Rafael’s story
Rafael Lopez Zuluaga moved from his native Colombia to expand his professional expertise on our Sustainable Development MSc. Now a proud Sussex graduate, Rafael is using his skills, knowledge and expertise to tackle complex global challenges and shape international policy.
Sussex offered the knowledge and networks I needed to shape my career path, as well as a powerful way to signal my capabilities. Before I’d even graduated, I was applying my learning in professional contexts - helping me stand out in a highly competitive job market.” Rafael Lopez Zuluaga
Sustainable Development MSc
“Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve had a clear goal in mind: to help the world build a more sustainable future.
I come from a relatively small region in Colombia, so I had to think laterally when it came to choosing my undergraduate degree. I studied locally, so chose Economics and Political Science to gain a strong grounding in numbers, policy and regulation.
After graduation, I began working in biodiversity – first, at the Nature Conservancy, and then at an environmental consultancy, Terrasos. I specialised in applied policy research for nature markets, but wanted a broader toolkit for understanding systems change. When I started to consider postgraduate study, I wanted an experience that could connect me with diverse professionals, introduce me to the highest levels of academic rigour, and help me drive meaningful impact.
A university friend suggested I take my next step at Sussex, where he’d spent a year as a Chevening Scholar. The more I learned, the more Sussex felt right for me. Along with its outstanding reputation in Development Studies, I was impressed by the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), so decided to take the leap.
The generosity of my supervisor, Matthew Agarwala, was pivotal to my student experience – he challenged my thinking and contributed greatly in expanding my network. As Bennett Chair in Sustainable Finance, he also provided opportunities for me to engage with exciting initiatives over at the Bennett Institute. This enabled me to gain professional skills and experience through projects including a KPMG collaboration on small island economies, which also inspired my dissertation.
Sussex introduced me to people who were genuinely interested in and supportive of my goals. It can feel intimidating to meet renowned academics, but they were all approachable and keen to share their expertise. While the Careers team helped me nail the basics like tailoring my CV for the UK market, one professor’s advice on finding my own vision has proven invaluable when networking and preparing for interviews. I feel like my Masters has given me the toolkit I needed to bring that vision to life.
This clarity helped me secure an internship with the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), alongside my Head of Policy role at Agricultural Carbon, a Latin American initiative supporting access to high-integrity carbon markets.
Sussex offered the knowledge and networks I needed to shape my career path, as well as a powerful way to signal my capabilities. Before I’d even graduated, I was applying my learning in professional contexts - helping me stand out in a highly competitive job market.”
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