Beth Walker - MSc Gender, Policy and Inequalities (2012-2013)
Prior to my undergraduate studies I was a full-time elected officer in the student movement. It was this environment which ignited my passion for campaigning for gender equality. After graduating from the University of Manchester with a degree in religion and theology, I was very lucky to be offered a scholarship to study my MSc in gender, poverty and inequalities at the Gender Institute, LSE. The course provided me with the opportunity to study social policy, planning and practice through a critical gendered lens; something which would allow me to fulfil my aspiration to have a career working in gender policy. After graduating I took a position within the UK Civil Service, where I work in the Government Equalities Office on the gender pay gap.
Zerrin Cengiz – MSc Gender, Media and Culture (2012-2013)
I came to the GI with a BA degree in Political Science and International Relations from Bogazici University, Istanbul. The excellent quality and interdisciplinarity of the education as well as the diversity of the students provided a unique learning opportunity both inside and outside of the classroom which was fun and challenging at the same time. My dissertation focused on the potential to conceptualize the representation of actual spaces as homes and in what ways this representation visually and discursively utilizes gendered connotations with regard to the notion of “home” in transnational cinema. After graduating, I started working as a researcher at the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) in Istanbul, an independent non-governmental think-tank conducting policy-oriented social, political and economic research. At TESEV, I have been mainly working on the subject of Turkish Foreign Policy, especially EU-Turkey relations.
Alasia Nuti – MSc in Gender (Research) and Best Overall MSc Result Prize-winner (2011-12)
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me to the GI to study for an MSc in Gender (Research) with a background in philosophy. The year at the GI was challenging but fundamental in my education and personal growth. After having graduated, I started a PhD in political theory at the University of Cambridge, which I am about to complete. I will spend the next year (2015/2016) as a Postdoctoral fellow at the Goethe University in Frankfurt and then I will start a Lectureship in Political Theory at the University of York. I cannot be more grateful to the GI and its staff for all the support they gave me. It was an amazing year in which I learnt so many things and had the opportunity to meet and discuss with students from around the world.
Jac sm Kee - MSc Gender (2003-2004)
Jac sm Kee is currently managing the Women's Rights Programme of the Association for Progressive Communications. The Programme looks at internet rights and policy in relation to women's human rights, and aims to strengthen the analysis and activism around how the internet is shaped and imagined through feminist perspectives. Part of the work includes a global campaign called ‘Take Back the Tech!’ that calls for women and girls to take control of the internet to transform power relations and end violence against women, both online and offline. The Programme also publishes an online gender and internet policy resource journal that interrogates emerging issues like access, privacy and surveillance, freedom of expression, transparency in governance and the economy from a gendered lens.
We welcome contributions and participation in both of these key initiatives. For more information: www.takebackthetech.net; www.genderit.org and www.apc.org.
We are quite flexible on the issues so far it is related to gender and internet policy and culture. But if this is too broad as you advice, we also produce thematic/focus editions, every 2nd-3rd months, so the students can either contribute to these or we can think together of particular topics which would resonate with them, for example some hot issues on our radars are currently: mapping of feminist tech efforts, new sustainable development goals, economy and tech (both its neoliberal model as well as emerging alternative economy models) or persisting gender gap in access to the internet.
Caroline Paranandi - MSc Gender (2011-12)
After almost a decade working as a journalist in London I took a year out to scratch an academic itch at the LSE Gender Institute. Gender was everywhere in the world, and I was curious to understand more about what it is and how it works. The subject was quite different from my undergrad degree in history and international relations from the University of St Andrews and I was constantly challenged by new ideas, concepts and ways of thinking. Since returning to journalism I have carried my LSE experience with me - to good effect, I think! Gender is increasingly discussed in mainstream media and my LSE degree has opened doors professionally and offered me a more nuanced lens through which to view the world.
Masreka Khan - MSc Gender, Policy and Inequalities (2011-2012)
Following my study at LSE, I have worked with CARE in Bangladesh as Technical Manager of Research and M& E. My work was focused on Food security, Gender issues and Rural development in Bangladesh and Early child marriage in South Asia. My role engaged different ranges of works including conducting research, contributing to project design, impact measurement of current projects, publishing, supervising the team and on top coordinating and ensuring quality of external consultant's works. Currently I work at Erciyes University in Turkey as a Lecturer in Economics department, where I am also engaged as a researcher at African Social and Economic Research centre. Through my research I explore the dynamics of Economic participation, International Development, Migration and Citizenship discourse particularly in light of gender and racial equality.
