SSPS Students participate in Model NATO

On 6 March three Year 2 students from the School of Social & Political Sciences, Alex Chapman, Jenny Godfrey and Joshua Endacott, participated in a Model NATO simulation organised by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and the British International Studies Association (BISA). This is the first time students from the University of Lincoln have been selected to participate in the simulation.

The day-long exercise took place at the Foreign Office in London and involved teams of students from 32 universities. Our students represented the United States in an exercise which involved providing a coordinated NATO response to a huge earthquake affecting Türkiye and the eastern Mediterranean.

Dr Andrew Defty who helped organise the visit and accompanied the students said: “This was a great learning experience which allowed students to mix with their peers from other universities and also an excellent opportunity to network with staff from the Foreign Office, the Ministry of Defence and NATO who attended and supported the event. The Rt. Hon. James Heappey, Minister of State for the Armed Forces, provided a warm and encouraging closing speech at the end of the day.”

Head of School, Professor Gary Rawnsley, said: “I am very proud of Jenny, Alex and Joshua and I am delighted they found the day so inspiring. Their participation in the Model NATO builds upon the success of the school’s Model UN. It also reflects our commitment to finding subject-relevant opportunities outside the classroom for all our students that might challenge and inspire them, and build skills that will have value after graduation.”

Story submitted by Gary Rawnsley
GRawnsley@lincoln.ac.uk