Rafael Lopez: A student journey with the Bennett Institute

My student journey at SPRU was nothing short of amazing. As a policy researcher, I came from Colombia to study the Sustainable Development MSc program, inspired to build a research skillset that would allow me to catalyse system changes (sustainability transitions) to mobilise innovative finance for climate and biodiversity action. I was lucky to find so much more with the course, and particularly with my work at the Bennett Institute.

I joined the Bennett Institute as a Research Assistant working on Inclusive Wealth and sustainability in Small Island Economies under the guidance of Professor Matthew Agarwala. Working directly with KPMG and Matthew’s own consultancy, I became part of a dynamic research project with clear real-world relevance. My time at the Bennett enabled me to apply methods and models gained through the MSc to a live project, shaping sustainable macroeconomic growth strategies for 12 island nations. The project set a new personal benchmark for what high-quality, policy-relevant research looks like, while also offering a rare opportunity to engage directly with high-level experts, including Ministers, CEOs, and a World Bank Director. I gained important professional experience – with KPMG, as a sub-contractor for Professor Agarwala’s consultancy, and now as an academic, co-authoring journal papers with the Institute Director, Professor Benjamin Sovacool.

Professor Agarwala’s guidance was instrumental in shaping both the project and my own development as a researcher. Integrating the Planetary Wealth framework into our research design helped identify theoretically grounded, policy-ready investment priorities for island economies. This approach became a cornerstone of my dissertation.

‘My experience working with Rafael offers clear proof that Sussex students are ready and able – not just to demand a more prosperous, sustainable future – but to get out there and shape it. The skills gained through his MSc translate directly into practice with KPMG and twelve island economies.’ Prof. Matthew Agarwala.

I also received invaluable mentorship from Professor Benjamin Sovacool on qualitative research methods. His precise and thoughtful advice significantly elevated my qualitative analysis and encouraged me to experiment with innovative ways of presenting qualitative data.

My time at the Bennett showed me how to combine a clear research vision with the discipline and ambition to bring that vision into the world – particularly through contributing to accelerate policies that address humanity’s most urgent challenges. I gained crucial experience on bridging the gap between academia and practice. In the real world, the data is never as clean or accessible as we’d like, if it’s available at all. Working with extremely diverse countries, all in the same project – our 12 islands include Jamaica with a per capita GDP of $7k, and Bermuda ($139k) – means you have to adjust.

This experience was a highlight of my master’s degree. It expanded both my analytical capacity and my confidence as a policy researcher, and it played a major role in my receiving the award for Best Student in the 2025 graduating cohort. At my graduation, Peter Bennett stated that he likes to support “good people to do good things”; the quality, pace, and ambition of the research at the Bennett Institute reflect this ethos and I am deeply grateful to have been part of it.