The Boar - Volume 46 Issue 6

theboar

No end in sight for Warwick encampment

Thedemonstration by student-staff group Warwick Stands With Palestine has gone on for weeks, since tents were first erected in the Piazza on 26 April. Marking the first of what would become a national wave of student encampments across UK universities, demonstrators have called on the University of Warwick’s management to ‘divest’ from companies they say are enabling the war in Gaza.

Yet, though other universities have backed down in the face of student outrage, Warwick’s management has stood firm. A meeting of the University’s governing Council on 22 May rejected the encampment’s principle charge: that through their partnerships and investments in the defence sector, Warwick is ‘complicit’ in Israel’s military campaign, in which, as of 27 May, over 35,000 people had died. The Council refused the demands for all ties to arms companies to be broken and has since toughened its stance: security on campus has been bolstered, and University House closed off from students.

With neither side backing down, there seems to be no end in sight for the encampment. To examine what implications such a standoff has had on the Universi-

ty’s student community, The Boar has conducted a survey into opinions on the demonstration and the wider dispute with University Management.

Off the bat, the survey’s findings immediately corroborate a key claim by the encampment, that their actions represent the beliefs of a majority of the student community. Respondents overwhelmingly backed the demonstration: 69% ‘strongly’ supported it, with a further 11% professing to ‘somewhat support’ the encampment. Many responses described feeling proud of the protestors, whilst several referenced a “right side of history” they felt the encampment to be on – one History student compared the encampment to the Vietnam War protest movement of the 1970s.

“Students are turning a moment of widespread trauma [...] into a beautiful space of collective action”

One respondent praised what they called the “positive and welcoming space” created by the en-

campment. “Students,” they said, “are turning a moment of widespread trauma at the horrors of a genocide being carried out against Gaza into a beautiful space of collective action, not just trying to hold Warwick to account for its complicity, but also creating spaces for knowledge production and community building.”

The protest playing an educational role for students was a widespread theme. The survey found over half of those surveyed (54%) had learnt of the reasons behind the encampment through events held by the demonstration itself. Four out of every five respondents had picked up information through social media: the Warwick Stands With Palestine account on Instagram has been popularly engaged with by students, with posts frequently receiving over a thousand likes.

Not a single respondent was unaware of why the encampment was taking place: 80% considered themselves ‘very aware’, and 20% ‘somewhat’ so. Of this last fifth, over half (58%) said the demonstration had made them more likely to seek out information on the reasons behind it. As a Chemistry student said: “If these people are willing to camp for weeks for what they believe in, I should at least do a bit of research to inform my opinion.”

As could perhaps be expected

of a university’s student population, the survey found an extremely high level of awareness of the wider context for the controversy: two-thirds (66%) believed they were ‘very informed’ on events in Israel and Palestine, with only a tiny minority (2%) professing not to have followed what was going on. Even while accounting for survey engagement skewing towards those actively seeking out information, it indicates a significant level of passion and concern for the crisis among the University’s population. One comment summarised the beliefs of many protestors: “This isn’t some far away thing. This is our university, and we can do something about it.”

“It

“Certainly at the beginning of my career, I didn’t want to be defined by my colour”

Clive Myrie: From having a paper round in Bolton to becoming a leading BBC presenter

FEATURES | 6

Studio Ghibli: Where to Start

Commenting on the support shown by the survey, a spokesperson for Warwick Stands With Palestine told The Boar that: “These figures reflect the overwhelming support and encouragement we’ve received from students across the University.” They also referred to the All Student Vote held by Warwick Students’ Union in November of last year, which saw a motion calling for the University to divest from arms companies win almost three-quarters of the vote in support. This was cited as further evidence for the breadth of student support for the movemen-

Top ten Studio Ghibli Films, listed in ideal order for first time viewers

Jakob Reid (he/him)

The2024 UK General Election seems to be a foregone conclusion, with Labour beating the Conservatives. Though this seems obvious, no ballots have yet been cast, and many would still argue there is still time for Sunak to turn things around. This could happen, it is probably too late for the Conservatives — their time is up, and no ‘culture war’ can save them. However, this doesn’t mean it is set to be all sunshine and rainbows under Sir Keir Starmer. Any Starmer government will never be

able to replicate the political mania of New Labour, however hard they try. Ultimately, the door will remain open to the populist farright. There are three main issues that will shape the outcome of this election. Firstly, the economy. On the face of it, leaving a recession appears an achievement, but when realising growth in the last quarter was only 0.6 per cent, the UK’s grave economic issues are clear. In addition to this, the cost-of-living crisis is still carries on. The Conservatives

Martin Day (he/him)

Editors' Letter

Luke Chapman (he/him) and Archie Clarke (he/him)

Ifour newly designed front page didn't give it away, it's a new era for all of us here at The Boar. We'd like to start by thanking Ellie and Eden, our predecessors, for leaving The Boar in such a wonderful place. We hope that we follow in your footsteps throughout our tenure and go on to achieve even more this year.

We're incredibly proud of our new editorial team, who have already gone above and beyond to put together what promises to be an incredible final print of the academic year.

2024 marks 51 years since The Boar's inception, and we're all eager to prove that not only is The Boar still alive

and kicking, but is continuing to grow and thrive.

A special mention goes to our legal advisor, Peter, who has gotten us out of a lot of trouble over the years. Peter, we wish you all the best moving forward. The Boar simply won't be the same without you.

We hope you enjoy reading our first print edition as a new exec, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds!

Our Senior Team Picks

LIFESTYLE | PAGE 11

She's a girl's girl

Mairi Humphreys (she/her)

Co-Editors-in-Chief editor@theboar.org

Deputy Editors-in-Chief communications@theboar.org digitalmedia@theboar.org physicalmedia@theboar.org

Chief Sub-Editor subeditor@theboar.org

Head of Business& Sales business@theboar.org

Head of Events events@theboar.org

Head of Social Media

NEWS news@theboar.org

Sub-Editor: Katie Bevan (she/her)

FEATURES features@theboar.org

Sub-Editor: Katie Bevan (she/her)

COMMENT comment@theboar.org

Sub-Editor: Tra My Insua-Luu (she/her)

LIFESTYLE lifestyle@theboar.org

Sub-Editor: Laura van Diesen (she/her)

CLIMATE climate@theboar.org

Sub-Editor: Alexandra Luca (she/her)

Yusra Babar (she/her)

Alittle fun fact about me is that I run my own book club, and I am a speciality coffee enthusiast. Contrary to others, I still love reading despite the tedious workings of my

English literature degree. I look forward to becoming a helpful addition to the senior team this year.

Anna Bickerton (she/her)

Mairi's article on 'girls' girl' feminism struck a chord with me. She cleverly highlights the potentially alienating aspects of Gen Z's particular feminist emphasis on the importnace of female friendship

whilst recognising the enrichment and confidence these relationships can bring to women's lives. A great read, her piece prompted me to view contemporary 'feminist trends through a more critical lense.

Jesse Hitt (she/her)

Iamexcited to be on such a great team this year and having the opportunity to continue my InDesign journey. All the new exec have done great work putting this together and I hope everyone will enjoy our first print.

TV | PAGE 27

The Good Place and its implicit heterosexual agenda

Gemma Short (She/Her)

ARTS | PAGE 20

The albums on my wall: Discussing the artistry behind my favourite album covers

Peggy Griffiths (she/her)

Luke Chapman (he/him)

Archie Clarke (he/him)

Yusra Babar (she/her)

Anna Bickerton (she/her)

Jesse Hitt (she/her)

Katie Bevan (she/her)

Amyra Varma (she/her)

Freya Bennewith (she/her)

Abbie Fox (she/her )

Martin Day (he/him)

Grace Goodwin (she/her)

Benjamin Sachs (he/him)

Odette Dyer (she/her)

Amy Adshead (they/she)

FINANCE

finance@theboar.org

Sub-Editor: Snow E. (she/her)

GAMES games@theboar.org

Sub-Editor: Rebecca Meldon (she/her)

ARTS arts@theboar.org

Sub-Editor: Sanjana Iyer (she/her)

BOOKS

books@theboar.org

Sub-Editor: Anna Barnard (she/her)

MUSIC music@theboar.org

Sub-Editor: Lara Tokar (she/her)

PODCASTS

podcasts@theboar.org

Sub-Editor: Tauseef Parkar (he/him)

FILM film@theboar.org

Sub-Editor: Emilia Growney

TV tv@theboar.org

Sub-Editor: Tania Karmokar (she/her)

TRAVEL travel@theboar.org

SPORT

sport@theboar.org

Sub-Editor: Ollie Hotchin (he/him)

Katie Bevan (she/her) festivals, could be running out of steam. But as Nazym points out, with costs for attendees reaching record highs wjile performer's pay cheques dwindle, it really could be the end of the road for this iconic festival.

Having attended, and survived, this year's Primavera Sound in Barcelona, where crowds flocked to see Lana Del Rey, it was surprising to read how Coachella, one of the world's biggest

CLIMATE | PAGE 13

City sinking: China’s urban population at risk

Tra My Insua-Luu (she/her)

Coachella 2024: How the star-studded performances can’t save one of the world’s biggest music festivals from nearly running its course MUSIC | PAGE 24

Nazym Kairatkyzy (she/her)

Abhay Venkitaraman (he/him)

Gabriela Jozefowicz (she/her)

Abigail Mableson (she/her)

Estella Neumayr (she/her)

Lucy Gibbons (she/her)

Matthew Randell (he/him)

Parijat Bhattacherjee (she/her)

Hayden Waller (he/him)

James Watson (he/him)

Sub-Editor: Mahak Chowdhury (she/her)

Rachel Gore (she/her)

News

No end in sight for Warwick encampment

The Boar examines student opinion amid Council–student standoff

Thedemonstration by student-staff group Warwick Stands With Palestine has gone on for weeks, since tents were first erected in the Piazza on 26 April. Marking the first of what would become a national wave of student encampments across UK universities, demonstrators have called on the University of Warwick’s management to ‘divest’ from companies they say are enabling the war in Gaza.

Yet, though other universities have backed down in the face of student outrage, Warwick’s management has stood firm. A meeting of the University’s governing Council on 22 May rejected the encampment’s principle charge: that through their partnerships and investments in the defence sector, Warwick is ‘complicit’ in Israel’s military campaign, in which, as of 27 May, over 35,000 people had died. The Council refused the demands for all ties to arms companies to be broken and has since toughened its stance: security on campus has been bolstered, and University House closed off from students. With neither side backing down, there seems to be no end in sight for the encampment. To examine what implications such a standoff has had on the University’s student community, The Boar has conducted a survey into opinions on the demonstration and the wider dispute with University Management.

Off the bat, the sur vey’s findings im mediately corrob orate a key claim by the encampment, that their actions represent the beliefs of a majority of the student community. Respondents overwhelm ingly backed the demonstration: 69% ‘strongly’ supported it, with a further 11% professing to ‘somewhat support’ the encampment. Many responses described feeling proud of the pro-

testors, whilst several referenced a “right side of history” they felt the encampment to be on – one History student compared the encampment to the Vietnam War protest movement of the 1970s.

“Students are turning a moment of widespread trauma [...] into a beautiful space of collective action”

– Warwick Student

One respondent praised what they called the “positive and welcoming space” cre ated by the encamp ment. “Students,” they said, “are turning a moment of widespread trauma at the horrors of a genocide being carried out against Gaza into a beautiful space of collec tive action, not just trying to hold War wick to account for its complicity, but also creating spaces for knowledge production and community building.”

thousand likes.

Not a single respondent was unaware of why the encampment was taking place: 80% considered themselves ‘very aware’, and 20% ‘somewhat’ so. Of this last fifth, over half (58%) said the demonstration had made them more likely to seek out information on the reasons behind it. As a Chemistry student said: “If these people are willing to camp for weeks for what they believe in, I should at least do a bit of research to inform my opinion.”

The protest playing an educational role for students was a widespread theme. The survey found over half of those surveyed (54%) had learnt of the reasons behind the encampment through events held by the demonstration itself.

Four out of every five respondents had picked up information through social media: the Warwick Stands With Palestine account on Instagram has been popularly engaged with by students, with posts frequently receiving over a

As could perhaps be expected of a university’s student population, the survey found an extremely high level of awareness of the wider context for the controversy: twothirds (66%) believed they were ‘very informed’ on events in Israel and Palestine, with only a tiny minority (2%) professing not to have followed what was going on. Even while accounting for survey engagement skewing towards those actively seeking out information, it indicates a significant level of passion and concern for the crisis among the University’s population. One comment summarised the beliefs of many protestors: “This isn’t some far away thing. This is our university, and we can do something about it.”

Commenting on the support shown by the survey, a spokesperson for Warwick Stands With Palestine told The Boar that: “These figures reflect the overwhelming support and encouragement we’ve received from students across the University.” They also referred to the All Student Vote held by Warwick Students’ Union in November of last year, which saw a motion calling for the University to divest from arms companies win almost three-quarters of the vote in support. This was cited as further evidence for the breadth of student support for the movement, alongside over 50 societies having signed the WSWP constitution. This support is not totally universal, of course. Whilst a decisive

majority of respondents backed the encampment, just under a fifth professed to oppose it. This divide in support amongst those surveyed seemed to fall along partisan lines – 88% of those who identified with leftwing ideologies supported the protestors, whereas 92% of those on the right were opposed. More broadly, where just 6% of left-wing re spondents said they opposed the use of disruptive protest tactics, 85% of right-wingers said as much. None of those surveyed on the right of the political spectrum offered their unconditional support to disruptive protest tactics, compared to 70% of those on the left.

‘Student politics has become too toxic.’ To what extent do you agree?

Strongly agree – 24%

Somewhat agree – 24%

Somewhat disagree – 25%

Strongly disagree – 20% Unsure – 6.9%

Of the comments by those opposed, many suggested that aspects of the protest were antisemitic – one singled out the alleged use of the word ‘intifada’ in protest slogans, understood as referring to the period of terror attacks on Israel, as “very much cross[ing] the line”. A History and Politics student highlighted one common refrain used by the demonstrators – “When people say, ‘From the river to the sea’, that is a genocidal chant” – in a point that has been echoed by some Jewish advocacy groups. They went on to declare that: “I will never support this protest, and look forward to the day when it’s taken down.”

“It feels as if the University isn’t a safe space for open debate”

– Warwick Politics student

As stated earlier, opinions like these were by no means the majority, representing less than a fifth of the student survey. One common concern of these opponents was, however, shared by a plurality of those sampled – the worry that student politics had ‘become too

toxic’. 48% of respondents agreed with the stance; 45% disagreed. One of those polled mused that “it feels as if the University isn’t a safe space for open debate, and nuance is at a premium,” going on to speculate that, “perhaps this is as those with the strongest opinion on each side are most likely to engage.” Another said they felt there was “a bit of a toxic culture surrounding activism on campuses – everyone wants you to speak up, but no one wants to educate you because it’s not their job.” Others, however, have pushed back hard against this notion that the debate has become too unpleasant. An Economics student argued that while they understood the weariness with the conflict: “To act as if the cancellation of events like [the Eurovision screening] will ever compare to the horrors in Gaza is insulting”. A WSWP spokesperson dismissed concerns over a toxic atmosphere, asserting that: “Our focus is on the atmosphere in Gaza - the humanitarian catastrophe created by Israel’s genocidal war, and the dispossession and brutalisation Palestinians have faced over 76 years of Israeli settler-colonialism.”

A final question for those surveyed found that 69% felt the University does not care about the beliefs of its students. As the standoff goes on, there is every chance this perception could grow: a vote by the University Assembly on 24 May “overwhelmingly” backing protest demands contrasted starkly with the decision of the University Council two days prior, exacerbating perceptions of a disconnect between Management and the wider community. WSWP’s own stance was made clear to The Boar: “As long as the University ignores its students on this issue, [and] refuses to seriously negotiate with us and act on our demands, students have no reason to believe the University cares about our views.”

Martin Day (he/him)

Smackdown: Student housing plans spell doom for Leamington nightclub

Jasper

Young (he/they)

Tuesdaynights for Warwick students may never be the same, as the infamous Leamington nightclub ‘Smack’ looks set to be demolished in plans to build more student housing.

The proposed demolition would see the building, used as a nightclub for around 25 years, replaced with apartments to house the growing Leamington student population, thought to have risen to over 5,000.

“Smack has become a staple institution of Warwick nightlife”

The plans, available on Warwick District Council’s planning application page, state that the proposal is for the “demolition of [an] existing two storey nightclub building, and erection of [a] five storey building containing ten purpose-built student apartments.”

The apartments will provide forty-eight bedrooms, and “remove a potential bad neighbour from the locality”, reflecting previously expressed concerns from some local residents over anti-social behaviour from the student population in the town.

Smack has become a staple institution of Warwick nightlife, draw-

ing in students and locals alike with its notorious Smack Tuesday events, in addition to opening its doors on Thursdays and Saturdays. Its loss would be a notable departure in the Leamington nightlife scene, where it dominates alongside its sister-club Neon.

“As of 21 May, there had been ten listed objections on the planning website”

There is still yet hope for Smack, however, with the planned demolition facing various forms of opposition. As of 21 May, there had been ten listed objections on the planning website, with just one comment made in support. One concern voiced the worry that the building may be listed as protected, with the buildings on The Parade having been listed as such by Historic England since 1953. The plans dismiss this claim, in noting the building is “physically removed” from The Parade “by

a distance of over 20m”, and that it has been “significantly altered” since its construction, concluding that the buildings are not heritage-listed.

Another concern reflects fears for the night-time economy. The closure would come amidst a backdrop of crisis for UK nightlife, with an estimated five nightclubs being lost every week in 2024. At a critical time for the nightlife industry, both club-goers and owners fear the loss would only exacerbate its decline.

Although the plans have caused concern, the demolition of Smack, and the loss of what has been an iconic part of a Warwick student’s nightlife experience, looks far off, with a struggle sure to ensue between the council, the student population, and local residents. In the meantime, Warwick students and Leamington locals alike have plenty of Smack Tuesdays still to look forward to.

Beijing is spying on UK and Hong Kong students

Angel Sun (she/her)

Chinese

and Hong Kong students at British universities are being secretly filmed as part of global surveillance by Beijing, according to Amnesty International. In a report published by the human rights group on 13 May, Chinese students studying abroad described being followed at protests in their host cities, and having their families threatened by police in relation to their activism.

“Almost half said they had been photographed at protests"

Amnesty International interviewed 32 Chinese students, including 12 from Hong Kong, studying at universities in eight countries including the UK, the US, and France. Almost half said they had been photographed at protests by individuals they believed were acting on behalf of the Chinese state.

More than half self-cen-

sored their conversations and posts on social media, including non-Chinese platforms like X and Instagram, and nearly one-third had experienced censorship on Chinese social media platforms like WeChat.

Several students could prove this digital surveillance, such as one whose parents were shown his online WeChat conversations by the police.

In recent years, an increasing number of overseas Chinese students have participated in openly criticising the Chinese government, namely at the annual commemorations of the 1989 Tiananmen protests, and the recent 2022 “White Paper” protests against zero-COVID policy and wider state control in mainland China.

Rowan, whose real name and university have been kept anonymous, described in the report how security officials contacted her father in China within hours of her attending a commemoration of the Tiananmen protests.

He was warned to educate his daughter “not to attend any events that may harm China’s reputation in the world”, despite her never sharing her name with anyone at the pro-

Warwick enters top 10 of Complete University Guide 2025

Mairi Humphreys (she/her)

TheUniversity of Warwick has risen one place to take the 10th spot in the Complete University Guide 2025

The University rose since last year’s rankings to enter the top 10, overtaking Lancaster University which came in at 11th. As last year, the University of Cambridge ranked in first, with Oxford placing a close second. Warwick narrowly missed out on beating University College London (UCL), who placed ninth in the league table.

The University achieved 84% in the Guide’s overall score, ranking it seventh among the prestigious Russell Group universities. Scores were broken down into four categories: entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, and graduate prospects. Warwick achieved 81%, 80%, 86%, and 88%, respectively, all scores that placed within the top 20 of the country’s universities.

The Complete University Guide rates 130 of the UK’s higher education institutions in these categories, working with the universities themselves and other relevant organisations to provide the information. They first published the rankings in 2007, and the guide has since become a well-known annual installation in the academic world.

The University of Warwick has performed consist-

test or posting about it online.

The report also gives instances of China’s overseas surveillance in the UK, such as a Chinese student being secretly photographed at Edinburgh airport in 2019 after publicly supporting Hong Kong protesters.

“Over half of those interviewed suffered from stress, trauma, or depression"

In October 2022, a pro-de mocracy Hong Kong protester was dragged inside China’s con sulate in Manchester and as saulted by six Chinese diplomats.

The constant state surveil lance has affected students’ mental health, as over half of those interviewed suffered from stress, trauma, or depression.

Eight students had cut off contact with their loved ones at home to protect them, and many distanced themselves from their fellow Chinese students out of fear of spying, exacerbating a sense of loneliness and isolation.

Sarah Brooks, Amnesty In ternational’s China Director,

ently in the past five years, having dropped out of the top 10 for the first time in the 2020 rankings. It has since fluctuated between 9th and 11th place.

A statement by the University highlighted the consistency of this year’s ranking with Warwick’s placement in other publications, saying: “The Complete University Guide rankings follow on from Top 10 ratings in the most recent rankings of the Guardian University Guide (9th), The Times Good University Guide (10th) and The Daily Mail University Guide (7th).”

“This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our community”

- Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor

Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor of Warwick, said: “We are pleased to see Warwick’s continued progress in the Complete University Guide rankings. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our community in delivering exceptional education and research outcomes.”

He added: “As we look to the future, we remain committed to providing an inclusive and transformative educational experience that prepares students for success in an ever-changing world.”

said: “For many Chinese students, travelling abroad offers the promise of an opportunity to flourish, free from the restrictions placed on political and academic discourse at home.

“But Amnesty’s research shows that these students can’t escape the repressive practices of the Chinese government, even when they are outside China’s borders.

“The Chinese authorities have honed a strategy to curb students’ human rights wherever they are in the world.”

A Chinese Warwick student,

feel a sense of loss when I successfully participate in protests, because neither the country I was born in nor the country I am currently studying in can protect me.

“However, the spying motivates me to protest and stay abroad because it is hard to imagine living like this for the rest of a lifetime.”

Around 900,000 Chinese students are studying abroad, with 151,690 studying in the UK and 2,282 at Warwick in 2019.

Amnesty International called on governments and universities to take action to protect Chinese students.

“We urge the Beijing and Hong Kong authorities to cease all practices constituting transnational repression and allow overseas students to focus on their studies without fearing for their

» Image: Tom Bird

Image: Martin Day

UK Government is aiding war crimes, suggests Coventry MP, amidst arms sales row

Haleeqa Hashmi (she/her)

Coventry South MP, Zarah Sultana, has called for the suspension of arms sales to Israel, accusing the UK government of aiding ‘war crimes’ in Gaza.

The Labour MP, who represents the University of Warwick’s constituency, made the comments after the Israeli government’s announcement of a military operation in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza sheltering over a million displaced Palestinians.

Ms Sultana has been openly critical of the Israeli government’s response to Hamas’ 7 October attacks, which killed over 1,200 people, and saw 250 hostages taken by the terror group. Since the attack, Israel’s military response has seen 35,000 Pales-

tinians killed, and left hundreds of thousands displaced.

