The Gaudie 26th April 2023

Vol 90 No 4 - Wed 26 April 2023 iV magazine inside ‘This harms students, not the institution’: Students express concern over marking boycott Daisy Jones & the Six (2023) | Review For the last week, members of the Universities and Colleges Union (UCU) have engaged in a marking and assessment boycott, refusing to mark or submit any summative assignments, including dissertations, exams, and other forms of assessment. The boycott is the latest escalation of national dispute over pay and pensions between UCU, which represents 70,000 academic staff; and employers at universities around the UK. Speaking to The Gaudie, a number of students have described feelings of anxiety and anger over the boycott, fearing the detrimental effects it will have on final year students awaiting dissertation results. A 4th Year English Lit student told The Gaudie: ‘It’s not our fault they don’t get paid enough. The majority of students support their reasoning, including me, but not marking final year dissertations is a joke. What are we paying for?’ Likewise, a 4th Year DHPA student commented: ‘I've been very supportive of all the UCU industrial action, but I feel the impact this will have on final year students and international students is just too high for me to support this measure. I empathise with the struggles of UCU staff at the university, but this harms students not the institution.’ A 4th Year Politics and IR student added: ‘I have had sympathy and support for the lecturers for striking over pay and pensions for every year of my 4 year degree, but boycotting marking assessments during the last term of our undergraduate degree when we need our grades to graduate and process admissions for graduate school makes my blood boil…’ Students have also expressed concerns over the effect the strikes may have on international students, some of whom rely on timely marking to pay off loans or maintain their right to stay in the UK. When asked whether they support the boycott, one student commented: ‘Not at all, students pay huge sums of money including English and International students to get an excellent education. This is a step too far by the union and students' interests are clearly now behind lecturers’ interests which is wrong. This is also causing a lot of unnecessary mental stress for students like myself who have exams in May.’ Another student, who said they supported strike action in general, shared how the boycott would affect them personally. They said: ‘ … taking action that directly impacts students in a way that feels almost targeted doesn't get my support and I fail to see how it would be the most useful course of action for UCU either. In addition to visas, some international students also need grades in time for bursaries and student loans (e.g. I personally would face debt collection measures for the student loans of the entire year if I couldn't submit my grades and progress reports in time)...’ Aberdeen UCU told The Gaudie that their members were ‘truly dismayed’ that a marking boycott was needed, placing the blame on the University and UCEA (employers’ bargaining agency) for failing to provide a ‘reasonable solution’ to end the dispute. ‘Academics are scholars and educators first, and not assessors,’ a statement read. ‘Our primary job is to make sure that our students have the best preparation for whatever they face be they exams, essays, or their work after University. If assessments are critical to the functioning of the University then it is up to the University managers to realise that they have to invest in this activity.’ In an email to students, Vice-Principal for Education Ruth Taylor shared that most UoA students would not be affected by the boycott. She said: '... Not all staff belong to UCU and… many students will not be affected. You should continue to study and prepare for your exams or other assessments that are scheduled according to the published deadlines.' 'Our priority is to ensure you receive your marks and feedback and that you progress to the next stage of study or graduate as expected,' Taylor continued. 'We are doing all we can to make that happen.' However, while the University's message to students was decidedly upbeat, members of staff received a less positive email from senior management. Senior Vice Principal Karl Leydecker told staff that those engaged in the boycott had breached their contract. He said: 'Whilst we accept that UCU members are legally entitled to participate in the action, we are concerned at the potentially severe impact that a marking and assessment boycott may have on our students.' Leydecker continued, informing staff that those engaged in the boycott would be docked 50% of their pay until marking resumed. He commented: 'The University has decided that pay will be deducted from those participating in the marking and assessment boycott at the rate of 50%, whilst reserving the right to deduct pay based on 100%. This is in recognition of the severity of the impact of a marking and assessment boycott on students.' Responding to the decision in an email circulated among members, UCU Aberdeen blasted the pay cut, labelling it as 'a punitive measure that is out of line with many in the sector.' They “Let Me Down Easy” with this TV adaptation. Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll; Daisy Jones & the Six supplies the 70s rock star drama but lacks the grit and rawness that the book depicts so well. The Prime series is based on the bestselling novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The mockumentary-style drama conveys the story of a fictional 70s band from their rise to fame to their sudden split during their world tour. However, the focal point is the tempestuous relationship between the band's lead singers, Daisy Jones (Riley Keough) and Billy Dunne (Sam Claflin) Continued on page 2-3 in IV by Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco by Grace Taylor UCU members have refused to mark assignments since 20 April. Thinking of Getting Into Teaching? I'm About to Graduate... What's Next? Life & Style IV p.9 Features Newspaper p.5 In Conversation With the LGBT Fourm News Newspaper p.2 Joe Biden Arrives In Ireland to Celebrate 25 Years of The Good Friday Agreement International Newspaper p.8

The Gaudie interviewed the Forum’s Events and Public Relations Officer, Esme Houston, earlier this month to ask how the Forum is doing, what challenges they are facing and what improvements could be made on the University of Aberdeen campus. What is the role of the LGBT+ Forum in the University of Aberdeen? 'Making sure that LGBT+ students know that they're not alone is definitely an important part of the forum. The forum provides support, events, networking and makes a presence for the LGBT+ students on campus. The biggest monthly event is the karaoke night with about 40 people attending. We have bi-weekly LGBTea events where we meet up to drink tea in the Student Union Building and a games afternoon at Four Pillars Aberdeen every Friday. People come up to us and talk about how much more welcome they've felt coming to know the forum exists and finding a community where they can feel like themselves and be safe. This year by coalescing many separate queer groups in Aberdeen together, Aberdeen has a queer scene for arguably the first time.' Has the LGBT+ forum faced challenges on campus? 'The forum has been approached with issues where people have been going in and smashing menstrual products in the men's bathrooms making the products destroyed. The university has put up free menstrual products in both men's and women's bathrooms because there are some men who menstruate. There has also been issues people are having with a lack of gender neutral toilets on campus. The Sir Duncan Rice Library does have gender neutral toilets, but most older buildings don't have that option. The third big problem is the university’s IT systems when it comes to trying to change your legal name or your academic name. This has been an ongoing problem that the forum has been at war with the University for years now.' What improvements would the forum like to see on campus? 'We would suggest solving the problems that were mentioned: making it easier to change your name, gender neutral toilets and having a more robust disciplinary procedure for hate crimes to take place on campus and in an online setting. If someone gets caught vandalising period products in the men's bathrooms, there should be disciplinary action for that. Even relatively superficial things would help a lot, like putting up more pride flags around campus and making a more visible queer presence. Wandering around campus, being ourselves as LGBT+ students is changing a lot of social attitudes at the university. I think a lot of homophobia and transphobia come from people who've never met a gay or trans person and meeting someone who is queer and finding out they're just a normal person with normal person problems can help to deprogram a lot of hatred.' How has the forum reacted to the political discussion on transgender and LGBT+ rights in the UK and the US recently? 'The recent build up of opposition to trans people existing has shifted into a more of a violent direction. Since I moved to Aberdeen I have heard of half a dozen hate crimes happening among 100 people over two years. It is not huge in terms of safety of trans people in Aberdeen on a dayto-day basis but our legal rights are slowly being stripped away by the government in Westminster. In the UK, we saw the Section 35 order from Westminster that blocked the Scottish’s Government’s Gender Recognition Bill reform back in January 2023. We had sizable protests about that in Aberdeen with over 100 people attending including allies, people from various organisations and councillors from the Aberdeen City Council which was quite inspiring to see. Everyone I've spoken to who is aware of what's going on in the US right now, the overwhelming reaction has been one of disgust about states potentially outlawing gender transition under the age of 18 or generally and banning LGBT+ education and books. What we need to be doing as the forum is turning a lot of people's attention to the fact that these issues need to be fought for. We're not going to back down and stop fighting anytime soon. We’re making sure that LGBT+ people are able to support each other to get through these problems. We can make things better for trans and queer people where we are: in the Aberdeen City Council and at the University.' p.2 EDITORS-IN-CHIEF ([email protected]) Holly Ferguson Matthew Sheppard NEWS ([email protected]) EDITOR: Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco DEPUTY EDITOR: Kani Barzani DEPUTY EDITOR: Clive Davies FEATURES ([email protected]) EDITOR: Maeve Topliff DEPUTY EDITOR: Fi Hennicken INTERNATIONAL ([email protected]) CO-EDITOR: Gemma Mcleod CO-EDITOR: Eddie Nicholls SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT ([email protected]) EDITOR: Straun Donachie SPORTS ([email protected]) EDITOR: Ewan Knox OPINE ([email protected]) EDITOR: Caterina Fumero DEPUTY EDITOR: Tiina Heikkinen SATIRE ([email protected]) EDITOR: Maggie Johnson PUZZLES EDITOR: Holly Ferguson Editorial Team HEAD OF PRODUCTION ([email protected]) Theodore Williamson PRODUCTION DESIGNERS Zeta Kartsagkouli Isabelle Hampton-Zabotti Beth Templeton Fred Allen Grace Taylor Jukka Seppälä Miles Rothoerl SOCIAL MEDIA Leah Flint Alex Lawson Charlotte Hill SOCIAL SECRETARY Cathy Steven PHOTOGRAPHER Aedan Brennan Leah Flint Production Team We voluntarily adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (www.ipso.co.uk) and aim to provide fair and balanced reporting. The Hub Elphinstone Road Old Aberdeen AB24 3TU Tel: 01224 272980 The Gaudie is printed on 100% recycled paper. Note from the Editor: Hiya everyone, Hope you are well, and that your exams and assessments are not too stressful. Welcome to our last edition for the 2022/23 year!!! In some ways this seems to have been a very slow year, winter has dragged on and final exams are forever looming on the horizon. However, maybe it is fourth year syndrome, but it has gone by far too quickly. Often I get a little teary eyed over graduating and never seeing anyone from uni again. Slightly dramatic, but there will be people I will never see and you will never see again. What a horrible thought. While uni has been difficult, it has to be the best thing I have done in my short 22 years of life, and a huge part of that has been the Gaudie. At times, I have wanted to tear the paper up bit by bit in all honesty. It comes with many issues and problems which are more than a headache when you have a dissertation due the same week as the next edition. Yet, it has been an amazing experience. From meeting new people, broadening my skill set and becoming involved in uni life beyond my classes, I love this little newspaper and its community. The Gaudie has always provided a forum for students to voice their views and opinions and I hope this year we have allowed for a variety of contributions from the whole student population. Our main achievement this year has been the huge increase in engagement especially on the website and social media. The Gaudie has flourished from year to year but this time we have reached more people than ever before. So as a final send off, I hope you love reading this edition, even if this editor’s note was full of premature nostalgia. Maybe it’s because I’m listening to ‘You’re on your own, Kid’ by Taylor Swift. :/ Anyway, thank you so much for being a part of our story this year and I wish you all the best for the future. Holly xxx Live Laugh Love Gaudie 'We can make things better': In conversation with the LGBT+ Forum LGBT+ Forum PR Officer Esme Houston chats with The Gaudie by Sara A Photo courtesy of the LGBT+ fourm