I have written a book chapter titled 'Implications of Citizenship Discourse on Female Labour Force Participation: a Case Study of Bangladeshi Women in the UK' to be published in the upcoming book Discourse Analysis as a Tool for Understanding Gender Identity, Representation, and Equality by IGI publications USA.
Also I am attending the twentieth anniversary celebration of Women and Gender studies department of the Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey in October to present a paper on ‘Women entrepreneurs in selected Muslim countries: a comparative analysis’ from my ongoing research project.
Lee Chalmers – MSc Gender, Policy and Inequalities part-time (2012-2014)
Alongside my degree I worked more or less full time, running a Leadership Development company, which included working on Executive Education Faculty at London Business School and the University Of Chicago Booth School Of Business as well as with my own corporate and personal clients.
I’ve always been interested in gender and feminism and after turning 40 decided to pursue this interest through formal study, which is why I applied to the GI. I’d like to pursue an academic career alongside my work in my 50’s and 60’s and my MSc study was incredibly eye opening and rewarding.
As well as working and studying during my time at the GI I was Vice-Chair of the feminist organization The Fawcett Society. I found my degree useful in thinking through the guidance of this organisation. Since graduating I have moved to Edinburgh to do a PhD in Sociology at the University there, examining the connection between misogynistic online trolling and women’s participation in public life. I have also set up an organisation called The Parliament Project which trains women to run for political office.
Kathleen Fincham – MSc Gender Studies (1998-1999)
Since graduation, I have completed my PhD (Education and International Development) at the University of Sussex and taught at IDS, SOAS, UEA and IoE (UCL). I have also been working as an Education and Development consultant with WUSC, UNICEF, UNGEI, Oxfam Novib, SOFRECO/ Save the Children and UNHCR in Canada, Ghana, Rwanda, Lebanon, oPt, Sudan and Jordan. I would love to hear what my former classmates have been up to over the years!
Taylor Riley - MSc in Gender, Development and Globalisation (2011-2012)
Since my degree I completed an internship at a women’s human rights organisation in New Delhi (PWESCR) and did a postgraduate diploma in social science research methods at University of Sussex. I am currently working on my PhD in Media Studies at Bayreuth International Graduate School for African Studies (BIGSAS) in Bayreuth, Germany. My research focuses on the production of knowledge about women who love other women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. At the moment I’m nearing the end of seven months of ethnographic fieldwork in South Africa and will complete my PhD in 2017.
Minkyu Lee - MSc Gender, Development and Globalisation (2012-13)
Hello, I’m Minkyu Lee, who graduated from the GI on 18th of December, 2013, having successfully completed MSc Gender, Development and Globalisation under the smart teaching and supervision of brilliant GI professors with wonderful friends and colleagues of diversity. After this amazing and valuable one year journey, I started my own exploration to think over how to apply what I have learned from the time being in the GI and how to act upon it. So, I decided to stay at home in Busan, my hometown, for about 6 months, doing domestic work and going on occasional internet activism to understand what it is like to be at home actually. Then, I decide to do a little bit of work outside home by teaching languages to little kids in a local private language institute, which made me go back to where I was before I actually started this journey, where I used to dream about becoming many different figures, jobs and social roles. With a wake-up call from one friend of mine from those dreamy days, I started to navigate further what I could do with my postgraduate study in Seoul, soul of Asia, and found a women’s non-profit organization called Asia Women bridge DoRunDoRun, where I participated in a beautiful fundraising event night for Nepalese Women as a volunteer, translated documents from its Gender Café in Cambodia and studied together with various women from diverse backgrounds in Korea talking about transnational solidarity in many different lectures organized by it. After that short but quality time and experience, I started looking for an opportunity to experience working in an international organization which has been my dream career destination since my bachelor’s years but not yet realized. With a few failed attempts, my vigorous trying resulted in a finance and administration internship position in the Seoul office of World Food Programme, where I could ponder upon the relations between gender and poverty. I now have finished the internship with so much memory with lovely and trustworthy people I have met there and am looking forward to another journey to come. Whatever the next stage will be, I do know that I can be and do anything if I remember what I have learned and shared with my friends in the GI, and I am happy and proud that I have been and am a part of GI.
