The Panopticon is an independent accountability journalism publication covering UCL Faculty of Laws.

Our Mission

We exist to provide transparent, fact-based reporting on governance, institutional accountability, and issues affecting the UCL Laws community. Our name, borrowed from Jeremy Bentham’s concept of a structure designed for observation and transparency, reflects our commitment to bringing visibility to matters of public interest within our law school.

What We Cover

  • Governance & Accountability: Law Society operations, faculty administration, institutional decision-making
  • Student Welfare: Issues affecting student wellbeing, support services, and community concerns
  • Academic Life: Admissions statistics, course information, faculty partnerships, and academic policies
  • Transparency: Freedom of information requests, budget allocations, and institutional practices
  • Community Issues: Matters affecting the daily lives and futures of UCL Laws students

Our Approach

We are committed to:

  • Accuracy above all: Every claim is fact-checked and verified
  • Fairness: We provide right of reply to all parties discussed in our reporting
  • Independence: We are not affiliated with any UCL institution or society
  • Evidence-based reporting: Our journalism relies on documents, data, and verified sources
  • Accountability: We correct errors promptly and transparently

Who We Are

The Panopticon was founded in January 2025 by Ali Muratkali, a first-year law student at UCL.

As law students, we study professional responsibility, ethics, and the rule of law. This publication holds us—and our institutions—to those same standards.

Independence

The Panopticon is:

  • Not affiliated with UCL, UCL Faculty of Laws, or UCL Students’ Union
  • Not affiliated with UCL Law Society or any student organization
  • Editorially independent with no external influence on coverage decisions
  • Self-funded with no institutional backing or corporate sponsorship

Our independence allows us to report without fear or favor on matters affecting our community.

Contact

General inquiries: editor@panopticon.press Confidential tips: tips@panopticon.press

We welcome feedback, story ideas, and constructive criticism.

The views expressed in The Panopticon are those of the authors and do not represent UCL, UCL Faculty of Laws, UCL Students’ Union, or any affiliated organizations. “UCL” and “UCL Faculty of Laws” are used purely for descriptive purposes.

Founded January 2025 London, United Kingdom