Matías Reeves (2015 Graduate)

Tell us about yourself! What did you study during your time with us, and what are you currently doing?

I studied the MSc in Philosophy and Public Policy at LSE in 2014–2015 as a Chevening Scholar. Before arriving in London, I had been deeply involved in civil society and public policy in Chile, particularly in the field of education reform.

After graduating, I returned to Latin America and continued working at the intersection of ethics, social impact, and development. I currently serve as a Resource Mobilization Expert for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, where I support and coordinate partnerships with development banks, the private sector and impact investment firms, climate funds, governments and other ODA donors to finance transformative projects on poverty reduction, food safety, one health, better nutrition, biodiversity protection, climate change adaptation and many others.

Alongside my UN work, I remain actively engaged in civil society. I sit on the board of Educación 2020—a major Chilean NGO I had the honour of presiding over from 2018 to 2023—and on the board of the Fundación para la Superación de la Pobreza (Foundation for Overcoming Poverty). Earlier, upon returning from LSE, I joined the Ministry of Education, where I contributed to the most significant institutional reform of Chile’s public education system in recent decades.

But perhaps the most unexpected consequence of my philosophical studies at LSE came from a completely different question. During my time in London, I became fascinated by the transhumanist movement and their belief that human beings might one day overcome death. That curiosity led me in the opposite direction: to understand the meaning of mortality itself. Back in Chile, I began hosting Death Cafés—open gatherings to discuss death and dying as a way to better understand life. Over the years, this became a long-term personal project called Proyecto Mokita (www.proyectomokita.cl), through which I have spoken with thousands of strangers about our shared finitude. These encounters eventually inspired my first book, Memento Mori, published in 2023, which reflects on death, memory, and the philosophical meaning of acceptance.

In what ways has studying Philosophy influenced your professional life or shaped your career path?

Studying Philosophy at LSE helped me recover something essential in policy work: the “why.” In government and international organisations, we are trained to think in terms of efficiency, procedures and deliverables — Philosophy reintroduced moral clarity and conceptual precision. It helped me frame development challenges not just as logistical problems, but as ethical questions about justice, responsibility and human flourishing. Since then, I have made a point of keeping philosophical inquiry at the centre of decision-making processes, even when my undergraduate background is in industrial engineering.

I came to study Philosophy because, after years working in education, the questions I was asking about its impact on people and society began to feel too narrow. I wanted to go deeper — to explore the moral and existential dimensions behind what we call “development.” My time at LSE gave me the tools to see that those questions are not confined to education or policy, but can (and should) be applied to every area of life, including how one understands and lives one’s own existence.

In my view, studying Philosophy is transformative — it’s a journey with no return. Everyone should have the opportunity, at least once in life, to pause and engage deeply with the fundamental questions of society and of their own existence.

How has your Philosophy background set you apart in your field or helped you approach challenges differently?

I must admit that during my time at LSE, I experienced a kind of paralysis. Philosophy made me question everything. I had always been a very pragmatic person, focused on solving problems, but facing such profound questioning made me wonder whether I would ever find meaning in what I would do afterwards. I remember thinking: How could I go back to working in public policy if nothing seemed sufficiently justified anymore? Many policies, through this new lens, appeared deeply flawed.

I once shared this concern with Alex Voorhoeve over lunch, and he told me something that stayed with me: “You will find meaning by being there.” And he was right. When I returned to work, an unexpected adventure began. I came back with a new pair of lenses — a way of seeing that revealed how much of what we take for granted in politics and policymaking rests on fragile assumptions. I realized that not everything is well grounded in reason, not even in the high-level discussions or working meetings. It may sound obvious, but at the time it was absolutely enlightening.

But this did not lead me to despair. On the contrary, it gave me clarity — a sharper sense of what is possible, what is reasonable, and what is worth pursuing despite imperfection. Philosophy gave me a tool I now value deeply: the awareness that progress does not require absolute certainty, only the courage to keep questioning and improving what we can. That, I have learned, is invaluable in every space I have worked in.

What advice would you give to current or prospective students who are passionate about Philosophy but unsure how it might support their future career?

I would put it the other way around: everyone should study Philosophy. It should be the foundation of true critical thinking and of our search for understanding — between people, and within societies. We should not think of Philosophy as a technical skill, but as a way of approaching the world, both personally and professionally.

We should not ask Philosophy to serve a specific purpose, because it is not for one thing — it is for everything. That is precisely why I believe philosophical training is one of the most powerful supports in any career. Thought itself must once again be recognized as what makes us human — especially now, when technology is forcing us to question what “being human” even means, what tasks will no longer be ours, and how we will relate to one another, to other species, and to languages that now simulate interaction with us.

Do not let anyone convince you that Philosophy is “impractical.” The world is full of technically skilled professionals who can build a system but cannot justify it. Philosophy trains you to ask the right questions before rushing into solutions — and that is invaluable in any field. Whatever career you choose — policy, business, technology, journalism, science, education — you will stand out not because you know what to do, but because you understand why it matters.

What’s one of your fondest memories from your time studying with us?

Intellectually, my time at LSE was incredibly stimulating. I loved everything I studied and learned. What I appreciated most was the freedom and trust given to students — the sense that each of us could shape our own programme in the way that best suited our interests. That level of academic autonomy is not common everywhere, and it reflects the belief that we are there out of genuine curiosity and responsibility to make the most of our time — whether in long hours at the library or sharing a pint at The George.

Living in London was equally fascinating — you truly feel at the centre of the world. It might sound like a cliché, but meeting people from every corner of the globe is an extraordinary experience. I learned a lot and had a great time with my classmates; everyone brought strong interests and perspectives, and it’s inspiring to see many of them now doing remarkable things around the world.

Outside the classroom, I had unforgettable experiences: watching Arsenal at the Emirates, visiting Parliament, dancing at the Blues Kitchen in Camden Town, joining the London Marathon, travelling on weekends — moments that still stay with me.

LSE is a place everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.