KCL Sends Researchers to COP31 Climate Talks
King's College London has assembled a delegation of researchers to take part in the COP31 climate conference in Turkey.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Environmental
King's College London is sending a delegation of researchers from multiple departments and institutes to COP31 in Turkey. Dr Emel Akçalı, a Senior Lecturer in the Defence Studies Department, is leading the delegation.
Why it matters
The delegation brings together expertise spanning international relations, finance, health, history and African security to address climate policy from several angles. Its members have said they hope to see progress on adaptation, resilience and the integration of arts and culture into climate responses.
The delegation's lead, Dr Emel Akçalı, has more than 15 years of experience in environmental geopolitics, and the group includes ten researchers drawn from several King's College London departments and institutes. The source does not indicate what formal role, if any, the delegation will hold during the conference.
The players
King's College London
A public research university in London that is one of the largest academic institutions in the United Kingdom.
Dr Emel Akçalı
An International Relations scholar and Senior Lecturer in the Defence Studies Department who specialises in environmental geopolitics.
The details
King's College London has published profiles of its researchers attending COP31, which is being hosted in Turkey. Members include scholars in international political economy, security and development, financial management, and the history of foreign policy.
Timeline
• 9 November 2026: King's publishes profiles of its COP31 delegation researchers.
Big Picture
Universities increasingly send multidisciplinary delegations to the annual UN climate conferences, with the COP series serving as the main forum for international climate negotiations. King's College London's delegation to COP31 follows that pattern of academic participation alongside national and institutional negotiators.
The delegation's work could shape how climate adaptation and resilience measures are discussed in negotiations that affect national policies worldwide. Readers following climate policy may find the research outputs and commentary from these scholars useful as COP31 proceeds.
The takeaway
Academic expertise from multiple disciplines is being brought directly into international climate negotiations. Its impact will depend on whether the perspectives on adaptation, finance and culture translate into concrete commitments at COP31.
Further reading
For more on the climate science and policy behind summits like this, see Environmental coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by King's College London.
