| |
|
|
6 November 2014 |
|
News
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
LSE wins Best for Dads award
LSE has won the 'Best for Dads Top Employers Award' at the
Working Mums annual awards ceremony, held on Tuesday 4 November at
London's Soho Hotel. It was also highly commended in the Career Progression
Award.
The judges praised LSE for its 'commitment to innovation and its research
leave policy which enables academic staff members to re-establish their
research trajectory following a long period of absence'. It is the third
time LSE has taken out the ‘Best for Dads’ prize in the five-year history of
the awards.
More details
here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
LSE Library launches Women’s Walks, a new mobile
app that brings history to life
LSE Library has partnered with Arts Council England to launch Women’s
Walks, an exciting new mobile phone app that enables users to engage
with archive materials from women’s history as they walk through
London’s streets. Women’s Walks is now available to download for free
from the
iTunes app store.
Women’s Walks combines smartphone technology with the fascinating and
diverse archive material from The Women’s Library @ LSE, transforming
the collection into an engaging and interactive historical journey. The
app works by tracking the user’s position as they walk through the
streets of London, identifying images, documents and audio clips
relevant to each location, and downloading them to the user’s smartphone.
Women’s Walks builds on the technology used in LSE’s successful
PhoneBooth project, which
saw Charles Booth’s socio-economic maps of London recreated as an
interactive digital website and smartphone app. The Digital Library at
LSE has also launched
The Women’s Library @ LSE, an online timeline through the personal,
political and economic struggles that have symbolised women’s battle for
equality over the past 500 years.
|
|
| |
|
|
Dr Chaloka Beyani's United Nations address
Dr Chaloka Beyani, Associate Professor in the Law Department,
addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Friday 24 October and
the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday 28 October in his
capacity as United Nations Special Rapporteur for the Human Rights of
Internally Displaced Persons.
His address to the General Assembly was on the subject of urban
displacement. His address to the Security Council was by special invitation
during the Council's open debate on the theme 'Women, Peace and
Security-Displaced Women and Girls: Leaders and Survivors'.
Both addresses are now available on the UN Webcast. To watch his 24
October meeting, click
here. To watch his speech on Women, Peace and Security-Displaced
Women and Girls
here.
|
|
| |
|
|
Academic Abroad
Dr Esra Ozyurek, the Chair for Contemporary Turkish Studies at the
European Institute, organized an international conference in Istanbul on
18-19 October. Contemporary Turkey at a Glance -- II was organized
jointly with the European Institute at Istanbul Bilgi University,
Network Turkey, Istanbul Policy Center and the Centre for Southeast
European Studies at University of Graz and took place at Bilgi
University, Istanbul, Turkey.
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
Notices
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Act of Remembrance: with wreath laying at
the LSE war memorial Tuesday 11 November, 10.50am at the LSE War
Memorial, outside the Old Theatre, Old Building
Seventy LSE students died as soldiers in the First World War which began
100 years ago. Come and remember them and all who have lost their lives in
conflicts since. LSE Director Professor Craig Calhoun will lay the memorial
wreath.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conference & Events and Timetables Teams – Out of Office
for Training next Monday and Tuesday
The teams from Conference & Events and Timetables will be attending training
on the new room booking and timetabling software and will be out of the
office on Monday 10 November (Timetables only) and Tuesday 11
November (both Conference & Events and Timetables).
The Timetables team will be unavailable to answer queries, but for teaching
information, please check your personal timetable in
LSE for You, or
Timetables viewed by course code on the timetables web page. For
audio visual queries call ext 7437 or for urgent support call 5300/5400.
There will be a skeleton staff in the Conference & Events Office to deliver
events taking place on Tuesday 11 November, but there will be a delay in
responding to emails and phone messages received on this date.
|
|
| |
|
|
Women as Future Leaders
LSE is sponsoring two places on the Leadership Foundation for Higher
Education’s Aurora Programme. This programme seeks to encourage a wide range
of women in academic and professional roles to think of themselves as
leaders, develop leadership skills, and to help institutions maximise the
potential of their most talented women.
