Hi, I’m Oliver, a third-year History student at Downing College. I’ve been writing for Varsity since my second year, getting stuck into interviews and news features. I’ve also dabbled in radio journalism on CamFM, the University’ student radio broadcaster. I’ve had the privilege to meet some very interesting people during my time as a ‘journalist’ and hope to continue writing into the future. While at Cambridge, I have also enjoyed rowing for my college and getting involved with theatre and music. I came to Shanghai to teach journalism last year, and am looking forward to returning with some new friends this time round!

Hi, Sophie here! I’m a third-year English student at Magdalene College. Throughout my time at Cambridge, I have worked for three different publications, gaining experience writing for a variety of sections, as well as presenting multiple tv series and radio shows. I am now an Associate Editor for Varsity, following a term as Senior News Editor. Working for the news section, I learnt that the news does not find you, but you have to find it, by talking to people and asking questions. Being away from my laptop and interviewing people at protests, rallies, and marches is one of my favourite things to do, as I have the opportunity to speak to a wide range of people, getting authentic views and opinions. I love to talk (hence the radio shows!), but I also love to listen. Outside of journalism, I enjoy the performing arts and have had dance lessons since a young age.

My name is Eliza Pepper, and I run Varsity Radio, which covers current affairs as well as opinion and culture pieces. I believe radio and interviews bring a dimension of familiarity to our audience. As a historian I’m always looking for a narrative in order to make sense of events. Minute-by-minute headlines that pop up on the news app on your phone or Twitter feed are the fastest way of getting the news. How can we make sense of this bombardment of information? Radio allows journalists to take their listeners on a journey, explaining how events are linked and impact one another. I aim to take a longer view of the stories covered by Varsity in print, drawing together various stories that our writers have been covering day by day. Radio doesn’t have to be linear though. It’s largely based on discussion and interviews, which means pitching various opinions against one another. Listening to someone express their view is often more engaging than hearing it paraphrased. I frequently interview other Varsity writers and editors so our audience can gain an insight into the thought and process behind the stories. I also enjoy writing opinion pieces, often based on these interviews.

My name is Joseph Powell and I am a first year PhD Theology student here at Sidney Sussex college in Cambridge, where my research examines Rastafari theology and environmental ethics more specifically. Prior to this I completed an MPhil also in Theology at Darwin College in Cambridge and did my undergraduate in Theology at the University of Exeter. Between my PhD and my MPhil I spent two years on a graduate scheme at the UK’s telecommunications regulator Ofcom where I worked primarily on broadcast standards and public service broadcasting policy. I’ve been at Varsity since I started my PhD primarily in the sports team which I was a correspondent before making the step up to editor. This Easter term I will be contributing to the paper as Senior News Editor. Being a big sports fan I absolutely loved writing about all the facets of Cambridge’s wide offering, and was able to watch and report on a huge variety of sports many of which I had never seen before. My highlight would probably be securing an exclusive interview with the Tottenham Hotspur FC Chairman and alumni Daniel Levy. I also greatly enjoy music, and primarily play the bass guitar.

I am Sam Crawley, a second-year undergraduate student at Cambridge University. I study History at Christ’s College with a particular focus on African and Asian history. I was born in London but moved to Cambridge when I was a child. Both my parents are doctors at the local hospital and I have two younger siblings. Having taken a mixture of sciences and humanities at A Level, I spent eight months teaching English in West Africa with a Scottish organisation called Project Trust before coming back to Cambridge for university. At Cambridge, I have been involved in several activities outside my degree. I have taken some courses in French and help run my College’s politics society. I am also involved in a student-led think tank called European Horizons. I have been involved with Varsity for several months as a news correspondent, writing news stories and some longer analytical pieces.