Impact Magazine #257 by Impact Magazine

257

The University of Nottingham’s

IMPACT official student magazine

FEATURES

EXPOSURE

SPORT

“Period Power: Tackling the Taboo”

“Student Success Stories”

“IMS - How it Can Empower You and Enhance Your Student Experience”

IMPACT

A letter from the...

EDITOR IN CHIEF

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INTRO

The time has come now, that marks the end of an era.

May is an overwhelming time for us all, as we are preoccupied with the anxieties of exam season, whilst holding on to the anticipation of a summer of celebration and success.

For many of us, it’s an even more terrifying time, as final year students and beyond now face the prospect of the world of work. Whether you’ve got a plan already or hope to go with the flow, May is also a time for looking to the future and having the confidence to embrace change. This year’s team has a lot to be proud of, as they have worked tirelessly to provide constant coverage and content across multiple fields in as many ways possible. To wrap up their tremendous work, we give you our last print issue of the year, focusing on empowerment and success across our University and beyond.

Our News team begins by investigating the successes of this year’s SU officers and the programmes they have implemented. We also consider the successes of student groups across universities in England in their aims to bring more diversity and protest to campuses to achieve better things. Meanwhile, our Features team look at the empowering possibilities periods, in the aim to overcome the taboo surrounding this topic, as well as investigating what it means to be successful in life and whether this changes across generations and cultures. In our aim to empower graduates this year, Lifestyle have focused on the relationship between clothing and success and whether expensive clothes are key to feeling empowered in university and the workplace. This theme is reinforced through our ‘Young Professionals’ photoshoot. As well as this, our Exposure article focuses on ‘student success stories’ which has given us the chance to understand and showcase the successes of Nottingham students which may otherwise usually go unnoticed. Impact Entertainment consider success and empowerment throughout the entertainment industry, including a consideration of diversity in cinema. Closer to Nottingham, Entertainment have conducted an interview and investigation which explores the empowering relationship between literature and dementia. Lastly, Impact Sport examine the benefits of exercise on mental health, alongside the benefits of committing to sport here at Nottingham- whether this is being part of a competitive first team or a society IMS team.

In considering the theme of success and empowerment, I just want to emphasise the importance of remembering that none of us have got it figured out, but regardless we should all aim to be the best we possibly can be.

A massive thank you to all editors and contributors old and new, and those who have designed and managed behind the scenes. And, of course, to anyone who has picked up a copy of Impact this year. I can’t thank you all enough. Good luck to you all, and smash it! Signing off for the last time (with a heavy heart), Emma Heasman

IMPACT

CONTENTS

News

Success of the SU The Power in Numbers: The Art of Protest on Campus Power in Diversity: The Positive Effect of Having Different Points of View

12 13 14 16 18 20 22 23

Features

Success and Social Media List of Ingredients: Modesty (Possible Allergens in Bold.) How to be Successful in Different Cultures Success Behind the Screen: An Interview with Jodi Law Period Power: Tackling the Taboo Is the Idea of Success Different Across Generations? ‘Kidfluencers’ Empowered or Exploited? Battle of the Degrees: Happiness vs Money

Lifestyle

The White Saviour Debate Spiritual But Not Religious Mood Food: How to Improve Your Mental Wellbeing Through Your Diet The Impact of Women’s Empowerment on Family Dynamics Clothing and Empowerment: Beneficial or Damaging? Photoshoot - Young Professionals Young Professionals: Let the Lewks Do the Talking The Psychology of Power Exposure: Student Success Stories

40 42 44 45 46 48 49 50 52 53

Sport

06 08 10

24 26 27 28 30 32 36 37 38

Entertainment

Books & Beethoven: Does Music Help You Study? Gone Before Their Time: Do Artists Experience a Renewed Sense of Power Posthumously? Music and Consumerism: The Subconscious Power of Music Over Our Lives The Rising Power of the Antihero Empowering Underrepresented Groups Through Film From Under Bridges to All Over the Comments Section: The Evolution of the Troll Bioware, Crunch and the Cost of Success in Video Games Literature, Wellbeing and Empowerment Fiction and Female Empowerment: Activism or Submissive Presentation? Zines and Self-Publishing: Bringing Back Creative Power to Artists

The History Behind BUCS Success Exercise: The Key to Better Mental Health IMS - How it Can Empower You and Enhance Your Student Experience

54 56 58

IMPACT

Success of the Sabine McGinley With the voter turnout for this year’s SU election soaring past that of last year’s. Sabine looks into the success of this year’s SU and how they’ve been able to engage with and relate to the student community

As another academic year draws to a close, Impact takes a look at some of the successes of our Student Union Officers and what they have been able to achieve in order to empower the University of Nottingham and its staff and students. We also cannot forget to mention all the successful events that SU Officers have organised such as the International Festival Week by International Officer Aanchal Rawal and Sustainability Week led by Activities Officer Katie Clubb just to name a few, and how impactful they’ve been throughout the academic year.

Tom Leach: Mature Students Officer Tom has worked hard to make sure his time as Mature Student officer was successful by working alongside fulltime officers to improve things at the University for mature students. He has done this by feeding information from the network regarding mature students’ issues back to the SU. Tom indicated that “one example was when I met with the Education officer to speak to her about issues regarding some library staff not allowing student parents to take children into the library. Cassie then took this to the library management and got it sorted. Giving my feedback

and helping shape the university’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Guide, which has been rolled out to inform personal tutors on how to deal and interact with students from underrepresented groups, was also a highlight.” He adds “My committee and I have built upon a good sense of community within the mature student’s network. We’ve organised a range of inclusive events this year to suit all needs from bar crawls to non-alcoholic events on campus. We’re finishing the year with a joint boat party event with the Postgraduate network.” Tom has certainly achieved success and empowered students by bringing them together.

Zoe Mackenzie: Equal Opportunities and Welfare Officer One of Zoe’s most successful achievements was her campaign during Suicide Awareness Week which gained national recognition as the display was covered by mainstream media including BBC news. Zoe’s campaign,

What Makes a Student Union Successful? As I’m sure we can all agree, student life is an essential part of our university experience and successful SU officers are those who make students feel more comfortable, engaged and involved. A second-year medical student shared that “a successful Student Union is one where officers lobby, debate and campaign on behalf of the students they represent. As well as this, a successful SU should integrate students through societies, clubs and events. This all centres around building a community for students in order to help them make the most of their time at university”.

NEWS

which she coorgansied with next year’s Welfare Officer Myles Smith, featured 95 pairs of shoes at the bottom of the steps of Djanogly Terrace followed by 95 seconds of silence to represent the 95 student suicides that occurred during 2018. The campaign was a success as it managed to open up a conversation amongst students about a taboo subject. A second year Politics and International Relations student, Imaan shared “I think it’s really great because we can’t necessarily see the pain people go through when suffering from these kinds of thoughts because of the personal and confidential nature of them. But we are beginning to see that people are being a lot more supportive of these issues through visual campaigns such as this.” The support that the campaign received from students was nothing short of impressive, and undoubtedly helped empower many students in opening up a conversation about mental health. In addition, Zoe has worked successfully on making campuses more accessible including providing free sanitary items for menstruating students which was introduced on 28th March 2019. This measure is particularly significant as period poverty is a real issue amongst students. NUS has provided support for this initiative and many other universities already have this system in place. Zoe has also worked closely on Drug Safety and Harm reduction and UoNSU widening participation strategy.

Jacob Collier: Community Officer Jacob indicated that his role “involves fighting for you on a range of issues – from housing and transport to our mental health services. I work with the Council, police and community groups to make sure your voice is heard”. Jacob’s time as Community Officer has been nothing short of successful, he has delivered hate crime reporting within SU advice which gives victims of hate crime a place to ensure their experience is heard and reported to the police. As well as successfully creating a SU Housing Fair in November 2018 which over 1,000 students attended to get advice on housing and speak to letting agencies. In addition, our Community officer has secured commitments from Purple Frog Lettings to improve their services for students. As

well as fighting to give Beeston Hall the same student experience as other halls such as an elected committee, welfare support and hall formals. Jacob has made sure that students living in hotels in the first two weeks received proper breakfasts and supported first year students affected by the accommodation crisis in September. He has built the SU’s plan for getting students registered to vote and worked with the Education and Postgraduate Officer to ensure the University properly pay Postgraduates who teach. Jacob’s successes don’t end there as he managed to run a Flatmate Finder event attended by 100 students and lobbied the city council to reduce permits from £70 to £35 for the Johnson Road are until the new academic year. The success of the SU doesn’t only rely on the success of the SU Officers, whilst their work is vital, I’m sure all the officers can agree, the success of the societies is just as important. This year saw a lot of SU Officers working with societies to help put their point across and the relationship between societies and the SU was strengthened. Within this collective environment, Impact have also been able to reach milestones such as starting podcasts and more recently launching their official app. Whilst we can conclude that the SU officers have contributed to the overall success of the University there is always room for improvement. The SU team for the next academic year will be much more diverse in terms of gender, ethnicity and sexuality. A diverse and representative SU committee will ensure that it empowers every type of student equally.

Power in Num8ers: 08

IMPACT

Mia Haffety Over the years the number of student protests both online and offline have drastically increased. Mia investigates how effective student protests are and the impact that they have on the student body. When the word protest is uttered, connotations of violence, dissent and anger surface. However, violence does not always exist as a factor within protest. The Oxford definition for protest, for example, is “a statement or action expressing disapproval of, or objection to something”. It is therefore no surprise that student protest tends to be a popular phenomenon, enabling educated and young individuals to express their opinions in a collective capacity. Student protest on campus is no recent phenomenon with it dating back to universities In the Middle Ages. The concept is especially synonymous with the modern history of the USA. Notably, student led movements heightened during the late 1960s due to the widespread disagreement amongst students against the government’s handling of the Vietnam and Korean wars. Despite President Nixon labelling protesting students as “Bums” and “radicals”, such students contributed to

the continued widespread dissent across America, eventually persuading the president to withdraw troops. Student protest therefore has a legacy of eliciting change. Over the recent years, student protest on campus has gained momentum within the UK, raising government awareness regarding issues impacting students themselves. A recent protest at the University of Nottingham, for example, was directed against the lack of action taking place to support students’ mental health. Notably, in honour of Suicide Awareness Week, 95 pairs of shoes were placed along the steps of the University’s Djangoly terrace representing the students who took their own lives in 2017/18 across the UK. The significance of this was that the shoes were facing the University’s Portland Building, it’s Students’ Union building, where students

are supposed to go to express their troubles and find the relevant support. Therefore, the empty shoes facing this building highlighted the failure of such services in providing sufficient help. The Union’s equal opportunities officer Zoe Mackenzie noted how the protest showed that the University had “a significant problem”, especially with the “little publicity of any student deaths, meaning any student suicides tend to fly under the radar”. The protest proved so effective that notable media outlets such as the BBC and the Independent released articles on the events. In addition, the Union’s petition asking for more funding for mental health services gained over 10,000 from students. Another notable case of student protest on campus also occurred at Warwick University, with hundreds of students gathering to protest against the lifting of a ban imposed on two students

The Art of Protest on Campus NEWS

involved in an online group chat that threatened rape. The demonstration was directly against the University’s handling of the investigation with student organisers claiming the protest was to ensure “it cannot happen again”. Such a demonstration turned out to be “the biggest protest at the university in recent memory” and gained much media attention, especially through social media. Social media can be seen to contribute to the momentum of student protests, enabling students to comment, share and retweet issues that they can relate to or have an opinion on. This was especially evident with the Warwick rape case where the twittersphere joined together to share screenshots of the group chat to further protest against the lifting of the ban. It’s also important to note the impact of the #metoooncampus campaign

and how the discussions on Twitter empowered multiple users to speak up about sexual assault that they had experienced. This hashtag caught the attention of the universities mentioned and brought to light the often silenced and excused acts of sexual violence on campus. The power of student protest through social media should not detract from the power of students physically protesting on campus. As one second year Politics and International relations student at the University of Nottingham stated, “students protesting on campus is and always will be effective, why? Because it’s symbolic for us as students to galvanise support each other against issues in the very place where the wrongdoings occur. This was evident with the Suicide Awareness Week

protest where the pairs of shoes and 95 seconds of silence gained major media attention and then contributed to mental health being put at the forefront of the University’s agenda.” Campus protest therefore exists as a form of student activism, with its power being the collective nature of educated individuals coming together to voice their opinion for a common cause. So long as there are common grievances concerning this age group, the art of student protest on campus will live on. Student protest demonstrate students taking matters into their own hands and controlling their future, reflecting one of the very reasons students go to University to study their chosen degrees. As Barack Obama once noted in reference to student activism among America’s college campuses: "It's a healthy thing for young people to be engaged and to question authority and to ask why this instead of that, to ask tough questions about social justice”.

IMPACT

Power inin Diversity: The Positive Effects of Having Different Points of View Marvel Kalu Marvel explores the range of diversity across campuses and the positive impact it has achieved.

Studying at university can often be an overwhelming experience in itself, which can be made even more difficult when issues such as diversity come into discussion. Accordingly, it’s important that every student feels welcome and represented at their university. As the only black person in the Impact team and one of the few black people on my degree, diversity is a very important topic to me, especially as I often feel underrepresented in university spaces. Universities should support upward and social mobility by improving opportunities for individuals, but they should equally promote equality, diversity and inclusion. The University of Nottingham is committed to fostering a values-based culture focused on diversity, inclusivity, wellbeing and positive engagement through the ‘Global People Strategy’ 2020. The University also conducts an Annual Diversity Report which started in 2014. The report documents and summarises key trends relating to the University’s performance in the areas of equality and diversity, with the aim of highlighting successes and informing the planning process to target areas where improvements should be made. The report presents employee profile data by gender, ethnicity, disability and age. Taken from the most recent report in 2017, the statistics show that the University has a predominantly white workforce (82.8%) with Black or Minority Ethnic (BME) employees making up 13.9% of the workforce. However, the proportion of staff who are BME has increased by around 0.7% for each of the last three years.

(Tolu with a few members of the One Heritage Committee- Left to right: Randy, Dan, Sarah, Tolu, Tochi, Abigail) It is important that the University recognises the importance of possessing a diverse workforce which reflects the composition

of the student body. In 2017/2018, reports detailing the ethnicity of students at UoN revealed that the highest percentage of students from Black, Asian, Arab and mixed backgrounds was found in the Pharmacy department, with 30% of students being Black. However, to me, diversity goes further than the reports and strategies introduced to tackle the issue;a simple way to really make an impact is increasing visibility. Diversity represents a range of different issues and being able to see more people who reflect who I am and what I stand for as a young black woman has a positive and inspirational effect on me. Therefore, for this article, I contacted a number of young black women to demonstrate the power and importance of diversity at university and beyond.

“Diversity isn’t just an issue that needs to be understood and rebranded at UoN but at universities across the UK.” Tolu Fayese, Co-President of One Heritage and Campaign manager for UoN BME Network, stated that “diversity is reflective of the overall population.” As Co-President of ‘One Heritage’ and involved in the BME Network, Tolu is aware of how the BME specific strategies/ incentives the university provides can have the opposite effect and turn Black and minority students away. She indicates that: “they create spaces catered to a specific culture, which is just not comfortable or fun for many of us. We are ‘othered’ in their thought process, so we don’t feel the need to get involved in the uni or SU. To get the best out of an institution all voices must be heard, and right now we are an afterthought. Meaning some would rather find safe spaces than to fight marginalisation within an institution that’s supposed to support us.” This is the result of not having a student body that is diverse enough to change the narrative and make a profound change. Diversity isn’t just an issue that needs to be understood and rebranded at UoN but at universities across the UK. Hannah Akhalu is currently a first-year student at East 15 Acting School Acting and Community Theatre. Hannah believes that diversity is a huge issue in university spaces regardless of where you may attend. “It’s more than accepting people just to tick a few boxes, universities need to do more for their students from minority groups. I go to drama school, so my experience is a little different. It’s competitive in nature and extremely demanding. Attending one of the best drama schools in the UK and apparently the most diverse in the UK is a privilege, yet

NEWS

“It’s more than accepting people just to tick a few boxes”

(Zeynab (in the centre) with BGMP Ambassadors- (in no particular order) Tishana, Precious, Candice, Tomiwa, Zeynab, Tamara and Faith) very difficult as a black girl. There have been so many black and other coloured people who have gone to drama school and have struggled with feeling out of place, but we don’t feel like it’s a safe enough environment to speak our truth.”