The programme will cover a range of areas, such as developing leadership
behaviours, skills and knowledge; building networks, coalitions and support
processes, and identifying and overcoming barriers and obstacles.
Those
pursuing the programme will be supported by a mentor in a senior position
within LSE.
The Aurora Programme is open to women up to and including Band 8 or
Associate Professor level who would like to develop and explore issues
relating to leadership roles and responsibilities, and have not yet attended
another similar leadership development programme. For more details and how
to apply please talk to Chris Watt on ext 6205 or
c.watt@lse.ac.uk.
Closing date for applications is Friday 28th November 2014.
Further details on the Aurora programme can be found
here.
|
|
| |
|
|
Call for applications for Learning Technology and Innovation (LTI)
grants
Have
you got any good ideas up your sleeve(s) about using technology to encourage
active and collaborate learning? Are you interested in exploring the
possibilities of innovating your assessment practices, including eMarking
and/ or eFeedback? Have you been thinking in asking your students to produce
discipline specific resources (other than essays and dissertations!), such
as pod- or vod-casts and are interested in using some kit to get a project
rolling?
Then why not get some funding and the support of LTI by applying for a
grant from us – the call is open now and applications must be in by
Friday 7 November.
More information can be found on our
blog and
website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last chance to sign up for Entrepreneurship Matters
There are a limited number of staff places left on LSE
Entrepreneurship’s new course,
Entrepreneurship Matters.
The course will provide you with a wide range of perspectives on
entrepreneurship, fostering your capabilities for entrepreneurial
thinking and action. Each of its seven sessions will be led by a
globally recognised speaker from different entrepreneurial areas of
expertise, including founders and CEOs of global companies, experts in
the area of social entrepreneurship and a chief economist.
The sessions will take place on selected Tuesdays from 6.30pm and will
include a talk from the guest speaker, followed by a Q&A and networking.
More details of the schedule and the speakers can be found
here.
Email
entrepreneurship@lse.ac.uk for a place.
|
|
| |
|
|
LTI Show and Tell on Assessment with Technology
Tuesday 11 November at 12-1.45pm.
Are you interested in how you can use technology for…
- individual, group, peer assessment and/or feedback that had an
impact on student learning?
- innovative student assessment?
- improving student feedback?
This Show and Tell will bring together colleagues from across LSE to
share experiences and showcase innovative approaches aimed at improving
assessment at LSE. This will be an excellent opportunity for collaboration
in teaching and assessment and to discuss how technology can be used to
improve learning.
Come and share ideas, ask questions, discuss with fellow teachers and be
inspired! A sandwich lunch will be provided.
All of those interested in attending the event can register by clicking
here or by emailing lti.support@lse.ac.uk.
|
|
| |
|
|
The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Night Shift Event Thursday 13 November, Shaw Library, 6th Floor, Old Building
6pm doors open, 6.30pm start
London’s ground-breaking classical night takes a break from its regular
events at London pubs for this very special event at LSE.
The Night Shift presents great music in a laid back and unpretentious
style. They’ll play two 30 minute sets, with everything introduced from the stage
by the musicians of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
This is not like your average classical concert, so we strongly encourage
drinking and clapping whenever you feel like it during the show. On the bill
for this performance is music by one of the greatest English composers who
ever lived – Henry Purcell. A hit with Night Shift audiences across the
country his music has a sincerity and emotional punch that thrills and moves
audiences as much today as back in the day it was written.
Programme: Purcell
Set 1 (6.30-7pm):
From Fairy Queen: Prelude/First Music, If love’s a sweet passion,
Rondeau in Bb, Thrice Happy (incl prelude), Plaint in D, Chaconne in C
Set 2 (7.30-8pm):
Sweeter than Roses, Fantasia no 8 in 4 parts, Oh Solitude, Sonata No 6 (from
10 sonatas in 4 parts), An Evening Hymn
Soloists of the OAE: Matthew Truscott (violin), Margaret Faultless
(violin), Oliver Wilson (viola), Luise Buchberger (cello), Elizabeth Kenny (theorbo/lute).
