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A lighthearted round-up of this week’s Cambridge news, featuring green-thumbed engineers and yet another creative use for AI
Several May Balls have announced that Emma students will be able to access discounted tickets to their May Week events
Together, Oxford and Cambridge University raised 48% of total donations
The University has decided not to pause undergraduate admissions for Veterinary Medicine
The letter has stated that the College is at risk of ‘legal liability and reputational damage’
Diversity
Ria Patel traces the racial makeup of Cambridge’s academic staff, and why faculty diversity is so important.
Notebook
As the end of her third and final year approaches, Sophie Denny dwells on the importance of making the most of Cambridge while we’re still here
Opinion
Exploring the complexities of mental health on stage can be instrumental to de-stigmatisation, but comes with its risks
Maddie Harding
Maddie Harding argues that Labour’s decision to cut aid funding will have disasterous consequences
Maddy Browne
Colleges need to do more to tackle harmful rhetoric about LGBTQ+ History Month, argues Maddy Browne
Nick Davis
College Masters risk losing themselves to nostalgia, argues Nick Davis
Martha Rayner
We need to deglamorize what taking social action looks like, argues Martha Rayner
Rosie Roberts
Big name May Balls waste more money than they’re worth, argues Rosie Roberts
Wellbeing
Ivo Morrey investigates the pets of Cambridge colleges
Vintage Varsity
Resident archivist Anna Herbert investigates the experiences of women at Cambridge through the years
Diversity
Ria Patel traces the racial makeup of Cambridge’s academic staff, and why faculty diversity is so important.
Transport
Calum Murray speaks with those involved in the construction of the new rail line between Oxford and Cambridge.
Societies
Jaipreet Lully explores the role of cultural societies at Cambridge in diversifying the university and providing a safe space
Lectures
Julia Ongking talks to Cantabs about their lecture attendance
Scholarships
Zindzi Khaya Douglas-Pedersen meets the people behind the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Women's Safety
Lowenna Biscoe uncovers the initiatives throughout Cambridge city centre to support women’s safety
Commercial Feature
Commercial Feature
Commercial Feature
Haris Khan talks to the podcaster and debater about having intellectual humilty in philosophy and politics
Quickfire
Scotia Smith talks to Valeriya Damola about how students can take care of their mental health
Kaitlyn Butterly speaks to Helen Molyneux on founding Monumental Welsh Women
Long Read
Charlie Rowan talks to Nathan Law about human rights activism, Chinese influence in UK universities, and having a 1M HKD bounty on his head
Quickfire
Sammy McDonald speaks about his experience at the Union, along with present and future aspirations
Olivia Solomons talks to former International Criminal Court Judge Sir Howard Morrison
Elisabeta Darie discusses how commercial spaceflight could change the atmosphere around accessibility
Ruby Jackson spotlights some of the latest scientific developments
Ezra Izer discusses the genetic analysis that has supposedly identified Jack the Ripper
Interview
Yi Sum Yue speaks to two practitioners about its growing popularity, and controversy
Jade Scardham explores how venom-based medicines are transforming healthcare
Opinion
Claire Ding explores how the administration’s policies will affect scientific progress, from public health to space exploration
Notebook
Jess Dodwell contemplates the move from a rural village to a student city
Guide
Salome Gakwaya reminds us that making friends is worth stepping outside of your comfort zone for
Jess Spearman reflects on why it’s so important to not get swept up into the hustle culture of Cambridge
Quiz
Ellie Buckley provides all the questions for you to finally determine what role you play in your friendship group
Guide
Claire Ding reminds us of the little things to help us get through the grey days
Trial and Error
Salome Gakwaya abandons the English Faculty and tries being an engineer for a day
Preview
Ezra Izer sits down with the organisers of a groundbreaking exhibition at Caius, challenging tradition while raising funds for Clarissa’s Campaign and Cambridge Pink Week
Ellie Buckley sees past Robinson College’s concrete exterior and inspects the art held within
Feature
Sanaer Madden explores the similarity between Edward Hopper’s paintings and Cambridge’s scenery
Review
Eve Connor visits the Echolocate exhibition at Queen’s, reflecting on art which finds itself through others
Off the Bookshelf
The Varsity Arts editors pick Rupert Brooke’s poem off the bookshelf, and think about what it means to Cambridge students of today
Opinion
Heather Leigh asks if imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery
Kristina Barani reveals the potential fashion gems that are hidden away at the back of our parent’s wardrobes
List
Mary Anna Im shares the most interesting current fashion audio experiences
Review
Rose Beedle examines some of the choices at this year’s Oscars
Mae Auckland argues for the resurgence of hats and the creative possibilities they hold
Opinion
Gina Stock argues we must resist adopting the ridiculous ‘costume’ of the far right
Opinion
Mary Anna Im discusses the true extent to which online fashion trends dominate our own fashion identities
opinion
Daisy Simpson fears that Amazon’s Bond takeover might be a sign of something darker
Review
Tom Rowe reviews Mike Leigh’s latest feature
Review
Jaipreet Lully recommends a show to remind us that the end-of-term blues are worth taking one day at a time
Opinion
Amanda Ljungberg takes us through how the new season of The White Lotus is bound to impact Thailand, for better or worse
review
Neha Pauly reviews the Cannes Grand Prix winning Indian film All We Imagine as Light
Opinion
In the age of TikTok songs and attention deficits, Tia Ribbo declares it more important than ever to listen to albums in full
Opinion
Max Woodward explores why the BRIT Awards are still important for the British music industry
Playlist
Beat the sluggishness and keep on track with Varsity’s running playlist
Review
Jessica Spearman reflects on Sam Fender’s People Watching, from Cambridge and Newcastle
Interview
Lauren Herd speaks to Iona Luke about songwriting, the music industry, and the future
Live Review
Daisy Cooper reviews Squid, whose new album Cowards tackles human depravity in a comic fashion
Review
Bethinn Feely talks with BATS Technical Director Finlay Wyer about his aim to change the working relationship between ‘techies’, actors, and production teams.
Review
Despite (or perhaps because of) its lingering ambiguity, Friends of the God delivers a visceral, unsettling experience
Review
Leon Rake thinks Sola is what it means to touch emptiness – to realise that absence is never truly empty, but full of echoes that refuse to fade
Review
Student theatre thrives on ambition, but Dunhuang tests whether this alone can carry a story across centuries, cultures, and a sparse stage
Review
We are not as far from the violence, suspicion, and humiliation of the witch trials as we might like to think
Preview
Zach Lonberg chats with Footlight and filmmaker Sameera Bhalotra Bowers about The Golden God, a mockumentary spoof of the Cambridge theatre scene
Comment
Oscar O’Neill examines some of the most iconic duos in the sporting universe
Rugby
Joss Heddle-Bacon reports on an electric 142nd Men’s Varsity Match
Football
Alisha Mafaas sits down with the captains of CUISoc FC to talk about the club’s sporting success and its religious foundations
Netball
Louise Crary reports on Netball Varsity
Captain's Corner
Joss Heddle-Bacon speaks to Alexia Dengler and Reece Linney ahead of the marquee clash
Cambridge United
Max Eshelby discusses the recent managerial changes at Cambridge United and whether this will be enough for the club to stay in League One
Why I’m not a girlboss
A culture of corporate feminism risks alienating women who do not fit the girlboss image