Can the police do more with less?

A new report from CEP explores the evidence on the trends in crime and the police workforce, and factors that may have led to the continued fall in reported crime.

Estates Division is moving

In early summer, Estates Division will be moving to the third floor of 1 Kingsway. They will be joined by LSE Advancement and GLPD.

Dr Zeynep Kaya

Dr Kaya, Research Fellow in the Middle East Centre, likes spending time with family and friends and hearing daily ‘advice’ about life from her nine year old daughter.

 News

 LSE in pictures

 Events

 Training and jobs

Dr Ruben Andersson (pictured), a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Civil Society and Human Security Research Unit within the Department of International Development, has won the British Sociological Association/BBC Thinking Allowed (Radio 4) ethnography award for his book Illegality, Inc. Clandestine Migration and the Business of Bordering Europe.

The book argues that increasing border controls leads migrants to seek more dangerous routes to enter Europe. It is based on his PhD dissertation awarded from LSE's Department of Anthropology, for which he won the 2014 IMISCOE - Maria Ioannis Baganha dissertation award. One of the judges said: ‘…it was very powerful; it was a very beautifully written, very evocative book…’

The shortlist was announced on last week’s Thinking Allowed and the programme ran a special show on the book on Wednesday (22 April). An interactive video on his book can be found here.

The 2015 LSE Africa Summit, which took place at LSE on the 17 and 18 April, brought together political, research and business leaders from the continent and beyond to discuss Africa. A wide range of issues were discussed over the two days, with participants debating not only the opportunities open to the continent but the hurdles it will have to overcome in order to make the most of these opportunities.

In true LSE spirit the first day's Research Conference sought to help us understand the causes of things, bringing together academics to discuss the latest research surrounding governance in the 'new Africa', media and technology, health and security.

The day culminated in a round-table discussion led by LSE's Professor Tim Allen who highlighted the need for policymakers to open their ears to researchers on the ground.

On the second day Nigeria's Vice President Elect and LSE alumnus, Yemi Osinbajo, gave the keynote speech of the Business Conference. In his speech, he drew on Nigeria's latest transition as a paradigm shift in the African way: "Change had gone beyond a slogan, it had become a self-propelled protest by the people".

His address was followed by panel discussions between African premiers such as Dr Mamphela Ramphele, Patrick Awuah and Acha Leke.

LSE's election activity is well and truly underway. On Wednesday 1 April the School hosted an election briefing for international media, with over 70 members of press turning up for expert comment on the forthcoming election. We have another political media briefing planned for Thursday 30 April which looks set to be just as popular.

Thanks to the reliability and expertise of the School, we have also been officially acknowledged by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as the place to go for journalists looking for "expert and balanced views on the political scene in the UK".

LSE’s election activity will culminate in the Election Night Party on Thursday 7 May. Staff should have already received notification about entering into the ballot for attending. If you have any questions or have not received your invite, please email ipa@lse.ac.uk.
 

African-Caribbean teenage boys get a taste of university life at LSE

LSE hosted a cohort of 50 teenage boys from African-Caribbean backgrounds earlier this month in a bid to encourage more students from this group into higher education.

The three-day visit was part of the School’s Widening Participation Promoting Potential programme, aimed at encouraging bright Year Eight African-Caribbean boys from London state schools to consider university as an option.

The boys took part in social science workshops delivered by LSE academics and research students, providing them with a taste of university life and hopefully stimulating their interest in higher education.

They met with LSE African-Caribbean undergraduate students and also professionals from similar backgrounds, learning about their experience of university and the career opportunities it offers.

Twelve-year-old Jonathan Tufukama, a student at Urswick School in Hackney, described the LSE visit as an "eye-opener" - "I really liked learning about economics and meeting people from LSE’s African-Caribbean Society. Just coming to LSE has helped me understand who I want to be." More
 

First Executive MSc in Political Economy of Europe draws to a close

This week is the last week of teaching for the first cohort of Executive Master's students studying the Political Economy of Europe at the European Institute.

Although students still have to complete their dissertation, this is the final time they will be on campus until graduation. It marks the end of a busy first two years of this programme, which is the only one if its kind in the world.

The Executive MSc in Political Economy of Europe is a two year part-time programme, aimed at full-time professionals with several years of experience. The programme explores the different aspects of economic integration, fragmentation and reform in Europe, of the establishment and evolution of democratic capitalism in Central Europe, and of the trajectories of the EU since the late 1970s.

The European Institute is now accepting applications for entry to the Executive MSc in December 2015. For more information, click here.
 