Soprano: Julia Doyle
The Night Shift Trailer,
featuring some of the artists performing on 13 November, can be
seen here.
Tickets can be booked in advance with Veronique Mizgailo,
v.mizgailo@lse.ac.uk. Tickets
may also be available on the door on the night.
|
|
| |
|
|
Ashtanga Yoga sessions Fridays, 1-2pm in the LSE Faith
Centre, SAW. £5 per session.
Come and join us in the Faith Centre on the 2nd floor of the Saw Swee
Hock Students’ Centre for Ashtanga, a dynamic form of yoga linking breath
and movement. Come to get strong, to stretch and to relax.
Everyone is welcome. Just come with an empty stomach, wear loose clothing
and bring your own mat.
For more information, please email Dimitris at:
londonashtanga@gmail.com
|
|
| |
|
|
Director's Christmas Party for Children (aged 3-9 years inclusive)
Attention all parents: This year the Director's Christmas Party for children
of staff will be held on Saturday 6 December from 2-5pm in the SCR
and SDR (5th Floor, Old Building).
Members of staff who would like their children to attend should complete
the
online form to register their interest. Registration will be open until
5pm on Friday 14 November.
Unfortunately we are not able to accommodate everyone, so if demand for
places does exceed supply we will be offering places through a random ballot
system.
Please note that this invitation is restricted to children of staff only.
More information is available
here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Neurodiversity Service and why we chose the name Neurodiversity
There has been an ongoing debate about a collective term for dyslexia,
dyspraxia, dysgraphia or dyscalculia. The term often used is SpLD
(Specific Learning Difficulties). The British Dyslexia Association uses
the term ‘differences,’ but some dyslexics reject ‘differences’ stating
that dyslexia is a disability and with entitlement to rightful
adjustments. Many people do not feel comfortable with the label of
disability, but feel rather that they are disabled by the environment.
Therefore, many people feel happier/more comfortable with the collective
term of neurodiversity.
Neurodiversity is an umbrella term which covers many cognitive styles
including: dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, 'learning
disabilities' (USA), AD(H)D, Aspergers and Meares-Irlen Syndrome.
Neurodiversity values different, but equal, thinking and this is why the
DWS renamed the dyslexia service the Neurodiversity service.
LSE Neurodiversity will be running a range of events over the term,
including a HappyAppy Moodle Course: study more effectively using apps
and other software; Dyslexia and Neurodiversity Moodle – lots of study
strategies and resources;
Introduce yourself to the Neurodiversity Service, Wednesday 3 December
at 10am-3pm in the Library Escape area; LSE Circles Choir, every
Wednesday, 4–5.30pm in the Faith Centre, SAW, and a range of films on
the Disability and Wellbeing Service website.
For more information, please click
here.
|
|
| |
|
|
Faith in a Secular Age: A conversation with Charles Taylor -
on Tuesday 2 December,
9.30am-4.30pm at Heythrop College, University of London
LSE
Director Professor Craig Calhoun will be on the panel of distinguished
speakers discussing Faith in a Secular Age, with a response by Charles
Taylor, author of the book A Secular Age on Tuesday 2 December at
Heythrop College.
Professor Calhoun will appear alongside
Dr Anthony Carroll, Professor John Cottingham and Dr Damian Howard SJ.
Tickets cost
£15 full, £10 students/senior citizens.
Heythrop College, University of London,Kensington Square, W8 5HN.
To reserve a place, email Robert Ivermee at
r.ivermee@heythrop.ac.uk
or see www.heythrop.ac.uk/hirs
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exclusive offer for LSE staff: Jump at the Peacock Theatre Back
by popular demand, Jump leaps onto the Peacock Theatre stage like a live
action cartoon. The South Korean masters of mayhem brilliantly fuse physical
comedy, swashbuckling sword fights, fast-paced martial arts and dazzling
flips to create a hugely entertaining show!
***** “Did I say FIVE stars? Make it FIFTY!” (Evening Standard)
Sadler's Wells is offering LSE staff and students great seats for just
£15* on performances from 6 - 13 November. To book, come in or call
0844 412 4322 and quote 'FIFTEEN' or visit
www.sadlerswells.com and enter
'FIFTEEN' when prompted.
