The Spark Newspaper

The Spark Newspaper The University of Reading’s student newspaper, The Spark, prides itself in being one of the few societies across the university with an appeal to all students.

Whatever your interests, whoever you are, there is something which The Spark can offer you.

“At then end of the day; they’re Reading men”A couple months ago we got the opportunity to interview slowdive, one of th...
18/06/2026

“At then end of the day; they’re Reading men”

A couple months ago we got the opportunity to interview slowdive, one of the first pioneers of shoegaze from right here, the ‘Ding.

We spoke of the 90’s, what Reading’s music scene use to be, the industry, and their career blooming out of London roads AfterDark over some Ding lager and Twiglets.

Thanks to both Nick and Christian for chatting with us. You can also find the interview in our printed edition around campus, and soon town ⭐

And who said Reading has nothing going on? The Loddon Village project is beginning, and its integration with the Natural...
16/06/2026

And who said Reading has nothing going on?
The Loddon Village project is beginning, and its integration with the Natural History Museum has taken the spotlight.

Isaac, our local news editor, reports on the recent collaboration between UoR and the Natural History Museum, where a new site will be located a 15 minute cycle away from campus. The new site will house around 28 million species at the new Shinfield site, taking Reading’s climate and scientific reputation to another level.

Meet the editors that worked on the latest Spark magazine. Ranging from seeing union nights through decades to diving in...
02/06/2026

Meet the editors that worked on the latest Spark magazine.

Ranging from seeing union nights through decades to diving into Wilfred Owen. Make sure to pick up a copy, which will make you time travel no matter when you pick it up x

Everyday a new confessions page springs up in our following boxes, giving us accounts of whatever ‘confesson’ someone pr...
05/04/2026

Everyday a new confessions page springs up in our following boxes, giving us accounts of whatever ‘confesson’ someone probably within our vicinity wants us to know about.

But are these confessions at all?
Aside from the likely lack of factuality with a lot of these posts, many of these posts are actually not even confessions at all.

Then what are they? Spark Editor- in-Chief, Tiam, has done a data analysis of confession pages, unraveling the sensationalist truth behind the page.

Is the lack of student forums, student-led media and space at fault?

Let us know!

Submit your articles via
[email protected]

What’s it like being working-class on campus? Nicoleta, an economics undergraduate, tells us her experience of first ent...
01/04/2026

What’s it like being working-class on campus?
Nicoleta, an economics undergraduate, tells us her experience of first entering university coming from a background that has always been at the under belly of campus’s.

With higher education being a barrier for many young working-class, many being the first in their family to go, or those who struggle a different financial battle, being working-class can feel alienating.

Nicoleta gives a great account, highlighting the imposter syndrome, but also the distant you feel when it comes to family relatability.

Wanna get your articles or writing published?
Submit to us at: [email protected] 🍜

Being the only man in climate workshops? It’s been out of recent news that young men aren’t engaging like before, but is...
27/03/2026

Being the only man in climate workshops?
It’s been out of recent news that young men aren’t engaging like before, but is this true?

Master student Christian gives his account of being one of few young men who attend climate workshops and assemblies, pleading young men to care more.

Do young men care? are they caring in other spaces?
Let us know what you think

Spark Politics Editor, Sam, is back on it with the interviews. He interviewed local council, who represent most of the s...
15/03/2026

Spark Politics Editor, Sam, is back on it with the interviews. He interviewed local council, who represent most of the students living on our campus, to understand his role, values ans his thoughts on the current housing renter system.

With the local elections approaching fast, it’s time to register to vote. Students can register to vote at both their home and student address. International students from commonwealth countries can vote too!
Let’s make student voices heard.

Talk to the SPARK at [email protected] 🍵

Sick of not knowing what’s on? Think Reading a bit of a vaccum like sh****le and feel homesick? Or just feel a bit lonel...
13/03/2026

Sick of not knowing what’s on? Think Reading a bit of a vaccum like sh****le and feel homesick? Or just feel a bit lonely and want to go out and explore- a more demure phrasing?

Well we have got you! Reading’s great when you have a look.

A good weeks worth of culture filled events.
Zoom in to look at the posters closer, or check out the tagged accounts! Let us know if there are any local events you’d like promoting, check our story for more 🍵

On the 26th February, Grace, our societies editor attended the ninth annual Wolfenden lecture at Van Emden in Edith More...
13/03/2026

On the 26th February, Grace, our societies editor attended the ninth annual Wolfenden lecture at Van Emden in Edith Morely. A lot of historical activism past was brought to the present through Martin Kaufman’s history on Gay Liberation in the 1970’s and his time organising public meetings for the rights of the gay community.

Held in Edith Morely, a building named after the first female professor in the Uk, the 26th had a day of replenishing it’s rich political past.

Loved reading this as much as I did?

Then submit an article to us, our submission point is in the link on our bio. Want to write about your society? What the university has been up to and done? Or maybe you want to donate piece on something that you thought about after your walk down from campus? We want to hear 🍵

Did you see someone holding a box of cereal on campus? Or a 3kg bag of pasta? Well what’s that all about then? Student b...
12/03/2026

Did you see someone holding a box of cereal on campus? Or a 3kg bag of pasta? Well what’s that all about then?

Student banks are overcooked overdrafts, fridges are empty and the our tuition fees are only boiling over.

Ella from the SU sent in her article on what proactive work they’re doing to face the cost of living crisis - or should we say day-to-day reality? Listing out ways to find financial support and national data on what our reality truly is.

Write for us!
Email us your articles at [email protected] 🍵

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Reading University Students' Union, Stephen Lawrence Media Centre P. O Box 320, Whiteknights
Reading
RG66AZ

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