MSc Sustainability (Environmental Politics & Policy)

Mark Usher, 08/09PhD student, University of Manchester

MSc Sustainability (Environmental Politics & Policy)

"After becoming interested in issues surrounding sustainability during my undergraduate degree in sociology, the ‘Environmental Politics and Policy’ MSc programme reinforced my passion for critical environmental inquiry whilst developing the level of understanding required for a career in this area. The School of Earth and Environment is a thriving hub of activity which provided the kind of dynamic atmosphere that encourages collective learning and socialising with likeminded people from all over the world. The facilities were excellent and housed dedicated and approachable staff with a renowned reputation for world-class research in environmental studies. Personally, the multidisciplinary nature of the MSc programme was the overarching factor that brought me to the decision to study at the school as a holistic understanding of environmental issues is increasingly expected of students working on this topic. The modules covered both theoretical and practical elements of sustainability, and the programme provided the intellectual freedom for me to pursue the research area I found most interesting for my final dissertation.

Since completing the MSc, a number of doors have opened for me within the university and elsewhere. During the last year I have worked at the University of Leeds on two different research projects relating to environmental issues, within the School of Earth and Environment and the Institute for Transport Studies. Having secured an ESRC scholarship in the last few months, I have just started a PhD at the University of Manchester exploring water management issues in Singapore. My passion for this research area was ignited during the optional ‘Political Ecology’ module of the MSc programme, and for this I am incredibly grateful for my time studying at Leeds."