Nuclear politics internship takes Leicester graduate to NATO headquarters

A recent University of Leicester graduate has reflected on an internship with the UK Nuclear Deterrence Network that took her to NATO headquarters and culminated in a presentation at a leading UK defence conference.

Zewelanji Nalwamba graduated with a degree in International Relations earlier this year and interned with the UK Nuclear Deterrence Network for six months between February and September.

Before she started studying at Leicester, Zewelanji said that she had little interest in nuclear issues. She said: “I remember the first time we were studying it, it was part of a module and I was like, ‘Oh, I’m not going to enjoy this.’

“But, to my surprise, I was really interested in it. I was very interested in the politics.”

Zewelanji, who is from Zambia, said: “Coming from Africa, nuclear politics is not really talked about. Nowadays it is increasing but it was never really something that was open to me.

“Getting to learn about it and getting to understand the nuclear politics behind it, it was so interesting. It was just so mind blowing.”

She said: “It gave me a way to draw on my own interests because I like the geopolitics of it and looking at the Global South. Then from second to third year, every time there was a module about nuclear war or nuclear politics, I was interested to just keep learning more and more about it.”

As part of her internship, Zewelanji was able to engage with leading academics and policy experts to examine the ever-evolving landscape of nuclear strategy. This included a three-day visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Discussing her time at NATO, Zewelanji said: “For me, it was amazing because I come from an African country that isn’t a part of NATO, it was huge.

“When you think about nuclear defence, you think about NATO so getting to go there, getting to speak to people and to see all the different representatives of different countries. Genuinely, it was so surreal.

“We got to speak to people from NATO representing different countries, and they spoke about what interests them, about their countries and what is driving them. It was amazing to hear from them.

“We also got the chance to ask questions, to ask for advice and to talk to them about what we are interested in. It was a very amazing opportunity because it is something you only dream about. Sometimes I wake up and I’m like, ‘Oh my god, I actually went to NATO.’”

Last month, Zewelanji presented at the UK Project on Nuclear Issues Annual Conference. She said: “My presentation focused on new strategic dependencies, particularly critical materials in the emerging fusion economy.

“I explored whether the rise of fusion energy could reduce existing strategic dependencies or simply create new ones, and what these emerging dependencies could mean for international security and the UK’s policy.”

She said: “Being able to end my six-month internship with the UK Nuclear Deterrence Network with my very first presentation feels incredibly special. When I look back on the past six months, I’m amazed by how much I’ve grown, and the experiences I’ve been fortunate enough to have.

“This internship has challenged me, opened doors I never expected, and given me opportunities that I know will stay with me as I continue to build my career.”

The UK Nuclear Deterrence Network is a collaboration between King’s College London, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and the University of Leicester. The network aims to offer innovative approaches to nuclear deterrence for the UK and its allies.

Andrew Futter, Professor of International Relations at the University of Leicester, said: "It has been a real pleasure having Zewelanji as part of the UK Nuclear Deterrence Network. Her enthusiasm, intellectual curiosity, and fresh perspectives have been invaluable.

"She has embraced every opportunity, from engaging with experts at NATO to presenting her own research at a major international conference. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and have no doubt she has a very bright future ahead."