Did you know? The Anchorage is the most unlikely campus spot to get its name from St Clement. St Clement was put to death by being thrown into the sea while strapped to an anchor. Look for the cast iron anchor on the front of the building. Six campus locations remember St Clement. Can you name them all? Find out more about St Clement here.

Amidst all the chaos in the Aldwych and Holborn area on Wednesday 1 April, LSE Rejoice members managed to safely deliver Easter eggs to the Swiss Church in Covent Garden to share with the homeless over the Easter period.

This is in line with the group’s aims; to support, encourage and draw people to share in the unconditional love of Christ and impact positively in the lives of the less fortunate in the community.

LSE Rejoice is a Christian staff network established in October 2014 and is open to all, though mainly attended by staff and alumni. Members meet at the Faith Centre, second floor of SAW every Friday at 12pm for an hour of praise, worship and discussions based on the teachings and understanding of the life of Christ.

In order to facilitate the decant of academic colleagues from the Centre Buildings into the Towers, Estates Division ‘head office’ will be moving from its current home on the fourth and fifth floors of Tower 1 to the third floor of 1 Kingsway (above The Delaunay on the corner of Kingsway/Aldwych). They will be joined by LSE Advancement and Governance, Legal and Policy Division (GLPD).

The decision was made on the basis of space efficiencies, the need for collegiality, and to support the strategic development of the School whilst it undertakes the biggest development project in its history - the Centre Buildings Redevelopment project.

Over the last few months, IMT has launched a new, web browser-based Remote Access service which is secure, easy to access and requires no additional software or modification to your computer connection settings.

Remote access is the ability to access files and folders on the LSE network without having to log in to a campus PC so you can continue working on your own device, whether you are on campus or not.

To access the secure service, visit: https://remote.lse.ac.uk and enter your LSE username and password.

From a central home page, you will then be able to access your files on the LSE network including documents on your H: Space and any shared drives, and conveniently access other LSE services including Remote Desktop, LSE For You and the Library Catalogue.

The annual Student Information System (SITS) upgrade will take place from 16:00 on Friday 1 May until midnight on Sunday 3 May.

LSE Methods Summer Programme Open Evening

Wednesday 29 April at 6pm on the eight floor of the New Academic Building

This open evening enables prospective participants to learn more about each of the courses the programme offers and to match their interests, experience and skills accordingly.

Discounted rates are available for LSE staff and alumni. To register for a free place, visit lse.ac.uk/MethodsOpenEvening.
 

Bookings are now open to staff for this year’s Teaching Symposium, organised by the LSE Teaching and Learning Centre, which takes place on Tuesday 5 May.

Come and join us at any or all of the following sessions:

• LSE Teaching Symposium café (9.30-11am) - informal conversation over breakfast with teaching award winners, students and academic colleagues
• An LSE Education: what does it mean? (11am-1pm) - a panel discussion with Emily Jackson (chair), Jennifer Jackson-Preece, Anna Tuckett, and Nona Buckley Irvine, followed by a workshop to discuss themes arising.
• Lunch (1-2pm)

Come and celebrate a successful year of teaching at LSE with colleagues. The LSESU and LSE Teaching and Learning Centre would like to invite all staff to the LSE Teaching Awards 2015 event.

The event will take place in the evening of the Tuesday 5 May, following the LSE Teaching Symposium. Entry is from 5.30pm, and the awards will be presented from 6pm. Attendees will receive complimentary drinks and light refreshments on arrival.

LSE is looking for undergraduate and graduate (including PhD) students who are interested in becoming Peer Supporters for the 2015-16 academic year.

In this voluntary role students will receive 34 hours of training from the LSE Student Counselling Service in listening, questioning and responding skills with fortnightly supervision and on-going training. These skills will enable them to provide emotional support to other LSE students.

The recently launched IMT Customer Portal is the quick and easy way to the IT help you need. Accessible anywhere, it allows you to:

• Log and track your IT requests
• Receive notifications about any disruptions or planned outages
• View a selection of useful guides and frequently asked questions

You can access the Portal at imtcustomerportal.lse.ac.uk or by clicking on a shortcut on your desktop.

Over the next six months IMT will be running three prize draws where the winners will receive £100 of Amazon vouchers. To be eligible for the competition, all you have to do is use the Portal to request a service or raise an incident and you will be automatically be entered into the draw.

