Bristol's support of refugee students
In conversation with Wolf Alice
INSIDE: The Croft magazine insert
Features explore the role of the Sanctuary Scholarship at the University of Bristol and how its shop is raising money
‘ ‘Eager to be let out to roam in the real world again, Theo describes his plans as soon as June 21 rolls around'
Featuring Bristol's own sex column, 'Pillow Talk' as well as style tips, travel ideas and yummy recipes!
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See inside!
epigram est. 1988
The University of Bristol’s Independent Student Newspaper Fortnightly | 27 April 2021 | Issue 357
Bristol SU lead the charge for tuition fee reduction in open letter to government regulator Siavash Minoukadeh Deputy Digital Editor
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ver 20 officers from Students' Unions across the country have published an open letter to the Chief Executive of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), led by Bristol SU's Undergraduate Education Officer, David Ion. The letter is part of Bristol SU's ongoing Fee Justice Now campaign, which is intended to encourage students and the University to put pressure on the government for a partial refund of this year's tuition fees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bristol SU is calling for a partial tuition fee refund on the basis that students have not received what they signed up for with the open letter stating: ‘Almost all students have experienced a diminished experience in comparison to that which was originally promised and advertised to them. Most have been denied access to campus facilities and services, many have had practical material components of their course removed or dramatically changed, and hundreds of thousands of them have been asked by the government to not return to campus accommodation that they are still being charged for.' Continued on page six...
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Frowns, not gowns as in-person graduations cancelled for the second year in a row: The Class of 2021 have had their graduations postponed until the Spring of 2022 at the earliest. For more information and student reactions to the university's plans, see page three...
Pupils-come-politicians! Meet the students running in the Bristol City Council elections Epigram News Team
E
pigram reached out to all of the UoB students running in next week’s Bristol City Council election of 6 May. Four of them responded answering our questions about their campaigns: Alexander Gibson and Jude D'Alesio, Elliott Callender and Patrick McAllister. These candidates will be running for the wards of both Clifton Down and Knowle.
We asked them: • Why are you standing for election? • Why should people vote for you in the ward in which you're running? • As Councillor you would be in a position to propose, support or oppose policies and actions; what particular issues will you want the Council to prioritise and what is your approach on these issues? Continued on pages four and five...
EpigramPaper
Epigram finds one in five students are set to move in with strangers in September Joe Green
Investigations Editor
T
he typically strenuous process of organising living arrangements for the upcoming academic year has included an additional challenge this term, with COVID-19 affecting students’ ability to meet potential flatmates and view prospective properties within the city. An Epigram poll has shone a light on the number of students who have found their search for flatmates and
@EpigramPaper
a place to live affected as a direct result of COVID-19. 79 per cent of those polled agree that COVID-19 restrictions have made it more difficult to find other students to live with, with many resorting to alternative methods. Two-thirds found their flatmates for next year via social media, with 33 per cent using Facebook message boards, while just four per cent said they used the Students' Union-organised virtual Find a Flatmate events. Continued on page seven...
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Editorial
Co-Editor-in-Chief Co-Editor-in-Chief Deputy Editor Deputy Digital Editor The Croft Editor
editor@epigram.org.uk
Robin Connolly Teddy Coward Georgiana Scott Siavash Minoukadeh Orin Carlin
Write for Epigram: I quite frankly can’t decide if I have too much to say - or nothing at all I can’t help but feel under some heavy pressure to leave you with wise and profound words. This is the final edition of Epigram this year and one of only two that we’ve been able to print. Yet (and I say this as someone who is very rarely lost for words,) I quite frankly can’t decide if I have too much to say or nothing at all. I’ll probably be saying it for the rest of my life, but this year has been bizarre to say the least. Looking back on it, it feels like it has moved so slowly, yet it also feels like it was only yesterday the first lockdown announcement was made on TV. If I’m being honest, ditto about the whole of university – first year feels like it was five minutes, yet forever ago, all at the same time. Reflecting on this very thought, a very dear friend said to me recently that ‘University is just a series of changing relationships that are changing at all times – with your parents and family; with your teachers, tutors and lecturers; with girlfriends and boyfriends and old friends and new friends but, most importantly, with yourself.’ His words hit home a little for me – having watched the social media trends of ‘lockdown trans-formations’, I couldn’t help but think about how I have evolved in the last three years, too. My Bristol experience has offered me the chance to grow, shed my skin, change, experiment and try new things. I have won, I have lost, I have spent moments somewhere ambiguously in the middle. I may well be a very different human being to the one that got dropped off in Stoke Bishop by my mum in 2018, but I know deep down that fresh-out-of-summer, bright and shiny girl and this exhausted, shell of a third year should be equally proud of one
another. As *drum roll please for my words of wisdom….* should all of you. In the most cringey, primary school-style way, I hope that everyone reading this will go home at some point today and pat themselves on the back. Whisper to yourselves, or maybe shout from your rooftop, ‘we’ve made it this far!’ This year has been the hardest of many of our lives, in so many different ways, and every single one of us deserves to be given a gold star for getting here, in whatever shape and form that may have taken. I hope that this summer will provide people a little time to rest and heal. While I'll of course have my fingers crossed that I'll be bumping into you all in Motion Lounge on 21 June, I love to think that even if the government roadmap out of lockdown doesn't quite go to plan that we'll all get some well deserved R&R. To finalists: good luck wherever you're heading next, last push and we're almost there. To those with a little more time left in Bristol: enjoy it - this isn't a city to be taken for granted. Anyway, with all that said, we've got a cracking final issue for you. Music managed to bag a fantastic interview with Wolf Alice, as did Sport with Bristol Bear's Will Capon - both make for excellent reads. Opinion tackle vaccine passports, the replacement scheme for Erasmus+ and how seriously students take politics and Film&TV dissect the 2021 Academy Awards. The Croft, with its gorgeous, student-designed cover offers some words of wisdom from a third year to the student body as well as fashion tips for the big June 21. So go on, for one last time this academic year - I dare you to give us a read. It'll be worth it.
Epigram is the independent student newspaper of the University of Bristol. The views expressed in this publication are not those of the University or the Students’ Union. The design, text and photographs are copyright of Epigram and its individual contributors and may not be reproduced without permission. Printed by: Newsquest Media Group, 4th Floor, Queens House, 55/56 Lincolns Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3LJ
Each section of the newspaper has a Facebook group where editors post commissions. You can also join our Creatives group where we commission artwork, poetry and illustration. For more information email: getinvolved.epigram@ gmail.com
Subeditors Chief Proofreader Joe Marshall News Megan Evans Features Flossie Palmer Opinion Flossie Palmer Film&TV Layla Nathan Arts Stephanie Kelly Music Lauren Paddison SciTech Sarah Dalton Puzzles ‘Susan Doku' Sport James Dowden Correspondents and Contributors Climate Correspondent Billy Stockwell BAME Correspondent Tia Bahia SU Correspondent Eve Bentley-Hussey Investigations Correspondents Joe Green, Guy Taylor, Holly Beaumont, Lily Farrant Features Columnist Fergal Maguire Opinion Columnist Lowri Lewis Arts Critic Bamidele Madamidola Business Team Managing Director Edward Fraser Deputy Director Maggie Knox Head of Marketing Olivia Tapper Head of Finance Maduka Karunatilaka Head of Ads and Sales Joshua Ang Head of Alumni Anthony Duncalf
Clarifications & Corrections Epigram strives to be as accurate and impartial on student news as possible. However, should you wish to raise any editorial, commercial or legal issues please email editor@epigram.org.uk with the problem, addressed to the Editors-in-Chief. Please be sure to include the issue number and article headline if the article was in print, or the URL if the article was online. We endeavour to correct any inaccuracies as soon as they are raised with us.
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epigram 27.04.2021
Bristol University confirms there will be no in-person graduation ceremonies this year
Epigram News Team
T
he University of Bristol has confirmed that all in-person graduation ceremonies will be postponed until Spring 2022. This includes both the July 2020
coming July and in February 2022. The University, however, has said these graduation plans for next year will also be subject to the pandemic and coronavirus restrictions. In an update on the University’s website, the University said: ‘We deem the risk of disruption too high to proceed’ and explained that social distancing requirements will mean the venues used to host in-person ceremonies ‘are not big enough’. Instead, for those due to graduate in July 2021 or February 2022, virtual celebration events will take place, which the University say ‘are not replacements for graduations,’ but rather are ‘an opportunity for the Class of 2021 to celebrate your time at the University in the interim’. Explaining the decision further, a University of Bristol spokesperson said: ‘After careful consideration,
University of Bristol
• Graduates of the class of 2021 have had their inperson graduation ceremony postponed until next Spring • The University’s graduations plans for next year will however be subject to the pandemic
For those due to graduate in July or February 2022, virtual celebration events will take place and February 2021 cohorts who have so far not graduated in-person, and cohorts that are due to graduate this
due to the ongoing unpredictability around hosting mass events, it has been agreed that in-person gradua-
tions will not take place in 2021. ‘Virtual celebrations will take place in the summer for the February 2021 and July 2021 cohorts.
‘The plan is to host ceremonies for all students who have not yet had the opportunity to graduate in Spring 2022.
‘We know many students will be disappointed by this decision, but we look forward to next year when we can hold these ceremonies safely.’
‘A heart-wrenching blow’: Bristol students react as graduation ceremonies postponed • Students have reacted with sadness and upset at the news that inperson graduation ceremonies have this year been postponed • Bristruths has been used as a platform to convey understanding about the decision Guy Taylor
Investigations Editor
S
tudents have expressed their disappointment and resignation towards the University of Bristol’s recent decision to postpone in-person graduation ceremonies until Spring 2022. Speaking to Epigram, Tiegan Bingham-Roberts, a third-year English course rep, said the decision is ‘ridiculous, a shambles and a huge
heart-wrenching blow to my motivation and to the dedication I have shown to this university. ‘During stressful essay-writing sessions, what gets me through is thinking about the end goal and spe-
also highlighted the hypocrisy of a ‘zoom graduation, whilst the rest of the country can go to football games and concerts.’ Third year History students Alice Geldenhuys and Jacklyn Widjaja de-
cifically the end celebration – which has been taken away from us. ‘Graduation ceremonies were the beacon of hope amidst this continued chaotic and disappointing academic year.’
scribed the decision as an ‘anti-climax’ and ‘really upsetting,’ whilst Sophie Albrow, another prospective history graduate, said that she felt ‘gutted as it was the only glimmer
‘During stressful essay writing sessions, what gets me through is thinking about the end goal and specifically the end celebration – which has been taken away from us.’ As the country begins to open-up from a year of lockdowns, Tiegan
of hope.’ Bristruths, the popular anony-
mous confessions page, released a post from one student, saying: ‘I’m so disappointed and upset about graduation not happening this year, I wish the uni would be more transparent in their decision making because I really just don’t understand why it can’t go ahead.’ Although many students were upset by the decision, some who Epigram contacted argued the decision was out of the university’s hands. Tabitha Pring, a third-year Biomedical student, said she thought ‘that it is very understandable to
everyone saw this coming.’ Final year Economics student Will Donald agreed, saying ‘it’s not really their fault… it’s not ideal but hardly like the university want this either.’ A spokesperson from the University had justified the decision with reference to the ‘ongoing unpredictability around hosting mass events,’ stating that ‘we know many students will be disappointed by this decision but we look forward to next year when we can hold these ceremonies safely.’ Currently, virtual replacement
postpone graduation due to the circumstances. ‘It is disappointing not to be able to celebrate with friends, everyone feels the same way. But I feel like
events will take place, although university has said these ‘are replacements for graduations,’ rather a chance to celebrate ‘in interim.’
the not but the
4 News
epigram 27.04.2021
Meet the Bristol University students standing as Councillors in next week's local elections
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ith local elections taking place across the country next week, Epigram spoke to University of Bristol students who are standing as Councillors in the Bristol City Council election on 6 May. After reaching out to all UoB students running in next week’s election, the following pages feature the students who responded and provided answers to our questions. ---------------------------------Pictured on the RIGHT: Alexander Gibson and Jude D'Alesio who are standing as councillor candidates for the Conservative Party in the Clifton Down ward. Alexander Gibson and Jude D'Alesio's responses to Epigram's questions: 1. Why are you standing for election? We are standing in this election for a simple reason: Bristol can do better. Both of us have strong links with Clifton Down, the ward we wish to serve, and will do everything we can to ensure it moves from strength to strength. Jude: I am a student at Bristol University living in Clifton. Already a councillor on Long Ashton Parish Council, I am committed to making sure that everyone has the tools to succeed. In my spare time, I love nothing more than getting stuck in with the community. Whether it’s being a school governor, litter-picking or cycling through Clifton Down, I always look for new ways to improve the area for residents. Alexander: I am a student at Bristol University and I volunteer in the ward by providing food to the homeless as well as working with schools across the nation to address mental health issues. It would, therefore, be an honour to represent Clifton Down on Bristol City Council. To stay updated on our campaign, like our Facebook page: Clifton Down Conservatives. 2. Why should people vote for you in the Clifton Down ward? We have a 3-point plan to ensure that Clifton Down can be a safe, clean and green place for residents to live and exercise. Action on Air Pollution: Clifton Down is becoming more and more concerned with this issue. Don’t just take our word for it: a 2020 survey by Bristol City Council found that
68% of people in the ward think air quality and traffic pollution are a problem. We will not accomplish this by forcing residents to buy electric cars or pay a congestion charge, but by making public transport more attractive to ease dreadful congestion along Whiteladies Road. VOI scooters are also very popular among students, so we will do everything we can to make sure its users are safe. Action on Antisocial Behaviour: The recent riots show the importance of clamping down on antisocial behaviour. Our message is clear: the actions of a minority of rioters do not represent the views of the law-abiding majority of great citizens in Bristol.
with other councillors and the new Mayor of the West of England. 3. As Councillor you would be in a position to propose, support or oppose policies and actions; what particular issues will you want the Council to prioritise and what is your approach on these issues? How will you also ensure you can achieve these actions too? Councils have played a critical role leading their communities during the pandemic, continuing to deliver the vital services we all rely on every day and Conservative councils up and down the country have a proven record of managing people’s money wisely and providing good local services. If we are lucky enough to be elect-
pollution. Therefore, all Bristol Conservatives, not just us, support having a referendum on the position of the City Mayor where we would campaign passionately to scrap this unaccountable position and give more power to your elected councillors. Now more than ever, communities need local leaders who share their priorities and who they can trust to deliver vital services during the pandemic – not waste taxpayers’ money on misguided schemes and vanity projects that offer no benefit to residents. We promise to deliver on Clifton Down’s priorities and provide value for money, not play political games, as we build back better!
Tough, visible, community policing leaves no police for antisocial acts and Conservatives are already making great progress to deliver this by recruiting recently an extra 128 police officers in Avon and Somerset. Action on Street Litter: 68% of Clifton Down residents still think that street litter is a problem, but we think that the ward should be a cleaner place to live and exercise. We will achieve this by ensuring regular street cleaning, more police on the beat to punish litterers and working
ed to Bristol City Council on 6 May, we will not only focus on delivering our 3-point plan but also ensuring value for money from public services. Residents are not receiving this from the Labour Mayor of Bristol. The council wasted millions of pounds on Bristol Energy, a failed energy company which was sold for £15m after racking up losses of over £40m in the space of five years. This is money that could have been spent on schools, police, street cleaning and finding sensible solutions to air
----------------------------------Pictured on the next page TOP LEFT: Elliott Callender, who is a University of Bristol student standing as councillor candidate for the Labour Party in the Clifton Down ward. The following are Elliott's responses: 1. Why are you standing for election? I’m standing because young people are greatly underrepresented in local government. Whilst people aged 1824 years old represent 10.8per cent
Alexander Gibson and Jude D'Alesio
Epigram News Team
our local councils can often ignore the views of young people who are often most reliant on the services and support of the council. For example, in Bristol Carla Denyer, a Green Party councillor in Clifton Down, voted to close Lakota after nearly 30 years of it being a staple in our diverse and unique club scene in Bristol. It’s a problem when councillors would rather convert iconic venues into unaffordable flats than seek to maintain one of the many reasons Bristol is such a great city to live in. Last year, I co-wrote an article for Epigram urging the importance of organising and participating in democratic movements whether it was the COVID-19 mutual aid groups or political parties. I’ve been inspired by the Bristol Rent Strikers, the #KillTheBill protesters and the local All Black Lives branch in Bristol. Recently I co-wrote a letter with two of my fellow council candidates calling on private landlords to meet similar demands that the Bristol Rent Strikers are demanding. It’s time to work with groups like these and empower them to improve local government and as a councillor I’d love to be given the opportunity to do that. 2. Why should people vote for you in the Clifton Down ward? In Clifton Down it’s a contest between the Greens and the Labour Party. In Clifton Down, myself and my co-candidate Teresa Stratford, who is an occupational therapist, are fighting this election on five pledges. Tough Action on Housing: We'll ensure there is tighter regulation and community input to prevent the explosion of HMOs in Bristol and we'll take action to lower rents and improve the quality of housing. A Green New Deal for Bristol: We'll continue to push for a Green New Deal for Bristol, aggressively reducing pollution and inequalities in order to make Bristol a net zero emissions city by 2030. Bring our public transport under public control: We'll campaign for a publically owned bus network to reduce fares, increase accessibility and promote sustainable transport alternatives for Clifton Down. Support Local, Independent Busi-
News 5
nesses: We'll work with independent businesses so they can thrive like supporting the pedestrianisation of Cotham Hill and we'll prevent the takeover of our area by big chain stores and protect our unique nightlife. Empower our Communities: We'll advocate in partnership with local initiatives such as the desire for a play area more locally on the Downs or improvements to the Clifton Down's station lighting, signage and facilities. If you like the sound of these pledges, we’d love to earn your vote for Labour on 6 May. 3. As Councillor you would be in a position to propose, support or oppose policies and actions; what particular issues will you want the Council to prioritise and what is your approach on these issues? Almost every door I’ve knocked on over the past year and half has brought up the issue of housing. In an era of Conservative austerity, Bristol’s Labour-run council has been able to deliver 9,000 affordable homes and have used the powers available to them to take tough action on dodgy landlords. I’d like to see the extension of the additional licensing scheme to Clifton Down, raising the minimum standards for rented accommodation and would mean the accommodation many students live in will be better quality. Action needs to be taken, already in the past couple of years rents have rocketed in Clifton Down, especially for students, and are completely unjustifiable. Secondly, Bristol needs a Green New Deal. Everything we do as a council must have a goal of reducing
emissions and ensuring we are a net zero city by 2030. Fundamentally this requires reducing private car use and improving local public transport as an affordable, accessible alternative. But how can we encourage Bristolians to use public transport if the prices continue to skyrocket? That’s why I’d work with our Metro Mayor to bring Bristol’s buses under public control, ending rising ticket prices and improving our cities connectivity. If our council ran local bus services, local residents would have control over bus routes, prices and can turbocharge a green transition in the bus fleet. On 6 May, please vote for Labour in Clifton Down and across Bristol. You can find out more about our campaign on our facebook page. ----------------------------------Pictured to the RIGHT: Patrick McAllister, who is a University of Bristol student standing as councillor candidate for the Green Party in the Knowle ward. Patrick is one of a few students who are running as councillor candidates for the Green Party in Bristol. Other Bristol University students standing for election include Georgia Nelson, who is standing as candidate in the St George Central ward, Jasmine Fryer-Jones, standing as candidate for Stockwood ward, and Poppy Silk, who is standing as candidate for the ward of Stoke Bishop. The following are Patrick's responses to Epigram's questions to him: 1. Why are you standing for election? I am standing to offer the people of Knowle ward a chance at effective Green representation on Bristol City
Council. In this time of climate crisis and social and economic upheaval, everyone deserves to benefit from the ideas that only the Green Party is putting forward. I have long been inspired by the effectiveness of local Green representatives, and want to be a part of that by fighting for action on climate change, housing shortages and the state of our infrastructure. As a councillor, I will be proud to continue that work alongside my fellow Green councillors and our new Green mayor. 2. Why should people vote for you in the Knowle ward? I will be a strong advocate for the necessary changes we as a city need to make to boost our recovery from the pandemic and address the fundamental problems facing Bristol today. As a young person I have a particular perspective on many of these issues and will bring a fresh voice to the Council when making decisions that impact everyone in our city. The current state of local government is that it is filled with older, wealthier people, and I believe electing young people is the best way to move to a more representative style of politics. In particular, climate change is an issue felt most urgently by younger people, and electing young Greens such as myself and my peers to the Council will ensure due scrutiny and accountability on climate matters will never be in question. As a student I am very aware of issues such as unattainable, insecure and low-quality housing, the lack of youth services, and shortcomings in our public transport network – addressing these concerns will be among my top priorities. We cannot
claim to live in a city built for all while so many of our citizens are shut out from these fundamental aspects of it. As a councillor I will always defend the right to protest – none of the rights we enjoy today would have been won without it. I am committed to upholding racial justice, especially when it comes to law enforcement, and support Green PCC candidate Cleo Lake’s calls for reparatory justice. 3. As Councillor you would be in a position to propose, support or oppose policies and actions; what particular issues will you want the Council to prioritise and what is your approach on these issues? Recovery from the pandemic is obviously the most immediate concern. I will fully back large-scale investments in Bristol’s high streets to boost our economic recovery, such as the ones outlined in our mayoral candidate Sandy Hore-Ruthven’s Green Economic Recovery plan. I am in favour of pedestrianising busy shopping streets where appropriate – it’s an excellent way to boost footfall and is proven to work wonders elsewhere in the city and across the country. The side effects also include reducing air pollution and road hazards, increasing the accessibility of the city for all. Bristol’s bus network integration is a mess and requires addressing so that all areas of the city are served properly. I would also like to see the development of a light rail network; a realistic and useful proposal instead of the current mayor’s un-
workable plans for an underground system in the far future. Revamping Bristol’s public transport requires the vision and commitment that only Greens can provide. Of course, combatting the climate emergency is the most important challenge of our lifetimes. It was Green councillors who declared Bristol’s climate emergency in 2018, and I will continue this legacy – every decision I make on the council will be informed by the need to reach carbon neutrality as soon as possible. While I of course look forward to working with my fellow Green representatives, I will also aim to work collaboratively with councillors of all parties on issues we agree on, to help create stronger and more durable outcomes. ----------------------------------To view the full list of candidates standing for election in the Bristol City Council election on 6 May, visit the Parties' websites for a comprehensive ward-by-ward breakdown of who is standing and who you can cast a vote for in your ward. To ensure fairness of coverage each of the three parties whose candidates are featured here, have received approximately 750 words of coverage in this article.