“There’s still a long way to go but diversity breeds new perspective and positive outlook” Diversity is also important because it “encourages diversity of thought.” This is what Zeynab Aliyu, law undergrad at Warwick University and founder of BGMP (Black Girls Mentoring Project) believes. Zeynab stated “the most authentic type of diversity when it comes to ethnic diversity is the diversity in thought. People from different backgrounds can bring their experiences to the table and provide different ideas and perspectives.” This is part of the reason why Zeynab started BGMP and targeted it towards young black girls, to support those involved in the black experience navigating through uni and work spaces. “BGMP started because of the under representation of young African Caribbean girls in Russell Group universities, such as Nottingham, Warwick, Birmingham etc. There’s not enough of us and they’re not doing enough to help black people get access into these universities.” Vera Okojie, a Philosophy student at Warwick University, currently on a placement year at Microsoft believes that expanding diversity in the workplace is key to a company’s success. Vera states that “In the corporate workplace it is so important to have diversity, it is backwards thinking to assume that every corporate space is run by a bald headed, middle aged white man, it’s not realistic and it’s not sustainable. The businesses that thrive and that will have longevity are the ones that embrace diversity as a necessary expenditure and investment for their success. Even if I’m the only black woman, which I normally am, I

wouldn’t say that my presence makes things feel balanced because there’s still a long way to go but diversity breeds new perspective, positive outlooks and its very forward thinking to adopt it.” The power of diversity can also be seen, beyond simply providing multiple perspectives, in its ability to inspire others to get involved in things that they may not have previously considered. Deborah Somoye, who plays Small Forward for the University of Nottingham Women’s Basketball Club and is in her final year studying English and Philosophy states that this is what’s important about diversity. “Being one of the few black girls on the 1st team, a lot of other black girls in younger years and other clubs can see me and aim for it too, which makes me happy to be doing my part for our community and encouraging girls to be getting involved- it’s not just a white girl thing.” I would like to believe that myself and the ladies mentioned in this article can highlight how black people are not monolithic, but we exist and thrive in many different settings from the corporate world to sports, science and as creatives. However, I also hope that it can emphasise the importance of diversity in university spaces for all ethnic minorities to ensure that they are seen and heard in a more realistic and relatable sense.

(Deborah with her team mates celebrating their win at Varsity- (in no particular order) Deborah, Somoye, Fran Musson, Racheal Byrne, Dannie Shaffer, LeeLee Tomlinson, Carlotta and Ruthie Bentley.)

Success and Social Media IMPACT

Ellie Wright

Ellie examines the pressures we feel to always look successful on social media; the detriment of this and what we can do to change it. In a world where the everyday is so interconnected through social media, it can almost feel impossible to detach the “present” experience from the experience behind a phone or laptop; the “snapshot” documenting a lifestyle. The ever-growing world of social media allows the modern-day user to engage with these tools on so many levels, whilst opening up so many different purposes; ranging from a photograph of your “cocktail night” on Instagram, to scanning for potential employment opportunities on LinkedIn. Admittedly, the content you share has different communicative purposes for your target audience – which can vary from app to app. Importantly, social media is run by you, not the other way around: your needs, what you search, who you communicate with and how you do this. Despite the variety of choices available from different social media platforms, why can we still feel so suffocated and anxious by this space? After all, it’s a space which we devote so much time and attention to. Is it partly due to the freedom it permits? Somehow this freedom can become all-consuming for us: constantly bound to social media for updates, the inability to escape a cycle of being monitored, whilst monitoring others by “following” their social media lives. The pressure of social media is somewhat formed by this never-ending contact, where notifications and alerts seem to jump onto your screen throughout the day. Our reciprocation of this contact establishes a cycle of synthetic relationships, directing us to upload a particular “image” for a particular audience, whilst hoping that this audience will respond using

likes or comments. However, what if this method of measuring feedback is disappointing? Does that mean your photo isn’t as appealing as your last one (which received 10 more likes)? Maybe it’s your outfit? Or, thinking about it, should you have “blemished fixed” that spot, and maybe Photoshopped around your waist a little bit more? The scrutiny from your own critiques are enough, let alone guessing the thoughts of every one of your followers. Perhaps instead, it is worth transforming these thoughts into a separate space available on social media: where success is measured on your genuine success, showcasing your real time, such as health, friendships, academic and personal achievements – all unfiltered. I believe that switching off this mindset that every post needs to “please” the people receiving the post is part of this success. Many celebrities, such as Jameela Jamil are following suit with their own social media accounts, demanding transparency and attacking the use of social media as a space for shaming. I believe that we need to learn to use social media as a platform for empowerment by raising awareness and sharing the achievements of other people, whilst also celebrating ourselves – the true and somewhat exposed version. Let’s rewrite the assumption that the content you share needs to be “worthy” of social media, and instead ask whether social media is worthy of you. And that’s half of the success already.

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d an e . av br ake , ld ec bo ees e b ch ty, rich s de mn o a m on e a d d n k ba ma a ld nd ou s, a h e s eou If you’ve read The Handmaid’s Tale (hello w y rag h Edexcel A-Level English Literature students), u W co you will be well-oiled in the practice of taking

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Sell yourself, make them want you, show your passion (but god-forbid don’t actually mention the word passion). This is a sample of the advice my sixth form teachers provided during the process of applying to universities – the weird sexual undertones noted.

“As a friend pithily pointed out: ‘Take modesty to its extreme and you’ve got a dystopia, right? You’ve got The Handmaid’s Tale.” Writing that UCAS personal statement introduced me to the uncomfortable world of self-promotion. Suddenly, I became the commodified product. My previous relatively successful tactic of lie-low-and-hope-no-one-notices-you would no longer stand up in the marketplace. I say ‘my tactic’ as if I have a monopoly on childhood shyness. But really, for anyone growing up in a society where the opposites of ‘modest’ sit bitterly on the tongue - conceited, boastful, arrogant, egotistical (the list goes on) – it is hard not to desire its synonyms: reserved, humble, shy. As such, when it comes to sending out copious applications (jobs, internships, volunteering, post-graduate studies, it never ends) like evangelical flyers where you are the allknowing, all-skilled, all-experienced God with a B in GCSE German, it feels wrong. ‘”Modesty is invisibility”, said Aunt Lydia. “Never forget it. To be seen – to be seen – is to be” – her voice trembled – “penetrated. What you must be, girls, is impenetrable.”’ (Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale.)

everything Aunt Lydia said and skewering a red flag into it that reads, ‘Criticise me’. We’re meant to think ‘No! Be seen! Be penetrable! Exclamation mark!’ Because what Aunt Lydia is really saying is, ‘Shrivel, shrink, suffocate, and stay inside this cage please’ (why yes thank you I was also chuffed with that alliteration). Because, as a friend pithily pointed out: ‘Take modesty to its extreme and you’ve got a dystopia, right? You’ve got The Handmaid’s Tale.’ So, we throw caution to the wind. ‘Be visible!’ we say, but what we’re also saying is, ‘Be vulnerable’. Because maybe that’s what the opposite of modesty is. It’s raising your hand and voice in spaces open to challenges and criticism. It’s asserting yourself in a space where others are actively excluding you. It’s not staying in Aunt Lydia’s cage.

“We don’t have to be meek and mild and shy, so live those opposites: be proud, bold, brave, and courageous. Be seen.” That’s why not being modest, and writing those five hundred words on why you would be a valuable asset to whatever big brand company, feels so wrong: because it’s asking someone to buy into you, to want you, to believe in you. It’s shamelessly acknowledging that you’re not a squelch of cow dung in a world which tells you (and tells you to tell you) that self-love is selfish, self-centred, and selfabsorbed. But being nice to yourself does not make you a narcissist. We don’t have to be meek and mild and shy, so live those opposites: be proud, bold, brave, and courageous. Be seen. Make Aunt Lydia as angry as you can. Do not be a modest amount of sugar. Be torrents, be boundless, be unweighted. Make a damn rich cheesecake.

IMPACT

How to be Successful..

Emily Casey

Does success mean the same worldwide, or is there a definite variation across cultures? Emily Casey asked several UoN students for their views on the subject.

It is difficult to pin down an exact definition of ‘success’. It’s a term that’s meaning can completely change depending on who’s using it; for example, becoming a CEO may be the pinnacle of success for some people, whereas having a family may be the only way to achieve success for others. Therefore, individuals alter the definition of success, but it’s important to remember that this term is also culturally specific and that cultures in general will have different understandings of what it means to be successful.

“In the UK… 48% people believe that where you end up in society today is mainly determined by your background and who your parents are.”

Firstly, what does success mean in the UK? In 2017, a government poll recorded that 48% people believe that where you end up in society today is mainly determined by your background and who your parents are. This compares with 32% who believe everyone has a fair chance to get on regardless of their background. Subsequently, this suggests that nearly half of the population believe that success is derived from an economic status; based on the kind of job you can get due to your familial background. Furthermore, in 2017, LinkedIn conducted their #ThisIsSuccess campaign which encouraged people in the workplace to share their personal definitions of success on social media. This was based on findings that more than one in four Brits admitted they didn’t feel successful, and more than a third wished success was less valued by society.

“Success in Ukraine means, first and foremost, financial stability and, if possible, economic independence from one’s parents or spouse.”

Both of these sets of findings suggest that success is actually perceived in quite a negative way in the UK. The traditional ideas of success, having the car, the house and the six-figure salary may be outdated. This is indicated by the fatalist view shared by 48% of people that your family will determine your job rather than your own achievements. Therefore, why bother trying to reach for the traditionally economic definition of success? Instead, it seems that our culture’s definition of the word is changing in order to incorporate people’s personalised definitions. So, the UK’s definition of success is hard to establish, and seems to be in the process of a cultural shift. But what about other cultures? Speaking to UoN students from different cultures has given us a brief but authentic look at what success may mean in different cultures. Kat Vine is a current third year Law student who moved to the UK in her teens from Ukraine. She indicated that: “Success in Ukraine means, first and foremost, financial stability and, if possible, economic independence from one’s parents or spouse. Many see the ability to lead a luxurious lifestyle as a sign of success, and it is also important that people earn their money through professions that are considered prestigious: e.g. Medicine, Law, Engineering.” This definition may be considered to align with the traditional UK definition of success, as the focus is on financial stability and independence. Additionally, the importance of going into ‘the professions’ appears to be very important in Ukrainian culture, implying that it is the type of job you get which is important, as the job title carries status and thereby success.

Photography by Tahira Rowe

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In contrast to the Ukrainian focus on the financial and job title, Maya Israel, a first year English student , suggested that the Jewish definition of success is grounded more in the importance of family and community. Although Judaism is primarily a religion, Maya believed it was “definitely a culture” too and shared what she felt the Jewish definition of success to be: “Success is having a well-educated, united, happy family that involves themselves in the community and upholds traditions. It’s found by making the most of every opportunity given to you.”

“The Jewish definition of success is much more grounded in the importance of family and community.”

Both Kat and Maya’s definitions entail an element of education’s importance, as the high-profile jobs mentioned by Kat are only accessible with an education. Subsequently, this suggests that these very different cultures still share a belief in an economic element to success. However, Maya’s definition also addresses the familial aspect to success; indicating that to be successful is to have a good job and/or a happy family unit. Moreover, the importance of ‘upholding tradition’ according to a Jewish definition of success is very interesting and something that we may not consider in the UK definition. Perhaps this is due to the religious basis of the Jewish definition; something we may not consider in the UK’s generally secularised society. Shanai Momi, a third year English student, explained how her Indian household didn’t have the stereotypical Indian definition of success: “Studying English at university is different from most of my Indian relatives and friends. Most people from my Indian culture don’t understand the point of studying something that is not vocational. For my grandparents, success equates to money because they just didn’t have it. Success in my culture, for a female, is typically to get a degree first but then get married soon after.” Shanai’s definition highlights a really crucial point. Yes, some traditions (such as women marrying at a young age in Indian culture) may remain as markers of success, but these beliefs stem from a desire for future generations to have opportunities that you did not. Moreover, just because your culture in general has criteria for what success is, this doesn’t mean that each individual has to follow that. Finally, Keneisha Thompson-Williams, a second-year Sociology student who moved from Jamaica 14 years ago, revealed that being able to work for yourself and gain financial independence was important in her culture. The reasons for this: “Generally, we work to find financial independence in a bid to secure new social capital, for the future generations as well as to lift ourselves out of poverty and hardships. We honestly don’t put much pressure on our children in regard to securing distinguished careers, only caring that the job helps with your personal growth and can lead to independence from home and relationships.” This directly contrasts Kat’s definition, where it was the type of job that was most important. However, there is a similarity between all of the definitions: success means creating a better life for your children. Overall, success is something that varies from person to person. As we can see from the above examples, it’s also something which can change pretty drastically depending on your culture. It’s important to remember these differences and enjoy them; the fact that we all have our own definitions is a brilliant thing and it’s a great way to learn about other people and how they see the world.

“There is a similarity between all of the definitions: success means creating a better life for your children.”

...in Different Cultures

IMPACT

SUCCESS BEHIND THE SCREEN: An Interview with

Jodi Law

Eleanor Gray In an increasingly destabilised world, where reality is seemingly contested, journalism can play a vital role in providing structure to a series of ostensibly unrelated and frantic events. A news media that reflects the diversity and complexity of the contemporary world, respectfully and insightfully, can be empowering; both through the voices it amplifies and the knowledge it provides. This is one of the fascinating topics that emerged from Impact’s discussion with Jodi Law. A discussion which focused on the role of empowerment, diversity and success in the media industry. Jodi Law is a presenter, journalist and reporter, focusing on news and current affairs. Currently working as a BBC journalist, Jodi grew up in Nottingham and has experience across radio and TV. After watching Jodi speak openly and frankly about her career in news and current affairs at a recent event, I was intrigued to hear more about her experience, considering both the challenges and rewards of a career in journalism. We discussed definitions of

success, motherhood, the importance of diversity in the media and how to feel empowered in a world of fake news.

How do you define success? JL: For me success is setting a goal,

however big or small, continuing to pursue that goal regardless of the setbacks you encounter along the way and finally reaching whatever goal you set out to achieve.

You began your career in the Midlands but have spent the last year working in London. Do you think it’s inevitable that a career in the media industry will eventually require relocating to London? How do you think we can combat this London dominance? JL: It all depends on what you value in

life, what your career aspirations are and whether there are opportunities for you to

achieve what you want in the workplace where you are geographically. I was looking for a new challenge and wanted to understand how other parts of the BBC operate. For some, being near to family, affordable housing, quality of life and a sensible commute is more important than making any job. It’s all about what’s right for you at the time. I worked in London for a year, while my 5 year-old daughter lived in Nottingham. I’m blessed to have an amazing support network of family and friends which gave me the freedom to have the confidence to negotiate a work pattern which suited my family life and the business need with my employer. I worked 4 days in London, then spent 4 days in Nottingham - and within every 5 week period I had a whole week off work! It was the best work-life balance I’ve ever had. I don’t think it’s necessary to relocate to London to pursue a career in news, but you’ve got to manage your expectations of what you can achieve by remaining where you are geographically.

FEATURES

How have you found balancing motherhood with a career in the media industry? Particularly during your time as a freelancer, was it difficult supporting a family while facing potential job insecurity? JL: Overcoming other people’s prejudices

about ‘working mums’ is the biggest issue I’ve faced. When I got the London job people would often ask ‘what about your daughter?’ or ‘How will you make it work?’ It was as though they thought I’d suddenly forgot she existed, or that she hasn’t got a dad who’s just as capable as looking after her as I am - which she has! Let’s be honest, if I was a man and a father would I be questioned about the childcare arrangements after landing a new job? In the past, I’ve gone above and beyond to ‘prove’ to others (and myself) that being a mum won’t hold me back and I have just as much drive, ambition and determination as someone who doesn’t have children. For example, working 6 day weeks or being ridiculously flexible. It’s as though you over compensate because you don’t want to be seen as the one who can’t do something - because of the fact you’re a mum. Now I care less. When I made the decision to reduce my full-time hours down to 13 hours so I could pursue more freelance work in other departments, it was slightly daunting but more exciting than anything else. So many people questioned whether it was the right move, but you’ve got to be prepared to own your career and take risks. When you go freelance you go at it 110% and say yes to every shift offered for ‘the fear’ the work will dry up. And who knows, maybe it will. But if you prove your value to any team you work with, you’ll be at the top of the list to be called on for shifts. You’ve got to be organised, you’ve got to have faith in your abilities, and you’ve got to be willing to learn.

have been times when the value of an idea I’ve pitched hasn’t been recognised because it’s not something that resonated with a colleague. You’ve got to have the confidence to justify why your idea is worthy, not be downbeat when something isn’t commissioned and have the resilience to try other avenues to get your idea commissioned elsewhere.

Do you think the media empowers diverse voices? JL: In news, I think there’s still a long

way to go in better reflecting diverse communities in the stories that are told. As journalists, we must continue to tackle stereotypes - especially racial stereotypes - and how certain groups are portrayed in the media. All young black men aren’t drug dealers, musicians and sports stars. They don’t all carry knives and listen to trap music. There are many young black men training to be doctors, lawyers and political activists - becoming community champions and entrepreneurs. But how often do you see that in the media? The media has a powerful influence on people’s lives, thoughts and opinions and must be fair and accurate in how it portrays individuals.

