Palatinate

Funding is being given to Durham University to create an ‘AI Sandbox’, a controlled environment to test artificial intelligence models.

Durham Fringe Festival returns on 29th July, with almost 300 performances across 130 shows.

Karen O’Brien, Durham’s Vice-Chancellor, criticises the incoming levy on international students in the UK, calling on the Government to take the “levy off the table”.

Durham SU saw the third-lowest positive response rate in the recent National Students Survey.

Durham’s SU building is set to receive £150,000 ahead of a refurbishment project.

Durham University will review policies regarding single-sex spaces.

Alexandra Shemagina reflects on her experience as an international student at Durham.

Professor Andy Hamilton writes to Palatinate regarding AI use in higher education.

Amidst the ongoing scandal caused by Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, Ella Muhlemann questions the EBU’s insistence that the event is, at its core, apolitical.

Amy Manning questions what roles the criminal justice system should have.

William Locke asks how radical would an Andy Burnham premiership actually be?

Three students debate on the pros and cons of Durham’s divisive third term.

Rhianna Gorman analyses how Evangelical theology is shaping Donald Trump’s administration and policy.

Maddy Hui discusses the new phone ban in schools, which has recently passed into law.

Ivan Deverick reports on the assassination attempt at the White House correspondents’ dinner.

Toby McTurk explains the split that has emerged between Pope Leo XIV and US President Donald Trump over the Iran war.

Charlie Hogermeer gives the latest update in the Iran War, specifically relating to the dispute over the Strait of Hormuz.

Sasha Macmillen outlines how the assisted dying bill has failed to pass through the UK Parliament, raising eyebrows about the role of the House of Lords in government.

Sport Editor Lyra Coulthard writes about this year’s Durham Regatta

Lauren Hewett brings us the inside scoop from Dart Polo Club x Durham University’s Polo Club’s second invitational tournament of the year.

Will Price discusses the announcement of this years England squad. He takes us through Tuchel’s picks and asks whether he has made the right decisions.

Samara Patel reports on the Mercedes Team’s recent visit to Durham

By Jennifer Bailey For decades, Wallsend Boys Club in Newcastle has been synonymous with footballing success. With alumni including Alan Shearer, Michael Carrick, and Steve Bruce, its reputation as a breeding ground for talent is well established. Yet, to focus solely on its contribution to the

Sports editors, Alfie Winter and Jennifer Bailey, speak to Team Durham’s incoming President.

Palatinate Profile explores Dr Luke Evans’ call for a Minister for Men and Boys, examining the debate over masculinity, mental health, and the growing influence of the ‘manosphere’ in modern Britain.

Jennifer Bailey speaks exclusively to Durham alumni and Sixes founder about how he has built his business around charity involvement and friendship.

Profile Editor Gussie Coulter joins the Dean of Durham, the Very Reverend Doctor Philip Plyming, to explore his vocation, perspectives on faith, and his recent book, Giving Thanks.

Deputy Editor Samara Patel interviews the first Gen-Z and youngest Muslim elected official in American history on integrity in the face of challenge, and the contemporary US political landscape.

Profile Editor Mason Beirne explores how Durham shaped a future Lord Chancellor, and what comes after losing office, power, and a seat in Parliament

Profile Editor Mason Beirne speaks to Lord Dominic Johnson about Durham, hustling into finance, serving as Investment Minister, and why Westminster’s incentives are fundamentally broken

Avesta Afshari-Mehr explains what an El Niño event is, and the scenarios in which it can happen.

Lucy Higson discusses why scientific research is not always the driving force behind annual COP meetings.

Neutrino Physics is a major focus for the US and Japan’s large-scale experimental physics programmes – Noah Heywood gives the state of play

Ebola has brutally hit the DRC – Elisabeth Cooke explains the nuances of this tragedy, including what been lessons have been learned from previous major outbreaks

Noah Heywood delves into the behavioural science behind Rocky, a five-legged extraterrestrial centred at the heart of Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary.

Victoria Travers pays tribute to national treasure Sir David Attenborough, discussing his contributions to science, curiosity and our hearts.

“This is what makes our new project so exciting: an ambitious, multi-year mission, led by Durham students, to survey and excavate the archaeology of a farm only a few miles away from the world-famous site of Sutton Hoo…” Durham Archaeology Society explores their new Hemley Project.

“Sexuality was a dangerous thing for women to have…” Emily Hall explores changing attitudes to women’s sexuality throughout history.

“The notion that all things must pass is particularly soothing when stumbling bleary-eyed in the freezing cold to a 9am seminar…” Patrick Corbett discovers how rock music resonates with him in recent gloomy weather.

