymous lecturer said: “Because we have to challenge the students – we are training them to be social work professionals – the NSS results can be inaccurate”.

68 percent said that students would be “better off” without the NSS, as it is presented currently.

Dissatisfaction with the TEF was also prominent in the survey.

Three quarters of academics said that they felt the proposed framework would not correctly assess teaching standards.

Emily Hawkins

They said that they felt however that, “although some alternative products are more expensive, maybe £1 or £2 more, most meat products are actually far more expensive.”

They said: “Buying a burger in McDonald’s for example, would could £1.50, but that means £12 in reality. As educated individuals we need to recognise our tax money is going into our meals. And that is why UEA should promote this cause.” universities will be hosting Animal Equality's virtual technology.

20

41 6

percent of Animal Equality's budget for the next year will go on grassroots outeach. countries were used to collect footage of abbatoirs for the film.

The actress Amanda Abbington, who stars in Sherlock and Mr Selfridge, narrates the film. She said that she had been brought to tears by watching the animals in the film be killed.

Commenting on the film’s messages she said: “How can you treat any living thing with such a lack of respect and disregard? People need to be aware, and they’re not.”

Photo: Emily Hawkins

UEA reclaim the night Partnership to establish Rebecca Thompson News Reporter

This year’s event sees a fundraising partnership with local domestic abuse charity, Leeway. The organisation provides a range of one-on-one and community based services for those experiencing domestic abuse.

UEA SU is set to run its second ‘Reclaim the Night’ event in the city on Thursday 2nd March.

The evening will see participants “The evening will see marching through the streets of Norwich to raise awareness of participants marching sexual harassment in public spaces. through the streets The campaign for better and safer streets will involve several of Norwich to raise speakers including speeches from awareness of sexual Marion Maxwell, Lord Mayor of Norwich, and Hareem Ghani, NUS harassment in public Women’s Officer. spaces" SU Womens Officer, Abbie Mulcairn commented, “Events like this across the country start ‘Reclaim the Night’ are also conversations- they provide a space petitioning for Norfolk County to reflect, challenge the status quo Council to keep streetlights on for and campaign against a culture of longer. The night will commence victim blaming, sexual violence and w i t h a poetry evening, and street harassment”. the march will end at She said: “If you Flaunt on Prince of have ever felt Wales Road. unsafe walking SU Welfare along the street Community and after dark, or Diversity Officer, have ever felt the Jo Swo noted need to squash that “the event a rape alarm into will be fun and your bag before a empowering night out, then you and is open to all know that a change students.” needs to take place."

Photo: Charlotte Stebbing-Boulet

university publishing press

Beth Papworth News Reporter Two academics from UEA have launched a new project to try and establish a publishing press. They hope this would help students kick start their literary careers.

Norwich Research Park Translational Fund and UEA’s Enterprise Executive have contributed to the finance of the project. Nathan Hamilton and Dr Philip Langeskov from the university's LDC department have set up this initiative.

The project will combine three separate publishing brands: Boiler House Press, Strangers Press and Egg Box with the intention of increasing student publications

outside of the university.

Dr Philip Langeskov said: “The UEA Publishing Project is an exciting development, giving the University its staff and its students a platform from which to speak out and to celebrate much of the excellent creative and intellectual endeavour that goes on here.”

The KESHIKI series will be the project’s first publication. The title of the series derives from the Japanese word 'landscape’ and is a beautifully crafted set of designed booklets, showing off eight talented Japanese writers, many of which have studied, visited or taught in Norwich.

Commenting on their involvement in the parternship, a spokesperson from Egg Box Publication said they were looking forward to working on the project.

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28th February 2017

News

UEA dubbed "hostile environment" for free speech COMMENT Jack Ashton argues Spiked are

COMMENT

Imogen Barton agrees that UEA policies limit free speech

ridiculous for condeming UEA SU

No matter how reprehensible something may be, banning anything legal will always infringe on free speech.

These measures, including those UEA and the SU have advocated impose particular viewpoints and moral standards over everyone regardless of whether they can even be justified.

Headlines stating “63.5 percent of universities place ‘severe restrictions’ on free speech” are enough to turn anyone into a human alarm bell, hurtling around copies of Orwell’s 1984.

Luckily for anyone walking idly around campus, you can keep your books on your shelf for now. Spiked have well overshot the mark.

"While such policies are well-intended, they target the sympton not the problem"

"Spiked have well overshot the mark" The premise has traction; some universities do have dodgy records on free speech, UEA SU’s decision to ban Sombreros? Give me a break. But while things like this lay the groundwork for Spiked, the report is littered with absurd criticisms of policies like UEA’s “never ok” policy against sexual harassment. No sexual harassment. Don’t you just hate it when you’re not free to sexually harass? How outrageous. God damn liberal-generation-snowflake SU restricting my freedom.

You can go look for yourself.

Using someone's correct pronouns? Democratically choosing to boycott certain products?

Cracking down on assault and stalking? Shock. Horror.

Spiked are right in that we should expose our students to things that make them think.

But their headline grabbing 63.5 percent is supposed to be exactly that, headline grabbing. For now, their inconsistency can provide reassurance for anyone worried that the SU are going to send them to a gulag.

Photo: James Chesson Caitlin Doherty Deputy Editor The University of East Anglia and UEA Students’ Union have been awarded a red rating for free speech for the second year running.

According to Spiked, the political commentary website who awarded the ranking, “the University of East Anglia and the UEA Students’ Union collectively create a hostile environment for free speech.

“The university places restrictions on offensive speech, jokes and leaflets [and] the student’s union has banned [The Sun] and sombreros.

The university was awarded an amber rating for their leaflet

and poster policy, and approach to bullying, harassment, abuse and stalking, as well as use of social media. According to Spiked, this means that they have “chilled free speech through intervention”.

"According to Spiked, the political commentary website who awarded the ranking, “the University of East Anglia and the UEA Students’ Union collectively create a hostile environment for free speech" The union was awarded a red

rating, having “banned and actively censored ideas on campus”. The ‘Sexual Harassment is Never OK’ campaign was judged as an amber infringement on free speech, however the red judgement of the advertising policy and academic boycott of Israel took the overall rating to red.

Commenting on the rankings, SU Campaigns and Democracy Officer Amy Rust said “It’s fair enough to highlight debates and about Sombreros and The Sun, but these ‘rankings’ are ridiculous- they mark UEA down for having policies about harassment, criticise us for taking action on homophobia and condemn others for having policies on bullying and blacking up.

University applications show regional disparity News in brief: Imogen Barton News Reporter A correlation between sixth form pupils' addresses and their likelihood of applying to university has been found, showing regional variation. Almost half of applicable London residents applied to university in the last year, compared to only 32 percent of pupils from the South West.

Wimbledon, in London, was the area with the highest application rate, with 70.3 percent of eligible pupils applying to university. This is compared to only 17.4 percent in Havant, Hampshire, the area least likely to see its residents apply.

Reviewing the UCAS data has shown that, the top 10 percent of areas had 55 percent of 18-year-old students submitting applications by the primary 15 January deadline.

In contrast, only 24 percent of applications from the lowest 10

percent applied before this date.

Overall, Tory constituencies had a slightly higher application rate, boasting a rate of 38 percent of students applying to university, compared to 34 percent of Labour constituencies.

32 13 37

percent of pupils in the South West applied to university this year, the lowest figure across all regions.

constituencies in the UK have not seen an increase in university applications since 2007. percent of English pupils eligible to apply did so this year.

The data was sourced from UCAS and the figures do not include students who applied directly to universities. Malcolm Trobe, the interim general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, claimed that the results “reflect the well-known link between socio-economic inequality and educational attainment”.

However he noted: "there are a range of social factors which must also be addressed in disadvantaged areas, such as improving the provision of secure, well-paid employment, and good-quality, affordable housing."

The Department for Education in England stated that applications from poorer 18-year-olds have improved across the board since 2007, with the exception of 13 UK constituencies.

The most prominent example is Chelsea and Fulham, where applications have increased by 24 percent.

University to group classrooms close together UEA have agreed to ensure students’ timetables do not leave them rushing from one end of campus to another between back to back lectures.

From autumn 2017 timetables will be devised so as to avoid lectures.

In November the “Quality Conversations Flash Report” highlighted that students felt dissatisfied with timetables that left them with little time to get to class.

One student described having a lecture at the Edith Cavell Building and “then having to run back to campus for the next lesson”.

Another described dissatisfaction with having classes “dotted around campus”.

Emily Hawkins

The vague language used by UEA inhibits students’ free speech.

For example, leaflets “likely to cause offence” are not allowed. The criteria means that a wide-ranging list of topics or wording could be construed as offensive and so means that the rules are more likely to be enforced arbitrarily.

While such policies are wellintended, they target the symptom, not the problem. Banning offensive speech does not eradicate offensive thoughts. It just makes it harder to find people who hold disagreeable viewpoints. Instead of being able to avoid someone who, for example, supports Trump’s policies, you are left in the dark. People hold their tongue and reveal their colours at the voting booth.

The banning of newspapers and sombreros at UEA is slacktivism at its finest, actions which are motivated by a perceived need to reduce offence (even in cases where no offence was caused). As for claims that these restrictions help protect people, perotections already exist. They’re called laws.

Continued from front page “All staff using the system have been fully trained and we are confident that our policy on marking is not being compromised.

"The Students’ Union have been

"The new system has been extensively welcomed by students and staff as a big improvement." represented on the Working Group and have actively contributed to the development of the new system. The system was carefully piloted during 2015/16. The new system has been extensively welcomed by students and staff as a big improvement. The manual fix is due to be replaced by a more automated system when Blackboard is upgraded and this is planned for Summer 2017.”

UEA

votes

lead change

2017 february

friday 24th - nominations open

march

thursday 9th - nominations close (midday)

monday 13th - campaigning begins tuesday 14th - voting opens (10am)

tuesday 21st - voting & campagining ends (3pm)

tuesday 21st - election results announced (evening)

uea.vote

8

Global

28th February 2017

Refugee crisis continues Photo: Flickr Frank Keillor

Sacha Silverstone Global Editor Donald Trump managed to draw attention towards the refugee crisis last week during a rally in Florida, when he seemingly mentioned a non-existent Swedish terrorist attack, later defending the comment as a reference to a Fox News report on violence supposedly caused by refugees in Sweden. Despite the questionable nature of these claims, it does reveal rising anti-refugee sentiments in several countries, mirrored in both governmental policy and refugee treatment.

It was announced last weekend that nearly 10 attacks were made on migrants in Germany every day in 2016, the interior ministry says.

This discriminatory stance, coupled with widespread reports of inadequate conditions of refugee camps around the globe, paints a disturbing picture of life as a refugee. Tightening of immigrating laws, closure of camps and abuse of power has led to refugee camps rife with violence, overcrowding, and inhumane living conditions, with some governmental actions regarding these camps prompting investigation.

Authorities’ neglect of refugee camps in several countries has led

to the camps being dominated by traffickers and smugglers, putting refugees - especially the women and children - in a vulnerable position. This has been the case in Dunkirk, where up to 2000 refugees are currently residing. A volunteer at the camp commented, “Sexual assault, violence and rape are all far too common. Minors are assaulted and women are raped and forced to pay for smuggling with their bodies.” She continued, “Although the showers are meant to be locked at night, particularly dangerous individuals in the camp have keys and are able to take the women to the showers in the night.”

Due to the UK Home Office limiting intake of child refugees from France last December and the closure of the Calais camp in October, these people are forced to remain in Dunkirk. The Government controversially provided no reason for rejecting some children’s asylum.

On 10 February this year the “Dubs Scheme” ended prematurely, after giving asylum to only 350 lone children from European refugee camps; 10 percent of the number outlined in the amendment to the Immigration Act. The scheme’s termination has been criticised by both the Archbishop of Canterbury and Tory MPs and is currently under legal proceedings due to the irra-

tionality and inhumanity of its early closure. The decision is also being reviewed by the Home Office, potentially after reports that 400 unaccompanied children had returned to ‘the Calais Jungle’ (the closed Calais camp) in the past few weeks.

of 1989 has Romania witnessed protests of this magnitude with demonstrations in all of Romania’s major cities as well as European cities with large Romanian communities.

the 5th February to show their dissatisfaction.

