Epigram

The latest news and award-winning independent cultural journalism from students and staff at Bristol University

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Featured Writers

Jordana Seal

I am currently in my final year at the University of Bristol, studying English and Theatre Studies.

James Lewis

I am a 21 year old student, aspiring journalist, and current student journalist. I am co Editor-in-Chief of Epigram, the University of Bristol's student newspaper, and winner of Best Publication …

Leanne Gayle

Former BBC Digital Content Apprentice.

Harry Stringer

Isobel Edmondson

Lauren Hope Sanderson

Freelance journalist and Editor in Chief at Empoword Journalism. Bylines in Epigram, Bristol 24/7, Empoword Journalism and Her Campus.

Latest Articles

Bristol's ghost stories: from their origins to tales from the city

By Alex Boersma, Literature columnist 25/26We have all watched at least one movie featuring teenagers and children huddled together by torch light telling ghost stories to scare each other. Some of us may even have recreated this with our own friends and tried to out scare each other. Despite not …

By Alex Boersma
23rd October 2025 • Epigram

Ballot opens for whether staff will strike or not

Staff at the University of Bristol, and 136 other institutions in England, will be balloted by the University and Colleges Union (UCU) from today (Monday 20 October) over what they call a ‘derisory’ pay offer from the University and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), and a ‘worrying escalation’ of proposed job …

By James Lewis
20th October 2025 • Epigram

A real ASSL: Humanities students unhappy with library closure

For months, the ASSL – both revered and despised – has been trapped behind orange fences as refurbishment continues. But until recently no reopening date was given. While Monday 20 October will see access to the library’s print collection restored, the ground floor won’t reopen until 17 November. This delayed …

By James Lewis
16th October 2025 • Epigram

Arts and Social Sciences Library to reopen on 20 October

Epigram can reveal that the ASSL’s upper floors will be reopened on Monday 20 October. In an exclusive statement given to Epigram, a University of Bristol spokesperson said that the reopening on 20 October will restore ‘access to all print collections and both large study areas. The ground floor, which …

By James Lewis
9th October 2025 • Epigram

Lucy Rose on debut novel 'The Lamb', in conversation with Bristol lecturer Joan Passey

Lucy Rose’s debut novel The Lamb is filled with cannibalism, queerness and vivid storytelling. What’s not to love? And what better place to gather and discuss than the dimly lit cavernous interior of the Loco Klub? The literature columnists attended Max Minerva's event and joined Bristol alumni Lucy Rose, Cumbrian …

By Alex Boersma
5th October 2025 • Epigram

Free bus pass axed for students living outside Stoke Bishop

The free bus pass used to be offered to all first years living in undergraduate accommodation.Last year, the pass offered unlimited trips on the U1, 3, 4, and 72 bus routes. This has been reduced to the U1, 5, and 77, with free travel on the 3 and 4 only …

By James Lewis
17th September 2025 • Epigram

Fresh reads for freshers: A freshers' guide to Bristol's book clubs

By Alex Boersma, Literature columnist 25/26For bookworm freshers or just those who want to broaden their bookish horizons, here's a little guide to book clubs around Bristol. There are a couple of student-run society book clubs, but also some external book clubs if you want to engage with the wider …

By Alex Boersma
14th September 2025 • Epigram

Trade pre-reading for these autumnal classics

By Alex Boersma, Literature Columnist 25/26While some find the transition from summer to winter grim, I often find so much beauty during the autumnal months. From falling leaves to cosying up with a good book, ideally in a book nook by a crackling fire. If only student accommodation had armchairs …

By Alex Boersma
8th September 2025 • Epigram

In conversation with Cecelia Koç: President of Comparative Literatures and Cultures society

By Alex Boersma, Literature Columnist 25/26Alex Boersma talks to Cecelia Koç, third year student and president of the comparative literatures and cultures society, about her experience studying and engaging with comparative literatures and cultures at the University of Bristol.I first met Cece through a mutual friend while hanging out at …

By Alex Boersma
31st August 2025 • Epigram

Me, mum, and mental illness

A raw insight into my life as a student with a parent suffering from mental illness

By Annie McNamee
20th July 2025 • Epigram

‘Weeks of disruption on campus’ if the University of Bristol does not reconsider redundancies

Staff at the Centre for Academic Language and Development (CALD) have voted to take industrial action in July and August over the University of Bristol’s plans to make 45 staff members redundant. The centre was established in 1989 to provide English language education to students, ‘whether or not English is …

By James Lewis
6th July 2025 • Epigram

Wills Memorial Building marks 100th anniversary

On June 9 1925, exactly 100 years ago today, Wills Memorial Building was opened by King George V and Queen Mary. The arresting, neo-Gothic building, which many Freshers can be excused for thinking is a cathedral, has been the place of graduation, stressed exam seasons, and equal measures of life-pondering …

By James Lewis
9th June 2025 • Epigram

Review: Drax Project @ The Louisiana

By Rafe Llewellyn, Second Year HistoryDrax Project lived up to their exceptionally high standards on Friday at The Louisiana in the final leg of their debut UK and Europe tour. Explosive energy and musical dynamism, Drax Project are comfortably one of the best bands that can be seen live. Rolling …

By Rafe Llewellyn
1st June 2025 • Epigram

Uncorking Winestock’s price tag

When you think of Winestock, images of wholesome reunions and avoiding that first-year flatmate might spring to mind. Many also feel it to be an event whose ticket price isn’t justified, reliant on social pressures to draw a crowd.‘Winestock is an all-inclusive food and wine festival [...] your food’s included …

