Amy Batley
Cambridge, York
As seen in:
Varsity
Covers:
news, current affairs, UK Higher Education, Cambridge, University of Cambridge
Interested in urban geopolitics, counter-terrorism, counter-extremism | PhD from @UrbanConflicts, BA from @GeogDurham | follows/like ≠ endorsement
Articles by Amy Batley
“Counterterrorism Citizens” and the Neurotic City
An array of methods are used in European cities to respond to terrorism, with counterterrorism infrastructures in the built environment receiving particular academic interest. Yet the significance of imaginations of city spaces are often overlooked in studies of counterterrorism planning. Counterterrorism workshops influence imaginations of urban spaces by encouraging participants to adopt an anticipatory security gaze.
2020: An unprecedented year in news
Varsity gives a month-by-month breakdown of the news which shaped Cambridge in a historic year The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in June 2020 saw an international outpour of anti-racism protests as part of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) Movement Lucas Maddalena by Cameron White, Victor Jack , Amy Batley , Joseph Powell , Gaby Vides & Christopher Dorrell From the prospect of women landing on the moon, to Covid-19, Black Lives Matter (BLM), Rent Strikes and Freedom of Speech, 2020...
Disagreements emerge amidst ongoing vote on University’s Freedom of Speech stance
Disagreements continue regarding the University’s stance, as well as proposed amendments, which address issues of respect, tolerance and the no-platforming of speakers invited to the University The Grace presented to members of Regent House, and subsequent amendments, has been controversial and received much national media attentionAmy Batley by Amy Batley Voting has begun on a Grace presented to Regent House, and amendments proposed by some academics, regarding changes to the University’s...
Cambridge responds to the University’s ‘landmark decision’ to fully divest
Divestment Activist groups, including Cambridge Zero Carbon and Extinction Rebellion Cambridge, have responded to today’s announcement that the University aims to fully divest from fossil fuel corporations by 2030 Cambridge Zero Carbon have led a five-year campaign calling on the University to divestCambridge Zero Carbon by Amy Batley , Gaby Vides & Ewan Hawkins After a five-year campaign from several student and staff groups, the University of Cambridge yesterday (01/10) committed to remove...
Breaking: University of Cambridge aims to divest from fossil fuels by 2030
Divestment The University has announced plans to divest from all direct and indirect investments in fossil fuels by 2030, in a move described as ‘hugely encouraging’ by Sir David Attenborough The Vice-Chancellor announced the divestment plans in speech made this morning, which would normally be delivered from Senate HouseLouis Ashworth by Amy Batley The University has today (01/10) announced that the £3.5 billion Cambridge University Endowment Fund (CUEF) will be divested from fossil fuels...
Dr Manali Desai becomes the only woman of colour to currently head a Cambridge department
Dr Desai will become one of the first ethnic minority women to lead a Cambridge department in the University’s 811-year history Joe Cotton by Amy Batley Dr Manali Desai, currently a Reader in Comparative and Historical Sociology and Fellow at Newnham College, will become Head of the Department of Sociology this academic year, making her one of only a few ethnic minority women to have led a Cambridge department in the University’s history.
Cambridge to offer weekly Covid-19 tests to students living in college accommodation
Coronavirus The University will offer all students living in college accommodation a weekly test for SARS-CoV-2, even if they are asymptomatic Limiting the tests to those living in college accommodation has generated some criticismPixabay by Amy Batley & Christopher Dorrell The University has announced plans to offer weekly Covid-19 testing to all students living in college accommodation, even if they are asymptomatic.
Carrie Lam renounces honorary fellowship after Wolfson President requests explanation for academic restrictions
Wolfson College “was due to consider” her fellowship next month, but “will no longer do so” Lam renounced the fellowship herself, claiming that Wolfson had "deemed" her to be "deviant of the principles for academic freedom and freedom of speech" Bonni Jee by Jess Ma & Amy Batley Carrie Lam renounced her Honorary Fellowship from Wolfson College yesterday, following a request to the Executive Council of Hong Kong to remove this title from her declaration of interests.