The protests have been peaceful with very few injuries or arrests and have achieved some success with the repealing of the ordinances and the resignation of Florin Iordache, the Justice Minister responsible for putting forward the ordinance.

However, this a complex issue that goes beyond Romania borders, and, given the recent period of prolonged civil unrest in the country, it is unlikely that this will be fully resolved anytime soon in the near future.

“We are witnessing the normalisation of crimes committed against the world’s most vulnerable “population refugees” If the decision is not revoked, children would be vulnerable to trafficking, especially in their desperation to escape the camps which fail to provide basic necessities of living including food, security and support, according to documents on child assessment in French accommodation centres by the organization ‘Social Workers Without Borders’. In July 2016, six sexual assault allegations were investigated in England’s own migrant and refugee detention centre, ‘Yarl’s Wood’, alongside reports released that the staff were “not adequately trained”.

The UK government is not alone in being scrutinised over their response to the refugee crisis. Despite Greece having received £268 million through the UN’s 2016 Inter-Agency Appeal camps in Greece still fail to reach an adequate standard of living with limited water, electricity, and sewer-bogged tents. Despite welcoming fleeing Syrians in summer 2015, Greece closed their borders to refugees a few months later.

In March 2016, a deal between the EU and Turkey saw Europe similarly shut off their borders. And despite the EU granting 90 million euros to help Greece cater for the winter months, refugees must endure the cold temperatures living in thin summer tents with no proper heating. Greece’s economic problems along with unclear orders from the government are being blamed.

“There’s no ownership of the crisis – the Greek government has failed to identify the gaps it wants NGOs to fill,” Sian Rowbotham from Norwegian Church Aid commented.

Yet conditions in Greece’s camps may not be down to the incompetence or neglect by authorities.

Overcrowding has led to camps filled to almost four times their capacity. Due to the EU-Turkey asylum deal last March, camps initially intended for short-term use are now detaining migrants for months

Romanian corruption protests erupt Griffin Shiel Global Writer Over the last few weeks, the Romanian government has been the target of nationwide public protests. The Social Democratic Party government, led by Sorin Grindeanu, has been embroiled in allegations of corruption after a series of decrees were passed that could see government officials, jailed for corruption or involved in ongoing criminal trials, being released. Not since the revolution

“Between 500,000 and 600,000 took to the streets on the 5th February” At its peak, between 500,000 and 600,000 took to the streets on

whilst detained. One air worker blames the EU, stating, “the rest of the EU wants to outsource its moral responsibility”. This seems especially pertinent as Germany recently announced plans to send refugees there back to Greece.

These issues are not confined to Europe. The Kenyan government repatriated 200,000 Somali refugees earlier this month after closing the Dadaab camp; denouncing it as a base for launching terrorist attacks in Kenya. A Kenyan court ruling since dubbed the closure unconstitutional and discriminatory, raising hopes that the government will reverse its actions.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has also been called to examine Australian inhumanity within camps on the Pacific islands.

The submission to the ICC details an epidemic of self-harm within these camps; one man died from self-immolation in April 2016, and one woman suffered 70 per cent burns to her body from a similar act days later. Reports leaked last year also counted seven child sexual assaults and 59 physical assaults.

Dr Ioannis Kalpouzos, law lecturer at City University London, declared, “We are witnessing the normalisation of crimes committed against the world’s most vulnerable population - refugees.”

Photo: Flickr, 2017_00021

9

28th February 2017

Catalans’ hopes for sovereignty are being threatened by Spain Mireia Molina Global Writer Catalonia’s demands for the right to decide on their independence from Spain have been increasing since 2010, when the Spanish Constitutional Court declared its Statute of Autonomy partially anticonstitutional after being criticised for referring to Catalonia as a ‘nation’.

Yet, Catalonia has its own unique history, culture and language, and Catalan public opinion has been increasingly supportive of a referendum that would give the citizens the right to vote on whether it should become an independent state. Demonstrations involving more than one million people have been taking place on every year’s Catalonia’s National Day since 2010, and the lack of Spanish identity amongst the population is increasing.

In 2013, the Catalan government declared Catalonia a sovereign entity, expressing its commitment towards initiating the process of selfdetermination. A Spanish rejection of the Generalitat’s demands for a referendum followed in 2014, leading the Catalan government to find alternative ways to continue the self-determination process.

Yet, Catalan and Spanish public opinion opposed the sovereignty process and the Spanish government has maintained a fixed position on the importance of Spanish unity and its constitutional laws.

The Spanish president Mariano Rajoy and the majority of politicians at the national level consider the self-determination principles unacceptable because of their threat to Spanish law.

This has given rise to a national debate between Catalan separatists and supporters of Spain’s unity. In defence of the right to self-deter-

Pixabay, makauki0 mination and of democratic principles, the leaders of the sovereignty movement have defied the Constitutional court and carried on with the process, criticising Spain’s lack of dialogue.

This has brought some of the Catalan separatist politicians to Court, including the former president and one of the main promoters of the process, Artur Mas, accused of criminal disobedience.

This month, thousands of people showed their support by marching in the streets on the day of the former president’s judgement.

Currently, the declaration of a binding referendum is being pursued after parties supporting selfdetermination obtained an overall majority in the plebiscitary elections of 2015.

However, the clash of ideologies between both governments is making the progress very difficult

and civil disobedience appears to be the only means through which a referendum could be celebrated.

The Catalan government’s process towards the right to self-determination has become one of the biggest issues in the Spanish political field.

The massive amount of support amongst the Catalan citizens for self-determination, which obtained an overall majority in the last parliamentary elections and which has led

millions of people to march on the streets every year since 2010, means that the Spanish government’s position fails to respond to the demands of its own citizens. Despite claiming to be in favour of dialogue, the central government has been following a silencing attitude that, while following the constitutional law, threatens democratic values.

The Constitutional Court and the Spanish government have repeatedly rejected the demands to give the Catalan population a chance to vote, declaring a referendum on Catalonia’s independence from Spain anticonstitutional. Despite Spanish blocking, the government is currently committed to the celebration of a unilateral referendum of self-determination. The central State and its Constitutional Court have been condemning all actions of civil disobedience by Catalan politicians and presenting complaints

that have taken them to Court.

Last year, the existence of an ‘Operation Catalonia’ was confirmed, revealing how the Spanish government aimed at smearing proindependence politicians through gathering information without judicial authorisation. Considered a repugnant plot by a large part of public opinion, such conspiracy is an evidence of a political prosecution that threatens the liberal principles upon which the State is based.

Ironically, it is the central government’s blocking attitude that promotes separatism, alienating the Catalan population. Regardless of the referendum’s outcome, the independence of Catalonia should be supported by any defender of democracy. In the name of Spanish integrity and constitution, their government’s actions repeatedly threaten the liberal and democratic principles that it claims to follow.

the United Nations Security Council to deal with North Korea’s violation of the UN’s anti-nuclear weapon resolution. While North Korea’s strained foreign relations could in part be because of ideological friction, condemnation from multiple world leaders demonstrates global willingness to unite against the threat North Korea’s nuclear weapons pose. Russia has also expressed its concern, calling on all parties to deescalate tensions and drafting new sanctions against the state.

The nature of this new missile was caused concern. The new nuclear weapon, a Pukguksong-2, was announced to be solid-fuelled as opposed to previously liquid-fuelled, meaning it requires less prepara-

tion time and a smaller constellation of support vehicles to assist the launch vehicle. Both of these factors significantly decrease the time enemies would have to find and stop the missile. The launch vehicle carrying the new missile is also built with a continu- o u s or “caterpillar” track, rathe r than wheels with tires, making the move- ment of the vehicle smoother. The new technology means that North Korea will be able to transport these nuclear weapons out of concealed storage and launch them more quickly and effectively.

These capabilities represent a

huge step for North raising the for the rest world.

“Catalonia has its own unique history, culture and language, and the public opinion has been increasingly supportive of the referendum”

North Korean missile sparks global tensions

Beverly Devakishan Global Writer

On the 12th February, North Korea successfully test-fired a missile, dangerously aggravating Japanese leaders. The missile was fired into the Sea of Japan, with Kim Jong-Un supervising the launch. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was visiting President Trump in the US at the time, called the testfire “absolutely intolerable”, while Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, asserted that because the launch was timed during the PM’s meeting with Trump, it was a “clear provocation to Japan and the region”. Trump stated that the

US “stands behind Japan, its greatest ally, 100%.”

China similarly disapproved of the launch, despite being North Korea’s biggest ally and initially supporting the communist country while the rest of the world isolated it. In recent years, however, the Chinese have been taking a tougher stance on North Korea’s nuclear programme by backing the UN’s condemnation of North Korea’s provocative military tests. The United Nations Security Council also aims to restrict North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons, as well as prohibiting the country from carrying out ballistic missile launches.

The US, South Korea and Japan have called for an urgent meeting of

forward Korea, stakes of the

Flickr, Daniel Foster

Features All roads lead to eduroam 10

Tony Allen Features Writer

We need to talk about eduroam.

Everyone’s got something to say about our campus Wi-Fi network and while it has certainly gained its fair share of notoriety, do you ever stop to think about its history and what goes on behind the scenes?

Well, wonder no more. Here’s everything you need to know about eduroam!

Growing up with the internet, its development has always fascinated me. Did you know, for instance, that in the early 2000s, the Concrete website was blocked in China? Or that an administrational foul-up was responsible for directing UEA email users to an adult website in the early, pre-eduroam years of campus internet access?

Anyway… eduroam, short for education roaming, was first

28th February 2017

proposed in 2002 to provide uniform, fast, free and safe international internet access for those in higher education. It quickly spread from its native Holland across Europe, then on to Australia by the end of 2004 and worldwide. The service went live in Britain in 2006.

Staying true to their motto: “wherever you roam, roam with eduroam,” the present service is now available at institutions in over eighty countries across the globe as far afield as Peru, Uganda and South Korea.

The beauty of eduroam is that once it is working at your ‘home’ institution, you can go anywhere that also provides it and start using the internet straightaway, for free, without having to set up a guest account or connect to a new network. The trick is that requests to access the internet see users’ details sent through servers to their original university to be authenticated in the

blink of an eye wherever they try to log on, making access safe and secure. This could be especially useful to those of you considering a semester or year abroad, providing one less thing to worry about on that hectic move-in day.

“Growing up with the internet, its development has always fascinated me. Did you know that in the early 2000s, the Concrete website was blocked in China?”

Eduroam’s central coordinators are IT bods GÉANT, who, via a

committee, set standards for and approve national operators to join the scheme. Their statistics show that the service provides billions of successful authentications every year worldwide.

GÉANT told Concrete they are: “an EU funded project under [sevenyear, €80bn euro research and innovation scheme] Horizon2020.

We have offices in both Amsterdam and Cambridge and we are actively planning to ensure continuity postBrexit in line with all Horizon2020 funded projects.”

In the future, GÉANT plan to encourage even more nations’ Research and Education networks to join the scheme and bring eduroam to their countries: “We are always looking to expand eduroam into new countries… Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia are particularly of interest.”

In Britain, eduroam can be found in over 300 locations, mostly

university and college campuses and hospitals. Nearly 100 more organisations are working to adopt the service. Almost all UK universities support eduroam, with fewer than five smaller institutions providing alternative Wi-Fi. The British operators are nonprofit organisation Jisc. They are government funded and supplemented by membership fees from universities, to whom they provide a wide variety of web-based services of which eduroam is just one.

Of course eduroam is not perfect. It does sometimes cut out, it will slow down when everyone is forlornly binging on Netflix at the end of a long day, and you can never be 100 percent sure UEA won’t detect you accessing the filth you admitted watching in last issue’s sex survey. But when you look back on its near-sixteen-year history, you realise eduroam is clever stuff.

