Stories to Live For

How is the nature of leisure changing? Why do we find fear so invigorating? Is it too late to save the natural world? We dive headfirst into the far-reaches of the world to find out.

Life moves pretty fast. This week, Hybrid invites you to stop, look around and ponder the nature of the big questions that make life worth living. We don’t guarantee solutions, but we can promise these articles will change the way you think.

Our Masters Journalism students dive headfirst into the far-reaches of the world to deliver some of the most invigorating stories around. From grassroots village campaigns designed to save the world bit by bit, to psychological explorations on the mindsets of shoplifters and adrenaline chasing nightclimbers. From back to front this edition delivers a vibrant selection of stories to live for.

Find 12 must-read features below that offer a high-octane whiz around the block.

Saving the orangutans, one slice of toast at a time? - Betsy Goodfellow

We’d all love to save the planet and endangered species, but is palm oil the enemy and can we help by cutting it out?

The experts don’t think so, rather choosing to focus on sustainable production and ethical use. But what are the best practices for at-home conservationists and can we really make a difference?

WATTS UP CLANFIELD? - Eloise Sheffield

Amid the first lockdown, Angus Fraser and his family assembled a team of dedicated volunteers to create ‘One Planet Clanfield’ - trying to find alternative ways to power their village and live within the means of one planet. Now, they’re in talks to take the village ‘off-grid’, is this achievable?

Oxford's Only Greek Inscription: The Message Everyone Walks Past - Chris Hatzis

“And they found him sitting among the teachers”; a subtle yet significant Greek inscription that is displayed above the north doorway of Oxford’s Divinity School that’s hidden in plain sight.

“She stole my life”: A Male Victims Heart-Breaking Story of Domestic Abuse - Peace Nabwami

A secret epidemic of domestic abuse is devastating the lives of countless men - their wounds unseen and their stories often unheard. Constantly stepping on eggshells and living in fear, for one 36-year-old man, this was his reality for eight long years. An alternative view into the devastating reality of domestic violence.

Franchise, Flavour, and Footfall: How Bubble Tea Became Big Business in the UK - Zhang Xiaoning

Forget flat cappuccino—bubble tea is taking over Britain’s beverage scene. Queues spill out of bubble tea shops from Oxford’s student-filled streets to London’s trendiest districts. Influencers post their favourite combos, students and locals line up rain or shine, and new brands are popping up faster than you can say “extra boba.” Why has this once-niche drink captured the hearts (and taste buds) of so many in the UK? And what does it reveal about food, identity, and global business today?

Read the full story and uncover the secrets behind the bubble tea craze.

Who knows—this might just be the beginning of your next favourite drink, or even your next big venture.

What Makes Psychological Thrillers So Addictive? - Mruda Zarekar

Why do films like Psycho, Shutter Island, and Gone Girl leave us breathless and obsessed? This isn’t just storytelling, it’s psychological warfare. The brilliance behind psychological thrillers where every silence speaks volumes and every twist shatters reality. Discover how the finest filmmakers turn fear, silence, and suspense into unforgettable cinematic experiences. Do you dare to uncover the secrets behind the suspense?

What happens to the brains of shoplifters? - Berenice

Shoplifting is on the rise across the UK, and it raises an intriguing question: what compels someone to steal? Surprisingly, many items that end up in the hands of shoplifters aren't particularly valuable, leading us to wonder if, for some, the thrill lies more in the chase than the prize. It seems to transform into a game—a test of daring and adrenaline. To delve deeper into this behaviour, we spoke with psychologists who shed light on the motivations behind it and discussed strategies to address these patterns. Join us as we explore the complex world of shoplifting and what drives individuals to take that risky plunge.

Severance, the Cult of Business, and Creating Your Own Innie - Arthur G

With experimental brain surgery off the table (for now), is there another way to solve our work-life imbalance by creating our own ‘innie’ and ‘outie’. Inspired by Apple TV’s hit show Severance, this piece explains the dangers of corporate culture, and investigates how you could use language to switch off when you leave the office. 

Your outie never checks their work email in the evening. Your outie doesn’t bring their work stress home. Your outie is happy.

The Cornerstone Of Cricket: Have Local Clubs Got It Right? - Tom Cockburn

With recent developments in The Hundred, has English Cricket sold its soul, or does it remain in the local clubs and village greens of this green and pleasant land? Ahead of the beginning of the new local cricket season, Tom Cockburn explores the rich and complex dynamics of the local club scene in the sport. Examining the importance of local cricket in 2025 in an age of big money franchises and advertising deals.

What is nightclimbing? And who is mad enough to do it? - Sam Mumford

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s a daring nightclimber springing between the rooftops during the twilight hours! Under the cover of darkness, a growing number of people exercise their freedom by leaping across towering buildings - but why? Interviews with a professional traucer and a member of the Oxford Nightclimbers break the silence on the mysterious sport, and detail why a select few find bliss amongst the dreaming spires.

The Japanese novel boom: more than just a passing fad - Mikkiko Yamada

Think you’ve been seeing so many Japanese titles in bookstores recently? You’re right. Publishers are aware of the current Japanese novel boom—and they’re confident it's not only a passing trend.

Iran’s Women Hitchhikers: A Quiet Revolution on the Road - Mahsa Amrabadi

‘Revolution isn’t just political—it’s a deep, mental, cultural rebirth, carved in the body, the language, the everyday.’ Stopping a car on the side of the road seems very simple—but in Iran, it’s a tremendous challenge for women.