Students from the MSc Diplomacy & International Security programme during their visit to the British Embassy in Paris
Students on the MSc Diplomacy and International Security recently visited the British Embassy in Paris as part of the programme’s practitioner engagement events, which enrich the academic curriculum with real鈥憌orld insight.
Dr Rogelia Pastor-Castro, the programme’s director, organised the visit which included talks from Andrew Dalgleish (Deputy Head of Mission), Anna Goward (First Secretary), Anne-Claire Deseilligny (Senior Political Officer), and Pauline Dubost (European Policy Officer).
Their discussions covered Franco鈥態ritish cooperation, the current international security landscape, the UK–EU reset, and various facets of diplomatic life. Students gained valuable insights into the day鈥憈o鈥慸ay work of diplomats and the functions of an embassy.
They also toured the Ambassador’s residence and learned about its rich history. Located a short walk from the Élysée Palace, the building was once owned by Pauline鈥疊orghese, Napoleon’s sister, and was purchased by the British government in 1814 for the Duke of Wellington, then Ambassador to France. The house still retains a large part of those contents including chandeliers, clocks, candelabra, as well as furniture. The house remains the finest of all British embassy residences and one of the most interesting in Paris.
Dr鈥疨astor鈥慍astro has maintained a longstanding relationship with the embassy. In 2014, Ambassador Sir鈥疨eter鈥疪icketts invited her to present her publication Paris Embassy: British Ambassadors and Anglo鈥慒rench Relations 1944–79. She later organised a colloquium at the residence on ‘Britain, France, and the Second World War.’ Since then, she has collaborated with Ambassador Lord鈥疞lewellyn on events commemorating the Liberation of Paris and has participated in conferences on Franco鈥態ritish defence cooperation and NATO. In 2023, she convened a colloquium, hosted by Ambassador Dame鈥疢enna鈥疪awlings, as part of her AHRC鈥慺unded project The Weight of the Past on Franco鈥態ritish Relations.
Students have , emphasising how . They praised both the programme and the overall student experience, for supporting the visit.
The MSc Diplomacy and International Security is a multidisciplinary programme that draws on the Faculty’s expertise in History, Politics, and Law to prepare graduates for a range of careers including diplomacy, the civil service, NGOs, and banking and finance.
For further information about the programme, please visit MSc Diplomacy and International Security
