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Cambridge academics stand out in King’s 2026 Honours List
Cambridge businesses concerned infrastructure delays will hurt growth
The movement’s founder went viral talking about racism in Cambridge and claims ‘Cambridge sucks for queer people of colour’
Report details concerns about whether the government will be able to reach its growth targets for the region
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Varsity is the independent newspaper for the University of Cambridge, established in its current form in 1947. In order to maintain our editorial independence, our print newspaper and news website receives no funding from the University of Cambridge or its constituent Colleges.
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News in Brief
A light-hearted round up of this week’s stories, from Cambridge making it to the Graham Norton couch, to an astronaut innovation award
This year, the King’s Honours List features several Cambridge faculty and alum, including Dr. Suzy Lishman, Meera Syal, and Dr. Tristram Hunt
The pharma company claims ‘widespread defects’ in the construction of their Discovery Centre cost them millions
A roundup of the biggest stories covered by Varsity this year, from divestment decisions to kebab shop closures
A roundup of the biggest stories covered by Varsity this year, from divestment decisions to kebab shop closures
Interview
Sam Ho breaks down the captivating story of New Zealand artistic gymnast and Cambridge sporting sensation Maddie Marshall
Agony Aunt
Alice Frecheville returns for the third (and final) Michaelmas installment of Ask Auntie Alice
The science behind muscle soreness (and what you can do to fix it)
Report details concerns about whether the government will be able to reach its growth targets for the region
Plastic pubs: the problem with Cambridge alehouses 
What happened to men at Cambridge?
Yes, I’m brown – but I have more important things to say
The ‘class’ of Cambridge
Ivo Morrey
Ivo Morrey explores the inhumane nature of Cambridge pubs
Yashraj Garg
Yashraj Garg dissects the silent struggle of men within the University’s gender dynamics
Elena Buermann
Elena Buermann challenges the result of the SU’s recent referendum on veganism
Holly Farrell
Holly Farrell argues that Cambridge’s position at the top of league tables shouldn’t make us blind to their negative impact
Beth Wade
Beth Wade argues that class divisions in our social interactions are often based more on negative preconceptions than reality
Navya Sharma Tyagali
Navya Sharma Tyagali argues that Cambridge is not excluded from the trend of intellectually ostracising minority voices
“It’s a momentary expression of rage”: reforming democracy from Cambridge
‘Treated like we’re incompetent’: ents officers on college micromanagement
Who gets to speak at the Cambridge Union?
Should I stay or should I go? Cambridge students and alumni reflect on how their memories stay with them
Alessia Fietta speaks to Union members about issues with inclusivity and diversity in debate
Sam Elgar speaks to Cambridge-based experts on democracy to discuss its future in our country
Grace Howell speaks to ents officers struggling to assert their autonomy in the college system
Frida Bradbrook speaks to student helpers about their experiences working at interview days
Francesca Evans looks at Cambridge’s quiet pull on those who stay put or inevitably return
Juliette Berry speaks to queer students about their desire for a more established queer community at Cambridge
Digital technologies are leading to more young people experiencing OCD symptoms
Thea Grant explores the often overlooked work of the university’s housekeeping and maintenance teams
Commercial Feature
Commercial Feature
Commercial Feature
Commercial Feature
Commercial Feature
Commercial Feature
Commercial Feature
Commercial Feature
Commercial Feature
Commercial Feature
Commercial Feature
Commercial Feature
You don’t need to peak at Cambridge, says Robin Harding
Politics, your own way: Tilly Middlehurst on speaking out
Anthony Gong on what politicians can learn from competitive debate
Quickfire
Anthony Gong reflects on competitive debate and the evolution of public discourse with Giovanni Lacroix
Vienna Kwan and the Asia Editor of The Financial Times discuss why the university-to-career trajectory is rarely straightforward
Jasmine Heddle-Bacon discusses the perils of perfectionism with the student singer-songwriter
Carissa Wong sits down with Jessie Lau to discuss her journalistic work, ethics and aims
Niara Morenas sits down with the viral debater to reflect on misinterpretation and the urgency of political engagement.
Eleanor Dougan meets Natalie Haynes to reflect on her career in comedy, and to discuss her latest novel
Why can’t you walk properly after leg day?
Astronomical events to look out for over the break
The science behind muscle soreness (and what you can do to fix it)
Interview
Lucy George talks to researchers at Cancer UK about their goals, motivations, and the challenges they face
Sophie Patel’s recommendations for a stellar way to spend your vacation
Dhruv Shenai shines a light on the science research behind your Christmas
Laura Verdina explains why populations of this evergreen parasite are exploding in Cambridge
Asha Torczon explores why the female population are more susceptible to autoimmune diseases and the impact of misogyny in medical research
Blind Date: ‘Not the most awkward first date I’ve been on!’
