It is my delight to present the 11th volume of St Anne’s Academic Review.

You have, in your hands, or on your screens, a rich collection of manuscripts written and crafted by members of the St Anne’s College community. The scholarship here reaches just about every corner of the human intellect. Even a cursory look at our titles on the preceding page will assure you of that range.

In this volume, we are rooted in the present and go as far back as 84 BC. Among the peer-reviewed pieces, you will find the latest insights on brain science, data on the impact of the coronavirus, and fine analyses of texts by medieval French and living authors. Two articles in the Social Science section – one on LGBTQ+ students in British schools, the other covering Japanese post-Cold War politics – merit attention for their depth of investigation. Our cultural commentaries and creative works also make for intelligent reading, shining a light on the individual voices of their authors.

I give credit to each of my colleagues on the Editorial Board, who generously gave their time all year to advise our authors, edit their pieces, and facilitate the Open Peer Review process, and with such professionalism. Special mentions go to Erin and Trish for working assiduously in multiple disciplines; Brittany for editing Spark Reviews; Lise for her artistry in designing our new website and logos; and, of course, to Daniel Mercieca for returning to help on the journal’s every front and leading the production of our very first promotional film.

Also underpinning this volume is Alexandra Paramour, whose expertise in academic writing prepared us to carry out our patient work, and my predecessor Alex Kither who guided me along the way. We thank Principal Helen King, Communications Officer Jay Gilbert, and the MCR led by Zhen Shao for their kindness in supporting the journal’s ambitious projects.
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Enjoy reading STAAR Volume 11 and listening to these fresh academic voices. May our authors tell you something new about the world today and inspire your own learning.