Latest print edition
Clare May Ball cancelled
Climate protesters rally in central Cambridge
A light-hearted round-up of this week’s stories, including the Sidgwick Site cat and the benefits of pondering artwork
The committee said an increasingly precarious economic landscape contributed to the cancellation
Support Varsity
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.
Read more ...
Applications to be Varsity Editor-in-Chief are open until Thursday 5 June
Tony Booth, a candidate in the upcoming University of Cambridge Chancellorship election was present at the rally
Activists took aim at the bank over their fossil fuels ties and treatment of trans women
The protest was organised by the Organisation of Radical Cambridge Activists
Four figures have so far announced that they will be running for the position
The University’s disciplinary body held zero disciplinary committee meetings for sexual misconduct in Lent, Easter, and Michaelmas term last year according to Freedom of Information requests
Long Read
Wilf Vall talks to the Russian dissident leader about his time in Cambridge
Feature
Emily Cushion recounts the rebellious days of Stephen Fry’s time at Cambridge
Notebook
Ezra Izer reflects on the uncanny emptiness that came with his MPhil rejection
The case for reading weeks
What Scotland can teach us about Reform’s coming wave
How colleges shape the way we see the world
Is networking dead?
Jasper Finlay Burnside
Jasper Finlay Burnside argues that as Reform’s popularity grows, we ignore the politics of the devolved nations at our own peril
Katie Nicholson
Katie Nicholson argues that a mid-term break would improve, rather than undermine, the Cambridge degree structure
Chiraag Shah
Chiraag Shah argues that a Cambridge student’s networking skills are still relevant in the world of work
Johana Trejtnar
Johanna Trejtnar explores how Cambridge voices travel far beyond the UK’s borders
Luca Chandler
Luca Chandler argues that we must reject the tribalism that the college system promotes
Dylan Stewart
Dylan Stewart stresses the significance of Pope Francis’s legacy, and argues that it will endure regardless of the new trajectory of the Catholic Church
Think you know Cambridge? Meet Guessbridge, Cambridge’s answer to Wordle and GeoGuessr
Your starter for ten: behind the scenes of University Challenge
The quiet saboteur: when misogyny comes from within
Crossing academic boundaries: the flexibility and limitations of borrowed papers
Faron Smith talks with the creators and players of Guessbridge, the new daily game taking Cambridge by storm.
Feminism
How female students are learning to silence their internal misogynist
Academic Life
Julia Ongking tests the limits of Cambridge’s academic flexibility
Vintage Varsity
Resident Archivist Lily O’Sullivan dives into the archives for some career guidance and inspiration from those who made it
Dating
Alex Brian finds out if the Cambridge dating scene is really so hopeless.
Ezra Izer interrogates the space between the lecture hall and the ‘For You’ page
University Challenge
From on-set gaffes to filming secrecy, Jonathan Liu speaks to students on what it’s like being on University Challenge.
Commercial Feature
Commercial Feature
‘Let the despair drive you’: reflections on running CURR
‘Herald of the summer’: Pimm’s punt owner on capsizing and cocktails
Dr Ally Louks on going viral for all the wrong reasons
Meet Afua Kyei: Bank of England CFO and Powerlist’s most influential black woman
Tara Buxton reflects on Cambridge’s feminist scene with CURR co-founders
Quickfire
Eleanor Dougan speaks to the floating bar owner about his experiences punting Pimm’s along the Cam
Vienna Kwan reflects with Afua Kyei on her career path
Hannah Burfield speaks to the creative director of the top 10 show
Long Read
Wilf Vall talks to the Russian dissident leader about his time in Cambridge
Quickfire
Mariam Al-Badry talks to Dr Ally Louks about facing the mysogynistic backlash to her PhD thesis on the politics of smell
No need to reinvent the wheel
The age of the hype cycle: why science needs room to breathe
Endometriosis treatment: same old status quo?
Ultra-processed food: is it as bad as they say? 
Darina Leonenko explores how media buzzwords and headline-chasing breakthroughs can generate hype which moves faster than the research
Maya Kunchur explores the effect of ultra-processed foods on your body and asks why they’re still around
Review
Apeike Umolu explores what the University Library’s latest exhibition can teach us about female healthcare in medieval England
Research Round-up
Teymour Taj fills you in on the latest news from the scientific world
The woes of intercollegiate friendships
Which study café are you?