The prize draw will happen at the end of each round as detailed below:

• Round One: 16 April - 15 June
• Round Two: 16 June - 15 August
• Round Three: 16 August - 15 October

Computer Tip of the Week - Build your own toolbar in Office 2010 or 2013

In the top left corner of every Office 2010/2013 application, you’ll find the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) containing the Save, Undo and Redo icons. Use this to create your own customised toolbar:

1. Click on the arrow at the right end of the Quick Access Toolbar and click any command to add its icon to the toolbar, or
2. Right-click on any icon anywhere in the ribbon and click Add to Quick Access toolbar.
3. To add other icons and change the order in which they’re displayed:
a. Click on the arrow at the right end of the Quick Access Toolbar and select More Commands. (The Options dialog box opens.)
b. Click the arrow next to Popular Commands and select All Commands.
c. Double-click on an icon to add it to the list on the right side of the dialogue box.
d. Click on an icon in the list on the right, and use the up or down arrow to move it.
e. Click OK to close the dialog box and update the toolbar.

Leave the office for an hour and do something active

LSE staff are invited to join LSESU Active LifeStylE and do something active in their lunch breaks. From belly dancing to five-a-side football to tennis, they have something for everyone.

For more information, visit lsesu.com/whatson.
 

Team registration for this year’s Global Corporate Challenge is now open.

If you want to improve your fitness whilst competing against colleagues to be crowned the eventual LSE champions, this is the activity challenge for you. Teams have until Wednesday 6 May to register through the GCC website.

Dr Marsha Henry and Dr Ania Plomien of LSE's Gender Institute are walking in the Annual Peace March in Bosnia starting on Tuesday 7 July, marching 120km for three days.

They are doing it to remember the victims of war, in particular those who 20 years ago walked from Srebrenica to escape persecution; and to raise money for two charities, Zenica Medica and Žene Ženama, which support Bosnian women.

Special LSE offer from EE

EE, the School's mobile device provider, is offering all LSE staff 20 per cent off monthly line rental when you sign up to a new 12 or 24 monthly plan, SIM only or handset only plan. Details of how you can obtain this discount can be found here.

Light and spacious one bedroom fully furnished flat now available. Double-glazing and gas central heating throughout, with wooden floors and a large picture window in the living room overlooking the lovely communal garden. Belsize Village, England's Lane and the proximity to Primrose Hill (eight minute walk) and Hampstead Village (20 minute walk) make the area fantastic.

An academic friend of Dr Daniel Beunza is interested in subletting a flat in London during the month of July for herself, her husband and a young child.

The London Medical Orchestra, a well-established, friendly amateur orchestra, invites LSE staff to join. It is seeking new string and brass players.

The orchestra rehearses on Tuesday evenings during term time at the Walter Sickert Community Centre, Islington, N1 2FB and perform three classical music concerts a year. They are currently rehearsing for a concert on Sunday 28 June (in support of Sarcoma UK), playing Rachmaninov Symphony No 2 and Saint-Saens Cello Concert No 1.

This week's picture features a lecture by Professor James Putzel in the Hong Kong Theatre, Clement House.

For more images like this, visit the Photography Unit.

The coalition government’s austerity programme has resulted in some sizeable reductions in the police workforce, yet crime has continued to fall. A key question for the next Parliament is whether further real-terms reductions in police budgets can occur without deleterious effects on crime.

Inequality of pre- and post-tax income has risen remarkably in the UK since the late 1970s. And while inequality of net income fell in the aftermath of the financial crisis, there are signs that it is rising once again.

What’s more, the tax and benefit changes since 2010 have been largely regressive, with people in the bottom half of the income distribution losing more than they have gained. The main cleavage is between pensioners who have done well compared with those of working age, especially the young and households with children.

Two new impact case studies have been added to the impact website:

Creating incentives to improve public services
Innovative policy ideas from Julian Le Grand (pictured), Richard Titmuss Professor of Social Policy, and LSE researchers inspired radical government reforms that introduced choice and competition to improve key public services.

Investigating and tackling corruption in African ports
Research by Sandra Sequeira (pictured), Assistant Professor in Development Economics in the International Development Department, helped Mozambique design anti-corruption policies to stem the loss of business from its ports to other countries.

To access and search all 70 impact case studies, click here. You can access and view the 25 research impact videos here.

Forthcoming LSE events include....

Is Politics Based on Morality?
On: Monday 27 April at 6.30pm in the New Theatre, East Building
Speakers: Dr Fabienne Peter, Professor Catherine Rowett (pictured), and Dr Stephen de Wijze

Integrating Financial Stability and Monetary Policy Analysis
On: Monday 27 April at 6.30pm in the Hong Kong Theatre, Clement House
Speaker: Øystein Olsen

The Root of All Good
On: Tuesday 28 April at 6.30pm in the Hong Kong Theatre, Clement House
Speaker: Andrew Palmer (pictured)

Inequality: what can be done?
On: Thursday 30 April at 6.30pm in the Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building
Speakers: Professor Sir Tony Atkinson, Tom Clark, and Professor Baroness Lister
 

On: Tuesday 28 April from 6.30-8pm in the New Theatre, East Building
Speakers: Helen Benedict, American novelist and journalist, Dr Katherine Brown, Lecturer in Defence Studies at King's College London, and Dr Marsha Henry (pictured), Associate Professor in Gender, Development and Globalisation at LSE.

