In Episode 4 of our new podcast series, we hear from the first students to be awarded funding from the University’s Scotland’s Future project.

Second-year students Svenja Schulz and Hayden Siratt have been awarded £3,300 for their project which will see them seek to give students and other young people a voice in the political policy-making process.

Svenja, who studies Management and International Relations, and Hayden, who studies Economics and International Relations, were the winners of last year’s Global Challenges Programme run by the School of International Relations which aims to support students’ personal and academic development and their ability to work collaboratively, effectively and creatively. The overall Programme supports the University strategy and consists of an undergraduate student competition and targeted skills workshops.

The theme of last year’s Global Challenges competition was policymaking and the need for more evidence-based work so countries can react to crises in a more timely manner.

Svenja and Hayden now wish to take their research further through the formation of the Political Institute of Action Research.

In the discussion with host Professor Stephen Gethins, Svenja and Hayden explain their project will look at issues affecting the local community, inform policy, and advocate for change.