The Beaver - #939 (29 January 2025)

Interview with Sam McAlister

Insight into the mind behind the 2019 Prince Andrew interview on BBC Newsnight and her appointment as a Visiting Senior Fellow at LSE in 2024. Read on page 6

By Melissa Limani, News Editor

Meet the Team

Executive Editor

Janset An executive.beaver@lsesu.org

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Emma Do editor. ipside@lsesu.org

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Melissa Limani

Saira Afzal

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Liza Chernobay

Mahliqa Ali

Opinion Editors

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Aaina Saini

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Jessica-May Cox

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Emma Do Flipside Editor

Happy new year! Whether you’ve had your new year resolutions sorted out or are still beating yourself up over a bumpy start in January, I hope you know that you’ve done well in 2024, so take your time and breathe. Follow my rhythm.

First breath. ink about what broke your heart in 2024. People, relationship, new chapters, old restaurants, the way home you no longer walk, not getting a rst (because academic validation is my Roman Empire), no cheeky co ee break in between lectures, trying to fall asleep, trying to get up, nding a good spot at the library just to get stuck over your assignment for

the whole day.

Second breath. ink about days. Days when your heart felt heavy. Days when grief took up space in the room and when the world felt like it was knocked out of balance. Days when life itself was tired of how time moves, as if oxygen was drained out of every step you took and every blinding red light you stopped to wait at even when the road was empty.

ird breath. ink about sadness. How you turned sadder somehow, but we’ve always been sad, or sadder. No one is ever truly just happy, because happiness only makes sense when it’s born out of sadness, which makes it the

most bittersweet feeling of all.

Fourth breath. ink about how, when you took sadness by the hand, you realised how gentle you can be. How you forgave yourself over and over again, for all the versions you didn’t become, all the tables you never sat at, all the parties you le too soon.

Fi h breath. ink about how many things broke you in 2024, but didn’t kill you. You also healed from many things, and while you may have done it silently or by yourself, you were never alone.

You healed by the conversations you have with friends on days you couldn’t

look at yourself in the mirror. You healed by the nights in Tuns when you got tipsy and laughed a little too loud. You are healed by the meals with those who make life easy again, like your emotions don’t deserve to be small. You healed because there are people in your life who can take your vomit, literal substances, and the things you le unsaid. You healed because there are people who can tell which is blood and which is paint on your heart.

And for the thousands of breaths that you’ll be taking in 2025, this is going to be worth it. You’re not at someone else’s party anymore. is year, this is your space, and your people.

Exciting SPA Journalism Win!

e Beaver won Best Design (Print)! ough we were not able to attend the ceremony in person, we are more than delighted and grateful to have been recognised for our hard work. We’re super proud of our layouts and will keep up with this quality (while aiming for a national award!)

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MP Urges LSE to Review Investments and ‘Procedural Failures’

Saira Afzal News Editor

Zarah Sultana MP has publicly written to LSE’s President and Vice Chancellor Larry Kramer, calling for a review of LSE’s investment policies and a commitment to protecting freedom of expression. In December 2024, the Coventry South MP shared a two-page letter on her Instagram, which was also sent to Professor Kramer via email.

In the letter, titled ‘Suppression of Student Protest and pro-Palestine Voices at the LSE’, Sultana MP praised the decision to end disciplinary action against the LSE 7, a group of seven students who had been suspended in relation to pro-Palestine campus demonstrations last July. She alleged there are “signi cant concerns” about freedom of speech and the right to protest on LSE’s campus.

Sultana MP said students’ protests were grounded in numerous recent ndings by international bodies. is includes the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and the

International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) declaration of Israeli policies as apartheid.

At the end of 2023, South Africa brought a case to the ICJ accusing Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. In addition, Amnesty International characterised Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide in their report published on 5 December 2024.

Further, Sultana MP criticised LSE for a “reported comparison of the student protest to the 7/7 London terrorist bombings” and “allegations of ‘military-style’ attire”. She argued this promoted harmful Islamophobic stereotypes and undermined both the legitimacy of students’ concerns and trust in LSE’s procedural mechanisms.

Sultana MP called on LSE to protect students’ right to protest and freedom of speech, and to tackle “Islamophobic rhetoric and procedural failures that have exacerbated this situation”. She also called on LSE to start a review of LSE’s investment policies “to ensure alignment with international human rights standards”.

LSESU Events Roundup

As the LSESU defrosts in time for Winter Term (WT), student societies are announcing a range

of exciting activities to get involved in. e LSESU Drama Society has two productions planned for WT: ‘Brief Encounter’ and ‘Into e Woods’. ‘Brief Encounter’ is a 1945 romance lm written by Noël Coward. ‘Into e Woods’ is a musical by Stephen Sond-

She concluded her letter by naming LSE as a “hub for progressive thought, social justice and academic freedom”, and said maintaining this reputation required a commitment to ethical responsibility and transparency.

An LSE spokesperson said:

“Freedom of speech and the right to protest are of the utmost importance to LSE. Our free speech policy is designed to protect and promote peaceful freedom of expression on campus. ere have been many instances of peaceful protest about the School’s investments and other issues over the past year that have proceeded without intervention from LSE.”

“We will take measures against protestors only if a protest crosses the line into illegality, is threatening or harassing to individuals, or signi cantly disrupts our community or important School business.”

“We opened an investigation a er the 7 July protest because the methods alleged to have been used by the protestors met these conditions. e protest signi cantly disrupted the Summer School registration

heim, inspired by numerous Brothers Grimm fairy tales.

e newly-formed LSESU Personal Finance Society is making its debut in WT, with a mission to “build nancial literacy from the ground up”. Open to everyone, from beginners to experts, this society o ers a welcoming community for students looking to take control of their nancial well-being.

LSESU Boxing x Athletics Union’s Fight Night will be held on Wednesday, March 5th, at York Hall, with 12 matches planned for the big night. Contestants will be training throughout WT in preparation for the event.

and resulted in complaints from multiple members of sta that they felt intimidated, harassed, and threatened.”

“Any mention of the 7/7 London bombings or comments about protestors’ clothing came from witness impact statements by individuals who were present, describing how they experienced the protest and how it a ected them personally. ese witness statements were part of the investigatory le, which we shared with the students under investigation. LSE did not share the statements or anything about their content more widely.”

“LSE is committed to ensuring we have an inclusive culture of equality, diversity and respect that supports all students and sta and promotes an environment that is free from discrimination. is this is underpinned by the LSE Anti-Bullying and Anti-Harassment Policy.”

“Likewise, LSE is committed to strengthening our approach to responsible investment in line with our Environmental, Social and Governance Policy, Following recent discussions within the LSE community, a full review of the policy is currently being undertaken.”

LSESU is hosting a women’s-only gym hour in the 4th oor gym in the Saw Swee Hock building, every Wednesday from 2-3pm and every Friday from 5-6pm. e hours are not instructor-led but will o er access to all gym equipment in a supportive environment for women.

LSE will be hosting multiple workshops in relation to their ongoing ESG Policy review. ere will be a ‘Governance and Social Investment’ workshop and discussion on 25 February from 12.151.45pm. On 24 March from 12.15-1.45pm, there will be a ‘Net zero and LSE’s ESG Policy’ workshop and discussion. en, on 31 March from

12.15-1.45pm there will be a workshop on ‘Armaments and Investment’. Finally, there will be an ESG Policy roundtable titled ‘Why does LSE’s approach matter’, on 15 May from 12.15-1.45pm. All workshops are open to book for all LSE students and sta , via the LSE Training and Development System.

Meanwhile, the LSESU UN Society’s Model United Nations is going ahead on 7-9 February. e conference will have numerous crisis simulations, ranging from the English Civil War in 1642 to the US-China trade war. e LSESU UN Society has also planned two socials and a speaker panel event.

Saira Afzal News Editor

Photographed by Ryan Lee

LSE Student Criticises ‘Biased’ Handling of Hate Campaign

Melissa Limani News Editor

Satyam Surana, an Indian student who was pursuing his LLM at LSE at the time of the alleged incident, has criticised the institution’s handling of his complaints regarding alleged hate campaigns and smear tactics during LSESU elections held in March 2024. He described the investigation as biased and criticised LSE for favouring the accused while disregarding his evidence.

Surana alleges that during the elections he was subjected to targeted harassment, including derogatory slogans like, “We don’t want a Hindu nationalist or an Indian nationalist in the student union”. He considers this an attack on both his religious and national identity.

Despite presenting what he described as “irrefutable ev-

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idence,” including CCTV footage requests, screenshots of hate messages, and social media IDs of those involved, he says the university dismissed most of his claims. LSE deemed the evidence insucient and justi ed the remarks as being within the bounds of “freedom of expression”.

Surana claims the investigation, which began a er the elections in March 2024, dragged on for 10 months, culminating in a December 2024 decision that ignored most of his complaints. According to him, the delay was deliberate, allowing many of the accused students to graduate and evade accountability.

Surana noted the university addressed only one speci c allegation of vandalism involving his campaign posters but ultimately took no action, citing the lack of security footage and the accused student’s

graduation as reasons for dropping the matter.

Surana further argues this bias is part of a larger issue across global academic institutions, which he says are dominated by “pro-le ideologies”. He criticised these institutions for being intolerant towards individuals with a vocal Hindu or Indian identity. He also accused faculty members at some universities of harbouring anti-India sentiments, which he believes stem from broader anti-Hindu ideologies.

Additionally, Surana revealed he had faced warnings from LSE over his social media posts, in which he criticised how the pro-Palestine movement was being used to generate sympathy for radical Islamist organisations. He called out what he perceived as double standards in handling Hinduphobia compared to Islamophobia, questioning why “hate

speech” against one religion was allowed under the guise of free expression.

Surana’s allegations come a er his widely recognised act of retrieving the Indian ag during a 2023 attack on the Indian High Commission in London by Khalistani extremists. He believes this act further singled him out as a target for hate campaigns.

His claims have sparked discussions about the treatment of minority identities in academic spaces and the limits of free speech on campuses.

An LSE spokesperson said:

“We are con dent that all student complaints are pursued proportionately and appropriately investigated without bias, and following School procedure.”

“Freedom of speech is of the

utmost importance to LSE. We have clear policies in place to ensure the facilitation of debates and enable all members of our community to refute ideas lawfully, to protect individual’s rights to freedom of expression within the law. is includes the right to challenge political views and beliefs, which is particularly relevant during an election period.”

“Likewise, we take all reports of discrimination harassment extremely seriously, as outlined in our Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying Policy. Any religious discrimination or harassment have no place at LSE.”

“Any students who have experienced or witnessed this are strongly encouraged to get in touch, either anonymously or directly, via one of our many channels, such as Report and Support.”

John Phelan named Trump’s Navy Secretary

Joey Zhang Staff Writer

President-elect Donald

Trump has chosen John Phelan, a nancier with no military background, as the next US Navy Secretary.

If con rmed, Phelan would be the rst person in 15 years to lead the Navy without experience in any branch of the armed forces.

Notably, LSE’s Phelan US Centre was named a er John Phelan and his family in recognition of their generous contributions to the school, in support of scholarships and public engagement on US a airs amounting to at least $10 million. He also serves on LSE’s North American Advisory Board.

Phelan is the co-founder of MSD Capital and the head of private investment rm Rugger Management. He was a major donor to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign,

reportedly hosting the President-elect at his estate in Colorado.

Trump has cited Phelan’s “unmatched intelligence and leadership” as ideal for forwarding his ‘America First’ vision, touting full con dence in Phelan’s ability to “put the business of the U.S navy above anything else”.

John Phelan’s relationship with LSE dates back to 1985, when he studied economics and international relations on the General Course programme.