Awards show politics: a quiet voice of change deprived of the opportunity to form an opinion of their own. Others say Features Writer that celebrities are part of the elite, and are therefore completely cut off The recent Golden Globes and from the rest of middle class society Grammy awards shows have and cannot claim to represent the demonstrated to us just how masses. politicized the face of celebrity has Ken Elrich, the producer of the become. At the Golden Globes, Grammy Awards, takes a different Hugh Laurie, Jimmy Fallon and stance. He encourages celebrities the co-director of ‘Zootopia’ were to speak up for what they believe in. amongst celebrities that made an He argues that every common man anti-Trump reference on stage. has the right to publicly declare Meryl Streep’s speech was the most their political views, even if some impactful; her powerful words may not agree with them. Kevin moved many and the video of her Elrich claims that celebrities should speech went viral. At the Grammy’s, not be confined to appearing as Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and one-dimensional individuals, and Paris, Michael Jackson’s daughter, instead, should be allowed to fully expressed their political views, all express themselves. of which had an anti-Trump stance How far should celebrities go as well. to influence the minds of others?

The award shows aren’t the Granted, taking advantage of their only cases of celebrities’ using influence over their fans, some of their voices to speak out about which are too young to be aware political issues that they care about. of the impact their Social media sites have become idols have on them, platforms for celebrities to may seem unfair. advocate passionately for what However, doesn’t the they believe in and exercise situation in America influence over thousands of right now call for a followers. Many celebrities’ different set of rules, posts on social media and does it not justify contain strong messages of the way celebrities are support for refugees, desperately trying to immigrants and the fight for everything liberal government. and everyone Some argue that that Trump’s Hollywood should administration be untainted by and threatens? kept free of politics.

A lot They claim that depends on too many young, the methods impressionable that celebrities minds look up to use to advocate celebrities and for political blindly follow them, causes. Making and thus would be Wikimedia Commons, JDeeringDavis jokes out of Beverly Devakishen

Wikimedia Commons, JDeeringDavis

Trump’s presidency, for example, will cause more controversy and conflict than anything. Bashing Trump supporters on social media will cause more division than unity as well. One commonly sees a thread of people fighting on social media after a celebrity posts an aggressive tweet, picture or status update that concerns politics.

What the world really needs celebrities to do is focusing on the actual people that are suffering at the hands of America’s

new administration, instead of emphasizing the President himself and trying to force people to dislike him. For example, Meryl Streep’s speech referenced a disabled reporter that President Trump had mocked. She showed compassion for someone who was part of the masses, and it was a completely blameless display of sympathy for someone who was affected by Trump. No one could argue that her kindness towards another person was a ‘bad influence’ on young

people. Similarly, when celebrities campaign for refugees, immigrants, and other oppressed communities, being aware of their tone and underlying message is important .

Keeping a conscientious mind when expressing their political opinions is important in order for celebrities to truly preach peace instead of inciting more hostility within America. With thoughtfulness and tact, celebrities’ involvement in politics may make a positive impact.

28th February 2017

11

What we can learn from Tilikum Following the death of the star of ‘Blackfish’, it’s time we stop abusing animals for our own entertainment

Hannah Brown Features Writer The very public death of the orca whale Tilikum, who lived at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida, has caused yet more discussion and arguments over exotic animals being kept as ‘entertainment.’

In 1983, Tilikum, along with two other orca whales, were captured in Iceland when the orca was 2 years old. Since then, he’s spent his life in various resorts – firstly in SeaLand in the Pacific, which was shut down after he and two other female orcas killed Keltie Byrne, a 21-year old marine biology student. He was moved to SeaWorld in Orlando, where he lived out the rest of his life.

Tilikum’s life was brought far more to public eye by the documentary Blackfish (you can watch it on Netflix), and an aerial shot of his pool, which seemed to show him living in an area where both his nose and tail touched the sides. And… for what?

Tilikum and plenty of other orca whales, as well as plenty of other performing animals, are kept as entertainment for humankind.

The same humans who have taken them from their homes, from their families, mind you. But who would really enjoy watching these animals, knowing the sheer amount of unhappiness they experience on a daily basis?

Of course, we can go back d e c -

ades and look at zoos and circuses, and what they were like back then when the enclosed exotic animals were used for entertainment.

Kept in tight conditions, on short leashes and fed food which wasn’t suitable for their consumption (Vic-

“In the current day, there are sports like bullfighting and horse racing, which are still seen as enjoyable sports by people who go to them. The Grand National has a high death toll for horses who are forced to jump abnormally high fences at too high speed.”

torians especially used the ‘trial and error’ approach of what food agreed with what animal, as they didn’t know what they ate in the wild).

Chances are, if you’ve been to a castle or a heritage site with a museum, there will be some taxidermied circus animals who were left behind.

In the current day, there are sports like bullfighting and horse racing, which are still seen as enjoyable sports by people who go to them. The Grand National has a high death toll for horses who are forced to jump abnormally high fences at too high speed. According to PETA, 40,000 bulls are killed every year in bullfights; after their deaths (or even, as they’re still dying), if the crowd deems it, the matador is presented with the ears, tails and hooves, whilst yet another bull is brought for the cycle to start again.

It is obvious why people want to keep exotic pets and go and see them in a convenient manner – because they are exotic. They are difficult to see in the wild, whereas if you go to SeaWorld you will definitely see an orca for example. Not everyone has the money to travel hundreds of miles to see a wild giraffe – but an hour or two to the

zoo is far more likely.

But the question still stands: why are animals being unnecessarily tortured, starved, killed, and used for humanity’s ‘entertainment’?

Allegedly, only 29 percent of Spaniards support bullfighting.

Thousands refuse to go to SeaWorld, or circuses, because of their history. Hundreds of thousands support charities like PETA, WWF, and the RSPCA, who not only work with domestic pets but exotic animals who have been left behind by the people who took them from their homes too.

Celebrities, like Michael Jackson who had his famous chimpanzee called Bubbles, Paris Hilton with a pet kinkajou, even Elvis Presley who had a pet kangaroo, support the industry of animal trafficking, and keeping animals for entertainment. Bubbles the chimpanzee was removed from Jackson’s house after he matured and became, like most captive chimpanzee’s, overly aggressive, even dangerously so, especially to Jackson’s new-born son (although Bubbles could easily have killed Jackson himself).

Why, then, not just because animals are hurt and unhappy, do we keep them if they could be dangerous? For example, Tikikum killed/drowned three people during his lifetime, and injured dozens of others. In the wild, h o w e v e r, only one person has ever been injured by an orca.

Of course, there are times when exotic animals in captivity can be beneficial to the species/the individual animal: ie, when animals are kept in zoological breeding programmes/rescue centres before being returned to the wild, or helping to raise the popula-

tion of an otherwise dying species.

Some animals cannot be returned to the wild, either due to injury or because they do not know how to survive on their own. A successful case study is that of the Przewalski’s horse – the last known subspecies of horse to be truly wild. In the 1960s, they were entirely extinct in the wild, but through breeding programmes and conservation work, they have now been reintroduced.

There is also education. Zoos use their popularity and visitor numbers to teach said visitors about the animals they are seeing. Many zoos have talks about animals and conservation areas on their parks where visitors can learn about the animals in the park, what the zoo is doing about their decline in the wild, and what they can do to help.

Zoos also focus on understanding: it is primarily a learning environment, for vets, keepers and visitors alike.

It is true, yes, that the animals are there to entertain the public.

They have things like ‘zoo days’ and tug ropes through a tiger’s enclosure. Yes, some zoos have come under fire in recent years for too small enclosures. But the key difference is that zoos are not primarily for entertainment of the visitors. Not anymore, anyway.

As for me: I believe that whilst establishments like zoos and aquariums, made for the education of the population and to learn about the species themselves, should be left to their education, establishments like SeaWorld and bullfighting arenas should be shut down and the animals returned to the wild where they belong.

I do not get entertainment through watching an animal perform party tricks, especially when I know that they are suffering terribly behind the scenes. Feel free to keep a cat, dog, hamster, guinea pig, or another assorted domesticated pet, but leave the monkeys and creatures in the wild, please. For Tilikum’s sake.

Flickr, Melissa

Pixabay, Scooby12353

28th February 2017

12

Features

Thought about those

Post-Grad plans?

In 2015, the unemployment rate of graduates was half that of nongraduates (3.1 percent versus 6.4 percent). So, having your degree definitely makes you more employable. Many upcoming graduates already have plans post-university. But, what if you don’t know what you want to do?

Life after university Amy Bonar Features Writer

I’m only in second year, and I didn’t think it was necessary to start thinking about the ‘afterlife’ of university just yet. I’m only half way through my degree. Why would I want to start thinking about something so stressful just yet? I had plenty of time, I thought, graduation wasn’t going to be creeping up on me anytime soon. But it would seem that I was wrong. In fact, whilst I was feeling all carefree and blissful, most of my friends were already beginning to decide on their future plans for life after university – what some may call, the ‘real world’.

I wondered how I had managed to successfully ignore these

thoughts for so long. After all, this is why I attended university in the first place, right? So that there was a greater chance of being ever so slightly employable, so that I could have just a sliver of hope for some decent prospects in later life.

Or maybe I just went to university because I didn’t know what else to do, and thought that I’d delay adulthood for a little longer – at eighteen, I certainly didn’t feel like I was in any position to be classed as a ‘responsible, mature adult’. Perhaps University was just a valid excuse for me to just delay that part of my life. Either options are plausible really, and my reasons for applying to university are all a bit of a blur now. All I know is that in a year and a half, I will be graduating.

Graduation. A loaded word,

some may say. When I went home at Christmas, I finally decided to stop ignoring the impending situation that would soon be upon me, and began to face the facts. After some hefty thinking, I was hoping for an ‘answer’ to miraculously emerge.

That didn’t happen. I resorted to such desperate measures, that I even took a personality quiz, hoping that my ‘calling’ in life would be revealed to me there. Thinking about postuni life began to feel like staring into a deep, dark abyss, with no way of comprehending how to actually get out of it.

We’ve probably all been through a fairly similar thought process.

You wonder what it is you would actually like to do with your life. You want to have a job you actually like, after all. But as gradation looms,

and the prospect of having zero plans becomes increasingly likely, if you’re like me, you may find yourself in the same predicament – you have no idea about the future.

And god forbid your family know that, you don’t want to appear like you’re a useless, lazy human who is just going to be aimlessly wandering around the earth for years on end.

Although having concrete plans after University might be the most obviously appealing option, there are ways to overcome the anxiety and fears of being unsure, and actually begin to embrace the positive qualities that come with being ‘clueless’.

We are constantly being told that in order to lead a fulfilling life, that we need to be successful. And in order to be successful, we need to

have a firm grip on our futures, we need to have a precise game plan.

When we’re told to think like this, it’s inevitable that we feel immensely pressured to be in ‘control’, that we need to have our lives ‘figured out’ from the word go. But the more you constantly think about what the ‘next step is’, the more you find yourself stuck in your thoughts, not fully able to enjoy the present moment.

Life is often unknown and scary.

But, if you embrace life, with all its weirdness, and are willing to be open to things that come your way, then being unsure about the future stops being so daunting, and actually becomes tremendously exciting. So embrace the happy-golucky Hippie within you, and just ‘Go with the flow’.

28th February 2017

What are my options?

13

Features

Many postgraduate opportunities rely on work Marty Ruczynska spoke to some upcoming experience, but not all graduates about their post-university plans work experience runs smoothly.

Travelling/Taking a year out “A few months ago, I was still sure I wanted to continue my education and get a Master’s degree. However, after debating it back and forth, I think taking a year out and travelling will be what’s best for me. I study Film & Creative Writing, and I’m just not sure which one I want to concentrate on whilst furthering my studies. I love both equally, but third year has shown me I should put more of focus on only one of them, as then I’ll be able to develop my skills the most. Ideally, I’d love to work in scriptwriting, but having my own young adult novel published wouldn’t be too bad either.

But right now, I’m going to take a year out, most likely travel and work on my decision.”

Anonymous, Film & Creative Writing

We asked you on Twitter and Facebook to share your horror stories...

I spent two weeks at Glaxo Smith Kline learning about toothpaste, and only toothpaste.

My boss sent me out on her lunch break to go and buy her some tampons.

I had to run across town with a photographer to get a photo of a potato pizza.

