Crossword Genius

Area of intellectual activity affected our group (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

campus

'area of intellectual activity' is the definition.
(eg a university campus)

'affected our group' is the wordplay.
'affected' becomes 'camp' (camp can mean exaggerated or affected).
'our group' becomes 'us'.
'camp'+'us'='CAMPUS'

(Other definitions for campus that I've seen before include "Grounds of university or college" , "university position" , "educational grounds" , "university territory" , "University or college site" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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