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Articles by Meg Lintern
“You write things and get lucky”: In conversation with screenwriter John Hodge
Although you may not know John’s name, you’ll certainly know his work. Having written the screenplays for Trainspotting, The Beach, A Life Less Ordinary, and T2 Trainspotting, as well as the script for Olivier-award-winning play Collaborators, he is the creative genius behind some seminal British entertainment. Far from a jaded Hollywood veteran, John is a man who speaks with admirable modesty, and whose tangents are peppered with pearls of wisdom.
Oxford and Empire: An "uncomfortable" history
Oxford life is tied to tradition. From reciting Latin at the start of formal hall to donning gowns for prelims and finals, our university’s history pervades our experience today. The darker side of our history thus also casts its long shadow over the present.
"All it takes is one yes": In conversation with Sian Eleri
It’s a rainy January day and I’m sitting alone in my room, anxiously scrutinising my face on Zoom as I wait for Sian Eleri to join the call. Sian is one of my personal heroes: a new addition to the Radio 1 team, she is the host of the Power Down Playlist on BBC Radio 1 four nights a week, as well as the Chillest Show for two hours every Sunday. I am used to hearing her dulcet tones interspersing a tracklist of mellow music as I squirrel away in the library.
“We didn’t do Blackface, but you could argue that we did”: Mathew Baynton on Horrible Histories, type-casting, and his acting career
On November 23rd, Mathew Baynton visited the Oxford Union. There was a frenzy of excitement around his attendance, with members queuing from 5:30pm to attend his 8pm talk. Baynton would go on to address a chamber filled to the maximum capacity, a feat only achieved by one other Union speaker this term: Malala. Before his Q&A with Charlie Mackintosh, he sat down with Cherwell to discuss his life and career.
Cherwell's College Bar Crawl
A lot can be discovered about a college’s culture from the ingredients of their college drink. The ‘work hard, play hard’ attitude that is ubiquitous among Oxford students, who alternate their use of early morning hours between essay crises and club outings, is reflected by the drinking culture that shocks many non-British Oxonians.
Teenage Meningitis vaccination programme drives herd immunity across all ages
Researchers from Oxford University have found that a teenage meningitis vaccine programme drives herd immunity across all ages. This week, Oxford scientists have reported findings from a large-scale study which investigated the impact of the UK’s MenACWY vaccination programme on the infection rate of meningitis bacteria, which is spread in the throats of teenagers. The results demonstrated that the vaccination programme drives herd immunity, protecting people of all age groups.
Special Report: Merton tops 2021 Norrington Table but rankings show link between college wealth and academic performance
Merton College, described by students as “where fun goes to die”, has lived up to its reputation for high academic attainment by topping this year’s Norrington Table, with 45 of 77 students scoring a first in their finals. LMH is the college with the lowest score, with only 36 of 118 students achieving a first-class degree. Regent’s Park had the lowest score of any PPH or college with more than one exam-sitting student, with a Norrington score of 69.7%.
'Not Here, Not Anymore' holds protest against Oxford Uni's sexual assault policy
Trigger warning: sexual assault, sexual harassment, rape On Sunday 22nd, crowds of students convened outside the RadCam as part of a protest organised by Not Here, Not Anymore (NHNA). NHNA is a student campaign aiming to fight against the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) in colleges and push Oxford University towards improved sexual assault policies.
St Catz college dog gives birth to puppies
St Catherine’s college dog, who is aptly named Catherine, has just given birth to four puppies. Catherine, a cocker spaniel, “really hit it off” with Tommy, a dog of the same breed. Together, they have had three female pups and one male. At the moment, the names of the puppies are undecided, but Kersti Börjars, the Master of St Catherine’s college and owner of Catherine the dog, will seek suggestions from students.
Stephen Fry convinces: Oxford Union votes to repatriate contested artefacts
The Oxford Union voted in favour of the motion “This House Would repatriate contested artefacts”, with 250 ayes to just 52 noes. The debate took place amid a packed chamber, with members being turned away at the door due to high demand.
Oxford-based charity Asylum Welcome offers help for local refugee hosts
Oxford-based refugee charity Asylum Welcome is preparing to help the local groups, organisations, and individuals who are about to host Ukrainian refugees. More than 20,000 applications have been received under the Homes for Ukraine scheme since it opened on the 18th of March, according to Richard Harrington, the minister for refugees. The scheme was designed to allow Ukrainian refugees with no family links to be hosted by members of the public in Britain, who will be paid £350 per month.
