• Focus remains on quality not quantity

Is the message from the latest version of LSE’s Strategic Plan 2010-15, which is now available.

• Lent term Events leaflet

If you are organising an event and want it listed in the Lent term Events leaflet, please send the details to the Press Office by Thursday 4 November.

• Sharon Bray

Sharon, experiential education manager in the Careers Service, would like to have dinner with Bruce Forsyth - 'I know most people find him totally cringeworthy but I love him.'

• The Duke of York learns about life at LSE

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, attended a lecture on population growth, spoke to student societies, caught up on the latest research, and enjoyed a lunch overlooking the rooftops of London during a visit to LSE on Monday (25 October).

• CEP manager wins national piano competition

Nigel Rogers, manager of LSE’s Centre for Economic Performance (CEP) has won first prize in classical piano’s equivalent of the X-Factor - The Kemble Chopin Piano E- Competition for Outstanding Amateurs.

Nigel, who has been playing the piano since the age of seven, will be presented with the prize of a limited edition Kemble Chopin Piano valued at over £7,000, plus a lesson with competition judge Kevin Kenner, winner of top prize and the people prize at the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw in 1990.

The competition was launched in April and invited entrants aged from 18 to 77 to showcase their talent on the Kemble Pianos YouTube Channel, where members of the public were able to view and evaluate all performances before voting on the www.kemble-pianos.com website. With over 4,000 votes cast, ten finalists went through to the final professional judging panel which included Kevin Kenner, Christopher Elton, head of keyboard at The Royal Academy, and Classic FM magazine editor John Evans.

On winning the prize, Nigel said: ‘I’m delighted (as well as surprised!) to have won this amazing prize and feel privileged to have been part of a competition which gives pianists the opportunity to really work towards a performance - and to be heard by distinguished musicians and the public. The prize will encourage me to record more and give more performances and comes just in time as my current piano needs a good rest after 25 years of practice.’

To watch Nigel’s winning performance, visit You Tube.
 

• LSE is not 'going private'

In yesterday's Student News, Adrian Hall, secretary and director of administration, explained why suggestions that LSE intends to 'go private' are entirely wrong.

He said: 'The issue has not been put up for decision by Council or any LSE committee and there are no plans to do so. What’s more, proposals as momentous as cutting the link to Government (and the Higher Education Funding Council for England) could only be seriously broached if there were substantial appetite among the whole LSE community for a discussion of the issue. And that is not the case.'

To read the full 'Direct view', click here.
 

• Baroness Patricia Scotland to speak at LSE’s Black Achievement Conference

In celebration of the UK’s Black History Month, LSE is hosting its third annual ‘Black to the Future’ conference for African-Caribbean heritage students and their families.

The one-day conference, on Saturday 30 October, aims to encourage young African-Caribbean students to continue to aim high, along with celebrating past achievements and involving parents in the decision making process.

The conference will feature a keynote speech by Patricia Janet Scotland, Baroness Scotland of Asthal, PC, QC, a British barrister who has served in many ministerial positions within the UK government, notably the Attorney General for England and Wales.

Niaomi Collett, widening participation officer at LSE, said: ‘LSE’s annual Black to the Future conferences aim to help students and their families plan for the future by highlighting some of the positive achievements in the black community and providing a taste of higher education and beyond.’

• Secretary of state for energy and climate change to speak at LSE

A new lecture with Chris Huhne MP, secretary of state for energy and climate change, has just been announced.

During the lecture, which will take place at LSE on Tuesday 2 November, Chris Huhne will set out the economic need for low-carbon growth as an essential path out of recession.

He will argue that the urgent need to renew and decarbonise our energy supply, and to upgrade our ageing and inefficient buildings, will not just provide an economic boost but also help to create a more balanced, resilient and sustainable British economy.

• Director Howard Davies invites you to get involved in Green Impact

'Last year, 20 teams across the School participated in something called Green Impact with the aim of greening work practices. One team was in my office and we achieved a Gold award - it was really very simple, although admittedly we are a small number of people.

This year we invite you all to participate. If the Director's Office can achieve a Gold then I'm sure the rest of you can work towards that. There is also a serious message behind such activities as they may help us to identify cost savings which I am sure will be welcomed by all departments.

All LSE halls of residence have committed to participate and we look forward to welcoming you to the launch event from 4.15pm on Tuesday 2 November in the Wolfson Theatre, New Academic Building. Any member of staff can join Green Impact, as long as they form a team and are supported by senior staff to make any improvements they identify.

• Introducing LSE Chill

Are you a budding musician? Are you in a group looking for somewhere to perform? Do you want the opportunity to perform at LSE?

LSE Arts is pleased to provide an opportunity for students and staff to do just that. LSE Chill is a new open mic session which will start in the Lent term 2011, on the last Friday of every month from 5.30pm in the 4th Floor Café bar.

We’re looking for acts to perform for each session. If you are interested in performing, please email arts@lse.ac.uk with your name and details of your act.