Patrick McAllister
Elliott Callender
epigram 27.04.2021
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epigram 27.04.2021
Bristol Uni named on website exposing rape culture and sexual assault at universities • The University of Bristol received the ninth highest number of mentions in testimones of sexual assault across UK universities • The ten universities with the most mentions are all Russell Group universities Megan Evans News Subeditor
A
nonymous testimonies released by campaign group Everyone’s Invited reveal the scale of rape culture at UK universities, with the University of Bristol amongst the institutions with the highest number of mentions in ac-
conduct in accounts submitted to the website. The University of Bristol has had the ninth highest number of mentions: 37 in the week 26 March – 2 April alone. The ten universities with the most mentions are all members of the Russell Group of universities. The campaign group, Everyone’s Invited, has been making headlines for exposing the scale of rape culture and sexual violence within schools. More recently, anonymous accounts from victims have proven that these issues extend to higher education, with over 1,000 testimonies from university students being submitted between 26 March – 2 April, a fifth of all testimonies posted to the site. Everyone’s Invited founder Soma Sara explained: ‘As Everyone’s Invited has emphasised from the outset, rape culture is everywhere, including in all universities.’
The University of Bristol has had the ninth highest number of mentions: 37 in the week 26 March – 2 April alone. counts of sexual assault. 86 universities have been named in a list released by Everyone’s Invited, an online ‘anti-rape movement’ publishing anonymous testimonies of sexual assault, of institutions which have been sites of sexual mis-
A Russell Group spokesman said universities took the issue ‘incredibly seriously’, stating: ‘No student should feel unsafe or have to tolerate harassment or sexual misconduct in any circumstance. ‘Where a crime has been commit-
ted it should be reported to the police. The testimonies highlighted via the Everyone’s Invited website show the need for us all to take this issue seriously. ‘Our members are working with Universities UK to address this issue at a sector-wide level and will continue to do so to ensure campuses are places of safety and respect for others at all times.’ This information comes in the wake of the death of Sarah Everard, which has raised issues surrounding women’s safety and gender-based violence nationally. In a statement to Epigram, commenting on this news, UoB FemSoc said: ‘As a society we are very aware of the continuing issue of rape culture and prevalent sexual assault at the University of Bristol and other Russell Group universities. ‘We are pleased that this situation is being brought to light through the actions of other students on campus and we hope their testimonies will encourage actions of positive change by the university. ‘We have been working closely with the SU and external groups to implement better measures and regulations to tackle the issue at Bristol, especially in light of the pandemic isolating many students from the usual channels of support.’ A University of Bristol spokesperson said: ‘No person, in any setting, should have to suffer sexual misconduct, violence or harassment.
‘At the University of Bristol, we treat sexual misconduct very seriously and we are fully committed to tackling this issue. We have invested in and implemented a robust support system to help students report incidents and to ensure their safety and wellbeing. ‘We have several initiatives in
pension whilst the police are investigating and will start proceedings under disciplinary regulations when the police investigation has concluded. ‘For those who choose not to report to the police, or feel unable to do so, allegations made against other students can also be investigated
A Russell Group spokesman said universities took the issue ‘incredibly seriously;’ ‘No student should feel unsafe or have to tolerate harassment or sexual misconduct in any circumstance. place aiming to tackle and raise awareness of sexual misconduct in our community. ‘We have a team of externally trained Sexual Violence Liaison Officers who are available to provide specialised support and advice to students who have made allegations of sexual misconduct. ‘They can advise on reporting options and also ensure that the student is appropriately supported, liaising with external organisations and putting in place support at the university. ‘The University offers assistance with accommodation moves if necessary, extenuating circumstances and other academic options as well as facilitating access to specialist external support. ‘We encourage students to report these incidents to the police. We can impose risk assessment measures such as non-contact orders or sus-
as part of the University’s disciplinary regulations and appropriate actions taken. ‘If any student has been affected by sexual misconduct, and they aren’t sure where they want to go for support or want to consider their options in relation to reporting, we would encourage them to speak to a Sexual Violence Liaison Officer. Students can also report incidents via our Report and Support service (visit reportandsupport.bristol.ac.uk/ support/ for more information). ‘The University is committed to promoting and providing a positive experience for all our students and staff, and to fostering an inclusive university community where all members can flourish and be equally valued and respected, and in which any and all forms of sexual misconduct are not tolerated, and individuals impacted by this are supported and taken seriously.’
Bristol SU launches open letter to the Competition and Markets Authority • Bristol SU have led a group of 20 SUs in writing to the government department, calling for them to respond to student concerns over fees as part of their Fee Justice Now campaign Siavash Minoukadeh Deputy Digital Editor
Contined from front page... None, that we are aware of, have actively consented to the changes that have been made to the educational offer from their higher education or accommodation
‘
providers, and we are not aware of any systemic rebates or refunds for students outside of the university-run accommodation sector.' Other signatories include officers from students' unions across the country, such as from Oxford Students' Union, Cambridge Students' Union and the University of Exeter's Students' Guild. Larissa Kennedy, the President of the National Union of Students (NUS) is also a signatory. In the letter, the student representatives call on Dr. Andrea Coscelli to ‘take action to uphold students’ rights during this pandemic and sets out six demands for the CMA. The signatories have asked the CMA to give students advice on whether they could withhold paying their tution fees if they do not feel they are getting what they promised,
alongside asking them to reform their complaints procedure to allow for students to apply for blanket fee refunds. Currently, students can only contact the CMA about issues with individual courses at individual universities. The letter argues that since the pandemic has had a blanket impact on the quality of education all students have received, it should be possible to apply for a blanket fee refund for students across the board. Other demands include a clarification on what is meant by the ‘quality' of a course. The letter argues that the lack of clarity on this area can prevent students from being able to make a case that they have not been given the level of education they signed up to pay for.
Addressing the challenges faced by students in privately-run Halls of Residence and meeting with the signatories are also part of the demands made in the letter. The signatories have argued that the CMA, as an impartial body, needs to step up and increase pressure on universities and the government who have so far rejected claims for any fee refunds. The letter states: ‘Students need an external organisation with no vested interest other thanupholding students’ rights to step in and give them the power to seek collective fee justice. The CMA must act now.' Whilst the letter also criticises individual universities, the government and the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) for failing to listen to students, it also points to
the CMA's own silence on this issue, saying: ‘Hundreds of thousands of students have been left with no viable route to redress on any meaningful scale, and as far as we can make out the CMA has completely ignored the issue - despite multiple petitions to the government which have gained hundreds of thousands of signatures.' The CMA has so far not taken a position on tuition fee refunds or other complaints raised by students as a result of the pandemic and the impact it has has had on the higher education sector. Further events planned as part of the Fee Justice Now campaign include a week of action and writing mass complaints to the Office for Students.
News 7
epigram 27.04.2021
One in five Bristol students plan to move in with strangers next year • An Epigram poll has uncovered the extent to which students' accommodation plans have been affected by COVID-19 • First year students have resorted to methods such as social media to find themselves flatmates for next year Joe Green Investigations Editor
Continued from front page... espite the pandemic, four in five students have still managed to meet their 2021/22 flatmates in person before agreeing to live with them, with only 20 per cent of students saying they are planning on living with strangers next year. However, 90 per cent of those who are still yet to meet the people they have agreed to live with also say they are more apprehensive about their future living arrangements as a result. This uncertainty is reflective of a year which has seen Freshers' week
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book looking for other people, I just latched onto. ‘I still haven’t met any of my future flatmates because none of them are currently in Bristol.’ Another first-year student de-
79 per cent of those polled agree that COVID-19 restrictions have made it more difficult to find other students to live with. virtually cancelled and night life put on hold, with first-year students still yet to have a university experience where they are legally allowed to socialise in a group larger than six people. One first-year Maths student told Epigram how much COVID-19 had affected their experience of looking for flatmates, saying: ‘by December it wasn’t looking like I was going to meet anyone I’d be wanting to live with, so the first group on Face-
scribed how once plans to live with people they knew before university fell through, they were ‘quite stressed for a few weeks until someone posted on my course group chat that she still hadn’t found housemates for next year and to message her if anyone was in the same boat.' ‘We managed to get a group of four together without much difficulty but it was definitely awkward as none of us had met up or made friends beforehand.’
One of the biggest obstacles for first-years has been that some are still yet to move to Bristol at all. An Anthropology student explained how a task already made challenging by budget issues was ‘made even more difficult given I wasn’t living in halls in Bristol. ‘I used online message boards of people advertising vacancies and stumbled on a group who needed one space in a flat filling. ‘Generally, I found the experience stressful but am now happy with my choice.’ Speaking to Epigram, Victoria Hanley, the Head of Property Services for Bristol SU Lettings, said: ‘We’ve found the demand for student rental bookings has been just as busy as previous years. ‘There seems to be a real appetite from students to keep hold of the important student experience of living
Victoria Hanley, the Head of Property Services for Bristol SU Lettings, told Epigram: ‘We’ve found the demand for student rental bookings has been just as busy as previous years. with their mates at Uni. ‘We’ve had additional challenges related to Covid especially around property visits and viewings. We had to adapt the way in which we deliver our service quite quickly as the events of last year unfolded and opted for a virtual tour option for all of our properties on our website. ‘This proved successful in significantly reducing the number of in-person viewings we had to do. ‘Now that lockdown restrictions are beginning to ease, we are resuming in person viewings with additional safety measures, our team have been largely working from home for the past 12 months but
with campus due to re-open... it is our plan to be able to re-open to the public from May.’ A spokesperson for the University of Bristol said: ‘We are really hopeful that our students can return to normal living arrangements in the 2021/2022 academic year. ‘However, we will be led by Government guidance and regulations at the time, taking whatever steps we are required for our tenants to live safely within the guidelines. ‘Having had to adapt to a first year of university like no other, for a number of students the beginning of second-year may prove to be just as unprecedented.’
Bristol Student Housing Co-op launches membership
• The studentfounded housing co-op opened up its wider membership • Members will own shares in the coop and contribute to decisions about its future
Epigram Reporters
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ristol Student Housing Coop has launched its membership for people to apply to become a member of the co-operative, thereby owning a share in the Co-op. The student housing co-op set up by students in Bristol is the first of
its kind in the city, and is continuing in its development process after becoming a legal entity on 6 November. Students and non-students can apply to become a legal member of the co-op by completing a form accessible via the co-op's social media channels. When applying for membership
people can indicate which working group of the co-op they wish to join, from governance+finance, publicity, events and recruitment+membership. The prospective membership of people who have applied will be considered at a General Meeting and upon membership being approved, they will be asked to pay £1 to the
co-op to become a legal member. Once a full member, people will be entered into the Register of Members and will gain full voting rights, helping to shape the future path of the co-op by making decisions on its future. Members will also be able to move into property acquired by the co-op in the future.
8 News
epigram 27.04.2021
Opening of £300m Bristol University campus delayed until 2025
Allford Hall Monaghan Morris ly
Roya Shahidi
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he University of Bristol has revised the date for the opening of the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus for the second time. The initial plan was to open the campus in 2022 but it is now expected to open in 2025. The Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus will contain a business school, host new digital initiatives and be home to 3,000 Bristol university students. The ‘uncertainties’ created by the pandemic and Brexit have caused the University to revise plans. Barra Mac Ruairí, the University’s Chief Property Officer, said: ‘We are committed to Temple Quarter. ‘We have taken on a challenging site in a challenging time with a scheme which is unique in terms of its activity.
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n 10 April, the Bristol Suspensions, a 17-piece mixed a cappella group of Bristol University A Cappella society, were announced the winners of the UK National leg of the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. Placing as runners-up in both the 2018 and 2019 finals, the recent win is testament to the dedication and hard work of the group through years of competing and possibly the most difficult year for performance groups in the competition’s history. For the first time the championship was held entirely online, with competing groups submitting video performances for scrutiny by the judges. Despite the immense challenge of remote collaboration, group members Oscar Andrusier, Robbie Arm-
University of Bristol launches Festival of International Research and Partnerships
or one month, from Monday 19 April until Wednesday 19 May, students, teachers, researchers, and non-academics can learn from the experts across different disciplines on topics such as climate change and reducing inequalities, as part of Bristol University’s Festival of International Research and Partnership. The free online inaugural festival will demonstrate how researchers are working together across borders to tackle specific issues such as reaching net zero carbon dioxide emissions, decolonisation, and eliminating hunger and poverty.
Issues made worse by the impact of COVID will also be discussed, such
Emilie Robinson
as tackling misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. Experts from the University’s own Faculty of Engineering and the Bristol Poverty Institute will be also attending and hosting events. Professor Judith Squires, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Provost of the University of Bristol, has said: ‘This festival is a fantastic opportunity for students and researchers around the world to discover the strength and diversity of international research and partnerships across the University of Bristol. I hope the festival will spark important debate on these topics, strengthen existing partnerships, and forge exciting new relationships for the future.’ University of Bristol
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‘It’s a great project where learning, research, workshops and a civic building come together as one which is core to our future. ‘A project of this scale and ambition comes with a range of complexities, which have been exacerbated by the ongoing pandemic. ‘However, we have pushed forward and will use this time to recalibrate and make the project even stronger and add more resilience. ‘Our ambition is clear but any delay is disappointing, our vision for the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus has not changed and we remain 100 per cent committed to contribute to the research, innovation and skills required to drive the city and region’s post-COVID recovery and help regenerate and deliver the future vision for Temple Quarter and St Philip’s Marsh.’
Bristol Suspensions celebrate A Cappella win at ICCA UK final strong, Nathan Cave, and Rosa Witts also managed to secure the Special Award for Outstanding Arrangement of their performance of ‘The Heartburn Song’. President of Bristol University A Cappella society Alistair Manclark said of the victory, ‘we are so proud to see our friends in the Bristol Suspensions become national champions! ‘After some insanely close calls in recent years, it’s amazing to see them get the recognition that they deserve, and we can’t wait to see them competing with the best groups in the world in the international finals later this year. ‘A special mention also deserves to go to our members in Pitch Fight, who placed third in the same round - we’re so proud of what our groups have managed to do over such a dif-
ficult year!’ Publicity Officer at Bristol University A Cappella Society Laura Travis also commented: ‘The Bristol Suspensions have worked so hard this year to keep producing amazing a cappella throughout lockdown. ‘They deserve their national champion title to no end. Good luck to them at the Internationals!’ This recent success comes not long after fellow Bristol a cappella group, Academy, secured nominations for five awards at the American Contemporary A Cappella Society’s Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs) - viewed as ‘the grammys of a capella’ - following the release of their debut album, Exhibit A. A cappella at Bristol shows no signs of yielding in the pursuit of award-winning music, celebrating a very fruitful year of competing.
University of Bristol
News in Brief
Bristol University study finds the internet brings people into big cities
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new study finds that, despite increasing access to data and long-distance communication, the internet has drawn people into urban centres. Dr Emmanouil Tranos of Bristol’s School of Geographical Sciences has found that technological developments have surprisingly not led to an exodus from cities. According to the study the increased adoption of ICT (internet, information and communication) has resulted in national urban systems – cities within a country - that are characterised by higher population concentrations. The study, published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE, suggests that as cutting-edge digital technologies have matured considerably, their impact has not been to disperse urban populations but instead reinforce them. The adoption of ICT and accu-
Eve Bentley-Hussey
mulation of businesses in city centres are also partly responsible. The scientists behind the findings tested the effect of internet usage and internet speed on the changes over time in rankings of micropolitan and metropolitan areas in the US, and of built-up areas in the UK . UoB’s Professor Dr Emmanouil Tranos said: ‘The results favour a complementary relation between the internet and agglomeration externalities, meaning the internet and ICTs have not pushed people out of big cities, but rather attracted more people towards them. Although this paper was written before COVID, the results are highly relevant for the current period when internet and digital technologies have supplemented face-to-face interactions.’ The researchers hope these findings will be able to inform urban policy going forward.
