OxJournal is an academic platform for intellectually engaged young people. We publish high-quality, university-level research papers produced by 12-18 year olds under the supervision of an expert academic or researcher in their chosen field of study. We hope the papers published here will inspire you to further explore your own academic interests and potential.
Business, Economics & Finance
The Hidden Cost of Artificial Intelligence Development: Exploring the Environmental, Labour, Economic, Ethical and Social Implications of AI
This article explores the multifaceted impacts of AI on society, focusing on its environmental, economic, labour, ethical and social implications. AI offers transformative benefits, enhancing efficiency, automating tasks and driving innovation across various sectors. However, its rapid adoption also presents significant challenges, including increased energy consumption, job displacement, economic inequality and ethical concerns related to bias and privacy.
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A Critical Evaluation of Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities in DeFi Platforms
Decentralised finance (DeFi) platforms have transformed global finance, increasing accessibility. However, this also comes with vulnerabilities, including threats to reliability, trustworthiness and long-term viability. This paper integrates a literature review, case studies of significant exploits and technical evaluations of prominent DeFi platforms to explore these challenges further.
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Computer Science & Coding
The Rise of Generative AI: Opportunities and Challenges (II)
Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) has become increasingly renowned over the years, notably since the launch of AI chatbots such as ChatGPT in 2022. In this research paper, we outline various technical aspects of GenAI and its mechanisms, with discussions on the intricate architecture of a GenAI model, how an AI model is trained and the sometimes-perplexing procedures involved in the generation of content through a prompt.
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The Rise of Generative AI: Opportunities and Challenges (I)
Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is increasingly reshaping a wide range of sectors, including business, healthcare and education, through its ability to generate personalised content and support complex tasks. This paper provides an overview of GenAI’s development from early neural networks to advanced transformer-based models, highlighting its rapid adoption following the release of ChatGPT in 2022.
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Engineering
The E-Block Report
The E-Block is a shared micromobility vehicle designed to address the shortcomings of existing micromobility devices. The main shortcomings this study identifies are under the categories of user-centeredness, accessibility, inclusivity, and safety. The E-Block incorporates human-centered design principles, autonomous driving capabilities, and inclusive app interference through review of scholarly articles and existing micromobility systems.
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Helitech: Pioneering the Future of Aerial Mobility
The report aims to understand and organise the current progress and future steps required to construct and commercialise electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) taxis as a form of transportation.
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Law
Ghosted by the Hashtag: The Invisible Voices that Haunt the #MeToo Movement
Coined by Turana Burke in 2006, the phrase ‘Me Too’ was initially meant as a symbol of inclusivity and empowerment for marginalised groups. However, this mainstream feminist movement has been critiqued for excluding key voices, individuals and groups. This paper highlights the diverse perspectives that were overlooked and the many narratives that remained in the shadows within the #MeToo movement.
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The Montreal Convention and the Commercial Agreement
The Montreal Convention of 1999 was adopted to harmonise the liability regime governing international air carriage, replacing the fragmented framework created by earlier instruments. This paper examines the historical development of international air law and situates the Convention within both public and private international law. The paper concludes that although the Convention has succeeded in establishing a universal framework for airline liability, ambiguities in interpretation remain.
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Medicine
The Epigenetic Effects of Varying Micro- and Macronutrient Distribution During Development on Adulthood Health
Nutrition across the human lifespan has significant effects on health, not only through direct physiological pathways but also through epigenetic mechanisms that regulate gene expression without directly altering DNA sequences. This paper reviews how variations in micro- and macronutrient intake during critical developmental windows shape long-term health outcomes and disease risk in adulthood.
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Epigenetic Impacts of Trauma and Environmental Stressors on Mental Health: Integrating Artificial Intelligence for Prevention and Intervention
Trauma and environmental stressors leave biological marks that can shape mental health across an individual’s lifespan. Through processes like DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNAs, stress becomes “written” into gene regulation, increasing vulnerability to conditions such as PTSD and depression. This paper reviews evidence across different stages of life and highlights new avenues for treatment, including psychedelics and artificial intelligence.
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Politics & International Relations
The Diplomacy of Unequals: Power Asymmetries in Global Climate Diplomacy
Global climate diplomacy is commonly presented as a cooperative, science-driven enterprise, but its practice is shaped by profound structural and strategic power asymmetries. This paper discusses the compatibility between climate policies, institutions and the diplomatic actions of powerful states with the adaptive and strategic manoeuvring of less powerful states.
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Power Dynamics and Inequality Between Countries in the United Nations and the Effect on Diplomatic Problem Solving
This article discusses the structural and systematic factors which contribute to persistent inequalities and imbalances in power among member states, focusing on the disproportionate influence that the five permanent members (P5) of the UN Security Council hold.
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Psychology & Neuroscience
To what extent does having a sense of connectedness and belonging in school influence the ways in which young people cope with past trauma?
Adolescents who have had multiple adverse childhood experiences, or who have experienced trauma, are at a higher risk of struggling in school. This paper explores how understanding adolescent trauma can facilitate connectedness and belonging in school to help young people better cope with adverse circumstances.
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From Childhood to Adulthood: The Impacts of Trauma on Anxiety Disorders
This research paper explores childhood trauma as a risk factor in the development of anxiety disorders, both in childhood and adulthood.
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