In 2026 and 2027, the Democratic Education Network marks ten years. What began as a single seminar at the University of Westminster has grown into an international community of students, alumni, academics and support workers reaching from London to Tashkent, Bangkok, Hanoi, Lima and Istanbul, working on what it means for students to be partners in producing knowledge rather than consumers of it. This is the home of our anniversary year. Here you will find a rolling series of interviews and reflections in Inside Westminster magazine, a podcast and short film telling the story of how DEN grew, the launch of a permanent DEN Alumni Network, and the findings of an anniversary research project tracing the themes that have shaped our first decade. Everything is made by the people who have been part of DEN. We hope you will read, listen, and add your voice.
A postgraduate in International Law who first heard of DEN as an undergraduate in 2018, on returning to Westminster, the Tashkent Model UN, and the co-authored chapter that grew out of a friendship Ariadna Rita Lemos De Oliveira, LLM International Law, University of Westminster, United Kingdom Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten...
A third-year Politics and International Relations student on writing about knife crime and mixed heritage, and on finding a room where her voice belonged Arika Heaven, third-year BA Politics and International Relations, University of Westminster (Regent Street), London, United Kingdom Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network....
A Californian in London on the first DEN meeting that changed everything, the friends who became loved ones, and the leadership lessons that shape her legal work today Madeline Briscoe, BA International Relations, University of Westminster (2021–2024); from California, United States; now MA Law student and Citizens Advice Bureau volunteer, based in the United Kingdom...
A final-year Medical Sciences student on impostor syndrome, the presentation that surprised her, and the DEN project that has grown from it Rida Butt, BSc Medical Sciences, final year, University of Westminster, United Kingdom Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network. * * * How did you...
A third-year IR and Development student on the Thailand Model UN, the Chinese University of Hong Kong summer school, and hearing a Tashkent academic ask if DEN could come home with him Fatimata Sidi Mamadu, third-year BA International Relations and Development, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking...
A reflective essay by Ribana Cristescu, a mature Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience student and entrepreneur, on finding her place at DEN Ribana Cristescu, BSc Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Westminster, United Kingdom Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network. This contribution takes the form of a...
A Politics and International Relations graduate on the DEN conference, writing blogs, and hearing the Afghan border story that changed how she read politics Maliha Hussain, BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations, University of Westminster, Class of 2025, United Kingdom Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network....
From the quiet one in Wednesday meetings to coordinating the Uzbekistan trip: a recent IR graduate on eight semesters with DEN Salman Aziz, BA International Relations, University of Westminster; recent graduate; coordinator of the DEN Uzbekistan trip, 2026 Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network. * *...
A 2019 alumna on the Hanoi trip, editing the DEN book, and building a sustainability consulting career from Sweden to Brussels Kajsa Hallberg, BA (Hons) International Relations and Development, University of Westminster, Class of 2019; now Sustainability Advisor at Miltton, Sweden Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education...
A DEN intern on presenting past social anxiety, the trip to Uzbekistan, and the friends she made for life Maryam Khan, former DEN intern, University of Westminster Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network. * * * How did you first come into contact with DEN? I...
From Vietnam 2019 to UK trade negotiations: a 2021 alumna on the Thursday evening at DEN that shaped her leadership style Saman Haque, BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations, University of Westminster, Class of 2021; now leading a team on international trade negotiations and strategy, UK Civil Service Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series...
A Politics graduate on emotional barriers, Palestinian rights, and finding a community that meets across identities Faysal Hussein, BA Politics, University of Westminster; MA International Politics, City, University of London; now based in Jordan Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network. * * * How did you...