Grad Schemes “After I graduate this summer, I’ll be working for Unilever on their Future Leaders Programme in Marketing. I chose Unilever’s grad scheme as I’ll be able to develop my professional skills while working on some of the world’s most recognised brands. Within marketing there are many roles, and on the UFLP you rotate every nine months, with the opportunity to work abroad! I wanted to work in marketing for Unilever as they are the second-largest advertiser in the world, and as a company they are commited to creating a better, healthier and happier world. In the summer of my 2nd year I did a Summer Placement at Unilever’s Global HQ, and worked on the brand development of Radox. At the end of my placement I was fasttracked to the assessment centre. One of the best parts is the free Ben and Jerry’s and the hairdressers in the UK office!”

Chloe Critchely, English Literature

I arrived in the office one morning to be told that I had twenty minutes to find a gay Conservative.

I had to call Gordon Ramsay’s press office to find out what gradees his children got in their GCSEs. Funnily enough, they never called me back.

I was sent to try and find somebody to interview on Prince of Wales Road. It was the middle of the afternoon on a Monday.

I played a really bad game of table tennis in front of the Mayor of my town. Not really sure how I ended up doing that when I was working for the town council...

I had a classic ‘coffee-everywhere-fallingdown-the-stairs’ incident.

Finding a job “Last summer, before going into my third year, I did work experience within HR company near where I live. I realised that even though I love law, Human Resources is more of my thing. After graduation, I’m aiming to either find a grad scheme or a job, that’ll allow me to develop my HR skills further. Many companies offer paying for your CIPD training and qualification as you work for them, so finding one that’d provide that is something that’s really important to me. Initially, I might move back home to do that, but eventually I’d like to live in London and work in a big firm.”

Corinne Frame, Law

Photos: Background: Pixabay, Cparks. Mortarboard: Pixabay, Openclipartvectors. Frames: Pixabay, Maialisa.

After graduating with a degree in journalism I ended up working for a pest control company and I was asked to test one of their new traps and write about it. I sat outside of the office for hours waiting for some slugs or snails to turn up. Not a single one did. Safe to say that I quit a week later.

I was working for a magazine during my year abroad in the States and my editor made me do every single interview because he maintained that my British accent made people far more likely to talk to me.

The council where I was working had a tiger donated for a raffle prize. I walked into the store room alone, saw the tiger and screamed.

28th February 2017

14

Foodie Features

Learn to love the lunchbox

Marty Ruczynska shares her recipes to help liven up your lunchtimes Buying lunch every single day is expensive, and it all adds up. But , you can make similar (if not better) stuff at home! Here are two of my favourite recipes to make ahead for the week, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

With this recipe, you can make your own within half an hour – and have enough for a week’s worth of lunches, as it makes enough for four.

Alternatively, if you’re a vegetarian, you can change the chicken for black beans.

Chicken Avocado Burritos Who doesn’t love a good burrito?

Ingredients • 2 cups cooked and shredded

Flickr, Melissa

chicken (or 2 chicken breasts, salt and pepper- to taste, 1 Tablespoon mustard, 1 tablespoon olive oil) • 1 cup grated cheese (I use mozzarella for this) • 1 avocado - diced • 2 tablespoons coriander – chopped • 4 large tortillas • 4 tablespoon sour cream • 1 tablespoon oil

great either way!

Instructions

Ingredients

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a frying pan, place chicken breast sprinkled with salt and pepper and fry for about five minutes on each side. Spread one tablespoon mustard over the chicken, add about 1/4 cup water add cook covered for a few more minutes.

• Cut cooked chicken into thin pieces.

• Mix the chicken, cheese, cilantro, and the diced avocados.

• Spread one tablespoon sour cream on each tortilla, add 1/4 of the mixture, form a roll.

• Heat one tablespoon if oil in a pan and place all four tortillas on the pan, cook for two minutes on medium – high heat. Flip on the other side and cook for another minute or until the tortillas are golden • Serve warm or cold – they taste

• 2 chicken breasts (1 tablespoon olive oil, salt & pepper) Salad • ¾ cup basmati rice (uncooked) • 2 bell peppers, sliced into strips • 2 tablespoons of red onion, diced • 1 cup of sweetcorn Dressing: • 1 teaspoon chili powder • ½ teaspoon paprika • ½ teaspoon ground cumin • 1 tablespoon sugar • 1 tablespoon lime juice • ¼ teaspoon salt • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar

Chicken Fajita Lunch Bowls I know what you’re thinking – I’ve just suggested burritos. However, these are a healthy options that can be packed into a lunchbox. They’ll keep for four days – treat yourself with something else on the fifth day!

Pexels, unsplash

pepper, and drizzle with olive oil.

• Turn to coat.

• Bake for ten minutes, turn the chicken, then bake for another 1015 minutes (depends on the size of your chicken breasts), until cooked through.

• Allow to rest for 10 more minutes before slicing.

Instructions

Lunch Bowls • Cook the rice according to package directions. Allow to cool.

• In a large bowl, combine the rice, bell peppers, red onion and corn.

• Shake together the dressing and add to the bowl. Toss to coat everything completely.

• Divide amongst four lunch containers, topping with the chicken.

• Pre-heat oven to 200°C. • Place the chicken breasts in a small baking dish, sprinkle with salt and

Restaurant Review: Saporita Features editor Lillie Coles tried out Norwich’s newest lunchtime spot in the Lanes What we had: • Mina Panino - Parma ham, fresh mozzarella, rocket, and mayo - £4.20 • Milanese Panino - Milano salami, artichoke, black olive pate, with melted fontina cheese - £3.50 Saporita, meaning ‘tasty,’ is a new Italian cafe, which recently opened in the Norwich Lanes on St Andrew’s Hill. The cafe may be new to Norwich, but the family who own it have been in the pizza business since 1980, where they had a panino and pizza stand in Italy! The Italian charm definitely shows in the decor, friendly service, and delicious food they serve.

The cafe is decorated with a quaint Italian feel, with traditional music playing. The food is presented on a huge counter: fresh paninis, pizzas, and focaccias, all hand made. They also serve antipasti, and the fresh meat and cheese on display instantly shows the quality of the ingredients used at Saporita, and the little window through to the kitchen shows Mama busy at work preparing everything by hand.

The customer service is excellent; the staff are friendly, welcoming and happy to help.

Photos: Lillie Coles. Frames: Pixabay

Take-away seems a popular option with many of their customers being professionals and students, eager to eat quickly.

The speed of the service makes Saporita the perfect place for a high quality lunch to-go, or you can sit inside for a chilled break whilst in the city. I liked the fact that we could see our food being made, as it guaranteed the quality and passion put into each meal.

With vegan options, plenty for vegetarians, and a wide selection of meat options, there is surely something for everyone. The pizza cake is one of their signature dishes, with delicious fillings served between two pizza bases, as well as classic deep-pan style pizzas with a range of fresh toppings. The Italian heritage here is prevalent, and it is clear to see the pride taken in every single pizza and sandwich.

It may seem odd to rave about pizzas and sandwiches, but the value of taking something simple, and making it well, should never be underestimated. Saporita do exactly that: with no pretence or gimmicks. Lunches can often be overpriced, but buying from family-run, local businesses makes lunch more personal, and better value. The value for money at Saporita is great, as the quality is indesputable, the range

is extensive, and the service is exceptional. Despite only opening in the last few months, the cafe is already building up a group of regular customers, and it is easy to see why. The owners host occasional aperitivo evenings, where guests can sample the deli-style meats and cheeses, as well as their classic focaccia breads. On a previous visit, I had the ‘Vespa’ focaccia, which had speck ham, provola cheese, roasted courgetes and black olive pate inside, which was an intriguing combination that really worked. The way each item is named after an iconic Italian place, person or thing makes the experience even more personal, and also appeals to those wanting to try something new. Also, another benefit of eating at Saporita is that the generous portion sizes do not detract from the fact that this is a far healthier option than, say, a fast-food lunch, or a calorific coffee and cake.

A fun fact I learned from the owners of Saporita is that ‘panino’ is the singular of ‘panini’ - so my trip was both educational and delicious! I definitely recommend Saporita, and left with no complaints. I will definitely be going back soon!

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Photo: Public Domain Pictures: Petr Kratochvil

academic

words provided by your students’ union officers

AD VE news RT

bring reading lists into the 21st century theo antoniou-phillips SU undergraduate education officer

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In our recent flash poll we asked students what they think they should be paying for. 59% of students who took part said that the University should pay for essential course texts, not students.

All year, I’ve been asking the University to make sure that module reading lists are released at least 2 weeks before the start of term, so that students aren’t forced to pay for expensive nextday delivery or panic-buy from Waterstones.

But, in light of this recent feedback from you, I am asking the University to do even more.

welfare

There is a system called Talis, which UEA’s library is already using a bit, but I am encouraging them to use even more.

It requires tutors to input their reading lists. Talis will then crossreference the number of students on the module with the number of copies of core texts in the library, and if there isn’t enough, it’ll flag it.

The library can then opt to buy them as an eBook (if available), which all students are able to use simultaneously.

Students can highlight, annotate and save passages, just as they would on a kindle.

UEA’s library already has a substantial number of course texts available as eBooks, but these are buried in the library course catalogue. Students also struggle to access eBooks off campus – it sometimes requires logging in multiple times, and a lot of students (and tutors) simply don’t know how it works.

Talis would integrate eBooks directly into reading lists. This means that when you get your reading list at the start of the year, a direct link to the library eBook (which will be the right edition, the right translation, the correct version) will be right there.

words provided by your students’ union officers

There’s some argument that the simplicity of the Talis system will cheat students out of learning vital research skills. I do take this point – but I don’t think struggling to log into ProQuest, Shibboleth or SFX really constitutes a research skill.

Even with Talis, students will need to learn how to search for their topics, dig through archives, and work with their faculty librarian.

All Talis will mean is that when a tutor says “you need this exact book”, you’ll be able to access it for free.

To keep up-to-date with my on how this goes, follow my blog.

news

does the night need taking back? jo swo SU welfare, community and diversity officer

>>

‘Reclaim’ or ‘Take Back the Night’ events first began in response to violent crimes against women, notably the murder of American student Susan Alexander Speeth in 1975 and the murder of sex workers by the “Yorkshire Ripper” in 1975-1980.

The police response to these crimes was to warn women not to go out at night alone. The night became a dangerous place for women, and it became normal for women to accompany each other to public toilets when out at night, walk home together, and phone each other when they got home.

This fear isn’t contained to the 1970s. In the past few years, Norwich Police announced a campaign to tackle sexual violence, ‘Time to Stop’. This

campaign primarily focused on giving women handy tips on how to stay safe on a night out – such as knowing your limits, sticking with friends, and planning your journey home. I believe this problematic as it places the responsibility for an attack onto women, not on potential perpetrators.

By focussing on potential victims rather than potential perpetrators, these campaigns promote victim blaming – women are called ‘irresponsible’ if they drink, if they stay out late, if they wear revealing clothing. We need more approaches that are focused on educating people about consent and what is and isn’t sexual harassment.

In one of the most gut-wrenching details from the high-profile 2016

Brock Turner rape case, the sister of the victim apologised for leaving the victim alone at a party – as if the problematic action that evening was leaving the victim alone, not the actual rape.

All of these contribute to the general culture of fear which sees women afraid to go out by themselves at night. We talk about reclaiming because the night has been taken from us by the fear – even expectation – of assault.

Reclaim the Night Norwich – 2 March On 2 March we will be marching through the streets of Norwich to send a statement to the community that everyone is entitled to feel safe at night.

The night will begin with a poetry event organised by UEA Pride and UEA Migrant Solidarity Campaign at the Owl Sanctuary.

We also have guest speakers attending, who include • Marion Mazwell, the Lord Mayor of Norwich • Hareem Ghani, the NUS Women’s Officer • Helen Burrows, a spokesperson from Leeway, a local Domestic Abuse Charity We’ll then march through the city.

Bring your placards, whistles and best protest voices.

The night will end at FLAUNT (who are giving us free entry) at 9.30pm.

Comment

28th February 2017

16

We’re now on the verge of resurrecting that most iconic of ancient megafauna, the Woolly Mammoth, and it’s all thanks to the genuinely awesome power of CRISPR. This technology not only renders all other geneediting processes instantly obsolete, but introduces the possibility of ‘playing god’ in a way unthinkable to previous generations.

To mark the dawning of this frightening new epoch, Concrete’s commentators play philosopher and ponder the ethics of interfereing with the natural order in such a drastic way.

