We are delighted to invite you to a series of Hot Topic sessions hosted by UCL’s Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP).
At STEaPP, we bring together science, technology, and policy to tackle global challenges. Whether you are considering studying with us or have already received an offer, these sessions are a great opportunity to engage with our expert faculty and explore the critical issues shaping the future of policy and governance.
Our Hot Topic sessions will explore pressing topics and are here to help you think critically about the role of science and technology in policymaking and how you can apply these insights as future leaders in your field. Each session will conclude with a Q&A giving you the chance to connect with other attendees, including possible future classmates. We look forward to welcoming you to STEaPP!
#1 The Anatomy of Hope
8th April 2025 - 14:00 -15:00 BST (Online via Zoom)
Join us for an exciting session with Professor Kevin Fong, a critical care doctor, NASA-trained space expert, and national emergency strategist. With firsthand experience in frontline medicine, space exploration, and crisis response, he will take you inside the world of high-risk, high-reliability teams, where split-second decisions mean the difference between success and failure.
Drawing from his diverse career spanning his role as a consultant anaesthetist and helicopter emergency medical service doctor, his work with NASA’s human spaceflight operations, and his leadership as a national clinical advisor during the UK’s COVID-19 response, Professor Fong will share powerful insights on what it takes to perform under extreme pressure..
In this session you'll discover:
- How elite teams from space missions to emergency response are built and led under pressure
- The secrets behind decision-making in life-or-death situations
- Why some teams thrive while others collapse and how to apply these lessons in your own field
Recording available upon request!
#2 Paradox of energy transition in a multipolar world
28th April 2025 - 14:00 - 15:00 BST (Online via Zoom)
Join us for a thought-provoking session with Professor Yacob Mulugetta, an expert in energy and development policy with over 25 years of experience in research, teaching, and advisory roles. As part of the management team for the Climate Compatible Growth (CCG) programme, his work explores the critical intersections of energy systems, development, and climate policy.
In this Hot Topic Session, Professor Mulugetta will examine how national interests, economic competition, and strategic rivalries are shaping energy and climate policies worldwide. While urgent collective action is needed to tackle the climate crisis, the reality is far more complex—regional energy transitions are unfolding along divergent pathways, each influenced by domestic priorities and geopolitical pressures.
What you'll discover:
- How global energy transitions are being shaped by competing national interests and economic rivalries
- The paradox of tackling climate change in a fractured world and what it means for energy justice
- The risks and inefficiencies emerging from fragmented climate action—and how they impact the future of clean energy technologies and multilateral governance
At a time when supply chain security, decarbonization, and climate justice are more urgent than ever, this session will dive into the tensions shaping our energy future—and who stands to benefit or be left behind.
Register today!
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