Europe in a post-liberal world
Conversation with Pedro Serrano, the EU Ambassador to the UK

Co hosted with the European Institute and the European Foreign Policy Unit

Wednesday 18 February 2026
6pm - 7.30pm
In-person public event (Malaysia Auditorium, Lower Ground Floor, Centre Building, LSE)

Join Pedro Serrano, the European Union Ambassador to the United Kingdom, at this event to discuss Europe in a post-liberal world.

Today, the founding principles of the international liberal order – the rule of law, democracy, free trade, and collective security – are being challenged in a world where military force, zero-sum competition, and the weaponisation of interdependence increasingly define international relations.

Meet our speaker

Pedro Serrano is the European Union Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Discussants

Federica Bicchi is Associate Professor of International Relations in the Department of International Relations at LSE. Her current research focuses on contemporary trends in European diplomacy, especially in relation to the digitalisation of diplomacy and developments in European foreign policy cooperation. 

Spyros Economides is Associate Professor in International Relations. His current research concentrates on: the ‘West’ in contemporary international relations; the external relations and security policies of the EU; Europeanisation and foreign policy, and the EU’s relationship with the Western Balkans.

Chair

Karen E Smith is Professor of International Relations Theory in the Department of International Relations at LSE. 

This public event is free and open to all. No ticket or pre-registration is required. Entry is on a first come, first served basis.

For any queries email ir.events@lse.ac.uk.

Find out more about the event and speakers

The politics of world heritage: visions, custodians, and futures of humanity

Wednesday 4 March 2026
6.30pm - 8pm
In-person and online public event (Malaysia Auditorium, Centre Building)

In this book launch, Elif Kalaycioglu, will present her new book, The Politics of World Heritage: Visions, Custodians, and Futures of Humanity, followed by a discussion and Q&A.

The book examines the permutations of a global cultural history of humanity that has emerged through decades of World Heritage politics. Within this history, Dr Kalaycioglu excavates the exclusions, hierarchies and contradictions that challenge UNESCO's mandate of fostering global peace and solidarity; and offers an internal critique of UNESCO's "nested constructions of humanity".

Meet our speakers and chair

Elif Kalaycioglu is Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama’s Department of Political Science. 

Alvina Hoffmann is a Lecturer in Diplomatic Studies at SOAS University of London. 

Sinja Graf is Assistant Professor in the Department of International Relations at LSE. 

This public event is free and open to all, but pre-registration is required.

In-person: You can request one ticket via the online ticket request form, which will be open after 12noon on Monday 9 February. The ticket line will stay open until all tickets have been allocated.

Online: Registration will open in early January.

Find out more and register

If you have a query see our Events FAQ or email events@lse.ac.uk.

Report Launch: Strengthening the Representation of Women in Diplomacy: Lessons from the Field

Thursday 05 March 2026
6.30pm to 8.00pm
Room: MAR.1.04 and online

Hosted by LSE IDEAS and the Department of International Relations

Following the publication of the ‘Women in Diplomacy’ (WiD) inaugural report in June 2024, the WiD team has convened a series of workshops and consultations, internationally, with women diplomats and practitioners to reflect on the findings and deepen understanding of the core barriers and enablers to women’s representation in diplomacy and foreign policy.

The insights gathered from these conversations now inform the second edition of the report, which integrates lived experience with policy-relevant analysis and offers concrete, evidence-based guidance for advancing gender equality in international affairs.

This launch event will present key findings from the report and bring together practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to reflect on lessons from the field and discuss pathways for change. The event offers an opportunity to engage in an open, informed discussion on strengthening women’s representation and leadership in diplomacy.

Speakers

HE Dr Fatou Bensouda served as Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court from 2012 to 2021, becoming its first female Prosecutor after election by consensus with African Union support. She strengthened the Office through strategic reforms, overseeing fourteen investigations and numerous preliminary examinations worldwide.

Dr Sara Chehab is the acting Academic Director and a Senior Research Fellow at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Dr Chehab curates the ‘Women and Diplomacy’ research programme at AGDA. She also trains diplomats on the Women, Peace and Security agenda and contemporary global and economic affairs.

Alexander Evans is Associate Dean for Strategic Development at the LSE School of Public Policy, Professor in Practice in Public Policy, and Director of the LSE IDEAS Ratiu Forum. 

Marta Kozielska is the co-founder and manager of the Women in Diplomacy Project . Marta also manages the LSE IDEAS Alumni Network.

HE Laura Popescu is the Ambassador of Romania to the United Kingdom and the country’s first woman ambassador in London. 

Chair

Karen E Smith is Professor of International Relations at LSE. Her main research interests lie in the fields of foreign policy analysis and the study of international organisations. 

This public event is free and open to all but pre-registration is required.

Find out more and register for the event

For any queries email ideas.events@lse.ac.uk.