p.3 A USA has been pursuing alternative avenues of funding for their free bike hiring scheme after failing to secure £50,000 from the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Participatory Budgeting Fund, a sustainability fund supporting projects that contribute to a transition to net zero. Members of the public were asked to vote for their choice of project from a selection of 22 applicants. Projects would then be allocated funding proportionate to the votes received until the £333,000 pot was empty. Despite extensive campaigning online and on campus, AUSA’s campaign narrowly missed out on securing funds by a mere 7 votes, making it the most supported project to ultimately not receive any funding. Joseph Huttich, AUSA’s member of staff in charge of the scheme, believes that the December vote may have come at an inopportune time for campaigning, stating: ‘While this [was] annoying for everyone who put a lot of effort into our campaign, we would like to imagine we could have been successful had the vote been at a time when more students were on campus…’ Despite disappointment in the result, AUSA has been able to secure over £20,000 from the Transport for Scotland eBike Grant from the Energy Saving Trust, as well as £5,000 from the University of Aberdeen’s Development Trust. In addition, the University has contributed their stock of staff E-bikes to the project, having switched to using Big Issue E-bikes as transportation. AUSA began the scheme in 2019 through a combination of funding from the Climate Challenge Fund and a donation of bicycles from RGU Union. Since then, AUSA asserts that their bikes have been ridden over 13,800km. Although theirs is not the first free bike hire service in Aberdeen, AUSA stress that their project is primarily aimed at accessibility; prioritising the ordering of trikes, recumbent bicycles and other forms of adapted vehicles. While AUSA have delayed the launch of some of their bicycles, citing supply chain issues, the overall sense is optimistic, with Communities VP Camilo Torres Barragán adding:'We are… hoping that the University see how helpful bikes are for students to save money, gain autonomy, stay active and get to know their surroundings better, and decide to give us more support.’ Details about how to take advantage of the scheme can be found on AUSA’s website. We are… hoping that the University see how helpful bikes are for students to save money, gain autonomy, stay active and get to know their surroundings better, and decide to give us more support.’ ‘Severely Overpriced’: Students Criticise Activities Ball High ticket price primary point of contention Going to a celebratory ball has been a yearly tradition for many sports teams and societies at the University. This year's event, the first to include a joint Sport and Societies Ball, took place on the 29th of March at the P&J Live. Amid reports of student complaints about the ball, The Gaudie wanted to find out where exactly AUSA went wrong with the event and what lead many students to regret attending, as well as getting feedback from AUSA on the issue. A survey was sent out to students in a number of sports teams and societies. Statistics showed that 66% of students who responded gave the event an overall rating of 1-2 out of 5. Additionally, 100% voted 1 and 2 out of 5 when it came to the amount paid for the quality they got. Plus, the food and drinks variety were given a disappointing rating of 1 out of 5 by 70% of the students, while the activities and entertainment were given a 3 out of 5-star rating by 40% of the students. When asked what key disappointing factors were, answers included 'ticket prices were not equivalent to what we got,' 'bar prices were definitely not student friendly,' 'poor space planning for ceilidh dance,' 'Portion of food was tiny compared to the ticket price we paid,' 'the venue wasn’t meant for full capacity,' and 'the meal was nothing exciting.' Alternatively, when asked about what they liked most, many students joked about not finding a single thing while other students mentioned the 360 photo booth and the ceilidh dance. 'As a student event it was severely overpriced for the contents of the night,' one student told us. 'I think it should have been a lot cheaper or more should have been offered considering the price,' another said. 'The activities ball did not live up to a 65-pound ticket,' a third added. All in all, the majority of the students who filled in our survey were disappointed with the quality of the event when compared to the price of the ticket, especially in a cost of living crisis. After hearing from the students, The Gaudie asked for a response from AUSA. Vice President of Activities Adam Lambert said: 'We were delighted to be able to provide our first joint Sports and Societies Ball to celebrate the contribution our student-led groups make to university life. This was our biggest and most successful event since returning to in person events with over 600 students attending and 50 activities represented on the night.' We appreciate all feedback and are always looking at ways in which we can continue to improve and grow events in the future. Our ticket price reflected the cost of delivering the event at a venue capable of holding such a large ball and is in line with similar events at other universities. Our price was not designed to deliver a profit and unfortunately events like this have sadly not been immune to the increase in operating costs. We tried very hard to maintain the balance between keeping ticket prices to a minimum and including as much value within the ticket price as possible and will continue to review that based on the views of students.' 'The atmosphere and feedback on the night was overwhelmingly positive and it was great to see so many students enjoying the key features of the event including the ceilidh band, the transport to and from the venue, and the unique 360 photo booth. We look forward to continuing to develop this event based on student feedback.' Photo courtesy of Fergus Doogan AUSA Secures £35K to Expand Bike Hire Scheme Application For £50K of Scottish Government Funding Fell Short by Only 7 Votes by Nour Elshenawy by Clive Davies We appreciate all feedback and are always looking at ways in which we can continue to improve and grow events in the future The atmosphere and feedback on the night was overwhelmingly positive and it was great to see so many students enjoying the key features of the event

p.4 The number of students applying to the university for financial assistance appears to have fallen despite the ongoing cost of living crisis, according to data received by The Gaudie through a Freedom of Information request. Based on the figures, the total individual applications for discretionary funding dropped from 1,720 in the 2020-2021 academic year to 1,354 in 2021-2022, representing a decline of 21.2%. As of March 15th, the 2022-2023 academic year had seen just 395 applications, which, if it remained unchanged, would correspond to a significant decrease of over 70%. However, it is anticipated that the number of applications will continue to grow as the academic year progresses. The University has also observed modest improvement in the ratio of accepted and rejected applications. During the 2020- 21 academic year, 1,466 applications were approved from a total of 1,720, resulting in an acceptance rate of 85.2%. The subsequent year witnessed a slight increase in the acceptance rate to 85.5%, with 1,159 successful applications out of 1,354. The current year has experienced a significant uptick in the acceptance rate, as 88.3% of applications have been accepted so far, amounting to 349 out of 395. However, a significant decline in the amount of money distributed has also been observed. £1,457,370.38 was administered in 2020-21, an average of £994 per recipient. 2021-22 saw £851,689.16 spent, an average of £734. So far £217,681.56 has been distributed in 2022-23, an average of £623 per successful application. The decline of the COVID-19 pandemic has clearly been a contributing factor in the decline of applications. In 2021-22, 63% of applications were for SAAS’ temporary COVID fund, reserved specifically for students impacted financially by the pandemic. Nevertheless, when the 860 COVID fund applications are excluded from the 2021-22 total, the remaining figure of 494 is still higher than the 395 applications recorded for the 2022-23 academic year thus far. It is uncertain whether this will remain the case at the end of the current academic year. While SAAS has not made any new funding available for Scottish universities to distribute in 2022-23, the Scottish government recently announced that financial support available to undergraduate students will rise by £900 from the start of the 2023-24 academic year. Students from low income households will see their maximum support package rise from £8,100 to £9,000 per year, while the ceiling for all student loan applications is uplifted by £900. Number of Students Applying for Hardship Fund Continues to fall News Comes in Spite of Ongoing Cost of Living Crisis by Clive Davies On the 19th of January, Jacinda Ardern, praised globally for her handling of the Covid pandemic and her compassionate and levelheaded leadership, resigned as the 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand. In her resignation statement, Arden commented that she ‘didn’t have enough left in the tank’ and that it was time for her to step aside. Just three weeks later, Nicola Sturgeon, the 1st female First Minister of Scotland, and for many the face of Scottish politics, announced she was also stepping down after eight years in the job. There were stark similarities in Sturgeon's statement, part of which read: ‘All in all – and for a long time, without it being apparent – it takes its toll on you and on those around you.’ It is undeniable that the sphere of global politics is destined to change with the departure of these two women and a question arises as to whether women are being forced out of an ever-more brutal field of politics in 2023. The Gaudie spoke to local Aberdeen councillor Deena Tissera. As the first woman of colour elected to Aberdeen City Council, she has first-hand experience with the difficulties that women face when trying to get into politics. She told The Gaudie that female politicians are still treated differently to their male counterparts. ‘They try to scare you, fearmonger you into not raising issues that are difficult for them to hear, she said. ‘People don’t see you as a leader because you are not a white man.’ Tiserra brought forward a motion at a party conference in 2018 to ensure that 50% of the nominees for target seats were women. The legislation passed, and as a result, Labour seats within Aberdeen City Council are gender balanced. Tissera believes that her election normalised the ability for women of colour and other minority groups to become involved in politics. Tissera commented on the lack of role models for women within Scotland and how this can become a barrier to entering politics. When asked what the future holds for women in politics and the mentally draining aspects of modern politics, Tissera spoke about the increased level of safety she takes going to her own surgeries and the increased levels of abuse that she, along with other female colleagues, face. However, when asked about the departure of Ardern and Sturgeon, Tissera gave a level of optimism for future discussions of mental wellness and, faced with their resignations, commented that it was a refreshing change to see politicians recognise when they should step down, rather than clinging onto power. The Gaudie also spoke to political activist Christina Schmid, who is a thirdyear student at the University. As a firstgeneration student, Schmid has a passion for social justice and tries to challenge the traditional white male field that is modern-day politics. Schmid argued women face a glass ceiling when trying to engage in politics, and although there aren’t barriers stopping women from being politically active, the male domination of politics creates challenges for future female politicians. When asked about the changes that will happen following the resignation of Sturgeon and Ardern, Schmid noted that women who enter the sphere have two options: either to align themselves with the traditional masculinity sphere or try to change it. ‘I feel like a lot of the women who have been in power for a long time have adjusted to the masculine sphere,’ she commented, adding: ‘Women who don’t adjust to this masculine sphere make themselves an easy target.’ The resignation of Ardern and Sturgeon raised awareness of the need to challenge not only politics, Schmid said, but also feminist movements and whether or not the goal is adaptation to the current political sphere or wholesale changes to the system. Both conversations had an overarching theme of the essential role played by young people in politics and the power that they possess, especially women and other minority groups, as they strive to make politics truly representative of the population and not just one group of people. In the weeks that have passed since the resignation of Sturgeon and Ardern, it is more important than ever to continue the fight for a truly representative and equal political sphere. This requires the assurance that each and every person knows that they have a pathway into politics if they want it. For anyone looking to get more involved with politics, Tissera has a website where she can be contacted for further advice about how to get involved in local politics. https://www.deenatissera.com by Theodore A Williamson The decline of the COVID19 pandemic has clearly been a contributing factor in the decline of applications. Photo courtesy of Megan After Two Female Titans Resigned Weeks Apart, The Gaudie Spoke to Local Female Politicians and Activists to Get Their Perspective. ‘It’s Been the Honour of a Lifetime’: Are Women Being Forced Out of Politics? Photo courtesy of Flikr Photo courtesy of The Gaudie