In a world of fake news, hyperbole and sensationalism, how do you, as a journalist, feel empowered to be certain that what you are reporting is correct? How can students empower themselves in

accessing news and information about the world and ensuring that this information is reliable? JL: Always check your source is credible.

Accuracy is everything and readers, listeners and viewers are quick to lose trust when you get something wrong. It’s best to be right than to be first. Challenge and hold those in positions of authority to account. If something you read or hear sounds outrageous have the confidence to question its validity. Don’t accept anything at face value and have the ability to see the same situation from another perspective.

If you could change one about the media industry what would it be? JL: Access to opportunities regardless of

your socio-economic background is really important in having newsrooms which reflect the population as a whole. There are many unpaid internships that are up for grabs to help you gain invaluable experience in the industry, but unless you’ve got the financial means to support yourself or have parents who are able to cover your costs it’s far too easy to be excluded from the process at that point. So much talent is potentially being missed because people simply can’t afford to work for free for months on end.

As the first in your family to attend university, have you noticed a particular class bias within the media industry/ or a tendency for it to be dominated by people from particular backgrounds? JL: There have been newsrooms

I’ve worked in that are dominated by colleagues who are white, male and middle class - especially when you look at more senior levels, but that is changing. There have been loads of times when I’ve been in the office or in an ideas meeting and had ’impostor syndrome’ - the idea that you’re not good enough or don’t belong. It can be difficult when your lived experiences don’t match those of your colleagues. There

BBC Logo courtesy of Google Images

IMPACT

Period Power: Tackling the Taboo Alana McKenna Alana explores students’ perceptions of the taboos surrounding periods Although periods are generally presented as a horrible thing women have to endure, whether that be because of the agonising pain, the extra money required to buy sanitary products, the mental strain it causes, or the general inconveniences, there are plenty of positives to be gained from having a period. Alongside the negative symptoms, comes the strength that women obtain from having periods. Yes, we have to go through a difficult couple of weeks every month, including PMS week (yes, that’s half of every month not feeling quite ourselves), but making it through this every month is a challenge that we consistently overcome, which is representative of our constant strength. Additionally, it’s an empowering reminder of the magnificence of the female body and what it’s capable of. Unfortunately, despite being in an era of female empowerment, we’re still working on breaking down the taboo associated with periods. I wanted to see what other students had to say about this, so I took to Instagram and created a range of polls and questions for students. The first question addressed whether they thought there was a taboo surrounding periods, to which a massive 178 out of 226 respondents answered ‘yes’. Following this, I asked why it was the case that this taboo existed, to which I only received 40 responses. The massive decrease in response rate to this open question from the previous closed question itself reflects the significance of the taboo.

Do you think there is a taboo surrounding periods?

Response with a reason

Yes

Do you feel comfortable talking about periods?

Yes, with girls only

Yes

The majority of people put the taboo down to men’s perception of periods, believing a large majority perceive them as ‘gross and disgusting’. Some respondents said that the reason men’s views of periods creates the taboo, is due to the ‘patriarchal society’ in which we live, though people did acknowledge this is getting much better. Another cause of the taboo stems from outdated views and those of different cultures that haven’t been modernised, creating ‘predefined attitudes’ towards periods, such as ‘connotations of ‘dirtiness’ which makes people less willing to discuss them’. One respondent highlighted an issue of the taboo, which is even more prevalent in different cultures, stating that ‘the global cultural stigmas are increasing the risk of period poverty’. A common issue surrounding the taboo of periods is also the ‘lack of education around the topic’, though it was promising to see that people fight against this taboo and shame, believing ‘there shouldn’t be! I now don’t hide my san products’. It was nice for some males to engage with the topic- one said that ‘not enough people are taught from a young age that it is a huge part of life for women’. Taboos aside, I wanted to know how many people still felt comfortable talking about periods, and was pleased to see 197 people agree that they felt comfortable talking about periods versus only 33 people who did not feel comfortable. Of those 197, 128 felt comfortable talking about periods around everybody, not just girls, with

the remainder only feeling comfortable talking about this topic amongst girls. Whilst it’s a shame that people feel uncomfortable talking about periods in the presence of boys, I asked whether it made people feel uncomfortable when others talk to them openly about periods and only 11 people voted yes versus 208 that voted no. To me, having the strength to deal with a period each month whilst simultaneously completing all your usual commitments, is an achievement that makes me feel strong, and I was interested to see whether people thought the same. Of the 201 people who answered, 103 voted that a period makes you stronger. Whilst there wasn’t a big divide in these two answers, most of the lack of strength referred to was that felt when dealing with the period, and many answers reflected upon how periods in general make you come out a stronger person. One of the most challenging things about having a period is having to carry on with life as if you’re not in pain and struggling mentally, an opinion shared by many of those that answered: ‘putting up with pain, mood swings and feeling drained! But still carrying on as normal’, ‘its physically draining so have to work twice as hard’, ‘despite the pain and energy it takes out of you, most people still get up and smash their day’, ‘u have to continue to be a boss ass bitch whilst painfully shedding the lining of an organ’. Alongside this, if you already have health problems, which many students do, symptoms of both can be worsened: ‘Dealing with what can sometimes cause immense pain and worsen my anaemia (causing extreme weakness, fatigue and fainting spells) all the while continuing my extracurricular activities, jobs, and academic responsibilities as if everything is normal’. Those that said it didn’t make them strong highlighted the severity of what we have to go through each month, which may be considered by others as a marker of how strong these people actually are. Periods make most of those that experience them feel physically and mentally weak during its course: ‘‘It feels a bit like a burden sometimes and makes me feel physically weak’, ‘Makes us weaker if anything – a whole week of pain and not feeling yourself’. Periods are definitely something we should be proud of, serving as a reminder of the wonderful things

FEATURES

the female body is capable of, they ‘represent our bodies being healthy and able to carry a child in the future; and carrying a baby is a strong and powerful chapter in a woman’s life’. It’s easy to forget what your body is actually doing when all you can think about is the pain, but perhaps you should take a leaf out of this students book: ‘your body is literally shedding your womb, I feel like a boss ass bitch’. Whilst it is important to recognise our strength, some believe that it is more important to simply normalise periods rather than present them as an achievement, as they are simply a natural process: ‘Most women will experience them, it isn’t a determination of strength, just what happens’, ‘it should just be completely normalised. Its natural, not a super power’, ‘Its natural so it doesn’t make you stronger or weaker as a person’, ‘It’s just a period, most girls get themjust makes you normal’. Whilst there was a mixed response on whether people thought periods made them stronger, I wanted to see how many of these people found empowerment in having periods. Out of the 116 who answered, only 24 voted yes. The majority of those who felt disempowered felt this way because of the way they feel they appear whilst on their periods: ‘I feel fat and bloated while on period so has the opposite effect’, ‘It’s a week of every month where you feel you worst self… gross and not sexy’. Some people acknowledged that periods irritate them, but they make the choice to ‘embrace them’, and that they ‘want to feel empowered to be a woman and treat getting through a period as an achievement’. After all, ‘It forces you to be more connected with your body, also it’s a collective female experience which makes you able to relate to other females‘. Whilst many of those that answered found strength from going through periods and are fighting against the taboo, its clear than many people still feel shame. There are many things that have maintained the taboo, and I wanted to hear people’s thoughts on how we can defeat the taboo, and make people feel more comfortable with being open about their periods. Most of these answers revolved around better education surrounding periods for all identities, not just girls. During early stages of sex education in schools, men are often separated from women whilst they are educated about periods, but there needs to be ‘Better education in schools (which is

Does it make you feel uncomfortable when others talk to you openly about periods? No

Yes

Does a period make you stronger?

Yes

being implemented) and things like the #pads4dad’. Education is vital to ‘understand the importance and normality of periods’. Another thing that needs to be done to defeat the taboo, is normalising periods in the media. We need ‘less demeaning adverts on sanitary products’, and to ‘not have fake blood on TV that’s blue’, as is seen in many sanitary product adverts. As well as this, its as simple as just talking about it more, ‘not having to use codewords like ‘the blob’ and ‘Having positive/ understanding discussions about the subject with all genders’. All these things can aid in the normalisation of periods, and help women feel empowered rather than shamed, because it’s truly amazing what our bodies are doing when you take a moment to think about it.

Is the Idea of Su c Across Ge n IMPACT

Saumya and Georgina explain what success means to them and investigate students’ opinions on whether expectations have increased since our parent’s generation Success is completely subjective. It’s one of those life goals we all share but it leads to drastically different results. These differences can depend on a variety of factors, from personal goals and expectations to external factors like location and the economy. Ultimately, everyone’s definition of success is different, meaning success is rarely comparable.

“90.5% believe that students today have higher expectations of themselves than students had 25+ years ago”. When looking at cross-generational changes of success, I reached out to fellow students for their perspective; Notts Buy/ Sell Page, you never let me down! Despite a staggering 920 responses in 36 hours, there was a distinct split in opinions; 90.5% believe that students today have higher expectations of themselves than students had 25+ years ago, meaning it is more difficult to be ‘successful’ in today’s world. Meanwhile, 3.8% think students 25+ years ago had higher expectations of themselves, making it easier to be ‘successful’ in today’s world. However, 4.7% don’t believe perceptions of success have changed during that time frame. Student estimations of their parents’ expectations mirrored this, with 55.6% believing their parents have higher expectations of them than they have of themselves. The most obvious evidence that it’s harder to be ‘successful’ today is in relation to mental health. Young people are currently six times more likely to report suffering with a mental health condition than 20 years ago. With the numbers of those suffering with depression, anxiety and imposter syndrome (worth a Google) on the rise, it’s no wonder our generation feels less successful. How can we expect young people to recognise their achievements if recognising the positives of daily tasks is a struggle? Admittedly, though, it’s just as plausible that an increased awareness of such issues has led to the rise in diagnoses rather than rising issues themselves. Another key reason for such change is a shift in the job climate. As my parents love to say, ‘there’s so much more choice out there now than I had growing up’. With the technological advancements and economic growth of the last few decades,

many jobs (particularly in the Western World) have shifted from the primary sector into the secondary and tertiary sectors. Not only has this led to a diversification of the job market, it’s also meant that our definitions of ‘success’ are more varied. Moreover, employers no longer prioritise company loyalty. They now prefer to see a breadth of different experiences on a CV rather than a long-term commitment to one role or one company. Lastly, there are simply more people competing for jobs now. Since 1990, the UK population has grown by almost 10 million. With increasingly more people searching for jobs, we are having to go to further lengths to prove our worth to employers. Whilst outward manifestations of success are directly affected and harder to obtain, inward success is surely also affected with our own self-worth put on hold in a constant search to prove ourselves. Because of these gradual changes, it’s become increasingly difficult to determine whether or not someone is successful in the workplace, with this varying significantly between employment sectors.

“Not only has this led to a diversification of the job market, it’s also meant that our definitions of ‘success’ are more varied”. Overall, it’s easy to claim it’s harder to be ‘successful’ in the modern world. But, by exploring such a tangible topic with students from such diverse backgrounds, plenty of factors come into play. As well as the above, cultural background, social status and age will undoubtedly also come into play.

Georgina Pittman

ccess Different nerations? FEATURES

At the age of 14 my grandma was married. During the 1980’s, my father immigrated to the UK to seek his “white picket fence” dream. In 2017, I started my university degree. Through our different paths in life, we all define ourselves as being successful. As a woman born in the 1940s, it was expected for my grandma to get married. Education was of no vital importance but having a family and a husband was. My grandma reveals that her community “always valued women who were married and shunned those who weren’t. Marriage led to children which was very important.” At the end of the day, marriage is what ultimately determined the worth of someone within this generation. Luckily, those days have long past and a new era of work-centric success entered the world.

“For them success is finding peace, stability and maintaining a good reputation within the community” Having come from nothing, my father recalls his time escaping from a genocide in war-torn Sri Lanka. The ability to help refugees come to the UK, as well as to establish his home and business, is what has defined his success. He describes the UK as a “hub of opportunities. Anyone can be successful without limitations.” Just like all immigrants, he too pursued his dream to achieve a successful life overseas. To the people of his time, hard work was about starting from nothing and acheiving things through manual labour. Many immigrants live by this philosophy as they believe that hard work and kindness will always reap

rewards. For them, success is finding peace, stability and maintaining a good reputation within the community.

“Success isn’t about achieving something based on what society wants; rather it’s something you shape” Two generations later, I am glad I do not live in a society that defines success by my marital status. I now live in a generation where success is determined by the level of education; a society which believes that there is no progress without a degree. As the job market narrows, it is important to stand out with a university education. My parents value a degree as they see it as a base for success, and they know the struggles of having no foundation. Many of my friends are often told to seek vocational degrees such as Medicine and Dentistry in order not to struggle. One student at the University of Nottingham reveals that “I was often told to study Medicine so that I don’t struggle. I realised I didn’t enjoy it, so how could I be successful?” So, is a degree what defines us now? Though a cultural shift has occurred from marriage, to labour, to education over the generations, our personal definition of success must change. Success isn’t about achieving something based on what society wants; rather it’s something you shape. Success is what you make of it regardless of a degree, a spouse or working hours. You can do whatever you want and still be successful. As we evolve as humans, we can only argue that our perception of success is evolving too.

Saumya Surendran

IMPACT

‘Kidfluencers’ Empowered or Exploited?

To understand the issue, we must first understand the social media landscape as it stands. Ofcom’s Media Use and Attitudes Reports deliver some interesting statistics on children’s use of social media sites, namely that 23% of 8-11 year olds have their own social media profile, with the figure rising to 74% of 12-15 year olds. These figures are somewhat surprising since the majority of social media sites do not allow users younger than 13 to have profiles on their sites. The report also found that ‘making a video’, on sites such as YouTube and TikTok was one of the most popular activities for 5-15 year olds. Obviously not all of the children who use social media sites become internet sensations or ‘kidfluencers’, but those that have achieved success made it big. Forbes reported that Ryan of ‘Ryan Toysreview’ on YouTube made $22 million playing with toys in the year leading up to June 2018 making him the highest earning star on the platform that year. He was 7. As well as being a multi-millionaire, Ryan also has his own toy line and a partnership deal with studio Pocket.watch. Another example is that of Vada and Nova of the Instagram page ‘miasaidno’ who have just under 43k subscribers and can earn thousands of dollars per post. They are 5 and 3, respectively.

“Over 45% of parents have not given their child any rules or advice on online postings.” There are two ways of looking at the kids who use social media. Firstly, in the case of kids who use social media of their own volition, we must ask whether their parents know what they’re doing online. It can be empowering to get likes but damaging when you don’t, and the content that they post and view can be just as harmful. Scarily, over 45% of parents have not

Francesca Hadland It often seems like social media users are getting younger and younger. Impact investigates whether ‘kidfluencers’, and the children who follow them, have enough protection from the dangers of internet fame, both online and off. given their child any rules or advice on online postings. Secondly, for children whose parents, or ‘sharents’, supervise and even use their children for social media (as is the case in regards to many ‘kidfluencers’), there should be protection in place to prevent parents and guardians from exploiting their children to make money. There are currently no regulations in place for this, unlike in the TV and film industry where laws such as the Coogan Bill, which safeguards a portion of their earnings for when they enter adulthood, exist to protect child workers. Recently, there have been cases of parents exploiting their children for cash and getting caught out, as in the case of ‘DaddyOFive’ who was forced to remove videos due to allegations of child abuse, amongst several other examples.

“Recently, there have been cases of parents exploiting their children for cash.” In all cases, the most important thing is the child, something parents and guardians mustn’t forget. There is a reason why social media sites have an age limit on them – firstly, to protect children from posting content they shouldn’t (fifty percent of images shared on paedophile sites are reportedly stolen from social media), and secondly to prevent them from consuming content they shouldn’t and being exposed to bullying. Children are young and impressionable and need to be protected in this ever-growing industry that is so easy to gain access to, which should have safeguarding measures in place already. We must not forget that even children with fame and fortune are still children.

Images courtesy of Google Images

Battle of the Degrees FEATURES

Happiness

Money Natasha Manohar

Natasha investigates what UoN students think equates to greater success – happiness or money? Ah, to be successful! Don’t we all wish for success? But, what does ‘success’ mean for students from different degree disciplines? Firstly, we should understand that success is subjective, just as English student Louise Marchington defines: ‘There are two types of success—personal and career. Personal success is happiness and love! But career wise, financial stability and happiness’. A poll of students across the UK from different degree disciplines revealed that 62 people believed success means ‘Happiness’, whilst 14 believed ‘Money’ means success. Among these 14 students there was a variety of degree programmes, including Chemical Engineering, Economics, Philosophy, English, Psychology, Finance and Microbiology.

