Switchboard

This week, Isabel and Maddy speak to students and staff at Cambridge involved in the campaign to decolonise the University, as well as talking to those pushing the government for national educational reform. The episode begins with Jazaal Babar, who is one of the Cambridge SU BME Campaign’s Education Officers. He discusses what the movement to decolonise Cambridge entails, and what Cambridge needs to do to challenge its colonial legacies. (01:27). Next, Isabel and Maddy speak to Jonathan Chan and Shameera Lin who worked with the Decolonise English Working Group and have just graduated from Cambridge. They tell us about why this group started and the institutional problems preventing decolonisation in the English Faculty. (3.58). Ali Meghji, Decolonise Sociology Chair and Lecturer in Social Inequalities, talks about the underlying colonial assumptions in sociology and how to re-think these as part of the curriculum. (11.05). Mythiri Sutharson talks about the growing fight to combat institutionalised racism in Cambridge Medical school, and the recent open letter that reignited this movement. (19.39). Talk then turns to how the movement to decolonise educational institutions extends past the university; Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson and Nell Bevan, founders of the ‘Impact of Omission’ survey, discuss the results of their survey assessing the diversity of the British school curriculum, and the challenges they have faced in campaigning for national educational reform. (27:29). Finally, the interviewees relay their hope for the future, describing their mix of optimism and apprehension in relation to the Decolonise Cambridge Movement. (33.55). Switchboard is Varsity’s flagship podcast. Episodes are released every Friday on all major podcasting apps via Anchor. Transcripts of all episodes are available via links on the respective podcast article, found at http://www.varsity.co.uk/.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message

This week, Isabel and Maddy speak to Freshers’ reps about the difficulties of organising Fresher’s week during a pandemic, as well as speaking to some first years about the experience of starting at Cambridge amidst COVID-19. To start off the episode we hear from Suzi, who is the first-year representative at St Catherine’s. She talks through the issues caused by the fairly last-minute implementation of the rule of six, and how herself and the other Freshers’ rep have adapted to ensure the best possible experience for the incoming cohort. (1:15). Next, former CUSU President Edward Parker-Humphreys discusses student loneliness, an issue he championed during his time in office last year, and the new challenges which social distancing and self-isolation bring. He highlights that 75% of students said they felt lonely on a daily or weekly basis and suggests ways in which the University could help these students. (4:15). Dorothy, the development officer at Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club (CURUFC) speaks about the guidelines that they are having to follow, as a high-contact sport, to ensure the highest level of safety. (9:25). The discussion shifts to the responsibility of course organisers and lecturers to help students not feel isolated in their studies. Edward also emphasises the need for colleges to create safe spaces for socialisation. (16:02). Suzi chats through some events that Freshers’ can take part in that could happen in person rather than online, emphasising the benefits that might emerge due to a lesser pressure for it to be ‘the best week ever.’ (19:55). Finally, Freshers Thea and Eve express their feelings about their first week in Cambridge, ranging from the activities, the ability to socialise, and whether they regret not deferring. (21:40). Switchboard is Varsity’s flagship podcast. Episodes are released every Friday on all major podcasting apps via Anchor. Transcripts for every episode can be found using links in the respective Varsity article.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message

In this week’s episode, hosts Isabel and Maddy take a closer look at ‘the refugee crisis’, hearing the real life stories behind the headlines, and speaking to the organisations Cambridge students have been involved with that are trying to aid the situation. The hosts talk to Cambridge Alumnus Milan Vrućinić about his experience as a refugee, fleeing Bosnia and Herzegovina as a child. (01:09). Tigs Louis-Puttick, founder of Cambridge Must Act (a city charter of Europe Must act), details the work organisations are doing to urge European governments to evacuate the overcrowded and unsafe refugee camps on the Aegean Islands. (03:03). Newnham fresher Soraya outlines how she believes Cambridge University can become more accommodating to refugees. (08:03). Also the community officer for the Cambridge Refugee Scholarship, Tigs discusses how the scholarship is helping to overcome the educational barriers faced by refugees, and welcome them into the university.  (10:02). Tiara Sahaar Ataii and Alexa Netty tell the hosts about the clothing line Solidaritee, which raises money for the legal aid of refugees in Greece and campaigns to challenge perceptions of refugees. (20:03). Finally, Switchboard speaks to Cambridge Labour MP, Daniel Zeichner, about how the vitriolic rhetoric surrounding refugees has crept into the media and government in recent years, and what can be done to challenge the government on this stance. (26:55). For more information on how to get involved with Cambridge Must Act, check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cambridgemustact/ To find out more about the Cambridge Refugee Scholarship Website, visit their website: https://camrefugeecampaign.org/ You can support Solidaritee’s work by purchasing a t-shirt on the website at: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk/shop/  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message

