A Westminster Biomedical Science student on TikTok wellness culture, the “fertility juice” myth, and why real endocrinology cannot fit inside a viral video Afsana Riya, BSc Biomedical Science, University of Westminster * * * Open TikTok right now, and you will find millions of young women diagnosing their own endocrine systems based entirely on viral...
Category: DEN
An Impostor in Your Own Skin
From a conference built on personal experience to a community project on impostor syndrome. Rida Butt invites you in. Rida Butt, final-year Medical Sciences student, University of Westminster * * * My name is Rida Butt. I am a final-year Medical Sciences student at the University of Westminster, and I was once told, on two...
From the Sidelines to the Stage: My Second DEN Conference
At the beginning of May, I took part in my second DEN conference, and it turned out to be nothing like I had expected. When I participated last year, my role had been relatively comfortable. I guided guests around, helped with reception, and presented alongside a few friends about our trip to New York. I...
When The World Fits In One Room
And Other Things London Taught Me This year, I had the opportunity to attend the DEN Conference in London, invited by Dr Farhang Morady following the publication of my article on sustainable energy in DEN’s annual student book. I travelled alongside a group of SDG course winners from Westminster International University in Tashkent — we...
Where Voices Meet: Reflections on the 9th Annual DEN International Student Conference
My name is Joshua Morton and I study English Language and Linguistics at the University of Westminster. On the 8th of May 2026, I attended the ninth annual international student conference organised by the Democratic Education Network (DEN). Having been a member of DEN since September 2025, this was my first annual conference. The conference...
Elephant Shirts and Open Hearts: A Thai Student at the DEN Conference
Attending the 9th DEN International Student Conference in London was an amazing experience. The overall atmosphere was incredibly friendly and welcoming. Before the official sessions started, we were just university students from different parts of the world, chatting, laughing, and having a lot of fun together. However, as soon as it was time for the...
Sowing the Seeds of Change: Lessons from the DEN International Student Conference 2026
When people hear the word “conference,” they often imagine a formal atmosphere of professionalism and serious discussion. Before attending the DEN International Student Conference 2026, I had the same impression. To be honest, I felt quite nervous because I wasn’t sure I would be able to confidently participate in discussions with students from different countries....
From Tashkent to London: A Journey of Ideas, Friendship, and Global Conversations
If someone had told me a year ago that a university course would lead me to presenting at an international conference in London, I probably would not have believed them.” Yet through the “Our Sustainable Future Together” course, I discovered how education, teamwork, and shared ideas can open doors to unforgettable opportunities. I am Madina...
Student Voices and System Change: Reflections from the DEN International Student Conference 2026
Attending the Ninth Annual DEN International Student Conference at the University of Westminster was an inspiring and meaningful experience that reminded me of the importance of student voices in shaping conversations around sustainability, education, artificial intelligence, inequality, and global change. The conference brought together students, academics, and researchers from different countries and disciplines, creating a...
Learning Beyond Borders: From Ghana to the International DEN Conference.
When I first received the email inviting students to the 9th DEN International Students Conference and calling for abstracts, the pressure of looming assessment deadlines led me to overlook the opportunity. However, two days later, I revisited the email, still uncertain about my decision. Seeking clarity, I reached out to Dr. Farhang to better understand...
A Room Full of Possibility: My Experience at the 9th DEN Conference
Upon entering the ninth DEN International Student Conference at the University of Westminster, I was struck by the diversity of its participants. Many of the students come from places that I would never have dreamed of sharing a conference space with, such as Central Asia, Eastern Europe, etc. When entering the conference, you could feel...
DEN Conference 2026 – A chance to Take the Reigns
On the 8th of May 2026 I had the pleasure to take part in the Ninth Annual DEN International Student Conference. I had taken part in the 8th conference last year, it feels like a lifetime ago and I have grown so much as a person since. Part of that progression I attribute to Farhang...
