The purpose of this letter is first to express my gratitude to the many colleagues who have offered me support over the last few difficult weeks and to say how deeply sad I am to be leaving LSE in these circumstances. LSE is an extraordinary university, leading debates both internationally and nationally. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve as Director these last eight years. I plan to write to many of you and see many of you in the coming weeks to express my appreciation personally.

I would also like to take this opportunity to set out clearly the arrangements for the future. The Council have asked me to stay on until arrangements for a successor have been worked out, and I have agreed to work for as long as I am needed. So, for the time being, I remain the Director and will continue to serve colleagues as best I can. Please, therefore, do not avert your eyes in embarrassment when I go by! Once an interim director is in post, we will then be able to give colleagues a clearer idea of the timetable for the appointment of a permanent director.

Our top priority now is to keep the School on an even keel, and ensure that work continues to be delivered with the same quality and integrity that we have always sought to achieve. We are confident that we can do this successfully. While we must leave Lord Woolf to conduct his inquiry into the School's relationship with Libya, I trust the School will stand together to reinstate our reputation for academic independence and excellence.

George IV Apartments - open morning

On Thursday 17 March, Residential Services invite all staff to come and take a peek at the three newly refurbished apartments above the George IV pub.

Jacqui Cartin

Jacqui, who works for both LSE's Conference and Events Office and IT Services, is a member of the London Concert Choir and was once chased by a herd of Friesian cows.

• LSE lecturer awarded the Carlo Giannini Prize

Dr Matteo Barigozzi (pictured), lecturer in the Department of Statistics at LSE, was awarded the Carlo Giannini Prize at the Fourth Italian Congress of Econometrics and Empirical Economics in Pisa, on 19-21 January.

The award was made to Dr Barigozzi and Antonio Conti of the European Center for Advanced Research in Economics and Statistics, for their joint paper On the Sources of Euro Area Money Demand Stability: a time-varying cointegration analysis.

The prize is awarded to the best paper in macro-econometrics or financial econometrics, written by young scientists. More
 

• LSE student to trek to the South Pole - update

In December 2011 Garrick Hileman (pictured), a postgraduate student in the Department of Economic History at LSE, will be part of the team 'Polar Vision' trekking from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole.

The team is set to complete their first major milestone. From 19-29 March, Garrick and his teammates will be in the Arctic Circle for polar expedition training. The training will take place near Iqaluit in the Canadian Arctic archipelago where the temperature drops as low as -32 degrees Celsius.

Garrick will be joined by team mates Richard Smith, Andrew Jensen and Alan Lock. During the trek in December, Alan, who suffers from macular degeneration and has limited sight, is also aiming to set the record for the first visually impaired person to complete this journey. The trek aims to inspire blind and partially sighted people and raise awareness and funds for two sight-related charities.

• For genuine localism central government must relinquish local finance powers to councils

LSE academics Professor George Jones and Tony Travers (pictured), along with Professor John Stewart from the University of Birmingham, have come together to argue that genuine localism can never be realised until and unless central government gives up its 100 per cent control over all tax sources in the UK.

Local government finance must be rebalanced so that local authorities, instead of receiving the bulk of their revenue from central grant, obtain it from taxes levied on their local voters and where the rate of tax is determined by the council. Without this fundamental rebalancing, local government will remain dependent on the whims of central government, the academics contend.

• Socialdemocracia

Patxi Lopez (pictured), the current president of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, gave a talk at LSE on 'Socialdemocracia - Siglo XXI' on Monday 7 March. The event was a Cañada Blanch public lecture, chaired by Professor Paul Preston and managed by LSE Enterprise.

Patxi Lopez spoke of the problems of inequality and the fragmentation of society, and the need to return to the values of the welfare state: 'shared endeavours, internal solidarity and setting common goals that are able to bring us together and provide hope for the future'.

He listed his five aims for the Basque Country as economic growth, healthy public accounts, avoiding public abuse of benefits, efficient management of public resources and raising sufficient taxes to underwrite the system.

• Libya post and DHL deliveries

The LSE Post Room would like to inform staff that its overseas mail company and DHL (for courier deliveries) have both suspended all services to Libya until further notice.

Please withhold any mail for this destination until further notice. If you have any questions, please email Tony Simpson, Post Room supervisor, at a.simpson@lse.ac.uk.
 

• Get your nominations in….

LSE's Nominations Committee would like to invite nominations for:

Honorary Fellowship
The Court of Governors may elect as an Honorary Fellow of LSE any member of the School whose achievements are of conspicuous merit, or any person, including members of the School, who has rendered outstanding service to LSE. For more information, visit Honorary Fellows Nominations.

• George IV Apartments - open morning

On Thursday 17 March, Residential Services is holding an open morning in the three newly refurbished apartments above the George IV pub.

