Global Environmental Politics and Policy Birkbeck, University of London

Overview

The Global Environmental Politics and Policy programme at Birkbeck, University of London draws together the research and teaching expertise of our Department of Politics and Department of Geography to deliver an ambitious curriculum, addressing conceptual and practical issues of climate change, resources, global scarcity, violence, demographic change and environmental crisis, together with an in-depth examination of key areas in contemporary environmental policy. The cross-disciplinary content of the programme means you can choose from a wide variety of specialised option modules across the two departments.

Core modules explore the relationship between population, environment, economy and human values, as well as key areas of environmental policy and law, and introduce you to recent public policy, empirical data and case studies. You then choose option modules from a wide variety of topics, including climate change, gender, development, global governance, nationalism, population change, war and conflict, and public policy, and write a dissertation on the subject that interests you most.

You will develop the skills to engage with and analyse demographic and environmental change and to appreciate the tensions and contradictions they generate in the geopolitical realm, through the relationships between and across states and regions. You will learn about the principles, instruments and ethics of international environmental policy, governance and legislation, as well as acquiring detailed knowledge of environmental policies in relation to natural environment, water, waste, energy, low carbon, and resources on a local, national, regional and global scale.

Careers and Employability

Graduates can pursue careers in local government, policy-making, journalism, campaigning, or work with environmental NGOs and charities. Possible future roles could include social researcher, government research officer, and teacher. This degree is also useful in becoming a local government officer or applying to the Civil Service fast stream.