Partnership is the form DEN’s work has always taken. Across a decade, our students and staff have travelled to and welcomed colleagues from Westminster International University in Tashkent, Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Hanoi University, Istanbul University, and Further Education Colleges in London, building friendships that have produced joint conferences, jointly edited books, shared classroom projects and continuing conversations. These pages document the visits, exchanges and outreach activities that bring DEN’s network to life beyond the screen: trips to partner institutions led by students, hosting of international guests at Westminster, engagement with further education colleges across London, and the wider community work that grows from those relationships. Each visit returns something to the network: new ideas, new contributors, new questions for the next conference and the next volume. If you are an institution or community group interested in working with DEN, this is the place to start.
Education goes beyond traditional classroom education, according to my lifelong belief. My first year as a psychology undergraduate and membership in the Democratic Education Network (DEN) have taught me that learning happens through life experiences alongside dialogue, real-world interactions, book-based learning, and lectures. The upcoming May will provide me with my first chance to verify...
The Empire City, The Big Apple, Gotham or the City that Never Sleeps. These are just a few nicknames referring to the one and only, New York City. An important global hub since its invention, the city, in the current capitalist and personal freedom-driven era, has become the symbol of influence, endless possibilities and success,...
In my first blog, I wrote about my expectations for New York and the United Nations, how I imagined the city as a centre of global diplomacy, cultural exchange, and dynamic energy. While I have not yet walked its streets, the materials we’ve studied in preparation for the trip have already offered a vivid lens...
As the plane descended into Turkey, excitement brewed among us. This wasn’t just a trip; it was an exploration of history, economics, and politics, an opportunity to step out of the classroom and into the living complexities of a country shaped by both its past and the forces of globalisation. Weeks of studying U.S. dollar...
Returning from a four-day field trip to Istanbul, Türkiye, my first visit to this vibrant and historic city, I find myself inspired to explore more of Türkiye and other regions of the Middle East. The trip was more than just a journey—it was an opportunity to contextualise and visualise the concepts discussed in the Politics...
Just when I thought nothing could surprise me anymore, my visit to Turkey proved otherwise. From the moment I arrived in Istanbul, I was struck by a profound sense of familiarity. At first, I couldn’t quite pinpoint whether this feeling stemmed from the warmth of its people or the evident sense of community among them....
An academic trip to Istanbul provides a priceless chance to enhance my knowledge of Middle Eastern politics and development. With its distinct geographical and social location at the meeting point of Europe and Asia, Istanbul provides an ideal setting for the topics covered in this module. Through direct engagement with the region’s complexities and a...
As part of my ‘Development and Politics in the Middle East’ module, I eagerly look forward to participating in an academic trip to Istanbul. This immersive experience promises to deepen my understanding of Turkish politics and culture, enabling me to connect theoretical insights from my coursework with the complexities of real-world Middle Eastern politics. Our...
As a Romanian, my understanding of the Middle East, particularly Turkey, and my engagement with the culture and traditions are widely developed. As we may all know, Romania is rooted in the Ottoman Empire’s history, as it was under its influence for more than 200 years. Trade, political relations, and the list can continue from...
As a born and raised Romanian, and an experience I am sure most other people who wereraised in Romania can relate, Turkey, Greece and Bulgaria are certainly hotspots for Romaniancitizens to travel to. Of those, specifically it is among the favourites due to its inherent very uniqueenvironment, with many influences from the Middle East and...
As I prepare for the upcoming university field trip to Istanbul—my first visit to a city renowned for its rich history, diverse cultures, and stunning architecture—I am filled with curiosity and excitement about what lies ahead. In this blog, I want to share my expectations and perceptions of Istanbul before the journey begins. Our trip...
I have always believed that context shapes our understanding of reality. Unfortunately, this is something we often overlook when consuming news from the Middle East, especially through a Western lens. Many people hold preconceived notions about this region, often laden with stereotypes. In my opinion, opportunities like travelling to Turkey for academic purposes are essential...