All staff are invited to come and take a peek a these quality apartments, as well as chat to the Residences team about the extensive range of LSE accommodation available for rent to staff and visitors to the School, both on campus and within LSE's residences.

The event runs from 9am until 12.30pm, with a tasty complimentary breakfast for everyone who comes along.

• Equality and Diversity blog and website

The LSE Equality and Diversity website has a new look. The new website aims to provide information on equality and diversity matters for the School and beyond, and to promote positive messages around multiple identity across the campus.

As part of this new approach, a blog has also been launched, entitled 'Equality and Diversity at LSE'. The blog is designed to stimulate a culture of involvement and engagement on matters relating to this agenda. The blog can be found at www.blogs.lse.ac.uk/diversity. You can also follow the team on Facebook and Twitter.

Staff and students are invited to participate in discussions on the blog and to send in their contributions for publication. This month, the blog is celebrating International Women's Day and Women's History Month.

• Call for applications for residencies at the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center in Northern Italy

The residency programme allows for one month of focused work in a diverse and stimulating community of fellow residents.

Residents include an international cohort of scholars, scientists, journalists, writers, artists, non-governmental organisation practitioners and policymakers. The combination of quiet time for individual, focused work and connections with such a diverse cohort is unparalleled.

Residencies typically last four weeks, and spouses/life partners may accompany residents. Joint applications from co-authors are also welcome.

Applications for scholars' and artists' residencies are due by Sunday 1 May, for residencies scheduled between February and August 2012 (and on 1 December 2011, for the residency period of August through December 2012). Applications from practitioners and for conferences are accepted on a rolling basis.

• Chevening Scholarships for Palestinian students

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Victor Philip Dahdaleh Foundation with LSE Global Governance have collaborated to provide jointly-funded Chevening Scholarships for Palestinian students wishing to study the MSc in Global Politics at LSE.

The scholarship is full time for one year, starting in September/October 2011, and is open to all current Palestinian students at LSE.

Applicants must:

• Have a good first degree (equivalent standard to at least a good UK second-class Honours) in any discipline with considered interest in the relevant area

• Display intellectual ability and leadership potential

• Have an adequate standard of English, i.e. a 6.5 marking or over in IELTS

• Be aged between 25-35 years

• Not already have received or be currently receiving financial benefit from a previous HMG Funded Scholarship

The deadline for applications is Thursday 31 March. For more information and details of how to apply, visit the British Council website.
 

• Annual blind cleaning

Blind cleaning and servicing will take place in Cowdray House, Kings Chambers, Lincolns Chambers and 50 Lincolns Inn Fields from Monday 14 until Friday 18 March.

During this time, blinds will be taken down, taken away, and returned once cleaning and servicing is finished. The contractor will need access to all areas of these buildings during this time, so please be aware that contractors may visit your office.

• Belly dance at LSE

Imelda Michalczyk (pictured), of Le Midas Dance Company, is teaching belly dancing classes every Wednesday at 12-1pm in the Old Gym, Old Building.

Belly dancing is suitable for all women - whatever your fitness level, shape or age. It is especially good for working and toning the waist, belly and arms, and it can also help to increase your flexibility and coordination.

Whether your new to dance or have been belly dancing for a while, this class is suitable for everyone - new moves are broken down and alternative versions are offered to those with more experience.

Please wear comfortable clothing and it's best to dance either in socks, barefoot or in flat shoes (not heels). If possible, bring a scarf or lightweight piece of material to wrap around your hips (if you don't have one, there are spare ones to borrow).

The classes cost £20 for four consecutive weeks, payable at the first class, or £8 per class ('drop in' rate).

• Inspiring books from inspiring people

Five LSE masters students are launching a new online bookstore and social enterprise, called Inspiringbooks.com.

Based on a system of recommendation, Inspiringbooks.com aims to provide customers with quality books that are favoured by renowned personalities, be it field experts, practitioners or celebrities. Customers can vote for the people whose suggestions they wish to see, as well as view short videotapes of the recommenders.

The team are calling on LSE staff members to vote for the people who they would like to get book recommendations from, be it a Nobel laureate, an Olympic medallist, an academy award winner or any other person. To vote, visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/VYMSKG5.

For more information email inspiringbooksLSE@gmail.com.
 

• Discounted tickets for sustainable living show

LSE staff and students are entitled to discounted tickets to the UK AWARE show being held at London Olympia on 25 and 26 March.

The show is a one stop shop for contemporary sustainable living, illustrating how small changes can make a big difference and how sustainable living doesn't mean compromising a modern lifestyle.

Exhibitors will include innovative products and services ranging from cars to computers, from fashion to food, and eco-tourism to energy saving advice, plus lots more.

To get money off your tickets, visit www.ukaware.com and use the discount code LSE2011 when booking.

• 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.