As patrons of LSE, John and his wife Amy have supported the US Centre’s popular public events lecture series, and have funded scholarships for over 30 General Course, MSc and PhD students.

e Secretary of the Navy is a civilian leadership role within the state’s second largest military service, responsible for the welfare of over 1 million

sailors as well as the management of an annual budget of $250 billion.

While individuals with no military service experience have previously held this position, a background in naval contracts and security matters is common.

In contrast, Phelan has had no public connection to the maritime service.

Phelan’s appointment came against the backdrop of a thinly stretched and shrinking Naval force, while contending with a resolutely growing Chinese maritime force.

Trump has previously campaigned on expanding the U.S Navy and would need to overcome bureaucratic inertia to do so.

LSESU Palestine Society Hold ‘United Against Scholasticide’ Week

Vasavi Singhal

Contributing Writer

Saira Afzal

News Editor

Photographed by Saira Afzal

Between 26-29 November, LSESU Palestine Society hosted ‘LSE United Against Scholasticide’, a week of action dedicated to raising awareness about the destruction of educational institutions in Gaza.

Special procedures of the Human Rights Council have used the term ‘scholasticide’ to refer to the systematic destruction of educational infrastructure and the arrest or killing of teachers and students. According to UN experts, Israa University was the last remaining university in Gaza, demolished in January 2024 by the Israeli military. UN experts say at least 60% of educational institutions have been damaged or destroyed during the con ict in Gaza.

LSESU’s Palestine Society, in collaboration with University and College Workers for Palestine and LSE Liberated Zone, hosted a week of events, protests, and a school-wide walkout to bring attention to the issue. e week’s events re ected a commitment to link “academic repression” in Palestine to the academic community in the UK, according to one of the student organisers.

One of the events was a vigil for martyrs, held on Tuesday, November 26th. During the vigil, participants made a mural, drew messages in chalk on the Centre Building (CBG) Plaza ground, and lit candles in commemoration of students and educational sta lost to the ongoing war in Gaza.

An attendee at the vigil on Tuesday described the week as part of a broader campaign by Right to Education, calling for “united action against scholasticide” in Gaza. ey emphasised that LSE and the wider academic community carry a responsibility to bring awareness to scholasticide, and that

the destruction of educational institutions in Gaza a ects the entire academic community.

One of the demands from pro-Palestine protests on campus was for LSE to impose an academic boycott on Israeli educational institutions. Student protestors claimed LSE is “complicit” in the act of scholasticide in Gaza, due to its investment holdings in companies contributing to “crimes against the Palestinian people”.

On 27 November, students organised a student and sta assembly, and a ‘Rally against Scholasticide’ in the CBG Plaza. During the assembly, a speaker from the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability stated “academic freedom is important and essential”. He highlighted the looting and destruction of libraries in Palestine, and stressed that Palestinian academics should be supported to nish their courses remotely.

A second speaker from LSE’s Department of Geography and Environment argued that scholasticide dismantles possibilities for life in Palestine. ey said “education is resistance” and can “liberate [the mind] from occupation”.

On 28 November, multiple pro-Palestine groups attended an inter-university rally, a er LSE sta and students staged a schoolwide walk-out at 12:30pm in the CBG Plaza. Students moved towards King’s College London (KCL) to join the walkout there, a er reports emerged of a pro-Israel protest. Multiple students and sta spoke at the protest about the importance of “scholarly solidarity” and pressuring universities to divest through student-sta mobilisation.

of casualisation at LSE; this describes the short-term, ‘precarious’ contracts that many sta are signed to. According to Cambridge UCU, workforce casualisation is “the conversion of stable, secure jobs into short term, part-time, temporary or hourly paid work”. e LSE sta member said LSE uses this method as “a way to discipline sta for dissenting [views]”. ey said it is “no surprise” LSE has “high rates” of casualised contracts while sta are “afraid” to speak out.

A senior lecturer from KCL, who is a part of the UCU,

e ‘United Against Scholasticide’ week concluded with an ‘Assets In Apartheid’ teach-in, which focused on a report released by the society earlier in the year, uncovering £89 million in “egregious investments” in LSE’s investment portfolio.

In addition to divestment and an academic boycott, LSESU Palestine Society have called on LSE to “provide educational resources to Palestinian children and academics”, as well as a “platform for Palestinian scholars”.

An LSE spokesperson said:

“While we do not recognise the picture painted by reports regarding casualisation, LSE has been working closely with the union on proposals to reduce any unnecessary use of xed term and hourly paid roles, and to improve the experience of sta who are in such roles.”

“Free speech and freedom of expression underpins everything we do at LSE. LSE sta , alongside our students and visitors, are encouraged to discuss and debate the most pressing issues around the world in a mutually considerate manner.”

agreed that casualisation is a problem, calling it a “major issue” across UK universities. In addition, they said members of sta a liated with the UCU had been “targeted politically” for speaking about Palestine, with the Union providing representation for those “targeted” in national media.

“LSE has clear policies in place to ensure the facilitation of discussion and debate, and to protect individual’s rights to freedom of expression within the law, no matter their position within the community. is is formalised in our Code of Practice on Free Speech and in our Ethics Code.”

Equivalent - FTE) to 630 (610 FTE).

Further, the spokesperson said:

“LSE has been actively seeking to support scholars from Gaza impacted by the con ict, and our e orts on this front will continue.”

“LSE Scholars at Risk (LSE SAR) is a School-wide, centrally funded initiative to support scholars at risk by enabling them to be hosted at LSE in a visiting fellow or senior visiting fellow status for a period of up to two years. e visitor status comes without an employment contract, but the School is open to nancially assisting hosted fellows through arrangements with external partners.”

“In addition to scholars, LSE provides support and guidance for refugees, forced migrants and displaced students who are looking to study at the School and throughout their time with us.”

LSE o ers support for researchers through the LSE Urgency Fund, which aims to “fund world-class research related to unpredictable, discrete and abrupt events such as pandemics, con icts, environmental impacts and abrupt policy change.”

e spokesperson shared that LSE o ers support for forced migrants, refugees, and displaced students, such as nancial support through scholarships and admissions support.

Further, LSE’s Middle East Centre is creating a programme of research and capacity-building called the ‘Palestine Programme’, supporting Palestinian recovery and Palestinian higher education institutions, scholars and students.

One anonymous LSE sta member highlighted the issue

e KCL sta member added the UCU had consistently called on KCL to support “the rebuilding of higher education in Gaza”, and to divest from Israeli institutions.

Additionally, the spokesperson highlighted that between 2016/17 and 2021/22, the number of permanent ‘teaching and research’ sta at LSE (such as Assistant, Associate and Full Professors) increased from 600 (580 Full Time

e Centre is currently fundraising to support various long-term research projects, to hire Visiting Fellows from Palestinian higher education institutions and to fund student scholarships for Palestinian students.

FEATURES

e Scoop that Shaped a Career: Sam McAlister’s Journey from Newsnight to LSE

Melissa Limani News Editor

Photographed by Jenny Smith

If you’ve watched Scoop on Net ix, then the name Sam McAlister will certainly ring a bell. For those who are unfamiliar, McAlister is the woman behind the exclusive 2019 Prince Andrew interview on BBC Newsnight and is now a Visiting Senior Fellow at LSE’s Law School, where she delivers expert negotiation workshops.

McAlister began her career as a criminal barrister before transitioning to become the BBC Newsnight interviews producer. It was in this role that she negotiated the interview with Prince Andrew—a triumphant moment that had the nation glued to their screens and earned the BBC a BAFTA Nomination for ‘Best News Coverage’ in 2020. Her book, Scoops, which chronicles the incredible journey of achieving the unthinkable, including gaining access to Buckingham Palace, was adapted into an Emmy-nominated Net ix lm, released in 2024.

Why was this interview such a big deal? Prince Andrew had been closely associated with convicted sex o ender Je rey Epstein for years. In 2010, Andrew was photographed walking with him in Central Park, wavering the public’s trust in the monarchy and exacerbating calls for Andrew to step down as trade envoy. In 2014, a Florida court ling alleged that Andrew had engaged in sexual activities with Virginia Giu re, a minor allegedly tra cked by Epstein. Until the interview, Andrew—nicknamed ‘Randy Andy’—had never publicly addressed these allegations.

Initially, Newsnight was invited to discuss Andrew’s charitable work, but through expert negotiation, Sam secured an opportunity to tackle the

questions everyone was curious about. Instead of probing aggressively, Emily Maitlis, Newsnight presenter, let Andrew speak freely—a decision that proved catastrophic for Andrew’s public standing/reputation.

His bizarre claims, including that he “didn’t sweat” due to a medical condition and couldn’t recall a photo with Giu re because he was at Pizza Express in Woking that night, drew widespread ridicule. Days later, Andrew stepped back from royal duties, with the interview now regarded as a pivotal moment in his public downfall and a historic PR disaster. McAlister herself says “I started o trying to negotiate an interview, and we ended up toppling a Prince. It was surreal and overwhelming.”

“Without a doubt, securing the Prince Andrew interview was the most extraordinary mo-

ment of my career—not just for the experience itself, which was incredible, but for all the things that have come a er it: a book, a Channel 4 documentary, and a Net ix movie where, as mad as it sounds, I was played by Billie Piper,” says McAlister.

She adds, “I thought [the interview] was the most incredible moment of my career, but I had no idea of all the amazing things that would follow, including, of course, working at LSE. I’m full of gratitude for all the opportunities it has given me.”

For McAlister, the experience of seeing her story come to life on screen was “absolutely mind-boggling…I was executive producer and involved all the way through—from the screenwriting to the casting, to being on set,” she said.

“Obviously, I was like a kid in a toy shop. It was incredible to see myself played by Billie

Piper, to meet Gillian Anderson and Keeley Hawes, and to work with the amazing cast, crew, and team. e sets, the costumes, attending the lm premiere—it really is just beyond my wildest imagination. I’ve run out of superlatives to describe the incredible experience that I’ve had and continue to have.”

share moments of humanity. I hope, in a sense, that the time we spend together provides both intellectual and personal bene ts.”

My personal experience in the negotiation workshops was truly unique—unlike anything I’d encountered at LSE before. One of the rst things I noticed

‘ e thing I would most like to do – and I hope it doesn’t sound too ambitious – is to, here and there, change some of the students’ lives.’

Following that life-changing moment, McAlister’s career continued to ourish, including her appointment as a Visiting Senior Fellow at LSE in 2024. When I asked how the opportunity was presented to her, she shared: “I was actually motivated to become a Visiting Senior Fellow because Dean David Kershaw heard me speak at an LSE event hosted by the wonderful Professor Emily Jackson.’’

‘‘At the end, he asked what my hopes were for the future, and I mentioned that I would love to lecture in negotiation. Lo and behold, he extremely generously o ered me the fellowship. It just goes to show that a bit of tenacity and cheek can sometimes get you a very long way. It’s a complete honour to have a fellowship at the LSE.”

Discussing the impact she hopes to have on LSE students during her fellowship, Sam McAlister explains: “ e thing I would most like to do – and I hope it doesn’t sound too ambitious – is to, here and there, change some of the students’ lives. So many students at LSE are absolutely astonishingly brilliant and intellectually gied, but my classes perhaps offer a moment to step back, in a more relaxed space without assessments, where we can discuss not only negotiation and communication but also a little bit about ourselves and

about McAlister was her striking snakeskin boots and faux leather attire. At the time, I hadn’t yet seen Scoop and didn’t realise how legendary those boots were, but they immediately stood out—an unexpected, yet empowering fashion choice for an LSE fellow. Her energy was undeniably refreshing; as we settled down ready for our rst session, she addressed the room, asking which of us had shaken her hand upon entering the classroom? at simple question became our rst lesson.

roughout the workshop, as she shared her story of securing the interview, McAlister combined wit and charisma with practical lessons on negotiation, highlighting how small details like eye contact and a smile can make a big di erence. By the end of the two workshops, it’s safe to say we all walked away standing a little taller.