Features
Editor Jack Charters Digital Editor Noa Blane Damelin Deputy Editor Freddie Grover
Twitter: @EpigramFeatures
The student initiatives financially supporting refugees in higher education
Epigram / Sanctuary Shop
burden when they are faced with study bans from the Home Office or ongoing asylum claims – all of which have associated legal fees. To many, higher education in the UK is inaccessible at the worst and a financial struggle at best. The real cost is both Features & Opinion Subeditor financially and emotionally taxing. There are many national organisaor most students, the options who support refugee and asyportunity for citizenship lum seeker students by alleviating and study abroad are rare, their financial struggles. The STAR passing thoughts, or non-existent (Student Action for Refugees) group, concerns. However, the same cannot registered with Bristol SU, is part of a be said for students of asylum seeker national charity of over 34,000 stuor refugee status in the UK. As dedents comprised of over 50 groups fined by UCAS, refugees are those who are welcoming refugees to the who have been granted permission UK. The University of Bristol Amnesto stay in the UK under an official ty Group is affil‘refugee’ status, The Sanctuary Scholarship iated with STAR. whereas asylum disqualifies students from Both groups seekers have campaign to imapplying for legal aid applied for this prove the lives status and are of refugees and those seeking asystill awaiting a decision. While put lum through educating others about simply, these statuses can have comrefugee and UK asylum seeker expeplex side effects in complicating a riences, as well as organising fundstudent’s ability to stay in university raisers and volunteering for local education. refugee projects. In most cases, students of asylum The University of Bristol also offers seeker status are not eligible for the financial aid for students of refugee ‘home’ rate of tuition fees or student and asylum seeker status through its finance. The financial pressure on Sanctuary Scholarship; students of the shoulders of refugee or asylum either of these statuses are also reseeker students becomes a heavier
For students who are refugees, higher education can be immensely taxing Flossie Palmer
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ferred to as ‘Sanctuary Scholars' because of their studies taking place in a safer place compared to their home country. The average living cost for a student in Bristol is up to £14,500 per year, with the Scholarship meeting this figure. But in most cases, the Sanctuary Scholarship also disqualifies students from applying for legal aid. While the support from the University is good, the threat of being faced with large legal fees in order to continue studying still looms over many Sanctuary Scholars. For the academic year 2020/21, the University of Bristol Amnesty Group and STAR have teamed up with Bristol SU to set up a new Sanctuary Scholar Legal Fund of £25,000, accessible to ‘Sanctuary Scholars' who do not qualify for legal aid. The fundraising target for 2020/21 is £12,500, and can be donated to via their crowdfunder. To help both societies reach their fundraising target, the Sanctuary Scholar Shop, also known on Instagram as @sanctuarysshop, was set up just over a month ago by Polly Rumley, Ellie Lamb, Martha Lloyd and Alice Clarke. As members of both STAR and the Bristol Amnesty Group, the Sanctuary Shop was
you’re selling or be really willing a coincidental creation, combining to help you.’ Polly pointed out, ‘Do the interests and hobbies of its team message the STAR and Amnesty members with fundraising. While committees; they’re all so lovely and each term members of both societies willing to help. Don’t let anything are divided into fundraising groups stop you from fundraising! There’s and have undergone more traditionso much out there and students are al ways of fundraising such as sponvery willing to sored runs, the Despite being a relatively support causes Sanctuary Shop hidden gem on social like these.’ offers something Both the Brisuniquely creative media, the Sanctuary Shop tol Amnesty to the fundraishas been a success Group and STAR ing scene. also run events to get involved with The Sanctuary Shop raises money beyond fundraising to support the by selling handmade, DIY jewellery, refugee and asylum seeker comcrafted and packaged with care by munity, most of which have been the team members themselves, with made more accessible online due to all profit being donated directly to the pandemic. These range from the the Sanctuary Scholars Legal Fund. STAR Conversation Club in collabo‘It was just a bit of a coincidence reration with Bristol City Council, in ally!’ said Polly Rumley, when asked which volunteers help those with how the Shop was formed, ‘Our refugee and asylum seeker status original idea was to set up a Depop practice their shop to sell secThe importance of raising English, to the ond-hand things Bristol STAR that people had awarness should not be Homework Club donated, but overlooked in which stuEllie suggested dents help children of refugee backmaking and selling clay jewellery grounds with their homework. and the idea took off from there.’ Often, these children may have Despite being a relatively hidden parents who speak little English or gem on social media, the Sanctuary have not had formal education, and Shop has already gained significant the Homework Club offers them a success in the short time it has been chance to overcome this boundary open, with Polly noting that it has to learning. already attracted students with varWhile getting involved in SU ious creative talents willing to offer events and fundraising are both intheir services. ‘We’ve had a few more tegral to helping refugee and asylum people recently messaging us saying seeker students stay in education, they’re interested in helping – there’s the importance of raising awareness someone who makes lots of crochet should not be overlooked. things! And we’ve got a few more Both the Bristol Amnesty Group items ready to post so keep an eye and STAR Bristol Facebook pagout for that!’ es also post relevant articles While the Sanctuary Shop to educate students on team transformed their supporting the refcreative hobby into ugee and asya fundraising lum seeker side-hustle, community, the same as well as can be sharing achieved fundraisf r o m ers and your own petitions. personal On a interests, greater whether scale, the that be swapSTAR nationping your daily al website also workout for a sponposts up-to-date sored run or turning your information and shares the gaming addiction into a 24-hour campaigns its currently running. live-stream for charity. ‘Raising awareness is the most im‘If you’ve got an idea or the moportant thing and that in itself will tivation to do it, there’s always goinspire people to do more to help.’ ing to be people who will buy what
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epigram 27.04.2021
The ongoing under-representation of Gyspy, Roma and Traveler students at Bristol University
Epigram / Lucy O'Neill
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students in the application process, and also support the parents of GRT students in navigating the university process - a move that is increasingly important given the low retention rates within all levels of the education system for GRT students. It is imperative that Gypsy, Roma and Traveler students are given a space to share their experiences - if they so choose and are afforded increasing support from the University and its departments, faculties and the Students’ Union. n i This article serves as en id a notice for any GRT stuW SU l dents within the university to sto Bri / k contact the Widening Participation Faceboo Network or the Students’ Union e v e r, so that we can accommodate your universities like Kings College learning journey if it is currently deLondon have successfully impleficient. mented schemes to support GRT Bangladeshi; Black Caribbean; Black African; mixed backgrounds featuring one or more of these groups)’. How-
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in the years leading up to it. Eduically for GRT students at the Unicational retention versity of Bristol; for these students Only 194 GRT students rates for young GRT students are to become reprewere registered in some of the lowest sented, the creaHigher Education in nationally. Hence, tion of a group or 2018-19 there are society for GRT many unistudents is necesSecond Year, History versities who put in place sary within the University - a place access schemes that infor discussion of shared identity, exhilst some think the clude helping GRT stuperience, and background. most under-represented dents access what can I myself am not from a GRT backgroup within UK Highbe the intimidating ground, but as the elected Chair of er Education is white working-class world of Higher Eduthe Widening Participation Network boys, in fact, the most under-reprecation. for 2020/2021, I have a position to sented demographic of students are The situation at the represent the inthose from Gypsy University of Bristol terests of students Roma and Traveler A GRT background is is unclear, since there from under-repbackgrounds. For not listed under the are no published staresented backthe year 2018-19 priority criteria for tistics to refute the idea grounds and there only 194 GRT stuthat GRT students are dents were regis- Bristol's Summer School are none more under-represented at the under-represented tered in Higher EdUniversity. Currently, a GRT than GRT students. I cannot speak ucation - just three percent - four per background is not listed under for the experiences of GRT students, cent of the entire GRT population, the priority criteria for The Uniand can only promote the need for compared to the 43 per cent of the versity of Bristol’s Summer School GRT representation within the stunational average who attend univerfor students from under-represented dent body. sity. However, it is common for GRT ethnic minorities, with the website According to a 2020 report by the students to not identify themselves stating: ‘from an ethnic group that is Office For Students, Gypsy, Roma upon registration for fear of racism, under-represented* at the University and Traveler students face issues, discrimination, and exclusion. of Bristol (*Asian Pakistani; Asian both in applying to university and There is currently no group specif-
The underrepresentation of GRT students at the University needs to change James Fishwick
Features 11
epigram 27.04.2021
A state of casualisation: the employment stunting progression in university academia The University should be doing more to amend the underpayment of its casualised staff Nilsson Brodie
Third Year, Sociology and Philosophy
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he University and College Union (UCU) strikes last year raised its four fights that it wanted to tackle: Pay Inequality, Casualisation, Rising Workloads and Pay Devaluation. It is now a year on, and the only binding agreement made was between the University of Bristol and the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) on the gender pay gap. Discussions on casualisation began, but talks failed to reach an agreement. Both the University and UCU branch agreed that casualisation was an issue, but the UCU believed that eradicating some of these contracts was just the beginning, and that there was plenty more to do in improving terms and conditions, a monthly salary. Instead, they are working conditions and progression paid based on their claims for hours opportunities. worked as contracted. Given that this has a significant There is some variation over methformative impact on both staff and ods of pay, but for the most part, students at the University, it is imevery hour of teaching includes pay portant for students to be educated that cover other duties such as teachon the matter. Workforce casualising preparation, delivery, marking, ation is a process whereby the nature admin and any other related duties. of employment This varies from shifts from more Sessional hourly-paid school to school, full-time and perwith some schools staff often receive no manent positions giving HPT’s as litto more casual, money for three months tle as 2 hours wage temporary confor every hour during summer tracts. taught, and others The issues raised up to 8 hours. by casualisation are similarly raised Given that preparations alone for and accentuated by the other three a single seminar can take on average fights made by the UCU. Casualis4-5 hours, these rates are often inadation in general is a difficult topic to equate. Where relevant, this causes discuss, primarily because it is heavan undercalculation of pay, whereby ily bureaucratic and not uniform. HPT’s are paid far less than the work There are various kinds of casualthey put in. ised contracts used, different methAnother method of pay used for ods of payment for Hourly Paid assessment marking is pay per script, Teachers (HPT’s), and multiple pay in which someone’s pay is detergrades, all with their own nuanced mined by the number of scripts they implications on one’s employment mark. The 15 working day assessexperience. Nonetheless, there is ment turnaround guarantee made plenty in common in the issues faced by the University helps to illustrate amongst different kinds of casualcases of undercalculation of pay. In ised staff that can be discussed. many cases, HPT’s are more or less Generally, HPTs’ are either Postexpected to drop whatever they are graduate Research Students (PGR’s) doing in order to get all the assessor aspiring academics starting out ments marked, often working hours with fixed-term, short-term conthey know they will not get paid for. tracts or fractional contracts, typThere have been some changes in ically annual. HPT’s are not paid some schools in recent years follow-
Epigram / Cameron Scheijde
ing appeals made by HPT’s. In one The nature of fixed-term contracts case, making the mandatory all-day means there are significant periods training day paid, and increasing the when hourly-paid staff are not getcomprehensive teaching rate from ting any pay. This is usually at its two hours per hour taught to eight. worst in the summer months when Nonetheless, there remains much sessional hourly-paid staff often revariation from school to school. ceive no money for three months or When asked for comment on this, more. This can cause financial difthe University said: ficulties when there are bills to be ‘Schools have been instructed to paid. This pushes HPT’s into taking apply the workload allocation modadditional jobs to make ends meet, els that apply to main staff to all inhibiting their ability to research hourly paid staff in the same way. and take additional classes. Whilst there may not be consistency Casualised staff may have diffiacross schools due to discipline speculty attaining a deposit and mortcific requirements and differences, gage because of financial insecurity school allocation should be consistcaused by casualisation. Situations ent across all staff types.’ arise where because contracts are ‘We have provided greater clarity set to end mid-tenancy, casualised in the Grade G & H Teaching Support staff are forced onto more expensive role profiles to ensure that Schools shorter-term tenancy agreements understand the or less flexiHPT's are expected to drop ble longer-term boundaries of whatever they are doing tenancy agreeeach role, which should help in order to get all the ments. avoid staff being Pensions for assessments marked inappropriately casualised staff (or inadvertently) asked to work outare low, predominantly because side the role profile.’ money is spent on basic necessities. One HPT spoken to mentioned that Redundancy pay is minimal or nil. whilst in the past much of the assessCasualised staff are entitled to sick ment marking was stacked on HPTs’, pay. Depending on the potential this year it was more evenly split progression of a role, often decided in their school. Yet this just means at the recruitment stage, it can be professors and lecturers needed to very difficult for HPT’s to progress take on additional work. They went to more secure and better paid peron to say that underfunded and unmanent contracts, at times leading to derstaffed schools may be a partial several years or more on fixed-term cause for the current usage of HPTs.’ contracts with no room for promo-
tion. When asked for comment the University added: ‘The University fixed term policy has been reviewed with clear guidance on acceptable lengths of fixed term contract arrangements.' The nature of casualised work makes it difficult to have a longterm career in academia. Those from disadvantaged backgrounds have a harder time jumping through the necessary hoops to progress. This in turn makes academia less meritocratic. A spokesperson for the University of Bristol also added: ‘We are preparing the ground for further change in future recruitment cycles by way of introduction of a centralised process for all Teaching Support Roles. The change process has started to move us institutionally away from the label of HPTs and the currently unpopular job titles to new titles of Graduate Teacher Level 1 and Graduate Teacher level 2 – implemented as a result of feedback received from our HPT community.’ ‘Given the pandemic it was too challenging to implement a Graduate Teacher Scheme this year with the uncertainty over student numbers and the late confirmation of required additional teaching capacity. However, feedback on the feasibility of such a scheme has been taken and a version of the scheme will allow schools to recruit either at Graduate Teacher Level 1 (grade G) or Graduate Teacher Level 2 (Grade H) or to recruit to a role that progresses from year 1 to year 2.’ It is yet to be known if the changes in the scheme will lead to enhanced HPT progression opportunities. It is difficult to tell how changes mentioned by the university in this article will translate to reality, but it is good to know changes are being made. In defence of the University of Bristol, many other universities will not even discuss casualisation at all, being entirely dismissive. It is worthy to note that Bristol is willing to discuss the issue of casualisation with the UCU and enact some internal change through feedback, even if union talks fail to reach agreement. Other universities have been known to outsource teaching to private agencies, which aren’t unionised, and experience greater forms of job insecurity, at times not knowing from day to day when or where they will be working.
12 Features
epigram 27.04.2021
Epigram / CSRN
CSRN launch new programme to engage Bristol schools in global charity consulting
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project management, and structured thinking techniques such as design thinking. One of the central aims of the programme is to increase diversity in consulting and “create opportunity and increase mobility” for students, particularly those in disadvantaged schools that face greater barriers to access in the consulting world. A lack of connections and restricted access to experience building activities such as consulting internships continue to favour private school individuals. For this reason, many of the schools CSRN are working with and all of their partnered schools in Bristol are state schools supporting disadvantaged children.
Jack Elliott, BSc Economics & Finance at the University of Bristol, believes that ‘having seen the scale of the impact our network of university students has already had globally, we’re all so excited to see the difference the schools programme can make” CSRN ultimately hopes that this pilot will flourish into a nationwide venture that not only sets sixth formers up for future success and mobility but inspires the next generation of pro-bono trailblazers. This new generation will hopefully be better equipped to assist charities around the world in achieving their aims and goals without the spectre of insolvency leering over them.
Epigram / CSRN
projects with organisations driv- present all their findings back to ing social impact. CSRN’s pilot pro- their client charities, having received gramme is starting with five schools feedback as well as training from the in the UK that will be working with professional consultants at Q5. CSRN the senior management of charities & Q5 will also be hosting an awards such as the Jodey Foundation (Ken- ceremony to celebrate the impact and ya), Dawrati (Lebanon), Mind Care achievements of the students workNon-Profit Bristol Organisation (Zambia) and ing on projects. Consulting internships Kayany (LebaGiselle Valero, continue to favour private non). Head of Schools he Bristol-based non-profit St Brendan’s Programme said, CSRN, founded by Universchool individuals ‘This programme sity of Bristol students last Sixth Form Colyear in the wake of the pandemic, lege, located in Brislington, Bris- is an amazing opportunity for young has recently announced an entire- tol, will be working with Kayani in students to develop crucial transferly new pilot scheme designed to get Lebanon to conduct industry and able skills that will help them take sixth form students engaged with competitor analysis for the charity, their first steps into independent life, the world of pro-bono social impact while Merchants Academy, situat- work or further education.’ You may be asking yourself, ‘how consulting. The organisation, now al- ed in Bishopsworth, Bristol, will be most a year into its existence, wanted working with them to develop a new are sixth form students going to give to cap one year of success off with marketing and social media strategy. charities quality consulting services?’ something to give back to the Bristol Other projects being conducted as CSRN has drawn on its own network part of the First of university consultancies to drum community. That something is the The First Steps Programme Steps Programme up some mentors that will ensure that include develop- sixth form students are not only deFirst Step’s Proaims to give students a ing digital fund- livering high-quality projects but are gramme, which they are launch- 'head start' in the world of raising strategies also being educated on the best pracand designing tices of pro-bono consulting; every ing in collaboconsulting a campaign for school participating has at least two ration with Q5, a leading boutique strategy consul- Lebanon-based charity Dawrati who mentors who specialise in whichevare leading the fight against period er service the specific charity needs tancy. The First Steps Programme, which poverty within the region, which the and will ensure that students receive started just this week, aims to give onset of Covid-19 has only exacer- proper training and supervision. By partnering with Q5, the First Steps students a sort of ‘head start’ in the bated. At the end of the programme in Programme will provide students world of consulting, empowering them to work on charity consulting mid-June, students will be able to with an introduction to consulting,
How can Bristol students make the consulting industry more accessible? CSRN
Opinion
Editor Fiorenza Dell'Anna Digital Editor Jack Crockford Deputy Editor Edward Crowson
Twitter: @EpigramOpinion
What we are seeing is not grade inflation: it's grade stagflation
Students should take local elections more seriously Students must translate their political fire into ballot-box voting in local elections Alex Hunt First Year, Politics and IR
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Alice Proctor
Despite increasing grades, students are still victims of post-graduate unemployment Euan Merilees Third Year, Philosophy
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t is a general rule of thumb that as the quantity of an item increases, the value of the individual item decreases. This applies to grades as well. As more students achieve ‘good grades', the value of achieving that grade diminishes. This is pretty disheartening, and it is made worse if the inflation occurs not because people of getting smarter, but because of random external factors like a global pandemic. The ‘no detriment' approach to results during the COVID pandemic caused the proportion of students attaining first-class degrees to increase. Additionally, the reduced examination and assessment workload means our fees of £9,250 a year pay for a less rigorous, challenging, and rewarding degree than the ones our predecessors completed. This means that not only has our educational experience suffered because of the pandemic, but the grade we achieve is worth less than it would have been in a normal year. Personally, I feel as if the world has kicked us in the teeth. While pandemic related grade inflation seems depressing, I believe that the problem it poses is less se-
Epicartoon: ‘The Class of Covid' vere than we realise. Additionally, grade inflation because of COVID could be considered a good thing for the current cohort of students graduating this year. The reason for this is to do with the wider issues that have been plaguing the university experience over the last 30 years. Grade inflation is not a new phenomenon. Over the last 25 years, the number of students getting firsts and upper seconds has leapt from 47 percent to 79 per cent. This isn’t because people are getting smarter. A 2009 study conducted by King’s College compared the results of 3,000 students sitting a mathematics paper from 1976 and found that the class of 2009 did about as well as the class of 1976, even though the class of 2009 attained considerably higher grades in their 2009 exams. So why has this natural rate of grade inflation occurred? Many reasons have been offered; however, the most cynical critics say that it is the result of the great university scam where the high proportion of good grades create a ‘world-class' reputation for British universities, attracting high-paying international students to UK universities. Whatever the reasons may be, the fact of the matter is that grade inflation is a longstanding existing phenomenon. A 2:1 in 2020 may not be worth as much as a 2:1 in 2019, but the difference in value between a 2019 2:1, and a 1989 2:1, is far greater than the previous difference. Considering the existing problem,
what does it matter if the cohort of 2020-2021 achieves slightly higher grades than previous years? Especially considering the stress, hardship, and horror we’ve all endured while staying sane and completing our degrees. The Office for National Statistics shows that 63 per cent of students have experienced declining mental health since the start of the 2020 term. Additionally, graduating students face a more competitive job market than ever, with one in eight graduates hit with unemployment. This is not grade inflation, this is grade stagflation. Our grades are increasing, but our employment prospects are decreasing. The underlying question is how can we treat students fairly during such exceptional and unique circumstances? Policies like ‘no detriment' are supposed to recognise that the exceptional struggle we had to endure must have negatively affected our studies. Grade deflation, where students received lower grades because of the pandemic, would damage the prospects of most students far worse than grade inflation. Furthermore, a one-time jump in grades rewards students for going through the great achievement of completing a degree during a pandemic - something worth celebrating. All in all, grade inflation because of the pandemic should be thought of as ‘grade quantitative easing', as the increase would benefit students more than pretending the pandemic never happened.
o, it’s election season once again, and for many of us who have only just recovered from the SU elections last month, it is time to look ahead to the bumper set of local elections taking place on 6 May. For those of us that hate being bombarded with campaign videos and flyers, of which I am one, you may be tempted to hide under an apolitical rock for the next month. However, the past weeks, months and years have shown us all how important it is to ensure our voice is heard. Unlike a general election in which we vote to elect our constituency MP, a local election focuses on electing the many layers of local government in our communities. For us in Bristol, that means electing the city mayor, the West of England Combined Authority mayor, local councillors and also a Police and Crime Commissioner. Now I’m sure many of you will ask: what’s the point in voting? Do these people have a significant enough impact on our society? The evidence suggests that a vast majority of the public do think this, resulting in extremely low turnouts in local elections with 36.2 per cent and 35 per cent in 2014 and 2018 respectively. We know that students have consistently been among the least likely group to vote, with a turnout that is routinely the lowest of all age demograhics. So why is this? A constant theme I notice when I speak to people about politics and voting is this view that the voices of young people are consistently ignored and rejected by those in power. However, something has changed in the last decade, as the huge constitutional debates regarding Brexit and also Scottish independence
have sparked a political fire among young people and for the first time ever, 16-year-olds are now allowed to vote in Scotland and Wales. In a time when COVID-19 didn’t dominate our lives, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one constantly irritated that Brexit was always monopolising the news headlines; it seemed we never heard about anything else. But at least this helped people to become educated and informed on the big issues that will affect us for the rest of our lives. I, for one, had countless heated discussions with my peers who had never showed an interest in the political debate before. Although I fiercely disagreed with some of them, it was refreshing that my generation were finally engaged in the political world once again. We must also not forget the millions of young people that have participated in protests regarding the future of our planet and on racial inequality, amongst others. It is crucially important to remember that voting is only one form of democracy - peaceful and sensible protest is equally important in stoking change. So, whilst I am delighted that students have as high an interest in politics than ever before, that same passion and determination for change must be translated into votes at the ballot box. As far as local elections are concerned, I can’t say that the public have taken them seriously at all, especially in recent years When we only have a third of the electorate participating in an election (as we saw in 2018), it can result in those elected lacking legitimacy and accountability to the public. Even just ten years ago, I would confidently say that students didn’t take voting as seriously as it is taken now. However, due to the politicisation of campuses over the past decade, along with the countrywide debates that have dominated our politics, students are certainly more invested than ever before and one can only hope that engagement at the national level will filter down to the local elections on 6 May. So get out there and vote!
