A reflection on trust, water and ‘whose voice is missing’ from the SOC-ENVI International Summer School 2026. By Kong Yilin (‘Elaine’) · Peking University, Beijing, China. The SOC-ENVI International Summer School 2026 was hosted by the Faculty of Social Sciences at Kasetsart University, Bangkok, in partnership with the Democratic Education Network at the University...
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...
The SOC-ENVI International Summer School 2026 was hosted by the Faculty of Social Sciences at Kasetsart University, Bangkok. It ran for a fortnight in July 2026 and brought together undergraduate and postgraduate students and academics from Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Hong Kong, China, and the United Kingdom to work on sustainability, social innovation, and community-based...
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...
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...
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...