Oskar Barltrop and Pauline Le Gal, UCL’s Sustainability Officers, express frustrations regarding the Student Union’s slow policy changes and lack of responsiveness. They aim to promote sustainable practices and address broader issues like Palestine’s situation and rising living costs. Oskar urges greater support for student leaders to accelerate progress.
Category: Philosophy & Policy
A British Medical Association study revealed widespread tolerance of sexism and harassment in medical schools, with 41% of female and 19% of male students reporting harassment or assault. Many students doubted effective complaint resolutions. The BMA emphasizes that medical schools must adopt serious reforms to ensure safe and inclusive environments for all students.
In the UK, psychiatric service referrals take around 18 weeks, yet only 30% of individuals access help. Many patients only have a single session with no follow-up care, highlighting the need for structured approaches. Single session interventions (SSIs) can improve engagement and outcomes, particularly for youth, but require careful implementation across services.
The history of psychosurgery highlights its initial popularity, particularly the lobotomy, as a treatment for mental disorders in the mid-20th century. However, ethical concerns and adverse consequences led to its decline. Modern interventions prioritize patient consent and safety, emphasizing the need for ethical standards and comprehensive research in mental health treatment.
UCL’s historical ties to eugenics reveal a complex narrative; it was central to eugenic research in Britain, supported by figures like Galton and Pearson. As a pseudoscience rooted in social control, eugenics intertwined with early 20th-century socialism, promoting reproductive policies under the guise of progress. Its legacy complicates current political discourse.
In November 2024, amid political fragmentation, President-elect Trump promises to evict minorities, while Starmer balances identity politics against far-right claims. The article explores how archaeology’s evolution affects political identity, urging a rejection of outdated narratives to embrace a nuanced understanding of historical objects and their significance in contemporary discourse.
The article by Nirvan Marathe examines the evolving role of zoos amid growing concerns about animal rights and welfare. While zoos claim to focus on conservation and education, ethical issues and the psychological effects on captive animals raise significant questions about their relevance. Alternatives like virtual reality could reshape public interaction with wildlife.
Chimerism in humans refers to the existence of two or more genetically distinct cell lines within a single organism, which can occur naturally or artificially. Types include microchimerism, fusion chimerism, and twin chimerism. Often undetected, chimerism can complicate DNA testing and forensic analysis, leading to potential issues like false negatives.
The opioid crisis in America arose from increased prescriptions and misrepresentation by pharmaceutical companies, leading to widespread addiction and overdose deaths. Regulatory failures allowed easy access to addictive drugs, exacerbating the epidemic. Communities, especially those with lower socioeconomic status, suffer disproportionately. Comprehensive interventions are necessary to address disparities and curb the crisis.
Junior doctors in the UK have been striking for better pay and working conditions, shedding light on various issues within the healthcare system. Beyond pay, reasons for strikes include severe understaffing, unacceptable working conditions, and the impact on patient care. Medical students, already facing financial strain and workload challenges, are further affected. During strikes, students have been asked to cover for doctors, which raises concerns about their training and patient safety. With government plans to extend strike laws, addressing these issues becomes crucial for the future of healthcare professionals and medical students.
