Mining for evidence

Waco Yokoyama completed her MA in Philosophy and Film at Dundee with first-class honours in 2019, before subsequently completing her masters in Environmental Change and Management at Oxford.

She was invited to speak at COP26 after completing her thesis, which focused on reimaging the mining sector as society increasingly shifts to renewable energy. This allowed Waco to develop a unique insight into the lithium supply chain in the UK and explore how to make mineral localisation in Europe supportive of developing countries.

After addressing one of the most significant global events of the past year, Waco, who is now a policy and insight analyst for the low carbon sector, said that her time at Dundee had been critical in crafting her career.

"Dundee seemed to pay attention to my personal statement, and that gave me a really good feeling about the University," she said.

"While my masters at Oxford forced me to become independent, the support system that I was surrounded by at Dundee made me strong enough for that. My career today has brought together my varying interests of philosophy, environmental change, and love for research.

"My master's at Oxford was very much something that I was left to do by myself but at Dundee, there was always a great feeling of support. My interests have always been incredibly varied and that has all come together in my career today."