p.5 Finding a job after graduating can feel overwhelming, if not downright terrifying. Finding a job in this economy (no meme intended) can take an even worse toll on your mental wellbeing. Fears of not landing your ideal job - or any job - are perfectly valid. The good news is that you are not alone. You, and millions of other people graduating across the world, experience very similar feelings. To highlight the point that this is one of the most stressful changes, the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (Holmes and Rahe, 1967) assigns between 20 and 40 points on the stress scale for change in work circumstances (26), (e.g. looking for a job), change in financial circumstances (38), and coming to the end of your studies (26). The latter is only 13 stress points away from the death of a relative (53), (but strangely, 10 points apart from Christmas). In short, looking for a job at the end of your studies is no trivial thing, and when you land a position that is less than ideal, it can bring your confidence down. To get some real life insight into these feelings and experiences I have asked four recent UoA graduates the uncomfortable questions you are all wondering. What if I don’t get the perfect job right after I graduate? How do I keep morale high while working part-time? How can a temp role prepare me for what’s next? Martin (Politics & IR), Ask and Miles (English with Creative Writing), and Haley (Accountancy and Business) have opened up about their individual journeys of balancing the search for their ideal graduate job while staying financially afloat. Expectations VS Reality “My dad always told me that as soon as I got the degree, working in a firm would be the next step.” Haley graduated in Accountancy and Business Management, and wants to work for top-grossing firms such as PWC and EY. She has three dogs, and currently works part-time as a dogsitter and barista. “Nobody really sat me down and prepared me for the realitythat is, it’s fine if you don’t get your top position straight out of uni. It will come with time.” The feeling of elation having concluded your studies is often short-lived. Parents and peers are the main support network, but it’s easy to forget that everyone’s experience is unique. “I was listening to my dad, who is very supportive”, Haley says, “but in the back of my head I kept thinking…hold on, isn’t the economy in shambles right now? Maybe I am not doing poorly, maybe it’s a hard time for everyone else.” “Right after graduation there is the excitement of thinking you got the degree and are now qualified to get the job you want relatively quickly”, Martin shares. Martin graduated in July 2022 in Politics & International Relations, and his top goal coming out of university was to work for an MP, a charity, or a trade union. “I had volunteering experience to make me believe it was possible to get what I wanted at that moment.” “There is a part of joy when you graduate, but then the other stuff comes up…Council tax, bills, moving, and the stress that entails, and suddenly your time and energy are spent doing whatever can cover the costs of that.” The hardest part is managing expectations, all while staying positive and persevering. Martin says, “It is frustrating that it’s been almost nine months since graduating and I still don’t have the job that I want. It’s hard when you interview for a couple of jobs you really want, get your hopes up, and every time you don’t get it and you walk back into work…that’s when it hurts. This is where it’s tough. I walk back into the kitchen for my shift, and the realisation hits me”. Martin is one of many people who moved out of Aberdeen to relocate to Edinburgh, feeling there are more opportunities outside of the granite city. “Aberdeen is not the place for me to be right now”, Miles says. “I would be happy to work pretty much anywhere in the arts sector, but sadly Aberdeen is quite dead in that sense.” Miles took a summer job as a bookseller in their home country a few years ago, and since then the passion to keep doing it professionally has only gotten stronger. “Right now, I want to be a bookseller and, maybe at some point down the line, join the publishing industry.” Miles graduated in English with Creative Writing, a field that is close to their area of interest. “My journey is soon going to take me to Glasgow, where I’m hopeful to find a bookseller job, as there are simply more opportunities.” Another class of ‘22 English with Creative Writing graduate, Ask has broader plans of working in the arts, doing creative writing and creative work for a living. “I found my current job about six months after graduating. I was working as a waiter during and after graduation.” “In December I moved to another higher paid waiting job. It’s nowhere near what I'd actually like to be doing with my life, and the hours are long, but I am currently financially stable and able to both live comfortably and save, which is a massive bonus - one that I hope will give me the flexibility I need to approach career options that actually interest me.” The prospect of being financially stable is one of the many preoccupations of current and past graduates. It’s good to feel you have your back covered, before plunging into the abyss. Don’t Stop Believin’ It’s easy to lose sight of your goals while you are in a position you don’t love but pays the bills. And we know the bills are many. Not doing the exact thing you want will not damage you in the long run. On the other hand, it will make you more competent, more resilient, and overall ready to adapt. “I have time, alongside my parttime job, to look for the stuff that really interests me.” Haley shares her strategy: “four days a week I work, the other two or three I send CVs, I fill out applications or look for work experience. If something solid comes up, I can smoothly quit my current job and feel like I haven’t broken the bank.” Working as a waiter, Ask says, “Customers give me good ideas for stories to write.” “On a more serious note, the job's just made me more competent overall: I am more articulate when speaking and can wrangle annoying groups, I am far more organised and work better under stress.” Martin echoes this feeling, expressing that there are skills he learned as a kitchen porter that are essential for his dream job. For example teamwork, “in the kitchen, you have to be attentive to everyone’s needs, and make sure you communicate what you need”, or memory and organisation, “[remembering] where everything goes, and [completing] checklists every day.” Working under pressure and spending long hours on your feet make for ideal training if you “want to work for a charity, trade union or MSP, which requires long hours standing, lots of remembering, and communicating well with others”. You can’t always get what you want. Sometimes, you get what you need. But enough with the music references… Mental Health All the graduates I’ve spoken to have faced doubt, and challenges in terms of their mental health. For something that is so paramount when it comes to finishing your studies and taking the next step, it’s incredible how infrequently we talk about it in a University setting. Miles, who didn’t plan to move back home and knew they weren’t going for a post-grad, felt “quite stressed about [finding a job]”. Not to mention, the entire framework around job-hunting is stressful. “Beyond the job, the adjustments of graduate life are tough. Especially when moving cities, you need to make friends all over again, adapt to a new place. Sometimes it can feel very isolating”, Martin says. It’s important to remind yourself you have a support network: family, friends, peers and colleagues. The University is still here to support you after you graduate, although in a smaller proportion than during your studies. Julia Leng is a Careers Adviser at the University’s Careers and Employability Services. Her top advice is to “not put too much pressure on yourself to find the ‘perfect’ job”. “The Service is open to you for life as a graduate, so you can continue to speak to an adviser for as long as you need.” The Service is full of useful resources for graduates, whether you want to improve your CV or do a mockinterview. We all struggle with intrusive thoughts, and a good share of impostor syndrome. It’s good to be reminded that you are not failing or falling behind. By chasing your dream opportunities while keeping your feet on the ground, you are demonstrating you are ready to take on whatever is next. Nothing you have learned, both at university and in temp jobs, will be wasted. You are likely to find yourself using that knowledge into your next role, and the next one, and then finally your dream role. “I know it’s only temporary”, Miles says, “I know before long I will, once again, be a bookseller.” Don’t lose hope. What’s for you won’t get past you. I Am About To Graduate… What’s Next? by Rory Buccheri Recent Graduates Open Up On Mental Health and Careers Expectations After University p.5 In short, looking for a job at the end of your studies is no trivial thing, and when you land a position that is less than ideal, it can bring your confidence down. The prospect of being financially stable is one of the many preoccupations of current and past graduates. It’s good to feel you have your back covered, before plunging into the abyss. Photo courtesy of Joshua Hoehne via unsplash

To celebrate the last edition for the year, I thought I would write about some of the best bits. To start off I would like to say, I could not be prouder of the Gaudie this year, and none of it would exist without the work of our team. The Gaudie is composed of incredibly creative and talented students, who dedicate a huge amount of time to making the newspaper. Compared to some other roles in societies, the Gaudie is a big commitment, but every editor this year has gone above expectations in the work they have produced. The team all collaborate to help each other and share ideas which makes the newspaper the success that it is. To end the year, we will be having our AGM where we as a group can celebrate the newspaper and what we have done this year. I would like to thank every individual who contributed to the paper this year, and to every reader who has read either one article or every paper cover to cover. Without you the Gaudie would not exist. My Favourite Articles The content in the newspaper this year has been to such a high standard, as articles discuss a range of topics from how to make pumpkin soup to whether maths is a cure for mental illness. We have had some amazing articles this year and to name a few, here is a list of my favourite one from every section. News: ‘An internationally funded university’: UoA Turns to International Students to Boost Revenue’ - Clive Davies Features: ‘An ADHD Guide to Adulting’ - Maeve Topliff Science and Environment: ‘What Neanderthal Genes mean to us’ - Niamh Bowie International: ‘Spill Over or Flood Under’ - Eva Petrova Opine: ‘How many likes is my life worth?’ - Caterina Fumero Satire ‘There’s No Monsters Under The Bed, Mummy Is Just Holding This Bat For Fun’ - Maggie Johnson Sports: ‘Erling Haaland- City’s New Golden Boy’ - Ewan Knox Arts: ‘Meet me at Midnight? Review’ - Elena Melis Life and Style: ‘Apple Watches: The Rule of the Rings’ - Kendra Clark Puzzle: The best puzzle has to be this edition. I think I may have actually gotten the hang of puzzle making. Production Sometimes unseen, the production team is amazing. With Theo and Isabelle leading the design of the newspaper, I thought I would say which edition was my favourite. It has to be the 15th of February edition. Maybe its because it was published around Valentine’s day - but I love it. The pink is so cute and IV looks so pretty. Every edition is lovely, but that one has a special place in my heart. Socials This year we have held a few social events including a funky glasses night out, a pub quiz and a joint Oktoberfest social with the Law Society and the Golf Society. All have been a success with readers and editors of the paper attending and joining in. Outreach Our biggest area of growth this year has been online and on social media. With more engagement than ever before, the Gaudie is able to reach the wider community past campus. One of our articles was even referenced in the Times, ‘Hundreds of ‘stolen’ human skulls housed by UoA Museums and Special Collections’ - Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco. This is obviously another proud moment for the Gaudie as the hard work of our team is used as a source for a national newspaper. The paper continues to be in print and despite some difficulties in doing this, I am happy to say the tradition of being able to pick up the Gaudie on campus remains. As a final farewell, it has been a pleasure to be Editor-in-Chief this year, and I know next year's team will continue its success. p.6 The Gaudie Recap by Holly Ferguson The highlights of this year at the Gaudie I would like to thank every individual who contributed to the paper this year, and to every reader who has read either one article or every paper cover to cover. Without you the Gaudie would not exist. The Gaudie is composed of incredibly creative and talented students, who dedicate a huge amount of time to making the newspaper.