epigram 27.04.2021
14 Opinion
The anonymity of Bristruths is a positive feature of the platform The New Bristolian: Why Women Talk Back! should not be considered a feminist society
Lowri Lewis
ing themselves about the varying life experiences of others who identify as female, the leading members embers of Women Talk of Women Talk Back! have chosen Back!, a group which is to literally and metaphorically block meant to be supporting trans women out from their ‘femipeople suffering the ill effects of nism’. oppression, have chosen to become In doing so, they have inflicted oppressors themselves. It seems as ‘extremely harmful psychological though they cannot fathom the idea injury’ onto these trans women. that other people may experience LGBT+ people are affected by a womanhood differently to them, and disproportionally high rate of severe they embrace this ignorance. But if mental illness compared with heteryour feminism isn’t intersectional, it osexual, cisgender people. But Womis not feminism at all. en Talk Back! After beIn situations like this, it's s e e m i n g l y ing sanctioned better to step back and don’t care that by the SU last listen they’ve rejected month for barand denied acring trans womcess to a group of vulnerable people. en from their events, the society It also appears they don’t seem to quoted the Equality Act 2010 – of feel any remorse. The society’s presall things – in an open letter to the ident was willing to go so low as to Minister of Education to protest this weaponise the issue of consent and decision. Despite the fact that trans women’s empowerment by saying women are more than twice as likethat, in refusing trans women entry ly to experience domestic violence to their events, the society was makthan cis women, Women Talk Back! ing use of a woman’s ‘right to say decided they would only allow cis “no”’. women to take part in their discusIf that wasn’t bad enough, they sions of male violence. called the report which was made to The outrage that I, and I am sure the SU about their behaviour an act many other people, feel towards this of ‘retaliation’. In actual fact, it was a anti-trans act has not abated in the courageous action from a communitime that has passed since this incity that is tired of people refusing to dent. If anything, having the time to accept their existence. read the statements the society has In light of all this, I think it’s clear released in full has only increased that the society deserves to face more my frustration at the fact they were severe sanctions than they have so not sanctioned more harshly. far received. Of course, they think If a group of people are willing they’re in a situation that many to openly label trans women ‘male’, women face on a daily basis – being they are past the need for the ditalked over, being ignored. The name versity training that the SU has of their society expresses frustration made compulsory for them. I'm not at this exact situation. convinced they would change their But in this particular case, they minds even if they knew that gender are the ones ignoring a vulnerable reassignment is one of the protected group of people. They are the ones characteristics in the Equality Act. discriminating against other women, It is this Act that they use to justify women who are experiencing a form their transphobia, claiming that the of oppression that they don’t under‘single-sex spaces’ it allows should stand; that they don’t have to live exclude trans women. through. If you simply can’t imagine that Members of Women Talk Back! someone can be born a sex which need to learn that in situations like does not align with their gender this, it’s better to step back and lisidentity, then that’s an issue with ten. you, not them. Rather than educat-
Courtesy of Bristruths
Opinion Columnist
Bristruths has created an inclusive community and safe space for Bristol students to speak out anonymously Ben Carpenter Second Year, Film and TV
I
t seems to me that people either crave or reject anonymity - the marmite of social constructs one might say. Anonymity is simultaneously tied to innocence, and a retainment of privacy in light of something negative. Whether it is making a weighted complaint and not wishing to receive backlash or providing evidence in court, anonymity is integral to the function of our society. Justice often relies on anonymity to run its course. When evaluating the significance of anonymity with regards to cancel culture, and the barometer of Bristol student culture that is ‘Bristruths’, there are two sides to balance. The side of the innocent and the side of the supposed ‘aggressor'. Cancel culture has been at an alltime high since the beginning of the ‘#MeToo’ movement in 2017. With a world of media coverage and a range of victims making their claims anonymously, men at the top of the world’s most problematic entertainment industries began to fall and with their collapse ‘cancel culture’ began to boom. With many claims being born and circulated out of the internet, people now had a new way of coming forward and addressing their truth on their own terms. Whilst student society shares few
tive. Often this community can be similarities with the mess that is found on Bristruths. Aside from the the entertainment industry, there search for a community, Bristruths' are a few key aspects of the student submissions are able to shed light on bubble that echo that of the media. a range of other issues the university The most significant connecting rarely addresses publicly. piece for many students in BrisFor many students, formats such tol is ‘Bristruths’. With over 25,000 as Bristruths are their only opporfollowers on Facebook and half a tunity for their voices and concerns dozen anonymous posts a day, the to be heard. Furthermore, many stupage acts as the true student voice dents simply don’t have the ability for many - an anonymous Twitter to share their stories any other way of sorts. Whilst publications such as than anonymously. Having known Epigram act as a more organised and students, myself included, that have collected thought outlet for the stuhad several experiences with the dent body, Bristruths represents the aforementioned issues, I know how unfiltered reality that many students scary it can be to find someone to face. Whilst much of what you see talk to. And even when you may find on Bristruths is little more than comanother outlet for your frustrations, plaints about lockdown and messy the last thing flatmates, every now and then Bristruths can be the only you want to do opportunity for student is have your a conversation name attached emerges regardvoices to be heard to issues that ofing nothing ten hold unnecessary stigmas. short of a hot topic. From issues reFor example, how are students garding political protests, anti-semimeant to tackle issues with society tism, allegations of corrupt societies presidents, when the person you’re and class issues, you should never meant to complain to is the president underestimate the significance of the themselves and the SU can do little platform. about it? In a world where straight With the University of Bristol rewhite men rule and toxic masculincently being named one of the botity overpowers many, who are we tom 20 universities for state school meant to go to when said toxicity admissions, it comes as no surprise starts to get under our skin? When that many students may also feel the University refuses to take action largely underrepresented in the stuon serious issues that affect students dent community. With such a large why shouldn’t we find a community amount of the student body coming online that is also seeking justice? to university from privileged backWhilst online submission formats grounds, it is understandable that are far from perfect, the student those who do not fit into this midbody may not be a body at all withdle to upper class demographic may out a community to tether it. Brislook for other means of expressing truths is exactly that and should stay their feelings and finding a commuthat way. nity that understands their perspec-
M
Opinion 15
epigram 27.04.2021
The pandemic is making students reevaluate university
For some, it is not all about the degree should university be the default choice for all students? Caitlin Palmer O'Shaughnessy
Epigram / Lucy O'Neill
First Year, Social Policy and Sociology
T
he pandemic has radically changed the way we experience university. Gone are the days of in-person teaching and socialising, now replaced by virtual seminars and the excessive use of Zoom to try and fill the human contact-sized hole in everyone’s heart. With no set date for when things might return to ‘normal’, many have been forced to re-evaluate whether university really is the right choice for them. Undeniably, the social side of university has completely disappeared. University has been stripped down
to its most basic form: academia. For some, this is great as our passion for our chosen degree is why we are here, right? Well, maybe not. Pre-pandemic, our understanding of university had evolved from a place of pure academia to a much more rounded, all-encompassing experience. University was a place you went to get involved in the social side of things, to pursue other
extra-curricular passions alongside your degree, or to simply get away from home and become independent. And whilst this may be a very privileged stance, it is simply true that for many, university was seen as a necessary rite of passage into the ‘real world’. However, with all that makes University a more comprehensive experience indefinitely paused, those who benefitted from
they no longer have the opportunity the more extra-curricular side of to work alongside their degree and university are beginning to question thus can no longer afford university. whether a degree is really for them. Therefore, it is important to disBut this isn’t necessarily a bad tinguish between the positive effect thing. It is widely acknowledged that the pandemic might be having on university is too commonly used some in causing them to pause and as the default option; many choose re-evaluate before they automatito go because it seems like a natucally decide to go to ral progression, and university, and the this has resulted in University is too constraining effect the decreasing valcommonly used as the placed on disadvanue of university dedefault option taged young people. grees. So, perhaps We are now at a the stripping back of watershed moment. The pandemic university might offer some valuable has offered us the chance to change thinking time to those who usually the narrative regarding universigo through the motions passively. ty, and to dispel the myth that it is Alternatively, for some the effect the only entrance into getting what of the pandemic has been devastatsome deem a ‘good’ job. Perhaps ing with unemployment at a fivethis is all a temporary blip and in a year high and numbers expected couple of years’ time, university will to rise before the end of the year. still be someone’s automatic choice. University may simply no longer be However, I personally believe that an option for those who have been we should take a break from the staworst hit by the pandemic. With tus quo and look at other, less conworkers in hospitality and retail ventional opportunities. worst affected, others may find that
The Turing scheme may not be as beneficial as the Erasmus+ scheme was
Second Year, Spanish and Portuguese
N
ow that we have officially left the EU, the government has yet again decided to make the UK a more inward-looking place, this time through cutting opportunities for students to travel abroad. As a result of Brexit, we can no longer take part in the student exchange programme, Erasmus+, and instead we have a new, second-rate version - the Turing scheme. The initial budget for the Turing scheme is £110 million. The scheme is intended to encourage global mobility. However, there has been no mention of how tuition fees, which vary considerably, will be covered. With Erasmus, students do not pay tuition fees to their overseas university and they receive a grant for living expenses. Currently, with the Turing scheme, it is expected that they will be waived at the universi-
ties that take part. The UK government claims that the Turing scheme will focus on students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This is similar to the Erasmus grant which has been widening participation across all socio-economic backgrounds through extra grant support and additional money that has been made available to students from low-income households and those with disabilities. While I think it is fantastic that this government does want to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds get the opportunity to go
abroad, I don’t believe the predominant focus or aid given through the scheme should be aimed solely at those who are underprivileged. When the NHS was founded in 1948, the idea was it would provide free service for everyone irrespective of their income, not just for the most vulnerable. In my opinion, this was part of the beauty of it and the government should be trying to replicate that success in this Turing scheme. Placements and studying abroad should be supported by the government under this scheme. The Turing scheme
Epigram / Lucy O'Neill
Staff and students from all backgrounds should be able to study and work abroad under the Turing Scheme Jacques Picton
portunities to learn languages and should give as many opportunities to pursue an international career that as many people as possible, just as can be gained as a result of studying the Erasmus+ did. or working abroad. Many of the added benefits that The Erasmus+ scheme not only Erasmus+ offered have been omitted supported British students going from the Turing scheme, for examabroad, but also brought many stuple, the ability of staff from further dents to the UK each year; students education to go on Erasmus placewho spend money on food, accomments; the Turing scheme is only for modation, leisure, and contribute students. to the economy. In the new scheme, orThe Turing Scheme should But the spending power of inganisations are give as many possibilities to ternational stuexpected to as many people as possible dents is rarely bid for funddiscussed in this ing in order to context. Future incoming students participate. This places the burden will rely on arrangements between on individual institutions to set up institutions, and will not receive the exchange arrangements to replace financial incentives, including the Erasmus and will probably require tuition fee waiver, that Erasmus proa great deal of administration from vided which will inevitably lead to a those institutions. The Turing scheme decrease in the number of European is less appealing for institutions due students wanting to study in the UK. to the lack of reciprocal funding for Perhaps the scheme will ‘level up students to return to the UK, as on the UK’ as Gavin Williamson promoffer under Erasmus+. ises, and we will see the real value To top it all off, European students for money that he claims the scheme will also need to hurdle the UK’s new will offer. Regardless, I hope I am visa system. This is truly devastating wrong about the Turing scheme as young people who study abroad and I hope the possibility of going do so to develop a cosmopolitan, abroad doesn’t suffer because of it. open and more rounded outlook on I await with interest to see what the the world, as well as increased inTuring scheme will offer us. dependence. Not to mention the op-
16 Opinion
The vaccine passport could be discriminatory towards young people who are yet to receive their jab Second Year, English
T
he government has a lengthy history of side-lining young people and this has more recently culminated in a media crusade against students during the pandemic. As if it couldn’t get any worse, after a year and a half of countless social and educational sacrifices, the student generation may be left out from being allowed indoors at a pub. While a government review into COVID-status certification commences, yet again it is students and young people that are being left in the dark. The government has claimed that any prospective COVID passport system would not be implemented during steps two and three of the lockdown roadmap. Because of this, it is possible the system would be put in place on the final stage of unlocking - on 21 June. For the most part, students without serious health conditions are the last on the list to be offered a vaccine. This is justifiable, since – other than children – young adults are the least likely to suffer severe symptoms if they were to contract coronavirus. The fact remains that it looks increasingly likely that the government will attempt to implement a COVID passport system well before many students will have been offered the vaccine by the end of July. Despite what the tabloids might say, the majority of students have made huge sacrifices in their education and quality of life. These sacrifices have been rightly made for the sake of the older generations. And yet, through a COVID passport scheme, the government would respond to this by excluding and essentially punishing young people. It is true that COVID status certification would provide some benefits, even if it’s simply used as a measure to incentivise vaccine-sceptics to re-evaluate. However, enforcing the programme before the vaccine has been offered to all adults is clearly discriminatory against those who have had to wait the longest to get a jab. The vaccines currently being used
do not eliminate the possibility of carrying and spreading the virus. It’s possible that in a room of people that have been vaccinated, the virus could still be spread between them, albeit with a reduced risk. Does it not then follow that the point of a vaccine passport isn’t to prove that you can’t spread COVID, but that you aren’t going to get seriously ill yourself? In the case of most students without health issues, it would seem this is true whether they’ve had a vaccine or not. To further the absurdity of the proposed situation, you only have to look into a restaurant, café or at a festival to realise that the sectors which would potentially block young people, are the same ones which are staffed largely by that very group. Since catering and hospitality are propped up by young people and students, isn’t it laughable that they would be excluded? COVID status certification would be a helpful tool in limiting the chance of future resurgences of the virus in the long-term. But the implementation of such a measure is much less simple than that. If a passport system is introduced before vaccines have been offered to everyone, students will have been failed by a government which has repeatedly ignored our existence throughout the pandemic.
Unsplash/ Hakan Nural
Theo Kent
Why Manchester University’s guidelines on inclusive language may be a good example to follow
Unsplash/ Brett Jordan
Beyond Bristol
More inclusive language allows for easier conversations and encourages us not to assume another's personal situation Dayana Soroko Second Year, English
O
n Wednesday 10 March, the University of Manchester updated its inclusive language advice and sent it out to all staff to start implementing immediately. This policy means that the University now uses gender-neutral terms such as ‘guardian/parent’ and ‘you/they/them’ rather than assuming gender, amongst other suggestions. Every person will be classed as an ‘individual’ rather than a man/ woman, lecturers will be known as ‘colleagues’ rather than ladies and gentlemen/guys, and ‘partner’ rather than husband/wife. Some publications wasted no time in critiquing the University of Manchester’s decision to change the way they address people; criticising them for giving in to the ‘woke brigade' to be more inclusive, and arguing that gender-neutral terms only serve to advance a ‘woke agenda.' Despite this, the University of Manchester spokeswoman explained that the terms ‘mum’ and ‘dad’ have not been banned from campus, rather, staff have simply been encouraged to use more inclusive language.. As someone who has been raised by a single mother my entire life, these guidelines are more than just a
supposed performative act to be seen ily experience as her ‘deux meres’ as as progressive. These guidelines have opposed to ‘ma mere et mon pere’only come about as a result of stu- not from a conscious prejudice but dents’ negative experiences and even out of the assumption that she had trauma with the many times they had a mother and father. While we can been misgendered or assumed about. recognise that these biases are not Throughout my whole school ex- always intentional or malicious, the perience, I have always been hyper- fact that terms of identification can aware about the language people use be assumed so subconsciously highto define their parents - most of the lights the ignorance of their attitude. It is obviously tempting to play the time being limited to ‘mother’ and ‘father’. As a child, I of course had devil’s advocate and claim to be a learnt to distinguish between the person of simplicity because you are terms guardian/mother/father simply not the person that gets offended. But many people will never know because the term father never applied what it’s like to have to explain to to my life. However, other children and even your friends at ten years old why teachers did not. This resulted in me your dad left when you were born, seeing a culture of ignorance be- nor will they have to correct a teaching raised through my peers around er and explain that they only have a me, when they were surprised and dad and why, in the middle of class, shocked when I told them I did not in front of everyone, they will not have to experihave a dad. The ence the strange embarrassment When you are taught as looks you get that came from a child to never assume having to exanother child's situation, it when you correct someone in plain why I do teaches you to do the same science class that not have a dad, in adult life your two mums how my siswill be signing ter’s father had passed away, and that my dad left the school trip permission slip inwhen I was born, at eight years old, stead of your mum and non-existent taught me to never assume a person’s dad. The inclusive movement is not situation. When you are taught as a child to never assume another child’s there to appear progressive and keep situation, it teaches you to do the up with the times, it is there because same in adult life, preventing many of decades of hard conversations and corrections that a lot of the time start potentially traumatic conversations. Yet, this ignorance is not only seen during childhood. Inclusive and genin children, but also in adults and der-neutral terms are there to make worst of all teachers. My housemate, conversations easier. No one is stripwho has two mothers, mentioned she ping you of your femininity or mashad a languages teacher once mark culinity; it is simply there to encourher down for talking about her fam- age us all to be a little less ignorant.