“Many may be able to see why Thompson would not have been able to accept his own deteriorating health…” Alexandra Johnson explores the life and times of Hunter S. Thompson, the father of gonzo journalism.

“Topics of discussion tend to be fast and loose…” Features Editor Joe Cannon goes along to a “Cold War” social with the Lager and Discussion Society, exploring what can happen when debate becomes more spontaneous.

“Indeed, ‘distance makes the heart grow fonder’,” Ha Trang Pham reflects on Lunar New Year celebrations away from home.

“The word ‘performative’ is growing in use…” Bella Roberts interrogates the rise of the dismissive ‘performative’ label and the danger it brings for literary tastes.

“There is more to Orwell than Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four” – In exceptional detail, J.H.S Pain sheds new light on some of George Orwell’s lesser known writings.

“Are we tired of humanness?” Stella Fenwick dives into the algorithms and imitations of AI generated literature.

“I feel like adulthood has railroaded me and is chasing me down.” Daniel Ali reflects on the representation of nostalgia for the past in Stephen King’s ‘The Body’.

“Sometimes, on certain brisk autumn mornings, I am flooded with images of a younger me” – Daniel Stephens goes in search of Proust’s moments of sensory nostalgia.

“Instead of finding truth and clarity, poets can miss the mark” – Emma Sansbury offers a potentially controversial perspective on the debate around poetic sentimentality.

‘St Chad’s has the cheapest bar, with St Mary’s the most expensive.’ Oliver Rothnie finds the best drinks prices at each college bar.

“The moment cooking shifts into a visible, performative setting, the dynamic changes.”Food Editor Alexandra Shemagina asks why men get the fame while women get the dishes?

“one of my favourite restaurants in Durham.” Anna Hopper shares her thoughts on Isla, a brunch & sharing plates restaurant in Durham.

“I have witnessed my housemates make some truly shocking creations and call them ‘dinner’.” Food Editor Freya Livingstone looks at how to make the most of having nothing in your fridge 

Food Editor Alexandra Shemagina on taste, taboo, and hypocrisy

Open once a term and always sold out. Noor Younes and Samara Patel shine a light on Taste of Syria, a once-a-term dining experience where Durham students turn food into community.

“If only Corrie would return to its roots.” Tess Cato explores the loss of proper Northerness in Coronation Street, and the imperative of feminine representation.

‘This terrifyingly funny, and eternally quotable film has achieved cult status as one of the most hysterical but also deeply tragic films of all time.’ Torin McGregor on how Bruce Robinson’s Withnail and I tackles growing up.

Clara Kearney discusses the importance of recognising art as political, offering insight towards the belief of “separating the art from the artist”.

‘The chick flick genre is deeply flawed in its representation of women.’ Amelia White explores the belittling of chick flick movies and women-led stories in cinema.

“There is something very fundamentally ‘rock’ about this film that goes deeper than the songs it features.” Maxwell Masters talks rock in Gregg Araki’s filmography.

“Here, guitarists don’t argue backstage. They fight onstage.” Ivan Deverick explores The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Dandy Warhols, and documenting self-destruction in the rock documentary ‘Dig!’.

“Electric intensity.” Stage Editor Alex Roy discusses BTC’s RENT.

“Purposeful.” Stage Editor Alex Roy loves The Finalists’ Showcase.

Stage Reviewer Anna Pile speaks to David Cumming about his hometown of Newcastle.

‘A sign of modern theatre’s downfall?’ Stage Reviewer Anna Pile discusses the future of projections on stage.

‘paradisaically incredible’ Travel Editor Mya Downing is blown away by Roots Theatre Company’s For Black Boys.

“Groundbreaking.” Stage Editor Alex Roy is wowed by TDTC’s Dear Evan Hansen.

“A desperate attempt to be considered cool and intimidating.” Grace Sherwin recounts her shift from using fashion as a means of hiding towards genuine self-expression.

‘The Bezos presence just feels indicative of a changing direction of the fashion world’ Clara Kearney explores the political implications on this year’s Met Gala.

‘By engaging with personal style disingenuously, we become another cog in a mechanism…’ Emily Hatwell debates the dilemma of personal style amidst the world of fast fashion

“Perhaps the brutal reality of one’s organs constrained and shifting can’t be so easily redefined.” Arya Vamadevan contemplates the role of the corset in modern society.

“The ability to contemplate is a freedom in itself” Style Editor Onella Nicholas explores the historical controversy of bras and their role in the female experience.

“A celebration of art borne out of love and creativity, materialising the heart of the North.” Style Editor Amelia Greenwood introduces the latest addition to Durham’s art scene: April 11.

“A displaced, otherworldly figure, dropped into the London night.” Shade Bannigan Davis investigates the glam rock star’s visual artistry.

“Women are on the rise in the art world.” Gabrielle Stein presents 26 pioneering women artists.

