With an alarming drop in vaccination rates and measles on the rise, it is essential to consider the movement behind vaccine hesitancy. By Kimiya Asjadi When the smallpox vaccine was developed by Edward Jenner in 1796 it was considered to be a scientific breakthrough ÔÇô one which was to be celebrated as the introduction of a simple measure to save lives. Fast-forward 200 years, and … Continue reading Vaccines and Anti-Vaxxers
By Elly Savva Although the streets of Cathays have plenty to offer for students in terms of food, shops, and booze, nature and greenery are slightly harder to come by. Unless you venture a little further into Roath or Bute Park, the average student day doesnÔÇÖt involve much interaction with nature. Student lifestyles are also chaotic ÔÇô as many of us lack a regular routine … Continue reading Nature is Reclaiming our Indoors! ÔÇô All Things Houseplants (Print Issue 174)
By Katie Waits Most of us probably have a conspiracy theory that we canÔÇÖt help but at least half believe. From politics to celebrities, historical events to murders, conspiracy theories are everywhere. As far-fetched as they may initially seem, sometimes, somehow, they make sense. But why, if we know that they may never be proven, do we continue to read articles, and watch documentaries and … Continue reading Conspiracy Theories: What’s the allure?
By Elly Savva Coyle Amongst the fear-inducing conversations about the looming climate crisis and the uncertain fate of the planet, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Next to the scale of the impact that the actions of governments and mass corporations can have, the individual can seem powerless ÔÇô which makes it tempting to shy away from the truth. However, facing up to reality and … Continue reading Imperfect Environmentalism
By Rebecca Astill When you think of festivals a few things might come to mind; excitement, anticipation, entertainment. However, there is a darker side to the coin. Perhaps the most shocking of headlines this festival season were those on 17-year-old Anya Buckley who died after drug complications at Leeds festival. Anya Buckley died in the early hours of the 24th August in what Leeds festival … Continue reading Death, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll
By Phoebe Bohana In the last month, the UK political system has demonstrated very powerfully the differences between past and present political systems. Boris Johnson became leader of the Conservative party after he won over an astonishing amount of party members. How did he become the favourite to win? In this article we look at the strategic intent behind political personas and the changing media … Continue reading Politics, Personality, Power: One man’s curious rise to Number 10
By Rebecca Astill If youÔÇÖre anything like me, first year comes with a mountain of expectations. Having worked my arse off for the past 4 years of public examination years to get into Cardiff University, I was determined to have the best three years of my life. IÔÇÖm about to go into my third year, and IÔÇÖd say IÔÇÖve not done too badly in living … Continue reading A Letter to Freshers
By Ashley Boyle Ever thought about how your imageÔÇÖs likes compare to your mates? Why do they have more likes than you? What are you doing wrong? Well, Instagram has acknowledged the competitive and dark nature of the little red heart and has decided to take action. The image-sharing giant has removed the ability to see how many likes an image has received from its … Continue reading Does the likely death of the Instagram ÔÇÿLikeÔÇÖ signal the end of Influencer Culture?
By Katie May Huxtable The Royal Family play a hugely symbolic role in contemporary British society, often acting as a metaphor for what it means to be British. However, with Meghan MarkleÔÇÖs marriage to Prince Harry in May of 2018, a new royal identity has been forged. Being a typical member of British society and being biracial can no longer be perceived as incompatible identities. … Continue reading Are the Press unfairly demonising Meghan Markle?
By Emily SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS After attending around seven different festivals over the past four years, this summer I will be going to my eighth music festival, but for me it will be very different to my other experiences. And no, it isnÔÇÖt because I wonÔÇÖt be attending Reading Festival for the fifth year in a row (unfortunately, IÔÇÖm not so keen on the pop-dominated line … Continue reading Festivals: Dance Your Way To Sustainability
By Molly Govus At the age of 8, I had comfortably spent all of my life by my mother’s side. With an absent father, it is easy to say that my mum was, and still is, my dearest and closest friend. We spent every day together, close and entwined between the walls of our ground floor flat. It was just my mum and I, our … Continue reading Adapting: A Personal Story
By Sai When I got into first year, there was a lovely lad, in my student flat, offering me tea. Naturally I was smitten, and we started dating. However, I still had Uni work to do, and he had graduated that year and lived in west Wales, 4 hours away via public transport. We made it work and are still happily together! The key was … Continue reading How to keep a Relationship Going at University
By Elly Savva Coyle With rising exposure due to their shutdown of London in April, disruption of cities in June, high-profile celebrity endorsements and plans for more mass acts of civil disobedience across the year ÔÇô Extinction Rebellion (XR) have suddenly become a household name. However, there has been somewhat of a divided response to the movement from the political world, the media and amongst … Continue reading A Deep Dive Into The Extinction Rebellion Movement
I grew up in a home full of women: my mother, myself and my two sisters. If ever there were an environment where open conversations surrounding sticky topics like sexuality, relationships and puberty were to take place, this should be the ideal situation. And yet, one month before my fourteenth birthday, I went to the bathroom to find, much to my horror, blood in my … Continue reading Female Shame, Periods, and The Magic of Menstrual Cups
By Sarah Belger ItÔÇÖs not exactly a recent discovery that women statistically earn less than men, even when doing the same job. It is however more surprising that this is also the case when women are arguably performing better. With their success in this yearÔÇÖs WomenÔÇÖs World Cup, the US National WomenÔÇÖs Team (USNWT) have now won the tournament an astonishing four times; meanwhile their … Continue reading Mind the Football Pay Gap
By Rebecca Astill Reality TV and mental health are two topics becoming increasingly intertwined in todayÔÇÖs society. ITVÔÇÖs Love Island forefronts the debate between creating ÔÇÿgoodÔÇÖ television, and its effect on the individualsÔÇÖ mental health. This season has already sparked Ofcom complaints and concerns for the health of the islanders, including Anna and AmberÔÇÖs reactions towards Danny following YewandeÔÇÖs exit, JoeÔÇÖs perceived controlling behaviour towards … Continue reading Are Love Island’s new Mental Health Measures Enough?
By Freyja Elsy After taking a year out after school to work for a while, save up some money and to undertake a qualification I needed to apply for my course at Cardiff, I was desperate to start my university degree. IÔÇÖd meet plenty of new people from various walks of life and finally work out how to become a functioning adult in my twenties. … Continue reading Reflecting on Three Years
Soroptimist International is a global volunteer movement working to improve the lives of girls and women, spreading across all continents, with clubs in many towns and cities. It was founded in 1921 in California by a group of women to ÔÇ£Save the RedwoodsÔÇØ, the clubÔÇÖs first project, which was successfully lobbied saving the forest, creating a following and new clubs. Interestingly, during the same years, … Continue reading Soroptimist International
By Eleanor Scales & Lindsay Smith Being homeless is never a great time – but the winter months are when people suffer the most, due to a lack of coats, clothes, blankets and shelter. Last year, it was reported that 78 homeless people died due to cold weather. We spoke to ex-homeless people – who are now living in free accommodation provided by homeless charity … Continue reading We spoke to ex-homeless people about what itÔÇÖs like to live on the streets in the yearÔÇÖs coldest months
Rhianna Hurren-Myers Climate change is like an old family heirloom, increasing in cost as it is passed down from generation to generation. Except this time, the antique issue of global warming is about to self-destruct, and with it falls civilisation and society as we know it. For though we are not the first to hold the burden of climate change in our hands, we will … Continue reading A Rallying Cry for Survival