p.7 For a few months each spring and summer the sea cliffs at RSPB Fowlsheugh come to life in a dramatic way. A visit can be both an overwhelming and meditative experience when you find yourself in the company of over 130,000 seabirds. It’s a treat for the senses. A warm breeze wafts the smell of guano in your direction while your eyes try to find something to settle on as you take in the sight of birds upon birds. A cacophony of calls competes for your attention, birds are constantly coming and going like the busiest airport you could imagine, and a pair of seals bob around in the aquamarine water below. If you’re lucky, you may catch sight of a puffin amongst all of this. The reserve, south of Stonehaven, is a great location for puffin-watching near Aberdeen. There isn’t a huge population, so picking them out can be challenging. If you sit on the bench next to the hide or at the end of the reserve, you may be able to spot them on the ledges or in their burrows towards the top of the cliffs. While the puffins are undoubtedly a big draw, the other species here are just as fascinating. Black and white guillemots and razorbills are reminiscent of penguins and can be hard to tell apart when they’re whizzing past you. Spend some time watching them on their nests and you will realise razorbills are a deeper black. You may also notice more subtle details, such as some guillemots having white rings around their eyes. Kittiwakes look like a smaller version of the gulls you’re used to seeing in the city but can be identified by their black legs. Their shrieking cry cuts through the sound of thousands of other birds and soon becomes easy to identify. Another species which may initially be mistaken for a gull, are fulmars. A closer inspection reveals an interesting looking beak, called a ‘tubenose’; this extracts salt, allowing them to drink seawater. The name fulmar comes from an Old Norse word which means ‘fowl gull’ in reference to their ability to spit fowl smelling oil at anything which gets too close to their nests. The reserve is 1.8 km long, with a few benches scattered throughout and a viewing hide. Take the time to enjoy the feeling of gazing upon a city of seabirds, but don’t forget to focus on individuals and watch their behaviour – this is especially fun when the chicks have arrived. Keep an eye towards the sea as you may catch sight of a gannet or an imposing skua flying past, and dolphins and seals in the water. The sight of thousands of birds packed tightly into the cliffs as far as your eyes can see may look like abundance, but seabirds are unfortunately in danger. Climate change is impacting sandeel populations, which are a vital food source for some of the species you can see at Fowlsheugh. A shortage of sandeels may result in young not surviving and adults not being in good enough condition to breed successfully. Seabirds are also sensitive to disturbance and can abandon their nests if scared, so keep your distance. Head to RSPB Fowlsheugh before the birds start heading back out to sea at the end of July. Other great spots for wildlife watching in and around Aberdeen are: Torry Battery (for bottlenose dolphins and birds), Newburgh Beach (for seals and terns), St. Fittick’s Community Park (for birds), and Seaton Park (for birds and otters). Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complicated mental health illness that affects around 1.6% of adults. Despite its ubiquity, BPD is often misunderstood, which frequently leads to stigma and prejudice. To build empathy and understanding, it is critical to delve further into the brains of persons suffering from BPD, investigating how the condition influences their ideas, feelings, and everyday lives. The causes of BPD are diverse, with genetic, neurological, and environmental variables all playing a role in its development. While the origin is idiopathic (unknown), evidence shows that a history of childhood trauma, abuse, or neglect may raise the risk of BPD. It is also crucial to highlight that not everyone who faces these challenges will acquire the condition, and many people with BPD have no history of trauma. Emotional dysregulation is at the heart of BPD, manifesting as extreme mood swings, feelings of emptiness, and an unstable sense of self. Individuals with BPD frequently experience emotions more deeply and for longer lengths of time than others, making coping with life's highs and lows challenging. This increased emotional sensitivity can lead to impulsive behaviour as they try to cope with their strong emotions. BPD's fluctuating self-image can lead to a lack of stability in an individual's sense of identity. They may go through frequent changes in their values, aspirations, and relationships, resulting in a continuing search for a sense of self. Individuals with BPD may alternatively idealise and devalue others around them, causing issues in interpersonal connections. Another prevalent aspect of BPD is the fear of abandonment. Individuals suffering from the illness frequently experience extreme dread of being abandoned by friends and loved ones, which can lead to frantic attempts to avert real or imagined abandonment. This anxiety can show as hypersensitivity to any perceived symptoms of rejection, separation, or criticism, resulting in a vicious cycle of heightened emotional reactions and damaged relationships. Regardless of the difficulties, it is critical to recognise the resilience and qualities of people living with BPD. Many people with BPD have an extraordinary potential for empathy, creativity, and emotional depth, which they may channel into meaningful activities and relationships. Therefore, it is important we recognise and appreciate the good features of BPD and recognise that recovery and development are achievable with the proper support and therapy. BPD is frequently accompanied by a strong desire for creativity and creative expression. Individuals with the disease may be gifted in the visual arts, music, writing, or other creative endeavours. This creativity may be a strong release of emotions and can aid in personal development and selfdiscovery. Many people with BPD have an exceptional capacity for empathy and emotional depth. Because of their increased emotional sensitivity, they can fully understand and empathise with the emotions of others. This ability to empathise may be a crucial advantage in relationships, allowing loved ones to receive support and compassion through tough times. Furthermore, living with BPD can bring several problems, yet conquering these hurdles can result in exceptional resilience and adaptability. Individuals with BPD frequently display an extraordinary capacity to overcome hardship, learn from their experiences, and adjust to new situations. This perseverance can serve as an encouraging example of the bravery and determination of persons living with the disease. Individuals suffering from BPD may feel powerful emotions that emerge as passion and excitement. They might demonstrate inexhaustible energy and determination when motivated by a cause, passion, or connection. This enthusiasm may be channelled into meaningful efforts and have a big influence in a variety of areas, ranging from personal interests to professional accomplishments. Additionally, due to their heightened emotional sensitivity, many individuals with BPD intuitively understand emotions. This intrinsic emotional intelligence can help people become more self-aware and communicate more effectively in relationships. Individuals with BPD can build healthier coping skills and generate more balanced emotional experiences by recognising and accepting their own feelings. Despite the difficulties that BPD can cause in interpersonal relationships, many persons with the condition can develop close, supportive, and devoted friendships. Individuals with BPD can form deep relationships and long-lasting friendships with those they care about by learning to navigate their emotional terrain and develop good communication skills. Recognising and embracing the positive traits of individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder is essential in fostering a more compassionate and understanding perspective on the condition. By celebrating their empathy, creativity, resilience, passion, emotional intelligence, and supportive friendships, we can empower those living with BPD to channel their strengths into personal growth and meaningful connections. Acknowledging these qualities not only challenges the stigma surrounding BPD but also highlights the potential for individuals with the disorder to lead fulfilling and successful lives. RSPB Fowlsheugh: Immerse Yourself in a Seabird City Just South of Aberdeen. Inside the Mind by Rosie Baillie by Christine-Fatoumatta Manneh A Superb Summer Spot Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder and Its Impact Photo courtesy of Rosie Baillie

