LSE leaps into top 25 in World University Rankings

LSE has climbed 11 places in today's 2015 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

Staff Survey 2015

The 2015 Staff Survey will launch in November and we're looking for key contacts across the School to get involved.

Sue Donnelly

October is LSE's 120th anniversary month. To celebrate, LSE Archivist Sue tells us all about her LSE hero Charlotte Payne Townshend.

 Research

 LSE in pictures

 Events

 Training and jobs

Celebrating 120 years of LSE

Adrian Thomas, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, discusses LSE's history and encourages you to join in with the 120th anniversary celebrations.

What does everyone at LSE have in common? Each of us has a place in LSE’s unique history.

We are now in October, our 120th anniversary month, and I hope 2015’s celebratory trip through LSE’s past has been able to inspire and entertain us all. From the Beaver’s name to the woman behind the Shaw Library, I hope you have enjoyed following the "Did you know?" series of LSE history trivia - new starters can catch up here.

Introducing LSE’s oral history: Tales from Houghton Street
Student or staff, it doesn’t matter whether your time at LSE was in the 1970s or 2010s, chances are you’ll have fond memories of Wright’s Bar - or so we discovered in our LSE 120th anniversary oral history project. A huge thank you to all of you took part, and to Clara Cook our oral historian. Listen online now to a podcast of some of these Tales from Houghton Street. Uncut interviews with all participants will be available on the Digital Library later this year.

Explore campus history
Would you like to travel through time using archive pictures of LSE’s key buildings? A new online interactive LSE history map will be launching soon.

LSE firsts and LSE foundations
The very first students arrived at LSE on 10 October 1895. What did they study and who taught them? Read more about LSE’s firsts in a new weekly series from LSE archivist Sue Donnelly on the LSE History blog throughout October, beginning with Funding the vision.

The Library is hosting the exhibition Foundations: LSE and the Science of Society which illustrates how some of the key figures from LSE’s early years went about making our founders’ vision a reality. It is free of charge and open to all until Saturday 19 December, so make sure you visit.

Find out more about LSE’s history and join in the 120th anniversary celebrations at lse.ac.uk/lse120. #LSE120

LSE opens new PhD Academy to nurture next generation of leaders

A new PhD Academy opened at LSE this week aims to support the world-class supervision already offered by the School’s academic staff.

The new academy, situated in the Lionel Robbins Building, will allow PhD supervisors and students to meet in a central place on campus for advice, advanced training and professional development sessions. More
 

Professor Steven Casey has won the 2015 Richard E. Neustadt Prize for his book, When Soldiers Fall: How Americans have Confronted Combat Casualties, from World War I to Afghanistan (Oxford University Press).

Professor Nick Couldry is to be awarded an honorary doctorate by Södertörn University in Stockholm, Sweden.

Professor Couldry’s research focuses on media and communications, culture and power, and social theory. Gunilla Gunner, Chair of the Faculty Board at Södertörn University says: "Nick Couldry has been a great inspiration to researchers, teachers and students at Södertörn University for many years. He has also worked as international research adviser and has made significant contributions to building research networks. For these reasons, we are delighted to award him this honorary doctorate."

LSE film shortlisted for AHRC award

Toilet adventures, a film by LSE International Relations Professor William A. Callahan, has been shortlisted for a 'Research in Film' award by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

The winners will be announced at the British Film Institute in November.
 

Did you know? LSE’s foundation was funded by a bequest from the will of a Derby lawyer, Henry Hunt Hutchinson. How and why? Read more at the LSE History blog.

LSE Research in Mandarin

The LSE Language Centre has been awarded the ECRS/IAA Research Impact fund to carry out a two year video project, interviewing LSE China scholars/experts about their research in Mandarin Chinese.

The series, which aims to showcase LSE’s world class research and multilingual faculty, is being filmed at LSE’s new media studio. It builds on the success of the student-led project 'Current Affairs in Mandarin' which has generated a valuable open education resources for all.

Discussing and sharing their research and ideas in Mandarin with English subtitles, LSE scholars are able to engage wider academic and non-academic users in all Mandarin speaking countries and regions. From media industries to social policy change and future economic development in China, the series aims to involve up to twenty China experts at LSE.

If you are interested in featuring in the series, contact Dr Catherine Xiang at h.xiang@lse.ac.uk.
 

On Monday 21 September, Philipp Rode from LSE Cities and Christian Hoffmann from the Innovation Centre for Mobility and Societal Change (InnoZ) presented the results of a new comparative study on mobility attitudes in London and Berlin at the Social Science Research Center Berlin for Social Research in Berlin.

Dr Eva Micheler, Department of Law, has been appointed to the Investor Protection and Intermediaries Standing Committee of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).

Between the Streets and the Stadiums

César Jiménez-Martínez, PhD Researcher in the Department of Media and Communications, recently presented his work Between the Streets and the Stadiums: looking at the international image of Brazil through the eyes of a Chilean at the Remapping Brazilian Cultural Studies conference, organised by the European Network of Brazilianists working in Cultural Analysis, REBRAC.
 

The 2015 Staff Survey will launch in November and we’re looking for key contacts across all departments, centres, institutes and divisions. We need help with testing the survey, promoting it to colleagues and feeding back results across the School. It’s a great opportunity to network within your area and be an important part of a school-wide project.

If you would be interested in joining the Staff Survey team please check with your manager and email Fran Hannan. Staff Survey Contacts would be needed to attend an initial briefing on week commencing 12 October.

Staff feedback provides a credible picture about the strengths and areas for development of the School and it is important that everyone has their say. The Staff Survey will be your opportunity to feedback in order to improve your working environment and the School.