Emma Spruce – MSc Gender (Research) and Best Overall MSc Result Prize-winner (2009-10)
I came to the GI having studied a BA in French and Politics. I suppose what drew me to LSE was the reputation - no matter who I talked to they had heard of the university and I felt that was especially important because Gender Studies wasn't so well known. The best thing about my year there was the people - it felt like an amazing community to be part of and the fact the students were from all over the world really enriched the academic discussions. Emma is now studying for a PhD at the Gender Institute.
Asiya Islam – MSc Gender, Media and Culture (2009-10)
When I came to London last year to join a one year programme of MSc in Gender, Media and Culture, I had pretty high expectations. And, I am glad to say, the Gender Institute not only fulfilled but went above and beyond those expectations. The reason I decided to study at the LSE Gender Institute was the impressive array of course choices offered by it - I almost felt like the course in Gender, Media and Culture was tailor-made for me! Now that I reflect back on the whole year gone by, I can say with conviction that the decision to attend the LSE Gender Institute was absolutely right. It's hard to say what I enjoyed the most though I think the best part of being at LSE and at the GI was the vibrant academic atmosphere; it was also wonderful to meet fellow gender-academics-in-the-making from all over the world! I ended up writing on the performative nature of stereotypes of Third World women in the UK media, the topic might seem obvious but was actually quite difficult to arrive at. The reason I decided to finalise this for my dissertation was because it gave me scope to explore all the three dimensions of my year long study - gender, media and culture. Having completed my studies, I now work for the LSE Equality and Diversity division. I aspire to go in for journalism in the near future and also plan to embark on a Ph D in a couple of years!
Jeanne Firth – MSc Gender, Development and Globalisation (2009-10)
I came to the GI with a Bachelor of Specialised Studies in Peace and Conflict Studies. What I enjoyed most about being at the GI was getting to know the incredible students, staff and faculty. The casual discussions and debates with other students outside of class were just as important as the learning going on inside the classroom. My dissertation focused on the 'obesity epidemic' by examining Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move' childhood obesity prevention campaign. I'm now eager to explore food systems in global context through activism and further academic work.
Jacob Breslow – MSc Student 2010-11
After graduating from the University of California Santa Cruz's Feminist Studies and Community Studies programs, I applied to the LSE in hopes of continuing my engagement with feminist and queer theory. The LSE drew me in after I had the opportunity to see Judith Butler speak here; I quickly became aware of the amazing minds and talent that the university, and the Gender Institute specifically, brought in and had as faculty. This MSc program challenged me in extraordinarily productive ways, connecting me to people and epistemologies that have and will proactively shape my thinking and my future career in academia. Jacob is now studying for a PhD at the Gender Institute.
Holly Rodger – MSc Gender (2009-10)
Studying MSc Gender at the LSE helped me to fill in the gaps in my knowledge that I felt had been left by my BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of York. The degree gave me the opportunity to study subjects from a wider range of disciplines than would have been possible at another institution. Both the exceptional teaching staff and the diversity of the students at the Gender Institute created a vibrant atmosphere and close sense of community on the course. My time at the Gender Institute gave me the guidance I needed to build my knowledge as well as the freedom to choose my own direction and make my own mind up.
Amy Mollett – MSc Gender and Social Policy (2009-10)
I came to the GI with a degree in English Language and Gender Studies, and some experience of volunteering in the women's sector, which set me up for studying the interactions of gender and social policy. My dissertation focused on the limited voices of sex workers in policy making and policy consultation exercises. One of the best things about the GI is meeting other students; people from all parts of the world, who I'll be in touch with for a long time, I'm sure. After graduating I started working as a research assistant at the LSE Public Policy Group, an independent consultancy and research organisation.
Nazneen Damni, MSc Gender and Development (1995)
After graduating, Nazneen worked as a researcher for the United Nations Environment Programme in Nairobi, Kenya from 1996-97, assisting in the development of UNEP's strategy on gender equality and the environment. From 1997-98, she was a Programme Officer in the Women's Rights Programme of the INternational Cnetre for Human Rights and Democratic Develpoment in Montreal, Canada, focusing on women's rights in the context of conflict. This work included monitoring the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. In 1998, Nazneen started working with the United Nations Development Fund for Women in New York on women's economic secuirty and rights. She continued working in UNIFEM as a Programme Associate in New York, providing programming support in the area of women's economic security and rights for the Asia-Pacific and Arab States regional programmes.