‘The University is playing games with our future’: Extinction Rebellion stage symbolic croquet match on Senate House lawn
Extinction Rebellion protesters used a croquet game on Senate House lawn to continue their call for the University to divest from fossil fuels This is the first week of the 'fresh wave' of XR protestsLucas Anthony Maddalena by Amy Batley Extinction Rebellion (XR) protesters broke into the University’s Old Schools site this afternoon (13/08) to stage a game of croquet between players symbolising the ‘battle’ between the University and Mother Earth.
Cambridge’s Israeli community join protests against Prime Minister Netanyahu
Israeli academics and students in Cambridge joined a global movement of anti-Netanyahu demonstrations in solidarity with protests in Israel Protestors claim that Netanyahu's pending trial is distracting from his role as Prime Minister, including with regards to managing the coronavirus pandemicJack Myhre by Amy Batley & Gaby Vides Israeli expatriates in Cambridge gathered at King’s Backs this afternoon (09/08) to join a global movement of protests against the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin...
Cambridge alumni moved to ‘notorious’ Iran desert prison
Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert, who graduated from Cambridge in 2013, is serving a 10-year sentence for espionage Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert has been imprisoned in Iran since 2018YouTube/The Modern Middle East by Gaby Vides & Amy Batley British-Australian academic Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert, who had been held in Tehran’s Evin prison for nearly two years, has recently been moved to the ‘notorious’ Qarchak prison, a desert facility located 35km south-east of Tehran.
Demands for no ‘Covid-19 rent hike’ yet colleges insist no plans for pandemic-related increases
Coronavirus A letter sent to the University and colleges demands no “unjust and unfair” rent increases, yet data gathered by Varsity found that many college rent increases were decided prior to the Covid-19 pandemic Pembroke may have a largee percentage increase than many colleges, but is likely to remain one of the cheapest college rents in terms of actual costLouis Ashworth by Gaby Vides & Amy Batley In an open letter launched by CUSU yesterday (09/07), college student unions called for...
Apology from former Fitzwilliam fellow David Starkey criticised as ‘outrageous’
David Starkey has apologised for making ‘deplorably inflammatory’ comments in an interview last week, whilst Fitzwilliam College has not responded to calls that they apologise for not dissociating from him sooner Starkey has since apologised "unreservedly for the offence" caused by his interviewReasoned/YouTube by Amy Batley Content note: This article contains detailed description of the use of racist language Historian Dr David Starkey has issued an apology today for “racist” comments he...
Live: Cambridge Covid-19 updates - July
Saturday 25th July 12:12pm The Children’s Task and Finish Group (TFC), which is a subgroup of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), has published advice on the reopening of universities this Autumn. The guidance addresses to social networks, education ‘bubbles’ and risks of returning to family at the end of term.
Priyamvada Gopal promoted to Professorship, as online abuse continues
Black Lives Matter Stephen Toope today announced the promotion of 42 members of academic staff to Professorships Dr Gopal's Professorship will begin on 1st OctoberSam Harrison by Sophie Huskisson & Amy Batley Content note: This article contains detailed description of racist discrimination Priyamvada Gopal, Churchill fellow and academic in postcolonial literature in the English Faculty, has been promoted to full Professorial Chair despite a petition on change.org which called for her removal...
Staff promotions frozen, Toope to take 15% pay cut as University braces for Covid-19 financial impact
The new measures were adopted by University Council on Monday, but concerns have been raised about their disproportionate impact on women and BAME staff The Vice-Chancellor has pledged to take a pay cut for six months, but there are worries other measures adopted by the University Council on Monday will disproportionately affect female and BAME staff Louis Ashworth by Victor Jack & Amy Batley The University Council has approved wide-ranging measures aimed at mitigating the financial impact...