Charlie Dwyer

Meddling in the natural world is hardly a new development, and for once we have the opportunity to have a positive impact, argues Thomas Gymer Scientists believe that they may be able to bring back the woolly mammoth. Well, technically, it wouldn’t be an actual woolly mammoth, but an elephant with certain mammoth genes in place of their own. We lack enough genetic data from a mammoth to fully clone one, but the hybrid mammothelephant would look like a mammoth and behave like a mammoth, so really, most people wouldn’t know the difference. However, because scientists could bring back the woolly mammoth, does that mean they should? What exactly are the ethical implications of messing with nature this much, and going as far as actually bringing back the dead?

Well, to begin with, this is really no different to a lot of the genetic work that already goes on: cloning, gene editing, inserting new genes into different animals. Although

always controversial, the scientific consensus has moved past the question of whether it’s right; it is fine, it’s generally accepted, it’s really a large part of everyday life.

Scientists have cloned everything from sheep to sea urchins, and putting DNA from a mammoth into an elephant is nothing compared to putting genes from a jellyfish into a pig, which scientists have also done.

The mammoth wouldn’t even be the first de-extinct animal, several years ago the Pyrenean Ibex was returned to life from extinction. It promptly died again, making it the first animal to have the dubious honour of going extinct twice. Also, bringing the mammoth back in this way is really no more meddling in the natural order than a lot of the work done to protect endangered species, and is definitely less of a problem for nature than a lot of the

work done to make animals extinct in the first place. Humans have no problem killing off entire species, nor in investing huge amounts of time and resources into keeping a single breeding pair alive in the hope of restoring the species. The fact that an animal is extinct should not make that much difference compared to it being critically endangered, after all, in both cases the animal will not survive without human intervention, and will need to be gradually reintroduced into the wild if the repopulation attempts are successful.

Additionally, bringing back the mammoth would not just be awesome (and let’s be honest, it would be incredibly cool; the closest we can come to Jurassic Park.

Sure, the Parks don’t work out, but they’re definitely impressive), but would also serve an actual purpose.

Genetic editing may be a powerful force for good, but Angel Loera asks whether enough attention has been paid to its potential complications When I first heard of CRISPR I thought about human DNA as a series of Lego blocks from which some parts can be changed or rearranged in a number or ways.

In fact, CRISPR means selecting and changing parts of DNA. This would be as if you could select the best genes which you would like an organism to be packed with.

Either a new or old technique, we have to admit that modifying or redefining genes poses a challenge for humanity as a whole, and for other organisms are dominated by humankind.

CRISPR is one step

forward towards the major human aim to control and manage the Earth and its resources. Humanity has changed the natural landscape of its environment in all its forms: turned trees into homes, grasslands into streets, even opened mountains to build highways and connect places that would otherwise stay far from each other.

Genetic engineering means that humans are challenging their own nature and others. What would happen to a society that can construct or customize itself?

It would potentially lose all of its randomness. We could choose which genes will carry on in our children, interfering in which traits they develop physically, but also in their character. This might be perceived as positive since we could end genetic diseases, physical conditions that people can be born with, but we would also be able to change other unnecessary items like those mentioned.

But the dilemma is: whether it is desirable that anyone could interfere in the development of others, even if it is the parent who is requesting this. The case is similar with abortions when they respond to a physical disorder in the foetus. The difference with genetic engineering is that it could avoid this by selecting the correct genes from the very beginning and doing modifications as wanted. Yet, even if these modifications are considered for the other’s wellbeing, the fact that this come from the decision of somebody else is questionable.

“It is always better to think big, and to imagine”

Photo: Wikimedia, Flying Puffin

Another big challenge comes from the environment. Until now, we know that human modifications to the environment have serious consequences on our health. Air pollution is linked to respiratory infections and the emission of greenhouse gases has an effect on the sun rays that reach the earth, and this impacts our skins causing problems such as cancer. All these are effects in humans after modifying nature. But, how would the environment be impacted by those customised humans? This

question has many difficult answers.

One may come from the impact that super-humans, immune to many viruses and bacteria, may have in the environment; a worsening of the existing and serious problem of antibiotic immunity.

“CRISPR is one step forward towards the major human aim to control and manage the Earth and its resources” Another perspective can be taken from the effects in the natural life cycle. Typically described as being born, growing, reproducing and dying, it may be better described as being born, using land’s resources, growing, using resources again, reproducing, using more resources, and dying.

Customized super humans would possibly never stop using resources, though they may never get out of them, thanks to these techniques.

This takes us to the question of over population.

Genetic engineering means gene customizing, changing what does not work in our bodies, and possibly avoid death at least for a longer period of time. This will pose serious threats for the natural rate of lives, if deaths could be postponed indefinitely.

Would this be sustainable for the Earth, the environment, humans, and even their families? Would more people create more jobs, food and resources to sustain themselves?

Possibly no, but there is no danger of this because, possibly not many people would have access to this technique without paying a very, very high price. However, it is always better to think big, and to imagine—and be aware of—the many possible consequences that all this can have.

mammoths are huge herbivores capable of living in colder conditions than elephants. This means that the mammoths could be reintroduced to the Siberian tundra, and help to make it more fertile, keeping the permafrost from melting and fighting global warming. People are already trying this with reindeer, but mammoths would be a massive (literally) help in achieving this.

Also, a less well-known problem regarding extinction and endangerment is the loss of the fertility created by the manure of large animals, such as elephants and giraffes, which mammoths would help combat. And really, doesn’t the mammoth deserve this help more than the panda, an animal that has no real place in the food chain, as it only eats bamboo and has no predators, and refuses to mate? Let’s put our effort into the Mammoth.

What is..?

CRISPR

CRISPR, or Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, is shorthand for the technology more accurately known as CRISPR/cas9-gRNA. Cas9 is an enzyme that acts as a pair of ‘molecular scissors’ which is able to cut strands of DNA at specific points.

They are guided to the correct place by pre-programmed guide-RNA (gRNA), which then binds to the target sequence, altering the desired genes.

A similar process was first identified in certain species of bacteria, where it acted as a kind of adaptive immune system, in the late 1980s.

After three decades of research, the CRISPR-cas9 system was named 2015’s breakthrough of the year by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

CRISPR technology also has the potential for use in medical treatments, including cancer and heart attacks.

DNA (top to bottom): Pixabay, Public Domain Pictures, Dawn Hudson

28th February 2017

Adam Charlton asks whether abhorrent views justify violence We all saw the video, and I dare say, some of us quite enjoyed watching a Nazi getting punched in the street.

Undeniably, the past year has been unpleasant for those of us who align ourselves in opposition to racism, sexism and fascism. Watching the enemy get laid out has been claimed as catharsis by some, but it shouldn’t be treated as such. This is not the time for catharsis, this is the time to be coordinated and calculating, a simmering force of opposition, but not one of violence.

“The left’s street combat with fascism dates back to fighting the Black-shirts in the 1930s” The left’s street combat with fascism dates back to fighting the Black-shirts in the 1930s. Certainly, in the fight against fascism, there are points at which violence has to be fought with violence, particularly when resisting attacks on minorities, or preventing fascists from seizing power. The time to man the barricades has come in the past, and may well come again, but not yet.

If we resort to violence now, before the war of ideas has been fully waged, we surrender our ideology’s eminence in the eye of the observer.

This is not a war we have any excuse for losing; our position atop the hill is not only morally superior, but factually and functionally more effective. Once we descend to the physical battlefield and enter the melee, there is no way back.

Why surrender our side’s greatest attributes; our ideas, to engage a pig in a mud wrestling match. Fascists love violence, but we do not.

Naturally, I understand the desire to make society feel like a risky place to be a racist, and know that societal change is crucial in combating it. Regardless, attacking someone because of their views, however repulsive, is anathema to a liberal society. Just as torture doesn’t get answers, violence doesn’t change minds, and this fight is about protecting our collective moral values from those who would distort and destroy them. We cannot protect them by breaking them, until we’ve lost an ideological battle that we have no business losing.

Yet as hard as it is to stomach, the fascists are not seizing power, they’re winning it. Trump won the election in America, and provocateurs like Milo Yiannopoulos are outmanoeuvring liberals in debate. Currently, we’re losing the war of ideas with an incoherent ideology that abuses our basest, most Neolithic instincts.

Undoubtedly, this is where the frustration, and the ensuing act of punching a Nazi comes from. To defend our shared moral code, it must sometimes be broken, but this time has not yet come.

17

Milo Yiannopoulos’ fall from grace is a lesson in not feeding the trolls, says Jessica Frank-Keyes It finally happened. Conservative America has at long last run out of patience with its latest ‘alt-right’ darling. Milo Yiannopoulos, who once described himself as “the most fabulous supervillain on the internet,” has eventually, thankfully, learned what the word he clearly never heard as a child sounds like: “enough.”

As karmic retribution goes, it doesn’t taste much sweeter than this. Death by a thousand headlines for the King of the Trolls; obscurity and criticism for the narcissistic toddler who doesn’t understand that petulance isn’t the only way to get Daddy’s attention.

Yiannopoulos is drawn like a moth to flame to nasty, unimaginative, unnecessary opinions. Spouting canker about every topic under the sun: feminism, immigrants, actresses, the capital-L Left, is his calling card. He began his career as a conservative British journalist, writing for – of all places – the Catholic Herald, and was appointed as tech editor of Breitbart in 2015. He rose to new heights of odiousness over the course of the 2016 presidential race; hitching a ride all the way to the exit polls with the meme culture he helped to popularise during the infamous #GamerGate.

In a year that saw him thrown into the ‘basket of deplorables’ alongside Pepe the Frog and the Trump children, it seemed that the

alt-right’s golden boy was proving indestructible. And yet, finally, Yiannopoulos has managed to find the one moral line society is still willing to take a – symbolic – stand over. The caustic joke that he made, the final snowflake that started the avalanche of his downfall, was about being taught to ‘give good head’ by a priest. As a survivor of child sexual abuse, he does, however distasteful we may find it, have the right to create dark, twisted, humour from the experience. But we aren’t discussing the rights and wrongs of being driven out of a job over a joke.

We’re talking about something far more interesting than that.

Yiannopoulos’ speciality is professional trolling. His power, the invisible shield that protected him thus far, was the suggestion that no matter how unpleasant they are, his words don’t matter. It’s the same assumption behind the actions of the faceless Twitter bots who spam women and people of colour online with hateful messages, graphic images and disgusting threats.

Claiming that these words are meaningless, that it’s the victims who are overreacting, or ‘triggered’, when they interpret these threats to their safety, privacy, bodies and lives as real, is ridiculous.

Free speech is vital to the preservation of liberalism, but I can’t help feeling that furiously tweeting images of pigs in burqas, poorly Photoshopped pornography

The situation of Disney severing ties with YouTuber PewDiePie due to videos featuring antiSemitic

comments has once again thrown the issue of controversial humour into the spotlight. This is a tricky issue for everyone involved, from fans, to Disney and even to YouTube themselves, who dropped the most subscribed channel’s YouTube Red series.

Clearly any material that is anti-semitic is a problem, so the debate is about whether or not the context of the antiSemitic jokes makes them acceptable.

The video that attracted most criticism featured the YouTuber, real name F e l i x

Photo: Flickr, LEWEB PHOTOS and graphic beheadings wasn’t quite what James Madison had in mind when he penned the First Amendment. While it’s shameful that multiple instances of racism and misogyny, despite being widely reported, were repeatedly condoned if not encouraged, by Yiannopoulos’ employers, it’s still a relief that the tide of establishment opinion has finally turned against him.

The world has decided to remind Yiannopoulos that yes: ideas matter, words have power, and actions have consequences.

Confronting the mistaken idea that trolling is a crime without a victim,

that shamelessly provoking for the sake of it is funny, is a Herculean yet essential task. The level of privilege you must possess to allow you to treat debating the rights of others as nothing more than an amusing game is staggering, and we can no longer view countering this as a pointless exercise, nor assume we can safely ignore it from a distance.

We must acknowledge that the emptiness of Milo’s head does not equal the emptiness of his words.

His inability to think does not indicate that others will not take him seriously. And he may be sound and fury, but he certainly signifies something.

