Tasneem Ali

Tell us a bit about yourself, and your background
I’m 23 years old and currently pursuing a MA in Human Rights. Before I came to UCL I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Politics & International Relations at the University of Leicester. 

Why did you apply to Political Science Department, UCL?
UCL’s reputation and rank as one of the top universities in the UK is one of the major reasons I applied to study here. Not only do I get to be part of a dynamic research community, but the university’s connections and location means I can benefit from all the events and networking that comes with the hustle and bustle of London. 

What do you like best about your course so far?
Human Rights is such an expansive field, but the structure of the course at UCL takes this into account. The compulsory modules give you the opportunity to dabble in the theoretical, practical, and legal terrains of human rights, which gives you the chance to decide what part of the field is best suited for you while you build much-needed skills.  

What is the rest of your cohort like?
My cohort is small yet so diverse, which has been a great combination for me in terms of building meaningful connections quickly. I have met people from countries I never thought I would, have become friends with people who have different educational and career backgrounds, and have had the chance to learn from the range of experiences we’ve had.

What is the teaching and learning like?
The teaching at UCL encourages independent and critical learning, with many of our lecturers being experts in their field. It is particularly engaging when we get to read the work of our lecturers as part of the course materials because it gives us the chance to ask them questions about the research process, methods, and implications of their findings. Engaging in these discussions has been helpful in preparing us for the skills and analytical thinking we need to produce our own research, which importantly inspires us to contribute to shaping human rights discourse too. Staff in the department also use their connections to host guest lectures where possible, which enriches our learning experience by encouraging us to think beyond lecture and seminar materials. I feel supported in expanding my engagement with the human rights field because of the events hosted and the reputable guests that are invited to speak to us. 

What are your career aspirations and how do you envisage the programme helping with these?
My career aspirations aren’t clear cut, but being on my course for a term has definitely helped in understanding how truly extensive my options are. We have had speakers from different human rights backgrounds (sometimes alumni) come to speak about the work they do, which has been crucial for me in understanding what different jobs entail so I can figure out what I’m more likely to enjoy.

Give us your top three things to do/see/go to in London
Going to the theatre is one of those experiences I think you can rarely ever be bored at and have decided I’d do once every month this year. Under-25 or student tickets can cost between £5-£10 sometimes which is a bargain!
The best part about being in London is how diverse it is. I love trying out new and authentic food places because it’s an easy way to connect with communities you might otherwise not have access to unless you go abroad. Special shoutout to Hiba Street, which is a Lebanese and Palestinian restaurant that serves amazing food. Getting to support these communities through something as simple as food is something I find we take for granted. 
Concerts or live music events are a great place to have fun, meet new friends, and discover London’s next up-and-coming artists. One of my favourite discoveries from going to one of these events has been an artist called Natanya. 

Who inspires you and why?
Recently I have really admired Greta Thunberg’s work. As someone who became an activist as a child she has been in the eyes of the public for a very long time, facing harsh criticism during formative years of her life. When activists become as established as she has, the desire to maintain access to certain spaces can result in neutrality around political issues that are considered “too contentious”. However, Greta Thunberg has lately been increasingly outspoken about the connections between climate change and imperialism, not shying away from sharing her stance on the genocide of Palestinians by the Israeli government. She is a testament to how a mainstream Western activist can prioritise being principled over being considered respectable or agreeable to the status quo. We could all learn from her ability to wield her platform and her privilege as a white woman in a first world country to be more active in bringing about the changes we hope to see in the world.

If you could implement one for policy in the world today, what would it be?
Abolition of private ownership of land. Landlords in London are especially predatory – people would be much happier if they weren’t being taken advantage of for a basic human necessity like shelter.