LSE ranked top university in London

LSE has maintained its ranking as third best university in the UK and London’s leading institution in the Complete University Guide league tables for 2016.

Seven weeks until Houghton Street closes

Houghton Street will be closed from 16 June 2015 as the demolition contractor starts preparing the Centre Buildings site.

Robin Ellis

Outside of LSE, Robin is a partner in a new internet radio station, Crossfire Radio, which has just been given an Ofcom permit to broadcast for the next five years.

 Research

 LSE in pictures

 Events

 Training and jobs

Best wishes,

LSE has announced the creation of The Marshall Institute for Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship, designed to improve the impact, effectiveness and appeal of private contributions to the public good.

Founded by Sir Thomas Hughes-Hallett and Paul Marshall, The Institute plans to work with the best of the world’s thinkers to solve the worst of the world’s problems. It will inform and coordinate the efforts of activists, researchers, private citizens, foundations, corporations, public bodies and social entrepreneurs.

Created with the assistance of a £30 million donation from Paul Marshall, The Marshall Institute will equip the foremost figures in the field, and leaders of the future, with the knowledge they need to put philanthropic funding and social endeavour to best use.

LSE has maintained its ranking as third best university in the UK and London’s leading institution in the Complete University Guide league tables for 2016.

The Guide assesses the UK’s 126 universities using markers such as student satisfaction and graduate prospects. LSE is named third in the UK, behind Cambridge and Oxford and the top university in London. The School is also placed in the top ten for eleven of the twelve subjects it offers.

Professor Craig Calhoun, Director of LSE, said: “LSE prides itself on both its academic excellence and its investment in its students so it is gratifying to have LSE’s commitment to world-class teaching and research reflected in these rankings. Regardless of league tables, we will continue to invest in our facilities, our faculty and the overall student experience.”

The Complete University Guide 2016 is available to view at www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk.

Nicola Wright appointed as Director of Library Services

The School is pleased to announce that Nicola Wright (pictured) has been appointed as Director of Library Services, following Liz Chapman’s retirement.

Nicola joined LSE in 2008 and, as Deputy Director of Library Services, she has led the development of the Library’s digital strategy. Her career has focused on change in libraries to meet evolving user needs in a digital world, with roles at the British Library, the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and Imperial College London.

Professor Julia Black, Pro-Director for Research, said: "Nicola has shown real leadership both in her role as Deputy Director and as acting Director since Liz retired in January, and I’m sure she will be an excellent Director".
 

Estates Division are pleased to announce the arrival of Richard Jenden (pictured) as Director of Property and Space Strategy.

Richard is a chartered surveyor who has worked in the corporate real estate environment for the past 27 years. His experience traverses both public and private sectors where he has developed a strong leadership ethos in owner occupied estates.

Richard has been involved in the delivery of organisational transformations using property as a platform for a variety of clients from DWP to private equity organisations. He has dealt with all aspects of property from nuclear bunkers and residential development to award winning sustainable offices.

Prestigious Cambridge scholarship awarded to LSE staff member

Asiya Islam (pictured), Equality and Diversity Adviser and LSE graduate, has been awarded the prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship to pursue a PhD in Sociology at the University of Cambridge.

Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. The programme aims to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others.

Asiya said: "I’m delighted to have been awarded the Gates Cambridge scholarship. My research will explore the experiences of lower middle class migrant women in New Delhi, with a focus on how they negotiate sexual violence in the city. I’m excited to join Cambridge although I will miss LSE, which has been my home institution for the last five years, first as a place of study and then as a place of work."

Professor Lord Nicholas Stern (pictured) has been elected an international member of the American Philosophical Society.

An eminent scholarly organisation of international reputation, the American Philosophical Society promotes useful knowledge in the sciences and humanities through excellence in scholarly research, professional meetings, publications, library resources, and community outreach.

Francis Bedford MP and Steph Key MP were welcomed to LSE Library on Friday 24 April by Nicola Wright, Director of Library Services.

Nicola Wright, Director of Library Services, and Mahamid Ahmed, LSESU Postgraduate Students' Officer, opened the new first floor Reading Room for LSE postgraduate students in R102 on Monday 27 April.