Inspired by Helen Benedict’s novel and play The Lonely Soldier about women soldiers serving in Iraq, the panel debates various gendered dimensions of contemporary conflicts.

Beyond Election Day: power, money, government and responsibility

On: Wednesday 29 April at 6.30pm in St Paul’s Cathedral, London EC4M 8AD

The forthcoming General Election has brought to the fore public discussion about the role and effectiveness of many of our social institutions.

LSE Director Professor Craig Calhoun (pictured) will join a panel of speakers at this event under the historic dome of St Paul’s Cathedral.

The event is free to attend but registration is essential. For more information and to register, click here.
 

On: Thursday 30 April from 6.30-8pm in the Old Theatre, Old Building
Speakers: Paul Mason, Economics Editor for Channel 4 News, Professor John Milios, member of the Central Committee of Syriza and a Professor of Political Economy, National Technical University of Athens, Holger Schmieding, Chief Economist at Berenberg Bank, and Miranda Xafa, Senior Scholar, CIGI and former member of the IMF Executive Board.

The debt crisis has provoked fierce debate over the best solutions for a return to growth on a sustainable basis. Some see ‘austerity’ as a necessary corrective, others feel this incurs unnecessary and profound social pain. Greece is the acute case in these respects: a test for euro-zone strategy and a challenge to political and social cohesion.

On: Tuesday 5 May from 12-1pm in the Shaw Library, Old Building
Speaker: Maria Luís Albuquerque (pictured), Portuguese Minister of State and Finance.

Following a difficult adjustment period, the Portuguese economy is now recovering and standing on more solid ground - sounder public finances, secured financial stability and growing competitiveness. Notwithstanding, given the magnitude of the economic imbalances accumulated before the crisis, the significant correction achieved in recent years was not yet sufficient to substantially reduce indebtedness and unemployment.

On: Tuesday 5 May from 6.30-8pm in the Old Theatre, Old Building
Speaker: Professor Arne Westad (pictured), Director of LSE IDEAS.

In his final public lecture at LSE before taking up the ST Lee Chair in US-Asian Relations at Harvard University, Professor Westad will discuss how the rivalry between China and the United States for influence in Asia will determine the geo-political landscape in this century.

At the moment, most of the advantages are on the US side, especially since, after the last economic crisis China seems to have been busy driving away potential allies in the region. But will this state of affairs last? What can China do to mobilise its undeniable resources in the exercise of a more effective foreign policy? And how will domestic developments in the two countries influence their long-term Asia policies?

On: Wednesday 6 May from 6.30-8pm in the Wolfson Theatre, NAB
Speaker: Professor Damian Chalmers (pictured), Professor of European Union Law at LSE.

On the evening before voters head to the ballot box in the UK’s general elections, Professor Damian Chalmers will be giving this year’s LSE ‘Europe in Question’ Series (LEQS) lecture.

The elections have significant implications for the UK’s future in the European Union (EU), while simultaneous developments on the continent pose questions of how the EU itself will change in the foreseeable future. At this defining moment, Professor Chalmers will address the issue of political community and the role of EU law.

The editors of the LEQS Discussion Paper Series will announce the winners of the LEQS Doctoral Paper Award at the event.

On: Monday 11 May from 6.30-8pm in the Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street

Paul Dolan (pictured), Professor of Behavioural Science at LSE and bestselling author of Happiness by Design, will host an engaging and personal account of his experience living as a stammerer at a fundraising evening for Action for Stammering Children.

Paul will be joined by Elaine Kelman who runs the Michael Palin Centre where Paul received transformative therapy for his stammer. The Centre is supported by Action for Stammering Children, who, along with the British Stammering Association, will benefit from the proceeds from the ticket sales.

There will be a live Q&A session with the whole audience and a book signing at the end.