For students aspiring to break into competitive careers, Sam McAlister advises to “just keep on gra ing and chasing your dream. Act with integrity, think of yourself as a brand, make connections, and try to nd ways to meet people who are in the roles that you want.”

“Keep on dreaming, keep on believing, keep on working hard, and hopefully, the combination of hard work and, here and there, a bit of luck will mean that you can pursue your dreams.”

e LSE Majlis: Reviving the Eastern Intellectual Tradition

Mahliqa Ali

Features Editor Photographed by Haris Ahmed

Reviving a legacy that shaped the paths of nations, the LSE Majlis was founded this academic year to promote critical discourse and cultural exploration through debates and discussions on politics, culture, and philosophy.

The Majlis has roots in a historical tradition established in the 1890s, when South Asian students at Cambridge, then Oxford, formed debating and discussion societies for topics such as Indian independence from British rule and the partition of South Asia. e Majlis gained prominence through providing a forum for key intellectual gures such as Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Indira Gandhi, and Amartya Sen to engage in critical thought and develop their philosophies.

ese conversations were key to shaping the future leaders of South Asian countries, and the countries; it was at Majlis meetings that the new state of Pakistan was named.

It is this rich tradition that the LSE Majlis aim to rekindle in London, the cultural capital of the world.

During their rst term as an active society, the LSE Majlis have hosted debates on the partition of India, colonial reparations, and Western feminism. Integrating academic and political engagement with more relaxed cultural events, they have welcomed speakers such as Palestine-focused journalist Myriam François, and Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on Palestine. eir socials have included a traditional chai social, and a calligraphy workshop where attendees could learn Arabic, Persian, and Urdu calligraphy.

Discussing his motivations to revive this society, the founder and President of the LSE Majlis, Aadam, told e Beaver: “I was very dissatis ed with the overall corporate culture. It seemed like everyone was going to university to get a degree, solely to access the business world. We’re in a university that’s an amazing hub of intellectuality and academia, and people aren’t paying enough attention to it.’’

He adds, “Universities like LSE have produced some of the most prominent public intellectuals who made groundbreaking change in the real world. I wasn’t seeing that at the university, and I felt there was an impetus for it.”

“Majlis ful ls the desire for students to come and explore the intellectual backgrounds underlying their cultures.”

Key to this intellectual engagement are the debates, which have seen remarkable success.

Zahra, Co-head of Debates for the Majlis, re ects on the unexpectedly large turnouts: “Not to downplay all of our hard work, but we are a new society, so I didn’t have huge expectations in terms of attendance.”

Aadam also mentions the Majlis’ role in engaging with Eastern philosophies within a Western academic institution.

“ ere was a module I came across in rst year which focused on historical and global perspectives on philosophy, but the course didn’t look at any Islamic philosophers. I was shocked by this because most scholars agree if it wasn’t for them, the Renaissance, Reformation, Enlightenment eras wouldn’t have happened. It was Arabic scholars who initially translated many foundational Greek texts,” he explains.

“One key purpose of the Ma-

jlis is to address the problem of eurocentrism in academia. For example, our debate on Western feminism explored alternative forms of female empowerment. We also hosted an Oxford professor to discuss what an Islamic economy might look like,” he adds.

Many minorities are unable to represent themselves, as history and dominant media narratives are written by the powerful. erefore many South Asians and Middle Easterns have been subjected to Orientalist portrayals. e LSE Majlis allows people to represent the cultures that they come from, on their own terms.

For Ibrahim, Vice President of the LSE Majlis, society meetings enable South Asians to control narratives about themselves. “South Asians and Middle Easterns at LSE aren’t one homogenous group. We’re separated by nation, culture, class, race, religion. Even when discussing tough topics, we all agree that we have the right to have these discussions. Mutual respect fosters community.”

Ibrahim further re ected, “I met fellow members of the diaspora, who had the same experience of trying to connect to our culture while balancing being British.”

‘‘ ere is beauty in every culture, so don’t be ashamed of it. People of the diaspora specif-

ically have lots of experiences with this. Many international students embrace their culture because they grew up in those countries where they were immersed in it, and it’s so valuable to have that variety of perspectives,’’ explains Ibrahim.

Similarly, Aadam re ected on feeling disconnected to his culture as a third-generation immigrant. “My grandfather came to the UK from Pakistan in the early 1960s, I’ve grown up not being able to speak Urdu, I went to a traditional British school in North London, and I was one of the only Muslims in my year.”

He adds, “Since founding the Majlis, I’ve learnt a lot on a personal level, especially speaking to international students who were raised in South Asia. Whether it’s in the language, food, academia, there’s so much cultural richness to the region that I never fully appreciated. And now I truly believe it’s one of the most special places on the planet.”

In Ibrahim’s words, “Too many people of the diaspora are afraid of embracing their culture, or in their attempt to assimilate they completely strip anything away from themselves that’s related to their heritage. So the Majlis message is to be proud of where you come from and share it with the world.”

FEATURES

A Tale of Two Systems: US vs UK Education

Sophie Lu Contributing Writer

Illustrated by Sylvain Chan

In elementary school, I received a worksheet asking students to consider how their life trajectories might look—the classic ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ Over time, my answer evolved from ‘chemist’ (what my parents were) to ‘marine biologist’ (that niche profession every kid seems to like) to ‘lawyer’ (a result of people’s exasperation with my arguing).

ese early inclinations had little bearing on my current studies in Business Analytics and Political Science. But it raises a question: at what stage of life is it acceptable to ask someone to eliminate possibilities for their future based on how they perceive themselves presently? And how does the approach to this question di er on either side of the Atlantic?

In primary school, both the US and UK education systems build foundational knowledge in core subjects, notably Maths and English. However, secondary school demarcates the rst divergence. British secondary schools follow the General Certi cate of Secondary Education (GCSE) program, where students study ve to twelve subjects for two years, sitting exams around age 16. Compulsory subjects include English, maths and science, while students select additional courses in arts, humanities, languages, and technology.

Following GCSEs, students continue formal education until 18, through technical education or ‘sixth form’, where they study A-levels or equivalents like the International Baccalaureate (IB). A-level students typically choose three subjects that dominate their pre-university years. By the time students apply to university, much of their path has already been decided.

In contrast, US secondary school students remain gener-

alists throughout middle and high school, completing core subjects and electives. High school students can take Advanced Placement (AP) classes, the functional equivalent of A-levels, and can select as many as they wish. Yet, the availability and variety of AP classes depends on the high school, with larger, wealthier schools o en o ering more APs. Earning a su cient score on AP exams can transfer to college credit, allowing students to bypass certain university courses.

Hence, the US system allows students to defer specialisation. While UK students apply directly to speci c undergraduate programs with the same personal statement tailored to their subject, American students can apply without declaring a major, to di erent majors at di erent schools, and switch majors later with relative ease. British students are limited to ve university choices, whereas US students have no maximum, though most submit six to twelve applications.

Once at university, UK students typically study only their chosen subject, with minimal space allocated for exploration. In contrast, American universities o en implement ‘General Education’ requirements outside a student’s major, which usually combine six to ten arts, humanities, ethics, science, and maths courses.

Generally, American students spend much longer in higher education: the majority of UK bachelor’s degrees last three years, compared to four in the US. Moreover, students at UK universities can study law or medicine directly a er sixth form, while US students must rst complete a bachelor’s degree in a di erent subject.

Ultimately, a picture emerges of two systems that are di erent practically and philosophically. e UK system prioritises early specialization, while the US values exploration and well-roundedness.

But which system is better? Does exibility bene t students prior to choosing a career, or guidance and commitment to a eld of study? Re ecting upon the role of their educational upbringing in their academic, career, and personal trajectories, LSE students had mixed opinions.

William Goltz, a third-year History student, chose A-level History, English, and French. “At the time I enjoyed it because it allowed me to focus on what I was good at. e tough part came when I had to apply to university…because I essentially decided between History, English, or French. I almost did French and I wonder what my life would have been like.”

e funnel of the British education system leaves fewer options, which can feel limiting if students’ interests evolve. “I thought I was ready at the time. But I was kind of stuck doing History…now that I’m getting to the end and realised I don’t want to be a historian, the fact that I had to specialise so much—it’s a bit frustrating,” adds William.

One alternative to A-levels is the IB programme (also available in the US), prioritising interdisciplinary education, with students taking six subjects as opposed to three. One rst-year History student who did the IB, noted: “Even though I hate chemistry

and would’ve rather not taken it, I’m still glad I was forced to take it until graduating high school. If I had dropped it at 16, I wouldn’t know some of that basic knowledge.”

IB seems to toe the line between focus and exploration well. However, most US schools do not o er the IB, and those in the UK that do are geographically and nancially inaccessible to many because only independent schools o er the programme.

For students uncertain about their futures, the US system’s exibility is advantageous. Ava Rumsey, an American exchange student at LSE from Georgia Southern University majoring in Political Science, re ected, “At [16], I would have picked performing arts… one year prior, I would have picked nursing. So not at all in the same realm where I’m at.”

Furthermore, while the interdisciplinary nature of GenEd classes is o en touted, the effectiveness of these requirements in fostering genuine intellectual curiosity is questionable. “Some have capitalised on it, but for the most part, people just take what’s easiest,” Ava notes.

From student perspectives, it seems the grass may be greener regardless of one’s starting

point. But these di erences prompt a larger question: What is the purpose of education? Is it preparation for speci c careers or fostering intellectual growth?

In the age of universities prioritising employability, it is easy to see the importance of STEM students taking humanities classes, and vice versa. We should want our future doctors and engineers to have a robust grasp of humanity and ethics, and our future politicians and historians to be empirical and analytical.

Equally, economic realities complicate this vision. When the average cost of US-based higher education has ballooned to $55,840 annually at private universities, the extra year of GenEds with little relation to one’s major becomes much more di cult to justify for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

While existing systems can be improved, engineering one that complements every individual is di cult. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, and neither fully circumvents factors like parental or environmental in uence, class and privilege, or simply changing minds.

O en discovery of new passions doesn’t occur through systematic exploration, but simply serendipitous discovery.

Starmer’s Betrayal of the ‘Working People’ of Britain

Janset An Executive Editor Illustrated by Lucas Ngai

Today, Keir Starmer is ranked lower in his approval ratings than Rishi Sunak. Knowing this, one may nd it di cult to believe that only six months ago, Starmer headed an election victory ending the 14-year rule of the Conservatives with a majority Labour parliament. So, what has changed?

e Plight of the Poor When Starmer assumed the role of prime ministership in July 2024, he announced to the whole country that his government would be “ready to restore Britain to the service of the working people”. In the a ermath of the ‘age of austerity’, this resonated with many. An absolute poverty rate of 18%, increased ‘deaths of despairs’ and high rates of homelessness in Britain are all indications that a mass por tion of this populace has been le neglected for years.

businesses was the last thing the government should have in icted.

e government also targeted the most vulnerable of society with their policies. It was announced the twochild bene ts cap would not be abolished—this policy will continue to keep up to 250,000 children shackled by poverty according to the Child Action Group. e government also made a controversial cut to winter fuel payments, affecting over ten million pensioners. Unlike the unlucky pensioners, Fuel Minister Liz Kendall was not exempt from this bene t cut. It was exposed that Kendall, the very minister that oversaw staggering cuts to the winter fuel payments, was using £350 of taxpayer money a month to cover her fuel bills in her £4 million mansion in Notting Hill—what a transpar

e Prop-Up of the Rich So why these policies?

e chancellor, Rachel Reeves, explicitly declared that the Treasury would be committed to balancing the budget by 2029-2030. Plus, the government did warn of “unpopular decisions” that would have to be taken to cover the (now overly regurgitated) £22 billion “black hole” in government nances.