Film&TV
Editor Maddy Raven Digital Editor Katya Spiers Deputy Editor Sam Vickers
Twitter: @Epigramculture
Do we really need diversity quotas at The Oscars? Are we blurring the lines between diversity and tokenism with forced diversity standards? Isha Vibhakar
Second Year, Theatre & Film
A
s a testament to being ‘far from the shallow now', the Academy Awards have rolled out new eligibility reforms for the Best Picture category as part of the Academy Aperture 2025 initiative. In an attempt to promote diversity and equitable representation, the film academy has established four broad categories addressing gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and disability: on-screen (A); in key crew members and department heads (B); industry access via internship and training opportunities (C); and in public relations (D). To qualify for Best Picture, films will have to meet two of these four new standards. ‘Watch as I dive in' (pun intended) to the subcategories now: for onscreen representation, at least one lead character in the movie must be from ‘an underrepresented racial or ethnic group'; at least 30 per cent of the general ensemble cast must be from at least two underrepresented groups (women, racial, ethnic, LG-
Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)
Tilly Long
Third Year, English Literature
F
rom French director Agnes Varda’s kaleidoscopic portrait of the Black Panther Party’s efforts to free Huey P. Newton from prison in California, to the group of Swedish journalists who travelled the US and documented The Black Power Mixtape 19671975 (2011), white artists have repeatedly attempted to capture the distinctive tone of the Black Power Movement of 1960s America. Whilst by no means a biopic, Shaka King’s second feature film, Judas and the Black Messiah, is immediately striking due to its opening archive footage, labelled with the distributor in bold: Warner Bros. Here we have a counter-narrative; a perspective shift from the force-fed 20th Century stories which emphatically positioned the FBI as ‘the good guys’ who kept things in line. Hollywood’s undeniable role in reinforcing that viewpoint to the white imagination fur-
BTQ+, people with disabilities); or the movie’s subject must concern one of those groups. For category B, a film must have either at least two leadership positions or department heads from underrepresented groups and at least one from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group; at least six other crew members are from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, or at least 30 per cent of crew members be from underrepresented groups. For category C and D, opportunities must be extended to below-the-line workers and senior executives from among the underrepresented groups on the film company’s marketing and distribution team. These new inclusion adjustments were partly inspired by a similar initiative launched by the British Film Institute in 2014, which demanded that films meet certain diversity standards on race and gender inclusion to get BFI funding. Other British organisations including BBC Films, Film4 and BAFTA, later adopted these measures as well. Needless to say, the above-revised criterion proves how self-defeating the Academy’s efforts at subverting the whole OscarsSoWhite debacle have been. I mean what best way to understand the blurring lines between diversity and tokenism than
these ‘forced diversity' standards. It’s a case of classic Hollywood taking the high road to make the marginalised feel petty. Take the La La Land (2016), Moonlight (2016) mix-up for instance – not only did those who represented La La Land unwittingly steal Moonlight’s moment but also they held up the envelope to reveal the actual winner. Even if you give the presenters the benefit of the doubt, that act unwittingly demonstrates the recurring white saviour trope of Hollywood and makes a well-deserved win feel like a consolation. When we talk about diversity and inclusion, we mean celebrating our differences. Kathryn Bigelow’s Oscar for The Hurt Locker (2009) has been a site of contention for many. The question remains: did she win the Oscar for the film or her gender because she was competing against auteur and ex-husband James Cameron? Certainly, the war genre is seemingly reserved for men and being the only woman to have won an Oscar for something like that could undermine her win. Costume designer Jacqueline Durran won an Oscar for Little Women (2019), but its director Caviar Greta Gerwig was
snubbed by the Academy despite the critical acclaim of the film. What makes me wonder is if these new guidelines will create any change at all, as films like Parasite (2019) and Slumdog Millionaire (2008) that featured a non-white cast received no acting nominations anyway. According to researcher Daniel Wild of the Institute of Public Affairs, ‘quotas and identity politics are deeply dehumanising because they deprive people of being rewarded based on their merit and treats them according to an immutable characteristic,' and rightly so! Whilst we still await the result, the nominees at the 93rd Academy Awards include Riz Ahmed for The Sound of Metal (202) and Chadwick Boseman for Ma Rainey’s B l a c k Bottom (2020) out of several others,
ther invokes the significance of this being a studio movie as opposed to a small, indie production. Too often a footnote in the history books, Fred Hampton was a revolutionary socialist and Chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party. The film succeeds in capturing the radical stances of this Christ figure, without sanitising or softening them. An illuminating and nuanced look at Hampton emphasises his logic in forming the Rainbow Coalition, which brought together different Black Power groups for common action against poverty and police brutality. In several scenes, he attempts to convince The Crowns (a fictionalised rival group of gangs) to unite with the Panthers in the name of Black Liberation, citing ‘The Free Breakfast for School Children Program’ as an example of their socialist approach. Whilst Daniel Kaluuya portrays Hampton, the 21-year-old enigma, and glimpses of his personal life are embodied by Dominique Fishback, who plays his then girlfriend, activist and poet Deborah Jonson, there remains something unknowable about the man. This is utilised through the
decision to tell the events leading up to his death through the eyes of the similarly puzzling William O’Neal.
my week, maybe my month. It is unclear whether or not Cassie, played by Mulligan, ever actually kills any of the men in her little blue notebook. She tallies them off and keeps a list of their names, and while we could infer that the red and blue ink might be a colour code, and at one point, she does walk down the street splattered with what at first looks like blood, but reveals itself to be ketchup from a hot dog, it’s not about murder. Dead men can’t learn the lesson that Cassie is so willing to teach – instead, she scares the absolute s**t out of them. The lesson Cassie teaches seems simple enough: it’s like sex edu-
Promising Young Woman (2021) Maddy Raven Film & TV Editor
W
hat is probably most striking about Promising Young Woman (2021) is how pathetic it makes men look. It’s not as if they have to try hard – but watching 6’5” Bo Burnham crumple into himself under the steely gaze of Carey Mulligan made
MACRO
marking a posthumous nomination for Boseman. It’s a proud moment for Muslims as Riz Ahmed is the first Muslim actor to even get a nomination. Parasite director Bong Joon Ho mentioned that 'the Oscars are not an international film festival. They’re very local' and thus, not an indication of one’s talent. Essentially, Ahmed’s nomination is a small step towards diversity and inclusion compared to all the usual typecasting roles, but this nomination didn’t require any conformity to a specific racial background, so the real question still lingers – do we need these eligibility r e forms?
Escape Artists
cation for fully grown adults. Intoxicated women cannot consent. It doesn’t matter if she seems like she’s having an amazing time. A woman slurring her words and unable to walk is not an invitation. Though she does get to throw fun bonus lessons in there, like ‘you don’t have a connection with this woman, she’s just sat and listened to you talk about yourself for half an hour and you don’t even know her name.' And she is terrifying. Dressed in beautiful pastel pinks and baby blues, Cassie’s razor-sharp intelligence and standoffishness are, perhaps, at odds with her style.
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epigram 27.04.2020
Film & TV Digital Editor
In the few days post-April 12, life - for a lot of us - has regained a semblance of normality. For some, though, the true recommencement of reality starts not with pubs and gyms, but at the cinema. Enter Film In Flux, a new student-led film festival bringing you a three-day, in-person (!) program of films, talks and festivities, taking place in the Winston Theatre from June 8 to 10. With free tickets and a chance to support our peers, Film In Flux is a final-year university project run by four graduating students who want to give their colleagues the heroic send-off they deserve after a tumultuous year. I spoke to Maddy Raven, one of the festival’s producers, to find out just what we can expect from the festival. Film In Flux is open to submissions from film students in their third year at the University of Bristol, who can submit work made during any of their three years at the university — from first forays to expertly crafted
projects. This work can take any form itally,’ she explained. ‘But after the too: bedroom shorts produced over year we’ve had, who wants another lockdown, university assignments, or Zoom meeting?’ The festival’s organisers - Kat, even written presentations and proposals for film projects that haven’t Cam, Maddy and Ollie - have taken it been able to go ahead during the upon themselves to turn this opporpandemic. Anything you’re proud of, tunity into an exciting and engaging physical event, with social distancing Film In Flux wants to showcase it! ‘It’s something the university has measures in place to make sure that everything been trying to get Film in Flux is open to submissions r u n s off the from film students in their third year s m o o t h l y and safely. ground The fesfor a few years in a row now, but we’re the first tival includes a series of guest talks group to really put the program into from the likes of Mark Herman, who directed The Boy In The Striped Pyaction', Maddy told me. Maddy, who has previously jamas (2008) and Brassed Off (1996); screened short film programs at Sarah Smither, a camera operator home in Margate, crowdfunded the and director of photography whose money to get Film In Flux up and recent work includes Talia (2021) and running. ‘Plans were initially being Sacrilege (2021); and Rob Holder, a discussed to showcase the films dig- director, writer and producer. ‘They’ll
Maddy Raven
If you're a third year film student at Bristol, you can get involved in this year's Film in Flux Katya Spiers
Lily Rutherford & Lucy Minderides
A new student led film festival is in town! Introducing Film in Flux
be discussing the ins and outs of working in the film industry, as well as acting as the jury for our awards ceremony,’ Maddy explains. ‘The names for the awards were voted on by our peers. Best Cinematography is called the Roger Deakins award; Best Performance is the Daniel Kaluuya award. After being decided on by our panel, the winners will receive trophies to keep as a memento of their time in Bristol.’ Maddy explains, ‘it’s been a lot harder to get people engaged over the past year when everyone’s spending hours online all day. But we’re excited to be working towards an in-person event at the end of it all.’ ‘If you're worried you won't be able to make the in-person screenings, the team will also be uploading all the films on their website, so no
matter where you are in the world, you can see the work that has been created over the past three years.' Film In Flux follows the pattern of student and alumni film festival success that has come out of the University of Bristol in recent years: Minute Made, a new festival celebrating student shorts in Bristol; The Indoors Project, a festival set up by former student Daniel Sved, screening animation and shorts from around the UK; and Bristol alum Laura Marcus, whose film The Massive F*cking Bender won Best Writer at the BFI Future Film Festival earlier this year. Whether you’re a self-professed cinephile wanting to dive into the world of student film, or just looking for a reason to get out of the house, Film In Flux is certainly something that we can all look forward to.
Soap vs. COVID: my experience of filming during a pandemic
Third Year, Film & Television
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n our last term as undergraduates, film and theatre students are required to find placements as part of a course exploring aspects of Film/TV/theatre industry practice. You can either do this or write a 6,000-word scholarly essay. Naturally, I decided on the first option. Being a Welsh-speaker (and in possession of a Seat Ibiza), I thought I’d apply for productions based in Cardiff, seeing as you can always rely on a fellow Celt to help you out in your time of need. I also didn’t want to do my work experience from home like some other students. My thinking was that if I’m going to be working from the desk in my bedroom, it might as well be on the 6,000-word essay. Eventually, I managed to get in contact with a producer at BBC Wales, who kindly offered me two days shadowing runners for Pobol y
Cwm at their studios in Roath Locke. Even though this wasn’t nearly enough hours I accepted the offer, thinking it would look respectable on my CV and be a good place to make contacts. The English translation for the Welsh soap on IMDb is People of the Valley (although I prefer The Village People). Each episode follows the residents of Cwmderi, a fictional village situated in Carmarthenshire as they try to overcome family conflicts and neighbourhood rivalries. I got to the studios at ten o’clock, as planned, to meet one of the runners at reception. There, I had to sign an agreement disavowing the studio of any responsibility for me possibly catching COVID-19. I was introduced to the Pobol y Cwm crew at studio five and stationed in an area where I had a full view of the shoot while not being in danger of breaking social distancing. The crew is of course now much smaller, with Covid marshals as the only new addition. Every morning, before crews start shooting, marshals have a zoom briefing outlining the day’s work, discussing possible difficulties and how they will be resolved, and keeping up to date with coro-
navirus guidelines. In the studios, marshals have meticulously placed different coloured tapes to signify where crew members stand during rehearsals, as well as directions for entering or exiting the studio. A marshal must also be on set at all times, making sure social distancing rules are consistently followed. It’s no wonder that there have been no outbreaks during the production of Pobol y Cwm, while other soaps have had to ‘pause’ filming due to positive cases. Before the actors arrive on set, the props have been put in place and disinfected. As the actors enter, so do the director and script supervisor, who rehearse (while wearing masks) and figure out blocking. For this, they also need the presence of a Covid marshal to ensure that the camera and the actors are two metres apart throughout the whole scene. They then must leave the set. Technicians, gaffers, and carpenters are called to help with lighting and the set if needed. Calls to start shooting then ring out through the studio for the sound department to then enter the set. When they finish, the actors leave, and the whole process begins again.
The first assistant director is the only one who is on set at all times. They are the one who calls different departments to leave/join the set, delivers the messages of the director to the cast and crew, keeps the crew on schedule. Now more than ever, the role proves itself to be one cornerstone that keeps TV crews from collapsing. In front of the camera, it’s interesting to see which shows have included the pandemic in their storyline and which have not. Pobol y Cwm is one of the latter, the reason being that the show is supposed to take place in real-time. So, in between
recording and broadcast, the writers have no way of predicting the changing effect of the coronavirus. However, when watching Pobol y Cwm, one can’t help but notice the actors keeping two metres from each other and the conspicuous lack of extras – including the pandemic into the storyline would provide an explanation for this. By embracing the pandemic, Emmerdale farm residents have admirably been reminding their viewers about handwashing, as well as including a heart-warming scene where a character receives a COVID vaccine.
BBC Studios
You can always rely on a fellow Celt to help you out in your time of need Meilyr Rhys
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epigram 27.04.2020
Who has the Academy missed out this year?
Second Year, Film & Television
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Regina King Regina King has continued to stun and amaze audiences with her impressive directorial debut One Night in Miami… which chronicles the famous meeting between Cassius Clay, Jim Brown, Sam Cooke and Malcolm X, leading black icons of the 1960s. The screenplay has been adapted from Kemp Powers’ play of the same name. In the past, it hasn’t been common to see actors make great directorial debuts, but Regina King has delivered a powerful tribute to four Black icons of the Civil Rights Movement. One Night in Miami… has garnered two main award nominations– Best Supporting Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay, but it has failed to be recognised for any production awards. Regina King started out as an actor, and her talents were proven to the world when she won her Best Supporting Actress Oscar for If Beale Street Could Talk. It should be noted that Regina King has built up an experienced thirty-six years in the industry as an actor, ranging from comedic roles such as in Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and
Zendaya
John David Washington plays Zendaya’s other half Malcolm, a film director, who forgets to thank Marie in his speech at the premiere of his film. Zendaya plays her role so powerfully, that she is the sole standout of the film. Although John David Washington is a fine actor, as seen in BlacKkKlansman, all eyes are on Zendaya as she takes centre stage throughout. However, the media isn’t one to let winning performances like this slide without a little acknowledgement. Only not in a positive way. Zendaya came under fire when she was deemed ‘too young’ to be acting opposite Washington, who is twelve years her senior. But perhaps this was all aimed at her because she’s grown up on screen – since her youngest role on Shake It Up at 14, and furthermore, she’s been typecast into high school and teen roles for most of her career, such as Spiderman: Homecoming, and Euphoria (for which she won an Emmy). No one really batted an eyelid, however, when the James Bonds did it every time with the leading ladies. Zendaya was among the favourites to be in the running for Best Actress in the Oscar Noms announcement, but unfortunately, she too was snubbed of her chance.
Zendaya shows a maturity in her acting that is characteristic of an actor well beyond her years. Her skill and incredible aptitude to grasp the exact feelings of her character can be seen in the lockdown film Malcolm & Marie. Written and directed by Sam Levinson, also the creator of Euphoria, it depicts the complexities between a couple when they have an argument lasting the entire night.
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Tahar Rahim has slowly started to become a household name among British audiences ever since he graced our screens with his powerful and psychotic portrayal of the notorious serial killer, Charles Sobhraj, in BBC’s The Serpent (2021). I was completely enamoured by his cool, calm, yet terrifying performance that certainly left me unsettled for days after the finale. But what proved the Algerian-French actor’s acting talents to me was the contrast of seeing him in a completely different role to Mohamedou Ould Slahi in The Mauritanian (2021). Shedding the duplicitous skin of Sobhraj, he took up the role of a gentleman, imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay without charge for fourteen years. Tahar Rahim brought this warmth and humanity to his role as Mohamedou that was completely lacking in the complex character of Sobhraj. I was astonished and sent scrambling to Google only to find out that he had been denied an Oscar nomination (even after his painful method acting on the set of The Mauritanian where he insisted his legs be shackled with real iron shackles instead of the prop rubber ones). He lost out in the BAFTAs too (to Anthony Hopkins), and this led me to wonder if the influence really comes from the nature of the film and not the performance itself. The Mauritanian tackles a very controversial topic in the United States: the brutal treatment of prisoners in Guantanamo Prison. The Oscars are often caught up in controversy: for example, when Ordinary People beat out The Elephant
Fabulous, to Emmy winning roles (three times) in American Crime and Seven Seconds (once more). These accolades confirm her qualifications to begin her career as a director, and with One Night in Miami… which premiered at Venice Film Festival in 2020, she became the first black woman to be selected in the festival’s history. Again, the question lingers. Why then, was King not nominated as a Best Director, to be pitted amongst the likes of Chloe Zhao, Lee Isaac Chung and Thomas Vinterberg? Well, that will surely be seen as one of the biggest snubs this year at the Oscars. Regina King explained her visual style for One Night in Miami… in an interview with Deadline in an extremely impressive and lucid way. Her flair for colours and the vibrance that comes with true black culture sets her up as a director to watch out for in the future.
le Lamb Litt
he Oscars are an avidly awaited film awards show, especially following the much-anticipated release of the nominations. They are always a source of joy and agreement - or anger and surprise - when the results aren’t as they are expected to be. The nominees this year for the major awards included some amazing films such as The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) for Best Picture, Daniel Kaluuya for Best Actor in Judas and the Black Messiah (2021), and Carey Mulligan for Best Actress in Promising Young Woman (2020). Whilst these films and nominees are celebrated, I usually like to take a look at the candidates in the running who just missed the cut, or the ‘snubs’ as the popular media likes to name them. They prove to be good subjects to study, and to not only appreciate for their acting or directing talents, but for the fact that they were for some reason passed over by the Oscars’ nomination committee:
Tahar Rahim
Man and Raging Bull (1989) for Best Picture. By shutting The Mauritanian out of main award nominations, the Academy has sadly missed out on acknowledging Muslim representation.
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The Academy has sadly missed out on acknowledging Muslim representation at this year's awards Meghana Krishnamurthy
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Minari is a quiet yet passionate look at family and assimilation Minari is a deeply personal, almost dizzying time capsule Julius De La Rama Third Year, Film & Television
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n a competitive awards season featuring big names and big budgets, Minari (2021) stands tall as one of the best films this year has to offer. It is a leap into a new world in which the path is marred by one obstacle after another, but there is a core that is resilient enough to weather the worst of storms. Featuring an ensemble cast that is excellent across the board, the experience of watching Minari is akin to Richard Linklater’s Boyhood (2014) by way of Yasujiro Ozu.
Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, who almost quit filmmaking before making Minari, the film tells a semi-autobiographical tale of his upbringing on a farm in rural Arkansas. From a cinematic standpoint, this story has been told time and time again. Minari confronts the American Dream’s idealism with an abundance of honesty and a genuine understanding of its beauty and failures. There were moments in which the decline of traditional South-East Asian values and the denial of culture were captured so accurately, I thought the film was attacking me directly. That is one of the film’s strongest aspects – it feels quiet in scope, but the film is towering in its subtext. Told with tenderness, simplicity and sensitivity that has the power to conjure tears from
the viewer in its smallest moments, Minari is a work of art that cherishes every single moment it has. A film like this is carried by its performers and Minari certainly has one of the best ensembles of the year. There isn’t one standout to me; everyone in this cast is fantastic and brings some extremely varied perspective on the family’s goals and accomplishments. However, the young Alan Kim’s performance as David is a top contender for one of the best child performances in recent memory, bringing an amalgamation of emotions to the table and never faltering against already esteemed performers such as Will Patton, Youn Yuh-jung, Han Ye-ri, and Steven Yeun. The film is a perfect alchemy of cast and crew, creating an over-
all experience that is simultaneously truly affecting and an absolute joy to watch. Featuring gentle, beautiful cinematography from Lachlan Milne (who was also the cinematographer on Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)), and a musical score from Emile Mosseri that is guaranteed to evoke a range of feelings, there isn’t much to dislike with Minari. In all honesty, I never thought I would be writing these words, but the films that have represented Asian culture in the past few years (Jon M. Chu’s Crazy Rich Asians (2018), Lulu Wang’s The Farewell (2019), and Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)) have instilled so much hope in me for the future of cinema. Minari is just the icing on the cake. This much-needed representation and valuable sto-
rytelling overwhelm me whenever I see it on screen. A change has been coming for a long time, and in the face of anti-Asian rhetoric, it’s a statement that reads: we’re not going anywhere. Minari is a deeply personal, almost dizzying time capsule; capturing the unwavering perseverance of immigrant workers, the deep familial struggles that come with sacrifice after sacrifice, and the ever-changing idea of home. It looks forward to a world of opportunity, blossoming friendships, and the notion that when all else fails, the family stays strong. I’m thankful it exists.
Read the full article on Epigram's website!
Arts
Editor Anjuli Vadera Digital Editor Dulcie Godfrey Deputy Editor Katie Chalk
Twitter: @EpigramCulture
Bristol Old Vic’s Artistic Director gives us hope for the future of the arts
Second Year, English Literature
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hen we think of the Bristol Old Vic, we might imagine the red lights of the building's exterior. It is Tom Morris, however, who is the visionary behind the theatre, and who is shining a light on the creative industries today. Tom Morris has been the Artistic Director of Bristol Old Vic since 2009 and has been Associate Director of the National Theatre since 2004. His productions at Bristol Old Vic have included Touching the Void, The Grinning Man, Messiah and Cyrano. When prompted about the emer-
cination centres. When allowed to reopen in summer, Morris mentioned that the environment of theatre was almost ‘sacred’ for those performing and watching, revitalising the connection between the audience and performer within a live performance. In Morris’ experience, it seems incredibly difficult to adapt some performances to this virtual streaming
We all have the opportunity to create a fairer and more sustainable cultural hub. Bristol and the country is curious and hungry for the stories you might tell since the closing of their doors on the 16 March 2020. Morris highlighted this through the English National Opera, singing lullabies to those recovering from COVID-19, and multiple theatres becoming vac-
platform. Sharp Teeth’s Sherlock in Homes was used as a perfect example of how the theatres have skillfully adapted to the virtual world. But nonetheless, it is not the same. The Meaning of Zong, a new play
Bristol Old Vic
gence of theatre and culture from the pandemic, the focus was on the importance of ‘rebuilding.’ Every city centre will have to restart, he says, which in itself is a lovely opportunity to reset our culture. We all have the opportunity to create a fairer and more sustainable cultural hub not only within Bristol, but across the country. The role of theatres has changed
from Giles Terera, was turned into an audio production and released on BBC Radio 3 instead of streaming, for example. It is now available to listen to on the Bristol Old Vic website and BBC Sounds. Seemingly, streaming content throughout the pandemic has changed the legacy of live performance. Morris mentioned that streaming will be part of Bristol Old Vic’s business model as it hasn’t before, and I’m sure many theatres will be doing the same.
