In the third episode of our series ‘OutSTANDing Stories’, Emily Savage interviews Rob Fitzpatrick, a social science student and current auditor of the Literary & Historical Society in UCD. Rob chats about overcoming his early difficulties of starting as a fresher in the college and the endless benefits of engaging in society life and fostering supportive connections, which doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to the LGBTQ soc. While Rob feels like his experiences have shaped the direction of his studies, he also chats about the importance of choosing a path that speaks to your own personal goals and dreams rather than one you think you should be limited to or feel compelled to do, solely based on identity.

Representation for queer women in media is sorely lacking, and good representation, even more so. Content is either hypersexual or targeted at a very young audience – two extreme ends of a spectrum with slim pickings in the middle.

In the second episode of our series ‘OutSTANDing Stories’, Emily Savage interviews Robert Brennan, a first-year student in TU Dublin as they discuss their lived experiences as a trans student in third-level education so far. Robert details the network of supports available to them such as the campuses LGBTQ soc, the SU and the Welfare and Equalities Officer, campus counselling services and outside organisations such as TENI and BeLong To. Robert stresses the importance of having people on your side who are willing to advocate for you, so you don’t have to just advocate for yourself. Robert also discusses the impact of online learning and concerns around starting face-to-face lectures in September with the possibility of being misgendered more by lecturers or classmates.

In the first episode of our new series ‘OutSTANDing Stories’, Emily Savage interviews Jayson Pope, Auditor Elect of UCD LBGTQ+ Society and volunteer with BeLonG To, as he discusses his lived experiences as a trans student in UCD. Jayson discusses his identity and the joys and issues he’s faced in both social and academic settings upon entering third-level education. For Jayson, his position as a trans student has directly impacted what he hopes to do in life. In this episode, he also offers outlets of support to any student who is going through a similar experience.

Although Dublin City recorded 10 per cent tree canopy coverage, there exists a disparity between the number of trees in north Dublin versus south Dublin. Fingal County Council recorded 9.80 per cent canopy cover across its constituency, while the figure for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council was 16.38 per cent.

Data centres may restrict Ireland from reaching its long-term climate change goals. Currently, there are 70 data centres around Ireland, making it the data centre capital of Europe. 54 of these data centres are located across County Dublin, with 10 more under construction as of 2021.

The birth of the environmental justice movement took place in the 1980s in the US, as reports and findings came out that indicated that communities of colour are disproportionately affected by health hazards through policies and practices that essentially force them to live closer to toxic waste sites and pollutants.

Most circus animals are treated poorly; beaten, starved, and kidnapped. They sit in tiny cages travelling from place to place for our entertainment. Have we ever thought about what the once big and mighty beasts feel when they are dressed in silly costumes and forced to perform tricks that are dangerous and downright unnecessary?

More than two million people have fled the region, and there have been at least 10,000 reported deaths with tens of thousands of people are currently seeking refuge in the neighbouring country of Sudan. However, as communications have been almost entirely cut in the region, it is impossible to calculate exact numbers.

The lack of laws leads not just to well-below-the-poverty-line wages, but also to fatal working conditions, child labour, and the flourishing of public health issues as the sex trade thrives in many diamond mining towns, leading to the spread of HIV and other STI’s.

The recent rise in antisemitic acts has at times been linked to Covid-19 restrictions. During periods of turmoil, it seems that anti-Jewish sentiment rises. We need only look to poverty-stricken Germany in the 1920s or to the Partitions of Poland at the end of the 18th century.

The EU migrant return policy aims to increase return rates of asylum seekers to their country of origin by making border procedures as efficient as possible. Since the increased amount of people fleeing wars in 2015 and seeking refuge in Europe, EU asylum policy has been polarising, with Europe often being dubbed “Fortress Europe” – an impassable fort with watchtowers and border guards prepared to stop at nothing to keep those seeking refuge out.

In our live series, Activists + Innovators, we speak with Blessing Dada, a 21-year-old mental health advocate who campaigns for intersectional approaches to mental health and learn more about how we can #RISEUP for mental health reform.

In our live series, Activists + Innovators, we talk with Lucy Geraty from Fairtrade Ireland about the impacts of our consumption on the environment and human rights. We also discuss their current campaigns and the steps individuals can take to be ethical consumers.

In our live series, Activists + Innovators, we talk with Lyndsey O’Connell from VOICE Ireland to launch our #ConsciousConsumption campaign.

In our live series, Activists + Innovators, we talk with Paula Martinez from The Danú Project during World Refugee Week.