However, the government’s commitment to this new age of scal frugality is not consistent across the board. When the budget is more closely analysed, one discovers that the “unpopular decisions” in question have been directed disproportionately at low and middle-income households.

Corporation tax currently remains at 25%, a 0% di

However, the increase in capital gains tax (taxation on the selling of private assets) was not equalised to increases in income tax setting the precedent for those earning income through wealth to continue accumulating more than those earning through labour. What about a wealth tax that could potentially raise £24 billion a year? Despite widespread calls from dozens of Labour MPs and unanimous support for this tax from the Trade Union Congress, this wealth tax is non-existent in the budget.

Given all these opportunities to raise funds, the reasoning behind not abolishing the twochild cap and cutting the winter fuel bene ts seem void— these two policies would have only cost £2.7 billion.

Furthermore, Reeves has already been alluding to the

£10 trillion valued nancial institution) has already been hosted in Downing Street to discuss potential partnerships. PFIs were abolished under the Conservative Chancellor Philip Hammond in 2018—it is tragically humorous to me that now they will potentially make a return under a Labour government.

e Rise of the Right In closing, Britain today is not only in an economically vulnerable state, it is also socially volatile given the slow but concerning rise of the right. Only a few months ago, mosques and hotels housing migrants were attacked by violent racist mobs in the August riots. e right-wing media outlet GB News now has more viewership than Sky News, and the Reform Party under Nigel Farage is growing in popularity through its strategic adoption of le -wing economic policies, such as supporting the nationalisation of ames Water. Meanwhile on X, Tommy Robinson has gained Elon Musk’s public endorsement to his 213 million followers.

Yet ‘the working people’ of Britain were let down once again in 2024—this time by the very government that claimed to have their back.

e £25 billion increase in national insurance has hit small businesses and employers. Companies have had to engage in layo s, shorten working hours, and consider pay cuts. It is also projected that there will be price hikes, worsening the current in ation. Not only has this policy hit ‘working people’, placing them in an economically more precarious position, but it will also impact innovation by reducing rm incentives and funds for investment. Given that the number of startups have been declining in Britain, this burden on small

‘ e victims of decades of global neoliberalism are falling prey to the blame game that is keeping migrants responsible for their economic grievances. e right is weaponising these grievances masterfully.

ent government.

In addition, Britain’s economy structurally has severe productivity issues (currently its performance is below that of Germany, France, and the US) and su ers from contracting economic growth. An ambitious public investment plan on infrastructure was needed to target these economic malaises as well as to put downward pressure on in ation. However, according to the CPP, the government’s projected increase in public spending is annually £72 billion short of what is required to maintain standards of public infrastructure by 2030.

in the rate compared to the Sunak ministry. Given that companies’ pro t margins increased by 30% compared to the pre-pandemic period by taking advantage of the cost of living crisis, not increasing corporation tax has been a massive missed opportunity for raising indispensable funds. It has also been a massive disservice to justice.

In addition, ambitious policies were needed to target the increasing polarising level of wealth inequality in Britain— today 1% of the population holds more wealth compared to 70% of the population according to Oxfam.

adoption of PFIs (outsourcing to the private sector the nancing and operating of public infrastructure). e PFI experiment proved that moving all the risk of a public project to private hands does not miraculously incentivise cost-cutting operations. If anything, it incentivises rms to in ate costs to take advantage of taxpayer money and to extract pro ts by making services una ordable. Cases of collapsing walls in schools under PFIs and bankrupt NHS trusts are testaments to this fact.

Reeves has been seeking £9 billion in private nance to fund the Lower ames Crossing project while BlackRock (the

What is happening in Britain is not isolated to Britain only. It is part of a global trend of the decline of the ‘Centre Le ’. Look at America and Trump, Germany and Weidel, France and Le Pen, Hungary and Orban, Italy and Meloni…the list goes on. e victims of decades of global neoliberalism are falling prey to the blame game that is keeping migrants responsible for their economic grievances. e right is weaponising these grievances masterfully.

e consequences of Starmer’s policies not only have serious implications for people’s livelihood but also fundamentally for this country’s future and state of democracy. For a vote lost by Labour today will be one gained by the extremist rightwing movement.

Improving Protections for Children on Social Media: A Call to Action

Ilina Kabra

Contributing Writer

Illustrated by Paavas Bansal

What can states do to improve protections for children on social media?” is the number one question stumping renowned mental health professionals globally. In an era where children and adolescents are encompassed by the digital landscape from an increasingly young age, social media has become a pressing concern for policymakers, parents, and educators. Platforms, particularly Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, have reshaped how young people interact with the world, exposing them to risks that were unimaginable just a decade ago.

One of the primary challenges in safeguarding children online lies in the ease with which they can circumvent age restrictions. Most major social media platforms set a minimum age of 13 for account creation, but this barrier is easily bypassed by falsifying birth dates during registration. Shockingly, research shows that children as young as eight are adept at manipulating and bypassing these systems to gain unrestricted access to platforms designed for older users (Ofcom). is raises critical questions about the e ective-

ness of current age veri cation methods and calls for innovative solutions to ensure compliance.

Although recent measures, including a complete ban on social media for kids under 13, have been implemented by countries such as Australia and Norway (Reuters), the e ectiveness of these measures hinges on international and industry cooperation and compliance. e global nature of social media, exempli ed by platforms like TikTok, introduces additional challenges. Despite regulatory e orts in some jurisdictions, the widespread use of virtual private networks (VPNs) renders many geographical restrictions moot. is technological workaround allows users, including minors, to mask their true locations and access content without regard for regional regulations.

To address these loopholes e ectively, a coordinated approach involving governments, tech companies, and international bodies is essential. is includes fostering dialogue to establish uniform standards for age veri cation, enhancing cybersecurity measures to detect and prevent VPN usage, and promoting digital literacy programs that educate young users about responsible online behavior.

Moreover, there is growing advocacy for government intervention through regulation

and taxation of social media companies. My proposed solution involves introducing a nominal credit-card based fee for creating accounts on social media platforms, particularly Instagram. Implementing a small annual user fee, say £2 per social media account, would generate substantial revenue. Additionally, a signi cant portion of these funds should speci cally be earmarked for the much needed funding to support and carry out research on the impact of social media on mental health. By allocating 75% of this fee to government-funded research initiatives, policymakers can gain insights, collect data, and facilitate future studies into the psychological and developmental e ects of prolonged social media use among minors. Such critical research yields developing evidence-based policies that promote safer on-

line environments for young users. More importantly, however, this approach also provides a mechanism for parental oversight. By requiring a credit card payment, platforms like Instagram could notify parents when their child attempts to register, thereby notifying them of their online activities.

is simple yet e ective measure could signi cantly reduce

‘Only through collaborative e orts can we e ectively address the challenges posed by social media and ensure that young users can navigate digital spaces securely and responsibly.’

Opinion Editors’ Hot Take Highlights

(Featuring the Ed Board)

• “Lao Gan Ma chili oil is overrated” - Lucas

• “All chili oil sucks” - Aaina

• “I hate Korean food” - Jess

• “Taylor Swi makes KidzBop music” - Ryan

• “Condensed milk is disgusting” - Suchita

• “Management students are actually smarter than they seem” - Anonymous

• “My hear-me-out is the Airbus A380” - Emma

• “Indian is the sexiest accent” - Paavas

technological innovation with regulatory oversight and educational initiatives, we can create a safer digital environment for the next generation. is approach requires proactive engagement from all stakeholders to uphold children’s rights to privacy, safety, and healthy development in an increasingly connected world.

Only through collaborative efforts can we e ectively address the challenges posed by social media and ensure that young users can navigate digital spaces securely and responsibly.

Elon Musk: the Puppeteer of Global Politics?

Shreya Gupta Contributing Writer Illustrated by Paavas Bansal

Iused to think the greatest threat to the world order would be Donald Trump. But in recent months, I’ve come to realise that it is his newfound best-friend who’s really the one pulling the strings and behind the current chaos that is Europe. is is of course triggered by Trump’s political agenda, but I’ve come to wonder whether Elon Musk has actually gone o on his own tangent—one that Trump was neither expecting, nor is able to control. In other words, Musk has gone overboard with his interference in European Politics and refuses to return to planet Earth (not that surprising since he’s obsessed with space).

Musk’s actions in Europe align perfectly with Trump’s inaugu ration into the White House; and this timing de nitely can not be a coincidence, consid ering that both understand the importance of Europe in US foreign policy. However, the golden question still remains: Will Trump’s second term see friendly relations with Eu rope, or does he plan to isolate America forever?

I personally think that Trump needs Europe no matter what, especially since he desires to end the War in Ukraine in favour of Putin’s objec tives—a policy in which Europe will prove to be Trump’s biggest obstacle. It makes sense why his future advisor, Elon Musk, has been so adamant to embolden Europe’s already-strong farright to ensure Trump gets his way.

He has already blatantly and deviantly interfered in elections of countries like Germany, where he has openly endorsed the AfD (Alternative for Ger many—a far-right party

in Germany) through comments like “only the AfD can save Germany” and that it is the “last spark of hope” for the country. Germany’s neighbours are also boosting their far-right campaigns, creating a somewhat domino e ect.

Austria’s Freedom Party can vividly picture their future victory, especially if a global tycoon and soon-to-be advisor of the next US President would support their journey to power.

But what I struggle with is the extent to which Musk’s attacks on political leaders has reached, and the absence of any remarks by Trump during this upheaval when he almost always has something to say. I think it is very possible that Musk has perhaps taken his task too far and Trump is quietly regretting his decision to give Musk so much responsibility.

It is clear that Musk has quite

think his boredom with business has sparked a desire to play mind games with political leaders instead—a costly pastime indeed. Ironically, this can back re on Trump himself. It seems like he’s lost control of Musk and is now backed into a corner where the only option is to sit back (or play golf) and watch the events unfold. Or more accurately, watch Musk’s social media rampages lose any chance for an alliance with a much-needed Europe.

e sheer power Musk has warrants concern. e way he’s swi ly able to penetrate the internal political a airs of several European nations through X’s mere 600 million (real?) users – compared to Facebook’s over three billion – was not on my 2025 bingo card. With a few clicks of a button, Musk is able to devour an entire country one political party at a time.

And where better to start than

home? In the UK, he has effectively ended Labour’s (near non-existent) honeymoon period by attacking Keir Starmer and dividing the Labour Party. Yes, Trump may be inspiring Musk’s actions here due to his policy clashes with Starmer on issues of security, the environment and Ukraine. But this has quickly spiralled into an unnecessary chaos. Musk has directly prompted Tories such as Robert Jenrick to openly post racist comments with impunity on X, in which Trump has no gain. On 4 January, Jenrick explicitly blamed UK’s embrace of multiculturalism, or as he calls it the “disastrous experiment”, as the root cause of the Rotherham 1997-2013 Grooming Gangs’ Scandal. He used extremist language such as “people from alien culture” to state that “foreign nationals responsible must be deported—no ifs, no buts”. To suggest such a thing ultimately displays the control Musk has over UK politics if he can

rile up the Reform Party, trigger resignations, pressure Farage to step down as Leader, and yet Trump has still said nothing to defend his old friend or save his in uence in Britain.