p.8 There has been growing talk on the world stage of the Chinese Yuan taking a jab at the Dollar over its position as the world’s reserve currency. This is a bold claim. China has become successful in its involvement in the middle east, with deals in Saudi oil being sold in the Yuan and becoming the de facto reserve currency in Russia. Could there be a real possibility of the Dollar losing its place at the top? Putin recently stated that after the signing of 14 economic agreements between China and Russia: “We are in favour of using the Chinese yuan for settlements between Russia and the countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America,”. CNN journalist Fareed Zakaria, has tweeted on the repercussions of the Yuan overtaking the Dollar stating: “If the US dollar's global supremacy erodes, America will face a reckoning like none before.” This is blatant fear mongering; the Yuan will not replace the US dollar for a multitude of reasons. One of the main reasons is capital controls. China maintains strict capital controls that limit the ability of foreign investors to move money in and out of the country, and those of wealthy people. This makes it more difficult for the yuan to be used in international trade and investment, as it restricts the ability of foreign entities to hold yuan-denominated assets.This is not an effect that China dislikes, it almost favours this arrangement because of another reason compounding the effects of capital controls which is it’s lack of convertibility: The yuan is not yet fully convertible, meaning that it cannot be freely traded on international currency markets. This limits the ability of the yuan to be used in international transactions and as a reserve currency, why would China favour this? The CCP (Chinese Communist Party) does not want yuan-denominated assets escaping to other countries. Chinese individuals and businesses must provide detailed documentation to justify the conversion of yuan into foreign currencies, and the government closely monitors these transactions. China does not want the reserve currency to be the Yuan. Its efforts to control its wealth would be thwarted if it chose to do this, and those of wealth in the country would leave with the ability to convert their assets and put down roots in other countries. PhD in Political Science Dr Huey Li made an excellent informative TikTok on this very matter and the benefits of capital controls for China. He discusses the reliance on China’s trade surplus and what would be the impact if the Yuan were to replace the Dollar as a reserve currency. Lastly, the yuan is not even currently among the next top four reserve currencies after the dollar: the euro, yen, pound sterling, and Swiss franc.There is also far less transparency in the yuan when compared to these currencies. The yuan has also been devalued - officially lowering its value in exchanges- multiple times in the last ten years, making it less stable. For currencies like the dollar- which has never been devalued- this stability is the largest factor as to why countries gravitate to it. In short, the possibility of the Chinese yuan replacing the US dollar as the world's reserve currency is unlikely. Despite China's successful efforts in the Middle East regarding oil trades and deals with Russia, there are several factors that make it difficult for the yuan to become a reserve currency, including strict capital controls, limited convertibility, and lack of government transparency. So while China threatens the United States and European hegemony in many other sectors, they can remain calm that the world's financial backbone is not being changed. Why The Yuan Will Not Replace The Dollar Is the dollar threatened as the world’s reserve currency? by Euan Souter “I’m Irish, not Stupid” Joe Biden Visits Ireland to Celebrate 25 Years of the Good Friday Agreement With Growing Political Tensions at Home, America Asserts Its Position as the Defender of Democracy with the Good Friday Agreement Celebrating 25 Years. On the 10th of April 1998 the Good Friday Agreement was signed into effect, and in doing so both the U.K. Government and the Government of the Republic of Ireland put to rest thirty years of the worst conflict that had been seen on the island of Ireland in recent history. Former President Bill Clinton was one of the largest players in bringing about the end of the conflict, so, as the agreement celebrates is 25th birthday and with tensions in both Northern Ireland and the United States increasing, the question is, why is the U.S. so invested in Northern Ireland? Bill Clinton, like a number of U.S Presidents, including current President Joe Biden claims an ancestral link to Ireland, and for Clinton, it was this family tie that led him to involve himself and the U.S. so closely with the conflict at the beginning of the 90’s. Clinton was instrumental in giving political legitimacy on an international stage to Sein Fein, the political wing of the IRA. He invited the leader of Sein Fein, Gerry Adams to the U.S. on a 48-hour visa which further opened the door to constructive talks between Ireland and the U.K. Government and helped reduce the fatalities for both sides of the conflict. More recently, when Liz Truss tried to change the Northern Ireland Protocol, the Biden Administration made their position clear that any policy changes that would undermine the Good Friday Agreement would not be conducive to a trade deal between the U.S and the U.K., which have always had a ‘special relationship’. Fast Forward to the 22nd of March and with the passing of the Windsor Framework which aligns the U.K and the E.U closer than previously under Johnson and Truss, the U.S. and Biden seem quietly content that their efforts to stabilise growing misalignment which put the Good Friday Agreement at risk have worked. However, with the DUP still refusing to sit in Stormont and by defacto the powersharing agreement in Northern Ireland being unable to function how much sway does the U.S. truly have in Ireland 25 years on? Biden was seen last week pouring pints of Guinness and meeting with the Uachtarán na hÉireann (President) Micheal D. Higgins (alongside his internet-famous dog). He also met with the current U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak while delivering messages about the unlimited potential of Ireland's economic power. Biden has been at the forefront of the media circuit with repeated mention of his Irish roots and ties. For the people of the island of Ireland, on the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement the terror threat in Northern Ireland has been raised to severe. Closer to home, Biden is preparing to fight an uncomfortable election campaign with his longevity as a leader undoubtedly being called into question. In a period of seemingly never-ending political uncertainty and changes, the question is whether or not the Good Friday Agreement will see its 30th birthday met with perhaps a 47th President? by Theodore A Williamson The yuan is not even currently among the next top four reserve currencies after the dollar. Photo courtesy of Paul Yeung/Bloomberg Photo courtesy of Flickr

p.9 A climate change group called ‘Rising Tide’ have hit the news headlines recently as their latest protest in Australia has caused disruption and conversation. In Newcastle, New South Wales on Sunday the 16th, 47 activists took part in a protest that saw around 20 of the protestors climb on to a train carrying coal and shovel it off, taking with them a banner that read, “survival guide for humanity: no new coal”. The group was protesting the incredibly high levels of coal that Australia still exports, despite the damage that this does to the climate. During 2020, despite COVID-19 challenges, the Port of Newcastle exported a total of 158 million tonnes of coal, at a value of $18.5 billion, to around 20 different countries. These numbers are clearly causing concern for a significant percentage of the population and are much worse than most of the other rich nations in the world. In 2021 the BBC reported that Australia unusually still burns coal for most of its electricity, and their goals for emission reduction is only around half of that of the United States and the United Kingdom. Rising Tide Australia says that they are “demanding Australia honours our commitment to the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement” and says that they are “prepared to take whatever peaceful actions within our power to defend the climate”. After the event this month, they tweeted: “we have halted coal into the world’s biggest coal port demanding the ALP heed UN warnings and immediately cancel all new coal projects”. They are demanding the cancellation of all new coal projects. This may seem radical, however, although many politicians in Australia, notably former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, credit coal as a top reason for the country’s wealth, analysts argue this is not completely true, as a significant amount of the wealth gained by coal is kept by the mining companies. The demand for coal worldwide is shrinking. In fact, Japan, South Korea, and China, who are some of Australia’s biggest customers in the coal market, have all pledged net zero targets by mid-century, so it seems as though this market will not continue for Australia for much longer anyway. This change in the market comes off the back of climate change experts saying that changes need to be made immediately with around half of the population experiencing severe water scarcity for some portion of the year, and that there is increasing displacement due to extreme weathers. At the end of March this year the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), set out the final part of its sixth assessment report. This sobering report talked about the consequences that climate change is having, and will continue to have, across the world. They have said that Governments are key to reducing barriers to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, so acts that will make the Government listen, such as this most recent one by Rising Tide seems to be a top priority to really make a difference. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been clear about the fact that countries need to work together to reduce the impact of climate change and stop global temperatures from rising by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels. As a result of the worrying report from the IPCC, Guterres has proposed a “Climate Solidarity Pact” to the G20, which would see extra efforts to cut emissions from big emitters, and financial resources from wealthier countries to support emerging economies. Impacts are often being felt by those in developing countries, even though many of these countries have had a much less significant effect on climate change than richer countries. In fact, as Rising Tide UK says: “Climate change is a direct result of the economic domination of Northern interests and transnational corporations. We call for 'climate justice' through solutions that address structural inequalities and recognise the historical responsibility of the rich nations for the problem.” Of course, there have been climate change protests closer to home in recent years too, with Just Stop Oil and ‘Insulate Britain’ being very high-profile examples. Each of these groups have had members arrested for a number of protests recently, including the highly publicised protest wherein some ‘Insulate Britain’ activists controversially stopped traffic on the M4, which resulted in imprisonment for one activist as he was found guilty of causing a nuisance to the public, a first for climate activists in the UK according to ‘Insulate Britain’. Rising Tide also has a branch within the UK which states it is a “grassroots network of independent groups and individuals committed to taking action and building a movement against climate change”. However people view the protest in Australia, and others closer to home, it is clear from listening to climate experts that something must be done sooner rather than later, and it isn’t going to happen without attention being drawn to the cause one way or another. Why did Climate Change Activists in Australia Resort to Shovelling Coal off of a Train? by Gemma McLeod ‘Rising Tide’ group resorts to civil disobedience in the hopes that their concerns will be taken seriously After the event this month, they tweeted saying “we have halted coal into the world’s biggest coal port demanding the ALP heed UN warnings and immediately cancel all new coal projects”. The group were protesting the incredibly high levels of coal that Australia still exports, despite the damage that this does to the climate Photo Credit - Chris Yakimov, Flickr The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been clear about the fact that countries need to work together to reduce the impact of climate change and stop the global temperatures from rising by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius from preindustrial levels.

p.10 Just over a year ago today the UK government passed a legislation on calorie labelling in restaurant menus. This legislation was passed as a selfdescribed effort to ’force to improve nation’s health’ which meant that for any regular person visiting their local pub it meant that they could now tell their chips had less calories than their chips with curry. With rising levels of potentially life hindering conditions like diabetes and heart disease, any effort to improve national health is not only logical but very welcome. It is therefore a shame that the only measures that have been implemented are not only objectively useless in their execution but also completely fail to address the real issues behind the national health crisis. This comes as no surprise as this policy came from the same government that, among other things, promotes recycling without building a proper recycling infrastructure, but it is still good to unpack what exactly went wrong with this dumbass policy. The implication of the calorie labelling policy is that diet related health concerns and disease are on the rise because people don’t know or have access to the calorific information of items at restaurants. While this might be true for some, as an overall explanation it seems overly simplistic and reductionist. Say you are given two bowls of unknown content. After a careful look at the label you conclude that the first one contains arsenic and the second one contains cyanide. What use is it to know that both of the bowls are bad for you if you still can only choose between the two? Preventable health conditions can be to a large extent be attributed to questions of availability. Ultra processed food containing high levels of sugar, salt and saturated fats seems often to be the only low cost option in many stores and restaurants. Sandwich and a bag of crisps contain the same amount of energy as a large, balanced meal but they will not satiate you, meaning you are likely to go for another highenergy snack an hour later. This creates a vicious cycle of ups and downs that leaves you feeling sluggish and slow during the day and potentially malnourished in the long run. In the UK the availability and prevalence of fast food has created a culture of eating that is far from balanced. If the word ’meal’ brings an image of a crisp bag into my head then that should be a concern from a nutritional and cultural point of view. Only focusing on calories as a measure for healthy eating also overlooks the importance of other nutritional content. How many people start fearing calories and limiting their food intake to keep on track rather than focusing on what to eat through a more positive outlook? This is especially anxiety provoking if all the options you are familiar with culturally seems to be limited to processed food, leaving you to go fill yourself with low-calorie equivalents of already unhealthy options like fizzy drinks. The calorie labelling policy is therefore a very bad deal to people in eating disorder recovery and potentially promotes an unhealthy fixation on calories on a more general level too. Of course the energy content of food plays a part in preventable health issues, but it is not the whole story. It would be much more useful to engage in discussions about the culture behind, and availability of, processed foods. The calorie labelling policy implies that an individual is the main one responsible for their preventable health conditions, and that is true to a large extent. But when you see such a huge rise in such conditions on a national scale you have to be honest about the causes behind it. The Calorie Count On Restaurant Menus Is a Stupid Idea, and Here Is Why by Tiina Heikkinen The 2021 legislation prompting restaurants to list the calories of their items on the menus is a total copout in terms of improving national health. DISCLAIMER All opinions expressed in opine are the views of the author. However, this does not necessarily represent the views of The Gaudie, AUSA, or any company that advertises in The Gaudie. The implication of the calorie labelling policy is that diet related health concerns and disease are on the rise Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Preventable health conditions can be to a large extent be attributed to questions of availability. In the UK the availability and prevalence of fast food has created a culture of eating that is far from balanced. The calorie labelling policy is therefore a very bad deal to people in eating disorder recovery and potentially promotes an unhealthy fixation on calories on a more general level too.

