This publication is from the UCL Institute for Global Prosperity
Description
The 2022-23 ‘IGP Master’s Dissertation Special Issue’ is a celebration of the exceptional intellectual achievement of five distinguished students from the Master of Global Prosperity (MSc GP) and Master of Prosperity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MSc PIE) programs at the UCL Institute for Global Prosperity (IGP).
This special issue is a testament to their academic excellence, showcasing a diverse array of research that pushes the boundaries of our understanding of prosperity. The five dissertations, selected for their outstanding quality, innovative approaches, and insightful contributions, serve as a beacon of inspiration for future students and a resource for further research in the field of global prosperity. However, this special issue represents only a fraction of the innovative and forward-thinking ideas that have been cultivated among the students at the IGP.
• Bothorel’s dissertation examines deliberative democracy through the case of the Permanent Citizen Dialogue in Belgium’s German-speaking community. By assessing this institutionalised citizen assembly through the perspectives of its contributors, it evaluates how such initiatives can address democratic deficits, rising populism, and declining trust in traditional democratic systems.
• Salomon’s dissertation explores place-based wellbeing in urban green spaces and its role in supporting healthy ageing. Drawing on interviews and go-alongs with elderly volunteers at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, it suggests how social engagement, health, and volunteering intersect to create a framework of wellbeing that combats isolation and promotes quality of life for older adults.
• Ludher’s dissertation examines the potential of wave and tidal energy in Australia’s renewable mix, assessing their viability against existing energy sources. While technological immaturity limits their current competitiveness, the study highlights their potential to deliver stable electricity with further development, policy support, and investment.
• Al Khalili’s dissertation investigates how transformative entrepreneurship and conflict transformation can address the conflict–poverty trap in Syria, focusing on Afrin. Drawing on cases from Rwanda, Kenya, and Bangladesh, it develops the ‘power of transformation’ model, integrating social microcredit and moral imagination to foster trust, cooperation, and economic value.
• Ito’s dissertation explores how integrating the Ikigai Model with the Job Demands– Resources (JD-R) theory can enhance cross-cultural diversity management in Japanese companies. Using a leading Japanese airline as a case study, the research identifies barriers to inclusion and highlights the role of ikigai in fostering employee well-being and engagement.
Together, these dissertations present innovative research that informs policies and practices aimed at fostering inclusive, prosperous, and empowered communities. They emphasise the importance of environmental, educational, and economic interventions in shaping a society’s trajectory toward sustainability, resilience, and prosperity.
Authors:
Léa Bothorel
Nadir Chioino Salomon
Jay Ludher
Mohammad Al Khalili
Karin Ito
Publication collated by Almeira Parruque