Activism
The pioneering female Iranian athlete taking on the world's toughest race
All hail Shirin Gerami — Shirin Gerami is no stranger to defying expectations. Iran's first female triathlete, the first Iranian woman to race in a World Triathlon, now she's set to become the first woman to represent Iran at Ironman Kona.
Written by: Alex Taylor
Poland's abortion law needs fighting, but we must also look closer to home
Our body, our choice — As women in Poland go on strike to fight abortion laws, it's easy to think in Britain our right to choose is secure. The law might be on the side of women, but our autonomy is constantly under threat.
Written by: Marianna Manson
How do the UK's international students feel about being treated like shit?
Cold eyes on campus? — As Britain's Home Secretary announces tough new proposals for restrictions on overseas students, we ask international students in London if they still feel welcome in the UK.
Written by: Alex King
Sorry, there is no more room: My experience of whiteness in academia
The space belongs to us — When Eno Mfon arrived at Bristol University, the prospect of immersing herself in the rich cultural history of black performance and literature was exciting. Within days of arriving though, she'd faced explicit racism from her fellow students, and soon found out there was no room, apparently, on her curriculum for anyone who wasn't white.
Written by: Eno Mfon
Pussy Riot's Maria Alyokhina learnt young the price paid for standing up to injustice
A life of punk protest — We've all watched the videos, we've seen the pictures of Pussy Riot taking on the Russian state on our screens. For Maria Alyokhina though, a life of challenging the status quo, and paying for the consequences, had started many years before. Sam Williams meets Alyokhina in London, as she performs in a new play, Burning Doors.
Written by: Sam Williams
The young Brits reconnecting with their European heritage after Brexit
Dual citizenship? Yes please — We’ve turned our backs on Europe, our tiny, drizzly island looks set to become more isolated than ever before. But young people in Britain didn't vote for Brexit, and many are desperate to soften the blow. One possibility that’s occurring to thousands of us is reclaiming the heritage of our ancestors from the continent.
Written by: Marianna Manson
Do people really want to chat on the Tube?
Apparently not — Unofficial Tube Chat badges have been handed out on the Underground to get antisocial Londoners talking. Could it work? I went to try one out.
Written by: Alex King
Is there room for old boys like Allardyce in today's beautiful game?
Big Sam’s Bollock-Drop — There's no doubt that Sam Allardyce's apparently dodgy dealings were a fuck up, but the Telegraph's sting is reminiscent of a game that has always been populated by duckers and divers. Is there space for these old boys in today's game?
Written by: Michael Fordham
Should the media pay activists to talk?
From Where I Stand — It's an all too common occurrence for activists and campaigners, that phone call or email from a journalist asking you help them with a story, provide expertise and support. Just because activists do what they do for their cause, but sex worker rights activist Aisling Gallagher argues the media should pay for their time and experience.
Written by: Aisling Gallagher
We watched homeless squatters take an old seaside nightclub
Acting on homelessness — Darren Davies' high-profile occupations of derelict buildings in Southend are forcing a debate around the lack of housing and support for homeless people in the area.
Written by: Alex King