Podcasts of public lectures and events

How to Run a Government
Speaker: Sir Michael Barber
Recorded: Monday 16 March, approx. 73 minutes

The Greek Economy: current developments and future prospects
Speaker: Yannis Stournaras
Recorded: Wednesday 25 March, approx. 83 minutes

Seeing What Others Don't: the remarkable ways we gain insights
Speaker: Dr Gary Klein
Recorded: Thursday 26 March, approx. 84 minutes

Thursday 30 April from 12-1.45pm in room NAB2.14

Come and join us for a free lunch and listen to your colleagues discuss how they encouraged their students to create and share subject related materials.

How did students work together? What obstacles did they overcome and what would they recommend others do?

Tuesday 5 May from 12.30-2pm. A sandwich lunch will be provided prior to the start.

How does having a disability affect students' experiences of LSE? How well are adjustments helping students to fulfil their potential? What have we learnt about attitudes and culture towards disability, and how can we work to improve this?

This session will give staff an opportunity to hear from students about their own experiences at LSE. It will begin with a number of students with a range of disabilities offering their reflections upon their time at LSE, and will then move to explore good practice as well as wider cultural issues within the School.

The session will be led by Mark Malik, LSESU Disabled Students' Officer, and will involve a number of other students. Sarah Slater, Disability and Wellbeing Service Manager, will also be available to share her expertise.

Eurostat: data and other services

Thursday 7 May from 2-5pm

LSE researchers, teachers and students interested in statistics across Europe can attend a free introductory workshop on accessing and using Eurostat data.

Eurostat is the statistical office of the European Union, providing statistics that enable comparisons between EU countries and regions. This half-day workshop organised with Eurostat and the UK Data Service covers Eurostat data, sensitive microdata, publications and data visualisation programmes, and user help.

To reserve your space, click here. Please note bookings will close on Monday 4 May.
 

The Research Division would like to invite Centre Managers, Department Managers, academics and professional staff interested in research funding or already with an award to attend the following events.

What is Horizon2020?
Monday 11 May from 12-1.30pm
Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever with nearly €80 billion of funding available over seven years (2014 to 2020). This session covers the Horizon2020 schemes, how they work, what they fund and what to apply for. It outlines upcoming calls in 2015.
This session is followed by the session "How to manage your Horizon 2020 award". You are strongly encouraged to attend both. Lunch will be served.

How to Manage your European Funded Award: what you need to know
Monday 11 May from 2-4pm
Have you recently been awarded a Horizon 2020 award? Will you be managing Horizon 2020 awards in your department/centre?
Come to this workshop to learn the basics of managing European Commission Horizon 2020 awards. The workshop will include a presentation by Dr Mauricio Avendano, Deputy Director and Principal Research Fellow in LSE Health and Social Care, who is the Principal Investigator on an ERC FP7 award entitled, ‘HEALTHCYCLE’.

Excel Training for Centre Managers
Thursday 21 May from 12-1.30pm
This workshop is aimed at departmental/centre managers and other professional services staff who manage externally funded research grants.
Find out what examples of spreadsheets are used by centre managers to manage their budgets, expenditure, and HR commitments. Come to learn tips, tricks and how other professional services staff use Excel to meet their needs and share your experiences.

Impact Case Studies: a panel discussion with LSE authors and REF panel members
Wednesday 3 June from 12.30-2pm
LSE faculty who submitted impact case studies to the REF will share their experiences of creating and documenting research impact. As well as supporting understanding of how impact can be generated, the discussion will provide attendees with an insight into both the rewards and the challenges of effectively presenting that impact for REF (or other) assessment. Four panellists have been confirmed:

• Giles Atkinson, Professor of Environmental Policy in the Department of Geography and Environment
• Nick Barr, Professor of Public Economics in the European Institute
• Chris Brown, Professor of International Relations in the Department of International Relations
• Edgar Whitley, Associate Professor of Information Systems in the Department of Management

Below are some of the vacancies currently being advertised to internal candidates only, as well as those being advertised externally.

• Application Analyst, Information Management and Technology
• Events and CIS Administrator, International Relations
• Events and Reunions Manager, LSE Advancement
• Fundraising Research Officer, LSE Advancement
• Economist for the Country Programme (London), International Growth Centre
• LSE Fellow in Behavioural Science, Social Policy
• LSE Fellow in Law (two posts), Law
• LSE Fellow in Migration and European Politics, Government
• LSE Fellow in Philosophy, Philosophy
• LSE Fellow in Qualitative Methodology, Methodology
• MSc HRO Programme Administrator, Management
• National Bank of Greece Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship, Hellenic Observatory
• Policy Analyst and Research Advisor, Grantham Research Institute
• Programme Portfolio Director, Management
• Research Officer - TransCrisis, Centre for Analysis of Risk and Regulation
• Undergraduate Admissions Administrator and Assessor, ARD: Undergraduate Admissions