Not a performer? That doesn’t matter. If you enjoy listening to music and want somewhere to go after work to relax or catch up with friends, then think about coming to the LSE Chill sessions.

• LSE wins the Global Peace and Unity Education Award 2010

LSE has won the Global Peace and Unity University Award for 2010. The award 'recognises the university's efforts in setting standards of all-round excellence and nurturing a new generation of upstanding high achievers'.

It was awarded on Sunday 24 October at the Global Peace and Unity Event in London, as an education award alongside a state primary and a secondary school.

The School was nominated for the award by the Federation of Student Islamic Societies, following a submission by the LSESU Islamic Society.

Nabeel Moosa, president of the LSESU Islamic Society, said: 'We thought LSE was the ideal candidate for the GPU Education Award for a number of reasons. These include the School's receptiveness to our ideas and suggestions, as well as engaging and participating with us throughout the year, especially during our Discover Islam Week. Most importantly, however, is that the School has maintained a culture of open dialogue and understanding, which is imperative for a healthy school-student partnership.'

• USS changes - update

Colleagues will recall that in the 21 October edition of Staff News, we referred to the proposed changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS).

UCU, the relevant trade union, have produced a document titled The need for reform - a UCU perspective. This document can be found on the HR website. USS members may wish to read this when considering the USS proposals.

To remind you, USS members have until Wednesday 22 December to make a response to the consultation. Further information can also be found on the USS consultation website.

Remember if you have not received a pack or if, having read the consultation documentation, you are still unclear about the proposals, please email fin.div.pensions@lse.ac.uk.
 

• LSE central heating

When the outside temperature drops below 17⁰C, the heating in LSE's buildings is turned on. In accordance with UK Health and Safety requirements and environmental recommendations, the rooms are heated to 19-21⁰C to provide a comfortable environment and reduce energy usage.

If you're feeling cold in your office, please remember to close windows and doors. It is more efficient, both for your budget and your body, if you wear several lighter layers. As an added bonus, this lets you adjust your temperature as the need arises.

Adjusting to the room temperature with layers and without the use of additional electrical heaters, also helps to prevent the sensors from switching on the cooling system and avoids overloading the system circuits.

• Interested in consultancy work?

LSE Enterprise is holding an introductory workshop on Friday 12 November for staff members interested in undertaking paid consultancy or executive education work. The session will be held from 2.30-3.30pm in Box, fifth floor of Tower Three.

Please email enterprise@lse.ac.uk to book your place.
 

• HR Communiqué: seeking your feedback

The HR Division are seeking your thoughts and opinions on their monthly publication, Communiqué. Your comments are important to them as they continue to improve both the services they provide and how they communicate with you.

Please take a few minutes to complete the short questionnaire, found on the HR website, by Friday 19 November.

• Diploma in Management: information session

HR are holding a Diploma in Management information and awareness session for any staff interested in applying for this programme. The session, which will take place on Tuesday 9 November at 10.30am-12.30pm in the Graham Wallas Room (AGWR), Old Building, will include:

• an explanation on the course structure and content

• details on how to apply

• information on how line managers can support staff participating on the course

• feedback from past LSE participants

• an opportunity to ask questions.

The Diploma in Management programme, which is externally assessed and validated by the Chartered Management Institute, provides seven staff members with a management education in areas such as operations, finance, people, information, and change. Applications are invited from practicing managers who are able to demonstrate clear benefits from undertaking this kind of structured study.

The course is run over 12 months, beginning January 2011. Selection to the course will be by application form followed by an interview. The deadline for completed application forms is 5pm on Tuesday 30 November. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 8 December.

• LSE Partnership PhD Mobility Bursaries

Deadline: 30 November 2010
Applications are invited from LSE PhD students for Mobility Bursaries to visit one of the School’s institutional partners in order to work informally with an advisor on their PhD thesis research and/or on related publications and presentations, and to introduce them to the academic culture, professional contacts and employment opportunities of another country/region.

For 2010-11, six bursaries remain to support LSE students to visit one of the following institutions: the National University of Singapore, Sciences Po, Peking University or the University of Cape Town. For each institution, up to two flat rate bursaries of £2,500 are available.

LSE PhD students who have already been upgraded to full doctoral student status are eligible to apply. Each visit should be a minimum of two months and a maximum of three months in duration.

• Wear it Pink

LSESU RAG is helping to support the Breast Cancer Campaign on Friday 29 October by wearing it pink.

Join them across campus and make a voluntary donation to the campaign at the stall on Houghton Street. Alternatively they will be selling pink ribbon, home-made cakes, and have even organised a dance-troupe to show off their skills on Houghton Street.

• Museums over-reacting by hiding mummies and other ancient human remains, says new book

British museums are increasingly over-sensitive about the display of human remains and are hiding them away following demands for greater 'respect' from minority groups such as Pagans, as well as their own staff, a new book reveals.

The new policies to hide ancient human remains away have been implemented despite their popularity with audiences. A recent opinion survey for English Heritage shows that nine-tenths of the public are comfortable with displays of human remains which are among the most popular attractions in museums.