Widespread criticism from European politicians exhibits the deep-rooted fears of these developments. Stances taken by French President Emmanuel Macron and Norway’s PM Jonas Gahr Støre strongly criticise Musk’s unwarranted involvement in European Politics. But I doubt there is much this condemnation can really achieve. His behaviour suggests he believes he is above the law and can do whatever his heart desires whilst Trump continues to remain quiet.

So I don’t think we should be fooled by Musk’s attempts to disguise his true intentions as trying to help Trump. His persistent attacking of anything and anyone that isn’t a hard rightist re ects his own personal political endeavours of basically global supremacy—I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if he backstabs Trump to run for future President.

With Musk’s current pace, it isn’t going to be long until this Puppeteer controls not only the technological world, but the democratic one as well—with or without Trump’s support. I doubt Musk will be able to continue down this line—surely such a powerful man in the US Administration will hurt Trump’s ego sooner or later. e problem is though, Musk hasn’t even reached the new administration and already displays power that is unfathomable. Our only hope is that he nds another hobby; I personally think he should stick to cars—or better, getting good at Path of Exile 2.

Read the full article online.

“This is a keychain that I painted myself and have a matching one with my fatmate. I made them when we were frst fat-hunting because I was desperate and tried to manifest a fat thinking: “the existence of a keychain implies the existence of a key! To a fat!”. The day I fnished making them, our ofer for a fat got accepted!”

“I’ve been using this wallet everyday since middle school, but lost it at one point and was really sad about it. But thankfully near my birthday, my school had found it - with money still miraculously inside - so that was like a mini birthday suprise to me.“

“I got this keychain during my frst time at an anime convention with my friend. She really liked this one artist’s work, so this is part of a matching keychain set from that artist with my friend.”

“A girl in her 20s and her frst boy dog <3 Kept in my phone case because he reminds me of home.”

BEAVER CROSSWORD 3:

January

By Tipsy Beaver

club, colloquially 28 Buddy

30 Shelter for a camper

32 Set of points, in maths 33 Frosty headwear, perhaps 37 Like a control freak

38 Brief moment 39 Give into gravity 40 “Seriously!”

41 Broke a promise

44 Rained pellets

45 Evaluate the strength of,

2025 HOROSCOPES!!

By M. M. (De nitely Not the Raccoon)

Gallery display

e stars have aligned for you, Aquarius. Luck appears to be on your side… make the most of it. (Maybe it’s time to go gambling?)

Your intuition is spot on today. at thing that’s been bugging you for the past few weeks, the thing everyone tells you you’re just overthinking? You’re not. You’re right and everyone else is wrong.

Family will be signi cant to you, so pay attention to them. In other words, mum was right – it really is that damn phone.

Now is the time to make some good memories. You can expect to nd joy in the coming months, and maybe even some romance. All in all: live, laugh, love.

You’re in luck – something good will happen. And something bad. And also something boring. Probably also something interesting. Lots to look forward to!

is is your time to take action. It’s the perfect opportunity to do that project you’ve been putting o But you won’t, will you? Yeah, typical.

Congratulations, Leo. e person you’re with right now is your soulmate! Probably. I mean, maybe not. What’s that? You’re single? Yeah, probably because you’re reading a horoscope in a student newspaper. Kidding, haha.

Take care of yourself. ese months will be di cult for you. And the months a er them. And likely the months a er them. August should be okay! Wait, no, nevermind. Good luck, Virgo.

is is an uneasy time for you. ink carefully about your decisions. Is that really what you’re going to wear? Yikes. No, I mean it’s ne, really! It’s great, it looks great… but are you sure about it?

e coming weeks are perfect for you to re ect on the past. I know what you did. We all know. Go stand in the corner of the room, face the wall, and just think about your actions. Have some shame.

You should give into your impulses this week, Sagittarius. Eat that slice of cake, pick at that spot on your face, smoke that cigarette, go on that binge-drinking session… Trust me, there will be no consequences.

You need to chill out. No, seriously dude, calm down. You’re kind of totally killing the vibe.

I wasn’t gonna say anything but it’s becoming really obvious. Just relax, it’ll all be ne.

Capricorn

Pisces

SPORT

EDITED BY SKYE SLATCHER AND JO WEISS

From Stadiums to Travel: Football’s Environmental Impact

by IMANI ADESANYA & Illustrated by SYLVAIN CHAN

As one of the most popular sports in the world, it is no surprise that football has roughly 3.5 billion fans globally. Football brings people from all di erent walks of life together and serves as a powerful unifying force across different cultures and communities. However, there is also a downside to this global reach that is o en overlooked. One of football’s most notable impacts is its substantial indirect contribution to environmental pressure. From the construction and energy demands of stadiums to travel-related emissions and waste production, football continues to leave a negative mark on the environment.

It is estimated that the global football industry produces more than 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, roughly the equivalent of the total emissions generated by Denmark. is means that it contributes about 0.3%-0.4% of global emissions. e main reason for the sport’s high carbon footprint is travel. Fans travel, players travel, and coaching sta travel. Globally this amounts to millions of people and thousands of ights every year. Along with travel, there will also be increased emissions from the operation of stadiums given the rising number of games. e ever-expanding xture list means that this will only increase.

With changes to the Champions League format, which means there are now eight games played in the rst stage rather than six, and the introduction of new competitions like the Club World Cup, more football is going to be played. is season there will be an additional 177 xtures across UEFA’s three major tournaments. is European expansion comes just three years a er an extra 63 matches were added with the introduction of the Conference League. ese changes have led to several debates, most of which have been centred around player welfare. Whilst the welfare of players is important, there needs to be wider debate around the im- plications of this on the environment.

ese changes mean there are more teams, more games, and more op portunities for travel. Consequent ly, this also means that there will be higher levels of greenhouse gases and therefore more damage to the environment, mainly through global heating. BBC Sport research suggests this ex panded xture list could lead to teams and fans ying about two billion air miles across the 2024-25 campaign, up from 1.5 billion in 202223. is means that football’s contribution to global environmental pressures will only get worse. Fan ights account for the

largest share of European football’s total emissions, but team travel has a far greater environmental impact per passenger due to the use of private charter planes, which have a signi cantly higher carbon footprint than regular commercial ights. is means that addressing team travel practices could play a critical role in reducing the sport’s overall environmental footprint.

If more clubs reduced the amount of ights they take for domestic games, it would help lower their carbon footprint. In England, clubs are being increasingly criticised for choosing to y to Premier League matches. It is generally the quickest and most convenient option and gives players and sta maximum time to prepare for games. However, emissions per kilometre travelled are known to be signi cantly worse than any other form of transport, with short-haul ights the worst emitters. Reducing the occurrence of these ights is one small step clubs could make.

ere have been attempts within the game to better protect the environment. In 2016, the United Nations launched the Sports for Climate Action Framework, calling on signatories to reduce their emissions and reach net zero by 2040. e Premier League signed up in 2021. UEFA joined the UN Race to Zero campaign in 2022, vowing to halve emissions across its events by 2030. It is vital that clubs commit to these agreements and work towards adopting more environmentally friendly policies.

Football fans and football clubs should care about the environment because it not only a ects their lives but it also a ects the game. Appropriate weather conditions are necessary for the game to be played. e devastating oods in Spain in October last year saw the postponement of several Copa del Rey games. is demonstrates what the future of football could look like if we are not too careful.

How Padel Took Over the World

by SKYE SLATCHER & Illustrated by SYLVAIN CHAN

A text I sent to my best friend before New Year’s Eve said “In 2025 we will become padel pros.” I am sure we aren’t the only ones who have been talking about starting the new ‘it’ sport of the decade. It’s now Spain’s second most popular sport, behind football. Stormzy, Andy Murray, and most of the F1 grid—they are all fans. e corporate world that LSE is no stranger to has also followed the trend, with some calling padel the new golf.

So what is padel? It is a racket sport, which, like squash, is played on an enclosed court and the ball can be played o the wall. It was created in Mexico in 1969 but on the popularity front is certainly still in its infancy. Its inclusivity and accessibility make it a great sport for anyone. Compared to almost any other sport, it is far less intimidating to get started in.

A 2024 Forbes article suggested that padel might be the new sport of business—ideal for networking opportunities. Marcos Del Pilar, former President of the US Padel Association, called it a “networking superconductor for athletic, like-minded, like-moneyed masters of the universe”. Arnaud Frisch said that padel has been the gateway to balancing work and sports. A PE industry insider told me that it has become almost inescapable, with teams regularly playing together.

I recently asked LSESU Padel Club Treasurer Andrew why he plays the fastest-growing sport on the planet. He said that if he could summarise the sport, he would say this: “If tennis and squash had a kid, it would be called padel.” Andrew started playing padel at the beginning of his rst year. As a tennis player, he found the new sport complementary to his existing tennis skillset. at combined with the community feel around the sport made it the ideal new pastime.

e growth really took o in 2020, when the number of players worldwide began to increase impressively. Now, an estimated 30 million people around the world are playing padel. e existence of an expanding padel club at LSE

speaks to the same trend.

It is an increasingly lucrative sport too. Nike and Adidas have both launched padel-speci c lines. Specialist brands like Pulco are growing their global renown. Even luxury fashion houses are getting in on the trend: Valentino, Prada, and Pucci have all released padel-related items or collaborations.

While the viewership side of the sport has yet to take o in anywhere near the same way that playing has, a professional league is growing. ere are 4,874 FIP-ranked players as of the end of 2024, with all predictions expecting far greater numbers in coming years. Spain and Argentina dominate the rankings and account for the most players worldwide.

With the approval of icons like Andy Murray, it is pretty much guaranteed that there will be no stopping padel in the coming years, maybe decades. Is golf’s grip on the world the go-to sport of the corporate world? Maybe. And let’s hope this marks wider shi s in the culture of the industries, as they become more inclusive and accessible.

Will you be playing in 2025?

Marcus Rashford: Forever a Red

by AADYA MAYA ARYAL & Illustrated by SYLVAIN CHAN

“ at’s me. I will always be a Red.”

At rst glance, these words from Marcus Rashford feel normal, just another declaration of love for his boyhood club amidst all the outside noise. But given what has tran spired recently, they feel more like the prelude to a di cult goodbye.

On Sunday, December 15th, Marcus Rashford, along with Alejandro Garnacho, was dropped from the matchday squad for the Manchester derby—a game in which he has previously scored six goals, one he surely holds close as a boyhood Red from Manchester. is big call by new manager Ruben Amorim followed a tumultuous 18 months on and o the pitch for Rashford. Even before the derby, reports emerged that United, under the increasingly frugal INEOS ownership, was open to selling Rashford as early as January because of his wages, lack of consistent form, and his value in the transfer market as a homegrown player. Following this omission reports intensi ed, and with Rashford expressing his desire for a “new challenge” in an exclusive interview shortly a er, it seemed all but con rmed that he will no longer be a United player come May or even February. Rashford has not played at all since the derby and has been le out of ve squads. Recent reports con rm the interest of several European giants, including AC Milan, Juventus, and Barcelona.

Many United fans have taken this news with joy, feeling it is necessary and even overdue. For others, like me, it is profoundly disappointing—a reality entirely divorced from what we expected the talented, smiling 18-year-old’s future at United to look like when he giddily accepted his Player of the Match award a er scoring a brace in his Premier League debut against Arsenal. How did we get here?

at story is complicated. It de nitely involves Rashford’s questionable conduct o the pitch and work ethic in recent years, but it also involves him playing through injuries for the club, enduring the chaos of a managerial merry-go-round, and being a victim of a rapidly deteriorating club culture where standards weren’t adequately enforced. Add to this the racist abuse he faced as a 21-year-old on the world’s biggest stage, the media scrutiny over everything from his out ts to his vacations, and the immense pressure to lead England’s biggest club back to glory amidst its systemic failure on all levels.

