Please find here the second edition of our annual journal, The Spectrum, with our compliments.
The journal is written entirely by King’s College London students, both undergraduate and postgraduate. It represents the culmination of a year of conferences, seminars and research and we very much hope that you will find the policy recommendations included in it both interesting and eye-opening.
About the KCL Think Tank
In the wake of the 2010 student riots, a group of idealistic and driven King’s students took it upon themselves to found the KCL Think Tank. They did so with a grand ideal in mind: to create an open forum for debate and reflection, through which students could actively contribute to solving the issues with which our society grapples. Exactly a year and a half after the KCL Think Tank’s first event, we are now running 5 to 6 events per month, organized across 5 policy centers. Over 2000 students have granted us their support by becoming members of the KCL Think Tank. We have had the great honor to receive some of Britain’s finest minds and most influential policy-makers. Our members have had thought-provoking discussions with diplomats, CEOs, directors of think tanks, journalists, campaigners and academics. By contributing their visionary ideas for a different tomorrow to this publication, our members can pride themselves on re-invigorating one of Britain’s most outstanding traditions: the celebration of independent thinking and innovation.
I firmly believe that this is only the beginning of the exciting journey ahead for student think tanks. As student-led think tanks are now being founded across Europe, it is becoming ever more apparent that their legacy will also go beyond the confines of our alma mater. In a changing world, the policy process itself will inevitably have to change. Policy recommendations such as those included in this journal should and will provide an impetus to new forms of thinking that yield new solutions.
Acknowledgements
This society is driven by its members, and thus only exists because of all those that write policy recommendations for The Spectrum, attend our events or write to their MPs to ask specific and well- informed questions about pieces of upcoming legislation. For us as a committee, it is humbling and inspiring to witness just how much this generation of students wants to make a difference for the better. We can only express our greatest gratitude for the efforts that all of you have made.
Furthermore, we are especially grateful to those that have allowed us to publish this journal in print. Without the assistance and financial support of Pinsent Masons LLP, MVF Global, and the King’s College London Annual Fund, the important work of the Think Tank would not be possible.