New year, better me 
Ask Auntie Alice
Who will you become in 2026?
Feature
Troy Francis-Brown offers a more sustainable approach to New Year’s resolutions
Blind Date
Ethan meets Sara for a blind date
Holly gets real about the highs and lows of being the man with the cam
Agony Aunt
Alice Frecheville returns for the third (and final) Michaelmas installment of Ask Auntie Alice
Quiz
The academic weapon or the Revs rat? Mary Anna Im and Georgia Gooding use their crystal ball to see what’s in store for you in 2026
Finn Costello O’Reilly examines each component of Christmas dinner to determine what delivers and what disappoints
The Substack revolution
Have a novel New Year!
A trad-ish-onal Christmas with Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares
Feature
Otto Bajwa-Greenwood considers Foucualt’s stranglehold on academia
Opinion
Though literacy may be in decline, Otto Bajwa-Greenwood finds hope in new media
Review
Sophie Smout reads some teenage fiction to feel festive
Feature
Rachel Jones guides us through Cambridge’s world of cheap print
Review
Greg Quinn considers Blake’s poetry alongside Benita Kevill-Davies’ paintings
Lock your wardrobes and hide the keys
The resurgence of the sari
Renowned wardrobe thief, Jess Gotterson, realises her younger sister is more stylish than her – and here’s why
Feature
Arushi Dattani makes the case for the return of the traditional South Asian garment
Feature
Arushi Dattani consults A Newnham Anthology to get a better insight into how some of the first female Cambridge students dressed
Feature
Matilda Billinge muses on how 20th century futurism actually relates to where fashion is headed
Feature
Arushi Dattani investigates what gives French fashion its unique allure
Guide
Olivia Redman shares tips on sourcing affordable and sustainable formal wear
I can’t finish my essay, I’ve Gone Fishing
The Wicked consequences of film marketing 
Opinion
Daniella Adetoye believes that Hallmark films prioritise ambience over analysis
Review
Dan Porritt recommends Mortimer and Whitehouse’s show as an antidote to uni life
Opinion
Ellie Smith explores how fan relationships are weaponised to encourage parasocialism
Review
Mia Badby revisits the darkness of Kubrick’s Christmastime classic
Opinion
Ollie Godkin explores the science behind comfort shows
Feature
Daniella Adetoye follows the Marty Supreme press tour
Rizzle Kicks bring the sunshine
Creating connection and chaos with CD collecting 
Guide
Isobel Heal examines the defiant power of a CD collection to discover music, connect people and counteract algorithm-controlled listening
Review
Live at the Corn Exchange, Rizzle Kicks were the perfect antidote to a cold Cambridge day, says Uma Kukreja
Album Review
Caitlin Newman examines Allie X’s latest album as a guide to navigate Cambridge winter slumps
Live Review
Millie Wooler reviews the last of the great Mancunian bass players
Head to Head
Caitlin Newman and Millie Wooler argue for and against the case of Christmas songs
Guide
In a band? Rohan Teelock-Gaya brings you a guide of how to keep the momentum going
Finding Cambridge’s best theatre venue
We should be filming ADC productions
All the world’s a stage
Opinion
Elsie Hayward argues for the value of smaller-scale involvement in theatre
Opinion
Daisy Simpson considers Corpus Playroom against the ADC
Opinion
Ella Hardy explores how digitalisation could improve Cambridge theatre
Opinion
Barney Sayburn makes the case for site-specific theatre
Feature
Ahead of a run at the Cambridge Corn Exchange, Eleanor Baldwin muses on how this classic ballet became bound up in Christmas
Opinion
Daisy Simpson reflects on Suzie Miller’s Inter Alia and what this means for female protagonists
Could 2026 test the patience of the footballing world with its politicians? 
Hard work, heartbreak and hope: international gymnast Maddie Marshall’s journey 
Palo Alto to Cambridge: Nate Bottomley’s Sporting Journey
Keane Handley asks if some politicians are going too far, tainting The Beautiful Game
Interview
Sam Ho breaks down the captivating story of New Zealand artistic gymnast and Cambridge sporting sensation Maddie Marshall
Test Cricket
Ed Parker breaks down England’s latest Ashes humbling
Comment
Keane Handley explores whether sportspeople have a moral responsibility to be doing more
Football
Ben Madden attends a Spanish second division match, to see if Britain’s tradition of well-attended lower division football has anything to learn
Interview
Sam Ho catches up with Blues’ fly-half Nate Bottomley, one of the University’s leading student athletes
Yes, I’m brown – but I have more important things to say
Navya Sharma Tyagali argues that Cambridge is not excluded from the trend of intellectually ostracising minority voices