arts culture fashion lifestyle food Arts p.2-3 Arts p.5 Thinking of Going Into Teaching? Life and Style p.8 iV Interview With Munya Chawawa Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now

p. 2 arts | interview by Isabelle Hampton-Zabotti ‘Unknown P’, the UK’s first posh drill rapper, ‘Johnny Oliver’, Jamie Oliver’s long-lost “Carribean cousin”, and sensationally racist newsreader ‘Barty Crease’ are all characters born from the ever-churning creative mind of Munya Chawawa. The 30-yearold comedian from Norwich kept us entertained on YouTube and TikTok during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now has big plans for the stage with his upcoming stand-up tour across the UK. This Q&A with Gaudie Arts will give the inside details on the content creator’s journey from online skits to documentary-making, Taskmaster, and even meeting The Rock—who perhaps owes him money. So, first things first, what have you been working on lately? Obviously my tour, in that my experience with stand-up until this year has been quite unconventional. So, my first gig was opening for Thundercat, this Grammy award-winning artist. He came down to London and he asked me to open his headline show by doing half an hour of stand-up. I just had to throw together a set in three days, walk out in front of five thousand people and just pray that they were gonna laugh—and they did. Now I’ve my own tour in October. So there’s no running. There’s no hiding. And to prepare for that, I’m giving myself a proper karate kid crash course. I want to do 80 gigs, before I even start my tour, all different pubs and clubs. I’m not talking about any shiny floor red carpet gigs. I’m talking about the proper get stuck in, guy called Darren here, heckling at the back of the room. I wanna learn as much as I can as quickly as I can and get out there in October and really surprise people. In Scotland, it’ll be a Finlay here, instead of a Darren. Yes, you want to be ready for the Finlays. Can you give us any teasers about what we can expect? I would like to think that there’s going to be a lot of my characters that people are familiar with. Is there anyone in your family that inspired your sense of humour? My grandad’s really funny, I think he’s inspired a lot of my wit. I definitely got my sense of humour from him. I just wish that I got my height from him, because this guy was like, six foot two. And, for some reason, I still managed to come out five foot seven. I know that also you’ve done a lot of collaborations with people you could have been inspired by along the way, as well. You’ve collaborated with Uncle Roger, Alex Horne, even The Rock, recently. Has there been a particularly memorable one? Meeting The Rock was pretty cool, because of the amount of furniture I have broken thanks to that man growing up. You see him do one move on TV and you’re like, sure, I think I can slam my sister through a table and it should break. So yeah, I owe him—I think he owes me a lot of money for damages. But yeah, meeting him was Sharing tea with a fascinating stranger is one of life’s true delights. With love, Team iV Editors Holly Ferguson Matthew Sheppard IV Editors ARTS ([email protected]) Head Editor - Isabelle Hampton-Zabotti Deputy EditorsXandra Button Emma Chen LIFE AND STYLE ([email protected]) Co-Editor - Kendra Clark Co-Editor - Kathryn Ritchie Production Theodore Williamson Georgia Kartsagkouli Isabelle Hampton-Zabotti Beth Templeton Fred Allen Grace Taylor Jukka Seppälä Miles Rothoer Front page Theodore Williamson iV IN CONVERSATION WITH: MUNYA CHAWAWA

p. 3 arts | interview pretty insane and it was just nice to meet someone with the exact same physique I have. You’re known for your quick wit and your political satire. Was there a point where you decided that that was the turn that you were going to take for your comedy, or was that always the plan from the start? I think I realised that the world was getting quite interesting around the time that I started. The first sketch I made was Johnny Oliver as a parody in response to Jamie Oliver, you know, cooking Caribbean food in a packet and then selling it in supermarkets. I was really interested in the kind of discussion that was happening around that, because, in Norwich, we didn’t really feel tapped into those countrywide conversations. So if I added in my two pence to this situation, will it strike up more of a conversation? I know that this isn’t your first tour round the UK either. You’ve had your (Bafta-nominated) show, ‘Race around Britain’, which saw you in Manchester, Kent, Wales, talking about the black experience. What was your biggest takeaway from the series? My biggest takeaway was…that I think it would be overly pessimistic to assume that people are mean or racist. In a lot of instances, people are just unsure. And that’s why the show worked as well as it did, because a lot of people didn’t speak up or speak out, or if they did, said the wrong thing, purely because they just had never had a warm guide to knowing the right thing to say. So that was the thing I took away from it. Also, I found out that three Karens— three middle-aged white ladies named Karen—can make a pretty iconic drill song. Do you ever feel a little bit exhausted speaking about these topics, and how do you take some time for yourself, if you have? I don’t really have a problem with having those conversations. I know that there’s an element to it which is, you know, we shouldn’t have to. But the situation is that, sometimes we do, and some people are going to feel more at ease doing that than others. And I feel like I’m in a position where I don’t mind guiding people through conversations or difficult topic areas because I feel like it’s for the greater good. So, if that’s the one contribution I can make to living in a better world, it doesn’t feel like a lot to do, you know? Do you have any other projects on at the moment? I was in the film, Rye Lane, which is a very British Romcom, even a South London Romcom. I’m just looking to transform myself beyond what people might expect from somebody who blew up online, you know? I was going to say also that some of your content does seem quite elaborate, even the small skits as well. What is the general process for making them? Well, I sit down. I basically do a big mind map of stuff that I think is funny and then try and weave it into a narrative. I think about whether I can create a character off the back of that. A lot of the time it’s just basically filming what’s in my imagination and then some stuff you find is also in other people’s imagination. And that’s the stuff that really resonates. A final question. What’s the song that you’ve had on repeat recently or an artist you’ve been obsessed with? It’s this guy in America called Mack Keane. He’s like a really, really under the radar artist I found on this mix from Soulection, and yeah, man, I’m just in love with this stuff. I like any R&B where they go crazy with the runs and the riffs and stuff. That’s basically the majority of what my neighbour hears every time I take a shower. Photos courtesy of Munya Chawawa Press So yeah, I enjoy satire. I enjoy basically taking the sting out of stuff that should be serious and helping people to cope with those things through laughter. Most people are good, and with a little bit of a nudge, you can show people a point of view they’ve never considered before.

p. 4 arts | tv S ex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll; Daisy Jones & the Six supplies the 70s rock star drama but lacks the grit and rawness that the book depicts so well. The Prime series is based on the best-selling novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The mockumentary-style drama conveys the story of a fictional 70s band from their rise to fame to their sudden split during their world tour. However, the focal point is the tempestuous relationship between the band’s lead singers, Daisy Jones (Riley Keough) and Billy Dunne (Sam Claflin). Reid claims much of her inspiration for the band from Fleetwood Mac. The series is coupled with a cast recording of the band’s no.1 album Aurora which can be found on all streaming platforms. Some have criticised the quality of the music, but I’ve had it on repeat. As a big fan of the book and Reid’s other works, I counted the days until the series’ release. I enjoyed the series, and Reid’s ability to create a fictional world for a fictional band is exceptional. As much as I enjoyed the show, fans of the book will need to separate the series as some critical scenes and dialogues are missing, as well as the merging of the Loving brothers into one character, Eddie Roundtree (Josh Whitehouse). The most significant change is the difference in the period of the interview scenes. The characters’ reflections on the events in the 70s take place in the 90s, unlike the book, which has a 40-year time jump to the 2010s. Perhaps this has been a conscious decision to leave room for a second season. It’s only fitting that the leading lady, Daisy Jones, was portrayed by Elvis Presley’s granddaughter, Riley Keough. She holds her own despite the family ties, and I anticipate her future projects. As for other casting choices, Claflin captured the tortured singer well, and I was captivated by the chemistry between him and Keough. The most accurate portrayal was actor and singer Suki Waterhouse as Karen Sirko. She was exactly how I imagined, minus the English accent. If anyone is meant to be a rockstar, it’s Waterhouse. In the book, it is suggested that Billy remains faithful to Camila after his stint in rehab, despite the overt sexual tension and desire between him and Daisy. However, as Jenkins explains, the characters are unreliable narrators, and the show may just be reading between the lines of what is missed when reading the book. I was disappointed by the removal of pivotal scenes, like when Camila tells Daisy to leave the band for her health. It meant that the relationship between Daisy, Billy and his wife Camila became a simple love triangle, which was far more complex in the book. The series often portrays Camila as a jealous wife rather than a secure and level-headed individual, like in the book, who has faith in her husband and cares for Daisy. As a stand-alone series, it presents a somewhat authentic tribute to the 70s rock ‘n’ roll scene but does not entirely do the book justice. Logo: Amazon Image: Amazon Prime Press Background Image: Adobe Stock by Grace Taylor *contains spoilers* Rating: 5/5

p. 5 arts |tv by Jana Neimanns LEWIS CAPALDI: How Iʼm Feeling Now The recently published Netflix documentary Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now shows Lewis Capaldi’s journey of recording his next album ‘Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent.’ The documentary is directed by Joe Pearlman and Capaldi is listed as the only cast member. The documentary starts in 2020, at the very start of the pandemic, and continues to follow Capaldi until his next album, released in May 2023. There is a lot of emphasis on mental health and the pressure he feels to deliver another great album. Additionally, the camera follows Capaldi as he is diagnosed with Tourette’s and battles with imposter syndrome. The audience gets to see Capaldi’s parents interact with him daily and they are interviewed throughout the film. Capaldi’s friends and co-workers are also included, however, his mother and father are a big part of the documentary because of how much they have supported Capaldi’s career from the beginning. So, their view on Capaldi’s life and career is shown as well. Both of them want Capaldi to be happy and do not think his career should force him to change too much or pressure him. The documentary also conveys the importance of Capaldi’s friendships, with Capaldi explaining that his friends are what keep him ‘grounded.’ Some of his friends work on music with him now as his musical director and as part of the band. Capaldi’s manager is also interviewed as part of the documentary. Apart from mental health, Capaldi’s music is the main focus of the documentary. The story revolves around the making of Capaldi’s future album which he hopes will be as successful as his previous one. The audience gets to hear snippets of Capaldi’s new songs and learn about his process of songwriting. The stress of writing a song is also clearly represented as, in the first part of the film, Capaldi struggles with the fear of being a bad songwriter. Some of his most popular songs are discussed, like ‘Before You Go.’ Unfortunately, this song stemmed from a suicide in his family. In my opinion, this documentary is worth a watch. It discusses mental health and the pressures Capa ldi dea ls with compassionately. The documentary gives a good perspective into the music industry and into Capaldi’s personal life, as well as the struggles that come with being famous and other people’s expectations. It showed that musicians are just like any other person but that being a successful one is probably more stressful than many other jobs. It also gives insight into how long it takes to make music, which is one aspect that most people don’t know much about. Overall, the documentary Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now spreads awareness about mental health and pushes the idea that musicians are human too. While Capaldi faces difficult challenges and struggles, he eventually finds joy in his music as the film promotes Capaldi’s new music that’s available now. Rating: 5/5 Content warning: This article mentions suicide