(*T&Cs Apply: Valid for 7.30pm shows on: Thu 6, Fri 7, Tue 11, Wed 12 & Thu
13 Nov. Subject to allocation availability. Not available retrospectively or
in conjunction with any other offer. £2.50 transaction fee applies for
telephone bookings, £1.75 for bookings made online. Under 5s are not
admitted).
|
|
| |
|
|
Printing large Excel sheets
Printing a large spreadsheet full of figures often yields pages of numbers
which are difficult to interpret. Use the features below to aid usability.
- Add column and/or row labels to each page. With the file open, on
the Page Layout tab click Print Titles. In the Page
Setup dialog box, click into Rows to repeat at top or
Columns to repeat at left. Then click on the row(s)/column(s) of
labels needed on each page.
- Click in the Gridlines box to make gridlines appear on your
print. OK closes the dialog box.
- Place page breaks where they aid, rather than deter, usability by
clicking the Page Break Preview icon next to the Zoom bar
in the lower right corner of the screen. Drag the blue page break as
needed.
- Margins and page orientation also can be adjusted using the relevant
icons on the Page Layout tab.
If you have an IT question, check out our
online guides and FAQs or attend our weekly
Software Surgeries. A huge range of additional computer training
resources is available from the
IT Training website. Subscribe to the
IT Training mailing list to stay informed of upcoming workshops.
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
LSE
in pictures
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
This week's picture features.....The Elementals, giant stilt walkers
performing in Sheffield Street at the official opening of the LSESU Saw
Swee Hock Student Centre on the 24th October 2014.
For more images like this, visit the
Photography Unit.
|
|
 |
|
| |
| |
|
|
Research
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
"EU migrants should not be entitled to access national welfare
systems for first three years" National governments should be able to
limit EU migrants’ access to out-of-work and in-work benefits, social
housing and publicly funded apprenticeships until after three years argues a
pamphlet co-authored by LSE Professor of European Law, Damian Chalmers.
The pamphlet, published by the think tank Open Europe, argues that this
could be achieved without a complicated EU Treaty change but by amending
existing EU law.
This will remove an effective “subsidy” to EU workers to perform low-paid
jobs in the UK and create a fairer system, which could have an impact on
numbers and boost public confidence in free movement. Also, unlike ideas for
quotas or caps on EU migrants, it leaves the basic principle of free
movement of workers – which has been an overall benefit to the UK – intact,
while not requiring a complicated EU treaty change.
More
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Gearty Grilling online
A new Gearty Grilling video, part of the series of short video debates
between Conor Gearty, director of the IPA and professor of human rights law,
and leading researchers at LSE, is now online.
This week, Martin Knapp, Professor of Social Policy and Director of
the Personal Social Services Research Unit, discusses why spending on mental
health should be a priority.
More
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
Events
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
New Trends of Women’s Activism after the Arab Uprisings: Redefining
Women’s Leadership - on Thursday 6 November at 4.30-6pm, Alumni
Theatre, New Academic Building with Dr Aitemad Muhanna-Matar, LSE Dr
Aitemad Muhanna-Matar presents the findings of field research conducted in
five countries (Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Yemen and the occupied Palestinian
territories) in 2013. The research focuses on the emergence of young female
leaders who have shaped a new form of women’s activism that merges Islamism
with feminism. This lecture reflects on the form of women's leadership that
developed during and after the Arab Uprisings and how it could contribute to
redefining women's activism and empowerment and its effect on social and
gender transformation in Arab countries.
More
|
|
| |
|
|
'What is 'Modern' about Modern Greece?' - on Friday 7 November
at 6.30pm in the Hong Kong Theatre, Clement House with Professor Molly
Greene, Professor Vassilis Lambropoulos, Professor Stathis Kalyvas and
Professor Kevin Featherstone
The debt crisis has provoked new debate over Greece’s historical path and
its identity. Was the crisis a result of it somehow being less ‘modern’ than
previously thought? But what is ‘modern’ in this context?