The area has 52 spaces for quiet study, with a group study room available for LSE students to use on an unreserved basis.

Did you know? The Shaw Library is named after Charlotte Shaw and not her famous husband George Bernard. Charlotte was LSE’s first major donor - and even provided the early School with its premises in Adelphi Terrace. Spring is the perfect time to visit the Shaw Library, take a break on the roof garden and remember Charlotte. Find out more about this unsung heroine of LSE on the LSE History blog.

Centre Buildings Update: seven weeks until Houghton Street closes

Now that the new building has obtained planning consent, things are really starting to happen on the Centre Buildings project. You will soon notice changes around campus, including the closure of Houghton Street from 16 June 2015, as the demolition contractor starts preparing the site by erecting hoardings.

Starting on Tuesday 5 May, our contractors will be working in Clare Market and Portugal Street outside St Clements and the Old Building. They will be digging a trench, diverting utilities and widening the road in preparation for the start of demolition in July 2015.

Senior Common Room Annual Dinner - tickets now available

Any member of staff may attend the Senior Common Room Annual Dinner on Thursday 21 May.

The guest of honour and speaker this year is LSE Emeritus Governor Loyd Grossman OBE.

Booking information is on the SCR website. Information on how to join the SCR can be found here.
 

New short course on Entrepreneurship in Africa (29-31 July 2015)

African countries hold great potential for entrepreneurs, but understanding the current business environment, managing risks and creating business models that are successful on the continent can be challenging.

LSE Entrepreneurship has launched a new open-enrolment short course to help entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs and other professionals gain a deeper understanding of these areas.

For more information about the course, click here.
 

Want a quick way to enhance your career prospects? Enrol in LSE’s Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification programme, providing internationally recognised, industry standard qualifications for your CV.

MOS certifications are offered at three levels: Specialist, Expert (Word and Excel only) and Master. Expert and Master levels demand very advanced skills, including use of macros and VBA. There are separate exams for each program (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc).

LSE offers all staff and students the opportunity to identify and fill gaps in their Microsoft Office skills through guided online training. A trained advisor is on hand during workshops to answer any questions you may have. Certification is based on invigilated, task-based exams approved by Microsoft. Details of LSE’s greatly discounted charge, group discounts, assistance for students receiving financial aid, and funding opportunities for staff, are found on the IT Training MOS Training and Certification page. See what a student had to say about it here.

In case you have missed the promotions, LSE is taking part in the Global Corporate Challenge for the second year running. If you want to improve your fitness whilst competing in teams against colleagues to be crowned the LSE champions, you have until Wednesday 6 May to register through the GCC website.

All staff members are welcome to put together a team, although places are limited and priority will go to staff who didn’t participate last year. Places will be confirmed as soon as possible after registration closes, ahead of the challenge starting on Wednesday 27 May.

New introductory short course for absolute beginners - six sessions running from Tuesday 5 May to Tuesday 9 June.

Regular classes take place on Tuesdays from 1-2pm (not suitable for complete beginners) and Thursdays from 5-6pm (suitable for beginners).

Security officer and former boxer Daniel Beckley is running skip fit lessons for all staff and students at LSE. Build up your fitness, burn calories and increase your stamina, all within an hour.

The next lessons will take place from 1-2pm at the Badminton Court, Old Building, on Tuesday 5 May, Tuesday 19 May and Tuesday 26 May. Just turn up on any of these dates with your own skipping rope. All lessons are free.

You are invited to lunchtime Praise and Worship sessions with LSE Rejoice every Friday at 12-1pm in the LSE Faith Centre, second floor of Saw Swee Hock Student Centre.

Nepal earthquake appeal

Polly Liouta of LSE's Hellenic Observatory has recently returned from a 12 day challenge trekking through the Himalayas to Everest Base Camp.

As part of this challenge Polly was fundraising for Community Action Nepal, a UK based charity, which supports the Himalayan mountainous communities. The recent earthquake has devastated Nepal and has badly affected the Himalayan regions, with avalanches and landslides devastating entire villages on the mountains.

