When you are coming home or going to work, how many homeless people do you see on your way? But when night falls and we are safe in our homes, have you ever thought about the struggles of their night? In one of my year 2 modules, Democratic Engagement in an International Context, this week,...
The power of public spaces
We are all familiar with at least one public space near where we live. Perhaps right now you are envisioning your local park, a city square, a form of public transport, your nearest library, or simply a street or road. Public spaces serve many functions: they are places of leisure, social interaction, and cultural expression....
Unveiling the Middle East
The Middle East is often portrayed through a narrow, Eurocentric lens of conflict, oil, and ancient culture. To move beyond these stereotypes and understand its real development challenges, we must first decode the region’s past using key theoretical tools. Theories of colonialism, capitalism, and Orientalism are not just academic exercises; they are essential for diagnosing...
Beyond the Screen: How Pornography Shapes Harm Offline
The first time I heard friends talk about pornography, they focused on similar questions: Is it a private issue? Is it empowering? Isn’t it just entertainment? However, very few considered what it means for the girls and women affected by it—the ones who do not choose the stories, do not own the platforms, and do...
Introduction to Writing a Blog
How to Write a Blog?This is a basic and quick practice run at crafting a blog title, hook, and outline. We are hoping to develop not only your confidence but also the necessary skills to write and share your ideas within our community. Step 1: IntroductionWhat is a blog? A brief, personal, or possibly academic...
Finding My Voice at Westminster: Marharyta’s DEN Journey
Marharyta Andreieva is a third-year student at the University of Westminster. In her interview with DEN, she shares her experiences of making Westminster feel like home, developing effective study routines, and how projects and trips organised by DEN – especially the field visit to Hanoi – have enhanced her confidence in public speaking and writing....
Student Voices – Looking Back
To enhance student representation and foster a sense of community within the University and the Democratic Education Network (DEN), we are conducting interviews with second- and third-year students. The stories we gather will reflect their insights and experiences, helping to ease the integration process for their peers. In this interview, Afra Bhuiyan provides personalised guidance...
My Journey to Westminster: Learning to Live Globally
Coming to the University of Westminster has been both an exciting and transformative step in my life. I grew up in Taiwan, and after some years of study and life experience, I decided to pursue my undergraduate degree in Psychology in London. This is not my first time living here – I completed a foundation...
From Gaborone to Westminster: Lessons from an IOM Field Placement
This interview with Charlene Okai explores her three-month field placement in Gaborone, Botswana, with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), delivered through an IOM–University of Westminster partnership. Beyond recounting her work and learning, Charlene shares practical advice for students on how to prepare for—and make the most of—similar opportunities at the University. Which country and...
DEN Student Voices – Looking Back
This is the second student interview in our series, reflecting on last year’s experiences and offering guidance for first-year students. To enhance student representation and foster community across the University and DEN, we’re interviewing second and third-year students whose stories share insights to ease peers’ integration. We hope this initiative gives you clear guidance and...
Student Voices – Looking Back
To enhance student representation and foster a sense of community within the University and DEN, we are conducting interviews with second and third-year students. The stories we gather will reflect their insights and experiences, helping to ease the integration process for their peers. This initiative aims to provide personalised guidance for all students, equipping them...
From Comfortable Stranger to Inspired Explorer: A Transformative Journey Through New York
Reflecting and looking back on the New Trip, I honestly can’t believe all the stuff we managed to do in such a short time. It was a trip where you learnt so much without realising it at first, and now, having the chance to look back, it was truly an unforgettable experience. My initial thought...
