Engaging Youth to Create a Better Urban Future

This event is a free, one-hour lecture, hosted by Oxford University's Department for Continuing Education. The event will be live-streamed from our Lecture Theatre, so you have the option to join us online or in person.

Our keynote speaker, Dominique Palmer, will explore how the 'urban theme' has shaped her recent work, highlighting the connection between air pollution, inequality, and access to a healthy environment. She will discuss how these local issues intersect with broader global Climate Justice movements. Dominique will emphasize the critical role young people play in advocating for intersectional and equitable climate action, citing the success of movements like Fridays for Future.

She will also share inspiring examples of youth-led initiatives in urban areas aimed at improving access to nature, clean air, and rallying marginalized communities. Drawing from her own experiences, including conversations with the Mayor of London, Dominique will address the importance of involving young people in decision-making processes to create more sustainable and equitable cities.

Dominique Palmer is a Climate Justice Activist, writer, and graduate of Political Science and International Relations in the UK. She is part of Climate Live and a founding member of and on the Steering Committee for the Youth Climate Justice Fund.
Her work focuses on intersectional and equitable climate action, inclusive environmentalism, slow fashion, harnessing creative means to communicate the climate crisis, and finding joy through uniting. She started her activism as part of ‘Fridays for Future’ and was involved in organising the 2019 September climate strikes which mobilised 300,000 people onto the streets in the UK.
Palmer is a winner of the prestigious Planetary Health Award, and in 2023, was honoured as a ‘Young Leader’ at the Green Carpet Fashion Awards. She was also named in Forbes 2020 Top UK Environmentalists List for her work. She was named one of the UK’s most high-profile youth activists on Sky News and has been featured in major publications including British Vogue, DAZED, the Sunday Times Style, and Global Citizen.

This event is part of Oxford University's Sustainable Urban Development programme which comprises a transformative MSc and DPhil programme. We welcome students, alumni, and all those with an interest in this dynamic and rapidly evolving field. There will be the opportunity to network and meet like-minded individuals. Learn more about the programme here.

Host or Publisher Oxford University, Department for Continuing Education