p. 6 arts | tv From indie rock/alternative trio Boygenius comes their debut album The Record, released on 31 March 2023. The band is made up of Phoebe Bridgers (28), Julien Baker (27), and Lucy Dacus (27) and was formed in 2018, the same year they released their self-titled EP. The singers initially bonded over the still all-too-common misogyny present in the music, especially within the rock genre. The name Boygenius is based on an inside joke about the archetype of the tortured male genius—an archetype from which women are commonly excluded. The Boygenius singers are known and loved for their sad, queer music wrapped up in beautiful and thoughtful lyricism. The album was announced in January, along with the release of three singles entitled ‘$20’, ‘Emily, I’m Sorry’, and ‘True Blue’. Unsurprisingly, The Record was highly anticipated by fans and has gained acclaim since its release. In April, the group performed at the Coachella Music festival and is scheduled to have more live appearances this year. While I genuinely enjoy all of the songs on this album, my favourites are ‘Emily, I’m Sorry’, ‘Cool About It’, and ‘Not Strong Enough’. ‘Emily, I’m Sorry’ was released as a single in January and I have been playing it on repeat since then. With beautiful melodies, the song mourns a past love while reflecting on and apologising for mistakes that ultimately sunk the relationship. Fans believe this song was written about Emily Bannon, whom Phoebe Bridgers was supposedly in a relationship with from 2018 to 2019. ‘Cool About It’ has a mellow but catchy tune and Boygenius’ signature hard-hitting lyrics. They sing about having to masquerade one’s true feelings in a problematic relationship. ‘Not Strong Enough’ has some more rock elements and stronger instrumentals, but is just as lyrically compelling. The song touches on feelings of self-doubt and anxiety. This anxiety is especially noticeable during the bridge, which repeats the line ‘Always an angel, never a god’ over ten times, which is reminiscent of repetitive, anxious thoughts. Perhaps the most notable thing about this album is its lyrical parallels between the bridges of ‘Letter To An Old Poet’ and ‘Me & My Dog’, a song from the previous Boygenius EP. In ‘Me & My Dog’, the trio sings ‘I wanna be emaciated / I wanna hear one song without thinking of you / I wish I was on a spaceship / Just me and my dog and an impossible view’. In ‘Letter To An Old Poet’, however, the lines are changed to ‘I wanna be happy / I’m ready to walk into my room without lookin’ for you / I’ll go up to the top of our building / And remember my dog when I see the full moon’. Fans were quick to discover these references to their older music. I find ‘Letter To An Old Poet’ much more impactful after realising this connection. As someone who has struggled with an eating disorder in the past, the change from ‘I wanna be emaciated’ to ‘I wanna be happy’ is gut-wrenchingly meaningful. I love Boygenius’ clever way of incorporating their past lyrics to make new music both enriching and relatable to fans. All in all, this is an amazing album that I would happily recommend to anyone who likes sad, queer indie music. I love the artwork and theming, and I 100% consider this a no-skip album. I also recently purchased the orange vinyl that even includes a temporary tattoo resembling the matching tooth tattoos each member of Boygenius got together, which I thought was a sweet addition. Sonically, as well as lyrically, this is definitely one of my favourite albums of all time. by Elena Melis Sad And Queer: A Review of Boygenius’ Album The Record Content warning: This article mentions eating disorders and mental illness Rating: 5/5 Stars Photos by David Lee, Wikipedia Commons Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik

p. 7 arts |tv 2023 I Review From a blood-splattered satire on stan culture to a commentary on isolation Content warning: This article mentions violence by Susanna Lehtonen ‘This is not a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, is intentional.’ The on-screen text begins each of the episodes on Amazon Prime’s latest horror satire series, Swarm. Co-created by Donald Glover and Janine Nabers, the series follows Dre and her obsession with the fictional pop-star Ni’Jah. Iconic music videos, a relationship with a famous rapper, and the bee emojis on Twitter stan accounts establish Ni’Jah’s not-so-subtle similarity to Beyoncé and her own fan base, the ‘BeyHive’. Dre herself is part of the Swarm, a group of Ni’Jah’s most devoted fans. However, Dre’s obsession quickly takes a sinister turn as the tragic loss of her sister triggers a rapid spiral, and sends her on a serial murder spree across the States. Though she justifies each of the murders with the victims’ apparent dislike (which includes even throwaway Tweets) of Ni’Jah, the show is so much more than just a blood-splattered satire about the extremes stan culture. Dominique Fishback beautifully portrays Dre, a young woman who was never really given space in this world. From her unnatural shuffle of a walk, to the way she intensely stares, or doesn’t make eye contact at all, everything about Dre is unsettling to those around her. And they make sure she knows it. She is called weird to her face multiple times over the course of the show. When Dre asks to be invited to a party, her sister’s friend refuses because she ‘doesn’t drink and just sits there and watches’. And it’s not just the show’s characters who continuously point out Dre’s quirks: every time Dre says or does something unconventional, or brings up her intense feelings for Ni’Jah, a short frog-like sound in the background of the show accentuates her unhinged character. In the first episode, it seems the show wants us to see just a weird girl with no friends of her own, and only an unhealthy obsession with a pop-star to keep her busy. I mean, what is it about Ni’Jah that has Dre so captivated anyway? Dre’s serial killings are spurred on only after the loss of her sister Marissa, the only person to genuinely care for Dre. And Dre felt the same, though the only way she was able to show it was by buying overpriced concert tickets to (you guessed it) Ni’Jah’s tour for Marissa’s birthday. So when the only person you care about is gone, what is there to lose? For Dre, there is nothing to lose, other than Ni’Jah. She builds a parasocial relationship with her to make up for what she was never given. The show progressively fades the obsession over Ni’Jah to the background and characterises Dre as a person whose actions are fuelled by grief, trauma, and a deep, deep loneliness. Her actions can be easily explained, inviting the viewer to even sympathise with her. Parasocial relationships are often formed to make up for the lack of real connections to stimulate us, exactly demonstrated by Dre and her obsession which turns violent upon the loss of the last connection is her life. All these things may explain why Dre does what she does, but it doesn’t invoke too much sympathy, either. But maybe there is a way to help Dre, to pull her out of this miserable murdering spree. But the way Swarm builds the final episode and ultimately ends the show suggests Dre cannot, or will not, change. Dre’s character is static—no events, no matter how tragic or wonderful, change who she is and how she feels. Yet she is never pathetic. We are merely reminded that these people exist in our society, and calling them ‘deranged’ or ‘crazy’ fails to consider that stan culture isn’t disappearing anytime soon, and it perhaps masks a darker trend of growing loneliness amongst a generation thought to be more connected than ever. Rating: 5/5

p. 8 life and style | review As you are approaching the end of your degree, the big question on everyone’s mind is, what next? Quite often the first resort, often in a stressed panic, is to do a postgraduate degree. At least, that was the situation that I found myself in. I never really knew what exactly it was that I wanted to do with my career, being daunted by the thought that the big decision I made at 21 years old is going to shackle me to one career for the rest of my life. I’m here to tell you and my previous self that that is not the case, and switching your mind is very, very normal, and it is a good thing! It is so important to properly explore the options available to you, and that is how I came to apply to the PGDE. Studying an MA in English, the first question people ask is, ‘do you want to be an English teacher?’ The automatic assumption, and following the obvious path, always put me off going into teaching. I wanted to do something that people wouldn’t expect, but between you and me, the thought of being a teacher never really left me. After applying to the PGDE this year and thankfully being accepted, I thought that I would give some tips that I found helpful in my own application, and perhaps some things that I wish I had known before. Tried and Tested Tips for Applying for a PGDE by Kathryn Ritchie THINKING OF GOING INTO TEACHING? 1 Don’t worry if it is a last-minute decision. This was a big factor that held me back before I applied. With the deadline being the 25th of January, I only decided to apply about a week or so before, and I panicked. I kept thinking that the fact I was moving heaven and earth throughout my university career to gain experiences that would lead into teaching would automatically negate my application and mean that I would not be a good teacher. You have the same right as everyone else to apply. You’re not taking anyone’s space. This was a big factor that held me back before I applied. With the deadline being the 25th of January, I only decided to apply about a week or so before, and I panicked. I kept thinking that the fact I was moving heaven and earth throughout my university career to gain experiences that would lead into teaching would automatically negate my application and mean that I would not be a good teacher. You have the same right as everyone else to apply.

p. 9 life and style | review 2 Experience is important, but you don’t need loads. Up until applying, I had no experience within schools apart from my own school experience, and being a pupil is very different to being an adult working within a school. When I decided, I was going to apply I contacted a secondary school and asked whether it would be possible for me to do some teacher shadowing, to which they said yes. I spent two days shadowing teachers and immersing myself in school life, and the experience I gained was invaluable both for my application and interview, but also to help me decide whether teaching was the right route for me. 5 Having a general knowledge of current issues within education is very important, especially with how topical that is during the cost-of-living crisis. 6 Whether you’re applying for the Primary or Secondary PGDE, think about why that age group would suit you. What experience do you have that made you come to that decision? Why do you want to teach that age group and why do you not want to teach the other? 4 Think about why you want to be a teacher. You will always be asked this in your interviews and it’s important to have a clear reason why teaching is the career for you. One thing that I said which got a good response was that I wanted to fully immerse myself in school life. I spoke about my experience as an editor as The Gaudie and how I would love to get involved or even start a school newspaper. I am also very musical and explained my previous experience playing in concert bands and orchestras, and how I planned on using this within my career and how I wanted to get involved within the school’s extracurriculars. Teaching isn’t always solely about what goes on in the classroom between 8am and 3pm. Whether you’re applying for the You will always be asked this in your interviews and it’s important to have a clear reason why teaching is the career for you. One thing that I said which got a good response was that I wanted to fully immerse myself in school life. I spoke about my experience as an editor as The Gaudie and how I would love to get involved or even start a school newspaper. I am also very musical and explained my previous experience playing in concert bands and orchestras, and how I planned on using this within my career and how I wanted to get involved within the school’s extracurriculars. Teaching isn’t Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions! Just email: [email protected] Photos courtesy of Karolina Gabrowska via Pexels / Icons courtesy of Vecteezy and Iconscout 3 Use the university resources! I attended what I believe was the universities careers seminar on applying for the PGDE and it was brilliant, definitely not a waste of time and you’re able to ask questions to people who really know what they are talking about. 7 Finally, do not give up! The PGDE is very competitive and if you do not get in on your first attempt that does not mean you are not going to be a good teacher. Patience and perseverance are two qualities which make a good teacher, but they are also needed to get into it.

