To celebrate the launch of the new MA in the Politics of Climate Change, the Department of Politics and International Studies (PAIS) at the University of Warwick are running an undergraduate essay competition.

The dramatic impacts of a changing climate are becoming ever clearer, while fraught political disputes over how to respond to the issue are becoming common parts of political debate around the world.

In this context, PAIS invites undergraduate students to take part in a prestigious, new essay competition on the politics of climate change.

The Competition Details

Deadline: 5pm, Friday 14th February 2025.

Word Count: 1000-2000 words (maximum 2,000 words including references and bibliography).

First Prize: £250 OR £1000 reduction in 2025 entry fees for the Politics of Climate Change MA.

Second Prize: £100.

Essay Questions: Pick ONE of the following three questions -

• Are backlashes against climate change policies inevitable?
• Can democratic states tackle climate change?
• Is it possible for capitalist economies to address climate change?

Eligibility: We invite submissions from anyone who is undertaking an undergraduate degree, at any university in the world, at the time at which they submit their essay.

How to Enter:- Simply e-mail your completed essay to mitya.pearson@warwick.ac.uk (subject ‘Warwick Climate Essay Competition’).

Criteria

After the deadline has closed, submitted essays will be judged by a panel of academics from PAIS on the following criteria:

• Rigour - Do the arguments and points made stand up to scrutiny?
• Depth of Thought - Does the essay contain precise and well-developed analysis?
• Creativity - Does the essay bring an insightful and critical perspective to the topic?
• Presentation/Academic Practice - Appropriate spelling, grammar and referencing skills are displayed, in a clear and coherent piece of writing.

Further Details

You are free to choose your referencing system for the essay, as long as it is consistent and clear. You must include a bibliography for all cited works.

Entrants are totally free to respond to the essay question however they wish (e.g. theoretical or empirical approaches are both welcome).

Entries will be screened via plagiarism software, and any answers with suspected plagiarism will be disqualified. It is also expected that entrants produce their own work, and essays produced via AI technology will be disqualified.

Payment of Prizes

For UK based students, payment will be made direct into a UK bank account by bank transfer. For overseas based students, payments can be made into a bank account provided it accepts payments in sterling. A payment can also be made in their bank account currency equivalent to £250 or £100.

Climate Change and the Environment in PAIS

Politics of Climate Change (MA)Link opens in a new window

PAIS Environmental Politics Research ClusterLink opens in a new window

Climate Change Activity in PAISLink opens in a new window