“When we look at the role we are playing, we are aiding and abetting [...] war crimes”

- Zarah Sultana MP

Speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Sultana criticised the government's position on arms sales to Israel, claiming that “we have a precautionary system [...] and it hasn’t been upheld.”

She added: “We see attacks on journalists, health workers, and the government has done very little. In fact, when we look at the role we are playing, we are aiding and abetting what are war

crimes that are happening on a daily basis.”

Sultana previously introduced a Private Members' Bill to Parliament in December 2023, seeking to suspend arms sales to states in violation of international law.

“I think it would have sent an entirely wrong message”

- Lord Cameron, Foreign Secretary

The Labour Party’s position on arms sales has since shifted since the latest military offensive, with The Telegraph reporting that the Shadow Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, has called for a halt on the export of arms that

Fears of mass university collapse, with 40% of institutions forecast to run deficits this year

Lauren Hadeed (she/her)

There are fears of a potential collapse in higher education, after a report by the Office for Students (OfS) warned that 40% of English universities are now running deficits. In a report published 16 May, the education watchdog voiced concerns that an overreliance on international students to plug funding shortfalls could leave England’s higher education institutions exposed if this intake began to fall. A “reasonable worst-case scenario”, it said, could see four out of five universities losing money by 2027.

Susan Lapworth, OfS Chief

Executive, declared that English universities “will need to make significant changes to their funding model in the near future to avoid facing a material risk of closure.” She called the report a “signal” to these institutions to question the future state of student recruitment, as current assumptions “are just not credible”. Already, figures compiled by the University and College Union (UCU) show that 60 British universities are currently taking redundancy measures, totalling over a third

of Britain’s higher education institutions. The union’s General Secretary, Jo Grady, urged that: “The funding model for higher education is broken, and needs radical change to put the sector on a firm financial footing.”

could be used in Rafah.

Following US President Joe Biden's warning that a major invasion of Rafah would lead to a stop in some arms sup plies to Israel, Lam my said: “The UK Govern ment should now work with the US to try and prevent a Rafah offensive, by being clear it will as sess UK exports and, if the Rafah offensive goes ahead, join our American allies in suspending weapons or components that could be used in that Rafah offensive.”

However, the Foreign Secretary, David Cameron reiterated

Boar

reporters win at national awards

Martin Day (he/him)

Journalists from The Boar are amongst those who have been honoured at the annual Student Publication Association (SPA) National Awards.

Writers Zoé Barret, Eden Fall-Bailey, Archie Clarke, and Luke Chapman, secured three awards between them. Barret won the accolade for Best Creative Piece, for her poem ‘Greetings and Goodbye’. She said that the poem “represented the things I love most about university,” and that she had been glad to share them.

Fall-Bailey took home Best Interview, for her piece speak-

Universities urge government not to ban student visas, after report finds no evidence of abuse

universities have welcomed a report by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) which concluded that the current graduate visa route should remain in place, amid calls for it to be scrapped.

The report [...] found the scheme [...] was “not undermining the quality and integrity of the UK’s higher education system.”

The report, published 14 May, found the scheme posed low risks of abuse, and was “not undermining the quality and integrity of the UK’s higher education system.”

James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, called for a review

into the system after government ministers claimed that the visa route was being exploited by graduates to claim asylum and enter the UK jobs market.

The scheme allows international graduates to stay in the UK for up to three years after finishing their degree, without having to gain employment.

In 2023, 114,000 visas were handed out to international graduates through the scheme, with a further 30,000 issued for their dependents.

The MAC has now concluded in their report that the visa scheme helped to attract international students to the UK and should therefore remain to help universities “cover the losses they make in teaching British students and doing research.”

The decision comes amid warnings that abolishing the scheme would lead to financial disaster for the education sector. Recent data revealed that

international students contribute £41.9bn to the UK economy.

Vivienne Stern, Chief Executive of Universities UK, welcomed the report, saying that: “The MAC’s recommendation that the graduate route should remain on its current terms is extremely important and welcome.”

Stern, along with the Chief Executives of the Russell Group, and Independent Higher Education, has called upon the government to fully take on board the advice of the report, and guarantee the future of the visa scheme.

Tory MP, Neil O’Brien, claimed that the conclusions allow for “the expansion of universities for their own sake.”

However, some senior Conservative figures have continued

his opposition to suspending the supply of arms to Israel. On previous calls to stop arms sales, he said: “The last time I was urged to do that, I didn't do that, and just a few days later there was a brutal attack by Iran on Israel […] I think it would have sent an entirely wrong message.” He went on to say that a suspension in arms supplies “would make Hamas stronger” and “make a hostage deal less likely.”

to urge Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to ignore the MAC’s conclusion. Former Immigration Minister, Robert Jenrick, branded the report a “whitewash”, whilst senior Tory MP, Neil O’Brien, claimed that the conclusions allow for “the expansion of universities for their own sake.”

Changes have already been made to the scheme since it was introduced in 2021, with higher salary thresholds and restrictions on family members being imposed on graduates.

Responding to the report, the Government said that they were “committed to attracting the best and brightest to study at our world-class universities, whilst preventing abuse of our immigration system.”

“We are considering the review’s findings very closely, and we will respond fully in due course.”

ing to Leamington homeless man, Frank. She said that whilst she was honoured to receive the prize, “the real recognition should go to Frank,” and that it was “refreshing” to see non-traditional media win recognition. Archie Clarke and Luke Chapman were Highly Commended in the highly sought-after category of Best News Story, for their report on the fallout of the Sherbourne stabbing in November of last year. Sian Elvin, News Editor for The Independent, praised the pair for their professionalism, calling their work “exactly what a local publication would ask you to do.”

More than 1,200 entries were considered for the 2024 awards, which were decided by professionals including from the BBC, The Times, and The Guardian

Tom Ryan (he/him)

» Image: Zarah Sultana (credit: Flickr / UK Parliament)

» Image: Flickr / DJ Camacho

» Image: Rawpixel

Features

Clive Myrie: From having a paper round in Bolton to becoming a leading BBC presenter

“

The bottom line is, I'm just a reporter who happens to be black. I’m not a black reporter,” Clive Myrie, one of the UK’s most successful journalists, tells me as he reminisces about his earliest days in journalism as a young paperboy from Bolton. Throughout his career, which spans over three decades at the BBC, Clive has done it all: reported from conflict zones, hosted the iconic quiz show Mastermind, and navigated the complex landscape of news in an incredibly uncertain world. The pinnacle highlight of his career, however, as I’m sure he would attest to, is this very interview with The Boar: Warwick’s award-winning student newspaper!

Putting the jokes to one side, as uplifting, humble, and grounded as Clive came across, this isn’t a story about me, or The Boar. Instead, here lies the story of how a paper boy from Bolton became one of the BBC’s greatest presenters.

newspapers at the end of the day gave me a window onto the world,” he says, reflecting on how his early experiences sparked his dream of reporting from far-flung places.

* If this isn’t motivation for all my Boar editors to actually sign up and distribute the paper this year, then I’m not sure what is!

However, it was through seeing Trevor McDonald on television that Clive’s ambitions truly began to come to fruition. Watching McDonald, the UK’s first Black newscaster, appear on TV in the early 80s is ultimately what made a young Clive Myrie realise that a career in journalism really was attainable.

Before he became the news anchor that we all know and love, Clive’s career began simply by distributing newspapers in his hometown*. He recalls: “I had a paper round when I was a kid, like

“To see someone who looked like me on TV, doing something that I wanted to do made me feel it was possible. You can’t be what you can’t see,” a now much wiser

Clive says, underscoring the profound impact of seeing a Black news anchor during his former years. But, as Clive hastened to add, it was not just McDonald’s colour that inspired him, but rather his ability to lead by example. “He wasn’t out on the streets marching or demanding people of colour get jobs and diversity,” he says, looking back roughly 40 years into the past. “He wasn’t, he was simply doing his job. And in doing his job, he made me realise that it was all possi-

Studying at the University of Sussex was more than just a geographical move for Clive; it was a cultural leap. “University is where you find yourself,” he asserts, reflecting on how his eyes were opened considerably during his three years at Brighton. Known for its inclusive and vibrant LGBTQ+ community, Brighton played a crucial role in shaping Clive’s early adult life.

“Brighton as a town being open and accessible was welcoming to me as a northerner and a black guy to boot,” he notes, underlining how his university experience began to influence his approach to storytelling. “It’s made me who I am now,” Clive confidently asserts.

“Certainly at the beginning of my career, I didn't want to be defined by my colour”

- Clive Myrie, BBC Presenter

Fast forward to 1987, and after taking a year off after graduating, Clive found himself starting out as a trainee local reporter on the BBC’s graduate journalism pro gramme. After working with the Universi ty of Sussex’s campus radio station for three years and writing articles for free sheets during his year off, Clive began to appear on a show called Turn It Up, alongside the likes of Jo Whiley and Mark Coles. It was having these experiences that allowed Clive to make the jump to the BBC, but with that came considerable challenges. “Certainly, at the beginning of my career, I didn’t want to be defined by my colour,” he says, “I didn’t want employers or news editors to think, ‘Black guy, let’s have him do a black story.’”

mustn’t be overlooked. “You’re trying to find a connection with the viewer… to perhaps have an emotional connection,” he says, explaining how this approach has helped him make stories resonate more profoundly with views across the world. “Having that emotional connection can have spin-off effects that are advantageous for everybody,” he explains, highlighting the delicate balance of maintaining professional detachment while acknowledging the human element of stories.

Now, it is a truth universally acknowledged that many a journalist must cover many a challenging story. On 8 September 2022, Clive, as with many other journalists across the country, was tasked with covering one of the toughest national news stories in recent years: the passing of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Behind the scenes, Clive says BBC “knew what was coming”, after tracking a plane containing several members of the Royal Family to Balmoral Castle. However, it wasn’t until around 10 minutes before the announcement was aired live on BBC One that Buckingham Palace had officially given them the green light. He went on to say that in the event of the Queen’s passing, “everything was prepared,” before conceding that oftentimes, life as a newsreader isn’t so straightforward.

story of how one of Bolton’s many paperboys went on to become one of the world’s leading presenters. Clive concludes this interview by encouraging all aspiring journalists to “keep pushing at it,” and to have “a certain level of confidence in yourself to know that you are worthy and that you can do this!”

Overcoming these challenges, he explains, was about demonstrating his capabilities and insisting on being defined by his professional skills rather than his ethnicity.

“I chose to stay and continue telling the truth of the story because there's so much propaganda and rubbish out there”

- Clive Myrie, BBC Presenter

Having throughout his career covered the likes of the murder of George Floyd, the presidency of Barack Obama, and the Covid-19 outbreak, Clive insists there is an emotional side of reporting that

Just over six months prior, in February 2022, Clive famously boarded a Ryanair flight for £29.99 to Kyiv — “A cheap flight because licence fee payer’s money is important!”, he jokes in retrospect. Convinced that Vladimir Putin had no real intention to invade Ukraine, he hadn’t envisaged that a mere 15 hours later, he would be in the thick of all the action. “Some people left. Some people were unhappy,” he says, “But I chose to stay and to continue telling the truth of the story because there’s so much propaganda and rubbish out there.” Clive has reported in Kyiv several times since.

“I’ve made documentaries there, and made good friends there,” he says, “And, you know, it was an unprovoked war launched by an aggressive neighbour. And that’s the truth of it.” And there lies the

This interview followed the release of Clive’s latest memoir titled Everything is Everything: A Memoir of Love, Hate & Hope, The full interview is available to watch on The Boar’s newly relaunched YouTube channel

Images: Wikimedia Commons/ Erru73 (top left), Wikimedia Commons / President of Ukraine (bottom left), The Boar/ Luke Chapman (top right), Flickr / Alan Dean (centre)

Luke Chapman (he/him)

Unpacking if my time in student media has been worth it

This is the last print edition of The Boar I write for. The countdown to my last appearance on my friend’s show on Radio At Warwick (RAW), has also begun. For many students, student journalism is an important part of their university life. According to the Student Publication Association (SPA), there are over 200 student publications in the UK. The oldest student newspaper in Europe, The Student, of the University of Edinburgh, was established in 1887. Across history, and across the nation, countless graduates say goodbye to their university press every year.

This critical moment of my short journalism journey inspires me to reflect on the significance of student media in society. Chronicling life on campuses informs readers about local news like student protests, as well as international affairs (including conflicts). It also allows students to express and discuss their concerns and act as a watchdog to monitor the school’s administration.

It breeds a generation of new journalists and more importantly, provides crucial breaking news footage

Beyond campuses, it breeds a new generation of journalists and, more importantly, provides crucial breaking news footage. Back in 2019, a series of pro-democracy mass protests broke out in Hong Kong. The first time the police shot a protestor with a live round was captured by journalists of the City University of Hong Kong. This footage was widely used by local and international news outlets like the BBC. The BBC also picked up on the RAW’s coverage of the Warwick student protest when Edu cation Secretary, Nadhim Zahawi, visited the Uni versity in 2022.

Most student journalists, including me, cannot hope to create such a national impact, but hopefully we can learn and grow.

“It’s not just the opportunities given to me in terms of work, as well as different practical stuff…covering a protest, putting together a radio program, getting advice from the industry, [but] also the social aspect, we get to meet people and talk to people,” James Lewis, the former Head of News at RAW,

recalled about joining the team in his very first week at Warwick.

“When I host [a news show], I’d like to have a student angle… whether that was something happening on campus like protests and the strikes. It is important to get the students’ voices, and talk about issues that really impact students - what do people really want to discuss?” James explained.

Most student journalists, including me, cannot hope to create such a national impact

He felt student media is special because it can amplify young people’s voices on different socio-political issues, such as their views on the universities’ involvement in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Whilst conducting the in terview, the Warwick Stands With Pales tine (WSWP) coa lition was leading a demonstration, protesting the university’s ties with manufacturers who supply arms to Israel. It was a warm and sunny afternoon, tinted with powerful chanting and flying flags.

until you told me," she admitted. “You are the only person I know who talks about the student newspaper. My friends never talk about it. I don’t know if they have heard of it.”

‘I don’t think many students read or listen to it. They don’t even know they exist.’

She believes that student media is essential for students to express their opinions, yet she does not consume any student news because she feels the weekly student newsletter and the BBC news app already tell her everything she has to know. She also repeatedly said that not reading student news is her “own problem”.

An interest in the news is clearly visible amongst students at Warwick. Impacts of strikes, students’ opinions on international conflicts, and the University’s relationship with them are students’ concerns. I spoke with final and second-year undergraduate students (F and C), who respectively mentioned these topics when asked what they want the student media to report on. Though this pool represents a small and unchallenged proportion of students who consume media at Warwick, their contributions are not insignificant in gathering a picture of those not successfully reached by readers of The Boar and the 200+ other student newspapers. Neither of them read The Boar nor listen to RAW.

F commented on their lack of knowledge on Warwick’s student media outlets: “I didn’t know there was a student newspaper and radio

they participate in the SU affairs?”

“Student journalism is important but only when it is read. It’s important to let students have the platform to express their opinions. But if no student reads it and the university ignores it, what’s the point?”

"Personally, I am not interested in what happens on campus. Probably it’s because of my degree… it requires us to keep applying for jobs and I already have to do a lot of things on top of academic study. Reading news has become a task for me to prepare for job interviews, and I don’t want to bother it in my spare time." She explained. C is on the other end of the spectrum. She is interested in student issues, but she thinks the student press is not doing enough. “I want to know more about how student issues intersect with global justice like the colonial institution of the university. I hope student media can be critical of the university and student bodies.”

Then, we talked about the SU’s spring officer election in March. The Boar published 13 articles about the election, and RAW live-streamed all Question Times sessions and the result announcement. Student media regarded the election as one of the most important student issues at the university, but C does not think so. “I don’t want to learn about the SU election because I don’t have much faith in the SU.”

“Student journalism is important, but only when it is read.”

- Warwick Student

“I think the full-time officers are very limited in terms of what they can do. They are limited by The Board of trustees and bureaucracy…it does not really matter who it is,” she added. “When [students] see the SU constantly ignoring students’ [on] motions like the plant-based catering, how would

F’s and C’s concerns about Warwick’s student press reflect the general trend in news consumption nowadays. Ac cording to the 2023 Digital News Report by the Reuter Institution at the University of Oxford, only 22% of the respondents in the UK and US are active news participants. The number has dropped by over 10% since 2016, and around half did not participate in news at all. The percentage of people very interested in news has decreased by 63% since 2017. Other studies have shown that feeling exhausted reading news and the lack of political trust, which are the reasons noted by F and C, are the major factors leading to news avoidance in wider society.

Unlike mainstream media, student journalism adds a young people's perspective to different socio-political controversies

The idea of echo chambers also plays a crucial role in shaping one’s news consumption habit. Echo chamber refers to a situation where a group of people only hear opinions and receive information that reinforces their existing shared values. While the phenomenon of echo chambers would limit news readers to only consume news matching their political leaning, it may affect how much stu dents find the reporting of their schools’ media relevant. If they are surrounded by peers inactive in student affairs, they are less likely to feel connected with the news coverage of student media. If they think the student press cannot reflect their concerns or discontent towards the university, they will feel less motivated to consume it.

media content to reach a wider audience. James said RAW started to post TikTok videos to give more students “a motivating morning...It’s quite a weird feeling, but it means we are getting out there.”

I enjoy journalism because it allows me to step back, humbly observe the world

Unlike mainstream media, student journalism adds a young people's perspective to different socio-political controversies. A voice for the young generation in student media, pushing forward social movements and revolutionary changes is not to be disparaged wholly. Though, student journalism is facing similar challenges with mainstream media. Both are finding their way out to capture what the public wants and needs to know amid growing political fatigue and social polarisation.

This is the last print edition I write for. I have reposted all the articles I write, but many of my friends have never read The Boar I am not disappointed because I never heroically aspired to enlighten the masses and change the world through writing. I write for The Boar because I selfishly want my CV to look better. I enjoy journalism because it reminds me to take a step back, humbly observe the world, and organise my chaotic thoughts and emotions. I do not know if I will become a journalist, and what will be the future of journalism?

Just like traditional newspapers, student media is moving to social

Angel Sun (she/her)

» Images (from left to right): Wikimedia Commons / Kuba Bozanowski, Flickr / Jason Howie, Wikimedia Commons / Fredericknoronha, Flickr / Ivan Radic (All edited in shape)

Editor: Benjamin Sachs (he/him)

comment@theboar.org

Warwick and Palestine: the importance of on-campus advocacy

Samuel Mullen (he/him) and Simón Morales (he/him)

Themagnitude of destruction in Gaza is hard to overstate: 35,000 Palestinians have been killed, whilst 1.7 million have found themselves displaced from their homes. Every one of Gaza’s twelve universities has been either severely damaged or destroyed, and two-thirds of hospitals have been forced to shut down due to the Israeli offensive. In these circumstances, which will leave Gaza uninhabitable for millions, it is more important than ever that voices for peace, justice, and liberation are not suppressed.

Throughout history, universities have been a bastion of freedom of expression. In times of war or conflict, this has more often than not been conveyed through protests condemning injustices and atrocities around the world. It is thus natural that students and staff alike take a stand against states and other institutions for their support of what many deem to be a genocide in the making. Hence, after countless encampments were set up in colleges around the United States calling for divestments from institutions connected to Israel, Warwick followed suit, along with a procession of British universities. Unlike the case of American colleges, where pro-Palestinian groups have faced persistent suppression from law enforcement, often leading to violence and mass arrests, instances of violence have been few and far between in the UK.

It is more important that ever that voices for peace, justice and liberation are not suppressed

From the civil rights protests at historically black colleges in the early 20th century to the events of May ‘68 in Europe and the anti-Vietnam War campaigns of the 60s and 70s, the phenomenon of student protests is nothing new. When placed in this context, it is clear that Warwick’s encampment is simply part of the latest addition to the longstanding tradition of students fighting for liberation. In the past, such protests have often been faced with hostility from the state apparatus and other institutions. Thus, the challenges faced by American students are nothing new either.

On the other hand, one can also note the success of such protests in the past. The protests against the Vietnam War, for example, achieved their goal of ending military conscription in the United States and were one of the main factors in the eventual withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam. More recently, student protests led the University of Turin in Italy to choose to opt out of a joint program with Israeli universities for ‘dual use’ technology. But the University of Warwick does not only represent a platform for healthy debate and challenging global injustices. To the contrary, Warwick’s ties to the arms-manufacturing industry have been extensively documented, as is shown in Archie Clarke’s article for The

Boar from February. The WMG’s Integrated Graduate Development Scheme (IGDS), inaugurated in 1980, was almost entirely funded by a cluster of companies heavily involved in the production of military aircraft, including Rolls-Royce and British Aerospace (later renamed BAE Systems) among others. Both companies have since enjoyed a close relationship with the WMG, exerting considerable influence over its postgraduate courses. The NGO Campaign Against Arms Trade named both Rolls Royce and BAE among the companies profiting from the war in Gaza. As such, it is easy to understand the claims made by students and staff members at the encampment that Warwick is in some way embroiled in the ongoing onslaught on Gaza. Protesters, along with many other students and faculty members, will hope that the recent announcement of a vote on the University’s demilitarisation held by the Warwick University Council will mark the end of these dangerous ties. We spoke to a representative of the ‘Warwick Stands With Palestine’ coalition, who explained the nature of the group’s activism in the current national and international context. The group has drawn inspiration and strategies from other global pro-Palestinian movements, utilising various tactics to pressure the University to condemn Israel’s actions and break ties with the arms industry. The movement has continued to expand, now relocating to the grass field outside the FAB, while tensions with the University have continued to rise.

The University has contracted a private security firm, SNSG, which according to the coalition, has created an intimidating atmosphere described by the WSWP representative as “paramilitary-esque” and “authoritarian”. The group also claims that SNSG has obstructed protesters’ mobility around campus by restricting entrances to certain buildings. Despite this, the movement has garnered significant support from the campus community, uniting over 50 student and staff organisations. They also underline the important role played by faculty members in providing consistent support and participating actively in protests. The encampment aims to build political consciousness and long-term organisation, seeking to highlight the campus as a frontline in the broader struggle against “Zionism and imperialism”.

Since the outbreak of the recent conflict in Gaza, Jewish communities around the world have expressed worry at a potential rise in antisemitism. Warwick’s Jewish Society (JSoc) have raised these concerns to us, specifically regarding the Palestinian movement on campus. Many Jewish students view slogans such as “Intifada until victory” as problematic, as the term 'intifada' can be seen as a reference to the first and second intifada in which large numbers of Israelis died in terror attacks. JSoc also argued that the presence of masked protestors, often shouting slogans that they view as antisemitic, has created an intimidating environment for both current and prospective Jewish students.

We also spoke to a member of the Kehillah group, a Jewish Pro-Palestinian group, which has joined the coalition, who asserted that members of his community have not

experienced antisemitism from within the movement, though it is important to recognise that Kehillah represents only a small part of the Jewish community on campus. They also stated that such accusations tend to conflate anti-Zionist sentiments with antisemitic ones. The newly founded group has described itself as both a community and advocacy group. Among its activities is a weekly Shabbat service, held at the encampment, featuring a range of socialist and pacifist songs, as well as psalms and songs from the Sephardic and Ashkenazi traditions. This includes “A Jewish Prayer for Nakba Day”, referring to the 1948 forceful expulsion of Palestinians from modern-day Israel. The organisation, which has also held cultural and cooking events, aims to produce an understanding of Judaism which is not tied to Israel - “Jewish people have been around for thousands of years, Israel has only existed for 76”.