“Unpolished representations of reality as he experiences it, it’s the visual equivalent of Dylan’s unique and untrained voice.” Hannah Andrews analyses Bob Dylan’s visual artworks.

“Radiohead’s cover art acts much like the art on the cover of a puzzle box, helping us find and fit together all the pieces within.” Bea Hipson Holder explores Thom Yorke Stanley Donwood’s artistic collaboration.

Gabrielle Stein explores the work of contemporary Chinese artists Cao Fei and Ai Weiwei.

‘Long before digital tools made art endlessly reproducible and thoughtlessly automated,’ Stella Fenwick explores the darkroom magic behind the work of photographer Alfred Buckham.

‘I will always associate this song with this feeling I had beneath the cathedral.’ Stella Fenwick explores the songs that soundtracked her time in Durham.

“Left in awe of the timeless, enduring, and unifying talent of Pixies.” Grace Sherwin enjoys Pixies’ 40th anniversary tour at the Barbican in York.

“Truly inspiring.” Music Editor Emi Sharples speaks to Pool Club’s Seb Powell on navigating the music industry, artistic motivations, and competing for a place at the Isle of Wight Festival.

“Ebullient and deeply enjoyable.” Dan Bavister reviews Dunelm Consort & Players’ recent concert of Purcell’s ‘King Arthur’.

“Maybe the best way to talk about it is to not even try.” Shade Bannigan Davis explores representations of the internet in Penelope Scott’s Public Void.

“It sends shivers down my spine every time, especially once I realise that my dear mum is among those chanting”. Avesta Afshari-Mehr speaks on how music shapes homesickness in light of his multicultural identity.

‘Some things remain the same, no matter your age’, Chloe Goodwin meets herself for dinner in this nostalgic prose.

‘The things I remember most were never in the picture’, Stephanie Mackey traces the course of her life in rivers.

‘The lucky ones / Have something to long for / And something to grow,’ reflects Kashish Fatima in her poem about the privilege of having something to yearn for.

‘You belong to a place by shaping its air into something wild and frizzy, briefly, while imperceptibly unspooling towards belonging’s end,’ Stella Fenwick writes in this reflection on the ivy plant and what it means to ‘belong’ in Durham.

‘I still dream in you sometimes. I think that counts for something’, writes Jodi Lee in a letter to Mandarin, expressing nostalgia and complicated love for mother tongues.

‘Through love and stillness / it is reformed and continues to grow’, Katie Baindbridge’s poem encapsulates how the River Wear flows constantly through change.

“The Iran I carry in my memory was last updated nine years ago, and I am increasingly uncertain whether what I am missing still exists in the form I remember it.” Avesta Afshari-Mehr discusses the haunting beauty and eternal longing experienced by those in the diaspora.

“It’s not often that you find yourself surrounded by friends and can just pop to Dublin to buy a Guinness”. Harriette Puddy-Jones details the glories of making a quick hop across the Irish Sea and travelling from Durham to Dublin.

“Whilst I could be blinded by my year abroad bliss, the sun and my limitless access to churros and three-euro wine, one thing that is certain is that I am truly in awe of the Easter week I have just experienced.” Scarlett Rawbone experiences the famous festivities of Easter in Seville.

“We pass cafés, restaurants, mosques and churches all in close proximity, defying the misconception that the Middle East is religiously homogenous”. Noor Younes takes us to her home and her favourite place in the world: Syria.

“Women everywhere, who keep me going, who keep us going.” Travel Editor, Anjali Pathak, sends postcards to women she loves, far and wide.

“After millennia of men as monarchs, it will be these young, twenty-something year old women who will soon be dominating Europe’s political landscape.” Travel Editor Mya Downing discusses the significance of the monarchical gender change soon to occur in Europe.

‘Set aside time to feel the fear,’ says Lily Cecil-Wright, blogger and content creator, in this interview about how to deal with burn-out, phone addictions, and self-doubt.

“You may not end up where you first imagined, but it’s important to embrace every step.” Interview Editor Poppy Reed talks business with Van Mildert alumna Philippa Jackson.

Jennifer Bailey speaks to Olympian and Ealing Trailfinder’s player, Ellie Boatman about her mission to spread awareness about eating disorders in sport

Palatinate spoke to ex-Reform DCC councillor Nick Brown. Cllr Brown discussed his experience within Reform UK, and the leadership issues currently present throughout the Party.

“I know the answers, and it’s a demonstrable way that I can help.” Interview Editor Isobel James in conversation with our Overheard oracle, Prof. Sara Uckelman.

Jennifer Bailey speaks exclusively to Durham Rugby alumni, Charlie Coe, about the brand which will remind you to take a MOMNT