He became both the hero and, inevitably, the scapegoat when he fell short of impossible expectations. e extreme vitriol – o en tinged with coded language reminiscent of the media’s treatment of Raheem Sterling – has at times felt less about football and more about Rashford’s race, background, and refusal to behave in a way that pundits and ex-players deem respectable from a young Black man. ey branded him as arrogant and lazy and ran with it, o en creating self-ful lling prophecies by picking at tiny details of his attitude to validate their opinions. It is an understatement to say Marcus Rashford has not been given a lot of grace, especially in the last few years.

Rashford has been one of my favorite United players for a long time. United fans my age watched as he scored in nearly every competitive debut in his incredible rst season, the greatest ‘burst-onto-the-scene’ in a while in the Premier League. To me, he has been one of the few bright lights in the mediocrity and circus that has de ned United in the post-Ferguson era. He is a testament to the club’s time-honored tradition of producing and promoting exciting young talent. His pro le – a rapid, goalscoring winger who can dribble and strike a ball excellently – is the kind that I love to watch, the kind that drew comparisons to a young Cristiano Ronaldo when he was rising through the ranks at Carrington. Sir Alex himself reportedly admired Rashford’s talent and would have relished the chance to work with him.

Marcus Rashford is also a young Black man from Wythenshawe, who battled through di cult socioeconomic and family circumstances to make a name for himself at his boyhood club. He went on to use that position to dedicate himself to giving back to the people and places that made him, leading a famous food poverty campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic that led the UK Government to a U-turn that saw 1.3 million children in England able to claim free school meal vouchers. is is by all measures a praiseworthy act—a rare instance of dedicated political activism from an athlete. But in a world where footballers are encouraged to ‘stick to football’, this became a stick to beat him with when his performances faltered and he quickly became branded someone with a penchant for manufacturing moments for PR purposes. at such an admirable act could be twisted so negatively is the crushing weight of scrutiny he has car throughout his career.

Marcus Rashford means so much to so many fans, many who formed an emotional connection with him –with him as a Black man, with him as their favorite United player, with him as a Mancunian, with him as someone who cares deeply about his community – when there was not much else to love. We celebrated with him that night in Paris, a er that Chelsea freekick, and every time he brought out his nger to his temple in the 2022-23 season or roared with the away end. We hoped that he would retire at Old Tra ord with at least one Premier League to his name, triumphing over the hatred.

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SOCIAL

EDITED BY SOPHIA-INES KLEIN

AND JENNIFER LAU

2024’s Rise of Female Pop Stars

by SOPHIA-INES KLEIN & Illustrated by SYLVAIN CHAN

“Please Please Please” by Sabrina Carpenter seems to be the soundtrack of 2024. Not because it actually represents how the year went, but because the song followed us relentlessly, playing in every cafe, restaurant, and shop we walked into. Please, please, please stop. All jokes aside, it’s catchy, and Sabrina deserves the stardom she was crowned with in 2024. However, she is not alone in her success—2024 saw female pop artists soar to the top of the charts, with names like Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, and Tate McRae leading the way.

But what drove the popularity of what Roan would call the ‘feminomenon’ in pop music in 2024? Looking back at this year, I think it’s clear that listeners’ expectations have risen past the typical “bright, bubbly melody with an irrepressibly catchy chorus” that e Little Black Book said gave “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen its success in 2012. ey are now demanding more from a song’s message, sound, and production.

e success of female pop stars seems to ride the wave of female-centric pop culture that has risen since the Barbie movie kicked it o in 2023. ere is a growing demand for strong female narratives in music especially in a time where women’s rights are being challenged. As TikTok played a large role in blending politics into social media’s dominant discourse, the youth have become more politically engaged and are calling on public gures like singers to use their platforms.

Chappell Roan has taken the bull by the horns with her unapologetic lyricism and bold feminist message. What I think is one of Roan’s greatest pulls is the consistency that runs through her music, look, and personality she presents. In a few words, most would describe her as bold, unapologetically strong, and a gure for the queer community. Roan is not just an artist for the girls, she’s garnered a fanbase in the queer community as a queer woman and drag artist herself. Despite being a slow burn since her rst single in 2017, Roan’s big hits including “Good Luck, Babe!”, “Pink Pony Club”, and “Hot To Go!” gave her name a home on the charts in 2024. Beyond boasting strong vocals, her songs are statements about female and queer experiences with lyrics like “she’s got a way” repeated 24 times in her unreleased single “Subway” or “it’s a femininomenon” in “Femininomenon”. She is especially credited for creating space for queer artists in mainstream pop music.

Charli XCX stands alongside Roan for the strong female narrative she promotes. She shot to the top as her album Brat single handedly sparked one of the biggest online trends of the year—Brat Summer. It rose as a resistance to the ‘clean girl aesthetic’, letting women break loose from expectations of idealised perfection. Collins Dictionary even crowned ‘brat’ its word of the year describing it as “a con dent, independent, and hedonistic attitude”.

In the come down of Covid-19, concerts have become all the more alluring with superfans and casual listeners alike crowding to Ticketmaster. Look to the artists themselves and female pop stars have proven that they can do it all with what feels like a never-ending rampage of tours that tore through

2024. Safe to say, performance has seemed to be a de ning factor of success in 2024’s pop industry.

is is the case for Tate McRae who has made a name for herself with catchy music and dance performances to match. It’s not o en we see an artist in the pop industry whose dance moves match their stellar vocals. With video snip pets of her ink Later world tour going viral, McRae capi talised on her background in competitive dance to show how to tactfully balance singing with dance in a concert. While some have critiqued her for focusing much on dancing and not being a think McRae’s talents revitalises con mances where dance breaks aren’t just a break from the singing but a show in their own right. ink Michael Jackson and Britney Spears—their performances remind us of just how much their dancing elevated their concerts. McRae’s success in carrying this legacy forward continues with her already sold out Miss Possessive North America tour, announced before her 2024 ink Later tour was even over.

With so many women making moves in the pop industry, this article could go on forever… But alas the Social section only has two pages. 2024 has shown exciting developments in pop music, and I have no doubt the trend will continue. So, what can we look forward to in 2025? Beyond artists like Karol G and Victoria Monet climbing the charts, there remains a gap to be lled. We had Little Mix, our parents had the Spice Girls and Destiny’s Child, but who do the younger listeners of today have? e industry is waiting for a new big girl group and I think Flo could step into the role. eir debut album Access All Areas has already claimed new fans, and their bold look, personas, and R&B pop sound encapsulate all the characteristics of a chart-topping girl group. Only time will tell, but 2025 is already proving another exciting year in music.

e Chicest Celebrity Rebrands of 2024

by MELISSA LIMANI

Celebrity rebrands—a classic move for shedding old skin and stepping into a new identity destined for stardom. We’ve all contemplated changing our hair colour, reinventing our style, and archiving all our old Instagram posts, but these celebs have the luxury of a whole team – whether it’s hair & makeup, styling, or PR – to make a distant dream into a reality. Our job, really, is to either eat it it be an absolute failure. With that being said, let’s evaluate the chicest celebrity rebrands of 2024.

So a Richie: e

Quiet Luxury Queen

When the Kardashians or Jenners start echoing your style, you know you’ve truly I am talking about So a Richie, who ascended the ranks of qui et luxury this year, supposedly setting a trend that other celeb rities just couldn’t quite manage to emulate with the same subtle air. Just take a look at the several out wedding event, involving multiple Chanel haute couture pieces, two Khaite moments, Australian label Posse, and a Proenza Schouler dress

that sold out everywhere, and you’ll see why she’s at the top of the list.

To re ect her elevated sense of style, So a launched a series of collaborations that solidi ed her as the face of understated opulence, blending clean lines, muted tones, and timeless designs that perfectly align with the quiet luxury aesthetic she champions. is began with the ‘So a for Tommy’ capsule collection, a range with Solid & Striped for their spring 2024 collection, and the announcement of her own clothing brand. While speci c details remain under wraps, So a emphasised that her line will embody the timeless aesthetic she has become recognisable for. It’s no wonder she’s the poster child for the quiet luxury movement.

Daisy Edgar-Jones: Boho-Chic Revival

On a similar wavelength, we have Daisy Edgar-Jones. We all fell in love with her through Normal People, but 2024 cemented her status as a fashion-forward icon with a hippie-esque, owy style that feels e ortlessly chic. Vogue highlighted Daisy’s ascent in the fashion world, noting her emergence into the ‘It-Girl’ arena. A signi cant factor in her style evolution was her collaboration with renowned stylist Dani Michelle, which began during the Twisters press tour.

Daisy’s adoption of the boho-chic trend was particularly noted during her appearances in Chloé ensembles, such as a sheer, ru ed, ice-blue two-piece from Chloé’s A/W 2024 collection, which perfectly captured her transition into a more uid and carefree aesthetic. is evolution re ected her ability to balance elegance with a grounded, approachable style, resonating with her growing reputation as a modern muse of e ortless chic. featuring a translucent high-neck crop top and matching high-waist pants. e out t seamlessly merged femininity with com countering the sti silhouettes that dominated the pre year’s quiet-luxury phase.

As a Gucci brand ambassador, Daisy further show cased her versatility by turning heads at events like the Gucci Cruise 2025 show, where she wore a leather coat dress paired with sky-high slingback loafers. Her connection to iconic labels didn’t end there. At a press night a er-party for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, she stunned in a fern-green mini dress from Victoria Beckham’s SS25 collec tion, featuring an asymmetrical neckline and draped chi on. ese carefully curated looks solidi ed Daisy as a modern muse of bohe mian luxury.

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How Will Burberry Stitch Up Falling Pro ts?

by GEORGIE GASIOROWSKI & Illustrated by PAAVAS BANSAL

Why have Burberry’s pro ts fallen faster than your grandparents fell asleep a er Christmas dinner, and what is being done to solve the problem? Whilst Burberry is not alone in its nancial dip, its nancial report for 2023/24 was eye-watering. Adjusted operating pro t fell by a staggering 25% at constant exchange rate (CER) and adjusted diluted earnings per share fell 30% at

CER, resulting in their being de-indexed from the London Stock Exchange in September 2024.

Why is Burberry even facing this issue? ere are two particularly in uential causes. Firstly, there has been a ubiquitous slowdown in demand for luxury goods with similar brands also facing losses. 38% of demand for these goods came from China in 2023, which has experienced an economic slowdown and a cultural shi in attitudes towards luxury potentially underpinning falling pro ts. In 2022 the government introduced a prohibition on displays of large numbers of luxury items into livestream anchors’ codes of conduct. is initiative is part of a general e ort to steer society away from ostentatious behaviours and contributes to a sense of ‘luxury shame’ that dissuades those who can a ord expensive goods from buying them or showing them o . Combined with economic di culties, this is a likely cause for the dip in demand.

While most brands are su ering, some, like Miu Miu, are proving resilient to this trend. Why isn’t Burberry? It may come down to a second, more qualitative factor—the brand’s personality. Burberry’s signature check pattern lost some of its unattainable allure following its association with ‘chav culture’ in the 2000s. As this trend rose, major department stores like Harrods dropped the brand from their shop oors. Following this, exCEO Jonathan Akeroyd chose to move away from Burberry’s traditional colours in favour of blue, vowing to uphold the brand’s ‘Britishness’, though this proved unsuccessful. Perhaps the rapid succession of CEOs and creative directors has resulted in an unstable style preventing establishing a strong brand image. Look to Miuccia Prada’s Miu Miu, and it is clear how a consistent and distinctive style and marketing strategy drives success. Miu Miu’s marketing has been strategic and e ective, for example inviting 70-year-old frequent customer Dr Qin Huilan to walk their catwalk. is sent the message that their clothes are for everyone irrespective of age and attracted publicity. Essentially, what Miu Miu shows through its designs, branding and marketing is a creative spirit, something likely to have been developed and sustained by its stable leadership.