Kjellberg, paying two men to hold up a sign which read “death to all Jews.” He did this using a website called Fiverr, through which people provide various services for $5. PewDiePie’s justification for the video was that he made it to showcase the absurd lengths that people will go to for money on that website.

will do anything if you pay them is hardly a revelation, rendering the video even more unnecessary.

PewDiePie himself even apologised and admitted that he went about it the wrong way, saying that “the joke itself went too far.” While I believe that PewDiePie was wrong to post the sign video, some of the responses to the controversy have been over the top. In the immediate aftermath of the announcement that Disney were severing their ties to Kjellberg, there was a seemingly endless clamour of people competing over who could claim to be the most outraged by the video.

That hysteria simply isn’t helpful.

Anyone who looks at a situation like this with an unwise, offensive joke and extrapolates to form the conclusion that PewDiePie is a Nazisympathiser needs to gain some perspective. Ultimately, a comedian made a serious error of judgement and was understandably dropped by the two biggest companies he worked with. He acknowledged his mistake and seems to have learned from it. Kjellberg should certainly think his jokes through more carefully in future, and hopefully his critics will allow him to develop.

James Chesson asks whether PewDiePie’s questionable humour crossed a moral line

Photo: Wikimedia, camknows

“There was a seemingly endless clamour of people competing over who could claim to be the most outraged” As someone who is a fan of controversial humour I think it is always important to consider whether the shock value in the joke contributes an interesting point, or if it is simply offensive for the sake of it. This particular stunt is definitely the latter. PewDiePie could have chosen from any number of ridiculous statements to have had written on the sign, rather than using one that he must have known would offend people. And the idea that people on the internet

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28th February 2017

Science

America First: but at what cost?

Gavin O’Donnell Science Writer

Whilst Donald Trump pledges to “embrace the shale oil and gas revolution,” research from Duke University has revealed that 16 percent of hydraulically fractured (fracking) oil and gas wells, used in these very shale oil fields, leak every year.

The research, conducted across four states over a 10 year period, identified over 6,600 leaks, the largest of which spilled in excess of 100,000 litres of fracked gas or oil.

Of the spills the majority took place during the moving and storage of the fuels through pipelines, with equipment failure and human error causing most incidents.

67 percent of the leaks occurred in North Dakota, the second largest oil producing state in the US. The state is currently embroiled in controversy over a proposed 1,172km pipeline carrying fracked oil from North Dakota’s oil fields to Patoka, Illinois. The Dakota Access Pipeline is opposed by environmentalist and Native American groups. Both hold concerns over the risk of spills from the pipeline and the potential impact on water quality. The pipeline is located upstream on the Missouri river which provides drinking water to the Standing Rock Sioux. These

Flickr: Fibonacci Blue concerns are well founded, in 2010 a spill from an oil pipeline into the Kalamazoo river released 840,000 gallons of crude oil. Furthermore, both campaigners and scientists have highlighted the incompatibility of fossil fuel expansion with commitments to reduce carbon emissions, essential to mitigating the impacts of climate change. The pipeline also crosses sacred land of the Standing Rock Sioux, cutting through burial grounds and sites of prayer.

The Sioux and their allies have constructed a protest camp at Standing Rock, delaying the construction of the pipeline. In

December 2016, after months of protests, the US Department of the Army announced they would not grant an easement for the pipeline.

This, however, was overturned by Donald Trump in January as part of his America First Energy Policy.

The America First Energy Policy, was a cornerstone of Trump’s election pledges, and aims to “ lower costs for hardworking Americans and maximize the use of American resources, freeing us from dependence on foreign oil”.

The programme plans to “take advantage of the estimated $50 trillion in untapped shale, oil, and natural gas reserves”.

Trump’s policy, designed to increase energy security and increase employment, does not mention renewable energy despite the considerable growth in the industry and the necessity to transition to low carbon energy sources in the face of dangerous anthropogenic climate change.

Over 250,000 Americans now work in the solar industry with the sector reporting a year-onyear employment increase of 24.5%. Although the absence of renewables in a policy designed to improve energy security may seem incongruous, it is hardly surprising given Trump’s climate change denial

throughout his election campaign, which spouted that it’s a Chinese conspiracy to destroy American industry.

Although Trump’s perspective on climate change seems to have shifted since 2009, where he called on Obama to “ensure meaningful and effective measures to control climate change,” it is reflective of a widening political polarisation around the issue where climate change now proves the single most divisive issue between Democrats and Republicans, with white, male conservatives being more likely than any other group to deny the existence of man made climate change.

What is clear is that whilst the Trump administration is highly supportive of the extractive shale oil, natural gas and “clean” coal industries there is strong evidence that these policies pose significant threats to the environment both locally: by impacting water supplies and contaminating soils, and globally: by locking America into a fossil fuel economy, incompatible with serious attempts to reduce carbon emissions. Trump’s promise of “protecting clean air and clean water and conserving our natural habitats,”in the face of this latest research and his commitment to rolling back climate and conserve energy seems unlikely.

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28th February 2017

NASA discover new solar system Daniel Salliss Science Writer In a hotly anticipated press conference, a team of NASA Scientists revealed the discovery of 7 Earth-sized planets orbiting a nearby dwarf star. This is the first time so many planets have been found around a single star and a massive leap forward in the search for life elsewhere in the universe.

“Scientists have been able to calculate the size and mass of most planets” At a live press conference, Dr Michaël Gillon, University of Liège, and his team walked the watching world through their discoveries, which were made using NASA’s Spitzer space telescope and other large telescopes on the ground.

The newly reported planets orbit the Trappist-1 star, around 40 lightyears away. If we could travel at light speed, it would take us 40 years; in a jet plane, it would take us 44 million.

The Trappist-1 star is smaller and cooler than our sun. The planets’ orbits of the star range from 1 and a half to 20 days, compared to the earth’s 365 days. The worlds are so close to each other that you could

stand one world and clearly see the others, just as we seen the moon.

One interesting difference from earth is that they are tidally lockedthey have permanently dark and light sides, as opposed to the daily variation we see on our own planet Of the seven new exoplanets, three of these, Trappist-1 e, f & g, occupy the star’s ‘habitable zone’a distance where the temperature ranges are suitable for formation of water on a planet’s surface and where life is a possibility.

The scientists have been able to calculate the size, mass and rough composition of most of planets, which are not dissimilar to Earth.

The Spitzer Space Telescope has been operational for 14 years and this its most exciting output to date. Further study on this system w i l l inform future

research on the formation of planets and how best to study the atmosphere of faraway worlds. The launching of more telescopes and the study of more dwarf stars like Trappist-1 will only improve the chances of finding habitable planets.

The James Webb space telescope, due to launch in 2018, will be NASA’s flagship telescope

for space exploration and its first cycles will be used to look for other life possible life containing planets and study the Trappist system more closely. “The James Webb Space Telescope, will have the possibility to detect the signature of ozone if this molecule is present in the atmosphere of one of these planets,” explains Professor Brice-Olivier Demory, from the University of Bern in Switzerland, who was not present at the conference. “This could be an indicator for biological activity on the planet.”

The team stressed that a lot is still unknown and uncertain. However, Dr Zurbuchen was optimistic and suggested that as more telescopes are developed and technology improves, a lot of what is unknown can be answered: “Questions about are we alone are being answered as we speak.”

What we know so far NASA’s conference was followed by a Q&A session What will the planets be called?

No names have been given to the planets, other than their Trappist-1 a-g designations. Dr Gillon joked about the use of different Belgian beer brands… InterStella Artois?

How old are these planets?

The planets will be at least half a billion years old but as the history of the system is still unknown, the planets could be many billions of years old.

When will craft be able to reach these planets?

Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA’s Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, explained that we still need “miracles” in order to develop the technology Photo: Wikimedia, that could Scotttake Kelly us to a system like this and that trips to Trappist-1 will have to be up to future generations. So don’t plan a holiday there just yet.

Are there any moons in the Trappist system?

There has not yet been indication of moons orbiting any of the planets, however, tidal forces would act on any water found on the planets due to their close proximity to each other.

Do they definitely hold water? Photo: Harlequeen, Wikimedia Although these planets have the potential to contain water, the presence of water has not been confirmed. The atmosphere of the planets needs more assessment.

When will we know more about Trappist - 1?

Dr. Seager suggests we could be making more discoveries about these planets in the next 5 years.

Photo: Pixabay

Biologists identify frog the size of a thumbnail Milly Godfrey Science Editor After several years exploring the Kerala and Tamil Nadu forests in India, scientists have discovered four new species of frogs that are so tiny they can comfortably take a perch on your thumbnail.

Along with three other larger species that were discovered in the same location, these tiny frogs are amongst the smallest in the world, living on the forest floor and making insect-like calls throughout the night. Located in a mountain range running parallel to the western coast, the frogs were found in a environment known to be home to hundreds of threatened plants and animals leaving scientists “surprised to find that the miniature forms are in fact locally abundant and fairly common.”

The largest of the seven new frog species is known as Radcliffe’s Night Frog and sizes up at about 38mm, with the smallest, Robin Moore’s Night Frog, coming in at a mere 12.4mm. They were proved as a new species by using and “integrated taxonomic approach

that included DNA studies, detailed morphological comparisons and bioacoustics”, and it is thought that more species are likely to be found in the area. Sonali Garg claimed, “the past decade has witnessed an exponential increase in the number of new amphibian species described from this region,” with around 159 news species identified in the area between 2006-2015.

“The CT scan discovered a mixture of otter-like and badger-like cranial and dental features” Scientists on the research trip believe the species may have been overlooked by other researchers on account of their size, secretive habitats and insect-like calls they make them easily confused with other species or insects.

Belonging to the night frog group named, Nycbatrachus, of which there had previously only been 28 recognised species, the three tiny frogs joined ranks of frogs native

to the Western Ghats of India and represent and ancient family that arose 70-80 million years ago. Dr. Laurence Jarvis, head of conservation at Froglife, a UK charity claimed the findings to be of global significance saying, “the highly biodiverse region contains many unique amphibian species and the area is under increasing threats from human disturbance”.

He hopes the discovery will increase awareness and understanding of the conservation priorities in the forest region. With over one third of Western Ghat frogs already being threatened with extinction and five of the seven new species facing considerable human threats, efforts to maintain the habitats and safety of these new species will be high.

As a result of some of the species being found inside private or stateowned plantation areas, habitant disturbance is a real a threat as well as modification of fragmentation.

Garg believes “we are still far from having a near-complete amphibian inventory of this region” and therefore “we need to take stock of how our actions may be leading to an irreversible loss of several smaller forms of life such as frogs.”

Photo: ArchitectChristian of the Capitol Photo: Wikimedia, Fischer

Travel Your perfect spring break

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28th February 2017

Travel writer Nick Ward looks at the best travel locations for a spring fling

With the term time fridge looking a little despondent, the frosty vista of campus life, and the looming dread of a dissertation deadline, the spring term can feel a tad uninspiring.

Spring is a fantastic time to travel, discounted rates and general lack of interest from the working population make it an affordable time for adventure if you aren’t shackled by a 9 to 5.

in the greater metropolitan area, where, should you be feeling romantic, you can even get hitched.

Travel two hours south of Krakow and you’ll discover the snowy peaks and icy lakes of the Tatra Mountains where snowmobiles and sleigh rides are abundant. Finally, a trip to Auschwitz is imperative, if only to put into perspective the ephemeral nature of your university worries.

Krakow Krakow is bitterly cold at this time of year, but achingly beautiful. Flights are available from as little as £65 return and a 3 bedroom apartment in the city centre can be obtained via Air BnB for £10 per person per night. At the current exchange rate, £1 buys 5 Polish Zloty, to contextualize things, 8 Zloty is the average price of a pint and a meal for two at a traditional Polish Restaurant is exceedingly cheap at around 30 Zloty per head.

Within the city, culture abounds; from the historic Kazimierz (Jewish) district to the Wieliczka Salt Mines

Essaouira Expense is not always synonymous with the exotic. Sub £100 flights to Essaouira, Morocco are readily available and an average temperature of 20 degrees is a world away from the 4 degrees of my kitchen as I sit and write this. The port city on Morocco’s Atlantic coast is a superb place to throw yourself into the potent waters and surf until the Alizée wind has banished the last vestiges of an English winter from your tired bones.