This event is free and open to all with no ticket required. Entry on a
first come first served basis.
More
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ebola, Peace and Security - on Monday 10 November at
7.30-8.30pm in the Hong Kong Theatre, Clement House with Karin Landgren,
Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to Liberia Special
Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Karin Landgren runs the UN
peacekeeping operation in Liberia comprising 9,000 staff including troops,
police and civilians. In this public event, she will discuss the threat to
peace and security posed by the Ebola crisis.
More
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civil Service, Quangos - on
Tuesday 11 November at 5-6.30pm in the Alumni Theatre, New Academic
Building with Professor Kate Jenkins
This event will analyse the development of the contemporary civil
service, in particular its traditions of impartiality and
generalisation, the structure of central government departments and the
willingness of successive governments to reconfigure Whitehall.
More
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Newly Disadvantaged: Responses to rapid socioeconomic change in
Greece - on Tuesday 11 November at 6-7.30pm in
COW 1.11 Cowdray House with Alexander Kentikelenis, Research
Associate, King's College, University of Cambridge
The deep crisis in Greece has resulted in economic hardship and social
dislocation for a substantial proportion of the country’s population. This
talk will provide a brief overview of reforms to the Greek welfare state,
with a focus on changes to entitlements and eligibility criteria, and,
examine how newly unemployed working-class people responded to adversity.
More
|
|
|
|
|
|
Social Psychology Open Lectures: Social Identities,
Intergroup Relations and Prejudice - on
Tuesday 11 November at 2.15-3.45pm in the Old Theatre, Old
Building with Professor Cathy Campbell, LSE Department of Social
Psychology
Is social life always about ‘us’ and ‘them’? How do we develop a sense of
identity and belonging? Is intergroup conflict and prejudice inevitable? The
session will present and critique the work of Tajfel and Turner on social
identity and self-categorisation, with particular reference to prejudice.
This event is free and open to all on a first come-first-serve basis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stalin's Team - on Tuesday 11 November at 6.30-8pm in the
Wolfson Theatre, NAB with Professor Sheila Fitzpatrick We know a lot
about Stalin but less about the team – Molotov, Kaganovich, Mikoyan and the
rest of a group whose membership was roughly but never quite equivalent to
the Politburo – that surrounded him for 25 years. Were they just yes men? If
so, how do we explain their success, as the new “collective leadership,” in
achieving a practically blood-free political transition, complete with a
consensus reform programme, when he died?
More
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Limits of Transformation from Above: Turkey since 1914 -
on Tuesday 11 November at 6.30-8pm
in the Old Theatre, Old Building with Professor Çağlar Keyder
Professor Keyder will propose an account of the last hundred years of
the “state tradition” in Turkey.
More
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Need to Censor Our Dreams - on Tuesday 11 November at 6.30-8pm in
the Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building with Professor Slavoj
Zizek
Critique of ideology should not begin with the critique of reality, but
with the critique of our dreams. As Herbert Marcuse put it back in the
1960s, freedom (from ideological constraints, from the predominant mode of
dreaming) is the condition of liberation. If we only change reality in order
to realize our dreams, and do not change these dreams themselves, we sooner
or later regress to old reality. The first act of liberation is therefore
for us to become ruthless censors of our dreams.
More
|
|
| |
|
|
Latin America and the Caribbean: Mexico's perspective - on
Tuesday 11 November at 6.30-8pm, Thai Theatre, NAB with Vanessa
Rubio-Marquez
Throughout the past decade, the Latin American region has been
experiencing prosperity alongside numerous challenges. This lecture will
give insight into the relations between the countries of the Latin American
region. It will describe Mexico's view of Latin America and the Caribbean,
focusing on the country's current foreign policy goals and strategies.
More
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Making of Gendered Subjectivity - on
Tuesday 11 November, 6.45-8.15pm on New Theatre, East Building
with Professor Catherine Hall, Professor Carolyn Steedman
We all possess subjectivity: but how is that subjectivity made and
articulated and how important is gender in its making?