Lady Margaret Hall accused of silencing rape victim
CW: rape, sexual assault Lady Margaret Hall silenced and mistreated a victim of rape, according to a recent article by The Times. The article states that the alleged sexual assault case of Olivia (an alias used to protect her identity) was repeatedly dismissed and covered up by the college under former principal Alan Rusbridger. Allegedly, Olivia was asleep in her college accommodation when a fellow student barged into her bedroom. The male student “pinned her arms down and raped her”.
New study links US Stand Your Ground laws to 700 additional homicides every year
A new study has revealed that Stand Your Ground (SYG) laws, which allow protection for individuals who use deadly violence in self-defence, have resulted in an additional 700 homicides in the US each year since their introduction. Under SYG laws, people have no duty to retreat before using deadly force in self-defence. This allows greater legal protection to those who use lethal force.
Oxford Union holds emergency panel on Ukraine Crisis
On February 24th, Russia invaded Ukraine. This is the latest in a series of aggressive actions taken by President Putin: having invaded Georgia in 2008 and illegally annexed Crimea in 2014, his aspirations for reviving the Soviet Union have been made painfully apparent. As Ukraine defies expectations by raising a fierce defence against the Russians and maintaining their hold of Kyiv and other major cities, many across the world are wondering what will happen next.
Former MI6 Chief speaks on Ukraine crisis at Oxford Union
Last night, the Oxford Union welcomed Sir Robert John Sawers, former chief of MI6. Having served as an intelligence officer, diplomat, and civil servant, Sir John was Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service from November 2009 to November 2014. During his tenure, he was a key opponent of the UK government’s decision not to intervene to a greater degree in Syria. This was Sir John’s first opportunity to speak at the Union.
New era of porn not welcome, says Union
The Oxford Union voted against welcoming the new era of porn. The motion failed with 139 votes in favour and 171 votes against. The debate attracted a full house and a loud round of applause as the speakers entered the chamber, particularly for ex Love Island contestant Megan Barton-Hanson.
Oxford University has not joined a pledge to stop using NDAs in misconduct cases
Oxford University is yet to add its pledge to the Can’t Buy My Silence campaign. The campaign aims to end the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) by organisations to settle cases of sexual misconduct, racism, pregnancy discrimination, and other human rights violations. According to the campaign’s website, “these agreements, which threaten people with legal consequences, are being used to cover up abuse, and in some cases, criminal acts”.
Rhodes Scholar withdraws after 'false' claims of poverty
A Rhodes Scholar who claimed that she had grown up in the foster system has lost her scholarship after an investigation revealed that she grew up in a middle-class family and attended a $30,000-per-annum private school. In November 2020, Mackenzie Fierceton was one of just 32 students to be awarded the Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford.
Bridgerton star named Oxford visiting professor
Adjoa Andoh has been named as the next Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre. The Chair of Contemporary Theatre was founded through a grant from the Mackintosh Foundation at St Catherine’s College. It aims to encourage interest and participation in contemporary theatre throughout the wider university. Andoh has directed and acted in a wide range of television productions.
Seven Oxford University members awarded New Year's Honours
Seven members of Oxford University have been recognised by the New Years’ Honours List 2022. The List recognises extraordinary contributions to fields ranging from health to education and aims to praise those who have had a significant positive impact on their community and the wider nation. Professor Irene Tracey FMedSci, MAE, who is both a Professor of Neuroscience and Warden of Merton College, was appointed CBE for her contributions to medical research.
Dame Sarah Gilbert to deliver Richard Dimbleby Lecture
Dame Sarah Gilbert, Saïd Professor of Vaccinology and co-developer of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine, will be delivering the prestigious Richard Dimbleby Lecture on December 6th. The lecture, named in honour of journalist Richard Dimbleby, is delivered by influential figures in business, science, or politics and is broadcast annually by the BBC.
Oxford researchers work alongside Tesco to increase plant-based meals
Food researchers at Oxford Martin School are working with Tesco to increase the plant-based options on our supermarket shelves. In 2020, an international team led by Oxford University revealed that even if fossil fuel emissions stopped immediately, emissions from global food production could raise our planet’s temperatures by more than 1.5 degrees within 30-45 years.
Varsity Trip sold out at high speed, and resold at high prices
At 8am on Thursday, thousands of students across Oxford and Cambridge were waiting in an online queue to buy tickets for the Varsity Trip 2021. The tickets sold out in 30 minutes, a record time, sparking celebration among the Varsity team but disappointment among those left empty-handed. The trip usually takes over 3000 Oxbridge students to the Alps, and 400 extra places were added this year to accommodate increased demand.
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