The WSWSP coalition exemplifies an important stand against oppression and injustice

We also spoke to a representative of the Bass Society which, along with Warwick Snow, recently organised a barbecue fundraising for Gazan refugees. The event aimed to provide an alternative space to the Eu-

rovision screening in the Piazza, which was cancelled shortly after, with the University citing safety concerns. They explained the fundraising process to us - £320 was raised through a raffle, with an additional £80 coming from donations from those who could not attend. This money was raised for refugees at Deir al Balah camp in central Gaza, through a friend of the Society whose family is currently in the Gaza Strip. They also stated that the event was not meant to be political, emphasising its humanitarian aspect: “there’s nothing political about raising money for charity”.

In light of the brutal war in Gaza, the WSWP coalition exemplifies an important stand against oppression and injustice. Student advocacy must be protected on campus, and we should be wary of attempts to silence voices for peace and liberation. Encouraging open dialogue and fostering an inclusive environment that respects diverse perspectives are essential in ensuring that the campus remains a space where all voices can be heard and valued. Ultimately, by standing together in solidarity, protesters can make a meaningful contribution to the broader global movement for justice in Gaza. As students and staff unite to call for cutting ties to the arms industry, it is crucial to support these efforts while maintaining a firm stance against any form of antisemitism or bigotry.

>>Image: Samuel Mullen

General election year in 'Broken Britain'

The2024 UK General Election seems to be a foregone conclusion, with Labour beating the Conservatives. Though this seems obvious, no ballots have yet been cast, and many would still argue there is still time for Sunak to turn things around. This could happen, it is probably too late for the Conservatives — their time is up, and no ‘culture war’ can save them. However, this doesn’t mean it is set to be all sunshine and rainbows under Sir Keir Starmer. Any Starmer government will never be able to replicate the political mania of New Labour, however hard they try. Ultimately, the door will remain open to the populist far-right.

This economic situation can only be solved with tough decisions that would make any government unpopular

There are three main issues that will shape the outcome of this election. Firstly, the economy. On the face of it, leaving a recession appears an achievement, but when realising growth in the last quarter was only 0.6 per cent, the UK’s grave economic issues are clear. In addition to this, the cost-of-living crisis is still carries on. The Conservatives stumble here. Whilst many political commentators argue that the economic situation started due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, millions have been struggling for over a decade. The effects of austerity, Brexit and Liz Truss’ failed Friedman-style experiment have finally come home to roost. This election is a reckoning for the Conservatives who have left many facing economic insecurity. This situation is useful for Labour, who have appealed to large sections of society struggling with the economic perma-crisis. However, Labour has one problem on the economy, namely, their new alliance with city business interests. This has created a dilemma for Starmer, whose own leadership campaign was focused on building on

Jeremy Corbyn’s legacy as Labour leader. What direction Starmer decides to go is unclear, but I would point out that though Keir Starmer can present as many economic policies as he wants, upon entering office, he will face the same economic situation as the Conservatives. This economic situation can only be solved with tough decisions that would make any government unpopular. Perhaps imminent tax rises could be the starting point at which the new government unravels.

If this election will be anything, it will be an election based on cultural outlooks: the clash between regressive

There is also the “culture war” that has (supposedly) engulfed the UK. If this election will be anything, it will be an election based on cultural outlooks: the clash between regressive and progressive, as per the popular understanding. The “culture war” will be fought between the mainstream parties and the minor parties, whose influence has grown since the last election, as many turn to smaller parties to represent their view of society. I say this because both Labour and the Conservatives are “consensus” parties: they seek to maintain the status quo, large diversions from this typically upsets many within their broad-church parties. We have seen this before under Tony Blair, who promised democratisation and proportional representation. But this didn’t happen. Thus, it has fallen to smaller parties to push these issues. This year, small parties must challenge the mainstream discourse, though many argue that the notion of a culture war is misleading, the media portrayal of such a conflict will likely shape perceptions throughout the general election.

Whilst many admired Boris Johnson's jovial attitude, large sections of the electorate will never forgive his parties in Downing Street

Finally, there is a third topic that will shape the outcome of the election, but also the credibility of the next government, this topic is all about ‘trust’. We are told that the UK is a country of “small-C” conservatives, I would say this is true. Scandals involving lobbying, sexual assault, and much more, have shown the unsustainability of the “goodwill” mentality within British politics. I think it will be the lingering notion of “mates rates” that limits Sunak from clawing back credibility. Whilst many admired Boris Johnson’s jovial attitude, large sections of the electorate will never forgive his parties in Downing Street, or his repeated lies about them. I argue this is the crux of it, not the scandals themselves, but the endless lies given to the public. It is this issue of trust that weighs heavy for many in the electorate, and it is this that will stop Sunak from winning.

If this Starmer government fails to tackle the issues we all face, this could provide the perfect opportunity for the reordering of the right of British politics

So, is this Labour’s election to lose? Many would now argue that it is right to look to the future of British politics. The conclusion I would make is not one of 'rainbows and unicorns’. As said previously, should Keir Starmer win the election, he will enter office in the same situation as the current Conservative government. However, whilst it appears the election is a foregone conclusion, I think it is necessary to investigate how others could impact the scale of any possible Labour victory, notably Reform UK and the Workers Party of Britain. Reform UK

remains a threat to the Conservatives. While the Workers Party leader, George Galloway, the recently elected MP for Rochdale, does offer a home for many voters that can be described as “Old Labour”, a group that has been largely left behind by the contemporary Labour party machine.

So, while many would say the election has already been decided, with regular twenty-point leads in the polls for Labour, and a Conservative Party in apparent disarray, we should keep in mind three things. Economic insecurity, a growing lack of trust in our political system and most importantly, a fundamentally broken Britain with no clear solutions. If this Starmer government fails to tackle the issues we all face, this could provide the perfect opportunity for the reordering of the right of British politics. The right could grow ever more populist in its rhetoric, and rapidly turn public opinion away from the 'Starmer government' towards a period of great instability.

Information you need on how to vote in the 2024 General Election.

Who can register?

• A British citizen

• An Irish or EU citizen living in the UK

• A Commonwealth citizen who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need permission

• A citizen of another country living in Scotland or Wales who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need permission.

How can I register?

The easiest and quickest way is to do it online, through the electoral commission website.

Register to vote: 18th June

Apply for postal vote: 19th June Election: July 4th

Jakob Reid (he/him)

» Image: Flickr / SIMON WALKER

» Image: Flourish / UK constituencies

Lifestyle

Lifestyle x Arts

Editor: Odette Dyer (she/her)

lifestyle@theboar.org

LineLine Fashion and Editorial Society's 10th anniversary

cast live on their Instagram page, allowing a larger audience to witness all the costumes and write about them.

Fashion and Editorial Society at the University of Warwick is the oldest and biggest fashion organisation, which was established in 2014. On 7 March 2024, I had the opportunity to attend this renowned event's 10th anniversary with my amazing deputy editor. While it is not the London Fashion Show, the Red Bull advertisement, music, and stunning outfits by the students made for a fascinating experi ence. However, one must note that Line as a society is recognised for more than just its fashion show: it also has a magazine called Underlined Underlined publishes pieces on fashion, lifestyle, and art, and is headed by Rafaelia Socratous and Alizeh Khan. The magazine's contents include current trends in Gen-Z fashion, wardrobe suggestions in the West Midlands, and news about student fash ion events. Interestingly, Line's popularity sparked the growth of several other fashion societies in Warwick, including the Clothes Circuit, which focuses on secondhand clothing, while also dissecting websites like Depop and Vinted, and the Warwick Retail and Luxury Society, focusing on more lux ury fashion labels such as the conglomerate LVMH and Kering. They also give student talks with alumni working in the luxury in dustry.

The 2024 fashionshow benefitted greatly from being written about in the magazine

As previously said, Rafaela Socratous is the head of the magazine, and was able to speak with her about how publishing functions at Line. She stated: “we aim to have four to five writ and post once a week. We often provide blog title to the marketing team on Friday”. The site ad ditionally allows au thors to write about their own themes yet, if big is sues arise, such as Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, writers are urged to address such topics. The 2024 fashion show benefitted greatly from being written about in the mag azine this year due to it being broad

All the money received from the tickets for the fashion show was donated to Unicef

The society was renamed as 'Line' in 2014, as seen on the original Instagram page. Interestingly, even in its first year, it

of the team – this year it became more accessible and inclusive of more people, and towards more people”. We did not make people submit to ideas of what fashion is”. Interestingly, Anastasia suggested that “the combination of masculinity and femininity, and accessibility to any gender”, made it a truly unique show. We saw this with Anastasia because not only did she play King Arthur, a conventionally male character, but the person she designed for the show also played with the traditional bounds of gender

disruptions to the traditional concepts were key in this endeavour. A female King Arthur was on stage, displaying both sword and sparkles. Captain Hook combined feminine and masculine traits, depicting a fluidity between these norms, embracing different atmospheres and expectations, overall making the show not only original and surprising, but also thought-provoking.

gression, and dis placement for the seven modern sins. It also included the seven coping sins: self-effacement, celibacy, workaholics, dieting, sucking up, squandering, and indifference. Accordingly, they shot the trailer video in Parish Church, and the fashion show last year was titled ‘Fall From Grace’. The process was different to that of 2023, as one of last year’s models Sebastian Smith reported: “We showed up for the demo shot, did the dress rehearsal and did the actual fashion show”. In 2024, the Line Fashion Show was titled ‘Tales of a Time’, and unlike its predecessor, it had a sponsor. Upon arriving, each VIP guest was gifted a bag that included a sugar-free flavoured Red Bull, a Line glass, a mug and chocolates. All the money received from the tickets for the fashion show was donated to Unicef. I spoke to Giulia, the co-president of Line, and she told us the main strength of the 2024 show was “the team – without a good team, you will not have a good production”.

Kanon also added that one thing which made this year unique was “the diversity

campus and asking them about their outfits or people wearing cool. unique stuff.

Designers played around with traditional notions of fairytales

The 2023 Line Fashion Show explored the theme of storytelling and fairytales in an original, collaborative, and engaging manner, not only relying on participant’s ability to play around with fairytales but also allowing the audience to participate in its overall ambience. Indeed, the use of a narrator allowed the audience to truly be immersed in the stories that were unfolding on stage, combining theatricality, interesting personas, and dramatic storylines in a truly captivating way.

One of the remarkable aspects of the show was how much designers played around with traditional notions of fairy tales and stereotypical roles, turning them on their feet and emphasizing various as pects of expectations as well as subversions of these expectations. Choosing models and coming up with outfits that reflected these

Line is dedicated to showing people that fashion is not a big, scary, and exclusive word

The refusal to embody characters in their stereotypical representations made it incredible to observe. For instance, instead of choosing white or blue for Cinderella (as with many Disney representations, or those that emphasise the youth and innocence of the princess) the designer, May Robinson, chose red, focusing on ‘cinders’ and incorporating the idea of phoenix and rising from the ashes. These pieces created reflection and debate, and their accomplishment can only speak to the commitment of the producers, designers, models, and everyone involved, to creating a powerful, organised structure in which expressivity and originality could emerge. The result was a wonderful combination of artistry, imagination, and an organised ‘bringing-together’ of all pieces, which was extremely impressive to watch.

Speaking to some of the executive memof Line, what strongly came through was a desire to produce, in the coming seasons, the accessibility and diversity that made this show special. Line truly opened with this show, showing a collaboration between at least 50 people, none of whom had the same past, experiences or background. Line is dedicated to showing people that fashion is not a big, scary, and exclusive word. Instead, it is about creativity, imagination, and the ability to portray something in your head and bring it to life, surrounded by people with the same

Mateus Guarda (he/him) and Zoé Barret (she/her)

/ Elliot / Giulia Mezan (bottom left)

Feminism

is not a new concept, but Generation Z is putting a spin on it. Across social media and in real life, women are using their voices to share exactly what it means to be a girl in this day and age. But how do you use ‘girl maths’? Is it ever okay to break girl code? And what does it mean exactly to be a ‘girl’s girl’?

These trends have been taking over TikTok. One such trend is ‘girl dinner’, where girls take pictures of a unique or just plain weird dinner and caption it with that phrase. ‘Girl maths’ also quickly became a viral sensation. This is where girls use maths to justify, usually financial, decisions to themselves. For example, if I buy a top for £15 and wear it 15 times, then it’s only £1 per wear. Therefore, it’s basically I think we have all been guilty of using this logic on occasion. These sentiments are not difficult to find. There is a global community that promotes girl code. This comes into play, for example, in a public bathroom, where random girls will tell you how cute your outfit is.

She's a girl's girl

Having a community that promotes a ‘girls support girls’ attitude can be so empowering

But is this new look of feminism what we need? It is rewriting the stereo type of how a female friend ship must be. Girl friends are typically viewed as catty and jealousy filled. You don’t have to look far to see girls on TV stabbing each other in the back, stealing each other’s boyfriends, and throwing around backhanded compliments. No longer are girls ‘slut-shaming’ each other and gossiping – in stead, a community is created where being a girl is about lifting other girls up and supporting each other through the trials of girlhood.

On a more serious note, a space where it is safe to be a girl is so vital in the world we live in. Rape Crisis reported that: “1 in 4 women have been raped or sexually assaulted as an adult”. It is a sad reality that many women will face sexism, catcalling and other forms of discrimination throughout their lives. Having a community that promotes a ‘girls sup-

port girls’ attitude can be so empowering. In a world where girls begin life with the odds against them, it is so necessary to give them a voice and a platform. This space nurtures a confidence that it’s okay to be a girl. It’s not a sign of weakness to like pink or want to wear makeup, and it’s also okay if you are exactly the opposite. Instead, these are all just a part of ‘girlhood’.

All of this isn’t without criticism, though. One element that could possibly be problematic is how centred around aesthetics it can become. And this applies to both online and real life. Our TikTok's fill up with montages of sunsets, groups of girls dancing on the beach, and friends baking cupcakes with each other, all set to an emotional song. Then we hear about a girls' night out, where they all congregate in some one’s room and do their makeup together. For wom en who might not have a big group of girls, or someone who may struggle to join in with these activities that seem to be an integral part of ‘girlhood’ for whatever reason, this may create a longing for something that isn’t realistic. Social me dia can create a polished and aesthetic view of an imperfect life.

The lack of a trending ‘guy code’ means women tend to take the brunt of the criticism when anything happens

Olivia Petter, in The Independent, argues that replacing the word ‘woman’ with ‘girl’ in this new take on feminism is taking power away from women because of its patronising nature. Petter also discusses how girl code encourages condemnation of women. The lack of a trending ‘guy code’ means women tend to take the brunt of the criticism when anything happens.

Girl’s girl feminism definitely has its issues, and perhaps the wording needs changing to reflect this. But in a world where being a woman is often difficult and heavy, this community has become a safe haven for many. All that truly matters, is girls and women continue to support each other through this life and then teach the next generation to do the same.

Red carpet royalty: unveiling Met Gala looks

that have shaped fashion

Arguably fashion’s biggest night of the year, the Met Gala is held annually on the first Monday of May at the historic Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and is always a spectacle of glamour and artistry. This year’s theme, ‘The Garden of Time’, draws from the Costume Institute’s own permanent collection, ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion’, celebrating the multi-sensory and intimate experience of fashion. With the 2024 Met Gala now over, it seems only fitting to reflect on the most iconic looks in the past which have shaped the very idea of the Met Gala, leaving an everlasting impact on what we know fashion to be.

Diana once again defied the restrictions of royalty and embraced her femininity and freedom as a mother and as a

1985: Cher and Bob Mackie

In true Cher style, she and Bob Mackie fully embraced the 1985 theme, ‘Costumes of Royal India’, producing a truly spectac ular piece of art. Her diamond encrust ed mesh bodysuit and daring matching ear cuff were the talk of the town as she dominated the red carpet and left audiences stunned with her grace and elegance. This was not the first time Cher made a lasting impact at the Met Gala. Her de

but sheer dress in 1974 continues to inspire contemporary designers, including Kim Kardashian’s feathered gown from 2015.

Frankly, I find there are too many iconic looks from 2018 to crown one our winner

1996: Princess Diana and John Galliano

When it comes to iconic women who hold power in their clothes, Princess Diana certainly holds the crown. Two years after her momentous ‘revenge dress’, worn after her husband’s televised ad mission of adultery, Diana cel ebrated divorce and freedom from Kensington Palace, as she graced the Met Gala carpet in a royal blue silk slip dress and a seven-strand pearl chok er. In what Vogue as her “most un-royal look to date”, Diana once again defied the restrictions of royalty and embraced her femininity and freedom as a mother and as a woman.

2015: Rihanna and Guo

It feels nearly impossible to choose only one of Ri hanna’s Met Gala looks as the most iconic, as she certainly knows exactly how to make a lasting impression. For the

2015 theme, ‘China: Through the Looking Glass’, Rihanna and her designer, Guo Pei, stunned audiences with a golden gown and a long dramatic train which sparked grand entrances to the Met Gala.

2018: Heavenly Bodies – Fashion and the Catholic Imagination

Frankly, I find there are too many iconic looks from 2018 to crown one our winner. Gigi Hadid rocked her breathtaking fairylike shimmery gown, SZA stunned us in her celestial Versace crowned get-up, and Chadwick Boseman astonished audiences with a white suit and cape covered in religiously inspired embellishments. My personal favourites from 2018 have to be awarded to the queens of the Met Gala: Blake Live ly and Zendaya. Zendaya’s looks are al ways one of the most highly anticipat ed each year, and she did not hold back: her Joan of Arc inspired look was beyond astounding, embracing both elegance and fierceness.

2019: Billy Porter and The Blonds

Billy Porter’s half-fashion moment, half-performance art consisted of him being carried on the shoulders of six shirtless men before dismounting to reveal a bejewelled catsuit with 10-foot wings and a 24-karat gold headpiece. Por ter’s custom ‘Sun God’ outfit acted as his own take on the theme, ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion,’ which he describes as having

brought “honour to a word and genre that can be discounted very often or thought of as cheesy.”

2022: Blake Lively and Atelier Versace Making a draw-dropping entrance in 2022 with a transforming look inspired by New York City landmarks, Blake Lively began with a metallic bodice and bow inspired by the Empire State Building and the Manhattan skyline which transformed into a long turquoise train based on Grand Central’s constellation ceiling.

2023: Doja Cat and Oscar de la Renta Doja Cat’s debut at the 2023 Met Gala is both loved and hated by audiences, but it is difficult to dispute its iconic nature which is sure to go down in fashion history. Fully embracing the theme, ‘Karl Lagerfeld’, she chose to dress as his beloved cat, a Burmese named Choupette. Her floor-length silver and feather lined gown was matched with cat ears on her hood, claw-like nails and makeup and prosthetics, completing her cat transformation.

Countless other looks have astounded audiences at the Met Gala, as each year celebrities and designers defy what we know fashion to be, making leaps and bounds into the future of fashion and culture. If there is one thing the Met Gala has most definitely achieved, is that it has redefined fashion as not just the clothes we wear, but a form of expression, passion and art.

Mairi Humphreys (she/her)

Sofia Drake-Perello (she/her)

» Images: Unsplash / Omar Lopez (bottom left), Unsplash/ Priscilla Du Preez (centre) Unsplash/ Melissa Askew (bottom right)

TuckedEditor: Amy Adshead (they/them)

climate@theboar.org

Warwick university fails to part ways with fossil fuel investing

away somewhere on the University of Warwick Finance Office’s webpage is a Socially Responsible Investment policy. This one-page document states that the University should choose investments in a way that will “reduce or ideally eliminate” a laundry list of corporate bad behaviour – this includes environmental damage and the sale of weapons to military regimes, among others. Pride of place in this document is the statement that: “The University will never knowingly invest in companies involved in fossil fuel extraction and production.” At first glance, it seems to be a morally sound commitment that makes for some great PR. Unfortunately, it is not enough.

Make My Money Matter... pushes financial institutions to make more climate-friendly decisions

The University does not, technically, invest in the fossil fuel sector. That would be completely backward. Instead, they give their money to banks, who act as a third party and pass the money on to the fossil fuel industry through investment.

There are plenty of banks that don’t do this. You can easily find out which ones do and don’t with a Google search. David Hayman, a Senior Campaigner for the climate

finance charity Make My Money Matter, recommended the website bank.green. He also highlighted the impact a large institution’s banking choice can make when I spoke to him in April.

Make My Money Matter was founded by Richard Curtis, a name you may recognise as the director of the film Love Actually. Curtis also has a long history of charity campaigning. He is one of the founders of Comic Relief, with Make My Money Matter being his final project. The charity attempts to educate consumers and pushes financial institutions to make more climate-friendly decisions. They were successful in convincing pension funds to do this and have since set mainstream banks in their sights. They are particularly unhappy with how Barclays handles their client’s money. The University of Warwick is one of these clients.

Hayman emphasised that the actions of respected institutions, like universities, can make ‘a significant impact’ on climate finance. He said that the choices universities make can often turn into news headlines and negatively affect the reputation of banks who make poor climate-related finance decisions. This hit to PR can lead to a loss of customers, which reduces the profitability of harmful investments, such as giving money to the fossil fuel sector. This gives all the more reason as for why institutions should be pushing for mindful investments.

Luckily, many large educational institutions are interested in making changes. The University of Cambridge led over 60 institutions in submitting a historic ‘Request for Proposal’ asking banks not to use their money to fund new fossil fuel extraction.

The University of Warwick did not sign on to this request.

Asking banks to stop giving money to fossil fuel production is exactly the sort of behaviour ... a university should be engaging in

Part of Make My Money Matter’s job is to advocate for initiatives like the Request for Proposal, but even Hayman admitted that it would take “a long time” for large lenders to meet the University of Cambridge’s requirements. But, in his own words, “when it gets there, it’ll be fantastic.”

It’s certainly a step in the right direction in a world that has already seen immense damage from the climate crisis.

The Boar has reached out to the University of Warwick for com ment on why they have chosen to bank with Bar clays, instead of a more cli mate-friendly provider, and why they did not sign on to the request for proposal. At time of writ ing, they have not responded.

Indirect fossil fuel finance is not the only way in which the University of Warwick misuses its resources. As the recent protests on campus by Warwick Stands With Palestine have suggested, human and intellectu-

al capital is funnelled from our institution into military firms such as BAE and Rolls Royce, who make parts for weapons that are exported to Israel. These weapons have been proven to have been used on civilians, including children.

While different banking choices are crucial, it is understood by academics that fossil fuel divestment, especially, cannot be implemented on its own. The Harvard Business Review (a bastion of Left-Wing discourse) admits that it must be accompanied by acsources, not fund it.

How students can restore UK Climate Leadership

Sinai Ejechi (he/him)

Asthe next election looms, we can look back over the last fourteen years of the Conservatives’ time in office with varying levels of criticism. The blue years did have a bright spot, however: the UK’s climate leadership.

Despite regular leadership changes, successive Tory governments remained clear on the UK’s role in the climate solution. The country saw Boris Johnson’s wins with offshore wind, and Theresa May’s net-zero target, following David Cameron’s – for the most part – distinctly strong climate policy. Liz Truss seems to have been too busy with the economy to devote time to green policies.

Truss aside, Rishi Sunak has been notably weaker than his predecessors on climate, weakening climate policy in moves that appear to be electorally motivated, whilst threatening the UK’s global position as a climate leader.