So, what is Burberry doing to turn the tables on its falling pro ts? Current CEO Joshua Schulman came equipped with his plan ‘Burberry Forward’. One of the main objectives of this plan is to revisit the pricing structure. Burberry expected demand to increase post-pandemic as shoppers were nally able to return to stores, leading to a bold pricing structure with signi cant price increases. A er all, when it comes to luxury goods, what is considered too much? Unfortunately demand was not as resilient to the price increase as the brand hoped. Schulman thus brought handbag prices back between £1,500 and £2,000 with only the brand’s statement products, like outerwear, remaining boldly priced.

ts have been symptomatic of a larger dip in China’s luxury demand that typically accounts cant proportion of luxury goods sales. ough this is a dominant factor, other aspects uential.

I argue that to bounce back Burberry should look to brands like Miu Miu that boast a strong brand identity that Burberry has been lacking given their conveyor belt of CEOs and designers.

PART B

EDITED BY JESSICA-MAY COX AND SILVIA CASSANELLI

rough the Frosted Lens

Holiday Edition

What I Would Tell my Fi

Old Self

by SAHANA RUDRA & Illustrated by SYLVAIN CHAN

e rst time they tell you it is your fault

It will feel like everything you’ve been taught to fear is coming true

ere will come a day when you can look yourself

in the eye without inching

e pain will continue but you get to decide when you want to stop eating shit with a smile on your face

When you need to believe in something bigger than yourself

Go to a protest or the sea

When you need to remember where you came from

Go to the mountains

Look out into the big open space

Sometimes, it will feel like a void that threatens to consume you

A master who must be obeyed

You will learn to let the grass and the water ripple through your ngers like the wind

Holding hands with the spirit of something primordial and immortal

Even when you think you won’t survive it

You will

Do not worry about being liked by people

Who do not like themselves very much

You will be able to love others with ten times more expansion

Once you extend the same courtesy to yourself

e judgements you bestow on others

Glint in the darkness

Like a double-edged sword ere is no winning a game at ends with your inevitable end

You do not need to make it easy for him

For the right person

Loving you will ow like water

He thinks he owns language

Use this

Ask direct questions

Do not inch

e rst time his hands meet the side of your face

Leave

rst time he gets comfortable with masking disrespect in the shrouds of humour

Remind him why you are your father’s daughter

Your diagnosis is not a life sentence

e way your brain works is not a burden

Your unique composition brings you to worlds you didn’t know existed

No one is coming to save you

e only thing that gets you to save yourself

Is all the love that allows you to breathe each day

All the love that adorns every fracture of your life

Lord forgive me

For all the years

I couldn’t see

What Makes a Good Story?

My Two Cents

by LUCAS NGAI & Illustrated by SYLVAIN CHAN

For most of my life, I’ve never felt strongly about the media I consumed. To me, media was either good or ‘less good’ (i.e., tolerable). Tolerable ‘Net ix slop’ would be enough to keep my attention for the duration of a lm or episode, and you know what? I was ne with that.

Yet when I revisit my recent experiences with stories like Arcane, Toy Story, or One Piece, I am intrigued at how each of them has unexpectedly struck me in a profound way. I came in not expecting to connect with them, feel engaged, let alone break me emotionally. But each of them did in a significant way, and I struggled to put my nger on why. Perhaps I should stop falling to the whims of ‘[x show] metacritic’ before I can even formulate my honest thoughts on a show, for a change.

What, then, constitutes a good story?

For me, I think the word ‘humanity’ is an apt a cop-out answer, but it’s true: humans driven by stories stories people tell are how we situate our selves in the present and process the tangled mess that is our in ner world. Similar to how we can intui tively sense self-portrait is good because it feels ‘right’ and ‘propor tional’, we can likewise ‘sense’ the humanity in a story, pri marily through a story’s characters and core message. When you sense humanity in a character, you can then get truly invested in a sto ry—the process that makes us go “wow, that story was really good!” Beyond that, a coherent message re makes a story unforgettable; it separates the great stories from the good.

character. I can de nitely empathise with his deep insecurity when he gets overshadowed by Buzz: he, like us, just wants to be loved. His feelings, emotions, and decisions to screw Buzz over are clearly understood in the audience’s eyes. Also like us, he is able to grow from his insecurities and accept them. As he goes through tribulations with the space ranger throughout the story, he gradually comes to terms with his insecurities and sees Buzz as a friend (when Buzz gets strapped to the rocket). As we can see, the way that characters make understandable actions based on their emotions and logic, as well as their capacity to change through the events of a story, are very human—processes that we can relate to on a deeper level. us one of the hallmarks of a good story is relatable, dynamic characters with human struggles.

e way a character interacts with a good story should also re ect a core message consistent with our human experience. Take One Piece: as we see Lu y come face to face with his weakness of loneliness or ‘stupidity’ (especially a er the Marineford arc), and be told even by his own friends that his e orts are futile, he still marches onwards with a smile. e power of human will to de ne what is possible, to me, is the core message of over 1,100 manga chapters.

To make a character human, they must rst be likeable. at usually means asking one question: could I imagine myself hanging out with them? In good stories, the answer is usually yes: Aragorn, Ekko, and the Phantom ieves quickly come to mind.

But good stories don’t have to have likeable characters. A good story is able to add humanity, and complexity to unlikeable characters, which lends itself to the story’s quality. Take Buzz: when he is rst introduced to Andy’s toy box, he comes across as a self-absorbed, one-dimensional, larger-than-life personality. But when he realises the true nature of his being in the middle of the story, we are able to empathise with him as he grapples with his true identity, revealing another dimension of his personality.

Upon rewatching, I’ve also come to appreciate Woody as a well-written

Sure, it can be easy to write it o as “we can do it with the power of God and anime on my side!” bollocks, but even a ‘well-worn’ message has the potential to be compelling. I love One Piece because it does not hold back in describing human depravity throughout the story—racism, slavery, and e natural response to such a world is y never thinks this way: this is precisely why the such a strong impression on me. You may get an entirely different message from One Piece, and that’s okay. What’s most important is the intention of a core message in a story that uniquely speaks to each person. To me, this is what makes good stories unforgettable.

Reflecting on what a way I view media er all, History

is essentially the most “human” story possible: we sense how real, dynamic historical gures and events are woven into a message, value-driven narrative that we use to characterise the world as we see it. It is why plots inspired by historical events are o en compelling—because similar courses of action were made by humans at some point whose thought processes we fundamentally understand.

More concretely, as life ‘happens’ to us every day, we are constantly but subtly rewriting (or strengthening) the narrative of our lives. is has the power to in uence your future actions. It could be that “I am a humanities person because of x experience that turned me o of STEM forever”, or “I am now a changed person who wants to live a ful lling life because of y experience, therefore I will do z”. As the protagonist with power over your own story, what is your life’s narrative? What do you want your story to be?

REVIEW

EDITED BY WILLIAM GOLTZ AND ARUSHI ADITI

Beaver Best of 2024

Beaver Book of 2024: Andrew O’HaganCaledonian Road

by ARUSHI ADITI

I’ll be honest, I only picked this book up right as we got rejected from a property on Caledonian Road (London housing, am I right?), but it ended up leaving me with such a riveting read.

rough this novel, Andrew O’Hagen tells the story of how Campbell Flynn’s (an established 52-year-old art historian) personal and professional lives take a turn in the backdrop of cosmopolitan, contemporary London. e plot unravels underlying secrets from Campbell’s past and re ects the impacts of such scandals on his current professional life. We also witness an interaction between him, the London aristocracy, and the broader social landscape of the city a er COVID and Brexit.

Personally, I enjoyed the exploration of Campbell’s complex character paired with the social commentary on modern-day London’s class disparities. e raw, honest portrayal of Campbell’s moral dilemmas makes him relatable, while prominently highlighting how he tackles a dramatic, scandalous con ict. We see him navigate through unthinkable scandals, torn between honouring his public prestige or internal disillusionment.

e implicit message about class disparities, commodi cation of culture, and institutional hypocrisy is what stood out to me the most. O’Hagan’s satirical approach when characterising London aristocrats makes this a humorous read while emphasising the importance of how this wealth inequality a ects the struggles of the marginalised.

e timely portrait of London, encompassing current, relevant themes that modern Londoners can relate to, spotlights the unsaid nuances underneath the glitter and glam that we see on the surface. e London upper-class society and art world are used to juxtapose luxury against the struggles of the average citizen. As a Londoner, I loved the references to speci c parts of the city (i.e., the Les Misérables poster in central London), which draws the reader in to feel like a true witness to these events.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this novel because of its dynamic plotline, but more so because of its implicit critique of class, culture, and society in contemporary London. As a London university student, especially if you like a good ction read, this is a great, modern novel that critically analyses the hypocrisy that exists in contemporary society.

Beaver Album of 2024: Hooky - Mirage

by WILLIAM GOLTZ

ere is a video on Instagram of Hooky performing in an art gallery in Texas, which is one of the most euphoric things I have ever seen. ey are playing a song called “Goodbye”, the shimmering outro to their 2024 album Mirage, and the crowd is going insane. e name of the festival they’re at, ‘THANKS4EXISTING’, is ashing on the wall behind them. Performing as a duo with just a single chorused-out Stratocaster and a ashing sampler, Hooky tears the room apart when the drums come in.

As much as rankings and ‘best of’ lists have always seemed to be one of the most contrived traditions that come with writing about music, calling Mirage my album of the year feels like a weirdly easy choice. Being cynical doesn’t change how much Hooky’s music sounds like 2024 to me. A woozy, intoxicating mix of warm guitars and synths, crunchy digital drums, and distant, manipulated vocals, Hooky songs come together and land somewhere in a hazy but recognisable near future. Essentially the solo project of Philadelphia songwriter and producer Scott Turner, Hooky is one of the most unique and singular acts to have emerged from a Philly ‘new-gaze’ scene which has already produced some of the most progressive and forward-thinking acts in modern guitar music. Proudly signed to the local Julia’s War record label headed up by TAGABOW maestro Doug Dulgarian, Hooky has stayed unique in an exciting company. Calling their music shoegaze is fun not because it’s wrong but because it feels like a litmus test for what your friends think guitar music should be. While the idea of being ‘post-genre’ gets thrown around a lot, Hooky has more fun than anyone doing what they want. “Heart Eyes” sounds like what would happen if you asked Alex G to make a trip-hop song. “Enter Capman” has a brief 80’s chase music interlude that made me laugh really loudly on a plane when I rst heard it. If the genre was in fact dead in 2024, Hooky might have played the wake.

Being honest, though, I hardly spent as much time as I did listening to Hooky last year just because I think they sum up the direction of modern guitar music. Weird new stu can be bad, like the updated Instagram layout. For all of its unique and impressive production, Hooky’s music works because it wears its naive heart on its sleeve. As distant and distorted as Turner’s vocals are mixed, there is a real longing in them which keeps the album’s surrealist turns grounded. As jokingly as I mentioned Alex G earlier, he seems to loom large on this album in songs like “Mirror” and “Company”, whose quiet hopefulness is rooted in child-like dreams of honesty and friendship. ere is something deeply intimate about Mirage that feels consistent with its dense and unbounded production. You can really hear where the guitars are looped and the drums are chopped. Hooky’s music never feels amateurish, but Turner wants you to feel his own hands working out his music. Listening to Mirage feels like going through the laptop of a friend who is annoyingly good with Ableton. Nothing should sum up music in 2024 better than that.