Furthermore, a double room in any one of the city’s numerous Riads can be booked for as little as

Photos: Dan Salliss

Photo: Flickr, Moyan Brenn

£18 per night so you’ll sleep soundly in the knowledge that it’s costing you less than two cinema tickets.

Venice Spring is one of the best times of the year to visit Venice. Before the tourists descend and the weather

hits melting point, the next couple of months offer a lot to explore.

The Easter weekend inevitably provides a lot of opportunity for celebration, and what’s more, the 25th April marks the Festa di Saint Marco, the feast day of the Patron Saint of Venice. Tradition has it that all men

in the city on April 25th should give Jack Leik their partner a long-stemmed rose.

The biggest Spring celebration in Venice is the Vogalonga. 1,500 boats of all shapes and sizes descend on the canals in a colourful sight that is one of the most beautiful that the city has to offer.

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28th February 2017

The mysterious travel trend your mind when you travel has to do with what one does on holiday.

Merely being in another country does not give you the right to brag Travel has become a trendy thing that you have achieved significant to do. All over the media, we mental growth, even if you have are being exposed to posts that the pictures to back up your claim. romanticize travelling with your In my opinion, a traveller should partner or best friends. Beautiful fully immerse him or herself into pictures of travellers smiling in the culture of the foreign country front of national monuments or as much as they can to get the full tropical beaches, people’s Facebook experience. statuses or tweets quoting sayings online like ‘The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page’ and professing their undying wanderlust. The idea of travel is being increasingly glorified everywhere, and while this is a great way to encourage people to get out and see the world, is turning travel It will always be impossible to into a trend a completely harmless assimilate into a different society act? within a few days, but to claim that Many of these posts claim that one has broadened one’s horizons, travel helps one to widen ones one has to have at least attempted perspective on the world. While to learn about some of the aspects of this is true to some extent, it can be the society in that country. Going to argued that how much you expand history and art museums, speaking Beverly Devakishen Travel Writer

"The idea of travel is being increasingly glorified"

with locals, and even merely roaming around the streets and observing the local community, are great ways to get slightly closer to the core of the country.

The problem with seeing travelrelated posts on social media is that experiences get reduced to a few great pictures, and we don’t get to see the mental growth that may or may not have happened for the person. It spreads the notion that merely seeing those places is enough. In reality though, there is so much more to travelling than just pretty photographs under the Eiffel Tower or with the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Additionally, travel is not the only way to ‘experience the world’, even it is the most exciting or romantic medium. There are many intellectual people who get glimpses into countries through books, the media, documentaries and other informative sources. While it is true that certain benefits of traveling cannot be found in any other

Travelling on Holly Byrne Travel Writer

I’ve always wanted to travel, I sit in the library and see people on Facebook and Instagram all over Asia, Australia, South America and Europe and I can’t help but feel jealous. Not only do I have the constraint of study stopping me from jumping on a plane and enjoying cocktails on a sunny beach, but the most significant obstacleand I feel that this is true for many people- is money. Especially being a student, it can seem impossible to travel anywhere, even in the holidays. However, there are ways to make this possible: budget airlines, combined with thrifty budgeting while away, make anything possible!

Here are my top tips: First;y, saving beforehand.

This is obviously a huge part: if you really want to travel start counting those pennies- literally!

Don’t underestimate the power of a penny jar. Before I travelled I had a penny jar for about a year. Just before I left, I traded this in and got £40- the equivalent of a train ticket from Washington DC to New York.

Other saving methods are planning your meals for the week, bringing a packed lunch onto campus, and saying no to those unnecessary snacks and cups of coffee while out and about. If possible, keep all travel money in a separate bank account for these purposes alone.

Secondly, planning where and when you want to travel is a good way to reduce costs. Looking into low cost ways of travelling around is crucial. For example, there are

coaches that go from London to Europe at a low cost- you could get a coach right now from London to Paris for just twenty-five euros each way. Coaches are certainly the way to go, I got a five dollar (yes, five!) coach from Virginia to Atlanta- now if that’s not a bargain please tell me what is.

Substituting planes for trains is also a good call, and may actually be less stressful. Inter-railing around Europe or taking Amtrak’s around the United States definitely offer lower prices than flying everywhere.

They can also offer stunning views of the local surroundings and a way to see more of the place you are visiting. Planning is also useful in helping you to book cheap hotels, hostels, or Airbnb’s, saving you money and also stress through the knowledge that you will always have somewhere to stay.

Food budgeting is also crucial.

My biggest cost while travelling was food as it is extremely tempting to eat out for every meal. However, this is unrealistic as I and my bank account quickly discovered. Instead, locate the closest supermarket to your accommodation and buy in bulk your snacks, bottles of water, bread and spreads for sandwiches.

In addition, staying in hostels or Airbnb’s can actually be more useful in these ways as they will have kitchens you can cook dinners in as well as fridges to store your food. They also often have washing machines which are extremely helpful.

This leads onto my next point: travel light. It may mean that you are wearing repetitive outfits in your much desired Instagram

Traveloscopy, Lastminute.com

activity, the fact remains that just because these bright individuals do not travel does not mean that they have narrower minds than frequent travellers. The idea that those who refrain from travelling are somehow less intelligent or open-minded than those who travel may be perpetrated through the false romanticism of travel.

"In reality, there is so much more to travelling than just pretty photographs under the Eiffel Tower or with the Leaning Tower of Pisa" The trend of travel may also cause us to overestimate the rewards of this activity. For instance, before university, I had thought that my

short visits to England in the past would have somewhat prepared me to come here to study for three years.

However, actually having lived in a foreign country for a prolonged period of time has highlighted to me that short vacations only barely scrape the surface of what there is to learn about a travel destination.

While travelling does indeed enrich one’s life, we should be careful not to exaggerate the benefits of this expensive hobby. Short visits to another country does not give a tourist the right to claim that they understand the local culture, no matter how immersive their trip was.

Travelling is indeed a beneficial thing to. With the right attitudes towards travelling, this new trend could be a good thing for our generation to catch onto. We only need to be aware of our purpose of travelling at all times and to make the most of our few days in another country, maximizing the potential for learning.

a budget

pictures, but in comparison to having to carry around multiple heavy bags and paying extortionate rates for additional luggage on transportation is definitely preferable. Furthermore (and this was important for me), travelling light enables you more purchase space for all those souvenirs and postcards you will inevitably buy (well, if you’re me anywayshot glasses are my collection item of choice, although, I don’t encourage the stress of attempting to travel around the United States withthirteen fragile shot glasses, each having to be wrapped in a t-shirt for travel every few days).

That’s the point, if you opt for a fast pace travel trip as I did, being mobile and travelling light is in direct relation to not losing your mind- You certainly won’t be saving money paying an additional forty pound per bag every two-three days.

So students, have no fear, you can be that annoying person constantly posting cheesy holiday pictures, and for a low cost! Who doesn't love that?

Prices of flights go up if you look at them more than once on the same browser, they recognise that you've already looked and have come back so put up the price. So either book them straight away or browse on one computer and book on another!

be surprised how quickly you can earn yourself a free flight!

National Trust memberships are £31.50 a year under the age of 25 and gives you free entry to almost all of their sites/ homes and free parking so it's great for a staycation.

Madrid. You'd think Spain's capital would be mega pricey. But with cheap drinks and free tapas with every round in most bars, you can't go wrong!

Book travel for a wednesday or mid week - it's always cheaper and when booking flights look to have loyalty to a certain airline and sign up for their rewards system to get air mile points, you'll

The Italian islands like Ischia have incredible fresh food that's so cheap, especially compared to main land.

If travelling by train in the UK always look to split your fares, especially true if you're looking at a 'return' ticket. Travelling from London to Norwich is often cheaper if you specify 'via Cambridge' when booking your ticket.

28th February 2017

22

Sport

Concrete editors driven up the wall Megan Baynes Editor-in-Chief

Megan Baynes

Being someone that runs out of breath walking up the stairs to my flat, I was somewhat apprehensive about spending a night bouldering at Highball. Dragging along my slightly more fearless friend, Caitlin, we braved the dark February night.

They say first impressions count for a lot: they’re probably right but I don’t hold much stock in them. Driving up to the outside of a warehouse on the outskirts of central Norwich, it took us a few seconds to figure out which warehouse held the climbing centre and weaving through the delivery trucks we made our way into the building. Our instructor, Leah greeted us, wrapped up in a thick coat.

We began the evening with a tour of the centre. Beginning at the easier walls we made our way to an area we were told we should “not attempt until we’d been climbing for at least a year.” I probably wouldn’t even attempt it then: the wall was angled at 45 degrees and I fail to see how anyone other than a superhuman monkey would be able

to make their way to the top.

We then began our climbing adventure on the sideways wall.

Caitlin immediately channelled her inner primate and within about thirty seconds had made her way around the wall. I, meanwhile, made it to the corner, my legs forgot what they were supposed to do and I gracelessly fell to the floor.

Caitlin complained that she lacked upper body strength, yet I clearly lack any form of body strength and most attempts to traverse the wall resulted in my body twisting in some ridiculous manner before falling to the floor. Leah reassured me that the centre was always open to beginners with no prior experience.

Sideways wall somewhat conquered, we were given a tutorial on climbing up using the red and grey holds — this was after Leah had pointed out the signs warning us that climbing always carried a small risk of death (but before you panic, bouldering is one of the safer forms). Caitlin, once again the show off, zoomed to the top whilst I stood at the bottom wishing she’d slip and fall to her untimely death.

My turn was considerably slower but, after a few slips, and a

few accidental pink holds thrown in the mix, I reached the top of the wall. The fact I am a good foot taller than Caitlin also probably helped matters.

After we had been given a few more tutorials, and signed a form, presumably stating our own responsibility/stupidity for any accidents that would occur, we were let loose on the centre to climb as we pleased. Trying to not be intimidated by the human monkeys swinging their way to the tops of the walls we attempted a few of the easier climbs. Ten minutes later, feeling more ambitious and spurred on by our success we attempted an overhang. Thirty seconds and four falls later we decided to return to the easier routes.

It may seem that Highball is an intimidating place for the uninitiated, and a fear of looking stupid initially held me back from throwing myself into the exercise.Yet, despite spending most of the evening falling over, or falling off the wall, no one seemed to bat an eyelid. Highball is perfect as a bonding exercise for a flat or a great alternative for a date.

Once I’d stopped wishing that the human monkey would fall off it was a hugely enjoyable evening.

Wenger under pressure after 5-1 first-leg Spotted: Champions League hammering in Munich Ed Sheeran at Isabelle Wilson Sports Writer Following a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the last-16 of the Champions League, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has faced mounting pressure to step down at the end of the season.

It seems certain that this will be the sixth consecutive season that Arsenal have crashed out of the competition in the first knockout round. It is a familiar trope for Gunners fans who have experienced their club fall into a number of reoccurring patterns in recent years. During Wenger’s 20year reign at the club, Arsenal have successfully finished in the top four every season. However, they haven’t won the title since 2004 and their only silverware since then came in the form of two back-to-back FA Cup wins in 2014 and 2015.

By contrast, in his first ten years with the Gunners he won four FA Cups, three Premier League titles and in 2006 led Arsenal to the Champions League final which they lost to Barcelona. In the 2003/4 season the Gunners famously went a whole season unbeaten which still stands as one of the most remarkable footballing achievements.

Wenger is also chiefly responsible for changing the face of

Arsene Wenger, commons.wikimedia English football. He revolutionised and Wenger developed them into training regimes and modernised top-class players. However, football players’ diets, turning footballers is not the same as it was 20 years into athletes. The post-match pint ago. Since then an extortionate was replaced with a post-match amount of money has been invested protein shake.He also placed into the Premier League and any emphasis on young players, buying one of six teams could feasibly win them cheaply and honing them into the league title. Wealthy backers world-class footballers. Thierry such as Roman Abramovich and Henry, Nicolas Anelka and Patrick City Football Group can afford Viera all came to Arsenal as relatively to buy world-class players and young and inexperienced footballers demand instant results. It’s a cut

throat world, highlighted nowhere better than at Chelsea, who have gone through 19 managers during Wenger’s time in North London.

