Welcome to the first of our SPA Spotlight round ups for 2024-25, where we will be highlighting some of the best work from our members that we think you should check out! We’ve been so impressed by the work that everyone has produced so far this year, so here’s just a few of the many great articles that are well worth a read!

In Conversation: Culture Committee Chair The Rt. Hon. Dame Caroline Dinenage MP by Sophie Layton (Forge Press)

Sophie has been doing an excellent job examining the relationship between arts and politics at Forge this year, something she continues in this well-constructed interview with the Chair of the Parliamentary Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee. They discuss the challenges of AI, dynamic ticket pricing and the importance of cultural industries to the UK economy.

Free speech, the Fallowfield Redevelopment, and catching the 142: An interview with Duncan Ivison by Ella Logan Wilson & Miles Davenport (The Mancunion)

In this interview with the University of Manchester’s new Vice Chancellor, Ella and Miles dig into his views on Andy Burnham, tuition fee rises, freedom of speech in universities and the cost-of-living crisis.

Relatable Realities: The Timeless Appeal of "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies" by Sammi Li (Individual Member)

This in-depth analysis of a hit Taiwanese film is well considered and full of fascinating analysis. Sammi considers the film in its cultural context across themes such as family and love, and examines the behind-the-scenes decisions which gave it its visual style to create a really thoughtful review.

A Comparison of the ‘An Allegory of the Tudor Succession’ Paintings by Annon Ford (The York Historian)

This fascinating analysis of presentations of Elizabeth I across her reign takes as its sources two paintings of the whole Tudor family, delving into the symbolism they both hold and the differences between them. Whether you’re interested in art history, fashion or royal politics, this article has it all!

‘You want me to destroy the hills?’: Count Binface is ready to serve Bristol by Annie McNamee (Epigram)

A fun one to finish on, but still written with real confidence and flair, this article sees Epigram’s Co-Editor-in-Chief explore both the quirky and serious sides of UK politics with the first parliamentary candidate from the planet Sigma IX. Annie really embraces the fun and whimsey of one of our more light-hearted political candidates whilst also engaging with the real issues facing students today, and it makes for a very enjoyable read!

Thank you to everyone who submitted work for this round up – we were so impressed with the quality of submissions!

We want to include as broad a range of people and publications as possible in our Spotlight round ups across the year, so please keep submitting your work via this form for the chance to be featured next time.