University will not issue general ‘financial reimbursement’ to compensate for strikes and coronavirus
Coronavirus A ‘dedicated complaint form’ has been launched for students who feel that they have legitimate reasons to submit a complaint against the University The University claim that lost teaching has been for reasons beyond it's controlLouis Ashworth by Amy Batley The University has today confirmed that it will not issue “financial reimbursement generally to students” in response to disruption caused by industrial action between November 2019-March 2020 and the impact of Covid-19 during...
Live: Cambridge Covid-19 updates - June
Varsity brings live updates on how the UK coronavirus outbreak is affecting Cambridge Buildings and Collegs across Cambridge were lit in blue in support of frontline workers on Thursday evenings throughout April and MaySt. Catharine's College by Natasha Dangoor, Zac Ntim, Peter Mumford, Joseph Powell & Amy Batley Live Text (Refreshes automatically) Catch up on Covid-19-related developments that happened in Cambridge in March, April and May on our previous live blogs.
South Cambs MP doubles down on Cummings, but previously said those in public positions must ‘behave responsibly’
Coronavirus Anthony Browne claims that Cummings acting acted ‘reasonably and within the law’ in travelling to Durham whilst audio emerges in which he has previously criticised those who flout social distancing Anthony Browne previously claimed that "it would be a lot better... if everyone in public positions behaved responsibly”WIKIMEDIA/DAVID WOOLFALL, BBC NEWS.
South Cambs MP representing Homerton and Girton says ‘absolutely no reason’ for Cummings to resign
Coronavirus Meanwhile, Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner claims that Cummings ‘should have resigned this morning’ Homerton College and Girton College are in Browne's South Cambridgeshire constituencyWikimedia/David Woolfall by Joe Cook & Amy Batley Anthony Browne, Conservative MP for South Cambridgeshire, has supported Dominic Cummings, following yesterday’s revelations that the Senior Advisor to Boris Johnson drove from London to Durham while showing symptoms for coronavirus, in an apparent...
Graham Virgo gives 2020-21 plans ‘to get as many students in Cambridge as we possibly can’
Coronavirus Lectures will be online but the University hopes for supervisions, seminars and practicals to continue in person Joe Cook by Joseph Powell & Amy Batley Following the media interest in the University’s online-only approach to lectures, as revealed by Varsity yesterday, staff, students and the wider public were left with many questions about University life in the forthcoming academic year.
Breaking: All University lectures to be online-only in 2020-21
Coronavirus Lectures and Michaelmas exams will be virtual whilst it is ‘not yet clear’ how many students will be in Cambridge in 2020-21 Decisions have been made on the assumption that social distancing will be required during the next yearLouis Ashworth by Amy Batley & Joseph Powell An email sent to the University’s Senior Tutors Committee today (19/05) outlines plans for all lectures in the 2020-21 academic year to be conducted virtually.
Students encouraged to graduate in absence this summer
Coronavirus Students will be offered a ceremony in the Senate House at a later date There will be no graduation ceremonies for the remainder of the academic yearLouis Ashworth by Diana Stoyanova & Amy Batley In an email sent to all staff and students this afternoon, Vice-Chancellor Stephen Toope encouraged all students ‘who successfully meet the requirements of their course’ to graduate in absence this summer.
King’s College student accommodation to house rough sleepers during pandemic
Coronavirus Cambridge City Council will manage 20 rooms in Bene’t Street Hostel until the end of August The hostel ordinarily houses third-year undergraduate studentsKing's College, Cambridge by Amy Batley & Gaby Vides Bene’t Street Hostel, a 31-room off-site residence which ordinarily houses third-year undergraduate students, will accommodate rough sleepers from 23rd April until 31st August.
Colleges predict £60 million income loss due to Covid-19 closure
Coronavirus A joint statement forecasts a collective loss of £35m in rent as well as £25m in dining and conferences from the beginning of Easter term until the start of Michaelmas 2020 Colleges have released predictions of financial losses resulting from rent and conference incomeLouis Ashworth by Amy Batley & Joseph Powell A joint statement from Cambridge’s 31 colleges has been issued which describes predicted losses for colleges from now until the start of Michaelmas term as a result of...