“Monetary success shouldn’t be seen as something ‘materialistic’, but essentially a reward for the hard work that we put in” Nicole Gardner, studying Chemical Engineering, said: ‘I could be happy in a low paid job, I don’t think Engineering will bring me happiness. But the money I will get from working will, as I can use it to spend time with my friends’. Does this mean that for vocational degrees, victory equals money? That doesn’t necessarily mean all other degrees are exempt from having a job, or not having a degree means being joblessness, but that something about having money is seen an accomplishment. Funding an expensive lifestyle is something that brings happiness, and Aakash Dadhich, studying Computer Science, helps us understand this: ‘I think money’s definitely an important factor, at least for me who’s into expensive hobbies which most definitely make me happy’. However he also claims, ‘there’s different types of success and I’m aiming for a mix of both to maximise happiness’. Monetary success shouldn’t be seen as something ‘materialistic’,

but essentially a reward for the hard work that we put in. Some Dental and Medicine students, subjects that lead to a specific job, disagree with studying the discipline solely for money: Darshana Jeyaruban, who studies Medicine, indicates that ‘although money will pay bills, I feel like doing long hours at work and hating your job is not worth it’. Anika Gupta, who studies Dentistry, thought similarly: ‘Money wouldn’t be enough motivation for me to do a 9-5 until retirement’. Passion and success seem linked, which Lois Conner, a Film and Television student, confirms: ‘If you have the drive for something you enjoy, the money should follow’. Our degree may not always lead to extreme wealth, but because we enjoy it we view it to be a success. This doesn’t specifically link to Humanities or Art students either, as Seema Pankhania says: ‘I’m quitting my neuroscience degree to become a baker, which isn’t the best pay, but I will enjoy it. As long as someone has some ambition and not watching TV constantly, then your degree doesn’t really matter - you will become successful with your ambitions.’

“Money wouldn’t be enough motivation for me to do a 9-5 until retirement” Rhizzi Lord, a third year English student, states that, ‘financial stability is a necessity—but you can’t buy happiness’. Whereas passion is a motivating force, that will lead to ‘progress’ as Law student Misha Bhabra confirms, which means the ‘money will follow’. Given that those 62 students who voted ‘Happiness’ study a range of degrees that do not lead to a specific job, they all have an enthusiasm for something. Acting on this excitement will create goals that pave a lifestyle that you visualise for yourself, and that in itself is success as it is a step closer to your own personal achievements.

The

WHITE IMPACT

The recent controversy surrounding broadcaster Stacey Dooley’s trip to Uganda where she became arguably too ‘obsessed’ with a child has brought the issues of ‘voluntourism’ and the ‘white saviour’ complex to the fore. Impact decided to ask two of our writers for their stance on the debate.

We, as students, are immensely privileged. It matters not if you are £2000 into your overdraft, eating slop from catered halls, or scraping a third – the fact that these are possibilities indicates that you are amongst the most privileged in history. We are privileged, too, compared to much of the world’s current population. Yes, us, in the tyrannical confines of the Western patriarchy, are privileged compared to the homosexuals stoned to death in Brunei, the rational thinkers obliterated in North Korea, or the starving children in Haiti. Most of us, as students, recognise that privilege and use it to help those born into conditions worse than we can ever imagine. Many students thus spend months volunteering abroad, commendably doing their best to help those in need. Off the top of my head, I know a student who volunteered in India to provide medical care, another who volunteered in Sierra Leone to teach children, and one who volunteered in South America to build medical centres for rainforest communities. As it happens, all three of these students are white. But that is irrelevant, obviously. The colour of one’s skin has no bearing on the desire to help those in need, after all. Where it becomes relevant, however, is when people like renowned documentary-maker Stacey Dooley are branded ‘white saviours’ when helping those born into a world less privileged than her own. Dooley was partaking in a film for Comic Relief highlighting Ugandan poverty, when she posted a picture of herself holding a Ugandan child to Instagram, captioning it ‘OB.SESSSSSSSSSSED’ followed by a heartbreak emoji. Labour MP David Lammy was critical, tweeting ‘The world does not need any more white saviours’ and that ‘British celebrities being flown out by Comic Relief to make these films […] sends a distorted image of Africa which perpetuates an old idea from the colonial era’. What these students did was, essentially, a scaleddown version of Dooley’s activities. They were

transported to an aid-needing country supported by a British organisation, and, oftentimes, posted photographs to Instagram highlighting their experiences. Never did anything resembling race influence their actions. Some cite Instagram as a gloating platform, but this was never about gloating – only about raising awareness of those struggling, and inspiring privileged others to use that privilege for good. Some have suggested that white celebrities and volunteers alike will be put-off partaking in such charitable schemes, fearing accusations of perpetuating colonial ideas. How abhorrent a concept – that the goodwill of folk helping those in need can be interpreted to invoke the sins of barbaric ancestors that have nothing to do with the modern generation. If anything, volunteering in countries once crushed by colonialism is one way to atone for the evils of generations past. Lammy makes some valid points – Dooley’s caption paints her poorly, and the Africa we see across mainstream media rarely appears positively (this must change) – but, in the charityfundraising sphere, the image of impoverished children shall unfortunately remain. It has to – objectively it invokes sympathy, increasing donations, whilst also highlighting that these places do need help (Uganda is predicted to be the third-poorest country in the world in 2019), and that impoverished children are a saddening reality. Charity will have triumphed when those impoverished children need not be seen anymore, since such poverty would then not exist. Now, though, these people need help, and those born into privilege who use it to do some good should be universally commended, regardless of race. In a world of war, atrocity and famine, we need more volunteers around. Race should not get in the way of that.

Joe Paternoster

saviour Debate LIFESTYLE

To define the term ‘White Saviour Complex’, let’s start by looking at the photograph that brought the debate into the public eye in February 2019 Stacey Dooley cradling a Ugandan child during the filming of a Comic Relief appeal video. The stark contrast between Dooley’s beaming smile and the somewhat concerned expression of the toddler brings us straight to the heart of the issue: who is this picture benefitting most? Campaigns against the White Saviour Complex are not challenging the necessity of aid or the intentions of volunteers; they simply call for a developing country and its people to be placed at the forefront of their own narratives. For those on social media, Dooley’s pose may be reminiscent of countless friends on gap years and maybe even yourself. With volunteering abroad fast becoming the staple accessory of student life, ‘Voluntourism’ is a key player in promoting the White Saviour Complex among young people. ‘Young and passionate’ is becoming a qualification for heavy building work and counselling vulnerable communities. Placements as short as one week are promoting the idea that untrained young people can bring immediate benefit to a developing country simply by being a Westerner. This is damaging on multiple fronts: volunteers can be counter-productive by imposing their personal values onto unfamiliar cultures and not staying long enough to impact complex construction projects. Rather than the achievement of sustainable development, locals can be left with long-term reliance on outside help. Furthermore, existing social issues are too often leveraged in order to make profit from Voluntourists wanting to post a picture of their work at an ‘authentic’ orphanage or slum. Clearly, the belief that any kind of aid is good aid is

becoming an increasingly dangerous myth. As well as undermining the efficiency of aid in local communities, the White Saviour Complex is developing attitudes detrimental to fragile social advancements made over generations. While “White Saviour” entered a large number of vocabularies only a few months ago, the complex can be traced back to deep-rooted colonial histories when Europeans stripped the majority of Africa of its independence and resources in an attempt to ‘civilise’ the continent. A long legacy of slavery and severe maltreatment means that the White Saviour Complex depicts a deeply offensive repeat of a history in which affluent countries use developing countries for personal gain. Celebrity appeal videos and images of volunteering on social media alike depict Westerners as voluntary ‘heroes’, marginalising Africans in stories about their own oppression. In turn, the wider world receives a one-dimensional depiction of blackness and a simplified narrative of poverty in Africa. As we defend our actions as ‘just one picture’ in return for our generous efforts, or working ‘for the better good’, we are in fact encouraging a highly dangerous perspective of world-wide power-dynamics. With the instant nature of social media, we have the power to develop stigmas and reverse years of long-term recovery and development with the click of a finger. Stacey’s photograph thrust the White Saviour Complex into the limelight, which is where it should stay unhidden until selfless, efficient and sustainable aid becomes the new trend to follow.

Rowan Perry

IMPACT

Spiritual But Not Religious Ritika Gupta Ritika looks at this generation's love for the spiritual, rather than religious comfort My atheist friend once told me that she recognized herself as a deeply spiritual person. This statement confused me and I asked her how an atheist person can be spiritual? However, when she said that religion meant ignorance to her while spirituality bought her closer to the truth, it changed my perspective. Spirituality is a power which goes beyond our recognition. The further it takes you from the physical world, the closer it brings you to your inner self. It brings you out of your slumbers and like Rhonda Byrne said in her book, The Secret, “The truth is that the universe has been answering you all of your life, but you cannot receive the answers unless you are awake” , spirituality is that affiliation with your body which expands your autonomy. When religions asks you to believe, spirituality asks you to explore. This can be understood with the study of chakras which is the centre of energy in the human body. Chakras are like a whirlpool of dynamism which helps you establish the connection between matter that is your body and spirit which are your thoughts and emotions. When you attain this state of alignment between mind, body, emotions and spirit you feel like a lotus whose petals are slowly opening towards enlightenment and spiritual connect with your higher self. Such is the beauty of spirituality which makes you want to delve into it deeper. It takes you on a journey where you are able to cross the bridge between your soul and body.

“When religions asks you to believe, spirituality asks you to explore.” Today, we live in the “age of reason” where we need answers to everything and proofs to validate those answers. Where religion fails to be verified by

science, spirituality is a whole science in itself. Consider Yoga, which is a form of physical exercise that ensures a balance between your physical and spiritual being. While we hustle to build a good life for ourselves, we tend to decline our emotional stability. Yoga, along with strength, stamina and immunity, helps us attain a peaceful state of mind. It is like a detox which purifies our body internally. Our lifestyles are burdened with stress, anxiety, low energy and depression. We tend to retreat towards things that bring mindfulness to our lives, and maybe, joining our hands in front of an idol confined within four walls is not the comfort we are striving for.

“We are a generation who wants to travel an interstellar distance and for that to happen we need to widen the scope of our human imagination.” For centuries, humans have been followers, followers of empty rituals and mindless practices, but now we have started to understand. We have started to understand that the path of liberation is not through obedience but experimentation. We are a generation who want to travel an interstellar distance and for that to happen we need to widen the scope of our human imagination, because how else would we move across dimensions like time and space? However cliché it may sound, I consider myself spiritual and not religious because I believe I am here to create my own story and not preach someone else’s.

LIFESTYLE

How to Improve Your Mental Wellbeing Through Your Diet Georgia Cavanagh Mental health issues are on the rise, particularly amongst students, but can eating certain foods really improve your mental wellbeing? Image courtesy of Wikimedia via Google Images

In recent years, numerous studies have been conducted to identify the potential links between mood and food. We all recognise the physical health risks of eating too much unhealthy or ‘junk’ food, and now we can also identify links between certain foods and depleted mental health.

“The Mental Health Foundation assesses that a ‘poor’ diet - is linked to worse mental health.” As much as things like chocolate and pizza are obligatory parts of student life, the immediate pleasure we get from ‘comfort eating’ does not signify a long-term mental benefit, instead it often creates an addictive cycle of sugar dependency with negative mental consequences. The Mental Health Foundation assesses that a ‘poor’ diet, including high levels of saturated fats, refined carbohydrates and processed food products, is linked to worse mental health. However, a balanced diet, full of key nutrients, vitamins and minerals that promote overall bodily health, has various mental benefits. Additionally, certain food items have been shown to have a long-term positive impact on mood. The healthy fats contained in fish and extra virgin olive oil have been linked to stronger blood vessels and brain; wholegrains and fermented foods promote gut health, including certain gut bacteria that may positively impact mental wellbeing; plus, there are identifiable ‘mood-boosting’ foods, including: avocado, blueberries, broccoli, coconut, eggs, flaxseed, green tea, honey, mussels, oatmeal, orange juice, spinach and water (which deserves a whole section on its benefits for increased motivation, energy and overall health).

Returning to the point about essential vitamins and minerals, whilst it is important to include many of them in our diets for our overall health anyway, there are some of which an absence has been directly linked to negative effects on mood. To name a few examples, a lack of iron, B vitamins, folate and selenium have all been connected to negative mood states and aggravation of mental disorders. There is certainly a developed case here to suggest that many mood-boosting foods are derived from animal products, however, many studies have also demonstrated the positive impacts of a vegetarian or vegan diet. They claim that it may be just as easy, or perhaps even easier, to obtain the right nutrients from such diets as they are often more reliant on healthier alternatives. There is little conclusive evidence, though surely there must be some mental satisfaction in knowing that your dietary choices minimise your detrimental environmental impact, which you can be reminded of every time you eat.

“There is certainly a developed case here to suggest that many moodboosting foods are derived from animal products” Ultimately, a balanced diet, full of key nutrients, vitamins and minerals to support bodily function, is key to achieving both physical and mental wellbeing, and too much of any food group is sure to have a detrimental effect on the bodily system. Although it’s far from the only factor that can prevent the deterioration of mental health, diet is certainly a good place to start.

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Anya explores how women’s empowerment in the workplace has affected family dynamics The narrative that women ‘belong in the kitchen’ is one that has been compounded through oral tradition, societal pressures and stereotypes for centuries. It is no surprise that, for some, the distasteful expectation for women to assume responsibility for the cooking lingers in the air like the scent of burnt toast. In many cultures, women are still perceived to be naturally domesticated and responsible for domestic tasks. However, in many other societies, empowerment of women in the workplace has had a profound impact on family dynamics and what is expected of them in the domestic sphere. For many, meal times and cooking no longer represent barriers structuring daily life, but are enjoyable and freely willed activities. Rather than being compelled to plan their whole day around it, those who wish to cook for their families or themselves have more flexibility and domestic tasks do not limit their broader horizons.

“Where women once spent their days at home, many now spend a similar amount of time as their partners in the workplace.” Although to many empowered women this freedom seems innate, historically the burden of domestic duties were such that women were confined to ‘working’ over a hot stove so as to provide dinner for their husband when he came home. Whilst this may have literally and professionally fuelled working men, it constituted a commitment that distinguished any flickers of ambition, independence and drive for a career that a woman may have had. Fundamentally, the life of a woman rotated around the axis of family life and domestic tasks, with no freedom to orbit into the world of work. The burden of cooking meant that women’s days were structured around their domestic duties, it was unthinkable to not fulfil them. This sense of being bound to the kitchen subsequently meant that women ‘knew their place’ in being limited to the domestic sphere, not infiltrating the world of work, which was monopolised by men. The empowerment of women in the workplace has facilitated a shift in family dynamics and enabled the relationship empowered women now have to food and cooking. Where women once spent their days at home, many now spend a similar amount of time as their partners in the workplace. This has diversified the priorities of empowered women in that, for many, domestic tasks have fallen to the outskirts of their

The I m of Wo Empowe r Family D focus. Their horizons now span far beyond the confines of cuisine to promotion, planning and project management. Compared to traditional housewives, working women have both less time and less desire to plan regimented meals. This re-balancing of time spent at work and home means that a kitchen that once represented the shackles of women has now become an equal playing field for both sexes to be involved in.

“The growing assertion of women who know what they want to do, when and why has been a pivotal part in breaking down what was once a daily routine for families.”

LIFESTYLE

mpact o men’s e rment on D ynamics Anya McLoughlin

In light of domestic roles being written into unspoken shared tradition, it was once perceived as not a choice but rather a necessity for women to cook. This had a simultaneous impact in rendering men uniquely breadwinners, never bread-makers. Cultural norms continue to shift away from this towards culinary freedom and the re-balancing of domestic tasks. It is now much less taboo to hear of men cooking for their families, something which would have previously been frowned upon or even mocked. This duel involvement of the sexes in domestic tasks is mutually beneficial for all. Cooking no longer uniquely constitutes a chore, but can manifest as a joint activity, bringing couples and families together. The sharing of tasks means for many empowered women cooking now exists for enjoyment; as a choice, as a hobby and not solely to fuel working husbands. Such changes in attitude are increasingly being evidenced in employment and governmental policies such as the freedom to work from home and the extension of paternity leave. Working from home facilitates the sharing of

domestic tasks, bringing a flexibility that means the rigid assumption of having a meal on the table when your partner returns home from work is no longer binding. Furthermore, re-balancing the time both sexes spend at home challenges the notion that men have less involvement in family life and should remain solely ‘breadwinners.’ This benefits both men and women, reinforcing the stature of men beyond the anonymous financial provider who otherwise does not contribute to family life. The growing assertion of women who know what they want to do, when and why has been a pivotal element in breaking down what was once a daily routine for families. The significance is not in refusing to cook in an attempt to stubbornly reverse previously assumed gender roles, but rather in the flexibility of having a choice. Cooking is of course still part of daily life, but no longer carries the same weight of necessity that stagnated the ambitions of the female population. Empowered women can choose what they want to cook, if they want to go out with friends, or order food in depending on their availability. Whilst these things are taken for granted now, they were once unthinkable and should be appreciated and further encouraged. Empowerment of women in the workplace means that a kitchen where they once spent a large portion of their time has now become a place they fleetingly visit. Such freedom may seem like a given to liberated women, but life has not always been this way. To advance the cause of women we should encourage young girls to aim for whichever career they wish and not limit themselves to specific fields or spheres. Rather than being delineated by gender, the domestic sphere is something to which everyone can contribute.

