Looking for Love? Nah, I’m Looking for the Express!

By Editor in Chief Claire Watson

We did it. We’ve finally completed January. Go us!

This issue is absolutely jampacked with amazing writing, as we see welcome new members onto our team. I am so proud to be working with such a show-stopping team that manages to blow this paper right out of the water every issue.

For our Valentine’s issue, you’ll be treated to wonderful articles exploring the sexualisation of female characters in online gaming, written by our gaming editor Bonny Murphy. You’ll be able to read an exploration of how screen media has a knack for glorifying violence, by film and TV editor Mia Tobin Power, and romanticising villains, by features editor Chloe Barrett (sit tight for a podcast discussion between these two! You’re in for an absolute delight).

More on the topic of love, opinion editor Baneen Talpur shares her thoughts on love, as well as self-love, with a review of Good Day Cork’s podcast documentary “It’s Ok To Not Be Ok”. Sexpress editor Sofia Tinne advises how to stay safe this ball season, and deep dives into the show of female sexuality in Poor Things.

Fashion editor Lucrecia Smee takes us on a nostalgia tour as she discusses the freaky fashions of Monster High, this piece instantly reminded me of 10 year-old Claire’s fashion icons. Following the hype of Trad Fest, music editor Méabh Ní Chonaill explains the resurgence of folk in Ireland’s music scene. In science, science and environment editor Leah Moynihan reveals the phenomenon of ‘paper parks’ and the controversy surrounding the protection of marine areas. Easing us out of the dark month of January, arts and literature editor Luca Cavallo highlights the cosy comedy of Joe Pera, the quiet gem of American humour.

In news, our new, deputy news editor Marc Galdes covers how the far-right are using Ireland’s housing crisis to fuel anti-immigration sentiment. Our new, news editor David Twomey shares an interview with a Palestinian man who had been living in Al-Arroub, highlighting the displacement Palestinian civilians are suffering. He also shares a review of the recent film The Zone of Interest, a feverish glimpse at the quaint, picturesque lives of Nazi families during the Holocaust. Reporter Amelia McGrath shares her experience of a seed talk, a lecture hosted at Cypress Avenue on the topic of psychopathy.

I’m also delighted to be publishing the winner of FLAC’s 2023 Essay Competition Catherine Nikolajeva and her essay “Equality of Access is Integral to the Realisation of Social Justice”.

We have a student contribution from Arnaud Hug who writes of the historic relationship between New Zealand’s rugby team and University College Cork.

So sit back and relax with another gripping issue of the University Express.