Email exec.ed@lse.ac.uk to be added to our Executive Education database.

• OECD at 50, Better Policies for Better Lives: future global economic challenges

On: Wednesday 16 March at 2.30-4.30pm in the Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building

As the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) starts its next 50 years, the global economic governance system is evolving dramatically. The G20 has become the premier global economic forum and economic dynamism and political influence will continue to shift East and South. What are the likely global economic challenges that tomorrow's economic policy makers will be faced with, how will the OECD support global cooperation and where will the solutions be found?

Speakers will include:

• Howard Davies, LSE Director
• Siddharth George, LSE undergraduate student
• Joe Grice, chief economist and and director responsible for economic, labour market and social analysis, Office of National Statistics
• Angel Gurria (pictured above), OECD secretary general
• Dr John Llewellyn, partner in Llewellyn Consulting
• Dominic Martin, UK permanent representative and ambassador to the OECD
• Gabriela Ramos, chief of staff and G20 Sherpa, OECD

This event is free and open to all LSE staff and students, but a ticket is required. LSE students and staff are able to collect one ticket from the New Academic Building SU shop, located on the Kingsway side of the building. Valid LSE ID will be required in order to gain access to this event.

• Gender and Poverty in the 21st Century

Friday 11 March, 6-7.30pm, Old Theatre, Old Building
Speakers: Professor Diane Elson, professor of sociology at the University of Essex, Professor Nancy Folbre, professor of economics at the University of Massachusetts
Amherst, and Professor Maxine Molyneux, professor of sociology and director of the Institute for the Study of the Americas at the School of Advanced Study, University of London.

Each speaker will briefly reflect on a theme inspired by or departing from The International Handbook of Gender and Poverty by Sylvia Chant, after which there will be a question and answer session with the audience.

Following the discussion, there will be a reception and book launch in the Atrium, Old Building, at which copies of The International Handbook of Gender and Poverty will be available to purchase at a discounted price. Attendees will also have the chance to hear from, and talk with, several contributors to the volume over drinks and canapés. More
 

• London Globalist launch Global21

Students and staff are invited by The London Globalist to celebrate the launch of the second issue of Global21, on Monday 14 March at 6pm in the Underground bar.

Global21 is a network of international affair magazines from the best universities around the world. The London Globalist, a member of the Global21 network, was established by students at LSE and is written by students across the University of London.

The launch will give contributors and anyone interested in the magazine a chance to find out how to take a part in the future development of Global21. It will also be an opportunity for students and staff to find out about the new London Globalist blog.

• Models and the Evaluation of Risk Regulation Decision Making

Tuesday 15 March,1.30-3pm, room OLD3.21
Speaker: Dr Liz Fisher (pictured), University of Oxford

Models are a ubiquitous feature of many risk regulation landscapes and often are the source of the rationale and basis of decision-making. Yet while the technical complexities and uncertainties of models are often charted in scholarship, the role and implications of models in risk regulation decision-making are overlooked.

For more information, visit the CARR events page.
 

• LSE Chill - session three

LSE Arts' next performing night for staff and students will be held on Friday 18 March, from 5.30pm in the 4th Floor Café bar, Old Building.

The line up for the evening is as follows:

• 6.15-6.45pm Daniel Print
  Daniel Print is celebrating ten years as a solo singer-songwriter this year. He will be playing a selection of his own songs, some from his days on the London open mic and acoustic gig circuit and some new songs, which he'll be playing for the first time at LSE Chill.
• 7-7.30pm Chris O'Brien
  Making a return to LSE Chill, Chris is a third year LLB student and will be performing a selection of covers and self compo's.
• 7.45-8.15pm The Plains
  The Plains will be making their debut band appearance, performing an eclectic mix of bittersweet acoustic covers and originals.

Save the date - the next LSE Chill session is scheduled for Friday 27 May. Details to follow soon.

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

• BSA Annual Conference at LSE

The British Sociological Association (BSA) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year and is holding its annual conference, on the theme of 60 years of sociology, at LSE from 6-8 April.

The conference will explore the past, consider the present, and assess the challenges of the future for sociological research in an ever-changing social landscape.

Speakers will include Ulrich Beck, Christine Delphy, Paul Gilroy, Helga Nowotny, George Steinmetz, and Laurie Taylor. The BSA anticipates well over 700 delegates will attend.

• Podcasts of public lectures and events

Nuclear Arms and Human Rights
Speaker: Professor Niall Ferguson
Recorded: Tuesday 1 March, approx 87 minutes
Click here to listen

Human Security and EU Foreign Policy: concepts, impact, implications
Speakers: Professor Mary Kaldor and Javier Solana
Recorded: Thursday 3 March, approx 62 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 17 March. Articles for this should be emailed to me by Tuesday 15 March. Staff News is emailed every Thursday during term time and fortnightly during the holidays.