In a press conference last September, off the back of the Uxbridge byelection, Sunak signalled that the UK would no longer lead the global community in climate action. After he acknowledged that the UK was “so far ahead of every other country in the world” on emissions targets, he then went on to stress that the government was now “aligning our approach with countries like Germany, France…” on EV targets – this is an

implicit step back.

Regardless of the urgent need for climate action, Sunak appears to believe that it is okay for the UK to take its foot off the gas, simply because other countries are not going as fast. After the Uxbridge by-election was won by the Tories over Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Ultra Low Emission Zone, green policy revealed itself a handy weapon in the Conservative electoral arsenal. Back in September, Sunak seemed to prioritise vote-winning with a speech on his ‘new ap proach’ to net-zero. He suggested that “if we continue down this path, we risk losing the consent of the British people”, neglecting the message the speech sent to the global community in favour of National appeal.

The diplomatic impact of Sunak's public backpedalling resonates with a number of Warwick students

Although there is some political benefit to walking back climate commitments, there may be less of a trade-off than it appears at first. Earlier this year, it was reported that many EU lawmakers do indeed see the UK as having moved backwards on climate action, but this was a trend that has been traced to before Sunak’s speech, even before Sunak’s appointment, and back to Brexit. Therefore,

his messaging may simply have confirmed a pre-existing notion already held by those abroad.

Whether the weakening of the UK’s commitment to climate began with Sunak or before him, one thing remains clear: the current reluctance for the UK to lead the world on climate will not abate under this government.

Crucially, the diplomatic impact of Sunak’s public backpedalling resonates with a number of Warwick students. Yet many

lenge the latter. The incumbent mayor was unseated by a margin of just 1508 votes –less than 1% of all votes cast.

For others, voter ID rules present the biggest barrier to the ballot box. Ahead of the upcoming general election, students face a unique challenge: registering to vote, some for a second time, in their new university constituency, in the midst of moving between student housing and home for the summer.

Despite this, students should endeavour to get to the ballot box and make their voices heard, because there will be other voter groups pushing to elect a government that wants the UK to take its foot off the gas, to slow necessary climate action.

» Images: Rawpixel (above), Number 10 / Flickr (below)

Beau Gerard (they/them)

The Premier League's impact on the planet

Jasper Young (he/him)

Asthe 2023-24 Premier League season draws to a close, we can look back on a season full of memorable moments. From point deductions, Klopp’s swansong, Garnacho’s bicycle kick, to Nottingham Forrest’s stern words to the Luton ultras managing VAR, yet again the League has delivered in drama and entertainment – but is it delivering in terms of its climate responsibilities?

An overlooked aspect of the Premier League, and the English Football League more broadly, is the impact it exerts upon the environment. In 2019, the Premier League reportedly brought in 1.5 million inbound visitors from overseas to watch a live match, whilst in the 2022-23 season, the aggregate attendance for the whole of the football league was over 34 million, with many of those fans undoubtedly travelling far and wide to support their team. Such a large movement of people each week, in addition to the power, energy and resources needed to host these matches, raises the question of the environmental consequences of the League.

Studies have found Premier League matches to be a huge consumption of resources and energy

Fan travel is one of the biggest contributors to the sport’s carbon footprint. Premier League club Wolves cited fan travel as responsible for the highest proportion of the club’s emissions. Research published last year found that Premier League fans travelling by car could collectively save 4,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions every season if they switched to travelling via train.

Similarly, player travel is also a heavy contributor, with many clubs still choosing to travel to domestic matches by private jet. In the 2022-23 season, Manchester City flew to 10 out of 19 away league games, producing enough carbon emissions to account for 402 journeys on an electric coach.

This issue is only amplified on a global level, with the last FIFA World Cup, hosted in Qatar, the nation with the highest emis sions per capita in the world, generating 1.9 million tonnes of CO2 from fan and athlete travel alone.

Outside of travel, studies have found Premier League matches to be a huge con sumption of resources and energy. An estimated 20,000 litres of water per day are needed to maintain a Premier League football pitch, in addition to the significant amount of energy required to power large stadiums and floodlights. Evidently, the Premier League faces several hurdles in limiting the damage they cause to the climate, so what are the solutions?

For player travel, the answer is obvious. Flights should not be taken for journeys which can be made in similarly good time by train or coach. In France, the government has taken measures to ensure this, with short-haul flights banned where the same journey could be made by train in under two-and-a-half hours.

In the league as a whole, there is an impressive match day recycling rate of 90%

When it comes to fan travel, this is perhaps trickier. Falling into the ‘indirect’ emissions category, it is therefore perceived as outside the responsibilities of the League. Despite this, in Germany, an initiative has been introduced to include free use of local public transport in matchday tickets, attempting to limit road traffic emissions from fans and presenting another example where England may wish to follow suit.

In terms of energy use, waste and wider climate commitments, the Premier League is showing signs of moving in the right direction, with notable steps taken by the traditional ‘Big Six’ clubs to minimise their negative impact upon the climate. Arsenal became the first club in 2020 to sign the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, supporting the implementation of five key climate action principles. Following suit, the rest of the Premier League later joined and signed on to these commitments. Clubs such as Arsenal, Manchester City, and Tottenham have also switched to a reusable cup system to reduce their amount of waste, and in the league as a whole, there is an impressive matchday recycling rate of 90%. The new Tottenham Hotspur stadium has set the benchmark for new stadiums too by using 100% renewable energy and sending zero waste to landfill, showing clubs it is possible to sustainably expand and develop.

As our national sport, and something that unifies people across the country, it can only be a net-positive for the environment if the Premier League and the FA lead by example in making serious climate commitments and taking affirmative action to realise such promises.

City sinking: China’s urban population at risk

Tra My Insua-Luu (she/her)

Witha population of 1.4 billion as of 2022, China’s rapid development has given rise to a plethora of urban adaptation and mitigation challenges to sustain population growth and ensure that its current population can adequately deal with growing

trends. Currently, almost half of China’s cities are sinking. According to Ao et al.’s study, 45% of China’s cities have a subsidence rate of over 3 millimetres per year and 16% over 10 millimetres.

In fact, 7.3% of the population of the 82 major Chinese cities studied lives on surfaces sinking at 10 millimetres per year. Therefore, if we were to account for

climate-related concerns. Amongst them, ultra-rapid urbanisation, flooding, urban sprawl, air pollution, as well as land subsidence, are becoming inevitable climatic considerations for governmental urban planning.

Recently, satellite imagery has contributed to a nation-wide assessment of land subsidence across Chinese cities such as Beijing and Tianjin, conducted by Ao et al. who point at the urgent necessity to mitigate land subsidence rates and enhance protective measures in Chinese coastal areas. But what exactly is land subsidence and how does it happen?

Simply put, land subsidence is a phenomenon observed when land is gradually sinking. Subsidence can be natural, but most of today’s observed cases are human-induced, and mainly caused by groundwater extraction at rates faster than the replenishment rates of aquifers. As cities grow exponentially, more groundwater is drained because it is a large source of potable water safer to drink than surface water. Land reclamation, tunnelling (to make way for subways and mines, for example), and even the weight of buildings can contribute to the sinking and destabilisation of land. As a result, these processes create uneven land subsidence across cities.

Currently, almost half of China's cities are sinking

Jakarta is currently the world’s fastest sinking city, with some areas in the city seeing a subsidence rate of up to 15 millimetres per year. Land subsidence is seen in many other urban hotspots such as Houston, Mexico City, and Delhi, and is becoming increasingly observed in coastal areas in China. Satellite imagery has provided scientists with measurements on ground deformation and subsidence

the entire urban population of China, this would represent 67 million people living in rapidly sinking regions, roughly equal to the population of France.

Coastal areas are particularly vulnerable — the study's authors predict that around 100 years from now, 22 to 26% of China’s coastal areas will be below sea level. A large proportion of the Chinese population currently lives on the coast. China’s biggest city, Shanghai, sits on the Yangtze River Delta. Over the past 100 years, it has subsided up to 3m. With other major cities such as China’s capital Beijing and the London-sized Tianjin also resting by the coast, increasing land subsidence rates pose major threats to urban life. As the land sinks and the sea rises, residents will increasingly be affected by floods and infrastructure degradation.

So how do we slow down land subsidence and effectively mitigate its effects? Tokyo and Osaka, two of Japan’s largest cities, have also fallen victim to land subsidence and have experienced rapid sinking rates. In the 1960s, however, groundwater extraction was banned in both cities and authorities called for the provision of alternative surface water supply. This strategy has proven effective in the drastic reduction of land subsidence. Additionally, modern urban planning has recently been steering towards building design structures that aim to reduce the effect of a building’s weight on its foundation and hence to maintain its structural integrity. There is, however, a possibility that prevention is no longer enough, and adaptation is the only remaining plausible course of action. Dikes are being used across China’s low-lying coastal areas to hold back water currents, but only time will tell how much longer these barriers will hold.

» Images: Zhang Kaiyv / Unsplash (top), Wesley Tingley / Unsplash (bottom)

‘If you want to change the world, be an economist’

A conversation with Dr Arun Advani

Whentalking to experts in any field, one question, more than anything, comes to mind for me: what got them involved in the first place? For Dr Arun Advani, one of Britain's most renowned tax economists and an Associate Professor at Warwick, it was gaping global inequalities that fuelled his passion for economics.

Born to Indian immigrants but brought up in Britain, disparities in living standards between the two countries were plain to see: “I think my parents worked hard. But however hard they would have worked in India, we would never have had the same levels of income if I grew up where they had grown up.”

Having seen these vast global inequalities of opportunity first-hand, it’s unsurprising that Advani’s first calling was development economics. Although, after receiving an undergraduate degree from Cambridge, two things stopped him from exploring that path further:

“I sort of concluded … you can’t be a good development economist without spending a lot of time in low-income countries. And I didn't want to spend my life travelling around that much. I wanted to be close to home and where my family are … And the other thing that I concluded was that there were lots of problems closer to home.”

Following a stint in environmental taxation at the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), he moved from thinking about global inequality to analysing inequality in the UK. And that’s when his longest, closest collaborator entered the picture.

At an academic conference, Advani was live tweeting a session about inequality measurement. That caught the eye of Dr Andy Summers, an Associate Professor of Law at LSE interested in the legal aspects of measuring inequality. The two met for coffee in London, and the rest is history. Over the years, Advani and Summers have built a full-blown arsenal of research focusing on both how to better measure inequality and design taxes on wealth and top incomes.

Just last year, [Advani] won a ‘Young Economists Award’ from the International Institute of Public Finance

Advani’s academic career has bloomed. Alongside his professorship at Warwick, he’s currently a research fellow at the IFS, a Research Associate at Warwick’s very own CAGE Research Centre, and was a Commissioner for the Wealth Tax Commission – which investigated the possibility of implementing such a tax in the UK. He’s also earned several plaudits. Just last year, he, along with Summers and economist David Burgherr, won a ‘Young Economists Award’ from the International Institute of Public Finance. That was for their paper about the effects of a recent UK tax reform on migration by the super-rich. His area of speciality is arguably more relevant than ever. With the UK’s tax burden having risen to its highest level since

the 1940s and only set to rise further, policymakers across the political divide have highlighted a pressing need for tax reform. The Resolution Foundation has argued that higher taxes have not been accompanied by an increase in tax quality, with poorly designed taxes hindering Britain’s ability to tackle both stagnant productivity and vast inequalities. Advani himself points out that “there are so many … problems with existing taxes on wealth”, with the system generating both inequality and massive disincentives to invest.

Despite these problems with the tax system, what’s striking is that neither major UK political party has committed to largescale tax reform. Nor have they explained how they intend to raise the sums necessary to increase funding for Britain’s cadaverous public services.

Both Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are saying Britons can have their cake and eat it

Advani argues neither the Conservatives nor Labour are being explicit about the trade-offs surrounding tax, or, to put it bluntly, both Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are saying Britons can have their cake and eat it. Either our tax burden rises to maintain or expand public services, or we tolerate deteriorating state provision. Unfortunately,

wealth tax’. The difference between the two is how frequently tax authorities measure an individual’s net worth. For one-off wealth taxes, net worth is only measured once, so even if an individual’s wealth levels change, their tax liability doesn’t. For annual wealth taxes, net worth is measured annually, and the amount of tax people pay changes in response to fluctuations in their net worth.

The case for a one-off wealth tax is ‘much weaker’ than it used to be

Advani argues one-off wealth taxes are more appropriate for extreme crisis periods, such as the pandemic. This is because it’s only in those situations that people are likely to believe the tax is “credibly oneoff” – meaning people genuinely trust that tax authorities won’t levy the tax recurrently. As such, Advani argues that now we’re no longer in the pandemic crisis period, the case for a one-off wealth tax is “much weaker” than it used to be. In contrast, there may be a case for an annual wealth tax, but only “if you’re concerned about wealth inequality” – because existing taxes are limited in their ability to reduce it. For other policy objectives, such as raising revenue to fund public spending, he argues reforming existing taxes on assets, such as capital gains tax and inheritance tax, is a better option.

amongst students in a plethora of ways, such as providing educational resources, facilitating economics undergraduates, giving talks at secondary schools, or an annual ‘Young Economist’ competition where secondary school students compete to analyse contemporary economics-related issues. I asked Advani about what changes need to be made – either to policy or the broader culture within the discipline – to redress this underrepresentation.

The answer depends on the kind of inequality you’re trying to address. The key problem driving the underrepresentation of those from low-SES backgrounds in the UK is a lack of access to economics for state school students at A-level. This dissuades those students from studying economics at university. As Advani notes: “[Spending] that much of your life and money on this subject you know nothing about – that’s clearly a big ask.” He suggests the solution is to make state school students more well-informed about economics, improving their awareness of what economics is all about, the career opportunities it provides, and making it clear they don’t need an Economics A-level to study it at university.

“I'm an economist, and I study human behaviour – that's exactly what we spend a lot of our time doing!”

- Dr Arun Advani

For gender, the underrepresentation of women is partly due to differing preferences. When it comes to what students value in a university degree, evidence suggests men tend to prioritise employability and earnings potential. Whilst women are concerned about these things too – they disproportionately value aspects like whether they’ll be likely to meet people they get along with in their course cohort, alongside whether they find the course interesting. This, alongside misperceptions of economics amongst people of all genders, has led to a situation where only 1/3 of economics undergraduates in Britain are women. Advani’s eyes light up when he points out many women choose to study psychology at university because it involves the study of human behaviour, even though economics does the exact same thing: “I’m an economist, and I study human behaviour – that’s exactly what we spend a lot of our time doing!”

Just as our conversation wraps up, he emphasises the sheer importance of economics within broader society – something that makes tackling underrepresentation especially crucial:

“If you want to change the world, and you want to change policy in the UK, be an economist. Whether you like it or not, you’re going to have much more of an impact on what you do.”

Abhay Venkitaraman (he/him)

A Silicon Valley in the desert: the story of Mexico

Mexico has lots to offer visitors, from walking along a sunny beach while the crystal blue sea laps at the shore to sipping on a bottle of icy local beer and enjoying the taste of a burrito. Despite that, Mexico is far more than a place of tourism and idyllic sandy beaches: it has become a hub for business and high-tech industries. If you forget your pandemic-inspired Netflix sessions watching Breaking Bad, there are far more interesting stories that can be told about this country.

The truth is that data doesn’t lie, and while some pro-Brexit politicians may beg to differ with that statement, in the case of Mexico, the data paints a picture of great potential. The peso has hit a record high against the US dollar since 1989, with the currency climbing a staggering 20% since 2022 compared to it. This rapid growth has been underpinned by an inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) from major global firms investing in Mexico. Geopolitical tensions between China and the US, alongside growing labour costs in the former, have led companies like TSMC and Tesla to start shifting production away from China, and going all in on Mexico. In 2023, Tesla announced that it would invest $5 billion

into battery plants in Mexico as part of its strategy to diversify and future-proof supply chains. This announcement was followed by a proposal from Foxconn (the iPhone supplier) to expand operations in Mexico with a new office, supporting investments worth $69 million in the last four years. This May, the US Department of State announced a collaboration by the US, Mexico, and key chip producers like TSMC to focus on expanding Mexico’s capacity to produce chips. This recent development may create a situation where Mexico will become a prime location for chip production in the coming years.

Mexico's GDP grew by 3.2% in 2023, with forecasted growth in 2024 standing above 3%

If there was a hearing test for the sound of money, bankers might score 100%. The ears of major investment banks have pricked up due to strong economic metrics in Mexico alongside growing mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and initial public offering (IPO) activity. Recent labour reforms by Mexico’s government have resulted in falling inequality and growing household consumption, with stable, regulated financial markets cre-

ating an environment of high business confidence. Consumption as a share of GDP has risen in the past two years, with record-low unemployment giving households greater spending power. Mexico’s GDP grew by 3.2% in 2023, with forecasted growth in 2024 standing above 3%.

The election will either accelerate change or squander opportunity

From JP Morgan to the Bank of America, big banks have taken notice of the opportunity presented by Mexico. The share of investment banking revenue from the Latin American region grew from 13% in 2022 to 20% in 2023. The influence of new corporate bonds and strong growth in IPO activity has boosted the revenues of investment banks, as Bank of America announced its largest increase in revenues from activity in Mexico. JP Morgan’s CEO, Jamie Dimon, said “Mexico may be the number one opportunity in the coming years.” His remarks came towards the end of 2023 when his company had 6,000 employees in Mexico. Economic data compiled by Refinitiv, a financial data platform, underscored that there were 127 deals announced in Mexico in 2023 valued

at a total of $17.3 billion. Green finance is the hot topic today on Wall Street, so Mexico’s $1.6 billion solar panel project in the northern desert, managed by the stateowned electrical company, and other infrastructure deals like it, may be important in boosting the country's green sector and complementing the growth in electric vehicle (EV) production.

Many sparks of hope can be found for a strong economic future in Mexico, with the recent election of Claudia Sheinbaum as the country's next president. Yet, some of Sheinbaum's policy positions have created someuncertainty in markets, with Mexican stocks falling by roughly 6% after the election. While Sheinbaum has reinforced the goal of growing Mexico's renewable energy sector and continuing the policies of the current president - Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, she recently commented that this should be led by the state rather than privte firms. Moreover, she looks set to continue Lopez Obrador's efforts to limit checks and balances by amending Mexico's constitution. It is early days for the incoming administration, leaving many questions about the path ahead and whether the country will be able to build upon its past performance.

China’s export glut inflames global tensions

“Chinais now simply too large for the rest of the world to absorb this enormous capacity … when the global market is flooded by artificially cheap Chinese products, the viability of American and other foreign firms is put into question.”

That’s what US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said after visiting China last month. Once the world’s largest manufacturer that benefited the global market with cheap products and labour, the country is now considered a threat to the world economy, with the West accusing it of oversupplying goods like steel and electric vehicles (EVs).

Theoretically, prices fall when supply increases, all else being equal. Lower prices sound nice, so why is the huge supply from China causing alarm?

Since the pandemic, China’s surplus in the goods trade has doubled billion,

the price of Chinese exports dropping to a 14-year low.

The Chinese government has focused on exporting industrial and green technology goods like EVs and solar panels. The country now produces 55% of steel and 58% of new EVs worldwide. Cheap Chinese EVs and solar panels may aid the world’s green transition, but Chinese output is outpacing global demand. Taking solar panels as an example, China had the means to produce 861 gigawatts of solar modules per year in 2023 – over double the global total installed capacity. Cheaply priced Chinese goods make it difficult for manufacturers abroad to compete. This hinders green technology development in parts of the world that are trying to raise their global market share, such as the US, Europe, and India.

Since the domestic market cannot accommodate the goods, they must be exported

Beijing has affirmed that “overcapacity” is normal in market economies, but can China really be classified as one? Since the 1980s, China’s economy has used a form of state capitalism where the private sector coexists with heavy government intervention. This takes the form of state-owned enterprises

alongside supply-side policies like infrastructure investment and green technology subsidies. Then, the state acts as a consumer to absorb the huge output this system generates. For example, the Chinese government initiated the ‘Ten Cities and Thousand Vehicles’ project in 2013 to increase the use of electric public transport nationwide.

Trump has promised a 100% tariff on all imported Chinese cars made in Mexico

As early as 2018, economists from the China Electronics and Information Industry Development Research Institute, a Chinese think tank, were warning that this economic model was unsustainable. While high state subsidies and profits generate investment and expand supply quickly, demand is pri marily state-driven. This means that when public demand cannot grow sufficiently, and the market cannot keep up either, overca pacity occurs. This prediction came true after the pandemic broke out in 2020. The prop erty market is too weak to purchase enough steel, and local consumers do not find EVs appealing in a stagnant economy. Since the domestic market cannot accommodate the goods, they must be exported.

China’s overcapacity has intensified the geopolitical conflict between China and the West. The US and EU have imposed tariffs on Chinese imports to protect local businesses since 2016, and more trade bar riers are coming. Alongside high tariffs on Chinese goods including EVs, steel, and

aluminium, US President Joe Biden has established the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to subsidise green technology manufacturing and reduce dependence on China. In response, Beijing has filed a complaint with the WTO to contest the IRA, arguing that China is just meeting “the needs of foreign customers”.

Even if Biden is unseated this November, his would-be successor, Donald Trump, has promised a 100% tariff on all imported Chinese cars made in Mexico if he wins the upcoming election. The European Commission is also considering adding new tariffs on Chinese goods, with India and Mexico imposing tariffs as high as 80% on China’s steel imports.

Xuyang Dong, China Energy Policy Analyst at Climate Energy Finance, predicts that China will dominate the world market despite these trade restrictions. China is over-producing industrial and green technology goods thanks to its unique state-capitalist nomic model, and fears that cheap will threaten local manufacturers. It is a classic case of China and the world trying to find the optimal balance between economic and

Ilya Vencjuns (he/him)

Angel Sun (she/her)

» Images: Flickr/ Corey Seeman (left), Wikimedia Commons/ Qilei Cai (right)

» Image: Flickr/ Patrick McCully

Welcome to the Boar Awards: An event through pictures

Yusra Babar (she/her)

Theannual Boar Awards took place on Friday 24 May at the aptly named Micro Pug in Leamington Spa. Thank you to all new and old exec members, contributing writers, RAW members, and plus ones for attending. Many thanks to Emilia for organising the event and being a passionate social secretary for the entire year.

The event ranged from smashed glasses to celebrating creative geniuses. The awards night became a cultural hub for students to be able to celebrate their journalistic passions and let loose. My favourite memory was taking it upon myself to become the new mascot and put on the infamous boar head. Jesse Hitt then persisted on escorting the boar head on her walk home.

Archie Clarke and Luke Chapman had the fortunate oppurtunity to win the hilariously disillusioned award titled, ‘Most likely to live in the office’. I hope they continue to maintain this reputation over their coming reign.

I am delighted to present some of the images which share the spirit of the Awards night.

Mr and Mr Chief

the one who smashes glass New Mascot Alert

the office cuties

» Images: Archie Clarke / The Boar

THE BOAR AWARDS

Grace

Warwick’s

Tuning

The Bubble

Where to Travel this Summer

1. SPAIN - specifically Málaga because that's where you'll catch me drinking Sangria and practicing my Spanish in the middle of June!

2. SINGAPORE (because my flatmate asked me to write this, and says it's a great place for a vacation, so we'll have to take his word for it...