Switchboard is back for episode two; this week, hosts Maddy and Isabel take a look at how the coronavirus pandemic will affect Cambridge student life in the coming year amid growing concerns about the opening of universities. Switchboard asks: What are the university’s guidelines? Are they compatible with government advice? And how does the pandemic affect different members of the student population? Switchboard is Varsity’s flagship podcast. Episodes are released every Friday on all major podcasting apps via Anchor. The Cambridge community is now spread across the UK and around the world, but Switchboard is here to keep you connected. Every episode connects you to an eclectic array of voices and sounds, from Cambridge and beyond... --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message

Varsity’s Switchboard is back, spotlighting the issues directly affecting Cambridge students and bringing their voices to the forefront. In this episode, hosts Isabel and Maddy discuss the controversy surrounding A Level results day 2020. Talking to prospective undergraduates who felt cheated out of their places, Switchboard asks: what happened? Who’s to blame? How did it affect students? And how will it impact the upcoming academic year in Cambridge? We speak to Varsity's Ewan Hawkins about how the results algorithm was first developed and why it was destined to go wrong. (1:25). Gather thoughts from offer holders Sharleen, Laurie and Tom, who each relay their unique experiences as offer holders at St. John's, Sidney Sussex and Selwyn, respectively. (8:50). Before turning to the future, as Ewan discusses the new issues which have emerged as a result of the U-turn (23:55). Finally, Olly Schönle, Selwyn College JCR President, talks us through how colleges are responding to the A Level results fiasco, specifically how they are preparing for a larger cohort whilst ensuring compliance with COVID-19 regulations. He also touches on the complaints of unfair discrepancies between colleges (25:00). (Hosted by: Isabel Roberts and Maddy Fisher). (Special thanks to: Matilda Head, Cameron White, Matthew Cavallini and Matthew Jeffries).  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message

CNs: Mentions of coronavirus, death, intensive care units and marginalisation  In CoronaBoard, this week we discuss the impact that changes to the lockdown measures will have on working-class people and hear from an Intensive Care Unit Researcher (00:50). PhD student Hafsah Siddiqui offers an insight into how the pandemic has altered her experiences of sound in Cambridge (09:35). We speak to Kirstie, Class Act Officer at Fitz to find out more about CUSU's newest liberation campaign (14:10). For Varsity Out Loud, Siyang Wei reflects on the first ever Lesbian Visibility week, examining the politics of representation and corporate sponsorship, instead suggesting that liberation lies in pursuing structural and material change (23:35). *** The Cambridge community is now spread across the UK and around the world, but Switchboard is here to keep you connected. Every episode connects you to an eclectic array of voices and sounds, from Cambridge and beyond... --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message

CNs: Mentions of coronavirus, grades, quarantine, marginalisation. This week, we discuss what the prospect of calculated grades means for marginalised students (00:50). Marshall Scholar Jack Chellman shares an original piece reflecting on a quarantine haircut (09:00). During CoronaBoard, we speak to Dr Jana Bacevic about the myth of “following the science” (14:10). Zoe Matt-Williams and Rebekah Rochester of The Mays give us an insight into what we can expect from this year’s edition of the anthology (21:20). We close out with The Plug, the segment keeping you in the loop with the hottest events happening across the Cambridge uni community over the next week (27:35). *** The Cambridge community is now spread across the UK and around the world, but Switchboard is here to keep you connected. Every episode connects you to an eclectic array of voices and sounds, from Cambridge and beyond... *** Thanks a lot to Patrick Fitzgerald for his track raindance, used during The Plug segment. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message