“Despite the shift in attitudes, there is still progress to be made. Such opinions are not shared by everyone and it is still predominantly believed in some cultures that it is solely a woman’s place to cook.” Despite the shift in attitudes, there is still progress to be made. Such opinions are not shared by everyone and it is still predominantly believed in some cultures that it is solely a woman's place to cook. It is vital that we teach everyone that both sexes are capable of pursuing whichever professional course they wish. Neither sex is limited in their capacity to fulfil a certain job, and certainly should not feel hindered by the burden of domestic tasks.

IMPACT

Clothing and

Empowerment:

Beneficial or Damaging?

LIFESTYLE

Rosa Morgan Rosa investigates whether clothing can truly empower an individual Gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, and class- for centuries clothing has allowed individuals to empower themselves and construct elements of their identity. However, the question of empowerment becomes problematic when considering where clothing comes from and what the purpose of a particular clothing choice is. Clothing has signified different things for centuries. One of the most common things that clothing can signify is social class and status, and this signifier has been occurring for centuries. For example, in Jacobean England women belonging to higher social classes would wear large, full skirts. The reasoning behind this clothing choice was to make the women of higher social classes appear wider, which meant that they would take up more space. This method of dress meant that these women appeared to be visually bigger and therefore more important in a space. It also meant that other individuals would have to maintain a distance between the woman of the higher social class and themselves. It is clear that clothing has the ability to construct and maintain boundaries between different social classes.

“It is clear that clothing has the ability to construct and maintain boundaries between different social classes.” Although the ability to empower women through their clothing choices on the surface seems positive, it is clear that in the case of Jacobean England the clothing choices were fueled by ideology. Although women nowadays might not necessarily wear wide skirts to distinguish themselves over others, certain modern clothing items have the ability to create boundaries between the classes. For example, those in white-collar jobs are able to signify their profession and higher income through their clothing. This can lead to individuals in white-collar jobs distinguishing themselves as being more important than those in blue-collar jobs. The differences in modern work clothing, therefore, can reinforce boundaries between the classes. Some of the ideology apparent in Jacobean clothing choices has clearly bled through the centuries, with some individuals of higher classes still using clothing to distinguish themselves over individuals of a lower class. This problematises the extent to which clothing can be truly empowering when it has the ability to create and maintain boundaries between different classes, which could lead to class-related prejudice.

“Globalisation means that brands and fashion houses can take advantage of economies of scale” Furthermore, in an increasingly globalised world, it is easier than ever to obtain and buy clothing from different brands and fashion houses located all over the world. Globalisation does have benefits within the fashion industry. It means that there is a greater range of clothing on offer to suit different consumers, allowing more people than ever to empower themselves through their clothing choices. Moreover,

globalisation enables brand and fashion houses to take advantage of economies of scale, which means that clothing is now much cheaper than in the past.

“This presents the question: can clothing only be empowering to those who have the money to buy from brands and fashion houses that pay their staff the correct wage?” More than ever, different brands and fashion houses have become sensitive to the fact that many individuals use their clothing choices as a form of empowerment and to convey a part of their identity. It’s quite common to see tops with empowering slogans reading ‘girl power’ or ‘hear me roar’ in shops. However, the cheapness of clothes can pose some problems to the underlying meaning of empowerment. Globalisation has resulted in many companies manufacturing their products in countries where labour is cheaper. This relocation often leads to workers being underpaid for their labour. When considering the conditions that the cheap tops are produced in, the meaning of these supposedly ‘empowering’ tops begins to be undermined. It is difficult to feel empowered in an item of clothing that has been made in conditions disempower the workers producing them. This presents the question: can clothing only operate to empower those who have the money to buy from brands and fashion houses that pay their staff the correct wage? In recent years, within the fashion industry, there has been an increase in awareness surrounding sustainability, the importance of fair trading conditions for workers, and the necessity of providing workers with an adequate wage for their labour. It is excellent that consumers are becoming more aware of these factors when purchasing clothing. However, ensuring that clothing has been made in a sustainable way, and that the workers who have made the clothing have received an adequate wage, increases the price of the clothing. For many individuals, the increase in the price of clothing makes it unaffordable. Clothing obviously has the ability to empower individuals. However, the increasing prices of clothing suggests that it can only be powerful if an individual has the money to buy sustainable clothing. This creates boundaries between different members of society, and reinforces class boundaries that already exist. It is clear that the ideology that fueled clothing choices in Jacobean England is still apparent today. Ultimately, although clothing can empower individuals by allowing them to convey certain aspects of their identity, the extent to which clothing can empower individuals is limited. It is clear that some clothing choices are fueled by ideology, and are made in attempt to create and maintain boundaries between different classes. Furthermore, in today’s modern age, the ability to empower oneself through clothing choices seems to be exclusive to those who can afford sustainable clothing.

IMPACT

Young Professionals For many of the Impact team, graduation is looming, and with it brings the simultaneously exciting and terrifying prospect of the world of work. Here at Impact Lifestyle, we wanted to allay some of our fears of the big bad world and celebrate how the young people of today are putting their best foot forward. Our Young Professionals photoshoot is all about the functional and the fashionable, showcasing the next generation of graduates who will not only change the world with their knowhow, but also with their sense of style. If you want to see behind the scenes head over to our lifestyle page online! http://www.impactnottingham.com/section/lifestyle

LIFESTYLE

Director: Esme Johnson Models: Natasha Fernandes, Ella Morton, Jase Neal, Anna Scott Photographers: Miriam Thompson, Ibrahim Khan Special Thanks: Charlotte Hegley, Sophie Hunt

IMPACT

LIFESTYLE

Young Professionals: Let the Lewks Do the Talking

IMPACT

Esme Johnson Style editor Esme looks at empowerment through professional dress.

The photoshoot for this issue of Impact is all about the young professional—how do the young people of today use their clothing to feel like and demonstrate that they mean business? Functionality is important, but so are style and comfort. A crisp white shirt under a patterned jacket, or a turtleneck layered beneath a gingham off-the-shoulder shirt, pink hair or painted nails— the possibilities are endless and so are the opportunities to tell the world that you are ready to change it.

“The possibilities are endless and so are the opportunities to tell the world that you are ready to change it” We have all seen pictures of businesspeople in the eighties with their huge shoulder pads, using them to show dominance and power in the workplace. Clothing is a simple way to empower yourself—it is often the first thing a person will acknowledge when they see you, drawing assumptions based on how your present yourself to the world. The history of using clothing to signal power is a long one, from the Romans signalling their wealth through their togas, to the people of 2019 sharing their politics with slogan-bearing hats and shirts, their beliefs through headdresses or jewellery, or their identity through colour and style. But, how can the young professionals of today create a sense of empowerment and confidence in the way they dress? Many workplaces are rapidl ms of dress codes, allowing women to step away from heels and encouraging more unique and creative takes on the usual suit and tie combo. Matching or clashing your prints, adding a splash of colour with an accessory, or even using your hair and makeup to express yourself are all becoming commonplace methods of self-empowerment.

“You can have shoulder pads as tall as a bus but if you do not channel a positive, confident energy, it will not matter” As society shifts, greeting an increasingly diverse generation of young people into professional settings, it is clear that in fifty year’s time, even the most uniform-centric jobs will have changed dramatically. Conversely, it is also true that a minimalist, self-imposed ‘uniform’ can be equally as effective. Think about Steve Jobs— his statement turtleneck and jeans look was designed for efficiency and ease, and is certainly a simple way to send a message. Your clothing can make you feel like you can take on everything and anyone. It can make you feel ready to command the room, ready to give a presentation, ready to show the world who’s boss. But it is important, too, that you feel confident— you can have shoulder pads as tall as a bus but if you do not channel a positive confident energy, it will not matter. Fashion is a way of letting what is hidden inside you into the light, and I think it is high time we embrace that at work.

“No one is going to judge you when you walk in and let your clothes do the talking” So the next time you feel unsure about an outfit, or feel like you need an extra boost before a job interview, throw on an outfit you know, deep down, you love, and hold your head up high. No one is going to judge you when you walk in and let your clothes do the talking.

LIFESTYLE

The Psychology of Power Anna Barker From individual instances of children’s playground politics to systemic power structures that favour the Donald Trumps of our world, power is a constant influence in everyone’s day to day lives. Psychologically, power is thought of as the capacity to alter other’s lives through punishment and the control of resources, ranging from money to affection. With people vying for and using power in all aspects of our lives, there is a growing interest into the reasons behind the strive for power and control. With the use and misuse of power often being a negative force in life, it begs the question- could the pursuit of power be related to undesirable and even psychopathic tendencies? Research into specifically the ‘Organisational’ type of psychopath, claims that above all else they seek power and control over others; troublingly shown by the top two careers with the highest proportion of psychopaths being CEO’s and lawyers. But don’t cancel your law conversion just yet, the number of ‘psychopaths’ in the workplace is minor, with less than 4% of lawyers deemed to be psychopaths. While it may be extreme to say that individuals who look for power are true psychopaths, some characteristics linked to psychopathy certainly draw people to power. For example, the psychologist Joel Bennet found that people high in egotism, reflected by their levels of arrogance, scored highly in their need for power. Needless to say, people with malicious intent often want power to exert for abusive purposes, whether that be physical, sexual or psychological. The reasons behind this can range from personal gain to psychological defence mechanisms, to simply the enjoyment of having control over others.

“People vying for and using power in all aspects of our lives”

However, the strive for power may not always be as threatening as it seems. Though it has often been viewed entirely as a desire for control over others, often it is simply a desire for control over one’s own life. Say, during work you were offered the choice between two equally paid promotions; one that offered more control over your colleagues’ workload but less over your own and one that meant more control over your own workload but less over your colleagues, traditional ideas of power would expect you to veer towards controlling others. Interestingly, when investigating this idea, it was found that 62% of people would rather be free to have autonomous control over their own life than to have control over their colleagues. However, it would be careless of us to discount the 26%, a fairly large percentage of individuals who would prefer to hold influence over others.

“Personal gain to psychological defence mechanisms” But, it is not all doom and gloom. The desire for power can often present itself in those who understand the impact of and need for power, aiming to use it in altruistic ways. Unlike manipulative power, this can be that the goal of power is to have a positive impact on others and society, such as that of Barack Obama who said that through presidency he took with him the value of ‘creating power from the bottom up rather than the top down to bring about real change’.

IMPACT

Name: Humeara Mohamed Course: English with Creative Writing Year of Study: 3rd and Final Alongside her degree, Humeara immerses herself into a plethora of extra-curricular activities, all whilst fighting against the pressure of university and the mental health setbacks that this can often bring about. Humeara first interned for Vogue Arabia after gaining experience at Grazia, before becoming a freelancer for AnOther London. She has also been hired by Soap and Glory as their ‘Glambassador’, where she was sent products to review on her YouTube channel. As well as being adigital ambassador for the uni, Humeara also has her own blog humeara.com, where she posts all things ‘fashion, lifestyle and beauty’. Moreover, Humeara has also started her own business, Humeara Illustrates, where ‘she illustrates cards and commissions them in her spare time’. After uni, Humeara is looking forward to a well-deserved break before working for magazines full-time.

Name: Jesse Lewendon Course: Biochemistry Year of Study: 3rd and Final Jesse is president of Nottingham Marrow, a volunteering project at UoN which is run alongside the charity Anthony Nolan. Marrow prioritises signing people onto the stem cell register and so far this year, Jesse and the rest of the team have managed to sign up almost 1400 people; a huge increase from the 400 people last year. Getting involved through a friend, Jesse explains that ‘giving up a few hours of your time can make a massive difference to people’s lives’. Marrow has hosted multiple events across Nottingham, expanding into Trent Uni and extending their committee to help raise awareness. Look out for Marrow at the Broadgate BBQ in the summer and sign yourself up!

Name: Anushka Shah Course: English with Creative Writing Year of Study: 1st At the age of 18, Anushka became a published poet with her collection of poems ‘Written With An Eraser’ becoming available on the Indian market by Granth Book Store as well as online on amazon.in. Since then, Anushka has been approached by 94.3 Radio One, India’s most prestigious international radio network, for an hour-long interview which was broadcast all over the country, as well as being invited to 7 schools across the city of Mumbai as a guest speaker. Anushka is now working on an online platform called Global Students Of The World, where she aims to ‘make each student feel important and acknowledged, irrespective of their grades’. Anushka explains how her motivation stems from her ‘passion for learning’ and is now working on her 2nd book alongside completing her degree.

Name: Noa Cohen Course: Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience Year of Study: 3rd and Final Noa is the Vice President of STAR (Student Action For Refugees) and is responsible for setting up and running a female conversation class in Nottingham. In order to make the conversation classes a female-friendly environment, Noa dedicated her first term of third year identifying ways to encourage women to attend. After visiting Nottingham’s Women’s Centre, Noa formed the women’s class at the beginning of February, ensuring it was run during school hours to provide a light and safe space for the women. Noa explains how it was initially ‘overwhelming’ to work in conjunction with other organisations, but the formation of the women’s class has been highly successful. Now, 10-15 women from refugee or asylum-seeking backgrounds attend each week and Noa describes the atmosphere of the conversation classes as ‘addictive’.

Student Student Suc Suc cc

LIFESTYLE

Name: Kate Clayson Course: Management Year of Study: 3rd and Final Kate is president of Enactus Nottingham, a student-led organisation at UoN who have recently been awarded Enactus National Champions. At the Enactus Nationals Event, the projects Kate and the rest of the team presented were Foodprint, CodeX and SANkofa, an ‘international project located in Ghana, dedicated to empowering women to make briquettes made out of coconut husks’. Kate explains that ‘the hard work the 80 members in the Enactus team put into our projects’ encouraged her to keep pushing so that others would continue to feel ‘inspired and motivated’. Despite the presentations ‘not being made over night’, Kate is looking forward to seeing the team present at Silicon Valley in September.

Name: Grace Keenan Course: Neuroscience Year of Study: 3rd and Final Grace Keenan is president of Nottingham Arrows, a Nottingham based cheer squad that was established in February 2014. As president, Grace has many responsibilities, including organising where and when they train, as well as how often, providing uniforms, completing competition entries and sorting out memberships, insurance and rent. Having been an Arrow since first year, Grace is also dealing with Pyelonephritis, a kidney infection that started last exam season. Grace explains how ‘more often that not, Pyelonephritis will lead to sepsis, meaning I’m in hospital for around 1-2 weeks at a time’. Despite this, Grace and the rest of the Arrows have made some incredible achievements this year, especially coming 4th at Nationals the same day Grace came out of hospital.

Name: Rebecca Angell Course: Zoology Year of Study: 4th and Final Rebecca has spent her final year of university as president of NUDance after having been a member for the past 3 years. NUDance is one of the biggest societies in the SU and they’ve had much success during competition season this year, placing 1st in all their Wildcard categories. Under Rebecca’s presidency, new initiatives have been introduced to ‘increase opportunity and inclusivity’ for non-competition members, such as Freestyle Fridays and the Performance Squad, who have engaged in a flash-mob series. NUDance have also been highly successful with their 019 show ‘POWER’ and have achieved Gold Star status at this year’s activities ball, as well as being shortlisted for Best Student Group.

c cess cess Stories Stories

IMPACT

Books & Beethoven:

Does Hel p Stu

Mus i c You dy?

ENTERTAINMENT

Esme Johnson Exam season is fast approaching, along with the pressures of revision and essay writing. Many students turn to music to help maintain concentration, but is this actually effective? Scientists, and pseudoscientists, have a lot to say about the effect of music on concentration. Have a look around when you are next sat in the library, you will see a sea of headphones with your fellow students bopping along to a pop song, or furrowing their brows to a bit of Beethoven. It would appear that music truly does help you study.