3. AMSTERDAM - I've never been here but it's next on my list so I'm hoping it's good. Plus, you can just take the Eurostar so it makes the trip a lot easier!

ACTIVITIES FOR SUMMER

Bring some friends on a trip to your local park with some nibbles and a speaker (and cross your fingers for some sun).

This one is fairly self-explanatory; who doesn't love a BBQ? Just pop over to whichever of your friends has the nicest garden!

Hot or Not: Do you agree with The Boar's HOT Summer takes?

NOT

Although Smack might be an acquired taste, the rumours of its closure will certainly be devastating news for many. It might be time to squeeze in one last cheeky Smack Tuesday before it potentially shuts down...

Editor: Abbie Fox (she/her) @WarwickBoar

NOT

Exams! I can't wait to stop seeing stressed-looking students around campus.

Hopefully the weather?? Although heat doesn't seem to hit quite the same in England as abroad, the prospect of sitting in Jephson gardens and having a picnic with some mates sounds like the well-deserved break we all need.

Let's have a look at some fun and easy activities you can get up to over summer!

Whether it's a concert, festival or gig, this is a great excuse to get dressed up and just spend the day enjoying good music with your mates.

The holidays!! Whether you're actually going on holiday or just planning to chill over summer, I know everyone is looking forward to three months without work.

End of term celebrations and the chance to go out without the academic guilt of missing your 9ams. HOT

HOT

The sun not setting until 9pm; it's perfect for going on random side-quests in the night and justifying staying up later (like we all don't anyways).

NOT

Check us out on social media: @WarwickBoar

What's up, Warwick?

Since the end of the year is approaching, it's time to take a look a what's going on in Warwick before Summer!

HAPPY PRIDE MONTH

Again, this can be easily done in a local park or field, and you also have the guarantee of taking some cute pictures!

Tunes

Having to move out for Summer (how is it possible for one person to have so much stuff in one room??)

Editor: Gabriela Jozefowicz (she/her) games@theboar.org

Old school, new games: A granddad's journey into the digital world

CathBowie, better known to her fans as GrumpyGran1948, made headlines recently for her love of Fortnite, and the success that she’s had streaming her games on Twitch. She uses her platform to encourage other older people to play video games and says in her profile that she “[plays] to enforce the opinion that you don’t need to be young or good to enjoy the game.” She rejects the “toxic” language and attitudes she sees in some players, and instead plays with a group of other older gamers.

But will all older people enjoy gaming as much? I decided to enlist the most technophobic person I know to help answer this question: my granddad.

At 86, my granddad has spent a long time resisting the allure of modern technology. He uses a flip phone and is totally disconnected from the internet. The most sophisti cated bit of tech in his house is his TV, which he uses to watch horse rac ing and Antiques Roadshow. If it’s necessary, he asks me to look things up “on my machine.”

When I first broached the topic of play ing video games with him, we were sitting in the living room as he told me about the trouble he had connecting with my cousins when they first started playing video games during visits as kids.

spent watching my brother play it. Whatever the reason, he expects to hate this game from the get-go.

Complete waste of my brainpower. In fact, I think you’ve destroyed it

The first issue we come across is on the character selection screen. “How do I move this?” he says, pushing the joystick as far as it will go and sending the selected box careening across the screen. I show him the D-pad instead, and he eventually settles on a character and a name - Ruoo.

“If there’s something you find that’s very difficult, let me know.” I tell him. “What a waste!” says my granddad. I remind him that this is investigative journalism, on the cut-

“Conversation doesn’t come into it,” he says, “if that’s why you’ve come to visit, to look at your phones, what a waste of time.’” That’s how it started, he admits, and now he’s a proud opponent of social media, video games, and anything that takes you from face-to-face to face-to-screen.

This is investigative journalism, on the cutting edge

I tell him about Cath Bowie. “Couldn’t she get out or do other things?” he asks. “I think she just enjoyed doing it,” I tell him. “Hm… I would say, find something better to do. Take up knitting or something.”

But when I tell him that people can make money by streaming games, he changes his mind. “Ah well, she’s a… celebrity of this modern digital age, self-employed… marvellous, to be self-employed.”

So, what about playing games himself?

He agrees begrudgingly but lets me know he won’t enjoy it. I decided to test him on a few different games on both the Nintendo Switch and the Xbox One.

Pokémon Shining Pearl

“Pokémon!? You are joking!?”

It’s difficult to say if my granddads already turned against Pokémon thanks to the knockoff cards he tried to tempt me with throughout my childhood or the hours he’s

It takes him a while to make his way out of the bedroom where the game begins. “Listen, what on Earth am I supposed to be doing here?”

He says, “so far, it’s a boring waste of time!” Eventually, he makes it out of the bedroom and even leaves the house. We find his rival for the game and finally begin.

“So, can we go to the next game now then?” he asks. I suggest holding on just a couple more minutes until the first battle. “I think we should finish with this because it’s mind-bogglingly boring. Complete waste of my brainpower. In fact, I think you’ve destroyed it. This is for six-year-olds… waiting for their tea or something.”

“Now, don’t be rude,” says my brother, “the box says three and up!”

We move swiftly on to the next game.

Gamer Granddad’s rating:

0.5/5.

Ease rating: 4/5.

Final thoughts: (When I ask if he has any final thoughts, he just starts laughing. “Oo no.”)

Time played: 11 minutes.

Portal

With his focus on the apparent loss of brainpower in Pokémon Shining Pearl, perhaps Portal, at its core a puzzle game, will be more up my granddad’s alley?

Well, maybe it would be if the controls weren’t so sensitive. We look at the ceiling. We look at the floor. We look at the ceiling again. Eventually, my brother reduces the controller sensitivity, giving my granddad just enough control to fire his first portal. He goes through, gets confused at the fact he’s somewhere different now and tries to go back. After we explain the portal mechanic to him a little better, he grasps the intricacies of the first-person perspective, and we complete the first level quickly.

“Don’t you know any other 80-year-olds?”

he asks, “it’s not inspiring me at all.”

Gamer Granddad’s rating: 1/5.

Ease rating: 3/5.

Final thoughts: “No, I didn’t really like that too much. More realistic, I suppose. One thing I can say: the audience participation is increa -sing in excitement! But the gamer is going to sleep…”

Time played: 9 minutes.

Mario Wonder

We set him up on the first level and show him the basic controls. “Oh, look at that silly manoeuvre,” he says, going backwards. When he gets going, collecting his first coin it looks for a moment like we might be onto a winner… and then the goombas come into play. Focused on collecting coins as he is, he reaches game over in minutes. “Hooray… there we are. Next!”

He gets into the swing of things much quicker, scoring strikes like a pro

Gamer Granddad’s rating: 1/5.

Ease rating: 2/5.

Final thoughts: ‘As bad as the rest of them.’

Time played: 5 minutes.

Nintendo Switch Sports (Bowling)

This is the only game on this list that my granddad has previous hands-on experience with, having played it with my family a couple of times. As such, he gets into the swing of things much quicker, scoring strikes like a pro. “It’s a lot simpler than the other ones,” he says, “there’s a purpose to it.”

He says he’ll do three or four rounds, but doesn’t quit until seven or eight, despite me having to remind him every couple of minutes where the A button is, as he’s not wearing his reading glasses, at which point he comes back to himself and decides to move on.

Gamer Granddad’s rating: 3/5, probably higher if played with other people.

Ease rating: 4/5.

Final thoughts: “There just seems more sense to it than any of the other games... probably a good exercise for your right arm anyway.”

Time played: 10 minutes.

Forza Horizon 3

We set my granddad up in one of my brother’s cars in the middle of the outback, explain the controls, and let him run wild. “Oh, this thing moves!” he says, about the car. It doesn’t take him long to get the hang

Gamer Granddad’s rating: 4/5. Ease rating: 4/5.

Final thoughts: ‘No.’ Time played: 5 minutes.

And what about Fortnite, the game that launched Cath Bowie into relative Twitch stardom? How would my granddad fare playing that?

“You’re a creative writer, I don’t see why I have to actually do it,” he says, unswayed by the concept of journalistic integrity. Just as well, probably. I’m not sure my laptop would have survived his attempt.

» Images: (top to bottom) Pexels, Stas Knop; Pexels, MART PRODUCTION; Pexels, Caleb Oquendo; Pexels, Steshka Willems; Pexels, RDNE Stock project; Cath Bowie, Newsline Media, The Scottish Sun; Pexels, Kindel Media of the controls, and within a minute he’s speeding around the landscape. He enjoys the “carefree abandon” of this game, he says, visibly happy for a moment for perhaps the first time since this started as he drives full speed into a tree, knocking it down and ignoring the calm tones of the Sat Nav telling him to turn around. “Oho, watch this chaps,” he says, crashing into a barn. “I think that building might be stronger than your car, I’m afraid,” I tell him, but he tries several more times before giving up.

Chloe Hadland (she/her)

Arts

Conversations with the cast and crew of Godspell: Exploring the world of musical theatre productions

Inearly May, I had the pleasure of watching the Musical Theatre Warwick production of Godspell in The Warwick Arts Centre Studio. After watching this wonderful, inventive and vivid production, I had the chance to sit down and chat with some of the cast and crew members. Through our conversations, I was able to understand the daunting, yet rewarding, journey of bringing the vision of Godspell to life, and why engaging in musical theatre is such an important part of their university experience.

Kate Campbell stated that joining MTW, and getting involved with Godspell, was the next step in her love for musical theatre

To get a resounding understanding of the premise behind Godspell, our conversation opened with a discussion into what Godspell is really about, and how the cast and crew envisioned this production. Ellie Woolston, the Director, initially mentioned the importance of promoting community and friendship in Godspell, noting that the relationships between the ensemble in the play mattered more to her than the plot

itself. Woolston found joy in the aspect of presenting the process of building relationships and how they develop, especially seeing the ensemble transition from standalone individuals to a chorus of friends, through Godspell’s music and choreography. For anyone familiar with the plot of Godspell, there is obvious religious content and material throughout, especially as the story consists of a group of individuals helping Jesus Christ retell the stories of the Bible. As expected, Woolston identifies the religious aspect of Godspell as a key plot-point, however, suggests the presence of religion can be utilised in an alternative and more versatile manner. Woolston fascinatingly argues that the core Christian themes are used as a way of enhancing the friendships within the story, and how people come together, rather than just subject matter, offering an original take on the script. Taking a step back from Godspell itself, I was interested to find out how the cast members found an interest in musical theatre, and what drove them to join MTW as a society. Notably, Kate Campbell, Ensemble Member, stated that joining MTW, and getting involved with Godspell, was the next step in her love for musical theatre, taking part in previous amateur theatre productions in her hometown. Prior to the release of Godspell, Campbell expressed that she had been less involved with musical theatre at university, however she auditioned for Godspell due to its incredible

“celebration of music”, and the range of songs present. Campbell clearly perceived Godspell as a distinct musical theatre expe-

The Warwick Arts Centre Studio was transformed into a 'stairway to heaven'

rience, thriving on its ability to accommodate every voice through its musical score.

Cast members Matty Curry (John the Baptist/Judas) and Ollie Bigley (Jesus Christ) were very excited to tell me about the highlights involved with the pro duction of Godspell, mainly being inside jokes that had resonat ed with the cast throughout the rehearsal period. This included Matty Curry discussing the presence of a pebble with eyes on in the backstage area, being a tenuous link to a lyric within the song ‘By My Side’, and further reminiscence on the “beautiful times” experienced in crafting a production. Through out the process, especially the “sweaty” and “delirious” tech-runs, Curry remarks that the cast and crew have found so much to enjoy while producing this musical.

Bigley and Curry equally enjoyed the

element of playing themselves in Godspell, with the ensemble keeping their own names throughout, feeling that they can emotionally embody and connect to the story. Whilst this is beneficial for playing a complex role, it equally exacerbates any postshow blues, with any emotional feelings hitting “doubly hard”, in the words of Bigley. Concluding my interview, I finally asked how excited everyone was for the opening night of Godspell. Woolston stated that the cast and crew were excited for everyone to witness the remarkable transformation of The Warwick Arts Centre Studio space, which was transformed into a ‘stairway to heaven’ style structure, surrounded by beautifully coloured decorations.

As discussed by the cast and voiced by Woolston, they had “never seen the space used like this” in a theatre show at Warwick, furthering the excitement of the big reveal of the production to a crowded audience. The cast seemed so happy to perform in such a creative and thought-provoking way, and personally so proud to display their individual talent to the rest of the Warwick community.

The albums on my wall: Discussing the artistry behind my favourite album covers

The simultaneous resurgence of vinyl records, alongside the digitalisation of music, has changed the status of the humble album cover forever. The 21st century has seen the bedrooms of the youth become a personal ‘white cube’, brandishing the most iconic images in pop culture history, with the digital age contributing to the production and circulation of classics-inthe-making.

With this in mind, I have taken a closer look at the albums on my own bedroom walls, evaluating their personal and cultural importance, considering debates around why they have achieved their iconic artistic status, or why they are deserving of appreciation.

Bowie’s symbolic lightning bolt transcends cultural boundaries

Whimsical and nostalgic, Weyes Blood’s Titanic Rising (2019) is not only musically captivating, but boasts an album cover which mirrors the surrealism of her discography. Depicting a bedroom submerged in water,

streamlined through the aesthetics of nineties youth culture, she provokes debates surrounding adolescence, escapism, and modern love. The imagery on the Titanic Rising cover solidifies its iconic status by evoking feelings of personal empathy towards the gut-wrenching themes of sentimentality and childhood. Moreover, the ingenuity of the physical composition, along with the astounding concept of an underwater bedroom, speaks volumes to the cover’s artistry. The pairing of fantastical manipulation of light and texture, especially depicted in the bedroom window, reminds the viewer of the chiaroscuros of the brushwork of a Renaissance master. This is a personal favourite because of the pure spectacle; if I could claim an album cover as my own, it would be this. David Bowie’s Aladdin Sane (1973) is exemplary in developing an iconic motif that represents both the artistic presentation of a musician and their storytelling. Bowie’s symbolic lightning bolt transcends cultural boundaries through its replication and interjection into the media, with supporters and artisans having emulated the imagery through personal creative outlets. The cover shares the story of Bowie’s schizophrenic half-brother, with the iconic flash representing the split personality of ‘A Lad Insane’. Often seen as a source of inspiration, in both fashion and beauty industries, Bowie has

influenced major brands such as Alexander McQueen and Jean Paul Gautier. This cover is a certified cult classic with a vastly influential nature. Widely regarded as one of the most iconic female sing ers of the 21st century, Lana Del Rey crafts albums and covers which continue to shape our generation. Del Rey’s establishment of trademark styles and signature looks cement her status within pop culture. From her debut album Born to Die (2012), to the Grammy-nominated Norman Fucking Rockwell! (2019), Del Rey’s cover art always speaks to the poetry and aesthetics of her music. Considering the latter, there is an evident relationship between the title and the artist Norman Rockwell, portraying a version of Americana seen in both artists’ work. On the cover, Del Rey references classic sixties beach culture and art with Liech-

tenstein-esque lettering, while portraying the destruction of LA on the horizon. There are debated suggestions that this is representative of Lana leaving behind her established character, one that was carved from the dichotomy of Old Hollywood glamour, seen through the setting of a burning California. This idea becomes latterly evidenced by Del Rey’s aesthetic changes and subsequent album covers. The cover therefore becomes an amalgamation of ideologies, relationships, the glamourised dreamscape of California and the represented dangers of hope.

If you are interested in finding out more about iconic album covers, some other examples with unique artistry and backstories include Deftones’ Around the Fur (1997), Wolf Alice’s Visions of a Life (2017) and The Beatles’ Abbey Road (1970).

» Image: Niamh Boyle

Editor: Abigail Mableson (she/her) arts@theboar.org

» Image: Unsplash, Christina Radevich.

Peggy Griffiths (she/her)

Abigail Mableson (she/her)

The Met Gala 2024: A celebration of Loewe

Amelia Coleman (she/her)

The 2024 Met Gala took place on 6 May 2024, attended by the usual throngs of A-list celebrities adamant on making their mark on this year’s green carpet. However, for me, 2024 was not one of the Met’s finest evenings. From an overdose of embroidered flowers, to yet another conventional black tuxedo, I felt as though ‘The Garden of Time’ theme was poorly adhered to and failed to challenge most designers.

With this criticism aside, the Met Gala did work in favour of some design houses, most notably being Loewe, who positioned themselves firmly at the head of the international high fashion scene.

Loewe managed to lead the Lyst Index’s hottest brands list for the first time in 2023

Loewe was founded in Madrid in 1846, cementing its place on the global stage currently under the control of Northern Irish director, Jonathan Anderson, who took over in 2013. From creating dusty leather handbags, to innovative couture designs, Anderson’s ability to embrace weirdness and address cultural trends has elevated Loewe’s popularity to the level of brands such as Gucci and Prada. In recent years, Anderson has gone the extra mile to ensure the visibili ty of Loewe on the pop-culture scene, with Loewe’s designs being worn by Beyoncé on her Renaissance Tour, and Rihanna at the Super Bowl halftime show. It is unsurprising that Loewe managed to lead the Lyst Index’s hot test brands list for the first time in 2023, as well as becoming a sponsor of the 2024 Met Gala.

duced for the Met Gala. Ariana Grande wore a custom-made Loewe gown, a truly ethereal ensemble made up of a leather and mother-of-pearl bustier, and an accompanying pleated chiffon skirt. Grande’s look was both angelic, but also a creative spin on the theme, perfectly embodying the popstar’s personal aesthetic.

Loewe has signalled a new age of fashion

Another standout Loewe look was Taylor Russell’s “wooden gown”. This piece consisted of a white draped skirt that sat below a bodice, inspired by the process of marquetry, painted with entwining brown flowers. For me, the beauty of this look came from Russell’s supporting hair and makeup. Her choice of a soft brown graphic liner and wooden flowers in her hair truly elevated her Loewe dress to another level of beauty, being equally suitable to the theme.

Loewe also found personality through its menswear designs. Jonathan Bailey oozed effortless glamour in his custom suit, singled out by the hand-crafted peonies attached at his collar and his hip. The combination of his cream tuxedo jacket and the blush on the flowers he wore envisaged how Loewe struck a perfect balance between suave masculinity and natural beauty — a delicate nuance not seen in many other menswear ensembles worn by his peers.

Similarly, Omar Apollo wore a striking menswear ensemble by Loewe, perfectly balancing a classic suit and a forward-thinking piece of runway fashion. Despite largely looking like a conventional black suit, it was the lapels on Apollo’s jacket that truly elevated this look. Adorned with oversized bugle beads and three crystal flower pins, the jacket paid homage to both Apollo’s music tour and the Met Gala’s theme it-

Amidst all this hype, Loewe did not rest on its laurels when it came to creating looks for the Met, providing some the evening’s most memorable looks. There was initial shock that Anna Wintour chose to wear a Loewe ensemble. Given her choice of theme for the event, it was expected that Wintour would source an archival piece for the green carpet. Howev er, in a surprising move, she wore a Loewe silk dress with a tuxedo coat, decorated with floral motifs - a tailoring technique distinct to Loewe’s Fall 2024 collection.

Grande’s look was both angelic, but also a creative spin on the theme

This was not the only conversation-starting piece of womenswear that Loewe pro-

Colour Connection: In conversation with Tine Bech

Grace Goodwin (she/her)

“Inever

really stopped loving colours. I love seeing people. I love them discovering the different elements of how you can experience the art.” This remark came from Tine Bech, on her new art piece: Colour Connection, which has been installed in University House. An enthusiasm for creating eye-catching, interactive art can be seen throughout Bech’s work globally, and now, thankfully, it can be experienced at Warwick too. The Boar met with Bech earlier this month, on the day of the piece’s completion, to discuss Warwick’s newest addition to the sculpture park.

The challenges between managing to please officials, without stunting creativity, is a delicate game

Sitting in University House, next to the site of the newly completed Colour Connection, it felt only appropriate to look back on the formative stages of Bech’s work. Bech first highlights the essential need for health and safety considerations, commenting that: “It’s an important part of making anything public, that everybody is safe. At the same time, there is also an element of bureaucracy around it.” It can only be assumed from Bech’s inflection that the challenges between managing to please officials, without stunting creativity, is a delicate game. This paradox adds to the openness in her work, with these potential limitations only seeming to engage Bech. Something tells me that the bureaucrats may meet their match as she remarks, that in art, “plain fact would have lots of things to say about risk, but that’s another story.”

A desire to bring people together is what drives Bech throughout much of her work

also do [it] with other people. That kind of core element of humans, social connections is what I want to create most of the time. If we have some colour and some beauty, that’s really good.”

Bech clearly has a desire to bring community and connectivity to spaces across the globe

The intent of Colour Connection appears to be at play as Bech discusses how “happy [she was] to hear” how on “open days, the children play, and play, and play” and at the thrill of being called up to have onlookers ask: “Have you seen when it does this when the sun is shining?” However, this was not always the possible reality for the piece. The project’s completion is further satisfying, knowing that the emanation of the project was pre-pandemic. Not having assurance that light would shine through, or if the art would be capable of facilitating interaction, feels severely amiss witnessing it now. Shalgosky informs me that misinterpretations of the project have formed already, being representative not of the relief post-pandemic, but of the panels representing the physical barriers enforced at the time. Bech comments that she “had no idea [that] someone would see it as barriers. But it’s true, we put up lots of glass and vinyls and things like that.” Bech combats this assumption, to say that “[she] sees it much more as a space to come together, as a space where if we look at the endemic context, we have to be outside, we discovered how public and shared spaces were actually really important.”

Whilst the quirky designs of Loewe, often made of metal, wood and feathers, may not fit everyone’s taste, I do believe Loewe has signalled a new age of fashion and what we should expect at the Met. In a time where fashion should reflect the complexity and innovation of the world around us, Jonathan Anderson used the Met Gala as an opportunity to push boundaries and

I eagerly wait to see how the brand continues to develop, and what new methods they will use to redefine

Although, in the past, Bech has found herself struggling with the demands of undertaking projects, finding that she “[had to keep] going for runs because [she] found it really hard to deal with.” At Warwick, it appears that working with Principal Art Curator, Sarah Shalgosky, has been a synchronous experience, from “meeting with the curator, meeting people, and meeting staff,” to exploring the campus extensively, gaining an understanding of where the piece could best join people together.

A desire to bring people together is what drives Bech, throughout much of her work, from BikeTag, an art experience where colour was trailed through the city, to Illuminated Swim, seeing swimming pools transformed into spaces where people could swim through art. Bech clearly has a desire to bring community and connectivity to spaces across the globe. I joke to Bech that given the expansive ambition of her work; Antarctica might be her next worthy challenge. Yet, one could imagine Bech bringing connectivity to a barren icy desert, if it can be found in the once austere and corporate courtyard of University House.

The joy of finding play in unexpected places, bringing people into a world of connection and inclusion, fuels Colour Connection, as she comments: “You could do [something] on your own and enjoy it, but

For Bech, the influence of the pandemic also highlighted the “inequality that’s linked to public space” as “we became more aware of the benefits of having shared public spaces.” In this, the piece can also be an emblem for gratitude, as Warwick students are fortunate enough to have these shared spaces where “invitation” is not necessary for us. A space where Colour Connection is accessible.

» Images: Tine Bech (University of Warwick)

» Images: Unsplash, from top to bottom: Yilei (Jerry) Bao, Diane Picchiottino, Alex Mills.