Polly now hopes to raise as much money as she can for the earthquake victims. To make a donation, please visit justgiving.com/Polly-Liouta-2015.
 

LSE HR run for Mind - the mental health charity

On Sunday 10 May Louise, Sarah, Toby and Heather from HR are running the Hackney Half Marathon for the mental health charity Mind.

Contending with various injuries along the way, the team are determined to hop, skip and jump the 13.1 miles if they need to.

The team are raising money for Mind, a charity that does important work in an area that is likely to affect us all at some point in our lives. To sponsor them, please visit justgiving.com/LSE-Human-Resources. No matter how small, every donation will be gratefully received.
 

Did you know that acupuncture can help to relieve hay fever or allergic rhinitis?

The LSE Treatment Clinic offers professional treatments (acupuncture, osteopathy and sports massage) at reduced rates for LSE students and staff, from practitioners with over 25 years of experience between them.

Spacious one bedroom flat is available to rent, located on a beautiful street in a Victorian conservation area.

Includes entry hall, large bathroom, sunny bedroom with desk space and private patio, beautiful living room with Victorian period features.

The flat is a short walk to Highgate Village, Waterlow Park, and Hampstead Heath, and has good transport connections by tube and bus.

This week's picture features students attending a lecture in the Wolfson Theatre in the New Academic Building.

For more images like this, visit the Photography Unit.

An LSE study looking at the relationship between parents and their adult children returning to live at home after university has revealed mixed experiences.

Parents are usually more negative than their children, many of whom are unaware of their parents’ dissatisfaction, according to Professor Jane Lewis from LSE’s Department of Social Policy, who led the study.

Around 50 per cent of today’s graduates aged 22-24 return to the parental home after university due to a combination of a weak job market and high rental costs. The impact of this trend has been substantial, research shows, but often with mixed results.

Work Rules! Insights from Inside Google that Will Transform How you Live and Lead
On: Monday 18 May from 4-5pm
Speaker: Laszlo Bock (pictured)

A lecture by Sergio Mattarella, President of the Republic of Italy
On: Thursday 28 May from 4.30-5.30pm
Ticket release date: Wednesday 20 May

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?

LSE Works

The ninth LSE Works lecture takes place on Wednesday 6 May and will be given by CASE’s Professor Robert Cassen (pictured), Professor Sandra McNally of University of Surrey and CEP, and Professor Anna Vignoles of University of Cambridge, on ‘Making a Difference in Education: what the evidence says’.

LSE Works is a series public lectures that will showcase some of the latest research by LSE's academic departments and research centres. In each session, LSE academics will present key research findings, demonstrating where appropriate the implications of their studies for public policy.

A list of all the LSE Works lectures can be viewed at LSE Works.
 

Other forthcoming events include....

Barrel of a Gun? The Armed Struggle for Democracy in South Africa
On: Tuesday 5 May at 6.30pm in the Hong Kong Theatre, Clement House
Speaker: Gillian Slovo (pictured)

Anglo-American Civilisation and its Discontents in World Affairs
On: Wednesday 6 May at 6.30pm in the Old Theatre, Old Building
Speaker: Professor Peter Katzenstein

Divided Cities: urban inequalities in the 21st century
On: Wednesday 6 May at 6.30pm in the New Theatre, East Building
Speaker: Professor Fran Tonkiss

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 also announce the winners of the LEQS Doctoral Paper Award at the event.

On: Wednesday 6 May at 6.30pm in room TW2.9.04, Clement's Inn
Speaker: Dr Mary McAuley

In this event, hosted by the Centre for the Study of Human Rights, Mary McAuley will discuss her new book Human Rights in Russia: Citizens and the State from Perestroika to Putin, in which she analyses the development of human rights activism in Russia, from the emergence of the new organisations in 1991 to the recent political attacks on the community, and its response.

Book Launch - Public Policy Making in the Western Balkans: case studies of selected economic and social policy reforms

On: Wednesday 6 May from 6-7.30pm in the Cañada Blanch Room, Cowdray House
Speakers: Marija Babovic, Professor of Sociology at the University of Belgrade; Slavo Radosevic, Professor of Industry and Innovation at UCL; and Adam Fagan, Professor of European Politics at Queen Mary.