“Memory performance was best when listening to “low arousal, negative music”” But what are the facts? There are certainly plenty of popular misconceptions. Perhaps the best-known is the “Mozart Effect”, which suggests that listening to Mozart can make you smarter. Even though scientists have largely voided these claims, classical music is still considered an elite genre of music which is perfect for studying, writing your magnum opus, or at the very least making you feel graceful or dramatic as you catch the 34 onto campus. Let’s look at some science. Back in 2017, researchers found that listening to happy music facilitated creative thinking, and suggested that music might be an “inexpensive and efficient” way of educating people about creativity. Meanwhile, researchers in a different study investigated the effects of background music on mood and memory, and found that memory performance was best when listening to “low arousal, negative music” (slow tempo and minor chords). However, that same study noted that silence was generally optimal, as the brainpower used to process music and other background sounds would take away from your ability to focus on a single task. Already, the science seems to suggest that the musicconcentration relationship could be about personal preference. While it seems obvious that chaotic, upbeat music is generally not the best choice when it comes to studying, monotonous sounds may not be a good alternative, either. Canadian researchers have argued that upbeat tempos boost moods, and studies from the University of Birmingham showed that upbeat music increases efficiency, which might be important when you need to keep your wandering mind on-track. Your brain is always processing background information, so anything in your environment may potentially hinder your concentration. If you have ever been driven mad by someone tapping their foot during an exam you can understand the issue. Similarly, the brain is not supposed to focus on one task for a long time, and the more boring a task is, the more powerful your unconscious mind becomes, overriding your conscious efforts to concentrate. So, it is clear that music does impact how successful you are at concentrating and memorising. But does the genre of music you listen to have an impact? Again, the results seem a little inconclusive. “Chillhop” or lofi hip hop is an exceedingly popular genre – perfect for a relaxing, unobtrusive bop to get you in the

study zone. Ambient sounds are also attributed to successful studying. White noise might not be considered “music”, but it can be very effective if you need total brainpower to get through a thick stack of flashcards. Living in the middle of a city like Nottingham can make a stream recording a very appealing study buddy. In fact, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute claims that nature sounds work just as well as white noise to drown out distracting sounds. They add that the melodies of Mother Nature in particular are great for boosting your mood, and perhaps, then, your success at concentrating, even if the task at hand is not particularly inspiring. Maybe the answer lies in personality traits and music choice. There have been plenty of studies into this topic, with researchers trying to figure out not only how different types of people gravitate to certain types of music, but how this can impact concentration. A 2015 study about musical preferences and cognitive processes found that empathetic people preferred “mellow” genres, such as rhythm and blues, soul, and soft rock, while systematic people preferred “intense” music, such as punk, heavy metal, and hard rock. In comparison, using the FiveFactor Model (a personality model which measures an individual’s levels of openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism), researchers in 2011 noted that little is known about why different people like different music, and that music preferences differ culturally and individually, as do studying habits. How personality affects concentration is not yet known, though it can be seen that these “mellow” genres aid memorisation, making this music perfect for students at work, while “intense” genres are more beneficial when individuals need to do something repetitive or boring. Seeking more clarity on this topic, I took to the streets, Billy Eichner-style, or at least to UniSalad behind the protection of my own laptop screen, and asked Nottingham students about what music they listened to when they studied. I found that the majority of people listened to music without lyrics, regardless of genre or tempo. This makes sense – lyrics, especially if you know them, can be very tempting to sing along to. About 40% of respondents indicated that they did not listen to any music, however, but it was noted that often the music listened to entirely depended on the task at hand.

“White noise might not be considered “music”, but it can be very effective if you need total brainpower” Music is obviously very important for many people, especially when it comes to studying, but so is silence, or one genre over another. It’s like choosing your perfect study location – the Hallward basement and the George Green library are the only acceptable choices, and I will not take criticism. Music can certainly be useful when you need to remember things – the electromagnetic spectrum song, anyone? But it can also be highly irritating when you get a track stuck on loop inside your head. Preference is an individual choice, and scientists are yet to explain exactly why this is the case, nor how much more effective Mozart is compared to Greta Van Fleet or Patty Griffin. The answer might be found if you consult your horoscope or some tea leaves, but I think that will just be another form of procrastination, especially if you already know how you study best (which, let’s face it, you probably already do).

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GONE BEFORE ARTISTS EXPERIE SENSE OF POWER Ben Standring

The expression ‘gone before their time’ is a term commonly used to describe a figure who has died before they were able to reach their prime. Whilst the term can be used to describe the millions of people across the world who have sadly died at a young age, the term is often applied to stalwart figures in the entertainment and music industry, whose standard lives are dissipated due to newfound fortune and fame. As an industry reliant on excess and hedonism, the music business has the capability of trapping the most kindred of spirits into its dark underbelly. With the increasing prevalence of mental health issues, a rising trend in deaths within young musicians has occurred, yet a remarkable feat has sprung up following their untimely deaths. The power that these young musicians had before death has not dispersed, but increased after their passing. There seems to be a general consensus that those who have lost battles against addiction or mental health, or have tragically died in other circumstances, died before they were able to project the greatest extent of their talents to the world. The subsequent response to this looks to be almost an immortalisation of some of these figures, no matter the quality or quantity of music that was released. Take Mac Miller for example. Following the rapper’s death in 2018, his single ‘Self Care’ rose to number 33 on the Billboard charts, making it his highest reaching single as a lead artist. His greatest success only happened following his death. His last album, Swimming, is another example of the increased power Miller had posthumously. Met with warm reviews, the record was a surprise nomination for Best Rap Album at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, with many renowned artists calling for him to win it following his death. It’s easy to be cynical with this, and I am a fan of his music, but I hold deep reservations as to whether the record would have been nominated for a Grammy had he not died beforehand. It’s horrible to speculate, but his greatest successes only occurred following his death. On the other end of the spectrum arguably lie Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse. Arguably one of the greatest rock stars to have ever lived, the Nirvana front man died on April 9 1994, aged 27. Having helped grunge take over mainstream rock, Cobain and Nirvana were the figureheads of rock music and their 1992 headline set at Reading Festival has been widely argued to be one of the festival’s greatest ever performances. It’s hard therefore to argue that his death gave him more power, yet it could be true. Despite having two number one albums, had the band released a poor following record, their reputation would surely have diminished. The manner of Cobain’s suicide lives in music legend and his status as a frontman has been set in stone in the years after his death.

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E THEIR TIME: DO IENCE A RENEWED R POSTHUMOUSLY? Amy Winehouse is yet another musician to be idolised following her death. With second record Frank, Winehouse won five Grammy awards and was nominated for the prestigious Mercury music prize alongside many others. It’s impossible to deny her talent yet following her death from alcohol poisoning at the age of 27, she seems to now be an idol for many growing up. Whilst her death was tragic, the picture of Winehouse as ‘the voice of a generation’ leaves out crucial moments of her career. A heavy substance abuser, Winehouse frequently performed under the influence of substances, with the majority of her 2007 tour ending in the performer stumbling across stage struggling to speak, let alone perform. She overdosed in 2007 from a concoction of heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine and alcohol, had been arrested on multiple occasions of drug possession and had been charged with assaulting a fan and a front-of-house manager of a theatre all within her short period of fame. Whilst it’s impossible to deny the talent of Winehouse as a vocalist, her career post-death has been empowered by people only focusing on her voice, yet the reality of her career was far different. The jagged path that shaped many of her best-known songs has seemingly been wiped out by those unwilling to remember the truth. Winehouse was an innately talented individual but with the greatest respect she was a troubled musician, and certainly not someone I would call an idol. Power is an interesting complex to understand. For many musicians, their careers are spent desiring power and fame, yet in a cruel twist of fate, some musicians aren’t around to see the fruits of their endeavors. The term ‘gone before their time’ will forever be an impossible phrase to fully grasp. Kurt Cobain was at the pinnacle of rock music at the time of his death, and his presence is constantly missed. Yet, he was able to achieve great things throughout his career. However, artists like Viola Beach, who tragically died in a car accident, and Lil Peep were only just starting their careers and so their potential is something they’ll never get to fulfil, and we could never quantify. The only constant in the power and death debate is that no matter where in their career they are, artists’ music has been celebrated with a rejuvenated strength following their untimely deaths. They’ll be remembered by a million people in a million different ways, and whilst their careers may be no more, their music will live on with a newfound strength and celebratory spirit.

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Music and Consumerism:

The Subconscious Power of Music Over Our Lives Olivia Stock

Can music influence buying habits? If so, how? Olivia discusses the ways in which music can have an influence on individuals’ consumerist behaviours. Music is powerful, emotive, affecting, influential and unavoidable. It permeates almost all aspects of our lives, and whether we realise it or not, influences our decisions and choices. But whilst many of us have revelled in the sentimental chords of Bon Iver for a bit of post break-up catharsis and hoped Vivaldi’s Four Seasons would make for more productive revision, the power of music actually goes far beyond that which we are aware. Like clockwork, each mid-October sees the return of the “I-can’t-believe-I’m-hearing-Christmas-music-in-the-shopsalready” complaints, and whilst this may be one of the few times we actually notice the songs being played as we shop, it’s almost always there. This background music in shops – referred to as "muzak", or “mood music” – has actually been shown to have an effect on our buying habits, and suggests that stores could benefit greatly from a carefully considered playlist.

“Music has become a staple component of television’s most successful adverts” In the 1980s, Milliman conducted two experiments that examined the effect of tempo on the behaviours of supermarket shoppers and restaurant diners. He found that individuals spent more money in shops, and diners spent more time eating their meals, when the background music was in a slow tempo. So when you hear the doleful chords of ‘Silent Night’ over a shop’s loudspeakers during the holiday season, you can expect a higher credit card bill compared to the playing of ‘Jingle Bells’. The last thirty years have also seen companies harness the power of music not only in a retail setting, but in the comfort of our own homes, as music has become a staple component of television’s most successful adverts. John Lewis’s Christmas commercials, for example, are as well known for their sentimental song choices as their storylines, and in the early noughties, a Vodafone commercial catapulted The Dandy Warhols ‘Bohemian Like You’ into the UK top five (when it had previously failed to chart). Earworms like the Warhols’s that wriggle into your head and refuse to budge can be a major marketing tool, and, like background music in shops, drastically influences our buying habits. Researchers have recently studied the effectiveness of more than 600 television advertisements, more than 500 of which included music, and found that commercials with some form of music performed better across four key metrics – empathy, creativity, emotive power, and information power – than those that didn’t. This may explain how Hewlett-Packard achieved a 26% increase in total dollar volume in 2015 when they ran a tablet ad featuring Meghan Trainor's hit ‘Lips Are Movin’’.

“The benefits of using popular music in adverts to create feelings of familiarity and trust in a brand” Statistics like these demonstrate the benefits of using popular music in adverts to create feelings of familiarity and trust in a brand, and are emblematic of the subconscious power of music over our lives and minds in the consumerist age.

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The RISI Power of the Antihero

Jack Richardson Are we taking the “anti” in antihero too far?

In February 2017, a Kentucky police precinct showed solidarity with law-enforcement empowerment movement ‘Blue Lives Matter’ by branding its vehicles with the symbol of a (fictional) mass-murdering psychopath. The psychopath in question is Marvel’s Punisher, star of a hit Netflix show, and possibly the most brutal, disturbed vigilante in comics. Using his symbol was popularised by Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle (the guy from American Sniper), who “thought what the Punisher did was cool” and “wanted people to know ‘… we want to fuck with you.’” Following Kyle’s example, the Punisher became closely associated with the Armed Forces - Netflix used him to explore PTSD and veterans’ experiences after war – but this presents a problem. Because, despite the Punisher’s sympathetic backstory, he’s still a criminal who murdered thousands of people since his creation. Blue Lives Matter or any law-enforcers using his symbol is, as the Punisher’s creator put it, “as offensive as putting a Confederate flag on a government building.” But the Punisher isn’t the first antihero appropriated by his fans to justify their own behaviour. Rick and Morty’s fandom is (in)famously one of the most toxic on the internet, instigating riots at McDonalds and leaking female writers’ personal information online to stop them working on the show. It’s easy to see why fans are attracted to the show’s nihilistic protagonist; Rick Sanchez is every high-andmighty internet troll distilled into one person, and the show treats him like a god. Rick’s empowerment endorses his misogyny and intellectual elitism to the audience.

“No matter how many times Rick’s creators call these fans “knobs,” it doesn’t change the fact that antiheroes scratch a specific psychological itch” Want proof of how poisonous this mentality can be? I give you The Real Ricks Facebook group, an elite community that requires ‘elite’ education to access, but proves little more than a forum for NSFW Pickle Rick memes, according to one journalist’s investigation. The group is a soundboard for “racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic sentiment” from fans who “truly believe they’re intellectually superior,” according to one insider. “‘Rick and Morty’ IS for people with high IQs,” insisted one post responding to the infamous meme, branding haters “a hive mind, a flock of Jerrys … who envy the smart-minded, wishing to become one of us.” No matter how many times Rick’s creators call these fans “knobs,” it doesn’t change the fact that antiheroes scratch a specific psychological itch: Psychologist Dolf Zillmann describes how media lets us “switch off our prohibitions against immoral behaviour.” Is this leaking into real life? Last year Kevin Spacey filmed a bizarre video response to 30 sexual misconduct allegations, titled ‘Let Me Be Frank’, using the monologuing style of his House of Cards character Frank Underwood, as if equating his real-world crimes with those of a fictional antihero made everything okay. “If we don’t keep … rooting for the main character, we won’t end up enjoying what we’re watching,” Zillmann concludes, “and we need to enjoy our entertainment.”

Illustration by Ella Taylor

With the epidemic of white male antiheroes (Walter White, Don Draper, Dexter, Tony Soprano…) reaching terrifying heights, this debate over the power of anti-heroes isn’t disappearing any time soon.

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Empowering Un Groups Th r Nicolas Caballero Are we too quick to underestimate the empowering ability of film? Crafting an empowering message through the medium of film is nothing new, but its importance is often underestimated. If cinema is truly to be considered a mirror of reality as Call me by Your Name says, then it should reflect this in all its complexity and diversity and - when society itself falls short of the mark - it should inspire us to do better. Ignoring the importance of empowerment in cinema is a slippery slope towards forgetting this essential function of filmmaking and popular culture as a whole. A couple of months back, it somewhat surprised me to see a substantial part of the internet belittle Brie Larson as the marketing of Captain Marvel reached its peak just preceding the film’s premiere. As I looked more into what had everyone all up in arms about a seemingly standard studio casting, I soon realised just how confusing, convoluted, and sometimes toxic the conversation about diversity in cinema had become on the internet (yes I know, I really don’t know what else I was expecting from reddit).

“Ignoring the importance of empowerment in cinema is a slippery slope towards forgetting this essential function of filmmaking and popular culture as a whole.” There definitely were legitimate reasons why people were angry at Brie Larson, most notably stemming from her comments after the premiere of A Wrinkle in Time where she (albeit unintentionally) alienated a lot of the movie’s potential audience by claiming the movie wasn’t made for “40 year old white males” and that therefore their criticisms weren’t valid (despite being you know, movie critics). Not cool. But as I kept digging I soon found these legitimate arguments railed up with a whole sea of Marvel criticisms about the casting being “just another SJW cash grab” and “a political move”, while pre-emptively calling the movie “feminist garbage” and flooding Rotten Reviews

with thumbs downs way before anyone had even see the blockbuster.

“Think about the message this sends to any smaller filmmakers potentially looking to make an empowering film about females, or a minority, or any other group of people which we usually don’t see a lot of in the mainstream.”

Listen, I’m not going to sit here and declare that you can’t hate Brie Larson, or Marvel’s marketing strategy, but what I am going to say is I sincerely hope we don’t participate on mass again in a coordinated attack on a movie just because it is “different”. Because sure, this is Marvel we’re talking about, they were never going to take a hit to their wallets. But think about the message this sends to any smaller filmmakers potentially looking to make an empowering film about females, or a minority, or any other group of people which we usually don’t see a lot of in the mainstream. How can we complain about the homogeneity of Hollywood when at the same time we don’t allow Hollywood to champion diversity in the industry? Empowerment in cinema is so important because cinema is so important. Culturally, the relationship between the screen and the audience has always been two-ways, reality inspires film, and we are inspired by it. Empowerment works this way too. Empowering female characters, or empowering black characters, or empowering LGBT+ characters are and should be represented on screen because empowering women, black, and LGBT+ people exist. And it is exactly because of this empowering representation that some audience members are inspired to embrace their gender, heritage,

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n derrepresented rough Film sexual orientation, you name it. I recall a time when Black Panther was released and it inspired so many African-american women to embrace their natural hairstyles because Hollywood finally learned that there is not one single way to represent africanamerican characters on screen. I also recall the slew of articles and tweets showing how many young girls were feeling empowered after watching Wonder Women. There is no doubt empowering messages in cinema are and will continue to have lasting impacts on our society, and that is a wonderful thing. But empowerment isn’t just about having a superhero that represents you show up in a big budget movie. Empowerment, ideally, should trickle down to all genres and all possible budgets for filmmaking. Jordan Peele has stated that he’s elated at having had the possibility (and full support of the studio) to make a movie like Us, a movie centered around a black family but one where racial considerations take a backdrop to the horror/ suspense/sci-fi insanity that define the film. It’s hard to imagine a similar feat would’ve been possible 10, hell even 5 years ago. That movie’s casting and support by the studio owes a lot to the empowering African-american movies that preceded it like Black Panther or Django, and certainly an awful lot to Spike Lee’s Malcolm X. The point is, empowering cinema not only empowers the audience, but breeds diversity in all filmmaking - every genre, every budget, every aspect.