Bristol Old Vic
Hosted by Bristol SU, a Zoom Q&A with Tom Morris addressed pertinent questions on the future of performing arts, the impact of the pandemic on the creative industry and advice for young creatives Francesca Joyce,
The positives of this blended experience of live performance means one will have the opportunity to watch a show from across the globe, the modern way of experiencing theatre. The advice Morris provided for those who want to get into the industry as young creatives was exciting. He mentioned Bristol Old Vic’s ‘Bristol Ferment', the artist development programme focussing on working with artists and companies in order to support and help develop their practices. Ferment’s forum, which is free to join, offers a range of development opportunities and encourages cooperation with other artists within the forum. Similarly, he suggested when you find your passion in the industry, go study it and apply for a masters if you can to show your engagement with the subject. For those reaching out to casting directors/directors, Morris says to make a showreel clearly exemplifying your abilities as an actor or creative, as well as your interests in theatre. Morris’ final thoughts left those who came to the Q&A with an overall feeling of hope and excitement surrounding the future of theatre and the creative industries. ‘Bristol and the country are curious and hungry for the stories you might tell, and the way in which you might tell them. Trust your instincts and tell them in whatever way you can. Use the opportunity of relative youth to take the risks and make the best of it.’ There are free season tickets for Bristol Old Vic, available through the university, which are free to download and can be used to stream their impressive shows.
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epigram 27.04.2021
Charles St Petroc, An Epigram ‘Bristory' For the final print, Epigram Arts are launching a serialised short story, or ‘Bristory’, about the romantic entanglements of a Bristol student. Stay tuned for the following chapters! Oliver Briscoe Bristol Alumni
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novella and a social satire of Romantic poetic Russian inspiration, Charles St Petroc follows the eponymous hero who, world-weary, manically suicidal, tenuously religious, graduating from Bristol University, falls in love with a young woman from the varsity shooting club, Ophelia. Courting her away from her relationship, they are separated as the first lockdown hits and Charles goes off to his home in North Cornwall.
Part 1, Chapter 1 ‘Over!’ Looking up, the whole of Somerset lay like hot-cross buns on a baker’s tray, hoar-frost like sugar dust. Rays shone blood orange, thawing the morning’s puddled mist. Charles always shook slightly waiting for the flush, hearing the first guns down the line. The thrill coursed through his hands, stiff-nervous and numb, which later by the fire, holding a hot mug, would sting and glow like white coal, puffed and pinkish. There is great sport in watching a bird stretch out impulsed, to sight it and with a light touch, send it into a head-spin. To cut short its flight under the nib of two barrels, propelling shot into a sentence. So that at the end one has, in the clearing above the withered copse, composed a stanza, full-stopped where the birds have crumpled and dropped leaden with a rolling thud; a georgic to country sport. However, at university, clays would do. University shooting was a certain
freedom. Every week, whether under English sun or English rain, a group of boys and girls, in mostly Barbour-Schöffel-Hunter, with money to spend and a sense of naughty fun would pack into cars, drive out to the country and play with guns; then back home, cold and tired, rush off to bathe and dress for an evening’s gossip, drinks, dinner and silly games, from house to house, later trailing off in twos. There were very few people of any note at the club. Most of the young men, tall sons of England with flowing spaniel locks and that droopy almost slant-eyed look, had only distant links to a baronetcy or some dead family. None of whom were said to be in any danger of becoming Prime Minister. None of whom wanted to. Unfortunately Sandhurst no longer took them either. Some then would never rise above their signet ring; young men who could ill afford to bank the family name and did so anyway and would probably end half-ruined in almost forgotten exile, somewhere far; an
odd uncle or godfather, too old for young man’s fun, too late for ageing grace. Or, perhaps more terribly, keeping alive only as hallowed servants to that great atavistic duty, paying school fees. A service eased into old age with a black lab or a brown spaniel and the hunting, shooting, stalking seasons. But the vain, louche side which all social young men have, knows all too well the draw of such a spendthrift life, especially when it could be afforded at university on a few hundred pounds. Of the women, there were a few sloaney daughters, well brought up girls who still lived easily between Town and Country, pretty in that sylvan Saxon look; blonde hair tucked behind out-turned ears, a soft button nose and a couple too many teeth. Or there were the Aga-hunters, provincial and contemptuous without reason, with more money than sense and not that much of either, for whom Sloane Square was a ‘day down to London’ and shooting an-
other step up, in pastel wellies. There was also foreign money, Russians, a Jordanian, a German, an Afrikaner, and the New, with their large shiny rings which ‘I swear weren’t there last week’, minding their U and non-Us. The whole was a precocious social fantasy, affluent neglect, broken into cliques more or less accepting of each other ‘people like us’ but who, when stood about, pretended not to notice one another. Not many joined for the shooting, quite a few had never shot before and quite a few hangers-on never shot at all, and almost no-one deigned to pay club fees. ‘A drinking club with a shooting problem’ so the joke went. As such Charles had long ignored the club but enough fun for mixed company, with a couple ‘good chaps’ as they would say, there was little else better on those sporting Wednesdays. In those small circles this was Society. To follow the rest of the story keep up to date with Epigram!
Bristol's Arts Spaces are opening up! As indoor entertainment opens up from 17 May with lockdown restrictions easing further, arts and culture buffs out there are spoilt for choice with so many artistic delights in Bristol. Sanjana Idnani tells us whats on! Sanjana Idnani Wellbeing and Travel Subeditor
1. Jo Spence: From Fairy Tales to Phototherapy, Photographs from The Hyman Collection at the Arnolfini his incredible exhibition looks at the intersection between arts, health and wellbeing and celebrates Spence’s integral work as a photo therapist. Photo therapy involved Spence using photography as a medium to address personal trauma and to reflect on key moments in her past. Spence is well known for her highly politicised approach to her work as well as her own struggles with cancer. The exhibition explores Spence’s diagnosis and treatment for cancer and juxtaposes humour with the challenging issues she faced. This exhibition is
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planned to reopen from Tuesday 18 May through to Sunday 20 June and is a must-see! 2. Film and Food, The Downs, 5-8 August This inaugural film festival is run by Adventure Cinema, the UK’s biggest touring outdoor cinema company, Adventure Cinema. This four-day festival features four days of outdoor cinema with classic movies, recent releases, stand-up comedy and short films from regional filmmakers. There is also local street food to snack on while watching. This sounds like the perfect summer vibe! 3. Project What If at We The Curious This is a brand new project that has taken three years to make and the management at the We The Curious science centre say it will be “absolutely phenomenal.” The exhibition was inspired by 10,000 questions from people in every postcode in Bristol. These were then narrowed down to seven and the questions cover themes ranging from time and the universe to invisibility and happiness. Each question will be explored through a cluster of exhibitions called constellations in the Project What if exhibition space. The exhibition will open in We The Curious in May. What if you went along and visited?
4. Six Sisters Project, North Street The Six Sisters project is a row of murals painted shops in Bedminister, Bristol. It was inspired by the famous Painted Ladies of San Francisco and is set to become the largest women-led street art project in the UK. The project began at Upfest, Europe’s largest street art festival, in 2016. The last two murals will be completed in April, ready for the reopening of non-essential shops and hairdressers. This pioneering project will be a brilliant addition to the Bristol street art scene. 5. Bristol Harbour Festival, 16-18 July Bristol Harbour Festival is a vast and diverse showcase of culture and includes live music, circus, spoken word, family and maritime activities. Venues can include Harbourside, Queens Square, and Underfall Yard as well as many others. The Bristol Harbour Festival is an exciting and creative opportunity to celebrate the beautiful and energetic Bristol Harbourside. This is just a snapshot of the many arts programmes returning to Bristol this Summer. As the weather warms and we find ourselves together once again, what a better way to spend a day in Bristol with our friends. Hopefully, these festivals can provide the perfect welcome back following a year of lockdown.
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epigram 27.04.2021
Student Art Spotlight
Ginevra
University of Bristol Alumni Like what you see? have a look at Ginevra's art instagram @ginevra_reviseted_art If you would like to showcase your art please check out our Facebook Arts Writers Group 2020/21!
Essential Student Reads A ‘dark academia' favourite, Donna Tart’s debut novel is a cult classic with an emphasis on the cult. The Secret History encircles a club of charismatic classic students at a prestigious New England college. It opens with murder and grows in intrigue as the reader becomes privy to underhand relationships between students, secret rituals and a world of scholarly cyphers. For anyone who felt as if they’d entered a parallel universe upon beginning first year, the murky setting of The Secret History will dramatically evoke feverish memories of imposter syndrome. Its gradual revelations of mystery after mystery won’t let you put it down.
A Thousand Splendid Suns By Khaled Hosseini
Starter for Ten by David Nicholls
Another student classic is Starter for Ten, which follows uncertain fresher Brian as he commences his first term, falls for general knowledge whiz Alice Harbinson and proceeds to join his school’s University Challenge team. The Kate Bush, Scrabble and Charles Dickins fanatic eventually unearths the complex relationship between wisdom and knowledge. Sweet, funny and unexpectedly painful, the novel is a welcome departure from a year at university that has been far from typical. A classic coming of age story, Nicholl’s invigorating prose offers all the hilarious highs and gut-punching lows of student life.
Admittedly, a four book series spanning over a thousand pages is a big ask for a busy student. But Elena Ferrante’s startling prose, nuanced characters and claustrophobic settings are definitely worth the time spent reading them. The first novel follows childhood best friends Lina and Elena as they advance through the streets of 1950s Naples. Their arguments over dolls become world-shifting rifts between families as the girls become young women. Motifs of politic turmoil, class conflict and immortal friendships are wrapped up in this fervent coming of age tale. Make sure to give this one a read... but maybe leave it for your long summer holidays.
Waterstones
By Donna Tart
Waterstones
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o many of us neglect reading for pleasure when we become students. It can be difficult to remind ourselves to sit down and get stuck into a book when our days are spent trawling through countless J-Store articles. For those who are struggling to fit non-academic reading into their schedule, here are four books that speak directly to the student experience. Whether they encapsulate the complexities of inter-student politics, offer characters going on life changing journeys, or present the absurdity of entering an entirely new world— these are four books I wish I’d read before I embarked on my degree.
The Secret History
Epigram / Kate Bowie
Second Year, English Literature
By Elena Ferrante
Photo courtesy of Waterstones
Kate Bowie,
The Neapolitan Quartet
This is a public service announcement to everyone who has this book and is yet to read it. Hosseini’s heart-wrenching A Thousand Splendid Suns is an internal examination of friendship, family, and it is inseparable from its external setting of Afghanistan’s tumultuous history over the last thirty years. The novel follows two generations of characters, whose matching struggles to find happiness encircle the other in a whirlpool and eventually collide. As his characters learn to live in a new world emerging from the rubble of the old, Hosseini depicts the universal pain of maturing in a relentless world. The connection his protagonists ultimately find, offers an image of hope like none other.
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Behind the Burberry facekini: a chat with Lynks
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an avant-pop beat. The track ‘This is the Hit’ is a manifesto for this, asserting that actually ‘I’m that bitch, I’m the man.’ Their conversation style is similar to their music, equipped with an ability to use quick wit to convey deeper emotional meaning – every word feels strong and every sound has a purpose. Studying psychology at Bristol, it was in the clubs of this city that Lynks first smeared on the face paint and triple jumped onto the scene. ‘On stage, I’d have 20 people with masks on and I’d bring two suitcases full of random objects I had in my house – they’d just dance and improv with the shit on stage.’ There’s a longing for live performance on their face as they describe crazy gigs gone by: ‘I turned around and I saw one person on one side making out with a mannequin head and on the other side someone had stuck a broom into a pineapple and was threatening the audience with it.’ In their performances Lynks carves out a space for self-expression, and in doing so simultaneously creates an environment of unbridled joy – totally free from judgement. We reminisce, agreeing that the sensory experience of live independent gigs is unmatched, and Lynks knowingly says: ‘I love live music, I love gigs,’ joking that ‘there’s something very addictive about watching people, the
tension, the stakes of someone going on stage and baring their soul and it may be shit but may be good.’ We’re both laughing as Lynks concludes
continue to rise it’ll be such a bigger jump. It’ll make that first year back crazy.’ A mover and shaker who can take their life experiences, saturate
‘there’s something about that drama that’s very addictive.’ As talk turns to the future, tentative but hopeful is the vibe: ‘If I do
them in humour and unroll them in an all-consuming feast for the senses on stage – a good dose of Lynks is just what the UK music scene needs.
pappedbypercy
very liberating.’ The mask feels inextricable from Lynks, as does Lynks from Elliot: ‘It’s not a character. My voice changes a bit and I act a bit crazier, but everything I’m writing about is my life and my experience.’ The sentiment of album opener Music Digital Editor ‘Everyone’s Hot (And I’m Not)’ is a f you haven’t heard of Lynks testament to this. Lynks recounts a yet, consider this your official night out that turned sour when they tip-off. Making it onto NME’s got rejected by someone who turned top 100 emerging artists for 2021, out to be aggressively uninterested. Attitude’s 11 LGBTQ artists to watch ‘That double whammy of feeling and booked for Glastonbury 2020, both completely clapped but also their latest release, the cheekily completely other – you’re the polar named Smash Hits, Vol. 2 is a bit of opposite of everything there. When a stormer. you’re feeling insecure and gay in a Their lyrics are biting, with unstraight space those two feelings bematched wit and ample tongue in come intertwined.’ cheek self-deprecation. Lynks is the With heterosexuality so often lycra-clad, facekini wearing, subverserving as the default in mainstream sive icon we didn’t narratives, feelings know we needed. ‘When you put of rejection and I met Lynks sans- that mask on, your isolation can feel mask one lockdown inhibitions go... like part and parcel afternoon. Pouronstage I found it of sociability. ‘[Sexing myself a cupvery liberating.' uality] has always pa, Lynks did the been a point of difsame — warm and at ease, they were ference between me and the world shrouded in golden hour lighting around me, and something I’ve never and a tactically placed houseplant really had people around me to talk suggested this wasn’t their first time to or relate to about.’ at the Zoom rodeo. Yet, in their performances, the ‘When you put that mask on – agency always lies with Lynks. Their your inhibitions go. It’s something lyrics subvert the power dynamics of about not being looked at anymore expectation, flip them on their head, as yourself… On stage, I found it laugh at them and carry them over
Epigram Music gets behind the mask of the artist heading up a new queer revolution Greg Evans
FUZE musicians take on Tiny Desk in Sofa Sessions alicesuttonphotography
Epigram speaks with musicians from the Bristol collective about their newest creation Lucas Arthur Music Editor
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hile the rest of us were languishing in the final weeks of lockdown, FUZE have been conjuring up another performance. By now, you'll likely have heard of the 200-strong Bristol collective: since its formation in 2003, they’ve hosted an annual calendar of social events, culminating in an extravagant night of fashion, music and dance in aid of local charities. Now, FUZE has unveiled their Sofa Sessions, uploaded weekly from the 28 April. Each video features a set from one of their accomplished musicians, performing covers and original songs, shot against the charming
backdrop of Stokes Croft Vintage Market. From start to finish, it’s a student-made affair, showcasing the boundless creativity that Bristol artists have to offer. ‘It was so much fun to make!’ says singer Max Fieshbach. In her set, she performs a soulful, laid-back version of Mahalia’s ‘I Wish I Missed My Ex.’ ‘It was properly recorded, with professional lighting, make-up, costumes… kind of a Tiny Desk vibe.’ Filming took place in Collector Cave, nestled at the back of Stokes Croft Vintage Market. The marketplace, found opposite the old site of Blue Mountain club, has struggled over lockdown. Damage to the roof led to extensive flooding, the surviving antiques and furniture slowly gathering dust. With a twist of ingenuity, its shelves of CDs and worn sofas create the perfect setting. Lebo performs his own stirring, plaintive compositions. He became involved with FUZE after audition-
ing at Lakota and stresses how much it became a part of his university life. It’s a shared sentiment among the artists – during months of enforced separation, the FUZE team kept in touch through Zoom socials and a buzzing group chat. Doubtless, such a strong community makes for spirited performances. Laura and Alessia recount singing at FUZE’s annual show in 2020, hosted at the Loko Klub. ‘It was an immersive, diverse, comfortable environment – the artistry of each individual was respected and granted a stage to share with the world.’ ‘Performing with FUZE has been a highlight of university, especially during COVID-19 – We’re so excited to do it again with such a talented team!’ Tickets are on sale now for the first event of the FUZE 2021 calendar, a noughties-themed night out at Lakota Gardens featuring performances from many of the FUZE artists on 29 April.
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epigram 27.04.2021
‘What would Fleetwood Mac do?': In conversation with Wolf Alice
Lucy O'Neill / Epigram
From left: Theo Ellis, Ellie Rowsell, Joff Oddie (Not pictured: Joel Amey) | Jordan Hemingway
In anticipation of their third album, Epigram catches up with one of the decade's most cherished rock bands. Lucas Arthur & Flora Pick
Music Editor, Deputy Music Editor
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olf Alice seem taken aback by their own longevity. Guitarist Joff Oddie and bassist Theo Ellis have been part of the Mercury Prize-winning group for the best part of a decade and demonstrate no desire to slow down. Following years of quiet decline for the popularity of archetypical rock bands, the London four piece have blazed a trail — though their sound, a turbulent blend of grunge, dream-pop and golden-era indie, is far from archetypical. Their 2018 Mercury win was followed by two years of frantic touring, writing and recording, before the pandemic set in and ruined the fun. ‘Speaking to friends who make stuff, they said it was very hard to be inspired in a lockdown’ says Theo, whose zoom nametag is ‘Mojito’. ‘We were lucky in that the album was written before we went through the first lockdown. I find it hard to watch anything serious, even just a film. I want to be a bit numb at the moment.’ Wolf Alice’s third album, Blue Weekend, set to be released on 11 June, will serve as a vital call-to-
action, a reminder of the vividness of life before lockdown. Across its 40-minute runtime, it manages to be just as gleefully varied as the band’s previous offerings, phasing through exuberant shoegaze, delicate indie and feral, mosh-inciting punk. With their tendency for grunge infused auditory extremes, the band continue to demonstrate their capacity to careen from indie ballads into crunching walls of sound, singer Ellie Rowsell able to turn from introspection to incandescence on the turn of a dime. It’s the atmospheric, synth-driven cut ‘How Can I Make It OK?’ that the band are most excited to premier to fans. ‘As much as I want people to hear this song I want to play it live — It’s been my favourite song on the new record for a long long time now’ says Theo. He’s also looking forward to playing 2017 track ‘Visions of a Life.’ ‘I don’t know if I can remember how to play it in all honesty’ he admits — ‘I’m looking forward to rehearsals.’ There’s a certain twitchy excitement at the prospect of a return to live music after what all agree was far too long spent away. Eager to be let out to roam in the real world again, Theo describes his plans as soon as
June 21 rolls around to be either ‘In a fucking ditch somewhere… or doing some promo. One or the other.' He’s keen to attend The Streets’ post-lockdown blowout, a proposition that is met with enthusiastic nods from Joff. Wolf Alice are a band that thrives on the energy of the people around them, whether that be their feverish live audiences or simply being in each other’s presence. The conversation turns to a noted history of outspokenness. Theo’s drunken, though well-justified, Mercury Prize acceptance speech, was ‘infused by the fact that I’d had 10 beers because I didn’t think we were gonna win it...’ Even so, he used the spotlight to call out the discrimination they experienced early in their career simply for having a girl in the band. Four years on, the outlook is still pretty bleak, recent reports proving women to still be massively underrepresented on the festival circuit. ‘I saw a festival lineup that had two female members of bands out of a 40 plus lineup. I don’t know how it’s changed. Looking inwards, I don’t see a huge amount of significant change, on both sides, from touring crews, to members of bands, to producers. It still seems to be dominated by white males with-
in the industry. But I’m probably the to get better is learn how other people have written their songs.’ wrong person to ask.’ ‘In the last year, we’ve been lisJoff qualifies: ‘We like to pick our battles.’ While the band keeps their tening to a lot of The Band, admirmusic largely apolitical, they’ve ing their songwriting.’ ‘And there’s openly worn their colours on some that classic stuff that binds us… early occasions, playing fundraising White Stripes, Kings of Leon, Queens gigs for refugee children and tacit- of the Stone Age, The Libertines and ly showing their support for Labour stuff like that. In some ways, people during the 2018 election campaign. consider it pastiche, but there are In the bleak months of lockdown, some wicked songs from around that with social welfare more fragile and time.’ ‘We always go back to Fleetwood polarised than ever, Joff could be found volunteering at food banks Mac’ says Theo. ‘We’re thinking, and youth centres around the capital. “fucking hell, what would Fleetwood ‘It’s a weird space for activism at Mac do?” And then we don’t do it, the moment’ he reflects, gazing pen- because they’re geniuses’ he laughs. sively off camera. ‘I feel that there’s a ‘“Be like Fleetwood Mac”, I’ve decidtrend of people talking and not doing ed, is our mantra.’ He pauses, grins, weighing his words. ’Don’t do loads anything, which gets me down a bit. and loads of coke I’m quite keen to do more and talk ‘I feel that there's and then start shagslightly less.’ With a trend of people ging each other. That’d be a problem.’ that, the conversatalking and not All the difficultion moves on. doing anything... ties of lockdown, of For Wolf Alice, I'm keen to do the key to staying more and talk less' months-long separation from their current is to draw on the past. Blue Weekend is a glossy best friends and bandmates, only summation of the band’s sound — amplifies excitement to get back out ‘the lovechild of folk and grunge’, there, though their aspirations are according to Clash — without a hint decidedly apart from rock’n’roll, telof comprise to prevalent tastes; for evisions-out-the-window debauchbetter or worse, the same can’t be ery. ‘Joel, our drummer, has become said for several of their labelmates a fisherman, or so he’s been saying at Dirty Hit. Joff’s 2020 solo cover to us. He’s part of a fishing guild, Colin Moody / SaveBristolNightlife album, ‘To Mr Fahey’, pays tribute to they’ve got a clubhouse and it sounds one of the fathers of the folk tradi- very lively.’ Wolf Alice’s first big night back tion. Mastering compositions written by the late guitarist gave him a out? ‘I hope for the angling club. Fignew level of confidence, he explains. ure out if Joel’s actually a fisherman ‘Those songs really stretched me. As or has been lying to us the whole a musician and a writer, the best way time.’