More
|
|
|
|
|
|
War and Moral Stupidity - on Wednesday 12 November at 6.30-8pm
in the New Theatre, East Building with Professor Kimberly Hutchings
Professor Hutchings will offer a feminist critique of the idea of just
war and calls for the renewal of forms of pacifism and non-violent politics
pioneered in feminist opposition to WW1.
More
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Greek Orthodox Church and the Economic Crisis -
on Wednesday 12 November at
6.30-8pm in the Hong Kong Theatre, Clement House with His Eminence
Metropolitan Ignatius of Demetrias and Almyros
As historically a central pole of national identity, and with a new
politics of nationalism evident, the way in which the Greek Orthodox
Church is impacted by Greece’s economic crisis and how it responds to
it, is of major importance to the nation’s public and social affairs.
The Bishop has a strong record of connecting the Church to contemporary
social issues and of opening up to other faiths. This lecture will
address the challenges posed by the crisis.
More
|
|
|
|
|
|
Good Times Bad Times: the welfare myth of them and us -
on Wednesday 12 November at
6.30-8pm in the Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building with
Professor Sir John Hills (pictured) and respondents: Polly Toynbee,
Professor Holly Sutherland
John Hill's new book Good Times Bad Times: the welfare myth of them
and us challenges the idea of a divide in the UK population between
those who benefit from the welfare state and those who pay into it.
More
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Middle Income Trap in Latin America: more politics than
economics? - on Thursday 13 November at 6-7.30pm, TW2, 9.04,
with Professor Ben Ross Schneider
Economists have reached a consensus on the existence of a middle income
trap but have yet to theorize the politics of the trap. Key characteristics
central to the problems of middle income countries include low human
capital, low investment in innovation, high inequality, and high
informality. Solutions to these problems require substantial institutional
capacity, but at just the time when political demands for, and ability to
supply, these institutions are weak.
More
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ethics Matters in the Family - on
Thursday 13 November at 6.30-8pm in the Wolfson Theatre, New Academic
Building with Professor Adam Swift
Who has the right to parent? What rights do parents have over their
children? Adam Swift will discuss the ethics of parent-child relationships.
More
|
|
|
|
|
|
Economy Beyond Economics: time for a paradigm shift? -
on Thursday 13 November at
6.30-8pm in the Hong Kong Theatre, Clement House with Satish Kumar
Our economy relies on stable ecological foundations. So why is ecology
missing from big economic and political debates? Is it time for a new
approach?
More
|
|
|
|
|
|
Social Development: a UK-Brazil dialogue -
on Friday 14 November at
9am-5.30pm in the Shaw Library, 6th Floor, Old Building with various
speakers
Organised under the auspices of LSE and UNESCO, this international
seminar brings together multiple voices from Brazil and the UK to discuss
how ground level experiences of social development intersect with
governments and policy-makers in shaping decisively processes of policy
design and implementation.
More
|
|
| |
|
|
Association of University Administrators annual lecture
The
LSE branch of the Association of University Administrators will be screening
the AUA annual lecture (AUA) on Tuesday 18 November at 6-7.30pm in the
OLD 3.21.
This year, the lecture is ‘Diversity in Leadership’ with Professor
Janet Beer, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University. Following the
screening, there will be a discussion of the issues raised. This event
is open to all with no ticket required.
|
|
| |
|
|
Podcasts of public lectures and events
The View in to the Future: Serbia and the Western Balkans in the EU
Speaker: Aleksandar Vučić
Recorded: Monday 27 October 2014, approx. 62 minutes
Making Markets Fair and Effective
Speaker: Dr Minouche Shafik
Recorded: Monday 27 October 2014, approx. 86 minutes
The Real Story Behind the Invisible Hand
Speaker: Russell Roberts
Recorded: Thursday 30 October 2014, approx. 89 minutes
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
60
second interview
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
with.....Dr Roman Frigg
Roman, of the Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method, was the only one who went to the Socrates Bar with the expectation of doing philosophy there …
Please tell us about your current research interests?