“Empowerment in cinema is so important because cinema is so important.” When an African American aspiring filmmaker sees a movie like BlacKKKlansman empower black people and be received so positively, it gives them the confidence to make more movies with black characters, which do not necessarily need to be centered around empowerment. But when an aspiring female filmmaker sees Captain

Marvel be received so negatively in a handful of toxic comments, it may discourage her from creating other films with strong female characters. As cinema goers, we need to inspire diversity at every turn, and that means not letting situations like this present themselves. Finally, to address the oft cited but poorly grounded argument against empowering representation in cinema, nothing about making a movie with an empowering message for a certain group of people is “political”, unless that group of people is quite literally a political party. The implication that “political messages ruin movies” is completely unfounded as nothing about having a woman kick alien-butt like we’ve had men kick alien-butt for a few decades now IS political.

“Empowerment, ideally, should trickle down to all genres and all possible budgets for filmmaking.“ And no I’m not suggesting you have to love or preach every movie that aims at empowerment. Despite a plethora of internet trolls trying to dissuade me from doing so, I DID go and see Captain Marvel, and I DID see that scene where she fights to the tune of No Doubt’s “Just a Girl” and yes I DID cringe a little bit. But here’s the key point: you are allowed to dislike a movie with an empowering message just as much as you are allowed to dislike any movie you want, but you shouldn’t disqualify a movie from ever being enjoyable simply because it HAS an empowering message. We certainly wouldn’t be enjoying the amount of diversity in cinema we are right now if certain filmmakers hadn’t taken a chance by bringing empowering characters from underrepresented groups to the silver screen. I can assure you there’s at least one person out there who would feel misplaced had they not seen someone like them fit right in on the screen.

Image designed by Vexels.com

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From Under Bridges to all Over the Comments Section:

THE EVOLUTION OF THE TROLL Georgia Butcher What is a ‘troll’? How have they evolved, and why do they do what they do?

Ah the troll, an intriguing species which in today’s era, no longer bides it’s time assaulting travellers that pass over its bridge. Now, this aggravating creature resides within the comments sections and inboxes throughout the internet. As technology has exploded in growth, so too has the infamous ‘troll’ – but what exactly is a ‘troll’ of today? How has it evolved over recent years? And what drives this trolling behaviour?

“Someone who starts quarrels... on the internet...with the intent of provoking readers into displaying emotional responses” Though still undefined by every student’s favourite dictionary: the OED, every student’s second favourite information source (the wonderful Wikipedia) aptly defines these intriguing ‘internet trolls’ as ‘someone who starts quarrels or upsets people on the internet … by posting inflammatory… or off-topic messages in an online community … with the intent of provoking readers into displaying emotional responses’. Though exactly what emotional responses are remains a little unclear. Arguably, there seem to be two main responses to a troll: amusement, and upset, and, two types of troll: those seeking to be amusing, and those seeking to spread discord. Both, I’d argue, are still around today. I myself have happily spent an hour or two laughing at Dark Souls trolling videos, full of marvellous, and devious, tricks on unsuspecting players. And so too have I had a gaming experience ruined by someone crashing one of my servers or bore witness to the destruction of a fellow gamer’s precious creation for no other reason than a troll felt like it. Now, I’m sure many of us can appreciate a good joke, so it’s not the humorous trolls which concern me. Instead, it’s the latter: the trolls who spread upset simply because they can. But why do they do this? What compels them to spread

displeasure? In my opinion: power. Trolls don’t gain anything from upsetting people, save the potential knowledge that they’ve upset someone. On a large basis, numerous trolls can occasionally cause the closure of someone’s instagram account but does that really benefit them individually? Of course not. As numerous studies have since proven, these types of internet trolls simply do what they do because they’re awful people. People with tendencies towards sadism, narcissism, psychopathic tendencies, you know, all those lovely traits. Why do they cause upset? Because they can, because maybe they get a kick out of it. So how do we stop it? Well, we can’t really. All we can do is ignore it. After all, their sense of power comes from reactions. Yes, this can be annoying, and there’ll be some of us better at it than others, but it’s what needs to be done. Especially in the gaming world.

“Personally, I see that as a power move in and of itself” With the internet and video games becoming more and more accessible, a greater number of individuals are becoming victim to trolls, often in the form of plain online harassment. As a result, trolling needs to be discussed more openly and more seriously. What began as an ‘annoying individual’ is now a genuine threat to one’s mental health. But sadly, with the general anonymity of the internet (and the rise of VPN’s) there’s not a lot that can be done, aside from ignoring it and educating people on it. So whenever you next see a malicious troll, try to keep the emotions at bay – if you don’t succumb, you don’t give it any power, and personally, I see that as a power move in and of itself.

BIOWARE ENTERTAINMENT

CRUNCH

AND THE COST OF SUCCESS IN VIDEOGAMES Jack Richardson

Developers go through hell to bring us the games we hold so dear. Jack takes a look at the horrific conditions of the infamous ‘crunch’ period, and what we, as consumers, do to further perpetuate the problem. The term ‘Stress Casualty’ usually describes members of the armed forces ‘overwhelmed’ by ‘threats to their life’. It is not a term one associates with video game developers. Yet BioWare (developer of the Dragon Age and Mass Effect series) uses it to describe employees ordered to take weeks or even months of stress leave by their doctors. The cause? Their 2019 release, Anthem, in development for 6 years, only came out of pre-production in 2017, with the majority of development taking place in a final 16-month crunch. It got so bad staff reported locking themselves in rooms so they could cry.

“It got so bad, staff reported locking themselves in rooms so they could cry” Crunch is a constant issue in the gaming industry; despite former International Game Developers Association chair Kate Edwards declaring it “A form of failure,” it’s become a AAA development staple. BioWare crunched its last two games before Anthem (Mass Effect Andromeda and Dragon Age Inquisition) and became complacent, believing their ‘BioWare magic’, meant they could save any game, no matter how mishandled, in the final few months of crunch. This comes after Rockstar revealed a senior team worked ‘100-hour weeks’ on Red Dead Redemption 2. There are 168 hours in a week, total. And despite multiple Rockstar employees insisting the quote is exaggerated and overtime is a personal choice, the fact this behaviour is seen as positive borders on self-harm. Elsewhere, Smash Bros Ultimate boss Sakurai joked “I just get an IV drip and go

to work like normal,” after experiencing symptoms like food poisoning, because he was so ‘passionate’ about his work. That’s a recurring theme in ‘cult like’ game studios; ‘passion’. If you don’t have it, you’re not worthy of working in this elite world, and as the number of programming contractors increases, (working limited periods without benefits, insurance, or holidays) workers become more replaceable. The demand for developers to prove their ‘passion’ through workaholism makes them easier to exploit; Homefront’s developers worked 7-day weeks; Team Bondi, developers of LA Noire, were strung along with lies about their game being nearly finished when it wasn’t so they’d work overtime without pay. And we consumers aren’t helping, as numerous social media developers are expected to not only do unpaid PR work for their games, but to put on a happy face and put up with a frequently abusive community. Circling back to BioWare, a former employee had to endure a harassment campaign in response to Mass Effect Andromeda’s poor facial animations. Crunch won’t go away any time soon: Mark Darrah, overseer of Dragon Age Inquisition’s crunch, got top billing in Anthem’s credits for doing the same to that game, despite only overseeing its 6-year development after late 2017. Crunch was essential to Anthem. Many BioWare employees would rather Inquisition had failed. It set the precedent for ‘BioWare Magic’, and that philosophy made Andromeda and Anthem crash and burn. Game developers deserve unions. They deserve to be treated like human beings by their employers and their fans. So next time you play a game, just think. Was it worth it?

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Literature, Wellbeing and Empowerment Sophie Hunt An interview with Dr Kevin Harvey: Associate Professor in Sociolinguistics at the University’s School of English

After being inspired by The Reader Organisation, a social enterprise started in Liverpool which aims to connect different groups of people through reading, Dr Kevin Harvey started a Dementia Reading Group based in Nottingham. Impact had the pleasure of sitting down with Kevin to find out more. Kevin stated that his reading group has been running for several years. “I first got interested in literature, reading, and dementia in about 2010. Prior to that I had an interest in reading and wellbeing more widely.” Dementia is a syndrome that leads to the ongoing decline of brain functioning, its symptoms include memory loss, problems with language, and difficulties in completing everyday tasks. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, there are currently around 850,000 people in the UK with dementia. Following on from this, Kevin explained more about The Reader Organisation, which he has been a big follower of. “Since about 2001 they have set up reading groups in and around the Liverpool area and now all throughout the UK. Their premise is that introducing people to really good literature can enhance wellbeing, and in numerous cases it has actually saved people’s lives. There have been very moving testimonies of people who have been in the throes of emotional turmoil and have been to these reading groups. It has had a wonderful effect on them.” Reading groups can assist a wide range of people with both physical and mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. In an online poll, 94% of students agreed that they

believe literature has the ability to improve mental wellbeing. “Reading texts, hearing them read aloud and discussing them has focused the minds of participants and taken the pain away. They are able to focus on something else and be involved in the process of literature. Medication doesn’t necessarily have the same effect and after a while it can lose its potency, but there’s something about reading that is so special.”

“There have been very moving testimonies of people who have been in the throes of emotional turmoil and have been to these reading groups. It has had a wonderful effect on them.” Kevin pointed out that this positive impact can be seen from a wide range of literary genres, including short stories, novels, poetry, or even extracts from a play. Participants are able to “read about other people’s lives. Often literature can dramatise and bring to the fore circumstances, situations, and characters which they can recognise themselves in and act as a voice. It’s very difficult to talk about pain, both mental and physical pain. So, these literary texts enable them to communicate something that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to communicate. It acts as a living vocabulary for them. This shows the power of using literature in these settings.”

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The Reader Organisation has reading groups in many different settings, including care homes, prisons, and schools. Kevin was interested in replicating their work in care homes in Nottingham. After some initial difficulties in finding a suitable home for the Dementia Reading Group to take place, Kevin managed to find care homes that “were a lot more supportive. It seemed to work really well, I was astonished by how poetry, in particular, can really bring people back to themselves.”

“In an online poll, 94% of students agreed that they believe literature has the ability to improve mental wellbeing.” “There are some cases where dementia patients have quite profound cognitive decline, yet by hearing a poem that they have learnt by heart a long time ago, they can go back to the time that they knew it. All their emotion and soul come back and they’re able to recite the poem. It’s amazing to see how poetry can cut through and reach the deeper being of people.” After this success, Kevin began expanding the reading group; they now circulate in five care homes. The programme relies upon student volunteers from the School of English, who visit the care homes, as well as Queen’s Medical Centre, once a week to read the poems aloud to the patients. “They have a great impact on people’s lives. It’s also two-way because there is a wonderful intergenerational connection. I think we live in an ageist society where older communities tend to be marginalised and pushed to the side. It’s wonderful to see younger people going in and meeting older people and vice versa. Not only is it about the actual poems and literature, it’s also about the meaningful human contact in an institutional space.”

“One chap who had a stroke and said very little, yet after spending some time with our students the staff were amazed at how verbal he was and how much he was contributing and socialising.” When explaining the effect the programme has had on patients, Kevin described that “there have been some amazing stories from members of staff. There was one chap who had a stroke and said very little, yet after spending some time with our students the staff were amazed at how verbal he was and how much he was contributing and socialising as they had never seen him do that before.” However, Kevin pointed out that the reading needs to be a regular occurrence, requiring time, patience, and dedication from volunteers.

“There is an argument now that the way to connect with peo ple with advanced dementia is not through conventional, pharmaceutical methods, because there aren’t any effective treatments for dementia. There is no cure in sight and the drugs that are involved will only, at best, have a small impact on people with mild to moderate dementia. But with arts therapies and creative approaches to dementia, like singing, music, dance, art, poetry, people with dementia can still meaningfully connect with these activities. It can give them a new lease of life and demonstrate that these people are still people.” Kevin elaborated upon the stigmatisation that dementia patients often face. “The idea often perpetuated by society is that once you have dementia it is a death sentence. But that is not the case. There is something about the arts that can have a really positive effect.” When asked whether Kevin has any plans to expand the Dementia Reading Group in the future, he stated that he would like to. “There is a lot more work that can be done. It takes a lot of coordination to find an appropriate venue and to find management staff at the care home that are willing to provide the support necessary. Ideally, I would like to see lots of homes in the area involved. There are lots of students across the university who have expressed an interest, so I think it could be opened up a lot more.”

“Books can change and save people. Literature allows us to see things through new eyes and make us think profoundly and deeply.” Finally, I was interested to know what effect reading and literature has had on Kevin’s own personal life as an academic. “Reading has changed my life. Rewinding back over the decades, I left school at 16 and I didn’t engage with English. I wasn’t particularly hard working and I got a poor selection of GCSEs. I had a series of menial jobs and then, after a while I got interested in books and reading. I went back to college and got my A-Levels. Reading had given me a world view and a way of critiquing it, which was really empowering. I went to university as a mature student and loved it, I haven’t really looked back since.” “Books can change and save people. Literature allows us to see things through new eyes and make us think profoundly and deeply. Without reading, I don’t know where I would be. I owe my life to books.”

n d o n i a t iF c female

IMPACT

empowerment

Activism or Submissive Presentation? Lauren Winson

Lauren discusses the emergence of the ‘strong female protagonist’ trope in literature and how accurately these representations reflect the trials and victories of women. As the success of Feminist Book Fortnight suggests, people are interested in reading and discussing literature which represents and addresses feminist issues. The celebration was first established in 2018 by Nottingham’s own Five Leaves Bookshop. During the fortnight independent bookshops celebrate the plethora of feminist writing and facilitate discussions of feminist issues between writers and the reading public. Now in its second year, with an even wider array of events and participating bookshops, the programme shows that feminist literature is as vital now as one hundred years ago when suffrage was given to women in England. Although we now see women in positions of power, issues of discrimination, the glass ceiling and gender pay gaps remain. As does the question of how might the representation of female characters in popular fiction reflect the successes and trials of women?

“Although we now see women in positions of power, issues of discrimination, the glass ceiling and gender pay gaps remain.” In Young Adult fiction, ‘strong female characters’ has become something of a buzzword after the success of several female protagonist-led dystopias, from The Hunger Games to Divergent. As wonderful as it is to encounter young women proactively challenging unjust societies, the fantastical element of dystopian fiction may make such action appear unachievable in our relatively ordinary lives. I remember being disappointed by the ending to The Hunger Games, as although the children symbolise a fresh future, Katniss ends the series in the position of caregiver, previously the forefront of rebellion. On the one hand, Katniss appears to fall back into traditional gender roles, or perhaps Suzanne Collins is suggesting, that a woman can be both rebel leader and caregiver? This highlights

the problematic aspect of the term ‘strong female character’ as this seems to imply that ordinary female characters are not strong, whilst the word strong itself retains some gendered connotations of masculinity.

“The word strong itself retains some gendered connotations of masculinity.“ A paradoxical example of an empowering female character is Offred, the narrative voice of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. In the novel, Offred reflects that she didn’t do enough as a civilian to prevent the Gilead regime from occurring, and she is far from the most rebellious character in the novel. Yet over the last couple of years, the red handmaiden outfit has become a striking symbol of feminist activism, particularly in America. Or the anti-role model Villanelle in Luke Jennings’ Code Villanelle novellas, which were recently adapted into the TV show Killing Eve. Whilst Villanelle is hardly inspiring, being a psychopathic assassin, her independent and assertive behaviour provide a thrilling glimpse at a woman seemingly untethered by male control. But perhaps the more inspiring or empowering women in literature are young girls in children’s fiction, inspiring the next generation of young women. From my own childhood I distinctly remember being awe-inspiring by Roald Dahl’s Matilda and Lemony Snicket’s Violet Baudelaire in A Series of Unfortunate Events. Both authors portray adults as inept, but who assert their authority over children. Both girls manage to save themselves and their peers from tyrannous Ms Trunchbull or Count Olaf through ingenuity and bravery. Although they possess extraordinary talents of invention, their refusal to submit to ageist and patriarchal structures suggest the potential young girls hold and the possibility to achieve anything if they put their minds to it.

Zines and Self-Publishing: ENTERTAINMENT

Bringing Back Creative Power to Artists Hannah Pickard The fiercely independent, self-published format has experienced a rejuvenation in recent years. Hannah Pickard explains why this could be good news for the creative community. Originating as a way for science-fiction enthusiasts to ‘fangirl’ about their idols in the late 1920s, zines are a DIY publication created to share art, ideas, and “hidden tales”. This creative, self-publishing format has made a re-emergence in recent years, with 3,500 zines listed for sale on Etsy in 2017, and hundreds of zine festivals held worldwide every year.

