Student news

The University’s Testing for COVID-19: Early Alert Service (EAS) is now open. EAS is a free service that provides rapid access to tests for both students and staff. Designed for a University environment, the service will ensure that members of the University who become unwell are quickly identified. The rapid response also protects others from transmission.

Today is International Literacy Day, a day dedicated to reading and learning. And while it can be hard to find time to read for fun during term time, it’s a great way to relax.

Three Oxford students shared their book recommendations and why they love them.

Read more below to find out why Alex, Christian and Matteo are so fond of these stories. 

Alex Beukers, English, 3rd year – 'An Imaginary Life', David Malouf

What are you working on to help new and returning students next year?

In Team 1, one of our main projects is to ensure that students can give feedback to steer the University’s teaching strategies. We’ll be analysing the use of university-wide surveys, exploring the creators’ strategies for outreach, and considering alternative strategies which could encourage students to give crucial feedback.

What inspired you to set up the magazine? 

The impetus to keep the community connected was there and we were all keen to get the project underway, so it was just the perfect time to set up a magazine.

A lot of the inspiration to set up the magazine came from simply being able to observe the bonds that already existed amongst ISoc members — we realised that a magazine would further strengthen these bonds and bring together individuals from all corners of the society.

Tell us about your journey to working on the COVID-19 vaccine at Oxford

I grew up in South-East London, but came to Oxford 7 years ago as an 18 year old, first pursuing a masters in Biochemistry at St Anne’s College, before I joined my DPhil scheme in 2017. Our lab look at developing vaccines against emerging viral diseases. My DPhil focuses on vaccines against Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHFV), and the closely related Nairobi Sheep Disease (NSDV).

Would you like to get involved with planning a programme of activities to help students relax and unwind?

Doing a degree at Oxford can be stressful at the best of times but particularly so when also trying to navigate a global pandemic.

Research is showing that the most protective behaviours for mental health during lockdown are creative activities such as arts and hobbies.

SkyLimit is designed to provide tools and resources for users to reach their personal and careers goals through short, daily practices on essential skills such as time management, strategic thinking, career planning, communication, and more. SkyLimit was created with the intention of making their soft skill training readily accessible, with the current pilot course free and open to everyone. Its bite-size audio lessons and coaching tools, all delivered on a single platform, mean that SkyLimit’s reach extends beyond Oxford, bringing education to learners across the globe.

"As a student, it can be easy to fall into a hyper-consumerist, “single-use” lifestyle. I have been environmentally conscious since becoming vegan for environmental and ethical reasons at sixteen, but for some reason was largely ignorant to the damaging environmental impact of my plastic use. This all changed in my first year at Oxford. Increasingly disconcerted by the immensity of plastic piling up in my shopping basket, I slowly started making changes.

The University has once again received the Fairtrade University and College Award, following a student-led audit.

We are delighted to announce that the University, Colleges and Students’ Union have been awarded Fairtrade University One star status to mark their achievements in Fairtrade improvements over the past 18 months.

Oxford University’s Fairtrade Partnership has been working towards expanding the variety and quantity of Fairtrade items sold in the University alongside raising awareness of the Fairtrade Foundation.