Columns
Dear readers of the Spirit, Since the last release of the Spirit in October, we have received numerous pieces of feedback, which is greatly appreciated. We have also received many photos of the Spirit found in weird and wonderful places. One of my favourites was multiple photos of a cat
Sport and Societies
By Lilac Carr, BA Politics and International Relations At the start of the academic year, SOAS had a whopping zero political party societies. Now, just a couple of months later, it has two: SOAS Your Party Society, covered in the last issue of the Spirit; and now, the SOAS Young
Sport and Societies
Kaitlyn Prince, Photographer, BA Politics and International Relations Ferrari entered Formula One’s 75th season with real optimism, hoping to revive the legendary Scuderia legacy. With steadier leadership, a strategic upgrade strategy, and the hype of their unstoppable driver line-up, Charles Leclerc and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, the year
Sport and Societies
By Zainab Syed, Sports & Societies Staff Writer ,BA Politics and International Relations Sports betting used to be a deliberate act. A trip to the betting shop, cash in hand, fully aware you were placing a gamble. Now, it doesn’t feel like a choice at all. Betting has been
culture
Maaryah Rashid, Co-Deputy Editor, BA Politics and International Relations If your social media feeds are anything like mine, you would have also witnessed the frenzied excitement surrounding the first four episodes of Netflix’s Stranger Things, season five; from fan edits, to predictions for the next four episodes, to endless
culture
Amy Kan, Co-deputy Editor, BA International Relations and Japanese In case you haven’t been caught up with the rest of Britain, the first season of The Celebrity Traitors (The Traitors spinoff) was finalised November 6 (2025). 19 celebrities gathered, with Claudia Winkleman appointing three of them as traitors. A
culture
Chinaza Iwe, Culture Section Editor, BA History & World Philosophies Body positivity and inclusivity could be dying. But more likely it's dead and buried. 2025 seems to be the year of post woke culture. With the rise of Ozempic and Mounjaro and the health concerns related to the
culture
Lina Kabbour, Culture Staff Writer, BA Politics and International Relations Netflix has recently released a new film adaptation of the literary classic Frankenstein, directed by Guillermo del Toro. Del Toro investigates the theme of prejudice through the mistreatment of the Creature played by Jacob Elordi. The scars on the Creature
culture
Kenza Bajjar, Sports and Societies Editor, BA Politics and International Relations The objectification of women is nothing new. In fact, it's old news. We all know it happens. We’re all used to the exploitation of our bodies, of the commodification of our parts, emotions, and appearances. With
features
By Siddhant Pawar, BSc Politics, Philosophy and Economics When New York City swore in its first Muslim Southeast Asian mayor, the world paid attention. His wife Rama Duwaji, a Syrian illustrator and animator based in New York, shared the spotlight. She joined her husband on stage wearing an embroidered top
features
Jasmine Donnelly, BA Digital Media, Culture & Creative Arts In a culture increasingly shaped by algorithms and profit, the way we consume and create media is changing. Since being a content creator has increased in popularity, we are faced with more information and entertainment than ever before. However, endless choice
features
Emma Dear, BA Chinese It is a well known fact that the beauty industry perpetuates and profits off of toxic beauty standards. But how is this applicable to the modern world of social media and Artificial Intelligence (AI)? What can we do to reduce the harmful effects of social media