It is our pleasure to welcome you to the 2023-24 Academic Journal. There has certainly been no shortage of contemporary issues to discuss, from sustainable energy to constitutional credibility to a guide to tying your shoe laces. This Journal offers its readers a huge diversity of topics to enjoy.

The opportunity to organise this year’s Academic Journal has been an incredibly fulfilling experience as, for us, it represents an outlet for the literary creativity of students across the school. We have found that when given the chance, be it through school societies or elsewhere, students are not only willing to expose themselves to new ideas and challenges, but incredibly capable once they take up this mantle. And that unique chance to display raw ability, created by this Academic Journal, is fundamentally what makes this publication so special.

Finally, we must express sincere thanks to all the contributors to this year’s edition, without whom this would not have been possible. Firstly, we are grateful to Mr Noyes, Mrs Tan, Mrs Wallace and the rest of the Senior Prefect Team for overseeing the process, and giving invaluable advice at crucial moments. Secondly, huge thanks must go to the subject ambassadors who worked tirelessly to edit the articles before publication. A further thank you goes to those who wrote forewords and the massive team involved in editing and crafting this Journal. Ultimately, however, the greatest plaudits must go to the authors of the articles contained within the bedrock of this project who spent hours carefully researching and articulating their interests to make the Journal a reality.

Regardless of your interest, there is something in here for everyone, a credit to the diverse talent pool at RGS. We are proud to present this year’s Journal and hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did.

Krish Chopra, Charlie Hodson and the Senior Prefect Team