Motion calls for college accommodation to be available to ‘those in need’ during pandemic
Coronavirus The motion passed with 98% of the vote at an online CUSU Council meeting on Monday evening The motion calls for colleges to house rough sleepers, domestic abuse victims, asylum seekers and released detainees.Louis Ashworth by Amy Batley A motion, which encourages colleges to make their vacant accommodation available to 'those in need', was passed with 98% of the vote at an online CUSU meeting on Monday evening.
Extinction Rebellion protestors mark oil spill anniversary with action at Cambridge BP Institute
Extinction Rebellion Youth Cambridge “took all precautions necessary to keep themselves and others safe”, claiming that their action complies with the Government’s lockdown rules Protestors claim to have maintained social distancing whilst spraying the BP InstituteExtinction Rebellion Youth Cambridge by Amy Batley Protestors from Extinction Rebellion Youth Cambridge used chalk spray on the walls of Cambridge’s BP Institute (BPI), located in the Madingley Rise Site in West Cambridge, to mark...
265 Cambridge medics graduate early to help during COVID-19 pandemic
Coronavirus Recently-graduated Cambridge medics discuss being fast-tracked to become doctors two months early, saying it was “blindingly obvious why our final year had to end” Rainbows have become a symbol used to express solidarity with NHS workersAmanda Slater by Amy Batley Universities across the UK have fast-tracked sixth-year medical students to graduate two months early, following the government’s call for additional medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The University should not let the concerns of its graduate students become an afterthought
Coronavirus For graduate students, the University’s Covid-19 shut down creates confusion and concerns for their research undertakings, permanent home situation and financial circumstances "The Covid-19 pandemic ... has exposed the extent to which the concerns of graduate students are often overlooked."Louis Ashworth by Amy Batley After concern for loved ones and those who are falling ill to Covid-19, one’s degree may currently be a peripheral concern.
Varsity’s view: Cambridge’s response to Covid-19 is slow, inconsistent, and ambiguous. Students bear the burden.
Coronavirus For the hundreds of students for whom the decision to go home is a complicated one, Cambridge’s ‘advice’, amid widespread anxiety in a rapidly evolving pandemic, is painfully ambiguous, lacking in transparency and frustratingly slow Rosie Bradbury by Varsity Editorial, Rosie Bradbury , Victor Jack, Sophie Huskisson, Amy Batley , Jess Ma, Stephi Stacey, Howard Chae, Olivia Emily, Isobel Bickersteth, Molly Killeen, Charlotte Lillywhite, Gabriel Humphreys, Kiran Khanom, Chloe...
Students’ annual ‘Cage Campaign’ forced to evacuate after facing verbal assault on first night
This year’s 48-hour campaign focuses on Shell’s treatment of the Ogoni people in Nigeria, and calls for the University to cut ties with the oil giant The campaign continued this morning despite the set-back, and the cage is seen on King's front lawnAmy Batley by Amy Batley The continuation of Cambridge University Amnesty International’s (CUAI) 41st ‘Cage Campaign’, who this year are protesting University ties with Shell, has been thrown into doubt after students were physically threatened on...
Pembroke launches bursaries for study of its links to slavery
Pembroke follows St. Catharine’s College in funding three students to study the College’s historical links to slavery The bursaries will fund three students during the month of JulyLouis Ashworth by Amy Batley Pembroke College has announced its decision to make three bursaries available, for current undergraduate or postgraduate students, to pursue research into the College’s links to slavery.
Cambridge graduation moved from Senate House over XR disruption fears
The University said they had received “credible intelligence” about a potential protest at Saturday’s graduation, however XR claim there was no planned action The location of Saturday's graduation ceremony is currently unknownLouis Ashworth by Joe Cook & Amy Batley A graduation ceremony for Cambridge students, set to be held at Senate House at 2pm tomorrow, has been moved to a currently undisclosed location following concerns that Extinction Rebellion (XR) protesters could disrupt the ceremony.
