Doug Specht

Dr. Doug Specht is a Chartered Geographer, a Reader in Cultural Geography and Communication, and Head of the School of Media and Communication at the University of Westminster.

His research explores themes related to environmental justice, human rights, and access to education, with a focus on the production and codification of knowledge though cartographic artefacts and in educational settings.

Dr. Specht has authored numerous articles and books, including Mapping Crisis, the Routledge Handbook of Geospatial Technology and Society, and Imagining Apocalyptic Politics in the Anthropocene. He writes regularly on ethics, environmental and human rights, education, and mapping practices in such publications as WonkHE, The Conversation, Geographical, and for Times Higher Education. Dr Specht is a member of the editorial board of the European Journal of Geography and is Chair of the Environmental Network for Central America.

The new geopolitics of undersea data cables

28 July 2026

4 minutes

As nations compete for digital dominance, the ocean floor has emerged as the newest and least visible stage for geopolitical rivalry On 25 June 2026, the US Federal Communications Commission voted to rewrite the rules of the global internet. The regulator moved to require, for the first time, licences for operators of submarine line terminal equipment, the … [Read more...] about The new geopolitics of undersea data cables

The £5billion question: what Britain’s drone splurge really buys

21 July 2026

5 minutes

Why investing billions in military autonomy may leave diplomacy as Britain's most neglected security strategy today Keir Starmer chose a drone factory in Berkshire to unveil a Defence Investment Plan worth £298billion, with £15billion of new money to modernise the armed forces. Of that, more than £5billion will be spent on drones and autonomous systems: cheap … [Read more...] about The £5billion question: what Britain’s drone splurge really buys

Brexit at ten: the borders we built

7 July 2026

4 minutes

Ten years on, the consequences of Brexit continue to reshape borders, identities and communities On the night of 23 June 2016, the United Kingdom went to bed with its future relationship with Europe hanging in the balance. I vividly recall staying up too late watching a result I had been told would not happen. By morning Britain had voted, narrowly, to leave the … [Read more...] about Brexit at ten: the borders we built

Who pays for the green future?

23 June 2026

4 minutes

The G7's critical minerals push promises a cleaner world, but the communities living above those minerals have heard this before On the shores of Lake Geneva last Wednesday, the leaders of the world's seven largest economies wrapped up a summit that had, by most accounts, delivered more than expected. The Évian G7, hosted by France from 15 to 17 June 2026, produced … [Read more...] about Who pays for the green future?

How UK online safety laws could reshape the geography of digital spaces

16 June 2026

6 minutes

The new borders of Britain's digital landscape are being redrawn by online regulation Screens and consoles are not usual fixtures in Westminster’s committee rooms, but during the first week of June – before the UK's restrictions on social media use for under-16s came into effect – they shared space with briefing papers and bill amendments. Westminster Games Week brought … [Read more...] about How UK online safety laws could reshape the geography of digital spaces