UCL Political Science and School of Public Policy

Great to see Lisa Vanhala in her role as Pro-Vice Provost (Climate Crisis) talking about the impactful work going on across UCL on tackling the climate crisis.

A brief analysis I wrote for The China Global South Project on Turkey’s position in critical minerals politics:

Too early to start talking about #COP30 in Belém? Of course not - Today, UCL Political Science and School of Public Policy IPP Master programme students had UN simulations negotiating climate change adaptation and resilience policy! They came up with a Draft Resolution on Advancing Clean Energy for Sustainable Development - in the end, there was little agreement, sound familiar? Andrew Scott Duygu Ozaltin, PhD United Nations UCL Sustainable UCL UCL Grand Challenges

"What Working in Conflict Zones Taught Me About America" My latest in Lazo Magazine, drawing from past fieldwork in South Sudan, DRC, Burundi, and elsewhere: https://lnkd.in/ewdki6TR

And here is the full list of students who appeared on the Dean's List for 23/24. 👏 Amazing work - congratulations to all 👏 - Undergraduates - Yu Xuan Cheng, BSc Political Science and Economics with Social Data Science Tasha Chan, BSc Political Science and Philosophy with Social Data Science Wynsey Chen, BSc Politics and International Relations Elena Sofia Massacesi, BSc Politics and International Relations Felix Wallis, BSc Politics and International Relations Miri Aung, BSc Political Science and Philosophy with Social Data Science Lucy Draper, BSc Politics and International Relations  - Postgraduates - Antonia Browne Russo, MPA Public Administration and Management  Natalia Griaznevich, MPA Public Administration and Management  Jessica Motley, MA Human Rights Jessica Fernandes, MA Human Rights  Samuel Rechek, MA Legal and Political Theory Maya Carruthers, MA Legal and Political Theory  Julia Marszalkowska, MSc Global Governance and Ethics  Hannah Kroker, MSc Global Governance and Ethics Rachel Dodimead, MSc Global Governance and Ethics Luna de la Llama, MSc International Public Policy Iben Bø, MSc International Public Policy Ella Remande-Guyard, MSc International Public Policy Nicola Reza Marsico, MSc International Public Policy Marisol Beaufrand, MSc International Public Policy Dave Aw, MSc Public Policy Lily Donahue, MSc Security Studies Philip Hutchinson, MSc Security Studies [If I didn't manage to find you and tag you, please leave a comment and I will add you in 😊]

We are happy to announce that 24 students from our department have earned a spot on the Dean's List for the highest achievers of the 2023-24 academic year! Typically, this recognition is reserved for the top 5% of the graduating class who meet the threshold criteria. Given UCL’s competitive environment and the consistently high performance of our students, not all those who meet the baseline criteria can be included. As a result, the Department may apply additional measures to identify the very best candidates for this distinguished recognition. It is a fantastic achievement to feature on this list. Congratulations to all of you. We are incredibly proud of all of our students, and look forward to seeing what they accomplish in the future! 📜 See the list:

🌍 Who owns the land, and who should care for it? In Thursday's seminar we explored land ownership, responsibility, and the urgency of reforms for equitable and sustainable solutions. The panel, featuring Guy Shrubsole, Baroness Young of Old Scone, and Mark Walton, highlights: The responsibility of landowners (Shrubsole) Practical frameworks for land use (Young) Community-driven, equitable systems (Walton) Chaired by Dr Fergus Green, the discussion underscores reforms in governance, accountability, and public sector engagement to tackle ecological crises. 🎥 Watch here: https://buff.ly/3ZS43Uo #LandRights #Stewardship

FYI we're now on Bluesky uclspp.bsky.social

Britain has chronic problems of poverty and inequality, exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis. What is the Labour Government’s agenda to tackle these challenges? And what more should be done? 👀 Watch last week's seminar "Priorities for the new UK Government: Poverty and inequality" online: https://buff.ly/4fc1zVk 🌟 With a big thanks to our amazing speakers: Mike Brewer - Interim Chief Executive at Resolution Foundation, Sara Ogilvie - Director of policy, rights and advocacy at Child Poverty Action Group, and Abby Jitendra - Principal Policy Adviser on care and families at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Chair: Dr Tom O’Grady, Associate Professor at UCL Political Science and School of Public Policy.

🌟**UCL has been ranked 1st in the UK and 5th Globally in QS Sustainability Rankings!** 🌍💚 We’re thrilled to announce that @UCL has secured: 🏆 1st place in the UK, 🥉 3rd in Europe, and 🌏 5th globally in the 2025 QS Sustainability Rankings, with an impressive overall score of 8.6/100. The rankings use indicators designed to measure an institution’s ability to tackle the world’s greatest environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges. How did our department contribute? Our academics focus on (amongst many other things!): - 🌐 Making governments more effective in delivering public services, - 🌳 Developing impactful climate policy, - ⚖️ Recognising and protecting human rights, and - 📢 Ensuring government accountability. We’re also actively committed to equity and inclusion, and increasing diversity in our staff and student bodies. 🫶🌈👩🎓👨🏫 --- **Key highlights from the rankings:** ✨ 1st in the UK and globally in Knowledge Exchange – 🌍 Recognising the impact of our global partnerships that drive educational growth and create positive social progress. ✨ 1st in the UK and 3rd globally in Health and Wellbeing – 🧠 Reflecting our commitment to student and societal wellbeing, including initiatives like achieving the Mental Health Chartermark. ✨ *1st in the UK and 5th globally in Environmental Sustainability* – ♻️ Celebrating achievements such as: - 56% reduction in carbon emissions, - 60% cut in waste per person, and - Opening of PEARL, our first net-zero carbon building. --- UCL continues its **sustainability leadership** with the launch of a new **UCL Sustainability Plan** in 2025. This visionary roadmap will build on our successes, tackle major challenges, and drive meaningful progress over the next decade. 🌏💡 #Sustainability #UCLProud #QSRankings #ClimateAction #EquityAndInclusion #EducationForImpact