Hannah Reid, MSc Environment, Politics, and Society

Graduate Hannah Reid shares how her interdisciplinary studies have shaped her career in environmental policy and her ongoing research into traditional environmental knowledge.

Hannah, an MSc Environment, Politics, and Society graduate, joined UCL Geography with a passion for bridging the gap between environmental knowledge and policy decision-making.

Drawing on her experiences in public relations and policy work in the Cayman Islands, she reflects on how the programme shaped her career and her ongoing research into traditional environmental knowledge and its role in shaping sustainability practices.

What made you choose the MSc in Environment, Politics and Society at UCL?

“When I was choosing between Master’s programmes, UCL stood out for its consistently high global rankings, the centrality of its location, and the diversity of its students. 

“I was drawn to the MSc in Environment, Politics and Society as an interdisciplinary programme focused on the processes through which environmental and political knowledge are attained, communicated and utilised in decision-making. 

“Building on concepts explored throughout the MSc programme, my final dissertation focused on the ways in which Caymanian traditional environmental knowledge had been incorporated into the Cayman Islands’ landmark National Conservation Act (2013).”

Can you tell us a bit about your career path since completing the MSc?

“After graduating, I spent several years in public relations for statutory authorities and private organisations in the Cayman Islands before moving into a policy role in the newly created Ministry of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency with the Cayman Islands Government. 

“In my current role as Senior Policy Advisor for Environment and Resiliency, I am responsible for strategic policy advice relating to environmental sustainability and climate resiliency in support of Multilateral Environmental Agreements, national policies and legislation, and ministerial priorities.”

How has the MSc helped shape your approach to environmental or policy work?

“The concepts and competencies I gained through the MSc in Environment, Politics and Society have certainly shaped my career path as well as my continued personal interest in the intersections between environmental and political knowledge and decision-making. 

“The programme went beyond theory, asking us to develop data-driven project proposals and policy options for addressing complex environmental challenges – essential experience for anyone seeking a career in international organisations, the public sector, NGOs or charities.”

What are you working on now?

“While working full-time, I am also currently enrolled in a part-time PhD in Ethnobiology (by research) with the University of Kent. 

“My ongoing research explores the relationship between traditional environmental knowledge and the phenomenon of ‘plant blindness’ or ‘plant awareness disparity’.

“Ultimately, my goal is to understand whether a person’s traditional environmental knowledge impacts their awareness, appreciation and understanding of plants. 

“I also run a blog and social media pages dedicated to exploring Caymanian traditional ethnobotanical knowledge.”

Do you have any advice for prospective students considering this programme?

“Now, perhaps more than ever, the world needs critical thinkers who understand the interconnectedness of environmental and geopolitical systems, and who are interested in actively shaping solutions to the triple planetary crises of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution. 

“If you are serious about making a difference, this MSc course can help you gain the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to the environmental policy landscape.”

Hannah's journey exemplifies how the MSc in Environment, Politics, and Society at UCL can empower graduates to make a meaningful impact in both environmental policy and research, offering a platform for addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

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