In the Media

“There is clearly a generational frustration,” said Professor Bill Booth (UCL Institute of the Americas) on Generation Z protests in Mexico over the assassination of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez and protests in Peru demanding an end to nationwide corruption.

A recently unearthed ancient monument in southeastern Mexico was built as a giant representation of the Mesoamerican universe, and was likely an important ceremonial site, finds research by an international team involving Dr Verónica Vazquez Lopez (UCL Institute of Archaeology).

“The fact that Latino voters abandoned the GOP candidate is noteworthy, but it’s not clear that Virginia is representative of broader national trends, including in border states with large Latino populations,” said Dr Thomas Gift (UCL Political Science) on the election results.

“It means that political actors connect and potentially reach lots of people. And most importantly it is blurring entertainment and politics,” said Emma Connolly (UCL Political Science) on the power of TikTok in modern politics.

“Government shutdowns tend to reinforce the sense that Washington is broken--and while both sides may take heat, the president typically bears the brunt of the blame,” said Dr Thomas Gift (UCL Political Science) on why President Trump’s approval ratings have dipped.

“I think they were told by the government and possibly worked out for themselves that certainly the media hue and cry was not going to let up,” said Professor Robert Hazell (UCL Political Science) on King Charles’ move to strip the former Prince Andrew of his royal titles.

“Trump is backtracking on his previously hardline approach to China without obtaining any meaningful gains from his previous status quo, which makes him look weak and ineffective to his supporters," said Dr Michael Plouffe (UCL Political Science) on Trump’s trade deal with China.

A new report by the UCL Policy Lab and More in Common reveals that universities are a source of national success and local pride. However, it shows a growing gap in support between grads and non grads and suggests unis must demonstrate their benefit to society as a whole.

Dr Melanie Garson (UCL Political Science) said that Trump’s announcement to resume testing nuclear weapons on an equal basis with Russia and China may be a way of “putting something on the table that can be part of the negotiation package.”

UK investment in wind energy generated a net financial benefit of more than £100bn for energy consumers between 2010 and 2023, challenging misconceptions about the cost of the green energy transition finds research by Professor Mark Maslin and Colm O'Shea (both UCL Geography).

The education system consistently fails society’s poorest children and requires thorough reform, finds a new UCL Policy Lab report authored by former Department for Education Permanent Secretary Jonathan Slater.

Professor James Cheshire (UCL Geography) describes UCL’s fascinating map library and explains why uncovering one of the world’s biggest collection of maps and atlases inspired him to write his new book, The Library of Lost Maps.

"Trump may have actually realised that it’s always better to have allies than enemies," said Professor Kathleen Burk (UCL History) on Trump’s influence and relationships with other world leaders.

On the prospect of Prince Andrew deputising for the King, Robert Hazell (UCL Political Science) said there was no realistic prospect that Andrew would be called on to fulfil one of his last significant roles as a “counsellor of state”.

Nothing is going to wipe out Trump’s support. An iron law of American politics is that his core base will never abandon him,” said Dr Thomas Gift (UCL Political Science) despite a dip in US Generation Z supporters according to recent polls.