I am currently working on three projects. The first concerns the use of climate models to generate high-resolution forecasts about future changes in our immediate environment. Do such forecasts provide policy-relevant information on which adaptation decisions can be based? I argue that they don’t. We have to relinquish unreasonable demands for detailed long-term projections and instead think about policy making under conditions of uncertainty. The second project concerns philosophical problems in fundamental physics. In particular I am interested in the reduction of macroscopic properties like temperature to microscopic properties like the motion of atoms, and in how to interpret the probabilities that occur at the fundamental level. The third project investigates the nature of scientific models. We study models and thereby discover features of the phenomena they stand for. What are models and how do they represent their target systems? I’m currently writing a book on the nature of scientific models which I hope to finish by the end of this academic year.
If you could teach a new
subject at LSE, what would it be and
why?
Aesthetics. In every mind there is a
faculty for the appreciation of
beauty, but in a social science
curriculum this faculty is often
neglected. An engagement with the
arts frees our thoughts and
unleashes creative potential, which
can eventually also benefit
scientific work.
Where is the most interesting
place you have visited?
London. I travel a lot for work and
I have seen many places all around
the world. But wherever I happen to
be, I eventually end up missing
London. It’s city with a unique
energy and an inexhaustible choice
of things to do. It’s the one place
in the world where I just cannot be
bored.
What, or who, makes you laugh?
Monty Python’s Flying Circus,
Blackadder, and the Looney Tunes.
Is there anything you cannot do
and would like to learn?
Building a house from scratch all by
myself. I have installed kitchens
and bathrooms; I have re-wired parts
of my flat; and have sewn cushion
covers. But I have never built a
wall, fitted windows, or tiled a
roof. I love handiwork; it clears my
mind. I’m yet to find a funding
agency, though, which would be
willing to sponsor such a sabbatical
project…
What is your favourite childhood
memory?
When I was about five years old my
father decided, much to the delight
of the kids and to the horror of my
mother, to transform part of our
living room into a chicken farm. One
day he came home with a briefcase
full of about 20 freshly hatched
chicken. He installed an infrared
lamp to keep them warm and built a
little fence separating part of the
living room from the area with the
dining table. To date it remains a
contested question in our family
whether the fence was to protect us
from the chicks or the chicks from
us. Either way, my brother and I
were frequent trespassers and
playing with those fluffy little
creatures was all we did for about
two weeks. The party came to an end
when they started flying and my
mother declared that it was either
her or the chickens. My mother
stayed. |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
Training
and jobs
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
Training and development opportunities for staff Courses
scheduled for next week include:
These are just some of the events running in the next week. To receive a
monthly summary of all training courses, subscribe to email list by clicking
here and pressing send. To find out more about training and development
across the school and for links to booking pages, see
lse.ac.uk/training.
|
|
| |
|
|
Research Division Academic Development Training Programme 2014-15
There are two training sessions scheduled next weeks:
Wednesdasy 12 November, 10am-12.30pm - Funding Clinic: ESRC’s Future
Research Leaders
This funding clinic aims to give applicants an opportunity to explore and
discuss key elements of the ESRC’s Future Research Leaders scheme. A
successful award holder will be sharing their experience in applying.
Click here to book your place.
Thursday 13 November, 12.30-2pm - Research Funding Information
Session: Knowledge exchange and ways of funding it
Learn about different tools and funding sources for knowledge exchange (KE)
activities and how LSE can support you.
Click here to book your place.
These events are delivered in partnership with the Teaching and Learning
Centre
For the list of upcoming events and to book your place, click
here.
|
|
| |
|
|
Jobs at LSE Below are some of the vacancies currently being
advertised to internal candidates only, as well as those being advertised
externally.
- Assistant Librarian: Collection Development, Library:
Academic Services
- Assistant Professor in Behavioural Science, Department of
Social Policy
- Assistant Professor in Finance, Department of Finance
- Assistant Professor in International Development, Department
of International Development
- Assistant Project Manager: Capital Development, Estates
Division
- Programme Coordinator, Department of Management
For more information, visit
Jobs at LSE and login via the instructions under the 'Internal
vacancies' heading. |
|
|
|
| |