Student Spotlight: Ziyi Zhou

Tell us a bit about yourself, and your background
My name is Ziyi and I’m from China. I completed my undergraduate studies at King’s College London for a BSc in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. After graduating, I took a gap year during which I worked full-time as a teacher in a school back home. Although this experience helped me develop valuable skills, I realised that working in the education sector wasn't the right fit for me. I remain passionate about politics, international relations, and security, and I am eager to pursue further studies and eventually build a career in this field.
 
Why did you apply to Political Science Department, UCL?
After spending 5 years at King’s, I’m more than ready for a change of scenery. I originally turned down UCL’s offer for my undergraduate degree, and well, let’s just say I’d rather not live with that lingering ‘what if’ any longer.
All jokes aside, what really draws me to the Political Science Department is its strong emphasis on research methods, which I consider important in the research of political science nowadays. I’m excited by the opportunity to engage with advanced methodologies and work alongside scholars who are at the interdisciplinary frontiers of political research, all of which I believe will help me transition seamlessly into a research-oriented career in politics and public sectors.
 
What do you like best about your course so far?
I really like how it’s so practical and uses real-world examples to show how theories are formed and applied. The course introduces some perspectives I’ve rarely explored before, like how climate change impacts conflicts and how AIs might be misused to support terrorism. During my undergrad, I mostly studied norms, theories, and ideologies, so it's refreshing to see how they really play out in practice, alongside these non-traditional agendas in security studies.

What is the rest of your cohort like?
Our cohort is a wonderfully diverse group of individuals from a range of academic, cultural, and professional backgrounds. This mix of backgrounds fosters vibrant seminar discussions and adds credits to our learning experience.
 
What is the teaching and learning like?
It's a bit more intense than I expected, especially if you don't have prior knowledge in quantitative methods or statistics. But honestly, the hard work really pays off. The department offers plenty of support and learning resources, and the teaching staff is really passionate and knowledgeable across a lot of different topics.
 
What are your career aspirations and how do you envisage the programme helping with these?
I aim to work with international organizations focusing on humanitarian efforts such as peacebuilding, development, climate change, and human rights. After gaining field experience, I plan to transition into academia to contribute to research and future practitioners. The programme's strong emphasis on analytical training will be crucial when assessing and addressing humanitarian challenges. The Department also offers opportunities to connect with professionals and peers, and UCL's active alumni network is a good platform to engage with former students who have ventured into various sectors.
 
Give us your top three things to do/see/go to in London
London has so many things to do and see, and I personally don't like favouritism. That said, here are three activities I've particularly enjoyed recently:
1) ‎Regent's Canal & Camden Town: Enjoy a walk along Regent's Canal that leads you directly into the bustling atmosphere of Camden Town, where you can browse unique market stalls and soak up underground culture.
2) Hidden London Underground Guided Tour: Discover the lesser-known side of London with a guided tour of the underground, exploring abandoned stations and secret tunnels while uncovering stories from the city's past.
3) Primrose Hill for a Picnic, a Pint, and the Sunset: Head up to Primrose Hill to relax with a sunset over the London skyline, and enjoy a pint at a nearby pub.

Who inspires you and why?
A student I taught lost both parents as a kid and grew up with his grandmother. Even with all that pain, he worked hard, got a scholarship to a top school, and now wants to be a doctor helping people in need with MSF. He could’ve given up, but he chose to focus on helping others instead. Seeing that really inspired me. While I’ve had privileges he never did, he taught me that purpose lies in action, not circumstance. If he can fight for others while carrying his own struggles, I can at least try to do the same in my work. He will always remind me that I don’t need to fix the whole world to make a difference. Start by making positive impacts around you, even it seems small. 

If you could implement one for policy in the world today, what would it be?
I’d implement a universal Clean Water Access Initiative to fund and build sustainable water infrastructure in underserved regions. Over 2 billion people still lack safe drinking water, and contaminated water causes nearly 1,000 child deaths daily from preventable diseases like cholera. If well-funded, simple solutions like borewells, rainwater harvesting, or portable filters can save millions. I would redirect a fraction of global military spending or fossil fuel subsidies to fund decentralised, community-led projects. This isn’t just a health crisis - it’s a massive inequality trap.