Developing and ‘transition’ economies face myriad challenges in their attempts to achieve and maintain political stability and foster the economic growth essential for national security, the social well-being of current citizens, and sustainable environments for future generations. Governments in the Western Balkans have striven to achieve all of the above, and this volume assesses the nature of their experiences as well as the level of their success in doing so.

Featuring detailed case studies of public policy reforms in the region as well as comparative analysis on a range of indicators, this book analyses the role of key players in setting the political agenda as well as implementing policy reforms. It also distils the lessons that can be learned from the Western Balkan experience, recommending strategies for enhancing the policy making process. In addition, it examines the developmental role played by the full spectrum of policy actors, including the private sector, NGOs, special interest groupings, international financial institutions, donor nations and the EU. More
 

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.

The Great Disruption - LSE Entrepreneurship event with Adrian Wooldridge, management editor of The Economist

On: Tuesday 12 May from 6.30pm in the Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building

Disruptive forces have reshaped our world faster than ever before. New technologies are shaking industries to their foundations. Emerging countries are gathering strength. A new generation of entrepreneurs are experimenting with powerful combinations of new technologies and new business models.

Adrian Wooldridge (pictured), The Economist’s management editor and author of the Schumpeter column, will talk about how we can understand this new world order, and discuss how we can cope with the downsides while exploiting the upsides.

Join LSE Arts on Friday 29 May for some live music and free drinks at the final LSE Chill of the year.

Acts on the night include David Lewis, Head of Department of Social Policy, student solo performers Misha Chapman and Dominic Tighe, and student band Kim Kierkegaardashian and the Kantye Wests.

Podcasts of public lectures and events

LITERARY FESTIVAL Changing Worlds
Speakers: Neel Mukherjee and Elif Shafak
Recorded: Saturday 28 February, approx. 83 minutes

General Election: The Opposition Leaders' Debate - screened live, followed by a debate
Speakers: Jack Blumenau, Professor Simon Hix, Professor Tony Travers, and Sue Cameron
Recorded: Thursday 16 April, approx. 56 minutes

The World Beyond Your Head: how to flourish in an age of distraction
Speaker: Matthew Crawford
Recorded: Monday 20 April, approx. 74 minutes

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 (2014-20). This session covers the Horizon2020 schemes, how they work, what they fund, and what to apply for. It will also outline upcoming calls in 2015. It will be 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-Pabon, 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 and learn tips and tricks and see how other professional services staff use Excel to meet their needs and share your experiences.

Funding Clinic
Wednesday 27 May from 2-4pm
A number of funding clinics will run throughout the term, with no more than five academics around a table discussing the particulars of, for example, a specific funding scheme, specific application systems, specific research questions and themes.

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
• Employer Engagement Adviser, LSE Careers Service
• Fundraising Research Officer, LSE Advancement
• HPC Service Coordinator, Information Management and Technology
• HPC Systems Support Analyst, Information Management and Technology
• Economist for the Country Programme (London), International Growth Centre
• Income Projects Administrator, Finance Division
• Fellow in Behavioural Science, Social Policy
• Fellow in Environment, Geography and Environment
• Fellow in Government (internal only), Government
• Fellow in Government (internal only), Government
• Fellow in Management (Decision Science), Management
• Fellow in Management (Human Resource Management, Employment Relations, or Organisational Behaviour), Management
• Fellow in Management (Information Systems), Management
• Fellow in Management (Operations Research), Management
• Fellow in Management (Public Management and Governance), Management
• Fellow in Migration and European Politics, Government
• Fellow in Qualitative Methodology, Methodology
• Course Manager (internal only), LSE100
• National Bank of Greece Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship 2015-16, Hellenic Observatory
• Policy Analyst and Research Advisor, Grantham Research Institute
• Programme Portfolio Director, Management
• Undergraduate Admissions Administrator and Assessor, ARD: Undergraduate Admissions