Books

The art of picking a Book Translation

Harriet Curry (she/her)

IreadWar and Peace for the first time back in 2022 when I was eighteen and not as engrossed in the wonders of Book Twitter as my current self (once you’re in, you’re in for good). As I feel most would, I picked up my 2007 Penguin Classics edition, translated (wonderfully, may I add) by Anthony Briggs, from my not-so-local Waterstones in Birmingham. I didn’t doubt my edition choice for a second – for me, it was completely a matter of aesthetics, how the spine would look on my shelf, how it would complement my other books, making my extensive collection of classics seem all the more impres sive by having this one in the mix. nearly two years later, I can confidently say it did the job. Briggs’ translation was pleasantly easy to read (as opposed to what I expected from such a book), with humorous wording and speech which, despite its age, seemed modern and natural. It wasn’t until I decided to reread the book last year that various online sources stated my opinion was wrong. I was being accused of reading an unfaithful rendition of Tolstoy’s masterpiece which simplified and anglicised the text, a distinctive characteristic of which being its position as a piece of Russian artistry, phi-

losophy, and culture. The generally accepted ‘correct’ and most faithful edition, was the Oxford Classics edition, translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude, and approved by Tolstoy himself. So I bought that one, and haven’t gone back to my Penguin Classics copy since, for fear of being shamed, I guess.

Your choice of edition should reflect what your purpose of reading the book is

Clearly there seems to be a lot of influential discourse online surrounding the translation of important literary texts, with the general opinion being the more faithful it is to the original and its style, the better the translation. Translation, then, is merely a competition of who is more true to the author’s words. But if the Maude translation is so perfect that it was approved by Tolstoy himself, why have we bothered to continue producing more editions? Having read different editions of War and Peace, I would explain it as a matter of allowing the texts to evolve and mature alongside a modern readership. After all, it would make sense that a twenty-first cen-

tury translator is going to translate a text differently to a nineteenth-century one; we have different language, different ways of telling stories. If a more modern rendition of a classic text is going to get more people reading it, especially one as intimidating as War and Peace, then surely there is no issue. Sure, I was a little taken aback when the nineteenth-century Russians started using modern swears, but overall, that just added to the humour and character of it. So, which edition should you choose? It’s all very well looking into why there are so many editions, but choosing one is a whole different matter, and varies from person to person. I hold the opinion that, to continue my example, there is no singular edition of War and Peace that is both the ‘best trans lation’ and one which will work for every one. Your choice of edition should reflect what your purpose of reading the book is. Are you reading it for pleasure? For work? Is it a reread? Pleasure reading should, of course, be fun, so picking a more modern translation, like Briggs’, to aid you would likely be the easiest way to decide. Picking an edition for work may require you to get a translation widely recognised as reliable in scholarly fields, but you should also consider extra contexts within the physical book. The Oxford War and Peace, for example, includes a bibliography of scholarly works which are a great starting point for research and understanding

debates surrounding the novel, something you might miss out on with older editions. The art of picking a translation is a tricky one. The main takeaway from this, I hope, is understanding that there is no definite ‘perfect’ translation; it comes down to what you aim to take from the book, what writing style would work best for your own enjoyment. Because reading is meant to

Margaret Atwood: A literary luminary and social critic

Sofia Drake-Perello (she/her)

On24 June 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling which had granted women the right to an abortion up until the point of foetal viability. Millions of women across the country lost their right to abortion and their bodily autonomy; women travelled further across the country for an abortion and some were forced to carry them out in unsafe, unsanitary conditions without the presence of a medical professional.

Atwood's world of Gilead transcends her time as issues of loss of female reproductive rights and agency are all too common in our world today

This horrifically dystopian government ruling sparked worldwide outrage, bearing a striking resemblance to Margaret Atwood’s widely acclaimed and honoured novel, The Handmaid’s Tale. The novel is set in a futuristic, patriarchal, totalitarian state known as the Republic of Gilead in which ‘Handmaids’ are forcibly assigned to ‘Commanders’ to produce children for them. Despite being published in 1985, Atwood’s world of Gilead transcends her time as issues of loss of female reproductive rights and agency are all too common in our world today. Atwood,

in response to her apparent ability to predict world wide societal debates, likes to say, “I just pay attention”, so what can we learn from Atwood’s work, both in the literary and real world?

At the age of 84, Atwood is as outspoken as ever, not allowing her newly fitted pace maker or passing of her lifelong partner deter her from continuing to produce moving pieces of literature and poetry. In a recent interview, Atwood discussed the constant debate regarding censorship in education and how often books and sources are banned from being taught in schools due to their ‘offensive’ nature. Atwood is not a stranger to this topic, for her work centres on the dangers of ideology and sexual politics, deconstructing myths and societal norms, and issues that are often censored and limited in content in US schools. In Atwood’s eyes, questions of freedom of expression and democracy are front and centre right now, with all sides of politics turning to censorship. The dangers of this are immeasurable, for education of future generations focusing on pleasant, ‘easy’ topics not only limits their education of the reality they live in, but also prohibits them from making positive change for their future.

I was first introduced to Atwood’s work in secondary school, as most young people are – having a strong interest in Greek mythology, I read her reimagining of the Epic classic, The Odyssey The Penelopiad is told from the perspective of Greek hero, Odysseus’ wife, Penelope, from beyond the grave. I was immediately gripped by her stark, uncensored form of writing as she deconstructed com mon myths surrounding Greek heroes and shed a feminist light on the untold stories of Greek women. Despite her work being fictional, Atwood’s work is vital in our understanding of the past and the future – her ability to observe mistakes in human history and express them in literature is an essen tial lesson to us all, for it is how we pro hibit them from happening in the future.

ence. When she was a teenager, Atwood wrote a story about a 40-year-old wom an, who was “dusty and used up and without hope and cov ered with cobwebs”, however at now over double that age, At

Do not allow censorship to hinder your education and awareness of the world

It would be an understatement to acknowledge the impact Atwood has had on the literary world: her work was the first of its kind and continues to inspire further literature and film, and more. Not only this, she inspires beyond the literary world with her unique perspectives on life and experi-

er than ever and continues to unapologetically spill her soul and light into her work. There are countless lessons to be learned from Atwood: age is but a number, do not let it limit your creativity and spark; seek the truth! Do not allow censorship to hinder your education and awareness of the world: stay vigilant and courageous, and be wary of the future for it is not pre-determined and anything can happen.

» Images: Unplash/ Jess Bailey (corners), Flickr/ Flickr/ Mark Hill Photography, Flickr/ Lindsay Silveira (right bottom)

» Images: Unplash/ Patrick Tomasso (background), Wikimedia commons (bottom right)

Celebrating: Independent Bookshop Week 2024

Asthe end of assignment and exam season is quickly approaching, the occurrence of Independent Bookshop Week is exciting. It is a week-long event which all students and booklovers should have in their summer diary.

Independent Bookshop Week will be taking place between the 15 and 22 June, with Hachette UK returning as the headline sponsor, to collaborate with 700 independent bookshops from all over the UK. There will be celebrations throughout the week with a variety of events: talks with local authors and poets, a BookTok Tour, and a nationwide Big Book Club. There really is an event for every type of reader during Independent Bookshop Week!

Bookshop Week creates an accessible plattform for students

For University of Warwick students, Independent Bookshop Week creates an accessible platform for students which will not only further ignite their love for reading but will enable them to connect with the local community. For instance, our local cosy independent bookshop, Kenilworth Books will be hosting an event on Saturday 22 June (between 10:30am-3:30pm) which will welcome a number of children’s authors, literary novelists, and non-fiction writers. This event might just help you find your next favourite author.

For those within the local community

who wish to branch out and explore other independent bookshop gems, Script Haven in Worcester are launching Breathless – Breathe More, a collaborative event with both artists and poets. Alongside this, there is a spoken word poetry event to raise awareness for local refugees. Alternatively, there is a mystery London bookshop crawl on Wednesday 19 June. Tickets cost £14 but will supply participants with four hours’ worth of London bookshop sightseeing and will be the perfect time to break your bookbuying ban.

This year the Independent Bookshop Week will be hosting their very first nationalwide Big Book Club

This year Independent Bookshop Week will be hosting their very first nationwide Big Book Club. The goal is for a number of Independent Bookshops throughout the UK to host their very own book club evenings on Wednesday 19 June, which aim to consolidate both local and national communities through their love for reading. The Heath Bookshop in Birmingham, one of the most local independent bookshops for University of Warwick students, is currently participating in the event and is one of many bookshops that will be hosting their own book club evening.

The week-long event intends to encourage an interest in shopping both locally and independently whilst inspiring more individuals to find a comfort in reading. It is evident that the event’s ethos surrounds

providing accessible reading platforms to members of local communities nationwide through their compelling range of events and their wider initiative.

For example, Independ ent Bookshop Week will be hosting their third BookTok Tour, which will allow individuals to connect with a plethora of BookTokers from across the UK. Some confirmed BookTokers include: emilymiahreads (73.4K), amymabooks (67.2K), whatbritreads (56.1K) and samfalling books (49.9K). These in fluencers will be providing exclusive content from their local independent bookshops. This will grant those unable to attend in-person events and those from outside the UK, the opportunity to take part in the week’s events.

awards this loyalty as each participating bookshop will receive 100 vouchers which customers can use to claim a £5 gift card to use in-store. The campaign produces a valuable form of protection to independent bookshops who often have to fight for survival alongside the competitive nature of nationwide bookshop chains. ‘High Five for Bookshops’ has created a successful campaign, with 92,000 vouchers being sent to stores last year (a 200% increase since 2019) and will continue to thrive during Independent Bookshop this year. Independent Bookshop Week provides an ample opportunity to booklovers to discover the hidden gems within their local independent bookshops, whilst interacting with their local community. The accessibility, community, and enjoyment that remains foundational to Independent Bookshop Week should be experienced and celebrated by all its participants, students, and wider local communities.

During the duration of Independent Bookshop Week, the ‘High Five for Bookshops’ initiative aims to further encourage the accessibility and affordability that often intertwines with shopping in independent bookshops. ‘High Five for Bookshops’

Am I "a reader"? It depends!

ness” and even that sometimes hearing a book aloud can be a more insightful experience than looking at the words yourself.

Astudy has shown that 43% of Gen Z and millennials in the US don’t consider themselves ‘readers’. However, these people apparently read quite a lot, yet consider the ‘reading’ they do to not count, raising questions over the definition of the term. Wikipedia defines reading as “the process of taking in the sense or meaning of letters, symbols, etc., especially by sight or touch”. It’s a broad definition, inclusive of Braille. Remove the word “especially”, however, and it leaves no room for audiobooks. Is that intentional? According to one 2021 source, over a quarter of us in the UK listen to audiobooks every single week.

Literary critic Harold Bloom

bery and foolish

A common argument in favour of audiobooks is that you still have to use your imagination. What, then, of comics? Graphic novels, manga, etc., have pictures there on the page, seemingly removing the need for your mind’s eye. But what would we call consuming these media, if not reading? Does the imagination of the images moving, or the sound of the characters voices, not count? There must be a distinction between comic books and television – is this not it?

Definitions of reading that stretch to include audiobooks often exclude comic books, and vice versa. It seems many disagree over whether the importance lies in imagination or in the parsing of text into your mind, but a definition inclusive of both is unappealingly broad. I occasionally listen to fictional narrative podcasts. These are, for all intents and purposes, episodic audio novels. Yet I have never heard any argument that they should be considered reading. Personally, my preference would be that audiobooks were acknowledged as different but equal. Where a person can say “I think you’d really love The Handmaid’s Tale, I listened to it all in like two days!” and not worry about being looked down on for their choice of verb. And people who read with their eyes or hands don’t consider themselves bet-

ter than those who prefer to use their ears. Similarly, I think there is an issue with people looking down on comic books (and by extension, readers of comic books). Comic books as a medium are subject to prejudice based on both the prevalence of and an infantile (and entirely unfounded) perception of, the superhero genre; as soon as you look away from the West (or indeed the late 20th century) there is rich history of comic books, especially of chitrakatha and manhua. I think much of the debate around whether comics count as reading would not be raised when discussing a novelisation of a comic book story in comparison to a traditional illustrated folklore text, because I genuinely suspect most people taking issue with the format are really being snobbish about the content.

"Reader", like all labels, has certain connotations to certain people

The campaign produces a valuable form of protection to independent bookshops who often have to fight » Image: Unsplash/ Siora

If this disparity is not due to whether different mediums count as reading, perhaps it’s how much reading you have to do before you qualify for the moniker. I would consider myself a reader now, but at the early stages of getting back into it, currently pacing myself at one book per month. Imagine my dismay upon reading an article that described the benefits of

reading by talking about getting through a book a week. The article didn’t explicitly tell me I wasn’t allowed to call myself a reader, but it certainly made me feel undeserving.

“Reader”, like all labels, has certain connotations to certain people. It’s like brands calling themselves “plant-based” because of bad press around the word “vegan”. We can self-identify as readers if we want to. But do we want to? What image does that conjure up in the minds of people we talk to? What assumptions would it cause people to make about us, and our social lives?

There’s also something to be said about the rebellious nature of youth. Our elders put so much weight on reading, likely disparaging us for not partaking frequently enough. We spend entire childhoods fighting back, wanting to watch TV, or play video games. Why would we want to admit they were right now? Ultimately, I don’t think any of this matters. If older generations want to point at statistics showing we aren’t “readers”, let them. We know that we read. And we read what we want and how we want, whether it’s pictures of superheroes or sound waves through headphones. Whether I call myself a reader or not doesn’t change the fact that, given any amount of free time, a book (comic, audio, or otherwise) is amongst the first things I reach for.

Amy Maloney (they/them)

Matthew Randell (he/him) » Images: Unplash/ Ed Robertson (top), Rawpixel (centre-right).

Thisyear’s Coachella returned to the California desert with its usual lineup of the biggest and rising artists and unusually dead crowds. There is no doubt that the festival remains one of the biggest attractions for global fans where the fusion of music, art, and fashion delivers one-of-a-kind entertainment. That being said, slow ticket sales and low crowd excitement reflect how the festival struggles to live up to fans’ expectations given its rising attendance costs.

With Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat, and Tyler, The Creator headlining, alongside 90’s rock band, No Doubt, reuniting on the stage, the line-up seemed promising. Lana Del Rey’s entrance on motorcycles, crowned by TikTok users as the “most iconic Coachella entrance,” was followed by surprise appearances from Jon Batiste, Billie Eilish, and Camilla Cabello. Saturday’s headliner – Tyler, The Creator – went extra with four surprise guests including Childish Gambino and Kali Uchis. As Doja Cat wrapped up the last day, she took over the stage, not only with her bold fashion but also accompanied by 21 Savage and A$AP Rocky. Finally, Christina Aguilera’s return with No Doubt was, undoubtedly, reaching out not only to the 90’s bands’ fans but also to Gen Z with Olivia Rodrigo hitting the stage amid her

sold-out Guts World Tour. Despite no Latin American artists headlining this year, the Spanish sound was still strong with the likes of Bizarrap bringing highly expected Shakira, and J Balvin throwing a viral alienthemed set with Will Smith in his Men in Black persona. However, to the fans’ disappointment, artists experienced technical problems throughout their performances –a note to organisers to soundcheck properly to live up to crowds’ expectations.

For the first time in 11 years, the organisers struggled to sell 20% of tickets

Coachella has a reputation as North America’s biggest festival and is a culturally important destination for influencers and brands. Despite this, for the first time in 11 years, the organisers struggled to sell 20% of tickets. The demand dropped by 17%, reflecting the high cost of attending – from general tickets starting at $499 to inflated accommodation, travel, and food costs making it harder for fans to attend. Aside from prices, the lowered interest could be attributed to the headliners themselves. Both Lana Del Rey and Doja Cat toured their latest albums last year, prompting a guess that their fans had already seen the performances. In general, as many artists

SPFstock is going through the roof, England shirts are becoming more common, and the pollen count is on the rise. That can mean only one thing — summer is just around the corner, and it's time to meticulously craft your playlist for those sunny walks, warm evenings, visits to beer gardens, holidays abroad, and preEuro celebrations. Below is a selection of songs that I believe everyone needs to add to their Summer Playlist - some new, some old, but all of them are guaranteed to make this summer one to remember.

‘MILLION DOLLAR BABY’ - Tommy Richman (2024)

At the time of writing, this song has only been out for two weeks, yet has already been touted by some as odds-on to achieve the coveted status of ‘Song of the Summer’. At a time when Kendrick Lamar and Drake are feuding, and Taylor Swift has just dropped a new album, this song has somehow made it to Number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it does not look like its popularity is waning anytime soon. With its infectious falsetto vocals, funky synthesis of R&B, trap influences, and catchy bassline, I have only one complaint about ‘MILLION DOLLAR BABY’: I wish it was longer than 2:35

‘Could You Be Loved’Bob Marley and The Wailers (1980)

One of the greatest and most influential reggae songs of all time, ‘Could You Be Loved’, is a staple track from Bob Marley and The Wailers with the message of the importance of being true to yourself without asking what others may

think. Being the first reggae song to achieve prominence on American radio stations, the song blends a disco beat with more traditional reggae elements to produce a unique and iconic sound that is just as calm and joyful as it was 44 years ago.

‘It Never Rains in Southern California’ - Albert Hammond (1972)

Although the lyrics of this 70s classic paint a rather miserable picture of a failed entertainer who is concealing his bleak reality from those around him, the pairing of an upbeat piano and acoustic guitar make ‘It Never Rains in Southern California’ a musthave for those evening summer drives. By taking a fear that many people are likely to have - that of not being successful in life, and turning it into a song, Albert Hammond leaves listeners with a burning, yet cautious optimism about the uncertainty of the future.

‘Chiquitita’ - ABBA (1979)

You knew it was coming. It would be naive of you to start reading an article about summery songs and not expect at least one from ABBA, and it would be remiss of me not to put one on this list. Whilst the popularity of the Mamma Mia! stage production and films made summer synonymous with the Swedish pop legends, it is ‘Chiquitita’ that truly embodies this. With lyrics depicting the necessity of healing and ‘sing[ing] a new song’ in times of sadness, and arguably the most iconic piano outro of all time, coupled with a joyous guitar riff, if you don’t listen to this song at least once every summer, what have you

have been touring since the pandemic and participating in many other festivals, LA Times suggests “fan fatigue” with live performances and associated costs might explain Coachella’s lower attendance.

Additionally, this year’s line-up didn’t include the biggest touring artists that would attract larger fan bases (hey, Swifties!). Coachella might have failed to become a stop in Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and here lies another cause for the festival’s lower attendance. Billboard reports that, for artists, headlining festivals are just not as profitable as touring their own shows. With ticketing agencies developing ‘dynamic pricing’ – a strategic move of increasing the price of most demanded tickets, tours now naturally bring more revenue. From earning $3.6 million on average per show in 2017 to $5.7 million per show in 2023, would artists bother betting on festivals these days? Perhaps, this is why Swift was seen rather casually singing along in the crowd.

The disengaged crowds suggest festival culture might just be dying

Nevertheless, Coachella remains a platform that brings high exposure to rising artists. For Palestine-born musician, Saint Levant, the Coachella debut allowed him to

honour his roots. Additionally, Sabrina Carpenter performed her new song, ‘Espresso’, a predicted song of the summer. The festival served as a vital platform to be seen.

We can only guess if the death of the festival romance is going to be inevitable

In the meantime, whether this year’s headliners were not “expected” enough to sell out or the costs of attendance were over the budget, the disengaged crowds suggest festival culture might just be dying. Festivals worldwide are being cancelled this year due to increased operation costs and underperforming ticket sales in the cost-of-living crisis. In the UK alone, more than 100 festivals are expected to shut down. The upcoming Glastonbury festival, however, is doing something right as it was sold out in under an hour with Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and SZA headlining.

While we can only guess if the death of the festival romance is going to be inevitable in the coming years, the organisers, probably, need to book the biggest talents in the game and keep the costs budget-friendly for such a festival as Coachella to not run its course.

been doing? If you find ABBA corny, this song is perfect for you.

‘Roses’ - OutKast (2004)

With one of the greatest musical intros of all time, scathing (and borderline offensive) lyrics about the superficiality of relationships, and funky jazzinspired production, ‘Roses’ is sadly often overshadowed by ‘Hey Ya!’, its fellow single for Speakerboxxx/The Love Below when OutKast is concerned. Nevertheless, ‘Roses’ revels in its eccentricity, with André3000’s catchy and bizarre vocals being one of the standouts of the song, accompanying an array of synthesised keyboards and pianos to produce a song that is as bitter as it is brilliant.

‘How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)’ - Marvin Gaye (1964)

‘Rich Girl’ - Daryl Hall and John Oates (1976) Hall and Oates were one of the most influential duos of the 20th century, with ‘Rich Girl’ embodying their success whilst telling the toe-tapping story of a spoiled girl who is not burdened with the anxieties of those less fortunate than her. At a time when it was rare for American music to be centred around the importance of class divisions, ‘Rich Girl’ manages to marry social commentary in its lyricism with one of the catchiest melodies of the 1970s. Ultimately, it is a relatively short yet soulful song that is ceaseless in its ability to turn financial frustration into a cathartic and upbeat listening experience.

One of the greatest songs from one of the greatest artists of all time. Soulful piano, Marvin Gaye’s iconic vocals, upbeat percussion and lyrics depicting the optimism of true love - what more is needed for a summer song? ‘How Sweet It Is’ simply oozes romance and joy, setting it apart from the legendary countercultural discography of Gaye’s more notable discography. A wonderful and successful re-recording was released by James Taylor in 1975, but it is Gaye’s original version that truly stands the test of time.

‘American Pie’ - Don McClean (1971)

There really is no explanation needed here. Eight and a half minutes of pure joy. If this song isn’t already on your summer playlist, now’s your chance, because music doesn’t get much better than this.

Scan to discover two more songs or listen to the full playlist!

Tom Lowe (he/him)

Nazym Kairatkyzy (she/her)

»Images: Rawpixel (Top right), Canva (Bottom Left)

Podcasts

Editor: Matthew Randell (he/him)

podcasts@theboar.org

The art of the podcast review:

Times critic James Marriott tells all on how he tackles the fast-growing media form

much more divergence amongst the reviewing, that it becomes hard to replicate or follow.”

Howdo you review a podcast? It is a question I, and I should suspect most of my colleagues in this section, have found ourselves asking repeatedly. It is somewhat of an erratic art form, some repetitive bordering on plagiarism, others almost beyond the confines of explanation. Many will stick to a firm outline, hugging a theme or structure closely. Others are about as rambling and unpredictable as standard human conversation. But what do you do if you have to review a podcast for a prestigious national newspaper?

It is a question that James Marriott, columnist at The Times, had to ask himself when he found himself becoming the paper’s new podcast critic. “It was one of those slightly random things that happens at newspapers,” he explained of his origins, perhaps partly even a little bemused at how it had happened himself.

We’ve all heard of book critics, film critics or food critics. But a podcast critic?

“I had predominantly been writing about books, but I had also been mainlining episodes of ‘In Our Time’. I had come into work one day looking quite tired, and my boss was concerned. When I explained the reason, he suggested I could start to write some podcast reviews. At the point I started, I probably didn’t listen to loads. But now it has all become so much more massive.”

The Times columnist largely learned by practice as opposed to theory, resolving there was no other way to hone his new skill. But he did face some initial setbacks. “One of the ways the audience has changed is that when I first started you’d always get at least one comment saying, ‘What’s a podcast?’ But that doesn’t necessarily happen now.”