LSESU Drama Society’s A Midsummer

Dream - eatre Review

by LABEENA HANIF & Photographed by SORYOUNG HAN

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of my favourite plays by Shakespeare. I’ve seen it played out in a lot of variations, but the LSESU Drama Society’s production may have been the most innovative version I’ve seen to date, from the staging to the directorial choices and exceptional acting. From the get-go, the entire auditorium was transformed into a stage, with the audience seated in the middle of the action. We didn’t just watch the play, we experienced it, craning our necks this way and that, watching the action unfold – at times – bare inches away from us.

e directorial choices worked brilliantly with the text to cra new narratives, illuminate the characters, and bring to light the spirit of the play. Complete with denim-on-denim, drugs, and anti-war posters, the 60s ower-child staging was a delightfully appropriate choice for a play that is whimsical and earthy but underpinned by omnipresent military violence and conquests. e opening scene of the Athenian military hunting down Puck – conceived of by the directors – was tense, tightly choreographed, and totally not what I was expecting. e tone it established brought to light the discomfort that we (as a modern audience) have with Queen Hippolyta’s status as a war prize and the misogyny that underlies the Lovers’ interactions with the King and each other. Not only that, but it opened the extra-textual possibility of the humans’ awareness of, and interaction with, fairies—a concept that shi s the power dynamics between these two worlds. I loved the way these choices played out and made me think. My only gripe: this extra storyline was too compelling. I wanted more!

Finally, I would be remiss not to mention what a phenomenal job the actors did: from the menacing stage presence of Arnav Raje as eseus to the utterly sincere, sympathetic, and hormonal Lovers, to the inhuman insanity of Sam Eaglesham as Puck. Another special mention goes to Soryoung Han’s portrayal of Titania and Hippolyta; her portrayal of the two very di erent queens brought out the characters beautifully and o en nonverbally. And then there’s Nick Bottom (portrayed by Kosta Burgess), who utterly stole the show. Burgess’ version of Bottom was charismatic and deeply human: Bottom – armed with a surprisingly stylish donkey mask – is a pompous ass who takes himself too seriously and we love him because of it.

is play was screamingly hilarious (with some well-placed extra lines and expletives) and just an all-around good time, alongside everything else I’ve just gushed about. I don’t think I’ve laughed this hard at a production in a long time. LSESU Drama Society, you’ve got a die-hard new fan—I cannot wait to see what you do next.

Julien Baker at EartH Hall - Concert Review

by AMY O’DONOGHUE

Being blessed with the experience of hearing Julien Baker’s live performance was transcendent, and I don’t mean that hyperbolically. e combination of her powerful vocals and melancholy instrumentals is already able to provoke deep emotion through earphones. Hearing them coming from right in front of you, surrounding you, ampli ed that intensity to an unfathomable degree.

e crowd was a little restless a er the support acts, with some of the audience sitting on the venue’s oor as anticipation turned to impatience. But when Baker appeared on stage, that feeling dissipated instantly and people jumped to their feet for “Appointments”, an immensely beautiful song about the impact of mental health on relationships and the need to believe things can change for the better—an anthem of both misery and hope. Hearing the opening chords of Appointments, the physical e ect was instant. e few repetitive notes, striking in their simplicity, evoke such a sense of devastation, of trying every day again and again to outrun a feeling that just keeps chasing you. By the time she sang “I’m staying in tonight”, I was already sobbing.

e punchy “Ringside” injected a manic excitement into the atmosphere, counterbalanced by the equally passionate but somewhat more somber “Relative Fiction”. ”Tokyo,” a deeply metaphorical ode to self-destruction, was a personal favourite. Voices were lowered for so , confessional pieces from “Sprained Ankle” and “Turn out the Lights”, particularly for “Claws in Your Back,” which details the shi away from suicidal ideation through some of the most breathtaking vocals I have ever heard. ese feelings of awe and respect persisted as Baker chose to share an unreleased track, a slow and re ective song of her typical style.

e nal song on the setlist was the intense “Hardline”, with guitars and anguished vocals consistently building to the nal crazed instrumental break—the climax of the song, and therefore of the concert as well. As the crowd yelled “What if it’s all black, baby?” the despair evident in the studio version turned into something like freedom. Life may be hopeless, yes, it might really be “all black, all the time”, but screaming it in a dark room with strangers made it seem less su ocating. e clanging of the drums kicked in and a sense of catharsis ooded the hall.

Truthfully, I’m not quite sure how exactly I was reduced to tears so quickly. But there is something inarguably powerful about hearing somebody sing words that resonated with you instantly when you rst heard them years ago. Listening to sad music can be a melodramatic, self-deprecating pastime. But it’s also a very real outlet for feelings of paralysis, of loneliness. ere’s a case to be made for sad music dragging you down into a self-curated pit of despair, but in my case, it’s highly comforting. So to hear those same lyrics I have carried with me for so long, the soundscape they were built upon echoing through my entire body? Of course, emotions over owed. Music can pluck things we keep deep inside of us out and bring them to the forefront, as is the case with Baker’s discography. She returned to the stage for one nal song, a track from early on in her career: “Everybody Does”. In it, she laments her own perceived defectiveness, calling herself “a pile of lthy wreckage you will wish you never touched”. Hopelessly nihilistic, lyrically creative, and deeply moving.

In conversation with Aishah Bhugaloo In conversation with Aishah Bhugaloo

interview by EMMA DO photography by RYAN LEE

interview by EMMA DO photography by RYAN LEE

Returning to university a er the Christmas break feels especially bittersweet this year as a nal-year student. ere’s an ache in leaving behind your city, your family, and the familiar comforts of home—made even heavier when stepping back into a cold, o en somber London. e start of a new term brings both excitement and uncertainty, a mix of fresh challenges and eeting moments to savor. Transitions like these can be the hardest to navigate when you’re far from home. But in those moments, I’ve come to realise we’re never truly alone. At LSE, there’s something deeply heartening about how naturally people come together, how shared experiences create a sense of belonging. It’s also encouraging to see so many students and sta are working tirelessly to ensure that international voices are heard, that our concerns are taken seriously. For this rst issue of Winter Term, I sat down with Aishah Bhugaloo, LSESU’s International Students O cer for 2024/25, to explore what it truly means to celebrate diversity—and how, in ways big and small, you make this community so special.

Born and raised in Mauritius, Aishah moved to London for a degree in Management, so we kicked o our conversation by going back to where she started. “Mauritius is one of the most diverse places you could nd, where people of all nationalities are well integrated. I grew up in a truly multicultural hub,” she shared. “ at’s why when I came to London, everything seemed ne. I didn’t struggle as much as I thought I would.”

For many international students, the transition to a new country can be daunting, but Aishah’s experience was somewhat di erent. at’s not to say she didn’t notice cultural di erences— just that they surfaced in unexpected ways. “I wouldn’t say I’ve had any major cultural shocks so far. People are actually nicer in London, and a ectionate language is much more common here. Strangers on the bus will call you ‘darling’ or ‘love’—that was de nitely something I wasn’t used to.”, Aishah laughed as she re ected on her journey so far.

She went on to tell me about the best and worst thing of going abroad, and how they are actually two sides of the same coin—being put into unfamiliar situations. “You traveled miles away from home and threw yourself into a completely new environment. Of course, it’s uncomfortable at rst. But as you meet new people and experience a di erent way of life, your perspective shi s. You grow so much in the process. It’s what you make of it. Opportunities are there for you to take—if you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone.” is eagerness to embrace new perspectives was, arguably, a driving force behind Aishah’s decision to run for the SU’s International Student O cer. “Most people were surprised when I told them why I applied,” she admitted with a laugh. “But my answer was simple—’Do it for the plot!’”

e competition was erce, according to Aishah. ere were six of them running, and as someone who didn’t have as much experience, she immersed herself fully in the application process without much expectation. Yet, Aishah realised how every step along the way, however small, like handing out lea ets or making banner, is a huge learning opportunity. So when I asked about the most valuable thing she had gained, she told me, “ ere’s no such thing as failing at all. I treated the whole thing like an experiment. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, it’s impossible to be on top all the time. ere are so many things that I wanted to do in this role that I didn’t get to complete, plus, balancing a part-time role with your academic at LSE is going to keep your hands full. I take this as a positive thing, though, since it can redirect me to stu worth putting more energy and e ort into, so I learned not to take

everything personally.”

When I asked about what Aishah and everyonewere up to last term, she mentioned her biggest commitment, joining force in lobbying for an amendment of the Renters’ Right Bill. “ e cost of living crisis is already bad for international students, but on top of that, there is a housing crisis that’s o setting many.”, Aishah told me about the issue in detail. “I have friends who’s been living with a friend for so long because she’s unable to nd a place. But even if you do, nding a UK-based guarantor is a whole other issue. If you can’t nd a guarantor, in which many students encounter this struggle, you end up having to pay 6 months in advance or even a year, so this puts a huge nancial constraints [on students].” Aishah and others at LSE joined the National Union of Students (NUS), writing to their MP and taking the campaign to Parliament. “It was great to be part of something bigger than just planning cultural events,” she said.

is opened up more conversations between us—about the international student community, their needs, and the challenges they face. As Aishah had pointed out, the role isn’t just about organising cultural events; it also requires an awareness of the legal and logistical hurdles students navigate, from visa issues to the rental crisis.

As societies and clubs at LSE are already doing a great job of hosting events, Aishah sees her role as laying the groundwork for something more constructive and sustainable. One of her key ambitions for Winter Term is creating an international students’ guide to LSE. “Before coming here as a fresher, I looked up information for international students, but I quickly lost track. I had to open 10 or 20 tabs just to gure out what to prepare. Everything was so spread out,” she said. Her goal is to create a comprehensive guide for freshers, undergrads, and postgrads alike—interviewing students for insights, curating blogs and videos, and going beyond just another PDF. Simple but practical advice, like living in London, travel tips, or even an introduction to the world of Tesco meal deals, will all be included because, as she put it, “2025 is not about gatekeeping.”

is doesn’t mean there won’t be a strong focus on celebrating diversity and organising events to bring the international community even closer. roughout last term, Aishah met with presidents of various cultural societies, aiming to spotlight them through collaborative e orts— creating opportunities for students to connect while discovering new cultures. Drawing from her own experience, she wants students to know

that you don’t have to be from a certain country to join its society and explore its traditions. Some of her closest friendships were formed simply by showing up to these events with an open mind. “You would be surprised at how welcoming these societies are. ey are just as exciting as you are when you get involved in their events.”

“Settling in is always the hardest part. I always thought I was missing out when I didn’t go to many of the freshers’ events as a non-drinker because the drinking culture in the UK can be overwhelming. I used to fell like I’m gonna be le out because I didn’t make friends fast enough in the rst few weeks, that everyone were able to form their own bubble and friend circle but me. However, I think that’s when societies and this community come in.” Taking time to nd herself and her own people, Aishah joined other more niche clubs, smaller societies, and that’s where she found some amazingly creative people who eventually stuck around. “Not everyone’s going to be your friend. You need to get that out of your head. And you don’t have to be friendly to everyone either.”

As we came to the end of our conversaiton, I asked Aishah about what she would say, not on how to make the most out of LSE, but just a few words to her fresher self, to which we both got this melancholy feeling. “You’re here for three years, and it goes away faster than you think, so might as well go out of your comfort zone and take on LSE the way you want to. Fake it until you make it. Go out. Remember to get some vitamin D from the sun whenever it comes out. It’s not always going to be sunshine but there are so many opportunities out there waiting for you. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, Take it easy, one step at a time.”

LSE is an academically demanding, fast-paced environment that can sometimes make you overlook your achievements or feel isolated. But here’s to you, and more beautiful things you can unpack here. You belong in this community.

Marcus Rashford