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p.11 There has been much discussion and speculation about whether China will replace the United States as the world’s leading superpower. Some believe this will never happen, while others believe it is only a matter of time. While the answer remains unclear, one thing is certain: countries around the world are starting to prepare for this possibility. In the past month, China has seen an unprecedented number of visits from world leaders that have come to the court of Leader Xi Jinping. Heads of state and government from Spain, Singapore, Malaysia, France, and the European Union have all visited Beijing for talks with Chinese government officials on economic and foreign affairs matters. One significant event that attracted more attention was the visit of French President Macron. During the visit, a 51-point joint statement outlining cooperation in different areas was released. However, what sparked a reaction in the Western world was Macron’s statement that Europe must not become “caught up in crises that are not ours, which prevents it from building its strategic autonomy”. Although Macron has long been an advocate for Europe’s geopolitical and defence independence from the United States, this sends an important signal that something is changing. Last week saw also the visit of re-elected Brazilian president Lula. After coming back to power, one of his main foreign affairs targets is to rebuild relations with China and continue developing BRICS, the alternative power grouping to the G7 that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This organisation, which has always opened to the eventuality of adding more members can be China’s tool to expand its influence on Asian, African, and South American countries. One of the main reasons for those visits was also China’s role in the Ukrainian conflict. It is not a secret that at the moment Xi Jinping is the only world leader that could be able to talk sense (where possible) with Vladimir Putin. The Asian country is seen as the needle that could decide how and if this war ends, creating a certain parallelism with the role that the US had in other Peace Treaties such as the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt in 1978. Additionally, recent developments have received less media coverage but are nonetheless significant in China’s new role. On 10th March, a joint statement was issued announcing an agreement to resume diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The two Gulf powers agreed to work towards resolving their disagreements, setting a marker for the end of the proxy war that has been going on for 7 years in the Middle East. The “sponsor” of this action has once again been China, as the statement was released after five days of negotiations in Beijing. Although for now just a statement, this event could symbolise the end of the US’s influence on the Middle East, and once again underscores the growing importance of China on the global stage. There is no denying that after the setback caused by Covid, China has come back stronger than ever, and if the dawn of a new empire means the end of another, events in recent months point towards that direction. As proved by Macron’s visit to Beijing, historic US allies are starting to give a nod to Beijing. Although the one that attracted the most attention, France is not the first European country to do so. China’s position on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Taiwan, and Hong Kong still represents a big obstacle for them if they want to reach historical US allies, but events in recent months indicate that those obstacles can be overlooked somehow. China is starting to become a beacon for some African and Asian countries where the country’s position as a new world leader is already recognised. The role that Beijing played in Saudi-Iranian relations is a very good example that a new sheriff is in town and that it is more than capable to do what the old one struggled with. Bringing its influence in one of the most delicate areas of the world, where the US played an important role for as many can remember could be a decisive step in China’s quest to become world leader. There is no definite answer to whether China will become the new world leader, but it is working for it and is getting results. Whether people like it or not, countries (including Britain) will have to choose how they stand with China and they need to do it quickly. Although the historic relations with the US and the other members of the Atlantic Treaty will never bring China and Western countries as close, they will be forced to review their relations and they will have to come to terms with the fact that in many areas of the world China is already the new US. Is China the New US? Countries around the world are starting to prepare for the possibility of China becoming the new US by Youssef Salem Whether people like it or not, countries (including Britain) will have to choose how they stand with China and they need to do it quickly. at the moment Xi Jinping is the only world leader that could be able to talk sense (where possible) with Vladimir Putin. in many areas of the world China is already the new US. China has come back stronger than ever, and if the dawn of a new empire means the end of another, events in recent months point towards that direction. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

p.12 Are you a new student? Are you considering applying to Aberdeen? Well, boy, do I have some well-kept secrets for you. Here’s some things you need to know about life at this university: • Feed the seagulls every chance you get This will eventually make them c o m f o r t a b l e e n o u g h t o f e e d themselves, by attacking you and stealing your hard earned snacks • Sit in the same seat every time you attend a lecture Switching up your seat means you might have to interact with someone, so don’t even think about it you psychopath • The library is exclusively for studying JK lol, I really had you for a second • Form a small, close group of friends during first year and talk to no one else ever again This prevents you from feeling too socially adept, keeping you on your toes • Ask out that hot guy in your tutorial The worst he can say is no, and then be weird for the rest of term, and then turn out to be in your tutorial the next two years, and then get a job at your workplace, all the time ignoring you • Leave your flat at the very last second every morning This allows you to show up to class looking windswept and fashionably late • Buy two concurrent gym memberships Just in case. Everyone’s doing this, I promise. • Don’t bother bringing a coat, it’s too bulky This way you can show up to class drenched, freezing, and ready to learn • Don’t go food shopping too often Instead, support local businesses like Nando’s and Grub by buying lunch and dinner through Deliveroo • Walk directly through Seaton Park to get home at night It’s not like there’s a sign explicitly warning you against this These are some of the tacitly understood rules that I have come to live by in my student career. Hopefully this list is helpful for all new and current students! 10 Unwritten Rules to Follow As an Aberdeen Student The highlight of the Snooker calendar kicked off on Saturday 15th April at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Seven-time defending c h a m p i o n Ro n n i e O ’ Su l l i v a n is looking to defend his World Championship title against the best in the sport. However, the biggest story coming from the event so-far has nothing to do with the sport itself. Climate protests by the activist group Just Stop Oil grabbed headlines following protests at the Championship on Monday 17th. While the group usually targets motorways, museums and racetracks. Monday’s action against Snooker signals a change in tactics by the group. Play in matches between Robert Milkins and Joe Perry on table one and Mark Allen and Fan Zhengyi on table two were interrupted by simultaneous protests. On table one, a man jumped onto the table and threw orange powered paint into the air covering not only himself but the table and its surrounding. On table 2, a lady attempted to jump onto the table and glue herself to it. However, she was only able to grab onto the middle pocket thanks to swift action by referee Olivier Marteel. While the match between Allen and Zhengyi was able to resume after a 40-minute break, the match between Milkins and Perry was delayed till the following day as the cloth on the table was destroyed. The pair were subsequently arrested by Yorkshire Police on suspicion of criminal damage. In addition, the Crucible have implemented extra security personnel and measures to prevent a repeat of the incident. However, irreparable damage to the sport has already been done. Former chairman of the World Snooker Tour, Barry Hearn, said in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast that the, “sport is such an easy target.” He went further, describing the protests themselves as, “a form of theft.” He is not alone in his worries. Shaun Murphy, former world champion, believes that the incident has altered the future of the sport. He said that, “Snooker is a soft target and I would hate it, but I see it as an inevitability for the relationship between fans and sport to change.” After the incident, Perry described himself as being in, “a state of shock”. While the protest was unnerving, the player tried his best to refocus to ensure that his game was unaffected. With the Championship final on 1st May, if this incident is anything to go by, you would bet that the drama isn’t over yet. by Maggie Johnson Well, I guess they’re not unwritten any more A Snooker World Championship Like No Other Shocking protests at the World Championship has shocked the Snooker World by Ewan Knox Photo courtesy of Mike Egerton:PA Wire “Snooker is a soft target and I would hate it, but I see it as an inevitability for the relationship between fans and sport to change.”

p.13 Photo courtesy of University of Aberdeen Early this morning, a family of four was successfully located in near Aberdeen harbour. They are reportedly on holiday to the city, and were unable to keep track of their location. They had been reported missing several hours earlier by a group of local Aberdeen families who had noticed a suspicious lack of loud commentary and map ruffling. “We’d like to thank the community for pulling together to get us to the Premier Inn,” said the father of the family. When asked how he ended up near the harbour, he described their harrowing journey in more detail than this reporter found strictly necessary. “It all began in 1987, when I was seven years old. I read a book about Aberdeen, and became obsessed with visiting the Granite City…” Several minutes later, he reached the relevant information. “We got here on a train bright and early yesterday morning, and it all went downhill from there.” Apparently, the family ended up embroiled in an internal dispute that distracted them from getting on the right bus from Union Square Station. “They seemed really irritated at each other, but almost like they were all just a little hungry”, remarked a witness. “Like, if they had just popped into the Costa, maybe the world would have seemed a little brighter, and they wouldn’t have had to worry about ‘who started it’”. The family then found themselves in the outer reaches of Aberdeen, without two buses to rub together. This was where it went downhill quickly, as they realized that they were severely dehydrated from their travel day. “Just because you are dehydrated and have a slight headache doesn’t mean it needs to be everyone’s problem” said the mother of the family. “It’s actually not productive to announce that every four minutes, especially if you’ve already taken paracetamol.” The family member that this statement was aimed at has refused comment. Eventually, the family made their way to the beach, and began to follow the coast all the way around the harbour. Each member claims that if they had been in charge of the Google Maps directions that their walk would have been better. “I’m just saying, Apple Maps is far superior” said one of the kids, before being shouted down by the rest of the family. “Now is not the time for this discussion” said the parents in unison. The family was located by a group of early-morning fishermen on their way to their boats. “They looked quite lost, so I thought I’d help them find their way to a pub,” said one of them, who refused to give his name, citing a vague ‘honor code of not talking the media when we can help it’. The family expressed their gratitude to the Aberdeen community, and their excitement to begin to see the sites. “We’ve already seen most of it at this point!” joked the father, inciting groans of embarrassment from his children. This reporter would like to remind the readers of the Gaudie that Aberdeen is very walkable and not difficult to navigate as this story may suggest. Family on Holiday Found Wandering the Streets of Aberdeen, Lost by Maggie Johnson Hungry and tired, but still excited to see the city Photo courtesy of Pixabay Photo courtesy of Pixabay DISCLAIMER All opinions expressed in the satire section are written primarily for the sake of comic value and therefore do not necessarily represent the honest views held by the author, The Gaudie, AUSA, or any company which advertises in The Gaudie. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons “Just because you are dehydrated and have a slight headache doesn’t mean it needs to be everyone’s problem” They are reportedly on holiday to the city, and were unable to keep track of their location. They had been reported missing several hours earlier by a group of local Aberdeen families who had noticed a suspicious lack of loud commentary and map ruffling. The family expressed their gratitude to the Aberdeen community, and their excitement to begin to see the sites.

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