“Artists now have the creative freedom to share ideas without the restriction and control of publishing houses”

Many creatives are turning away from traditional publishing routes, mainly due to the independence gained from self-publishing. Artists now have the creative freedom to share ideas without the restriction and control of publishing houses. Furthermore, creatives are financially independent: self-publishers keep all profits from their artwork in most instances, cutting out the agent middle-man. In relation to independence and time, artists have control over when to publish, meaning there are no burdening deadlines.

However, self-publishing has several pitfalls. Zines and self-published books are rarely sold in bookshops due to the unsolicited nature of the material. Unlike published works, zines have only been “verified” as artistically salient by the creator themselves. Additionally, in most cases zines and self-published materials are not marketed as well as published books, mainly due to lack of expertise and funds (something which mainstream publishing houses have plenty of). In addition, self-published works fail to gain as much profit as published works, mainly due to the lack of marketing. Will artists need publishing houses in a few year’s time? It’s incredibly easy to design and print a book nowadays that the possibility seems viable. Bookshops often disregard self-published works, but online sites such as Etsy and Wattpad open up the freedom to share art indiscriminately. Does this mean there will be an influx of bad art if anyone can share and sell it? Perhaps, but let’s keep in mind that many questionable books have been published and sold for decades.

“The art and the ideas are always paramount; the profit is an added bonus”

I believe it’s also important to ask: what is the purpose of art and the artist? Do artists create their work for themselves, as a form of catharsis to realise the ideals of their imaginations? Or is art created for other people, for individuals to share ideas and indulge in unreality? Does the ideal artist create with both sentiments in mind? From my perspective, the model artist should want to create for both themselves and for others. But why does this matter? Publishing houses are wonderful things, but there is often an imbalance regarding this dichotomy. The main goal for publishing houses is to make profit for themselves. I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing; but when this goal becomes all-encompassing for a creative business, great art is often put aside for popular art. That’s why I think zines and self-publishing is so important. There is a balance between the artist creating for themselves and for others. Indeed, the art and the ideas are always paramount; the profit is an added bonus. Not vice versa. In this way, zines empower artists through unlimited creative freedom.

Image courtesy of Libreshot via Google Images

IMPACT

The History Behind BUCSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Success Tristan Simpson Tristan Simpson takes a look back at how far university sport has come over the past 100 years. The History Behind the Success The University of Nottingham has experienced a highly successful season in the centenary year of the university sport leagues. Having struggled to move from a fourth place finish in BUCS in the past few years, the University finished second overall in the standings in the 2018/2019 season, only being beaten by Loughborough University. Additionally, Nottingham were not far off the top position, with only 75 points splitting the top two sides, while the side in third position, Durham, were 851.5 points off of the green and golds. This shows the remarkable and ever-advancing sport programme that currently runs at the University. As the centenary year comes to a close, Impact takes a look at the history of BUCS and how it has helped so many of our athletes progress to the top level.

Images courtesy of Google Images

SPORT

History of BUCS It all started back in 1919, a hundred years ago of course. The Presidents of the University Unions conference in Manchester decided to form an association to develop sport at university. On the 14th of March 1919, the Inter-Varsity Athletics Board of England and Wales created the first ever athletics meeting which involved 10 universities, including Nottingham. The founding 10 universities were, Aberystwyth, Bangor, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, Nottingham, Manchester and Sheffield. The first athletics competition started on the 28th of May in the same year and kick started university sport competitions for the next hundred years. In 1922, Football, Hockey, Rugby Union, and Swimming were also added to the events programme. From the first athletics meeting, university sport has grown dramatically over the past century, from just 10 universities competing in one event, to over 170 Universities competing in over 50 sports in the 2018/2019 BUCS leagues. In November 1923, a separate organisation to the men’s competition, the Women’s Inter-Varsity Board (WIVAB), was created for female students. It wasn’t until 1979 that both men’s and women’s sport in England and Wales were placed in the same organisation, in the Universities Athletic Union (UAU). This demonstrates the considerable journey that women’s sport has gone through to be represented in an equal light and to gain the recognition that it deserves. Throughout the 1940s it was compulsory in the first year of University to complete a course in Physical Recreation. Nowadays, many university students often take a trip to the gym or play for a local or university team, yet this was not a choice back then. A healthy lifestyle was mandatory rather than having the casual option to enjoy exercise in whichever way you pleased. In 1952, the first step in pushing university athletes to an international level was introduced. The British Universities Sports Board (BUSB) was formed to manage Britain’s student representation at international level. Many subsequent athletes from the University of Nottingham have benefitted from this programme, representing Great Britain at National and International level, and they continue to do so. After many name changes throughout the years, British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) was finally formed in 2008 after Andy Burnham MP and David Lammy MP hosted the official launch on the 31st of October in the Houses of Parliament. History at University of Nottingham Sport Nottingham has a rich alumni of Olympic athletes who have developed through intense competition in the university sport leagues. Campbell Walsh, who won silver at the Athens Olympics in 2004, came to the University of Nottingham due to its location near the National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrepont. He featured in a variety of BUCS competitions, notably winning gold in the 2005 K1 Canoe Slalom Championships. Campbell represented Great Britain at both the Athens and Beijing Olympic games, and was World Cup Champion in 2004 and European Champion in 2008. Tim Baillie and Etienne Stott, who won the first ever gold in the canoe slalom at the London 2012 games, are two more examples of athletes who regularly utilised the National Watersports Centre and carried on the tradition at the University of Nottingham having exceptional water sport teams. They attended the University of Nottingham in 1997 and studied Mechanical Engineering. Dr Deng Yaping, 4 time gold Olympic table tennis singles winner, is widely regarded as the best female table tennis player of all time. She was the top ranked player for 8 years in a row, and received the Chinese Sports Personality of the Century. As part of her legacy she created the Deng Yaping scholarship programme at the University of Nottingham, helping young and talented table tennis players from China advance in the sport, including current Great Britain player Tin-Tin Ho. These are just a few of the many Olympians and International athletes the University has helped improve over the years. Being immersed in a high intensity level of competition in the university sport leagues has allowed players past and present to adapt under pressure. The legacies the alumni have left have further provided inspiration for the current University sports stars striving for similar international success. As the years keep on rolling, and the University of Nottingham Sport programme keeps advancing, there are sure to be many more athletes heading down the hall of fame. BUCS has had a long history stretching back to post-World War 1, and from just 10 universities now caters for over 170. Many of the country’s top up and coming athletes are spread across these universities, and as the competition gets harder, the quality will inevitably get stronger.

Exercise: IMPACT

Zoe Burgess Mental health is just as important as physical, yet the two have often been posed as distinct and separate aspects of one’s well-being. However, we all have one body and one mind, so why should the two be seen as separate entities? Research into the effects of exercise on mental health has been undertaken since the turn of the 20th Century and yet it only seems to have become part of popular discourse in the last few years. Even now, whilst most people are aware that exercise is probably beneficial for one’s mental health, the two topics are still discussed in entirely different spheres and the link between them seems to be downplayed. More and more research is being undertaken in this field, the results of which may turn out to be incredible for society. In the UK, 1 in 4 people experience a mental health problem each year and medication is the most common treatment. If empirical findings definitively proved the link between exercise and improved mental health, exercise could be prescribed by your GP. Obviously, it is not a one size fits all solution and by no means would replace medication, but if it could lower the amount of medication prescribed even slightly, it could help the NHS in a big way. Whilst we are not at the stage to prescribe exercise just yet (although many doctors do recommend it), there is research supporting the positive effects of exercise on mental health. Numerous studies have demonstrated that different exercise regimes provide a substantial

we all learned about the release of endorphins at school, the empirical proof of their effect is endless and really makes their contribution to better mental health hit home. It is also cross-cultural, with many reports showing exercise is associated with enhanced cognition throughout different populations. This is a fascinating prospect as the protective effects of exercise on the brain and mind seem to be universal. It is not just about the release of endorphins during and immediately after you exercise. Research also suggests the benefits may be long lasting, with one study finding adults who took part in a fitness program displaying significantly greater improvements in depression, anxiety, and self-concept than those in a control group after 12 weeks. Furthermore, the exercise participants maintained many of these gains throughout the 12 month follow-up period. Those research findings are all well and good, but does this really affect you? Impact surveyed university students regarding their perceptions of the effect of sport and exercise on mental health. Of those surveyed, 95% said they believed sport and exercise benefited mental health. The main reasons given were that exercise helps to clear your mind and de-stress and it can be a really useful to get away from your desk, outside into the fresh air and focus on something other than work. People also talked about the health benefits of exercise and said it encourages you to eat well, further improving your physical and mental health. The opportunity to set personal goals and feel a sense of achievement were also included in the responses.

improvement in various brain functions. Evidence is also emerging of exercise protecting against the development of depression and that physical inactivity might be a risk factor for depression. There are also findings of improved self-esteem, vitality, general well-being and satisfaction with appearance. Whilst

Students were then asked if they prefer team sports or individual, and whether they thought one was better than another. We received mixed responses, with 45% of people expressing a preference (26% individual, 18% team sport), but 75% of people

“1 in 4 people in the UK experience a mental health problem each year”

The Key to Better Mental Health SPORT

“University can be stressful for a whole host of reasons and setting aside some time every week for exercise can really help relieve some of the pressures”

acknowledged that both have their pros. The main argument against team sport was that some people thought they can be pressured due to their competitiveness, whereas individual exercise is a personal experience and you can set your own goals. Equally, many discussed the social benefits of being involved in a team sport and that the friendships formed can be even more beneficial to one’s mental health. People said they get different advantages from team and individual sports, the main ones being team sports build a sense of camaraderie and communication skills, and individual exercise allows you to focus on yourself and can distract from other pressures. All of these survey responses celebrated the benefits of exercise on mental health and some said it was a key aspect of their maintenance of good mental health. University can be stressful for a whole host of reasons and setting aside some time every week for exercise can really help relieve some of the pressures we all feel trying to get the grade we want, have a great social life and get some work experience too. The University has also recognised the benefits of exercise on mental health. In March 2019, the ‘Men’s Health Active’ campaign was launched, which seeks to encourage male students to take steps to improve their mental wellbeing through physical activity. Ed Tarlton, one of the speakers at the launch event, talked of his time here at the University of Nottingham and how exercise helped him through battles with depression: ‘with exercise, I was able to take back some

of the power I’d relinquished, by choosing to do something, rather than nothing. Going to the gym, going for a run – even heading out for a walk, all allowed me to escape the cycle of harm that my mental state had inflicted upon my depleted psyche’. The fact that the University is recognising the beneficial links between exercise and mental health all the more strengthens the reasons to go out and get involved. The best part of all this? You can exercise for free! You don’t need to fork out on a gym or society membership if you can’t afford one. Whilst the benefits of team sports have been mentioned, you can still exercise with others without it being organised. Just taking 20 minutes to go outside and go for a walk can make the world of difference.

“Research It’s time the conversation also suggests about physical and mental health became the benefits taken seriously may be long and received the lasting” same amount of attention. Bad mental health can be just as detrimental as bad physical health, but both go hand in hand to supporting the other. The NHS recommends 150 minutes of exercise a week, which breaks down into 30 minutes on five days. If you’re not ready to join the uni 1sts just yet, even 30 minutes of walking on those five days can make a positive difference. Exercise isn’t only intense workouts or a football match and there are so many ways to participate that it can suit everyone’s needs. Images via Google Images

IMPACT

IMS

How it can empower you and enhance your student experience Zoe Burgess

Sport at uni is all about performance sport, right? Wrong. Yes, we have been voted The Times’ ‘Sports University of the Year’, and yes, we have amazing sports scholars who compete internationally at the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics. But is that the reason we received the accolade? It probably pushed the vote a little more in our favour, but The Times also cited Varsity, Intramural Sport and the Tri-Campus Games as “Whilst it is still a competitive league, exceptional parts of our program.

people take part to have fun and forget about the stresses of university”

We have the largest IMS league in the UK with over 3,000 students involved and we offer more sports clubs than any other UK university. So, it’s not just about performance sport. IMS is a great way to keep active, build bonds and maybe get a trip to Asia! There is an annual IMS Varsity which takes place against teams from Loughborough’s IMS leagues and this year the University of Nottingham retained the bragging rights. Several IMS winners also get the opportunity to compete in the annual Tri-Campus Games, which is hosted by one of the University of Nottingham’s three international campuses. This year it will take place at the Malaysia campus. IMS teams can be made up of any group of students; halls, societies, courses or just groups of friends. It’s a way of playing sport with your friends as well as playing in a competitive environment: the mixing of these two elements is what makes it really enjoyable. It’s friendly but people do still want to win, and with the chance of a trip to Asia, who could blame them? There are 13 sports to choose from and you can sign up to more than one league or competition, meaning you don’t have to stick to one discipline. There are leagues for team sports and individual leagues and one day competitions are also run. Anyone can enter these, even if they haven’t played in IMS before. Most people dismiss IMS or are even unaware of it. The programme is a way of playing the sport you love without feeling daunted by the pressures and abilities of others who play for the main University teams. Whilst it is still a competitive “It’s a way of playing sport with your league, people take part to have fun and forget about friends as well as playing in a competitive the stresses of university for a few hours every week.

environment”

Being part of an IMS team is a great way to enhance your experience at university. You’re keeping fit, meeting new people, (hopefully) winning games and striving to improve in aspects of your life other than academia. It helps create a real sense of community and gives you the benefits of being part of a team without the pressure of performance sport. If you have a sport you love or used to play and want to get into it, there is loads of information on the UoN Sport website. Our Intramural Sport programme is unrivalled and you can be a part of this award winning league.

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Sophie Hunt Ben Henaghan Editor-in-Chief Connor Higgs Jennifer Peck Print EditorFrancesca Hadland Ben Baruch

Editor NicolasOnline Caballero

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design + images design + images Artistic Director Poppy Anne Malby Assistant Rhys ThomasDesigner Head of Images Denise Odong Illustrator Poppy Anne Malby

Artistic Director Assistant Designer Head of Images Head of Images Illustrator Head of Illustration

Web Developer Lawrie Cate Marvel Kalu Deputy Online Editors Amy Wilcockson Natasha Fernandes Emily Harbottle Shanai Momi

online

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Head of Reviews Head of Sport Sports Editor

Management

nager naging Assistant ager

Poppy Anne Malby

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Head of News Head of Features Features Editor Head of Comment Head of Lifestyle Food Editor Science Editor Style Editor Editor Sarah Lindga Sarah News Lindgarde Travel Editor Head Peck of Features Head of EntertainmentJennifer P Jennifer Arts Editor Jack Ta Features Editor Jack Taylor Film and TV Editor Head of Lifestyle Elle M Elle Magill Music Editor Lifestyle Editor Rhys Thom Rhys Thomas Head of Reviews Science Correspondent Reviews Editor Ben E Ben Edge Head of Entertainment Head of SportIsobel She Isobel Sheene Sport Editor Entertainment Editor Matthew John Matthew Johnson

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of Reviews EmmaHead Heasman Head of Sport Tom Monks Sports Editor Jimmy Moorhouse

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External Manager Internal Manager Publicity Assistant

External Manager Ruby Tyler Managing Assistant Mollie External Lewington Internal Manager Shannon Macleod

Ella Taylor Georgina Lay Poppy Anne Ma Tahira Rowe Ella RobinsonRhys Thom Philippa Stazicker Denise Od MollyPoppy Evans Anne Ma Sophie Gordon

Lawrie Cate Amy Wilcockson Emily Harbottle

Faye Price Charlotte Hegley Rosa Morgan Inga Becker Hansen Esme Johnson News Editor Amy Wilcockson HeadButcher of Features Georgia Esther Kearney Features Editor Nicolas Caballero Head of Lifestyle Hannah Pickard Lifestyle Katie MoncurEditor Science Correspondent James Hurman Zoe Burgess Head of Entertainment Tristan Simpson Entertainment Editor

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Emma Heasman Eleanor Gray

Online Editor Web Developer Deputy Online Editors

Connor Higgs Ben Baruch Nicolas Caballero

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per e Editors

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Emma Heasm Tom Mo Jimmy Moorho

Sian Baldwin Alana McKenna Megan Gallagher

Ruby Tyler Mollie Lewington Shannon Macleod

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Disclaimer:are The views opinions expressed throughout are those of the writers views and opinions expressed throughout those ofand the writers or interviewees, not Impact as a whole. not Impact as a whole. Cover Design by Ella Taylor Poster inside: Photoshop Brushes courtesy of Brusheezy Watercolour 5 Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed throughout are those of the writers and interviewees, not Impact as a whole. WHOLE 248.indd 59

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