Critical Minerals and Geopolitics

Critical minerals are increasingly central to global supply chains, particularly those underpinning the clean energy transition, advanced manufacturing, and national security. But what exactly are critical minerals, and why do they matter so much? And what role does commercial diplomacy play in securing access, as countries navigate trade restrictions, strategic partnerships, and geopolitical relationships? Our panel of experts will explore these critical questions.

Chris Zandome (Head of Critical Minerals Initiative at Chatham House)

Christopher Vandome leads the Chatham House Critical Minerals Initiative. He is a senior research fellow with both the Global Economy and Finance Programme and the Africa Programme. In addition to his research expertise in geopolitics, security, and natural resource governance, Christopher is a member of the standards committee of the Responsible Jewelry Council.

Belinda Schäpe

Belinda Schäpe is a China Policy Analyst working at the nexus of climate change and geopolitics, I am a China Policy Analyst with the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) where I analyse China’s decarbonisation journey and advise policymakers on their diplomatic engagement with China.

Chair: Aparna Ravi, Lecturer in International Political Economy at UCL Department of Political Science

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2026 is the year in which we celebrate UCL’s Bicentenary, marking 200 years since UCL’s establishment as the first University in London.

UCL Political Science and School of Public Policy are celebrating with a programme of seminars that relate to one of UCL's core research themes: Fairer Futures

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UCL Institute of Archaeology, lecture theatre G6, 31-34 Gordon Square, London, United Kingdom

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