Made in Madrid: a (temporary) home away from home
It’s the little things in life
Made in Madrid
In the next instalment of his column, Patrick Dolan reflects on how he feels lucky to call somewhere new home, even if it’s just temporarily
Quiz
Madeleine Farrow‘s quiz lets you know which study cafe is perfect for you
Notebook
Olivia Redman tells us about the highs and lows of intercollegiate friendships
Guide
Jessica Spearman walks us through the simple pleasures that make life better
Blind date
Philosophy student Grace meets MML student Claire
Guide
Jessica Spearman gives us her best tips for surviving the messiest day of term
‘So many lives’: a Nobel laureate’s year in Cambridge
Bridging the distance
Plays and playing truant: Stephen Fry’s Cambridge
Ways to cure your revision board-dom
Obituary
Angello Alcázar remembers the year that the novelist Mario Vargas Llosa spent in Cambridge
Opinion
Heather Leigh muses on the benefits of playing board games in your study breaks
Feature
Heather Irvine speaks to art collector Chen Jian on his reinterpretation of Queens’ College’s Mathematical Bridge
Feature
Emma Tenzler asks if the university has fully accepted women’s education
Feature
Emily Cushion recounts the rebellious days of Stephen Fry’s time at Cambridge
Review
Ben Birch reviews the latest exhibition at Kettle’s Yard
Black Dandyism: History at the Met
Rhinestone cowgirls and the queer reclamation of country fashion
Of course you have blue hair and pronouns!
Review
Zinzi Mlotshwa explores how Met Gala icons echo the legacy of Black elegance as resistance in a white-dominated industry
Feature
Robin Zubek examines the reasons behind the recent surge in cowboy chic
Guide
Ellie Buckley dives explores how to best accessorise your bag to make it reflect you
Opinion
Grace MacLean examines symbolism in fashion in the current climate
Guide
Maddy Gamble shares her two cents on fashion trends this spring, and how to incorporate them into your own wardrobe
trial and error
Gina Stock finds personal shopping to be an extremely mixed bag
Reality wins more Oscars than fiction
Opinion
Naviya Gupta questions the ethics of our obsession with biopics
Feature
Jaipreet Lully speaks with Cambridge film societies on the political potential of film and TV.
Review
Salome Gakwaya explores how sex work is depicted in Sebastian
Feature
Lara Glennie explores whether cinema tickets can fit into a student budget
global frames
Johnny Massahi explores the rich cinematic history of Iran
Opinion
Alisha Mafaas makes the case for rewatching childhood films and TV
Starting out: how a Cambridge band is born
The pipes are calling: the life of a Cambridge Organ Scholar
Joni Mitchell’s manual for modern life
Interview
The art of starting a Cambridge band
Live Review
Disco Elysium and more at The Old Market
Opinion
Rida Fatima explores Joni Mitchell’s renaissance and asks why her music still remains so relevant
Feature
Watching a beloved Smiths tribute perform at Cambridge MASH, Berry Bottrell considers what it means to have local music brought to you
Jack Marley delves into the art of study playlists, and argues Classical music is made for much more than background noise
Interview
Daniel Kamaluddi sits down with two Organ Scholars to discuss the highs and lows of this Cambridge tradition
Utopia Limited: a witty exploration of imperialism
Purple is the Noblest Shroud: an illumination of a figure lost to the ages
Copenhagen: where history and memory collide
In conversation with Toby Trusted: the importance of gender swapping iconic roles
Review
This ambitious play provides much food for thought, even if its material proves a little too daunting
Theatre
Josh Pritchard finds this satirical opera is limited by its scope, even though there’s still plenty to enjoy 3.5 stars
Review
A fantastic student-written piece about the life of Theodora grapples with a restrictive space
Preview
Kaitlyn Butterly sits down with Toby Trusted to discuss the complexities of gender swapping
Hollywood hits Cambridge in this easily-overlooked treat
Opinion
In a tense political climate, Millie Wooler argues musical theatre is more relevant than ever
Cambridge Cruise to Colossal Victory Over Oxford
Cambridge Cricketing Dreams Crushed by Oxford Onslaught
Varsity Match Venues – Ranked!
Cricket
Joss Heddle-Bacon reports from Lord’s on a brutal Oxford win in the women’s T20 cricket Varsity
Cricket
Joss Heddle-Bacon reports from Lord’s as light blue brilliance obliterated Oxford in the men’s T20 cricket Varsity
Varsity Matches
Joss Heddle-Bacon ranks the best arenas that British University sport’s most famous rivalry has to offer
Preview
Milly Kotecha looks ahead to a thrilling and celebratory term of Cambridge sport
Interviews
Joss Heddle-Bacon talks to Mark Brian about Cambridge’s unique challenges, the GDBO spirit, and his vision for the future
Boat Race
Barney Blackburn on a triumphant weekend for the Light Blues
Cambridge builds up the housing crisis
Maddy Browne argues that Cambridge’s housing issues are reflective of the national crisis