By James Lewis
17th May 2025 • Epigram

Two Strangers Trying Not To Kill Each Other: Artists, Angst, and Maybe Some Answers

By Max Bradley-Cole, Film and TV. My review of a documentary about Photographer Joel Meyerowitz and his equally incredible wife, Maggie Barrett

By Max Bradley-Cole
21st April 2025 • Epigram

'Art for Art's sake': In conversation with Holysseus Fly

By Rafe Llewellyn, Second Year HistoryA circle clicked shut as Holly Wellington, better known as Holysseus Fly, sat down with me to discuss her residency at the Beacon and all things going solo. Holly studied at Bristol University and she tells me her housemate wrote for Epigram whilst she was …

By Rafe Llewellyn
15th April 2025 • Epigram

Bristol clash with Local rivals Bath - Volleyball

By Rafe Llewellyn, Second Year, HistoryWelcome to Epigram's exclusive coverage of Derby Day 2024/25. From Football and Lacrosse to Netball and Tennis, here are the stories behind the biggest day for sport at the University. Brought to you by our talented team of writers.Unfortunate endings for some of Bristol’s finest …

By Rafe Llewellyn
28th March 2025 • Epigram

'We started as performers and that's still our favourite part': In conversation with Drax Project

By Rafe Llewellyn, Second Year HistoryI'm searching for possible technology faults as my screen flashes quickly from an old photo of the band to the two members of Drax Project I've been given the opportunity to chat to ahead of their highly anticipated tour. Sam Thompson, who plays bass, sits …

By Rafe Llewellyn
27th March 2025 • Epigram

Review: MTB's production of Alice by Heart @ Loco Klub

It’s Alice in Wonderland – but not. Consciously not, in fact. There’s no idyllic Victorian English countryside in Alice by Heart – originally written by Steven Sater and Jessie Nelson in 2012 – no no, this is London in its darkest moment, The Blitz. We meet the characters during an …

By James Lewis
14th March 2025 • Epigram

Review: KiLLOWEN @ Exchange

By Rafe Llewellyn, Second Year HistoryThe 'No Service Tour' provided a perfect template for what it is, fun, bouncy and carried by the energy of a good crowd. The lineup and timings of such an event are incredibly important in these kind of gigs, especially with a rather young crowd …

By Rafe Llewellyn
13th March 2025 • Epigram

Robogals: the difference a role model makes

It’s so often the case that we pat ourselves on the back and applaud the growth of female participation in STEM. Growing yes, but the fact remains that men are dramatically overrepresented in the STEM workforce. More than two times overrepresented; in 2024, women made up only 30 percent of …

By James Lewis
8th March 2025 • Epigram

Women in Media 2025: Everything you need to know

By Cerys Larsen, News Subeditor and Lily Wheeler, EDI officerEpigram’s annual Women in Media panel event is returning this March for its third year.Throughout the month, Epigram will be hosting a series of panel events, hearing from successful women across the media industry. From journalists to publishers, our speakers have …

By Lily Wheeler
4th March 2025 • Epigram

Lost Track of Time sells out for secret KILIMANJARO performance

By Rafe Llewellyn, Second Year HistoryOn the 20th of February, KILIMANJARO erupted erupted into a fiery performance during a secret event hosted by Lost Track of Time in celebration of his new track, 'Come Towards the Light'.The slightly unprecedented venue, Jacobs, which sits along an unassuming row of shops near …

By Rafe Llewellyn
3rd March 2025 • Epigram

Will Doechii be headlining FORWARDS Festival in 2025?

By Rafe Llewellyn, Second Year History and Benji Chapman, Music EditorThe billboard proudly displaying a star-studded Love Saves The Day lineup including Ghetts, Overmono, Nia Archives, and the highly anticipated return of Groove Armada, was replaced this week by a mysterious billboard for Love Saves' sister summer festival.Many will remember …

By Rafe Llewellyn
25th February 2025 • Epigram

A Real Pain: Families Are A Nightmare and Jesse Eisenberg Understands Why

By Meadow Wattret, Film and TV Co-Deputy EditorIt’s 2am in the middle of term two and I can’t sleep because of my three younger brothers. Not because they’re screaming at video games, or because I’m still seething after a text-fight where I declared they were ‘the worst’. I’m wondering where …

By Meadow Wattret
21st February 2025 • Epigram

By Anna Johnson
20th February 2025 • Epigram

Interview with berlioz

I interviewed the online sensation about his unusual music genre, which he describes as 'if Matisse made house music'.

By Anna Johnson
20th February 2025 • Epigram

Emotional Cowboy: One Night Only with Leo Hincks

By Max Bradley-Cole, Film and TV Editor. A review of my friend Leo Hinck's one man play.

By Max Bradley-Cole
14th February 2025 • Epigram

‘Defeated... very defeated’: One student’s mould nightmare

When Epigram met with cheery and unguarded student, Bibi Millett, her polished appearance struggled to convey the housing nightmare that she’s fought while keeping up with the already demanding pressures of university.

By James Lewis
12th February 2025 • Epigram

Review: Morgan Wallen UK @ Motion

By Rafe LLewellyn, Second Year History A saloon for the sheriffs of Bristol, the number of cowboy hats in the crowd was instantly recognisable; the only separation you would assume from a dusty bar in Nashville being the variety of shades of pink littered among the cowboy hats. An eclectic …

By Rafe Llewellyn
10th February 2025 • Epigram