“People

don’t think broadcasting is skill. Some celebrities look at it and just think it is easy.”

- James Marriott, Times critic

He also faces another rather glaring problem: there is something inherently personal and intrusive about podcasts. People can be as protective about them as their favourite book or band, perhaps even more so. The trepid reviewer places themselves between listener and podcaster at their peril, and sometimes it can lead to backlash. “There are a lot of very popular podcasts which cater to a particular niche of people, and outside of that niche, few people have heard of them,” James summarised. “This is just one of those quirks of the internet age. But people can find it quite aggravating to see them reviewed objectively. It is almost a ritual in book writing or TV producing to have your content reviewed, yet this is just not comparable for podcasts.”

The podcasts Marriott reviews are certainly not exclusive to your more artistic and well thought out shows The New York Times’s Nice as an example of that strand of podcasts.) Those which are just two blokes (or, starkly more rarely, two women) sitting in a room are as “perennially fascinating”, in his view. But it is true that the latter are also the ones which more regularly draw his ire. And if you were worried about Marriott holding back, fear not. ‘Ghastly social phenomenon’ and ‘common ground of vacuousness’ are just two of the phrases the writer has used in relation to recent subjects. And just a few days before we spoke on Zoom back in February, he had written a piercing column (unrelated to podcasts) lamenting the rise of talentless celebrity. I couldn’t help but feel he was drawing quite strongly on his podcast-reviewing pursuits, and put it to him that the crossover was quite extensive. “There was actually a paragraph in the original edit about it,” he said, confirming my suspicions, “but I figured I had whinged on about it so much elsewhere it probably shouldn’t make the cut. But podcasting is dreadful for this. People don’t think broadcasting is skill. Some celebrities look at

He continued: “There are a whole series of car crash examples which have

been some of the most fun to review as I get to be so vicious. Tom Daley did a terrible one. He was so boring to listen to and was trying to interview celebrities, but had none of the instincts you needed. Jameela Jamil also did one about dating, despite having been in a really long-term relationship, and it just came over as really patronising and smug.”

He wonders aloud if it may be a short-term trend, given how unfruitful some of them have proven. But the podcast industry at large seems to face bigger problems. Despite suggestions that this year the audio form will reach 505 million listeners, many of the biggest streamers are beginning to rethink their commitment. After attempting to muscle in on the market by creating huge podcast departments and securing wide-ranging broadcast deals, companies such as Spotify are now beginning to count their pennies more wisely, leaving job cuts to follow in tow.

As James detailed, it bodes badly for some of the industry’s most enlightening output. “A lot of media companies bet quite big on sending journalists to

investigate the fentanyl crisis, or corruption in Colombia. They are expensive to make and rigourous to research but have become simply unsustainable due to the decline in digital advertising. The other cascading effect of being able to sell on the intellectual property to Netflix or other big streamers also just hasn’t happened either, so it has been quite a grim time for the industry.”

The future, in James’s view, lies more with a different kind of podcast. “We have seen the huge explosion of this ‘two guys talk about politics’ genre. People love those parasocial, feeling like the silent third party setups. I think that’s where it is going.” Such a move might prove bad news for the podcasting industry, but good news for Times readers. For as long as James Marriott dons his helmet and pulls on his hazmat suit to wade through the bad and the ugly in our service, no podcast, however ‘ghastly’ or ‘vacuous’, will go unreviewed. I think I’ll drink to that.

>> Image: James Marriott

Obituary Rooster Teeth (2003-2024)

Matthew Randell (he/him)

RoosterTeeth has closed down. Announced in an open letter by its general manager in March, operations officially ceased on May 15th 2024. The production company, most famous for its Halo machinima web-series Red vs Blue, had been operating since April 2003. In that time, it had grown to include live-action shorts, several animation series (including the wildly successful RWBY), gameplay videos, original video game production, and multiple live-action films. Notably, the company was also home to a plethora of podcasts. Its flagship show, The Rooster Teeth Podcast, aired weekly from 2008 until the company closed – a tenure of over 15 years. In recent years, partly spurred by the COVID-19 lockdowns, the company had developed a number of other highly successful podcasts. In fact, when the closure was announced, the company’s podcast network, The Roost, was one of the only arms the parent company Warner Bros. Discovery saw fit to maintain and sell. While announcement of the closure came as a shock to Rooster Teeth staff and fans alike, there is good news, especially if you enjoyed any of Rooster Teeth’s podcasts. The cast and crew of many of the company’s most popular audio-only shows have announced they plan to continue to work together to create near-identical shows, albeit with different branding. Examples include F**kface, which will now be called Regulation Podcast (an inside-joke based on the show’s four-year lore) and Face Jam will now be 100% Eat. The long-running Dungeons & Dragons podcast

Tales from the Stinky Dragon also plans to continue as an independent enterprise, and the 2023-2024 cast of The Rooster Teeth Podcast have announced a new venture together named Midnight Snack. Many of these new independent shows will rely on direct funding from its audience, such as through Patreon. Twenty one years is an awe-inspiring lifespan for an online entertainment company. Rooster Teeth had an incredibly loyal fanbase, many of whom financially supported the company through its FIRST membership scheme, and travelled to Austin, Texas in swathes every summer for the annual RTX convention. The closure is undeniably sad. Many jobs have been lost and, while the severance packages were reportedly quite agreeable, dozens of talented creatives and technicians now have no steady income. Instead, they rely on our support. If you enjoyed the work any of these individuals did under the Rooster Teeth brand, please follow them to their next venture. If audiences can emerge from mourning this beloved company and show loyalty to the individuals rather than just the parent brand, the future remains bright for these newly independent podcasts.

>> Image: Wikimedia Commons/ Benavides

Thomas Bartley (he/him)

Film

Studio Ghibli: Where to Start

Matha Kershaw (she/her)

Below are Martha Kershaw’s Top Ten Ghibli films, listed in the ideal order for first-time viewers.

1) My Neighbour Totoro (1988)

The perfect choice for a rainy day! This wholesome tale is a bonafide comfort watch and is a great introduction to the Ghibli-verse. Set deep in the Japanese countryside, Totoro follows sisters Mei and Satsuki as they navigate their new environment. The family has relocated from the city in the aftermath of their mother’s illness. They are not alone though: an array of mythical creatures populates the neighbour ing woodland. One creature is the colossal Totoro, a rabbitbear-owl-hybrid. With a snappy 86-minute run-time, stuffed with childhood wonder and dreamy depictions of the tranquil countryside, Totoro is the ideal starting point on my list.

of unconventional love. Howl stresses the necessity of friendship in the face of mindless destruction, and how the most unlikely of meetings can lead to the most fulfilling endeavours.

4) Princess Mononoke (1997)

2) Spirited Away (2001)

This Oscar-winning feature is the bestknown film from the masterminds behind Studio Ghibli. Spirited is a tale of epic proportions, both weird and wonderful. Tenyear-old Chihiro is en route to her new home when her family decides to take a shortcut, stumbling across a derelict theme park. When Chihiro’s parents help themselves to the market food, they are irrevocably transformed by the spirits that haunt the park grounds. Chihiro must venture forth and enter the towering bathhouse, containing a hoard of fantastical creatures, in the hopes of saving her parents. She is confronted by Yubaba, the bathhouse matriarch, who strips Chihiro of her name and forces her into unpaid labour. As Chihiro fades away with each passing moment, she finds that she must embark on a series of quests to regain her disappearing identity and rescue her parents. You may have already seen scenes from Spirited Away: the twilight train journey across glimmering water, the dragon-back flight across the somnambulant countryside, or the distinctively eerie ‘No Face’. Director Hayao Miyazaki crams each frame full of breathtaking artistry, in this highly memorable and invigorating fantasy.

3) Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

Sophie is a hard worker: she spends her days crafting and selling hats in her small town, resigned to a quiet life. Every sense of the ordinary is thrown into chaos, however, when a vengeful witch curses her. Sophie rapidly ages, transitioning from a teen to an elder. She must resolve the curse by embarking on a journey with a wizard and his companions, aboard a mobile castle. Howl retains the magical splendour of Spirited and the astonishing landscape vistas of Totoro, whilst crafting a complex narrative

Now that you’ve seen Spirited Away, you’re ready for a whole other feat of mystical creatures. Mononoke is set during the ancient Muromachi period of Japan and traces the footsteps of the tribal prince, Ashitaka. The increasing industrialisation of the neighbouring mountain regions has disturbed and poisoned the creatures, leading to a series of attacks on humans. Ashitaka is infected during one of these animal rampages and must cut all ties with his tribe, venturing forth into the forest for a potential antidote. Deep in the wilderness, Ashitaka stumbles across the aloof San, a young human girl who was raised by wolves. San finds humans intolerable: to her, they are symbols of destruction and chaos. However, Ashitaka and San must learn to tolerate each other since the environment is collapsing and the spirits are under threat of extinction. Mononoke is wildly imaginative, beautifully rendered, and particularly poignant in the face of impending climate ca tastrophe.

5) Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

Kiki is, to me, the quintessential coming-of-age film. Kiki, a teen witchin-training, is on the prec ipice of adolescence. On her thirteenth birthday, according to family tradition, she must set off on her broomstick and find a new town to establish roots in. Kiki and her humorous sidekick Jiji, a black cat, soon settle in a harmonious seaside town. The pair find accommodation at a picturesque bakery, where Kiki begins her delivery service. But it’s not all smooth sailing for the young witch, who encounters various struggles on her journey towards independence. A charming tale about fitting in whilst standing out, Kiki is a certified comfort film.

oine: courageous, switched-on, and fiercely loyal to her peers and her land. Although not technically a Ghibli film, Nausicaä was certainly the precursor to the studio’s formation. This one requires a more attentive viewership than Kiki and Totoro, but it is a worthy watch on account of the titular protagonist (and for the fact that it’s one of my all-time favourites). And, if you enjoy Nausicaä, there are over 1000 pages of Miyazaki’s manga to pore over!

7) Ponyo (2008)

Ponyo aptly borrows from The Little Mermaid folktale. This delightful seaside tale chronicles the adventures of Ponyo, a young fish, and Sōsuke, a five-year-old human boy. Ponyo weaves traditional folklore into an exploration of found family, and the difficult decisions we must make in order to grow. The Ghibli creators don't shy away from the complicated feelings spurred on by loss, identity changes, and kinship. Warning: this film will make you hungry! From sizzling ramen to steaming hot honey-milk tea, Ponyo indulges in the comforts of domesticity and renews our appreciation for hearty, homemade food.

8) Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Get your tissues ready- this one will absolutely wreck you. Director Isao Takahata packs all the punches in this devastating feature. Set in the throes of WW2, siblings Seita and Setsuko struggle to survive amidst the flurry of American bombs and decreasing food supplies. Setsuko’s childhood exuberance in the face of such hardship is genuinely heart-wrenching. The motif of the fireflies becomes increasingly consequential, at once ingenious and emotionally devastating. Grave of the Fireflies is a reminder of the unnecessary suffering inflicted upon humans in times of war and refreshes our ongoing calls for peace. Every child should be entitled to a safe, healthy life, and the chance to play without fear.

Takahata departs from the traditional Ghibli aesthetic, comprising his film of dreamy watercolour vistas and delicate charcoal strokes. A bamboo cutter discovers a miniature girl in the centre of a stalk and decides to raise her for nobility. The adopted child grows to resent her life of confinement and longs for her bygone days of freedom. Kaguya is a favourite of long-time Ghibli fans, a harmonious balance between sweet storytelling and goose-bump-inducing craftsmanship. The most minute details are rendered consequential under Takahata’s gaze, from the gentle freefall of the blushed cherry blossom to the illuminating moonlight across the dusky woodland. This endearing fable will stay with you for a long time.

10) T he Boy and The Heron (2023)

It would feel wrong to finish this list with anything other than Hayao Miyazaki’s most recent film (and apparently his last). The Boy and The Heron is a conglomeration of Ghibli’s extensive filmography. The 2023 release is at once a refreshed perspective and a retrospective goodbye. The Boy is a dynamic portrayal of generational trauma and the subsequent retreat into the imaginative realm. The expansive worldbuilding, accompanied by a creative deployment of movement, makes for an awe-inspiring watch. The birds are a particularly impressive feat, metamorphosing a regular fleet of parakeets into an anthropomorphic collective in a split second. The shapeshifting Heron provides a comedic touch to the film, with Robert Pattinson’s cackling voiceover a particularly amusing feature. For those who prefer dubbed versions, the star-studded cast for the English-language version includes Florence Pugh, Gemma Chan, and Christian Bale. Miyazaki interrogates the importance of legacies and farewells, seeming to conceptualise the generational burdens of Studio Ghibli, as he himself prepares to hand down his responsibilities.

6) Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

Nausicaä envisions a post-apocalyptic future, in the aftermath of a disastrous war. The remaining humans are divided into tribes, finding safe havens amidst the hostile land and mutant insect species. Nausicaä is the princess of a valley, where winds ward off the airborne toxic pollens, and she longs for the unity of her people and the wildlife. When neighbouring tribes threaten her and her townsfolk’s livelihoods, as well as launching a cascade of irreversible climate disasters, Nausicaä must attempt to resolve the enduring divides between humans and animals. Nausicaä is the perfect her-

» Images: Flickr/ Patrick Lauke (top left), Flickr/ Katya (centre) GoodFon.com/ Bz46 (bottom right)

AwarningEditor: Hayden Waller (he/him)

tv@theboar.org

The Good Place And Its Implicit Heterosexual Agenda

– my analysis relies on heavily spoiling the show. If you have not watched it, please, I implore you to go and watch all of it before you read it. All of it. I insist, go. You surely will not regret it. When I first discovered The Good Place, I quickly fell in love with it, being hooked from the very first scene. The idea of having a show set in an unconventional conception of the afterlife was so intriguing, and it was a delight to witness the way the show constantly rewrites its own rules and status quo. Every main character and their actor worked so well for this story. I found them all so endearing. With that being said, I had my gripes with the prominence placed on romantic and sexual attraction, and finding romance, particularly heterosexual romance. Although I hope this is simply an unfortunate byproduct rather than a sinister agenda, I find it hard to ignore the ways in which the show portrays queerness as abject. I wanted to discuss this presentation in the main characters and interrogate the ways in which it is potentially problematic. It is also important to bring into question how the world around the characters is presented as heteronormative.

I cannot help but wonder if this presentation of Eleanor’s character is deliberate

The biggest point of contention is how Eleanor’s bisexuality is explored. On first watch, I loved seeing the main character of the show being explicitly depicted as not straight, and I can usually appreciate when a show refuses to shy away from a character’s queerness. However, as the show went on, and with each subsequent rewatch, I grew more uneasy. A running theme with Eleanor is her vulgarity, which is often exemplified through her frequently objectifying other people and making crude jokes about her sexual desires. In this context, it makes sense that this is not exclusive to the men around her. However, the problem lies in the fact that Eleanor’s attraction to women is al most exclusively portrayed through these comments about physical attraction, as though that facet of her sexuality is not meant to be taken seriously. The other is sue is that Eleanor’s character is the most explicit bisexuality that we see. Bisexual

characters should not have to be squeakyclean, however, when your only bisexual character is morally ambiguous and sleazy, you run the risk of a harmful caricature. Then there is the matter of her relationships. Of course, her relationships with men are an aspect of her sexuality, however when her only meaningful relationships that we see—through her flashbacks and through her on and off relationship with Chidi—are with men, it raises the question of whether her attraction to women was ever meant to be taken seriously. The main allusion we get to a same-sex relationship is when Tahani turns up as her soulmate in one of the reboots, and we never see anything about the relationship. Again, seeing fully fledged relationships of both opposite-sex and samesex is not a requirement for ‘good’ bisexual representation. However, it does not bode well in tandem with my analysis of her problematic behaviour. I cannot help but wonder if this presentation of Eleanor’s character is deliberate from the show’s creators. However, I do not believe that good intentions would outweigh the issues which her character raises.

In the opposite direction, there is a discussion to be had regarding the show’s approaches to the absence of romantic attraction. Neither Janet or Michael initially has any desires regarding romance or sex, although this changes for Janet. As it turns

out, these two are also the only non-human main characters, and Michael, the character who never experiences those desires, is a literal demon. This, to me, raises questions about how we as an audience perceive aromanticism and asexuality. It does not help that Janet actually develops desires as she continuously reboots and updates; this poses rather questionable and potentially problematic messaging where the show implies that the development of romantic desire is entrenched in character development. Although the show’s rationale for this is more to do with her connection to Jason specifically as opposed to a general sense of desire, this does not mitigate potential harm. I initially wanted to defend the positioning of Michael too, stating that his repulsion to romance and sex is not necessarily a common denominator among all the demons, however, I unfortunately could not find a legitimate example.

Throughout all the reboots and background couples we see, not a single same-sex

Beyond the scope of questionable representation, I wanted to touch on the concept of soulmates that the show plays around with. Admittedly the idea of a soulmate, of everyone in the afterlife having that

on the pursuit of a happy ending rooted in monogamous and heterosexuallove.

The four humans are a product of a world that places a premium on finding ‘the one’

What I do find reassuring is how they subvert their soulmate storytelling device. While we constantly see Eleanor and Chidi develop a romantic connection, the show establishes that their special bond does not always coalesce as romance. Sometimes they are put together as “soulmates”, but they often are paired with other people. When it comes to Eleanor and Chidi, the soulmate element derives from them always finding each other. Sometimes there is romance, sometimes casual sex, but more often than not, their bond is solely platonic, which is treated as just as special. Every time they find each other, they unwittingly enhance each other’s lives and constantly inspire each other to be the best versions of themselves, facilitating the kind of personal development that is at the heart of the show. They may have ended the show in love; however, it is not framed as an inevitability, which is refreshing to see, regardless of how much I love them as a couple. I can also appreciate how much care the show puts into the portrayal or Chidi’s relationship with Simone. Whenever he meets her before Eleanor, they develop a romance in which they truly care for each other. Miraculously, that relationship is not dramatized, and it is treated just as seriously as his romance with Eleanor. For a group of six characters (five excluding Michael), there are a lot of potential relationships going on. You have the main two couples being Eleanor and Chidi, and Jason and Janet, but then Jason and Tahani dated in a reboot that got a lot of screentime, Eleanor appears to fancy all of the other four at one time or another, and there is the time where Tahani thinks that she is meant to be Chidi’s soulmate. In a way, it makes sense; they are united in a fight for survival, trying to make sense of their place in the universe. In such a situation, sparks are bound to arise. In the ever-changing afterlife, all they have is each other, all they can do is care for each other, and sometimes that can get confused for romance. The four humans are a product of a world that places a premium on finding ‘the one’. Considering that they all struggled with meaningful connections in their lives—whether that be the result of internal struggles like Chidi, or familial struggles like the others—what else were they going to do

Gemma Short (She/Her)

Travel

Around The World: The

James Watson (he/him)

With2024 beginning as a year to remember, with so much to look ahead to, it is time to contrastingly look to the past. This article will take you back before looking at the future of one of the world’s premiere sporting events: The Olympic Games. This year, Paris, a sprawling metropolitan European capital, is set to host the games. In a highly poetic fashion, it is exactly 100 years since Paris last hosted the modern Olympic Games in 1924.

In a highly poetic fashion, it is exactly 100 years since Paris last hosted the modern Olympic Games

The programme at the time, beginning in May and ending in July, included a total of 126 events over 23 disciplines, with 44 different nations competing. Comparatively, the 2024 Summer Olympics will host 329 events across 32 disciplines, with a total of 206 nations competing. This serves as an advertisement for how the majesty and scope of the event has evolved over time. Since the modern Olympics began just under 150 years ago in Athens (1896) record changes in the structure of the games,

as well as the surrounding culture and atmosphere, have taken place. In this time five nations have put forth athletes at every modern games, these being France, Australia, Greece, Switzerland, and Great Britain. Of the competing nations, France and the United States normally contribute the most athletes, with both countries totalling record numbers, at 466 and 492 respectively, this year.

This year also marks the centenary of the first Winter Olympic games

In the 21st century, destinations for the Olympic Games have coincided with some of the most sought-after tourist destinations from across the globe, from Athens to Beijing, London to Tokyo, and Rio de Janeiro. The most watched Olympics in history ended up being on home soil, with the London 2012 Summer Olympics being watched by a total of 3.6 billion viewers worldwide. However, the record for the most attended modern Olympic games of all time belongs to America, with 8.3 million tickets sold for what

was referred to as the ‘Centennial Olym pics’ in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia.

I would therefore en courage you to jump in a car, board a coach or hop on a train and make your

Since the initiation of the modern Olympic Games, a swathe of changes and adaptions have taken place. This year also marks the centenary of the first Winter Olympic Games, a later addition to the games, which was also initially launched in France in Cha monix. As well as this, a raft of new sports have been added since the games’ incarnation, with further sports continuing to be added eve ry year. This year, four new sports, including break dancing, sports climbing, skateboarding, and surfing have been added to the Olympics.

Editor: James Watson

Travelling this Summer? Write about it for The Boar

In a World of your own: The Benefits of Solo Travel

Itwas a dreary winter morning. Clouds rolling over the tall concrete buildings nearby. The bitter air cutting against my skin. I felt cold inside.

It was mid-January and I was at Gatwick airport. I’d booked a one-way ticket to Ho Chi Minh city via Bamboo airlines (no, I’d never heard of them either). With me, I had a backpack containing a few essential things: clothes, medicines, toiletries, and travel books. I was excited at the prospect of a solo trip, but had no idea what the next four and a half months had in store for me.

I was excited at the prospect of a solo trip, but I had no idea what the next four and a half months had in store for me

Fast-forward one week and I’m lying in a lumpy hostel bed in South Vietnam. I felt lonely, fed up and stuffy. I was tired and still jetlagged and the last few days had been awful. I was constantly hot and sweaty, and I’d

hardly met any other fellow travellers. Each night, the beautiful rooftop bar in my hostel was vacant. Barely a soul passed by. Yet looking back now, I know that if I’d packed up my bags and gone home then I would have never experienced what lay ahead. That the last week had been an anomaly and adventure after adventure awaited.

Surprisingly then, my first tip is to always stay in hostels. You will meet people, the right people too. Whether you’re a museum fanatic, a party animal or a history buff, hundreds of like-minded friends await. You’ll meet these people at breakfast, at hostel night outs or even in your dorm rooms. Plus hostels are budget friendly for long-term travellers and often have breakfast included to save you even more. You might be daunted by the prospect of sharing dorm rooms with up to twelve other people. That some snoring old hag above your bunk bed will pierce the peaceful bubble of sleep. I’d say this; buy yourself a decent pair of earplugs and you’ll forget that you ever worried in the first place. Hostels are lively and exciting.

My next tip is to meet as many locals as possible. Locals provide the most authentic experiences, simply because they know the place inside out, the hidden gems of the town. Don’t get me wrong, places are popu-

lar for a reason and you should always make the time to visit the blockbuster attractions. I had a really nice experience by meeting a ‘Leonardo DiCaprio-esque’ Vietnamese man who took me to a local karaoke bar with really good live music and local dancing. I know that if I hadn’t met this man, I’d have never noticed the dingy outside of the building as anything special. Finally, go off the beaten track. Everyone’s been to Phuket in Thailand, but who’s heard of Koh Lanta, a stunning island escape just two hours further west? Everyone’s been to Bangkok, but who’s heard of Phitsanoluk, a bustling local city with a street market that stretches on for miles? Yes, you should be careful; you don’t want to end up in some dodgy ‘Luton-esque’ place on your travels. You’ve got that back home. So by doing some research (travel books, local people), you can find the hidden beauty spots and indulge in them. Be unique.

