Palatinate Officially the UK’s Best Student Publication, 2018
Thursday 31st October 2019 | No. 821
Interview talks to Alistair Petrie and Mark Gatiss
Durham employs half as many BAME staff as Russell Group average Tom Mitchell & Tom Saunders News Team Data seen by Palatinate reveals that Durham University employs fewer BAME (Black and Minority Ethnic) staff than other top UK universities. For the 2017/18 academic year, whilst 14% of academics were BAME, 2.1% below the Russel Group average, this number fell to 7% when accounting for all staff, compared to an average of 13.7% across other elite universities. This is despite the fact that 23% of all applications to jobs at Durham came from BAME candidates in the third quarter of 2018, rising to 26.6%in the previous quarter of this year. Palatinate spoke to Dr Winston Morgan, reader in Toxicology and Clinical Biochemistry at the University of East London, and author of “Why is my professor still not black?” Dr Morgan raised concerns that a lack of BAME staff could dissuade prospective BAME undergraduates from applying to the University: “If BAME students go on an open day and see BAME staff, they’re more likely to want to go”. But he added: “It’s even more important for white students. If you’re training world leaders, then you need to get used to seeing BAME staff in positions of authority”. “Even though [the University] are embarrassed by it, they don’t know why they’re embarrassed. There’s a whole different issue they don’t even realise.” Nailah Haque, President of Durham People of Colour Association (DPoCA), also expressed concern: “There isn’t a large BAME community here , which... Continued on page 6
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Comment covers Durham expansion, XR and catcalling
Matthew Hedges: “Nothing has changed, things have probably gotten worse” Anna Marshall Deputy News Editor Almost a year since he was pardoned by UAE authorities after being sentenced to life imprisonment, Matthew Hedges has called for universities to ensure better provisions are in place for travelling academics.
After embarking on a two-week research trip to the UAE last year as a Hatfield College PhD candidate, Hedges spent almost seven months in solitary confinement after being accused of spying on behalf of the British government. “I’m trying to get myself back to a better place,” Hedges told Palatinate, “and that is obviously quite difficult. It has its
ups and downs. I am teaching in Durham every Monday, which I like getting involved in. I’ve finished my research. I’m on my last draft - I’m giving that in soon, so I should be finishing in January.” Further opening up about the difficulties he has faced following release, Hedges states: “It’s quite difficult to make people understand. Because it’s so unrelat-
able, it’s so difficult. How are you supposed to be able to understand that? It is quite difficult. People try and support you, in those different ways, but it’s not always successful. “It’s been a year since I got back, but I haven’t started [mental health] treatment yet. The NHS is quite... Continued on page 5
In their words: Students on taking study drugs Naomi Clarke, Oscar Elmon & Jack Taylor News Editor & Editors-in-Chief
▲ Hatfield’s new lioness sculpture. (Naomi Clarke)
Many students are seeking alternative boosts to deal with academic pressure, lack of concentration and tiredness. Be that a coffee, the infamous 20-minute power nap or the rarely discussed ‘study drugs’. ‘Study drugs’ are those substances taken by people in hope of increasing concentration and alertness. The Durham University students that spoke with Palatinate have taken Modafinil, Adderall and Ritalin. The most used ‘study drug’ amongst students Palatinate spoke with was Modafinil, usually prescribed to treat narcolepsy or sleep apnoea. A current Durham 3rd year told Palatinate: “We are all trying to reach the best of our potential, and as adults we are entitled to do that in the way that we see as most beneficial - for some people it might be a triple shot latte on the way to the library, for others it’s taking a Modafinil when they feel their focus slipping. “University is a lot of pressure a lot of the time, and especially when you take part
in extra-curricular activities on top of your degree, the need to utilise your time effectively is very real. I wouldn’t have got a first without the all-nighters I pulled throughout the year, and I wouldn’t have been able to do them without Modafinil.” Some students admitted to buying ‘study drugs’ from other people, whilst others actually had a prescription. A philosophy postgraduate told Palatinate: “I first tried Modafinil during exam season in first year. I later also tried Armodafinil, Ritalin and Dextroamphetamine. “I’ve only used Ritalin once, as it is rather hard to get by, but definitely the best one. I would do Modafinil or Armodafinil more frequently, but mainly when it came to pulling an allnighter or during exam period. Most students affirmed that pressure came mainly from themselves, but that academic deadlines and stress added to their situation. A Classics graduate of 2019 spoke of the pressure: “I think it came from myself mainly but that was in response to the University and the department- some deadlines were so close together.” Sam Johnson-Audini, The Students’ Union... Continued on page 3