• Research opportunities

• Research e-Briefing

• Latest opportunities from LSE Enterprise

LSE Enterprise offers you the opportunity to undertake private teaching and consultancy work under the LSE brand. We help with bidding, contracts and other project administration, enabling you to focus on the work itself. To see the latest opportunities click here or visit http://twitter.com/lseenterprise.

• New exhibition....

Cambodia: reflections of the Khmer Rouge
Opens: Monday 1 November in the Atrium Gallery, Old Building

Cambodia: reflections of the Khmer Rouge portrays life under the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, and brings the story up to date with information about the ongoing trials of former Khmer Rouge leaders.

The exhibition features material from the archives at the Documentation Centre of Cambodia, much of which has not been seen outside Tuol Sleng, the former detention centre in Phnom Penh.

The exhibition will run until 10 December. Visitors are welcome Monday-Friday between 10am-8pm. The exhibition is free and open to all.

A public event series will coincide with the exhibition, starting on Monday 8 November with a screening of 'Deacon of Death', a documentary telling the story of one woman's confrontation of the man she holds responsible for the death of her family.

• Other events include....

Them and Us: why we need a fair society
On: Tuesday 2 November at 6.30pm in the Old Theatre, Old Building
Speaker: Will Hutton (pictured), executive vice-chair of The Work Foundation and senior visiting fellow at LSE Global Governance

The Future of UK Banking
On: Wednesday 3 November at 6.30pm in the Hong Kong Theatre, Clement House
Speaker: Antonio Horta-Osrio, chief executive of Santander UK

• LSE Global Governance lunchtime seminars

These seminars are a chance for staff and students to present their research, explore themes arising from work undertaken at the centre, and invite the audience to discuss the work further.

Lunchtime seminars are held every Tuesday during Michaelmas and Lent terms, from 1-2pm in room M101 unless otherwise stated.

The next seminar will take place on Tuesday 2 November, with Dr Robert Falkner discussing the topic From Copenhagen to Cancun: where next for international climate policy?

• Green Impact launch event

On: Tuesday 2 November at 4.15pm in the Wolfson Theatre, New Academic Building

All staff are welcome to attend and find out about this year's Green Impact project and how their department can get involved.

If you would like to attend, please email Helen Craig at h.e.craig@lse.ac.uk.
 

• Is it legitimate to have publicly funded faith schools?

On: Thursday 4 November at 6.30pm in room S75, St Clement's Building
Speaker: Keith Porteous Wood, executive director of the National Secular Society

The LSESU Atheist and Humanist Society present this lecture with Keith Porteous Wood, who will be addressing the topic 'Is it legitimate to have publicly funded faith schools?'

• LSE Sustainability in Practice lecture series

Sustainability Living in Practice
On: Tuesday 9 November at 6.30pm in the Hong Kong Theatre, Clement House
Speaker: Satish Kumar, visiting fellow at Schumacher College.

• Poor Areas and Poor Health: health inequalities and the built environment

On: Wednesday 24 November at the National Communities Resource Centre, Trafford Hall, Chester

This workshop, organised by LSE Housing and Communities, as an action planning workshop following the Marmot Review of Health.

It will bring together experts from low income areas, and policy makers in public health, primary care and government, to work out how neighbourhood approaches to area and health problems together, can create healthier, more sustainable communities, involving communities directly in making places better.

The workshop costs £75 per delegate, which covers all refreshments, a copy of the summary of Sir Michael Marmot's report, and other materials.

For more information, contact Nicola Serle at n.serle@lse.ac.uk or on ext 6330, or visit LSE Housing.
 

• SIPRI Yearbook 2010 Seminar on nuclear weapons in Europe

On: Thursday 2 December at 6.30-8pm in the Old Theatre, Old Building
Speakers: Dr Bates Gill, director of SIPRI, Professor Mary Kaldor (pictured), co-director of LSE Global Governance, and Baroness Shirley Williams, former adviser on nuclear proliferation to prime minister Gordon Brown

This event marks the London launch of the 2010 Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Yearbook on nuclear weapons in Europe, which this year considers world military expenditure increases despite the financial crisis.

This event is free and open to all with no ticket required. For more information, visit the event web page.
 

• Podcasts of public lectures and events

The Chilean Way to Development
Speaker: President Sebastian Pinera Echenique
Recorded: Monday 18 October, approx 65 minutes
Click here to listen

The Political Economy of the Cold War
Speaker: Professor Niall Ferguson
Recorded: Monday 18 October, approx 85 minutes
Click here to listen

Nicole wants to hear from you!

Do you have some news, an achievement, or an aspect of LSE life that you would like to share? If so, then I would love to hear from you, contact me at n.gallivan@lse.ac.uk or on ext 7582.

The next edition of Staff News is on Thursday 4 November. Articles for this should be emailed to me by Tuesday 2 November. Staff News is emailed every Thursday during term time and fortnightly during the holidays.