Although consistency is important, teams are willing to risk short term success over long term stability in return for silverware. The top four is no longer enough, the fans want to see their team winning the title.

Arsenal are stuck in a loop of crashing out of the Champions League and finishing in the top four. The Gunners are a long way behind Chelsea in the league, while their only chance of silverware once again comes in the form of the FA Cup, a trophy which will not be enough to placate disgruntled fans this time. You can blame a lack of experience and leadership in the squad, you can blame injury problems, and you can even blame referees or playing schedules if you really wanted to. But something needs to fundamentally change in the corridors at Arsenal Football Club.

Wenger has done remarkable things with Arsenal, but his reign must end eventually. Even with the additions of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal’s cycle has continued. The club needs a big shake up, and a new manager does not guarantee success. But it does guarantee change, and that’s what Arsenal desperately need.

Carrow Road

Charlie Mann James Chesson Sports Writer Singer Ed Sheeran was in the crowd watching the local derby between Norwich and Ipswich on Sunday.

Sheeran grew up in Framlingham, Suffolk and is reportedly an Ipswich fan, despite sitting in the Norwich end for the ‘Old Farm’ derby.

He has previously stated his desire to one day play a gig at The Tractor Boys’ Portman Road stadium.

Sheeran’s presence was not enough to inspire his team to a first win against Norwich since April 2009, as the game finished 1-1.

28th February 2017

23

UEA boxing reaches new heights Richard Ewart Sports Editor UEA’s famous annual fight night is just a few months away. Training takes place four times a week for the dedicated members meaning the occasion promises to be of a higher standard than ever. The boxing club can certainly stake a claim to currently be one of UEA’s most successful societies.

Just a few years ago the club struggled due to a lack of members, equipment and organisation.

Concrete spoke to current club president Billy Kensit to discover how UEA’s boxing society solved these issues.

How has the club grown since you first started?

I joined the club when I first came to UEA in 2013, when it had at most twenty members, most of whom were third years. The club had fundamental issues, with no regular coaches, insufficient equipment and no regular kit suppliers. . I had the benefit of being a member of my home club since a young age, which was run by my grandfather to great success. I was fortunate to be chosen as UEA’s boxing president alongside a keen new committee and we set out a new vision for the club. We aimed to recruit 100 members, participate for the first time in BUCS, compete in Derby Day, gain membership to the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) to enable greater opportunities, establish a regular kit supplier, get new equipment and train coaches within the club. We achieved all of this by the second year. We set up the ring for the Sports Fair which seemed very popular and this year we recruited 130 new members.

What do you think have been the reasons behind this growth?

Photo: Facebook, UEA Boxing Club I think it’s because of the increased exposure boxing is now enjoying, coupled with a new wave of people recognising boxing as an excellent way to get fit.

We ordered £5,000 worth of equipment, both for boxing and for fitness. This was helped by a Sportivate grant from the local council. We increased the sessions to four a week, with Wednesdays and Sundays run at UEA as fitness sessions, appealing to those interested solely in that.

Why have you been officially recognised by the ABA and how will this change or benefit the club?

I contacted Jon Dennis at the local club Attleborough ABC, who had previously worked with my grandfather, so he knew the standard I wanted to achieve.

We officially became a satellite club of Attleborough, which the ABA recognise. This allows UEA

members to have bouts against other ABA clubs and enter ABA tournaments.

What are you expecting when the club starts BUCS, results and participation wise?

We have two strong contenders Thomas Collins at under 69kg in the 2-10 bouts category and Rifat Hussein, a previous ABA semifinalist at under 64kg. We also have several promising young fighters looking to compete for Attleborough, and have a full team ready to compete against Essex on Derby Day.

How welcoming is the club towards female members and what has accounted for the rise in numbers?

With the massive increase in membership, we saw more and more women joining. This meant that we had to adapt as many female

Norwich still outside play-off spots Claud Letts Sports Writer Norwich City’s unbeaten home form in 2017 continued with an emphatic 5-1 victory over struggling Nottingham Forest and an impressive 2-2 draw with Championship leaders Newcastle.

The Canaries also drew 1-1 at home to rivals Ipswich on Sunday.

However, their inability to kill off the lower teams away from home continues to haunt them after a 2-2 midweek draw at Wigan Athletic was followed by a 2-1 defeat at lowly Burton.

Three goals in eight minutes against Forest from Jonny Howson, Jacob Murphy, and Wes Hoolahan, as well as a second half brace from

Alex Pritchard emphasised the talent Norwich have in their squad.

Murphy scored again in the thrilling draw against Newcastle, alongside the resurgent Cameron Jerome.

Norwich’s recent form has not only eased the pressure on manager Alex Neil but has also maintained slight hopes of reaching the play-off spots. City’s promotion hopes looked to have been vanquished following their dire Christmas period and Neil was on the verge of getting the sack after increasing distrust from many supporters. However, the patience shown by chairman Ed Balls has paid off, and the Canaries look a transformed team. The new Dutch duo of Yanic Wildschut and Mitchell Dijks have taken to their new club like ducks to water.

Although it may be a case of

too little too late for Neil’s men this year, the Norwich faithful should not feel too disheartened by their situation. Despite being prone to errors at the back, City’s goalscoring mentality, helped by Jerome’s recent renaissance in form, has boosted morale in the dressing room as well as inside the stadium; Neil deserves all the credit for this.

A vital trip to Hillsborough against play-off rivals Sheffield Wednesday awaits the Canaries. A victory would leave them in a strong position to fight for the play-offs but a defeat would leave them out of the picture. City’s away form this season has been poor. The visit to Sheffield, followed by an away game against struggling Bristol City could end up defining Norwich’s season.

Norwich crest: Flickr, pittaya

members were interested in the fitness element of boxing.

In the past the club recruited female members, but they often left after a short period, so we invited discussion about what our growing number of female members wanted.

We aimed to be more diverse and inclusive and I feel we have achieved this.

We recruited a new female coach to ensure the female members’ needs were being met, and the emphasis on all sessions, irrespective of gender, is to work to the limits of your ability. Everyone can work to their own best effort within a time period, instead of having to achieve an unrealistic expectation.

What has led to several members becoming qualified coaches and how has this benefited the club?

In our mission to expand opportunities for the club we hoped

Continued from back page earlier on in the week, and from there, UEA never looked back.

A dramatic day of sporting action included women’s lacrosse team player Georgia Sutton turning out for the men’s team after they were one player short, and the women’s rugby outfit recording a record Derby Day margin of victory by defeating their Essex opponents 89-0. A keenly fought day of action quickly drew to a close however, and amid confusion surrounding the final scoreline, UEA eventually came out on top 34-30 to secure a fourth successive Derby Day victory heading into this year’s tournament on our very own campus.

But what should you watch out for this year? Well, with 67 sports to choose from both on and off campus there is no shortage of entertainment for Derby Day

to include the teaching of coaching.

With the satellite status, six members passed the ABA level one coaching course, including a new female coach, Kirsty McAlpine. It will benefit the club massively in the long term as we are now selfsufficient and have a good bank of experience to continue to grow.

Where did the idea for the 24hour spar come from and was it successful?

The idea of the 24-hour spar came from a desire to raise money for two causes close to my heart: Cancer Research, and Refuge. I lost my nan to breast cancer and the money raised for Cancer Research was dedicated in her memory.

The attempt saw me sparring continuously for 24 hours with members of the public and club boxers taking turns against me.

It proved massively popular and we raised over £600 for the two charities. aficionados and newcomers alike.

One of the key battlegrounds will be cheerleading, a sport that has an added spice following controversial points scoring decisions in 2013 and 2014. Can the UEA Angels take home the glory or will the Essex Flames extinguish the hosts’ optimism?

Elsewhere, American Football often draws the biggest crowd of the day and the UEA Pirates will be eager to get back on the winning trail after last year’s contest was postponed due to Essex’s inability to provide a sanctioned referee.

The usual suspects, football, rugby, cricket and basketball will all be looking for positive results and big attendances, while newer events such as pole fitness, archery and climbing will hope to establish themselves as exciting events on what should be another tremendous afternoon of sporting action.

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28th February 2017

Sport

UEA ready for

Derby

Day Nick Murphy Sports Editor The University of East Anglia will be looking to make it five consecutive victories against the University of Essex when the two institutions meet for the 17th annual Derby Day on 11th March 2017.

The competition, which first began in 2001, is a yearly sporting contest between the two universities across a range of disciplines, alternating each year between Norwich and Colchester. In the relatively short history of the event, it is UEA that has proved dominant, claiming an impressive 16 Derby Day victories compared to a meagre four attained by Essex. UEA will be hoping to continue their excellent recent form in the competition having won the last four contests, including last year’s edition which saw UEA triumph 34-30 away from home.

With that in mind, UEA will also be hoping to preserve an unbeaten home record that has seen Essex’s challenge on Norfolk soil continually falter throughout the last decadeand-a-half.

That run began back in 2001 when UEA hosted the inaugural Derby Day which featured just four different sports, a far cry from the current structure which allows for a wide range of sports in a number of different disciplines. The quartet that comprised the events back then were netball, rugby, hockey and football, with only the latter two sports allowing for male and female representation. Nevertheless UEA rode out comfortable winners, claiming an impressive 28-1 victory in netball and a resounding 7-0 success in the men’s football on their way to an overall 5-1 victory over Essex to land a maiden Derby Day trophy.

The initial victory sparked a run of Derby Day dominance that saw UEA claim the first five titles without reply from their Essex counterparts.

The 2002 edition culminated in a 9-2 victory for UEA on the road, while upon their return to Norfolk a year later the Yellow & Blues recorded their largest margin of victory yet, securing a 10.5-1.5 win, including success in the first ever staging of American Football at the event.

It would take until 2006, halfa-decade on from the opening tournament, for Essex to register their first ever Derby Day victory.

It came on home soil with the Colchester based university putting in a dominant performance to secure a 16-4 win.

UEA reclaimed their title one year later however, breaking the 20 point barrier for the first time to demolish Essex 20.5-5.5. In perhaps the most exciting tournament to date, Boxing made its debut and UEA claimed a first-time victory by seeing off Essex 3-2, while athletics, women’s rugby and women’s football all shone to give UEA an unassailable lead. The men’s hockey produced the drama of the afternoon, Essex scoring a wonderful late goal from outside the area to claim a 5-5 draw and add a level of respectability to the scoreline.

Indeed, for the next few years Derby Day would be decided by home advantage. Essex secured a second title in 2008 with a narrow 21-18 victory before UEA wrestled the trophy back a year later with a comprehensive 26-12 success.

UEA’s most recent run of success began in March 2013 when the university recorded an overwhelming 38-9 success against their beleaguered Essex counterparts. Despite a number of preliminary issues including the football competition being postponed due to snow, UEA

marched on with an impressive 6359 fightback victory in the men’s basketball and an outstanding first time success for the debutants in pole fitness who saw off their Essex opponents by an 866-829 scoreline.

There was also a landmark success for the UEA trampolining team who recorded an unparalleled 10th straight Derby Day victory to ensure that UEA took home trophy number ten.

The following year produced the most dramatic Derby Day. A tense, tight and quite scintillating afternoon of sports action had seen the lead to-and-fro between the two institutions, Essex taking an early lead courtesy of victory in the futsal before UEA fought back in women’s lacrosse, ultimate frisbee and korfball. The theme continued throughout the day with Essex retaining the lead until a late UEA fightback in netball and water polo meant that the competition would be decided on the gauze of the pool table. And it was there that a Derby Day legend was made, step forward Josh Edwards. ‘Eddy from Pool’, as he would later become known, sunk the all-important black to clinch Derby Day 2014 by the narrowest of margins and secure UEAs first back-to-back Derby Day success since in 10 years.

UEA followed that success up with a far more resounding win in 2015, claiming an overwhelming 42.5-19.5 victory in the most recent tournament to be held at our very own campus. Last year saw UEA return to Essex in an attempt to claim back-to-back Derby Day wins on enemy territory for the first time since the competition began in 2001. East Anglia headed into the Saturday showdown with an early 2-0 lead thanks to a two-point haul in the Rowing which was held Continued on page 23

Derby Day images: Dan Falvey