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epigram 27.04.2021
A guide to Bristol's lesser-known venues As live music beckons once again, Epigram picks seven of the best venues from off of the beaten track Josh Templeman Second Year Politics and IR
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he city of Bristol is a sanctum for live music enthusiasts. A 2015 report identified ninety-four dedicated music venues across the city, bringing in £123 million in revenue. Some are nationally renowned, like Motion, Thekla and the Bristol Beacon, with people travelling in their thousands each year, from elsewhere in the UK and beyond, to experience what the city’s music scene has to offer. Whilst the larger venues are able to offer the bigger names, for me, there’s something unrivalled about a smaller, more intimate venue. On these, Bristol certainly doesn’t disappoint. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these venues have struggled. However, with the promising vaccination drive, there should soon be a chance to experience live music while helping small venues thrive once again, with the city’s smaller venues eager to welcome people back inside. For those promising times, here’s a guide to some of the city’s best smaller venues that are off the student radar, and certainy worth a visit.
The Old Duke Named after American jazz icon Duke Ellington, the Old Duke is an oasis for local jazz enthusiasts. Situated at the end of the cobbled King Street in the centre of Bristol, the venue boasts live music each day of the week for free and even hosts its own annual jazz festival! Operating on a first come first serve basis for the time being, a new outdoor (and covered) seating area is ready and waiting.
The Golden Lion A bit out of the way of the usual student areas, situated towards the Horfield end of Gloucester Road, the Golden Lion prides itself on being a crucial p a r t of Bristol’s live
music scene. With a reputation for highlighting up and coming local artists, in an array of genres that include jazz, folk or blues, t h e pub is definitely The Gryphon worth the | Epigram trek, with live music playing each day of the week. On May 17th, the team are hoping to unlock the doors.
1980s. Located at Wapping Road on Spike Island, the 140-capacity venue has certainly been no stranger to big names over the years, having hosted acts like Amy Winehouse, The Chemical Brothers and Florence + the Machine. They also act as a venue for the city-wide Dot to Dot and Harbourside festivals, which both plan to take place later this year. With great outdoor seating, they are now taking bookings online and via telephone.
The Canteen Outside of the pandemic, The Canteen situated in Stokes Croft, proudly boasts hosting live music each and every day of t h e
The Gryphon Located on Colston Street, The Gryphon is celebrated for its live metal music, alongside its ever-changing selection of real ales. The pub, which was voted the city’s best pub at the 2019 Bristol Loves Awards, hosts an intimate stage for upcoming artists across the metal genre. It also has held its annual Gryphfest indoor usic festival each September since 2010. The Gryphon plans to open on May 17th once indoor service is permitted.
The Louisiana | Epigram
Editors' Picks
Luca Firth Wings
Zed Alley Zed Alley is one of Bristol’s more unique music venues. Situated in the city centre, it is an underground club and that is meant literally: the venue is in a basement. This allows for great acoustics and something of an eccentric vibe. The club itself offers open mic nights alongside a wide-ranging line-up of musical acts and comedy. May 17th will hopefully see them opening their doors again.
The Bristol Fringe
Drug Store Romeos
Inside The Bristol Fringe | SaveBristolNightlife
The Louisiana The Louisiana prides itself on its independence, having been a family-run pub and venue since the
as a restaurant, championing a wide range of plant-based dishes. What’s more, the venue sits beneath one of Banksy’s lesser-known pieces, The Mild Mild West. The outdoor seating area is a great place to relax after supporting the independent businesses along Gloucester Road.
week. As well as hosting a wide range of genres of music, from reggae to blues, the venue doubles up
Californian Soil London Grammar
The Bristol Fringe is a small and quirky venue set in the heart of Clifton. Reopened for outdoor hospitality on April 12th, it’s May 17th we’re looking forward to. As social distancing measures are eased our fingers are crossed for the return of free live music and open mics in the venue’s front bar, with more intimate gigs in its back room. The venue covers a wide range of genres, from jazz to folk, so there’s bound to be something for everyone to enjoy.
St. Vincent Pay Your Way In Pain
Xiu Xiu Oh No
Greg Evans Flora Pick Lucas Arthur Lauren Paddison Digital Editor Deputy Music Editor Music Editior Subeditor Luca Firth’s unsigned, in- Nottingham-formed trio have Glamour and funk served Xiu Xiu leave you guessing. die-folk debut provides started to show slight signs through a 1970s sepia tone The experimental two-piece glimpses of a burning talent. of thawing after their chill- lens; this track is dripping ascended to new heights of His rich vocals and steel- ing 2017 release, Truth Is a in references to a sexier atmospheric beauty on 2017’s stringed acoustic create a Beautiful Thing. Drawing on time gone by – think deca- Forget, only to turn around, fireside warmth, swelling with a new energy in their third dent tailoring, think sultry throwing up two fingers on each layer of leaping har- full-length studio album, synths, think Bowie! On Pay 2019’s Girl with Basket of mony and backslap rhythm. hard-hitting lyrics and in- Your Way In Pain St. Vincent Fruit. Oh No opens the floor to While recording, locked-down strumentation carves a new (aka Annie Clark) pulls up a a series of collaborators, which someplace in rural Italy with ‘a space for emotion owing to bar stool and welcomes us to serve to temper the unpredictcouple of guitars and a micro- rich reverbs and a lavish or- her new era. Writing follow- ability. ‘Rumpus Room’, feaphone,’ he used furniture for chestral blend. Staying true to ing her father’s release from turing Liars, is a claustrophohearty percussion – Firth has minimalist pop/sonic blends, prison in 2019, the new al- bic, bassy standout; it cracks earned his ‘DIY’ credentials, they journey into new realms bum Daddy’s Home is a mon- and sizzles, and is deliciousthough the term doesn’t do of songwriting about los- ument to the vinyl she lis- ly unnerving. In bringing justice to how bold the record ing your head and needing tened to as a child. Following on some more conventional sounds. Beneath the poetry, the night. Although stirring their 2019 Grammy win for collaborators, including Shawe find the soulful exuber- mixed feelings among crit- MASSEDUCTION, Clark calls ron Van Etten and Groupance of John Martyn, the fris- ics, they emerge more con- again on pop genius Jack er’s Liz Harris, dissonance is son-inducing tones of Adri- fident in the brightness of Antonoff to co-produce Dad- turned down a degree, allowanne Lenker, and a promise of their evolved sonic backdrop. dy’s Home, and something ing their pop brilliance to be even greater things to come. Some might even say reborn. tells me we’re in for a treat. more discernible than ever.
SciTech
Editor Julia Riopelle Digital Editor Edward Deacon Deputy Editor Delhi Kalwan
Twitter: @EpigramSciTech
Bristol's Einstein: Paul Dirac
tol to study electrical engineering. Upon graduating aged 21, he took up a second degree in mathematics, during which he attended lectures on physics in addition to maths, becoming introduced to Einstein’s theories of special and general relativity. SciTech Digital Editor With enough money from scholarships, Dirac was able to move to he recent findings from Cambridge and undertake a PhD. His CERN and Fermilab that interests lay in the theories of relasuggest a new particle or tivity which he had learned about in force of nature is yet to be discovlectures and the emerging field ered present an opportuniof quantum mechanics. ty to look back at the Dirac had the imwork of a physiportant realisation cist whose disthat these two coveries have fundamental underpinned theories of modern parnature – one ticle and describing quantum space, time, physics: Paul gravity and Dirac. objects movStephen ing at speeds Hawking once Ep close to the speed said that: ‘Dirac igr am / of light, and the has done more than Edward Deacon other, nature on the anyone this century, with scale of atoms and individual the exception of Einstein, to adparticles – must be compatible with vance physics and change our picone another. ture of the universe.’ And yet, unlike He developed quantum theoEinstein who exists in popular culry considerably alongside figures ture as a hallowed scientific genius, like Werner Heisenberg and Erwin Dirac remains relatively unknown. Schrödinger, the latter of which This begs the question: why? he shared the 1933 Nobel Prize in Dirac’s contributions to physics Physics with. Today, quantum theextend from quantum mechanory is one of the most experimenics – for which he jointly won the tally tested and ratified theories in 1933 Nobel Prize in Physics – to physics. It has been extremely efdeveloping Einstein’s theories fective in describing nature on a of relativity, and the discovery very small scale and Dirac’s work of antimatter. In terms of Britwas fundamental to its matheish physicists, Dirac’s contribumatical description. tions are thought to be some of In 1929, whilst on a cruise to the greatest since that of Isaac a conference in Japan, a conNewton and his famous theory versation between Dirac and of gravity. Heisenberg was recorded that Aside from physics, Dirac captured Dirac’s deeply emwas known for his unusual pirical mind. Heisenberg – a character which had a unique ladies’ man and flirt – was charm. He was a very literal asked by Dirac: ‘Why do thinker, didn’t speak much you dance?’ To which Heiand so was not one for senberg replied: ‘When small talk. Colleagues of his there are nice girls, it is a from Cambridge Universipleasure.’ Dirac pondered ty once jokingly defined a this, before replying: unit called a ‘dirac’, cor‘But, Heisenberg, how do responding to speaking you know beforehand one word per hour, which that the girls are nice?’ gives a flavour of his tacSchrödinger came iturn character. up with an equation Dirac was born in his that had proved very family home 15 Monk successful in quanRoad, Bishopston, Bristum mechanics, but tol, on 8 August 1902. it was not a perfect At school, Dirac exdescription of nacelled, and he went ture as it did not on to take a place at take Einstein’s relthe University of BrisUnsplash / Nick Chong
timatter consists of ‘antiparticles’ in much the same way that ordinary matter consists of particles. The two types of matter are, in a sense, opposite, and when combined annihilate one another. Dirac was able to use his equation to pioneer the understanding of another area of physics, quantum electrodynamics (QED), which describes how light and matter interact. This theory plays an important role in modern particle physics and for re-
Who was he, and why should we care? His scientific legacy speaks for itself Edward Deacon
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Dirac's equation predicted the existence of something unusual: antimatter
Nobel Foundation
Dirac has done more than anyone this century, with the exception of Einstein, to change our picture of the universe ativity into account. One striking visual example of where it fails is in the appearance of gold. Schrödinger’s equation predicts that based on the light that is absorbed and that which is reflected off it, gold would appear silver in colour, rather than its distinctive yellow tone. Dirac formulated his own equation Institut International de Physique Solvay
(that correctly predicted the colour of gold) and it was successful to a large extent, uniting quantum mechanics with special relativity. However, it also predicted the existence of something unusual: antimatter. At the time, the suggestion that antimatter existed was a very bold idea, but just two years later experiments confirmed its existence. An-
searchers at the likes of CERN and Fermilab mentioned previously. In Bristol, Paul Dirac is commemorated in a few places in the city – though not always obviously. A blue plaque resides at 15 Monk Road where Dirac was born noting his achievements of being a Nobel Laureate and theorising antimatter and ‘Dirac Road’ lies in Bishopston just down the road from the house. Outside We The Curious on Anchor Road, a sculpture by Simon Thomas entitled ‘Small Worlds’ was unveiled by Professor Sir Michael Berry from the University’s School of Physics in 2001. It was said, this ‘sculpture of concentric cones creates a scaled path through space pointing towards the ever smaller worlds studied by Dirac.’ Unfortunately, there is no mention of Dirac near the sculpture. It seems a shame that Paul Dirac is not more obviously commemorated in Bristol for his immense scientific achievements, though owing to his personality, he could well have preferred it to be that way. Nonetheless, his scientific legacy will live on for many years. This is an abridged article. To read the full version, visit our website epigram.org.uk
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epigram 27.04.2021
Breaking boundaries: the STEM vs humanities divide arts and sciences are constantly pitted against one other. Whilst some see STEM students as cold and less attuned to the complexities of human existence, others would argue that humanities as a field is losing its modern-day relevance in a world grounded by science. One only needs SciTech Sub-Editor a quick scan of Bristruth’s Facebook feed to understand the pertinence of ecoming the only humanithis divide at the university. ties student to edit for EpIn England, subject specialisation igram’s SciTech team was begins earlier than almost every always going to be a little daunting. other country in the world, with Other than an involvement with the 14-year-olds often made aware of Youth Strike for Climate movement, the disciplinary divide when they I had no real knowledge of science are asked to start considering GCSE when I applied for this position as an selections. The government’s shift English student almost a year ago. in focus to funding My A-Levels had been We are told our STEM research also reentirely grounded in minds are either flects the societal shift the humanities and in attitudes towards modern languages, creative and and my friendship cirhumanities driven, humanities being ‘a waste of time’ as I was cle throughout school or scientific and informed when decidwas a budding group literal, and end up ing to study English. of English, History putting ourselves The global push and Classics nerds. towards STEM subScience, I had long into that box jects, particularly for ago decided, was not females, simultaneously pushes for for me. an education that separates sciences The unspoken war between STEM from the arts instead of valuing both (Science, Technology, Engineering disciplines. and Maths) and humanities subWhen asked if they had ever felt jects has existed for years, and the
English student, Sarah, explores how humanities students can and should engage with science Sarah Dalton
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Epigram / Edward Deacon & Lucy O'Neill
ent belief that I was not knowledgeable enough or ‘scientific enough’ to understand its contents. That is not true. If you are unable to engage with a scientific article, the issue lies not with your inability to understand, but with the writer’s inability to explain. As one English and History student expressed: ‘We are told that our minds are either creative and more humanities driven, or scientific and literal thinking, and we end up putting ourselves into that box.’ Our job now, is to break that box.
pressured into choosing between the two fields, a second year Computer Science student explained that: ‘At the time, STEM subjects were what I enjoyed and I felt I was good at them so I should be doing them. Now looking back, I wish I had chosen more of a mixture.’ A second year Ancient History student added that ‘I decided to drop Biology at A-Level as I wanted to focus on my essay writing subjects. I miss scientific learning, and so I regret it in that sense.’ ‘I miss scientific learning’ was never a phrase I associated with
myself until becoming a part of the SciTech team. However, having edited countless articles on gene therapy, ground-breaking vaccines and even the scientifically perfect cider, it couldn’t ring more true. The idea that by choosing a degree in the humanities, a person is unable to actively engage in scientific and technological advances is quite frankly, ridiculous. Like many humanities students, I have found myself reaching for a copy of The New Yorker and shying from New Scientist due to an inher-
older secondary forests (above 20 years old). Lead author and PhD student from the University of Bristol, Viola Heinrich, explained: ‘Using regional and global remote sensing products has not been attempted before to such a high spatial resolution. The models have the potential to benefit both the carbon modelling and carbon-policy communities to help understand the regional variations of regrowth under different drivers.’ Old primary forests are those which are untouched and exist in their original state. According to Mongabay, they are ‘often characterized by a full ceiling canopy and
canopy, have less Secondary forests for agricultural purposes tree density and and then abandoned, could contribute allow more light to when the soil becomes to six per cent reach the ground, depleted of any nutrients of Brazil’s net often leading to and thus insufficient for ground-level vege- emissions reduction crop growth. This is detative overgrowth. spite the forests having targets Secondary forests regeneration potential. currently take up 20 per cent of the This is an abridged article. To Amazon’s area. They are part of a read the full version, visit our webfive to ten year cycle of being cleared site epigram.org.uk
Earth’s lungs are shrinking as humans keep interfering with the Amazon
Deforested areas aren't regrowing fast enough for the Amazon to recover Julia Riopelle SciTech Editor
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collaborative study between the University of Bristol and Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research, have determined that different drivers are linked to the regional variations in forest regrowth within the Amazon. The paper, published in Nature Communication on 19 March 2021, used four decades worth of land satellite data in order to measure the age, type, above ground carbon levels and human activity of its forest canopy. Just last year, images exposing the extensive burning of the Amazon rainforest spread like wildfire across global media. Despite the claims from President Jair Bolsonaro that these were false, Brazilian scientists themselves published data directly linking the fires to the agricultural
slash-and-burn practices set by loggers and cattle ranchers. By taking up three per cent of terrestrial land, the Amazon rainforest surpasses any other in being the largest continuous tropical forest on Earth. Forests act as a carbon sink and are estimated to be able to mitigate a quarter of the measures set under the Paris Climste Agreement. Often referred to as the ‘Earth’s lungs’, the Amazon itself stores 10 per cent of global forest carbon. The remote sensing technique allowed the research group to continue to collect data during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which Brazil has been particularly hard hit. The data pro-
The Amazon stores 10 per cent of global forest carbon vided evidence for significant differences in growth rates between three types of forests in the Amazon: old primary forests, young secondary forests (less than 20 years old) and
usually several layers of understory.’ Young, secondary forests are forests that have been disturbed in one way or another, mostly through human activity. Therefore, they lack a full
Flickr / Quapan
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Bristol University biotech start-up receives £3.5M for cancer therapy development The new therapy from CytoSeek could vastly improve treatments against cancer tumours Delhi Kalwan SciTech Deputy Editor
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ytoSeek, a Bristol-based discovery-stage biotech company, has successfully secured funding of £3.5 million for the development of new cell therapies for cancer treatment. What do they do and why is it important to fund new research?