CNs: Mentions of coronavirus, rough sleeping, asylum seeking, and domestic violence. The Cambridge community is now spread across the UK and around the world, but Switchboard is here to keep you connected. Every episode connects you to an eclectic array of voices and sounds, from Cambridge and beyond... In Cambridge & Beyond this week, we discuss the passing of a motion at CUSU Council which encourages colleges to make their vacant accommodation available to 'those in need' during the coronavirus pandemic (00:50). During CoronaBoard, we hear from Cameron White and Dr Priya Gopal, both of whom have questioned the recent outpouring of charitable activities and support for the NHS (07:54). For Varsity Out Loud, Deputy Editor Olivia Emily reflects on how journaling has offered her a sense of perspective during the lockdown (17:16). Rahat Uddin, Publicity Officer of the Cambridge University Islamic Society shares how the society is observing Ramadan as a community, in spite of members being separated by distance (23:01). Closing out this episode is a new segment - The Plug - which aims to keep you in the loop with the hottest events happening across the Cambridge community over the next week (27:27). *** Thanks a lot to Patrick Fitzgerald for his track raindance, used during The Plug segment. *** This podcast is a highly collaborative one, and we’re always open to submissions for segments. Just message the Facebook page, join our Facebook group, or email switchboard@varsity.co.uk, if you want to get involved. Produced by Olivia Hylton-Pennant and Matt Evan Green. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message

CNs: Mentions of coronavirus, PTSD, racism, and disability. The Cambridge community is now spread across the UK and around the world, but Switchboard is back to keep you connected. Every episode connects you to an eclectic array of voices and sounds, from Cambridge and beyond... This week, Switchboard connects you with two Cambridge medics, part of the 5,000-strong cohort of medical students graduating early this year to support the NHS, as it responds to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chay Graham, Campaigns Officer for the Disabled Students’ Campaign, shares a story connecting some thrilling nightmares to the politics of disability. We also have a special report on Labour’s scandalous leaked internal party report in which we hear from CULC’s BAME Officer Jed Asemota, who's written a piece for Varsity about this scandal. Shameera Lin then reads aloud her powerful Love Letter to Cambridge for us, detailing her quest to decolonise the English tripos and the solidarity found along the way.  *** This podcast is a highly collaborative project and we’re always open to submissions for segments. Just join the Facebook group, message the Facebook page, or email switchboard@varsity.co.uk, if you want to get involved. Produced by Olivia Hylton-Pennant and Matt Evan Green. Please subscribe and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message

Switchboard speaks to Galia Shomron, the Vice President of the Cambridge University Vegan Society; Dr Shailaja Fennell, one of the members of the Cambridge Forum for Sustainability and the Environment; and Jess Molyneux, a participant in Veganuary 2020. We discuss the activities of the Cambridge University Vegan Society, the sustainability and benefits of going vegan, the feasibility of vegan lifestyles in developing countries, and the issues surrounding the current state of global agriculture. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message

Switchboard speaks to Julia Simons, the ‘angry medical student’ who gained national media attention last yer after confronting Boris Johnson outside Addenbrooke's Hospital. We discuss what it's been like to gain a huge Twitter following and the relationship between the climate crisis and the health crisis. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message

Switchboard speaks to Charlotte Milbank, one of the Presidents of the May Ball Presidents Committee. We discuss how May Balls can be more sustainable, how balls can be more accessible, what to look out for if you want to work at balls, and some of the behind the scenes organisation that makes these nights so special.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message

Switchboard speaks to the candidates from the Green Party, Labour, Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives who are running to be the MP in the Cambridge constituency in the upcoming 2019 December election. In collaboration with the Selwyn Politics Society we talk to the candidates about key issues raised by students from climate change to Brexit, and also the challenges facing each party.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message

Switchboard speaks to George Jeffreys and Tigs Louis-Puttick, founders of Scoop. Scoop is an alternative zero-waste food shop founded and run by Cambridge undergrads, who encourage others to purchase their food without the layers of plastic we typically find in supermarkets. We discuss consumerism, the effect of plastic on the planet and take a look at ways we can change our day-to-day habits to have a more positive environmental impact. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message

Switchboard speaks to historians Dr Lucy Delap and Dr Ben Griffin, curators of an exhibition exploring the history of women at Cambridge University. We discuss what motivated the exhibition and take a look back at how women have navigated the often hostile environment here in Cambridge.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message