Department of Geography and Environment

Founder and Executive Director, Photographers Without Borders

I chose my degree subject because it was the perfect marriage of what I wanted to study - International Development and Sustainability issues. I chose LSE because it is the only school that combined the two fields in a Masters programme and because LSE ranked amongst the best schools in the world in the social sciences.

LSE changed my life and was one of the best decisions I ever made. Not only did I realise how incredible learning could be, but I have made lifelong friends in the field and still stay in touch with some of my professors to this day.

MSc Environment and Development
Maun, Botswana

Just being at LSE, as a university with diverse students, and hence cultures, has helped me learn about and appreciate the different cultures that we have on this planet. I have also been privileged to sit and listen to some very important academic figures as well as prominent people of the world, through public talks, debates and conferences.

The programme integrates issues of sustainable development, a subject that has dominated agendas on environmental management issues in the past decade, from a theory and practical based perspective, giving examples from both the developing and developed world.

Why did you choose the course/LSE?

Coming from a fairly broad, interdisciplinary academic background, I was eager to narrow my focus to a subject that I was interested in and passionate about. I thought the EPR MSc offered the perfect complement to my existing knowledge, while allowing me to develop greater understanding of a multitude of key environmental issues and their many intersections. Having reached out to former peers of mine who studied at LSE, I knew from their testimonial that the school would provide the right amount of academic rigor while also offering a supportive and engaging social community.

What was the highlight of your LSE experience?

The highlight of my LSE experience was meeting brilliant people from all over the world, who each brought their own unique experiences and nuanced perspectives to bear on class concepts. On top of the excellent teaching throughout the course, engaging with my peers during class discussions really brought the course material to life, linking it to real-world barriers and applications in fascinating ways. Beyond what they offered in the classroom, my classmates were also some of the most kind and genuine people I’ve met. I felt very lucky to have been part of such a special, close-knit cohort. These are truly friendships that last long after the programme ends.

How has your degree been useful for your career?

First, this degree allows you to go in almost any direction with your career. Understanding the efficacy of policy interventions under various conditions will be useful regardless of whether you choose to enter government, private, non-profit or academic sectors upon graduation.

Second, in addition to providing me with knowledge of a vast array of environmental topics, this program taught me make connections across sectors and disciplines, which is an important skill in any profession.

Finally, completing this MSc has made me more effective at building and structuring arguments, engaging critically with a concept, and articulating my thoughts clearly and persuasively.

Sum up your LSE experience in 3 words:

Exciting, enlightening, & fun!

I chose LSE because it is the only programme that combines the interrelated and interdependent areas of regulation, policy, and planning, which makes it the most effective and exciting programme for environmental governance.

Studying with such a great group of people, and benefiting from the high quality of our lectures and tutors has made my world bigger and more interesting. It has made me aware of job opportunities and career paths that I would never have discovered otherwise, and given me the skills to take advantage of them. It has afforded me with the opportunity to attend lectures by world leaders in a variety of fields, and put me in touch with people who can help me achieve my academic and professional goals.

From an academic background in the natural sciences the format of the MSc programme seemed to have the right blend of theoretical and practical knowledge that would equip me to deal with real world issues.

With its research facilities and the ease of access to information - provided both by LSE and by the school's location in the centre of the city and its convenient proximity to other institutions and libraries, LSE seemed the appropriate place to achieve this.
My time at LSE has made me more aware of the importance of study skills and the need for discipline. After LSE I plan to work with a NGO focused on developing environmental policy and putting that policy to practical use.

The programme contains a broad ambitious agenda to prepare students for the rigours of the real estate profession all in a one-year masters programme. For my particular programme, it has given me the opportunity to be part of one of the most active property markets in the world and to have access to indispensable resources in the professional field. LSE and the real estate programme has allowed me to focus on my own personal development – pushed my intellectual boundaries to learn something that I had not previously experienced.

The education at LSE will hopefully provide the basis in which I hope to link economics with property development and land use planning in some form, whether it be in professional practice or further academic pursuits.

A specific focus on applied economics - particularly in regards to climate change and the environment - drew me to LSE. The deep expertise of the teaching staff helped convince me it was the right place to study environmental economics. My course allows me to apply a rigorous economic skill set to interesting policy questions of the day.

Access to the world’s experts in climate economics allows me to get a really clear picture of what the big issues are in the field I am studying. I plan to continue my studies after graduation specifically looking at the impact of renewable energy policies on the electricity market in US states.

Since graduating from the LSE in Regional and Urban Planning, I have worked for the Prince’s Foundation for Building Community in London, a charity set-up by HRH The Prince of Wales to promote a return of traditional values to architecture and urbanism across the world. Holding dual-qualifications in landscape architecture and urban planning, I have been involved on a number of projects ranging from a 4,000 home new town in Bahrain, to an urban infill site in North London. The position allows me to use my background in physical design together with the education gained from the LSE in policy and economics. All in all, I couldn’t be happier with the doors LSE opened for me.

Why did you choose the course/LSE?

I have always been interested in human geography and the combination of an interdisciplinary programme that also offers a concrete career path was attractive.

What has been the highlight of your LSE experience?

It has been immersing myself in extra-curricular activities. Myself and some friends on my course helped to organise a conference about urban technology that was well attended.

How are you planning to use your degree for your future career?

I am hoping to start a career in planning development management or property consultancy more generally.

Sum up your experience in 3 words

Challenging, perspective, communication.

Why did you choose the course/LSE?

I chose LSE because it's one of the best institutions for social science in the world. I chose RUPS because I want to work at the city-level and enjoy thinking about how we can create welcoming spaces by considering both physical design and policy.

What has been the highlight of your LSE experience?

Seeing an amazing series of speakers over the past year including Kimberlé Crenshaw, Raghuram Rajan, and Nancy Pelosi.

How are you planning to use your degree for your future career?

I want to work at the city-level, either for an agency or for an urban-focused firm or affordable housing developer back in the U.S.

Sum up your experience in 3 words:

Intensive, stimulating, rewarding.

The programme covers a lot of different aspects of regional/urban geography, and one of its great strengths is the way London is used as a case. Most of the subjects discussed in class can be related to the world right outside the classroom.

The teaching is of very high quality, and the social life within the programme is very good. There are lots of people from abroad and that has two positive consequences. Firstly, people have many different experiences which they can contribute to the teaching; and secondly you don't feel like you are a foreigner – because many people are, and people are very open towards you. Once I leave LSE, I will be working as an analyst in a consulting firm in Copenhagen, working within the field of regional policy and local economic development.