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.
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...
A WIUT programmes coordinator on leading student delegations to London, editing the DEN book from Central Asia, and what he saw when the community celebrated Farhang Meyirbek Abdikadirov, Office and Programmes Coordinator, UNESCO Chair in Knowledge Economy, Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT), Uzbekistan Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of...
A 2026 Neuroscience graduate on cross-cultural research in Thailand, publishing in the DEN book, and why STEM students belong in DEN too Kaneezah Begum, BSc (Hons) Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience with Professional Placement, University of Westminster, Class of 2026, United Kingdom Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education...
An IR and Development Studies alumnus on the Georgia and Vietnam field trips, the Misunderstood campaign, and finding community in a city that can feel lonely Lienus, BA International Relations and Development Studies alumnus, University of Westminster Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network. * * *...
A second-year Politics student on taking two years to join DEN, and what he found when he did David Colville, second-year BA Politics, University of Westminster, United Kingdom Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network. * * * How did you first come into contact with DEN?...
A WIUT graduate on flying 5,275 km to the 6th DEN Conference in London, and what surprised her when she got there Munira Zakirova, BSc graduate, Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT), Class of 2023, Uzbekistan Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network. * * * How...
A pandemic-era alumnus, now an Urban Planner at Rail Delivery Group, on publishing his dissertation in the DEN book, standing for election, and moving abroad Sebastian James Crisp, BA graduate, University of Westminster (2019–2022); now Urban Planner at Rail Delivery Group, United Kingdom Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the...
From a small town to Uzbekistan and Vietnam: a Westminster alumna, now a Content Creator and Presenter, on DEN’s field trips and finding her voice Keletso Kesupile, BA graduate, University of Westminster (2015–2018); now Content Creator and Presenter Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network. * *...