The DPU produces engaging blogs written by staff, students, alumni and partners on a range of relevant and topical subjects

A historic victory for gender equality in Chile
By Ignacia Ossul Vermehren, Lieta Vivaldi & Camila Cociña
On Sunday 25th October, Chileans voted to overhaul the Pinochet-era Constitution. The country also determined that this new Constitution will be written by an assembly composed exclusively by elected citizens, half of whom will be women. In doing so, Chile will become the first country in the world to write a Constitution with gender parity.
Disability, inclusion and cities: can COVID-19 trigger change?
COVID-19 has exacerbated the disadvantages experienced by people with disabilities in low-income communities of the global South. Here, the authors explain how urban community organisations are offering effective short-term support and inspiring inclusive longer-term strategies.
The Port of Beirut: A Suicidal Flee
On 4 August 2020 at around 6:00 pm two large explosions rocked the Port of Beirut and ripped through most of the city leaving more than 180 people killed, 6,000 injured, and 300,000 homeless. My husband, my younger daughter Hind, and I were sitting in the living room of my apartment in Beirut on 4 August enjoying the light breeze from the air conditioner before the daily electricity cuts. My older daughter Leila was in the dining room deep in her Nintendo world. A sudden and terrifying thunder like sound broke the silence and shook the entire building.
The first last time: Lessons for uncertain times
Part of the MSc Environment & Sustainable Development Insights from Practice blog series.
The other side of Chungking Express
Part of the MSc Environment & Sustainable Development Insights from Practice blog series.
What specific processes produce and reproduce epistemic injustices? What strategies to co-produce actionable knowledge are most fruitful to challenge them?
Part of the MSc Environment & Sustainable Development Insights from Practice blog series.
Coronavirus and the State of Non-recognition: The Case of Somaliland – PART 2
Part 1 of this article dealt with the background regarding Somaliland’s non-recognition and is available here (link)
Average expected reading time 7 minutes
Coronavirus and the State of Non-recognition: The Case of Somaliland – PART 1
This is the first of a two-part article. Part 2 is available here (link)
Average expected reading time 6 minutes
Introduction: background to Somaliland non-recognition
Re-educating the educated
Part of the MSc Environment & Sustainable Development Insights from Practice blog series.
“The paradox of education is precisely this – that as one begins to become conscious one begins to examine the society in which he is being educated” (James Baldwin, 1963)
Part I: Epistemic Injustice and Education
The impact of COVID-19 on night-time economies, arts and culture
Part of our Post COVID-19 Urban Futures series.
As the pandemic continues to disrupt urban life, city governments have to think about how to support their night-time economies (NTEs).
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