Concerns raised of potential conflicts of interest in Trinity Hall’s mishandling of sexual assault allegations
A new investigation describes Trinity Hall as “full of secrets”, in which a “close-knit group of tutors” mishandled multiple sexual assault complaints in early 2018 Rvd Jeremy Morris, Master of Trinity HallUniversity of Cambridge by Amy Batley Content note: This article contains detailed discussion of sexual assault and harassment.
“Illogically thought out”: Concerns raised about anti-terrorism barrier on King’s Parade
From everyday inconvenience to potential adverse security implications, several groups have raised concerns about the new security barrier The barrier will be closed from 9:30am to 7pm everydaySophie Huskisson by Amy Batley & Lottie Elton A new anti-terrorism barrier, which will prevent vehicle access to King’s Parade, became operational on Thursday 16th January and is to be closed from 9:30am to 7pm every day.
Zeichner calls on Home Office to reverse visa refusal to Newnham academic
Zeichner claimed that the refusal to offer Dr Asiya Islam Indefinite Leave to Remain signals “no regard to ensuring the brightest and best contribute to world leading research” Dr Islam's appeal "is currently being considered by the Home Office"Andrew Hynes by Amy Batley Cambridge MP Daniel Zeicher has called upon the UK Home Office to reconsider the visa status of Dr Asiya Islam, a Junior Research Fellow in Sociology at Newnham, who was refused Indefinite Leave to Remain in November.
Sir Jony Ive awarded 2018 Stephen Hawking fellowship
Ive, chief design officer at Apple Inc. and chancellor at the Royal College of Art in London, has been awarded the fellowship whose inaugural recipient was the late Professor Stephen Hawking Ive was knighted in 2012 for his services to design and enterpriseMarcus Dawes by Amy Batley Apple Chief Design Officer Sir Jonathan Ive was announced as the second recipient of the Professor Hawking Fellowship at a ceremony held at the Cambridge Union on Tuesday.
Over £1500 raised in three hours for homeless woman who gave birth outside Trinity College
A homeless woman gave birth to twins prematurely outside Trinity College on Monday morning Louis Ashworth by Amy Batley A crowdfunding campaign has raised thousands for a homeless woman who gave birth to twins outside Trinity College, just before 7am on 23rd December. The mother and newborns were assisted by members of the public before an ambulance took them to Rosie Hospital, a maternity hospital which is adjacent to Addenbrookes.
David Lammy speaks to students as he joins Zeichner on campaign trail
The Tottenham MP visited Christs alongside Cambridge’s MP and current Labour candidate ahead of the December election Lammy and Zeichner met at Christs to take questions from students Amy Batley by Amy Batley Just two weeks out from the general election, MP David Lammy joined Cambridge’s incumbent MP and Labour candidate Daniel Zeichner to speak to students and canvassers at Christ’s College on Thursday.
Reporting racism in Cambridge: the realities behind the numbers
Data held by the University of reports into racism provides little insight into the lived realities of experiences of racism in Cambridge A student at King's was told that they may have misinterpreted a racist comment made by a supervisorLouis Ashworth by Sophie Zhang, Amy Batley & Inez Daltrop Content Note: This article contains discussion of racism and racist discrimination “I will always look to report racism”, said one student, but “if you go in with low expectations you can avoid the...
‘I felt powerless’: Student complaints dismissed by Cambridge when submitted after 28 days
Varsity investigates student experiences of Cambridge’s decision to change the eligible time for formal student complaints from 3 months to 28 days Several formal complaints have been rejected by the University because they were submitted after the deadlineLouis Ashworth by Amy Batley “Upon returning home from Cambridge, I was overwhelmed with being persistently made to feel academically and personally inadequate by my former supervisor”, Alex* said, about their experiences during the...