The University of Bristol spinout company, founded in November 2017, will be developing their Artificial Membrane Binding Protein (AMBP) technology which once approved, could vastly improve current cell therapy treatments available for solid tumours. The technology originates from Professor Adam Perriman’s group at the University. The Professor of Bioengineering in the School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, and founder of CytoSeek said: ‘At the moment cell therapies of this kind are only used in the treat-
CytoSeek
bind to almost any cell membrane. ment of cancers in the blood, such They can have a variety of funcas leukaemia. We are looking at tional domains that assist immune ways that cell therapy can also be cells in fighting off used for solid tumours, which are responsible Bristol has created cancer. One of the benefits of using for 85 per cent of canan incredible these proteins is that cer-related deaths.’ environment for they can improve the CytoSeek, based in St the translation targeting of cancer Philips, have recently of science to cells. completed their latest Another issue funding round – raising biotechnology faced in destroying a grand total of £3.57 tumours is that often these canmillion. Their mission is to develop cerous cells emit certain signals, next generation cell therapies for known as immunosuppressive faccancer; commercialising the techtors, which can somewhat protect nology developed by Prof Perriman them from being recognised by the and his team at the University. immune system. But if we can find Cell therapies have traditionally ways to block these signals then involved gene editing the body’s the body will be better equipped to immune cells to assist in killing fight the cancer. cancer cells. However, this is a SCV, a new early-stage tech intime-consuming and exhaustive vestment fund, found the potential process that demands much attenin the Bristol University research tion to detail. The enhanced funcand decided to support CytoSeek. tionality provided by AMBP techThe fund is backed by a pair of nology makes it a desirable route Bristol-based entrepreneurs behind to explore in the advancement of some of the South-West’s biggest cell therapies for cancer treatment. deep tech exits, one of which is Dr How does this technology Harry Destecroix. In 2018, Destework? croix sold his company Ziylo for Essentially, AMBPs are proteins an approximated £623 million. that are specifically engineered to
The success of the funding round is impressive, given many lab-based technologies are often overlooked and lack funding to be taken further. This is an abridged article. To read the full version, visit our website epigram.org.uk
CytoSeek
Why we should be talking about AI in higher education
Could AI benefit higher education, and when could it be implemented? Mark Ross
Second Year, French and Politics
A
rtificial Intelligence is everywhere: phones are talking back to us, cars are driving themselves and machines are even writing articles (not this one, I promise). However, despite lecturers only appearing in pixelated form nowadays, the education sector is still firmly in the hands of humans. First, a much-needed definition. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the umbrella term for a computers’ ability
ple, even a TV making personalised Netflix recommendations is considered to be AI! It is a complex subject and difficult to summarise concisely; for more information, maybe just ask Siri. To understand its potential, let’s look at how AI is currently used. Standard, mundane tasks are easy pickings for even basic algorithms. Matching Uber drivers to passengers, for example, is a clear example of AI processing data in order to perform a function that was previously reserved for human operators. But AI is also tackling increasingly complex tasks. Algorithms predict what we are going to buy and target ads accordingly. They can ‘outperform’ doctors in diagnosing breast cancer and can even create works of
automated within seconds; no more waiting for the results of an assignment you submitted months ago. Several American states are already using ‘Natural Language Processing’ systems to score student essays through spotting similarities between successfully-completed tests and new ones. Equally, AI could enhance the quality of marking at Universities. OFQUAL, the examinations regulator, is currently exploring the use of AI in spotting ‘outlying’ exam grades in order to highlight human errors in the marking process. In a system where ‘half’ of UK academics are stressed and ‘40 per cent’ think of quitting, using AI to lighten lecturers’ workload could avoid an imminent and serious shortfall of
to ‘mimic the perception, learning, problem-solving and decision-making’ of the human mind. It is the processing of data into useful, human-friendly outcomes. For exam-
art. The list is endless. Returning to education, this is enough to put a smile on any overworked lecturer’s face. Basic marking and information processing could be
teachers. AI could also personalise learning. In an (almost) post-COVID world, blended learning is likely to continue, distancing students from
Firstly, these technologies come with a hefty price tag. The University’s ‘Turnitin’ software, for example, costs just over £2 per student per year. Multiply this by the twenty thousand or so undergraduates at the University of Bristol and the expense becomes clear. This is an abridged article. To read the full version, visit our website epigram.org.uk
Epigram / Julia Riopelle
Using AI to lighten lecturers’ workload could avoid an imminent shortfall of teachers
their lecturers. Algorithms such as MIP Politecnico di Milano Graduate School of Business’ ‘FLEXA’ can help to combat this. This programme finds gaps in students’ knowledge and creates a personalised learning timetable for each student with the aim of targeting their weaknesses. With only 34 per cent of UK students feeling motivated to work during lockdown, this tool could perhaps focus students, and persuade fewer of them to swap Blackboard Collaborate for TikTok during this last year. Clearly, AI could make the lives of students and lecturers easier. Universities may be peeking into a Pandora's box of possibilities: Bristol, for example, already uses several plagiarism-detecting and CV-enhancing AI programmes. But only a toe has been dipped in the AI water. Given its potential, why is the use of AI so limited in the education sector?
Puzzles
Editor Fergus Ustianowski
If you need any help, contact the editor by email or through social media epigram.puzzles@gmail.com
Codeword
Epidoku
Each letter is assigned a number, try and work out all of the words in the codeword. All the words are University related.
A normal Sudoku, so all numbers from 1-9 appear in each row and column. But they also exist once in the red E. Difficulty: Medium
Credit: Fergus Ustianowski, Editor
Credit: Fergus Ustianowski, Editor
6
13
19
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10
3
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9
26 8
24
23
3
26
5
12
20
10
4
14
5
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14
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2
22
3
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15
15
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24
1 17
12
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20
7 19
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10
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2
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25
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24
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5
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6 1
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5 9
5
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20
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3 13
29
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23
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1 1
4
7
24
23
1
1
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11
24
22
9
21
A B C D E F G H 9 22
Credit: Patrick Sullivan, Puzzles Digital Editor Divide the grid into square or rectangular blocks so that each block drawn contains only one number. Each block must contain the number of cells indicated by the number inside it.
10
12 12
I
1
14
24
5
Cell Blocks
17 15
9
19
J K L M N 18 20
O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 16
Wordfit Credit: Patrick Sullivan, Puzzles Digital Editor
The aim is to form words by sliding letters back into the grid either horizontally or vertically. Letters can slide over each other but must stay in their original row or column.
S
E
•
Z
G
L
C
F
E
I
A
E
A
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E B
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Solutions will be posted online at: epigram.org.uk/tag/puzzles This year has been incredibly dificult with puzzles due to most of the issues being online, but I do hope you have enjoyed what we have managed to create. Fergus, Editor
30 Sport
epigram 27.04.2021
Sporting nostalgia corner: Spectating
Epigram / Alice Proctor
fans. Thankfully, there have been a perience for fans. Music, lights and edly a greater connection and pashandful of occasions whereby fans performances all make up part of the sion. Not to mention the game of cat have been allowed to return as we stadium experience. and mouse many students play by hopped from tier to tier. Plans are Stadiums are the most direct- sneaking tinnies onto the sidelines now in place for ly associated and trying to hide them from securithem to return Either you find somewhere with spectator ty. Unfortunately, the trials at Wemproperly and with outdoor screens or sport, however bley do not extend to Coombe Dingle just earlier this at the Universi- (for some reason) and so we must continue to use your mate's ty of Bristol we continue to wait for fans to be almonth we saw uncle's BT Sport pass 4,000 spectators know that there lowed back at this hallowed ground. in Wembley to is more to it Another, lesser-thought-of aspect watch Leicester City beat Southamp- than Twickenham and Old Trafford. to spectator sport is watching it on ton in the FA Cup semi-final. Our very own Coombe Dingle used tv. Watching the game inside the pub Being a fan in a stadium is a feel- to welcome hordes of students to its used to be the highlight of many a ing that simply cannot be replicated sidelines. student’s week. Everything used to anywhere else. There is something Part of the appeal of our little old feel so simple back when we used to very tribal about tens of thousands sports facility is that it is firmly in be able to pack into the local to watch of people all shouting and chant- the student bubble. Yes, other clubs your team’s away fixture. Yet, with become a spectator sport for pas- ing in support of their team. That make use of the resources, but every- indoor seating in pubs still some way atmosphere is one knows that on Wednesdays you off, either you find somewhere with sers-by. Sport attracts fans and Unfortunately, the trials at impossible to can expect to be I miss the atmosphere and outdoor screens experience any- surrounded by or continue to wherever you Wembley do not extend to where else, and students. ice hockey has the best use your mate’s go there will Coombe Dingle fans are missing Not only are always be peosupporting fans, great uncle’s BT Sport it. Nottingham we surroundpass. ple who want to chants and set music The full rewatch. Sadly, this year has demon- Panthers regular Lexi Bothamley-Da- ed by students, strated how much we miss simply kin said, ‘I miss the atmosphere and but we are also there to support our turn of spectator sport still seems ice hockey has the best supporting friends. It’s all well and good cheer- like a distant hope, but we are finally watching sport. It has been over a year since the fans, great chants and set music.’ ing on a professional team, yet when making progress. Euro 2020 could be pandemic put an end to packed-out Spectator sports have evolved from someone you are close to is tearing it worth putting in your calendar after stadiums full to the brim with sports merely watching to an all-round ex- up in front of you, there is undoubt- all.
Remember when we could rock up to Coombe Dingle to support our friends? Eddie McAteer Sports Editor
S
port is meant to be watched. At its simplest, it predominantly concerns the people playing; however, it does not take much for a kickabout in the park to
The Bristol student completing 80 Olympic events in 17 days
M
to help achieve the best possible quality of life. As MND affects approximately 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time, highly specialised carers and treatments are required. The two intrepid athletes opened their official training account The pair are on 1 January a cause very with a 5km run and have since been building up their fitness. They said: We are both dreading the 10k swim as we only have three months
to train due to pool closures.' Whilst this challenge is going to be an incredible feat, they ‘cannot wait to get stuck in.' To follow their journey between 23 July and 8 August, learn more about the work of motivated by mnda or donate to this fantastic close to them cause – head over to their website (Spennylympics.com). From everyone at Epigram we wish them both the best of luck.
Spennylmpics
a cause very close to them. Sadly, and Bristol University’s alumni Tom Bates’ brother Spencer, known to all Mitchell - rugby sevens Olympic silwho knew him as Spenny, passed ver medallist Rio 2016 – have all got away in August 2011, after fighting involved. motor neurone disease (MND). He has Since Spencer’s diagnosis, his own been described as a ‘talented musi- efforts combined with family and cian, a keen footballer, a loyal and friends have managed to raise over trusted friend and always the party £85,000 for the Motor Neurone DisSecond Year, Geography starter.’ ease Association (MNDA). These efost of us are looking Stuart wanted to mark the 10-year forts include similar endurance chalforward to watching the anniversary of lenges such as Tokyo Olympics from his brother’s Bates and Nichols are at- ultramarathons the comfort of our sofas this Sum- passing by takand a 100-mile tempting to complete all row up the Rivmer, blissfully unaware of the skill ing on a once80 events in the Olympics er Thames as and endurance on display. However, i n - a - l i f e t i m e in just 17 days Stuart Bates and Charlotte Nichols (a f u n d r a i s i n g well as ‘Spenmedical student at the University of challenge in stock’ music Bristol) have a very different plan. Spenny’s name. This idea became the events, charity auctions and garden It’s called ‘The Spennylympics.’ Spennylympics. parties. Despite living with his disBates and Nichols are attempting to The fantastic cause and difficulty ease, Spencer bates worked endlessly complete all 80 events in the Olym- of this gruelling challenge has at- to raise awareness and fundraise for pics, including 49 different sports, in tracted several sponsors and ambas- the MNDA. The MNDA aims to ‘imjust 17 days! Between the opening sadors. One of these sponsors is the prove care and support for people and closing ceremonies, both will University of Bristol, which has pro- with MND, their families and carers’ have to run a vided Nichols by providing a range of vital services marathon, cycle We are both dreading the with free access such as bereavement support in addi234 kilometres 10k swim as we only have to all their sport tion to funding potentially life-savin a road race and sports med- ing research. three months to train and show off icine facilities in MND is a group of diseases that their flare in a the build-up to impacts motor neurones in the brain synchronised swimming duet. And the challenge. Furthermore, the group and spinal cord which control musthat’s only three out of the 80 events! of ambassadors boasts an impressive cle function. There is a one in 300 Many have claimed this monu- collection of sporting feats between chance of contracting this devastatmental challenge to be impossible, them. The likes of world champi- ing disease. Currently, there is no however, the pair are motivated by on freestyle swimmer Fran Halsall cure, but symptoms can be managed
How one Bristol medical student and her partner are taking on every Olympic event Jake Chase
Sport 31
epigram 27.04.2021
Combat sports profile: Jiu-Jitsu
The combat sports profiles draw to a close with the JiuJitsu society James Dowden Deputy Sports Editor
Since the start of the year, Epigram's Deputy Sports Editor has been investigating the world of combat sports at the University of Bristol. Last week he spoke to kickboxing but for the final issue of the year, he interviews Jiu-Jitsu club Captain, Nurselim Tekin What is Jiu-Jitsu? Jiu Jitsu is a martial art based on a moving system of striking, locking, throwing and holding techniques. The club has a friendly atmosphere and an exceptional social life. What position do you hold within the club? Club Captain. What is a weekly schedule like in
Jiu-Jitsu? Before the pandemic we had two sessions a week, each lasting around two hours. We train with professional coaches, Tom & Eamonn who are very down to earth and easily approachable senseis. Alongside our coaches, we have a strong committee made up of a club captain (myself), secretary, treasurer, equality officer & social secretary. How is the social side of is Jiu-Jitsu? Our socials include going to the pub after each session, movie nights and eating out together. However, due to the pandemic, we are now holding events like online movie and game nights. What would your dream season be? Throughout the year, our club partakes in various social and competitive events, locally, regionally and nationally. It's a great place to make friends from all over the country.
University of Bristol Jiu-Jitsu
Epigram Sport's best sporting books You've had the documentaries, now it's time for the best sporting books Lexi Bothamley-Dakin Second Year, History
T
he one positive to come out of the three lockdowns we've had over the last year and not socialising as much with friends, is the extra time I've had for reading. For sports fans out there, here is my comprehensive list of some of the best sports books I have read recently. I will personally always prefer fiction, but I have included some non-fiction recommendations from friends, and the rare few that I have read myself.
Eat Sweat Play: How sport can change our lives
Anna Kessel's book resonated with me in so many ways. As I said, I am not a huge lover of non-fiction, but I devoured this book so quickly. Kessel takes on many different aspects on this topic, including the history of women in sport, but also addresses more taboo subjects such as period and pregnancy whilst exercising. It takes a feminist perspective in an area which is often overlooked. I would recommend it to all my girlfriends and any girls who enjoy sport. Star rating (****)
The Boys in the Boat The only reason I ever stumbled across this book is because I am a rower. Otherwise, I do not think I
Epigram / Eddie McAteer
The ultimate underdog story, and who doesn't love an underdog?
As a proud Derby County fan, I understand the trials and tribulations of a losing season would ever have taken pity on it in the bookshop. However, it turned out to be one of the best novels I read last year. The story focuses on Joe Rantz and his incredible journey from being a poor logger scraping by in depression-era America to racing in the USA’s 1936 Olympic eight team in Nazi Germany. Written by Daniel James Brown, it covers so many genres: drama, sport, human relationships, and history. I always know the writing is good if it brings me to tears. In the words of Nora Ephron, ‘Read with a box of Kleenex.’ Star rating (*****)
Gold Medal Flapjack, Silver Medal Life Sorry, this is another rowing book but please bear with me. I promise this is the last one. Alison Mowbray was a British former rower winning silver medal at the 2004 Olympics and her autobiography lays out all the highs and lows of the sporting world. I think it’s great to hear a perspective from someone who did not win the main event. This book reminds you that winning is not everything and you can still get so much more from sport, but let’s also take a minute to appreciate the title
too. This book will not disappoint. Star rating (***)
Seabiscuit: An American Legend Admittedly, I have not read this one but all I know is that my grandpa absolutely loved it and it often tops the charts as the best sports books ever written. Laura Hillenbrand tells the story of Seabiscuit, a horse that was written off as a crooked-legged racehorse with a sad tale yet shocked the world in the late 1930s. This is the ultimate underdog story, and who doesn’t love an underdog? Star rating (****)
Bounce: The myth of talent and the power of practice This book's premise is that talent is not the be-all and end-all. You could be a champion just by working incredibly hard. In essence, the author, Matthew Syed, strikes the chord that practice makes perfect. As someone who often believes that I will always struggle against those who are naturally better, this book really changed my outlook. I think this is a must read to anyone who plays sport regularly. This one is not just for those in sport,
many of the messages can be used in everyday jobs, life and relationships. Star rating (***)
Fever Pitch Fever pitch was Nicholas Hornby’s tribute to his lifelong obsession with football. The book is part-autobiography, which gives it a very authentic feel. Unlike most sports books, the story does not follow the athlete, instead focusing on the hardcore fan. This approach feels quite new and fresh if you are a regular fan of sports books. It is comedic, raw, and emotionally touching. Coming from a footballing family and unfortunately as a proud supporter of Derby County, I understand the trials and tribulations of a losing season, which this book sums up brilliantly. Star rating (*****)
Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump Trump seems to have disappeared from the limelight but his character is still incredibly interesting to delve into. In Rick Reilly's brutally honest account he proves that a person’s behaviour on the pitch reflects their true character. The book is not just about Trump’s game but about his business practices, while also reflecting on other presidents’ obsession with the game. I would thoroughly recommend this one to anyone interested in politics, not just golf. Star rating (*****)
Sport
Editor Digital Editor Deputy Editor Match Day Reporter
Twitter: @EpigramSport
Eddie McAteer Daniel Dyson James Dowden Charlotte Carver
Will Capon: Tackling his law degree with professional rugby Promising Bristol Bears hooker Will Capon talks books, Bears and barristers Eddie McAteer Sports Editor
A
s a professional rugby player for Bristol Bears, Will Capon could be forgiven for solely focusing on his rugby – after all, he has been tipped as the ‘next Jamie George.’ However, the up-and-coming hooker combines professional rugby with a law degree, proving that not only is he effective on the pitch, but also off it. Bristol born and bred, Capon is
and it was at U16 level that he started to think ‘wow this [going professional] could really be on the cards.’ Capon duly made his debut for the then-championship club at the tender age of 18, before making his Premiership debut against Exeter Chiefs. Coming onto the pitch late, his lineout throw helped set up the platform for an historic away victory against a side that had reached the tournament’s final in the previous season. Away from the melting-pot of professional rugby, the front-rower is also studying law at the University. As you can imagine, it would be rather a big ask to do a regular law degree and play Premiership rugby
at the same time. Instead, Capon’s living the dream of many a Bristothree-year course is spread over lian by playing for a table-topping, five years. His six first year modules star-studded Bears team. Since makwere split evenly across two years, ing his debut in 2018, he has gone but he has since increased to four on to establish himself modules a year. in the first team squad Law is a time-consuming degree and has seen the club and for Capon, ‘time management go from strength to is a pretty key thing.’ He strength. JMP UK highlighted the fact that Capon entered the rugby players are in world of rugby for the fortunate posithe first time at tion of finishing the the age of seven day relatively early, when he joined meaning there are Winscombe opportunities RFC. A few to study, ‘you years later, just need to he started find where at Bristol they are.’ GramEqually m a r important is having School a good where support he took u p network. school rugby to L i v compliment playing at his i n g with two club. Before long, he was f e l low law noticed by Bristol Bears and s t u dents he took the first step towards feels that he professional rugby by joining has that network as their DPP (Developing Player they can bounce ideas off Programme). each other and help each From then on it has all happened other academically. quite quickly for Capon. After joinWith so much on ing the academy aged 13, he reprehis plate, it goes withsented England at U16, U18 and U20
JMPUK
Shocking as it may sound, Bristol Bears would rather you didn't attend Lounge before a game
out saying that the young hooker’s student experience (especially the clubbing scene) differs somewhat from that of the majority of Bristol students. Shocking as it may sound, Bristol Bears would rather you didn’t attend Lounge on the Friday before a game. Nonetheless, when the opportunity for a (sober) night out does present itself, Capon feels that attending pres whilst sober is where you have ‘The best conversations.’ Whilst he may miss out on a couple of hours of clubbing, Capon has his own system that works well for him. For those of you who do not know Bristol Bears, they are one of the most exciting teams in English rugby and have a couple of blockbuster names in the squad. Charles Piutau, Semi Radradra and Kyle Sinckler are among the most recognisable. Sinckler especially is known for his excellent handling as a front-rower, and
this is a trait that Capon hopes will rub off on him too. He said, ‘I’m not quite as slick as him but hopefully in a few years I can try and imitate his performance.’ In the team’s ranks is another fellow law student and Bristol alumnus, Dave Attwood, who is studying
When I asked him about the future he remained as humble as expected. With Bears, the dream is to win the league this year, but he is wary of the quality of other teams in the competition. On a personal level, he said is aiming to ‘earn my place in the 23' with his short term goals re-
There are opportunities to study, you just need to know where to find them to become a barrister. Attwood, like Capon, came through the Bristol academy and played for them whilst studying at the University. The parallels between their courses mean that they’re often talking about similar topics and provides Capon with another law-based support network, this time at the club itself.
maining the priority. ‘Anything long term I will leave in the long term.' Despite being touted to make it at international level by Rugby World, Capon is clearly not getting ahead of himself. Anything can happen in sport, especially rugby, but the Bristol Bear is keeping his head down academically and professionally.