At times, I missed friends and family, but it was new relationships and connections that distracted me.

Travelling solo is not easy. I faced travel burnout constantly, but I learned how to deal with it. At times, I missed friends and family, but it was new relationships and connections that distracted me. I also want to acknowledge that for female solo travellers I did hear stories of mistreatment, harassment, and abuse. I hope this never happens to you if you do decide to go solo travelling, but it’s okay to take some time out and give yourself some space.

Solo travelling is almost like a spiritual journey, and it brings you a calmness and inner peace.

I’m so glad that after the first week I continued solo travelling. I saw beautiful intricately carved temples, ate mouthwatering foods, and learnt so much about myself. Solo travelling is almost like a spiritual journey, and it brings you a calmness and inner peace. You confront what you are afraid of. You learn to love yourself. You learn to be the best version of yourself. What’s stopping you going?

Ashwin Aggarwal (he/him)

Image: Unsplash

PUZZLES

Crossword

Sudoku

Across

6 Hindu spiritual discipline (4)

8 Mass of fish eggs (3)

9 Regular eating occasion (4)

10 Moral values - itches (anagram) (6)

11 Appal (6)

12 Introductory website section (4,4)

14 Tied (4)

16 Inform (4)

18 Bloodsucking fly (8)

20 Inferior follower - go pine (anagram) (6)

22 Assail (6)

23 Tenant’s payment (4)

24 Witness (3)

25 (Vehicle) journey (4)

BoarPAD:

Down

1 Food shortage (6)

2 Part of the eye (4)

3 Not desired (8)

4 Cheered up - occupied (6)

5 Volcanic magma (4)

7 Result (7)

13 Warn firmly - amid nosh (anagram) (8)

15 Tempted - attracted (7)

17 Gelato (anagram)smoothly (music) (6)

19 Revival - recovery (6)

21 Earnest request (4)

22 Some (1,3)

Across: 4/7 Carpet, 6 Agree, 9 Mention, 10 Loose, 11/13 Chalet, 12/15 Above board, 14 Pad, 17 Mad, 19 Shift, 20 Risotto, 22/24 Toecap, 23 Offer.

Down: 1 Taxi, 2 Pronto, 3 Well-read, 4 Comic, 5 Rank and file, 7 Problematic, 8 Tweet, 12 Ambition, 14 Posit, 16 Adrift, 18 Droop, 21 Sure.

Moving on up: How ‘men’s’ football stadiums have become the home of women’s teams too

Frida Protheroe (she/her)

The23/24 women’s football season has seen a plethora of big crowds, record-breaking attendances, and sold-out stadiums, proving that the women’s game is growing exponentially.

Visibility was birthed off the back of the World Cup in the summer of 2023, where England made it to the final. This sat on the shoulders of the massive growth of the game after the Lionesses brought home the European Championship trophy on home soil at a sold-out Wembley the year before.

Arsenal Women set the Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) attendance record in February when they brought a sellout crowd of 60,160 to the Emirates. This beat the previous record, which they had set earlier in the season, of 59,042 at the Emirates. Arsenal also saw an impressive crowd of 54,115 against Liverpool on 1 October, showing a new level of consistency.

This meant that Arsenal Women’s 23/24 season saw an average attendance of 53,871 at the Emirates. However, matches at their far smaller Meadow Park ground bring down the average for the whole season – all matches considered, their aver age attendance sits around 31,000.

The Womens Continental Tyres Cup also saw a record attendance this season. The final between Arsenal and Chelsea saw 21,462 fans travel to Wolves’ Molineux stadium. The Women’s FA Cup Final historically sold-out Wembley with a crowd of 76,082.

In the UEFA Champions League, Chelsea WFC saw the selling out of their men’s home stadium, Stamford Bridge, when facing Barcelona in the semi-final.

The Lionesses are now accustomed to filling the stands of Wembley time and time again

This was the first sell-out for Chelsea’s women’s team across all leagues; their attendance on the night sat at 39,398. It’s not only domestic football that has seen its attraction increase, but also international football.

This figure places them above 10 Premier League men’s clubs which is testament to the growth of the women’s game. This also fuels the argument that the Gunners are ready to permanently move away from Meadow Park, where the capacity is only 4,500. It has now been announced that Arsenal Women will play 11 games at the Emirates next season, making it their main home ground. This powerfully changes the narrative that the Emirates is the ‘men’s’ stadium, with the stadium now accommodating the women’s side on a far more consistent basis.

In the April international break, England’s Lionesses played Sweden at Wembley Stadium with the attendance stand ing at 63,248, despite in dustrial action on the day. This was held a year on from the first women’s Finalissima, where a crowd of 87,192 watched the Lionesses lift the trophy at the home of the national team. The Lionesses are now accustomed to filling the stands of Wem bley time and time again.

The Barclay’s WSL has recently announced that the 23/24 season has been record-breaking for accumulative attendances; do-

mestic league attendances have surpassed one million across the Barclays WSL and Women’s Championship this season. Furthermore, growing attention for the game is not only evident in stadiums; Sky Sports have too reported record viewership. With more fans than ever tuning into women’s football at home and a record amount watching in person, it cannot be denied that the game is going from strength to strength. This growth has been rewarded with a record £9 million Barclays sponsorship deal in place for the 24/25 season, allowing more games than ever to be shown on television. However, when it comes to thinking about the sustainability of the growth of the game, as well as increasing attention of all major women’s teams, pricing strategy, supporter’s groups, and stadiums are also key focuses. It’s evident that Arsenal Wom en are trailblazers in the women’s game in this regard. Their success is down to specific strategies the club have implemented. Arsenal created ‘home advantage packs’ this season, of which they sold 12,000. These packs were exclusively for their five Emirates games. This meant that a consistent base crowd was se cured for these games, cre ating an aspect of loyalty and community in the larger stadium. Furthermore, the club have been praised for their tiered pricing structure. This incentivises early purchases and has increased ticket sales. Jonas Eidevall, Arsenal’s manager, has stated

that the club’s top ambition is to “accelerate the growth of women’s football”, and that this “is influencing every decision”.

The women are playing at’men’s’ stadiums but bringing in big enough crowds to make them justifiably their own stadiums too

He followed on, it “is very important, to start with that, to make it a real investment. What I think makes Arsenal special – the belonging in the community and the connection to the fans – I think it’s one of those things that if you could bottle that and sell it you would probably end up earning a lot of money.” The club’s actions are an example to other clubs on how to fill their ‘men’s’ stadiums.

The women’s game is gaining sustainability; it’s growing in popularity and yet is managing to create its own image. The women are playing at ‘men’s’ stadiums but bringing in big enough crowds to justify their own stadiums too.

Blending competition and camaraderie: Mixed Hockey host successful Rock Up and Play tournament

Theround-robin tournament saw all six teams playing each other once and concluded with an intense final between BioSoc and ChemSoc, where ChemSoc emerged victorious. While the event was a new undertaking for Mixed Hockey, it was excitingly successful. The competitive atmosphere that the societies brought was perfectly balanced with the sociality of the tournament; the combination of these factors created some fantastic hockey whilst also establishing newfound connections between the societies. Prior to the tournament, there was a half hour of training run by Mixed Hockey’s Training Secretaries. During this, basic hockey rules and skills were practiced. The eagerness of all participants was a surprise to us all; they wasted no time getting stuck into the organised passing drills. The reluctance and apprehen-

sion of players was originally a concern for the Mixed Hockey Exec, but we were immediately proved wrong by how participants threw themselves into the game. While the abilities of players ranged from complete beginner to intermediate, it was a dynamic that worked perfectly as it allowed the first timers to be supported by their more experienced peers. When it came to the tournament, copious amounts of encouraging directions could be heard from the sidelines as all teams helped the lesser experienced players get a feel for the sport. Participating in the tournament were BioSoc, ChemSoc, Warwick STAR, Barbell Society, BandSoc, and Big Band. The compatibility of people with such a diverse array of interests was immediately apparent and made the tournament distinctly conversational as opposed to solely hockey orientated. This is the aim of RUAP as a concept: to highlight that hockey can be convivial as well as intense.

Much of the feedback Mixed Hockey received after hosting the tournament was centred around the lack of sociality participants had felt playing hockey in school, and how their participation in RUAP had reinvigorated an enjoyment for the game that is common ly lost in high-inten sity environments.

Subsequently, part of the success of the tournament can be attributed to the fact that Mixed Hockey operates in a university environ ment which is run by students who have felt re jected by a sport they once enjoyed. It is why we as a club decided to push an inclusive and social notion of hockey. There is something innately special about

seeing academic, artistic, and sporting societies share an afternoon with joint ardour. It is an enthusiasm Mixed Hockey want to carry into our weekly RUAP sessions which occur on a Thursday from 5pm to 6pm at Westwood pitches. These sessions can be attended by all; they are free, and no club membership is required. The club hopes that this tournament cemented the idea that hockey is a sport which can be played at many different intensities and be universally enjoyed, irrespective of interests and ability.

>>

Pia Mullen (she/her)

Image: University of Warwick’s Mixed Hockey Club

>> Images: Frida Protheroe (centre and right) Mia Rossfisher (left)

SPORT x CLIMATE

The sporting world unites in the name of cleaner UK waters

Angel Sun (she/her)

Afterthe University of Cambridge beat the University of Oxford at the 169th Boat Race in March, the Cambridge team did not throw their cox into the water. They were following safety guidelines which were given to both teams due to concerns about E. Coli in the River Thames.

The Clean Water Alliance was formed “to achieve healthy and nature-rich blue spaces across the UK”

Following the race, seven major boat-racing societies, including British Rowing and Swim England, formed the Clean Water Alliance ‘to achieve healthy and nature-rich blue spaces across the UK’. The Clean Water Alliance was created on 30 April and represents 450,000 members. They want regulators to be funded sufficiently to investigate sewage discharge in rivers and hold polluters to account. They also aim to facilitate the sharing and centralisation of water quality data among stakeholders. As British Rowing Chief

Executive, Alastair Marks, explained, the alliance embodies “the dedication of athletes and strive[s] towards cleaning, protecting, and preserving the blue spaces”. Their last demand is to change the language from ‘bathing waters’ to ‘recreation waters’ within government policy. ‘Bathing water’ refers to water sites designed for swimming subject to regular bacteria assessments by the Environmental Agency. In England, only three rivers are classified as bathing water, and they were all given poor status last year meaning that they pose a risk of illness to those swimming in them.

The rest of the English rivers are neither safe for swimming, nor monitored regularly. With a separate category of ‘recreational waters’, the quality of water used for different aquatic activities, like boat racing and surfing, will be routinely checked.

60% of popular water sports sites are polluted at unsafe levels

These checks are necessary: according to the Environment Agency, raw sewage was discharged for over 3.6 million hours into UK rivers and seas in 2023, which more than doubled the count for 2022. Additionally, 60% of popular water sports sites

are polluted at unsafe levels, including the River Thames where the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race took place. Thames Water, the water company treating wastewater from most of London, has released sewage equivalent to 29,000 Olympic swimming pools into the river since 2020.

Illegal sewage discharge critically harms human health. Anyone participating in physical activities in the contaminated water may get gastrointestinal illnesses that can cause diarrhea or vomiting, as well as respiratory and skin infections.

Harmful bacteria and chemicals in the sewage also have detrimental effects on the environment as they may kill aquatic organisms and aid the growth of algal blooms.

Climate change is also impacting sporting events; half of all former Winter Olympic host cities will not have the essential temperature to stage the Winter Olympic Games by 2050. However, sporting events can also negatively impact the environment. For example, the 2016 Rio Olympic Games released 3.6 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

The Clean Water Alliance exemplifies how sports associations can step up for environmental protection. Sports are embedded in many people’s daily lives and are deeply rooted in local communities. Alliances of sports can connect people

from various backgrounds and generations, thus spreading the importance of environmental causes to different demographics.

The question remains: can sport improve the state of UK waters?

The fame of athletes also helps raise awareness of environmental issues. For instance, Olympic sailor, Hannah Mills, led over 50 athletes to demand world leaders to do more at the COP26 global climate summit after her victory at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Fynn Sterritt of the British Sailing Team said: “I think what’s special about the alliance is that it’s an example of the power of sport. It’s about seven NGBs [National Governing Bodies] coming together asking for change on behalf of the millions of people who love spending time on water.”

As the British government admitted, legislative moves cannot “stop pollution overnight”; however, the question remains: can sport improve the state of UK waters?

>> Image: Pikbest

Changing the game:

A conversation with The Maddy Cusack Foundation

Rachel Gore (she/her)

Mia Rossfisher (she/her)

Whetherin person or online, from coaches, teammates or fans, aspects of athletes’ sporting and personal lives are constantly being judged. This criticism, which is often thrown at them in an endless and overwhelming manner, impacts their lives, and mental health.

In September 2023, Maddy Cusack, a footballer at Sheffield United, died by suicide. Her passing shocked the women’s football community, and the wider sporting world.

The Boar Sport spoke to Olivia Cusack, Maddy Cusack’s sister, about player mental health and The Maddy Cusack Foundation, an organisation that Olivia runs in memory of her sister. In under a year, the foundation has already raised over £35,000, some of which has been used to support young footballers with the costs of kit, equipment, and travel.

Maddy Cusack worked at the Sheffield United Community Foundation where she helped young players who “were struggling to get a team”. At Christmas, a few girls who gave examples of their relationships with Cusack were hand-selected and The Maddy Cusack Foundation “surprised them all with a pair of boots”. Olivia Cusack fondly recalled how her sister received a brand-new pair of

boots and football every Christmas “even at 27”. Giving boots to these young players was a way of “sharing Maddy with them”. However, the work of the foundation goes beyond helping with the finances of football. Whether it intended to or not, the foundation has initiated discussion about what needs to change within women’s football to protect the mental health of its players.

“What happened with my sister has had a knock-on effect”

- Olivia Cusack

Olivia Cusack described how all her sister “wanted to do was play football” saying: “As soon as she realised you could play as a woman and make money from it, that was her goal”. Nonetheless, during her career Maddy Cusack had to juggle multiple jobs to earn a sufficient salary as clubs are “not paying enough for these girls to be able to just play football”. This leads to pressure beyond the pitch as the players must make “ends meet elsewhere”.

Cusack worked as a marketing executive for Sheffield United whilst playing in their first team; many female footballers in lower leagues work full-time jobs and then attend training sessions in the evenings, with games also taking up their weekends.

The demand for women’s football, although vastly growing, is still incomparable to the men’s sport, meaning lower league women’s clubs do not have the funds to pay players a sufficient salary. However, they can ensure that their players are supported on and off the pitch.

Olivia Cusack emphasised how the competitive nature of football means that it is even more vital that players “have that safe space to speak out”. Powerfully, and poignantly, she spoke on how it only takes one person to talk about their feelings for others to come forward; she said: “What happened with my sister has had a knock-on effect”, and that as a result, more people are speaking up.

A recent mental health survey conducted on UK university students found that the number of students suffering from mental health problems has significantly increased to 42% of the student population.

Speaking on student mental health, particularly the well-being of student athletes, Olivia Cusack said: “It’s really important to find those people that you can confide in, even if it’s not friends or family.” She highlighted that not everything you see online is perfect: “You’d be surprised by how many people felt the same way as you did or have had similar experiences that you can draw on.”

To raise money and awareness for The Maddy Cusack Foundation, a charity match is being played on 22 June. Many “great players” that Maddy Cusack met during her footballing career will be coming together to remember her in a tournament and match.

Listening to the way that Olivia Cusack describes her sister emphasises that she was not only an incredible athlete, but also an amazing person. Olivia initially felt there was “an immense amount of pressure” attached to the foundation because she did not want to create anything that Maddy would not be proud of. She summarised the true goals of the organisation in two simple sentences: “I want her to connect with these girls even though she’s no longer here. I want to keep her legacy alive and keep the essence of her running through it.”

The Maddy Cusack Foundation is making vital changes to progress the women’s game and, perhaps most importantly, raising awareness for the effects that playing professional sport can have on one’s mental health.

Scan for tickets to the charity match on 22 June

>> Images: The Maddy Cusack Foundation

Sport

Editor: Rachel Gore (she/her)

sport@theboar.org

More needs doing: Assessing the state of

inclusivity and

accessibility of sport at Warwick

Whetherthey play competitively in BUCS teams, attend training sessions ran by on-campus clubs, or go to sports society socials – sport is a large part of university life for many students.

That being said, questions have been raised about how inclusive and accessible university sport really is – is it truly something that is easy for all to participate in? Or does it simply tailor to the majority, leaving the minority on the outskirts once more?

Problems within university sport were recognised by BUCS in 2015 when they launched their ‘Take A Stand’ campaign. In 2018, the Inclusion Board built on this campaign by outlining a Diversity Action Plan, a section of which focused on disability sport.

Disabled undergraduate students in the UK face challenges that make it difficult for them to become involved in sport

- A 2023 University of Lincoln study

Nearly a decade on from the launch of this original campaign, issues in university sport are ever-present. In 2023, a research article, conducted by individuals from the University of Lincoln, concluded that disabled undergraduate students in the UK face challenges that make it difficult for them to become involved in sport and that they should receive additional support for social and sporting activities.

On the University of Warwick’s Student Union (SU) website, a page titled ‘Reshaping Sport’ focuses on how the University has aimed to make sport as inclusive as possible.

One of the outlined changes was that there has been lobbying for accessible facilities at the Sports & Wellness Hub.

The Boar Sport spoke to Karé Adenegan, a Paralympian who graduated from the University of Warwick with a BA in History in 2022. Adenegan emphasised how accessible the on-campus Sports & Wellness Hub is, saying: “I was quite fortunate that when I started Warwick, that was when the sports hub opened. So, where it is a more modern facility, it was quite easy to get around.”

This SU website page also outlines other ways that the University aims to improve accessibility to sport, including running accessible sport workshops for clubs, and creating disability-friendly activities.

When discussing these with Adenegan, she praised the University’s commitment to accessibility, emphasising how “supportive” staff were whilst she was reading her degree. Whatever aspect of accessibility was being discussed with Adenegan, our conversation kept circling back to raising awareness for the options that are available to students.

While Adenegan found getting involved in primary school sport difficult, she began playing wheelchair basketball at around nine years old and had already competed internationally in wheelchair racing prior to university. The issue comes when students with disabilities do not know what is available to them and have not been involved in sport before university.

Adenegan wants to make sure that students are aware of the disability sports that they can try. She trained with Coventry Harriers, a wheelchair racing club that uses the University of Warwick track. Coventry Harriers has had Warwick students attend its sessions, which are held on campus, which are “open pretty much to anyone” and are accessible.

In a conversation with The Boar Sport, Adam Lione, a partially sighted footballer who plays for England, offered advice to those struggling to find what disability sports are available to them. His message was to utilise “Google and social media”; while it’s “not as easy as” simply giving it a go, these platforms mean that local options can be discovered, and that their organisers can be contacted.

It's not only important, however, that individuals are aware of what is available to them, but also that their peers are inclusive and educated.

Safia Middleton-Patel is a Manchester United goalkeeper who has recently been diagnosed with ASD. Speaking on her autism diagnosis, she emphasised how her teammates are aware of the struggles she faces and therefore can ensure that she gets the most out of training sessions and meetings.

To gain more knowledge on the experiences that university students with autism have with sport, The Boar Sport contacted Autism at Warwick, a society that provides a space for autistic students.

"As an

autistic

person it can honestly be quite scary feeling like I'd have to be thrown into a sport mid-season"

- Prince Vutabwarova-Finbars, Autism at Warwick

Prince Vutabwarova-Finbars, the society’s social secretary and ethnic minorities representative, gave insight to another aspect of accessibility to university sport. They said that they were unable to join sports at the beginning of term due to financial costs and by the end of the term, when they had the funds to participate in sport, they felt that “it was too late”.

Adding to this, they said that: “As an autistic person it can honestly be quite scary feeling like I’d have to get thrown into a sport mid-season without knowing where to go, how to get involved or even where to start.”

This highlighted how issues with sport’s financial accessibility are intrinsically linked to problems that students with autism face.

One way that Warwick Sport aims to reduce the financial burden of university sport is through ‘Rock Up & Play’ sessions. Georgina Pilling, Sports Engagement Officer at Warwick Sport, said that there are “over 50 hours of free sport per week”.

To make these free sessions inclusive, the Active Wellbeing Team at Warwick Sport are working with Autism at Warwick to develop ‘Rock Up & Play’. One result of this collaboration has been the addition of sensory-friendly table tennis sessions to the timetable.

It’s not only Autism at Warwick who have suggestions for Warwick Sport; a member of Enable Warwick, a society that supports Warwick students with disabilities, told The Boar Sport that there needs to be notice given when sessions are cancelled. They said: “Disabled people often have to plan their entire week around when they will be participating in sports,” meaning that “last minute cancellations can result in a disabled person not being able to participate in sport for a more extended period of time than an able-bodied person.”

Lione emphasised how universities must speak to those with disabilities or impairments to discover what their individual needs are

When speaking to The Boar Sport, Lione emphasised how universities must speak to those with disabilities or impairments to discover what their individual needs are. He also suggested the implementation of a member of staff who focuses on disability sport as there needs to be someone who is “proactively trying to find solutions”, rather than “just talking about it in passing”.

Lione graduated from the University of Worcester in 2015 where he had been offered a scholarship as a visually impaired footballer, although ironically “there wasn’t really a visually impaired football set up” at the university.

Visually impaired football is an adaptation of futsal and therefore Lione started a futsal team for the university to make university sport inclusive for himself.

Like Adenegan, Lione began playing competitive sport long before university. He played disability football as a child and then stopped before starting again at around 14 years old – it was the coach he played for as a teenager that sent him for a trial with England.

Recently, England football have increased their focus on ParaFootball; the Para squad’s January warm weather training camp was posted about on social media and the teams’ members were featured in the announcement photos for the new England kit.

Lione described how “amazing” it is to be “covered like any other England team” would be. He said that he wished he’d been able to see those posts on Instagram when he was 14 or 15 and “hopes it reaches out to” those with impairments so that inclusion keeps building and teams get stronger.

Team Warwick organised an inclusive sports day last year, but a shortage of take up caused it to be cancelled

The lack of publicity given to disability sport when Lione was a teenager caused him to not want to “associate” with it for some time. Now he believes that the issue is that people see disability sport as “one of two extremes”.

Lione hopes that growth in participation in disability sport will lead to the discovery of a middle ground: a competitive environment that is not an elite setting, yet is more than simple participation for people who feel like there’s nowhere else for them to go. Ideally, this middle ground would be found in universities.

Nonetheless, a lack of participation currently prevents this. Team Warwick told The Boar Sport that they organised an inclusive sports day last year, but a shortage of takeup caused it to be cancelled. They are now looking to run tasters for different inclusive sports in the coming months.

The Boar Sport contacted Warwick Sport about their disability sport provision however no comment was received.

It is evident that an increased awareness of which disability sports are available is arguably just as necessary as an increase in sport support for students with disabilities. A combination of these two implementations would ensure that sport truly is accessible for all.

>> Images: Warwick Media Library (top) / Kare Adenegan (bottom)

Rachel Gore (she/her)