Analysis: Cambridge’s state school intake continues to slowly increase towards its target, but it’s familiar news.
Cambridge is aiming for a target of 69.1% of their intake educated at a state school by 2024. Improvements have been made annually, and each year, national news outlets parade it as a ‘new record’ The percentage of state-schooled entrants to Cambridge is lower than elsewhere in the UK. Louis Ashworth by Amy Batley An early press release released by the University of Cambridge has said that 68% of undergraduate students beginning at Cambridge in Michaelmas 2019 have been educated at a state school.
The impact of May Ball accommodation requirements
Students face being removed from their college rooms without alternative accommodation or compensation May Balls are iconic experiences in Cambridge, but remain very expensiveSIMON LOCK by Amy Batley A Varsity investigation has found that students who either do not want to or are unable to attend their college May Ball or June Event face difficulties when restricted from their college accommodation while the event takes place.
‘I’ve ended up praying in a corner in a stairwell’: The limited provision of non-Christian prayer spaces across Cambridge
A Varsity investigation reveals limited availability of non-Christian prayer spaces across the University Cambridge's new 'eco-mosque' is a 30-minute walk from Downing SiteJulia Johnson by Amy Batley & Alexandra Giannidi A Varsity investigation has found inconsistent provision of prayer spaces between Cambridge colleges, in addition to concerns about the location of prayer spaces within University departments.
Colleges had vastly divergent approaches to controversial OfS Prevent data return, investigation reveals
Data obtained by Varsity shows that colleges took very different approaches in the student welfare data submitted to the Office for Student’s controversial Prevent return St John's initially submitted the total number of students, which was CUSU's suggested option, but the OfS asked them to refine their submissionSimon Lock by Amy Batley Data obtained by Varsity shows that colleges took vastly different approaches in the student welfare data submitted to the Office for Students’ (OfS)...
CUSU, GU and JCRs criticise the inclusion of welfare data in Prevent
CUSU's offices at 17 Mill LaneLouis Ashworth CUSU have led an open letter, submitted on Wednesday 28th, requesting that Colleges reconsider the data which they are due to submit to the Prevent programme on 3rd December. The letter, led by CUSU and currently co-signed by the Graduate Union and 21 college-based student groups and combination rooms, criticises recent regulatory changes to the framework of Prevent as “serious encroachment […] into welfare provision”.
Murder investigation opens following death near Grand Arcade
Hussain died in hospital, after being seriously injured in the city centreJOHN SUTTON Police are treating the death of 18-year-old Benyamin Hussain as murder, after he was assaulted in central Cambridge during the early hours of Thursday 15th November. The incident, which was reported at 3.18am, occurred on St Andrews Street outside the Grand Arcade entrance, between Christ’s College and Emmanuel College.
Cambridge ‘among the most liberal places in the country’
The Castle area of Cambridge, which includes more than a third of the University’s colleges, is “the most liberal area” of England, according to an investigation into national attitudes published last week. The study, entitled ‘Fear, hope and loss: Understanding the drivers of hope and hate’, was conducted by anti-extremist political action group Hope Not Hate.
Zero Carbon disrupts Shell recruitment event
Pro-divestment student activist group Cambridge Zero Carbon interrupted a ‘Shell Breakfast’ networking event on Thursday morning, demanding that the University “cut ties with Shell”. Four members of Cambridge Zero Carbon Society unfolded a banner reading ‘Shell: recruiting to create climate killers’, before reciting statistics about the climate and Shell’s energy sources.
Artist clarifies intended meaning of Newnham ‘vulva’ sculpture
Newnham College’s new sculpture attracted attention this week following an article in The Observer which described it as a ‘two-storey vulva’. The College, meanwhile, has repeatedly asserted that the sculpture represents ‘a tower of books’. Artist Cathy de Monchaux spoke to Varsity about the inspiration for her sculpture ‘Beyond Thinking’ as the final piece was fitted on Wednesday.
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