We had a great response to the survey in 2012 and want to do really well again this year to make sure we hear from as many people as possible. To do so - all we need is you!

Have your say on divestment from fossil fuel

The Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Review has been formed to explore the divestment options from fossil fuel and the impact that different levels of divestment would have on the finances of the School and its ability to fulfil its objectives. It will also review whether other environmental, social and governance factors should be incorporated into LSE’s SRI policy.

Your thoughts on the SRI policy are welcomed - please email them to ethics@lse.ac.uk by Monday 5 October or attend the SRI Town Hall Meeting also on Monday 5 October from 4-5.30pm in the Shaw Library, Old Building.
 

Do you know a team who markedly and consistently demonstrate high standards in their work?

Nominate them in the inaugural Professional Services Staff Values in Practice (VIP) awards.

You can make a nomination by completing the form available from the website and submitting it before midnight on Sunday 11 October. Nominations will be judged by a group made up of a cross-section of staff. Staff who have been shortlisted will be invited to a celebratory afternoon event where the awards will be presented.
 

In October, Accounts Payable will be launching a telephone call centre.

Using the School’s call handling software, staff will be directed to the customer service team handling queries.

By international standards, London is a very safe place to live and work. There are still things you can do to ensure you and your belongings remain as safe as possible.

Remember LSE is an open campus
LSE is one of the few institutions in central London to maintain an open campus policy, meaning that throughout the day many School buildings are open. Always bear in mind that the School is a public place. If you would not leave your laptop unattended on a park bench you should not leave it unattended in the Library, the Garrick or any other public area of the School.

Conceal your valuables
Thieves are on the look-out for valuables, especially smart phones and other electrical items. Keep yours out of sight and close to you, both while on campus and travelling to and from it.

Staff portraits

Aperitivo hours

On Friday 2 October from 5-8pm, the top floor of the New Academic Building will be hosting its first Aperitivo. There will be a range of prosecco, champagne, classic cocktails and fine wines on offer with an accompanying selection of delicious Italian bites.

Now open on Saturdays and Sundays from 12noon - 6pm, you can now enjoy all your Café 54 favourites seven days a week.

Computer Tips

Less than a quarter (22 per cent) of children on free school meals in inner London obtained five or more A*-C grades at GCSE or their equivalent (including English and Maths) in 2002. In 2013, this had risen to almost half (48 per cent). Gains were much smaller among disadvantaged children outside London, 17 per cent to 26 per cent.

Addressing mathematics and statistics anxiety

A new paper by Meena Kotecha, teacher in the Departments of Statistics and Management, has been released.

The paper discusses features of Meena's teaching model developed over her longitudinal study conducted to understand and address mathematics and statistics anxiety, which is one of the main barriers to engaging with these subjects especially in non-specialist undergraduates. It demonstrates how a range of formative assessments are used to kindle, as well as maintain, interest in teaching rooms and their impact on students’ engagement with these subjects.

Meena presented this paper at The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications International Conference on Barriers and Enablers to Learning Maths earlier this year. More
 

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

Designing an innovative Eurozone bond to avert future Greek-style crises
Professors Luis Garicano (pictured) and Dimitri Vayanos were key players in the development of a new Eurozone-wide investment structure.

Ensuring appropriate balance between individual and institutional rights
Legal argument by Associate Professor of Law Thomas Poole influenced a critical Law Lords' decision adjudicating between an individual's human rights and a school's uniform policy.

Forthcoming LSE events include....

Myanmar on the Brink
On: Monday 5 October at 6.30pm in the Old Theatre, Old Building
Speakers: Mark Canning, Dr Jurgen Haacke, and Shibani Mahtani (pictured)

On Liberty: a conversation with Shami Chakrabarti
On: Tuesday 6 October at 6.30pm in the Old Theatre, Old Building
Speaker: Shami Chakrabarti

A Right to Migrate?
On: Tuesday 6 October at 6.30pm in the Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building
Speakers: Professor Chris Bertram, Emily Dugan (pictured), Professor Matthew Gibney, and Madeleine Sumption

HeForShe #GetFree tour: panel discussion on developing an inclusive campus culture
On: Wednesday 7 October at 3.30pm in the Shaw Library, 6th floor, Old Building
Speakers: Elizabeth Nyamayaro, Lena Schofield, Hilary Stauffer, and Charles Stephens

Why Cities Succeed and Fail Today
On: Wednesday 7 October at 6.30pm in the Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building
Speaker: Professor Michael Storper (pictured)

Economics Rules: the rights and wrongs of the dismal science
On: Wednesday 7 October at 6.30pm in the Old Theatre, Old Building
Speaker: Professor Dani Rodrik

Lunchtime Concert
On: Thursday 8 October at 1.05pm in the Shaw Library, 6th floor, Old Building
Performer: Trio Isimsiz

Women, Peace and Security: tackling the cycle of violence against women

On: Thursday 8 October from 6.30-8pm in the Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building
Speaker: Christine Chinkin, Director of the Centre for Women, Peace and Security.

This is the first major public event organised by the Centre for Women, Peace and Security, which was launched earlier this year with the support of the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative, co-founded by former UK Foreign Secretary, William Hague, and the Special Envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Angelina Jolie Pitt.

The Centre is a leading academic space for scholars, practitioners, activists, policy-makers and students to develop strategies to promote justice, human rights and participation for women in conflict-affected situations around the world. Through research, teaching and multi-sectoral engagement, the Centre aims to promote gender equality and enhance women’s economic, social and political participation and security.

On: Thursday 8 October from 6.30-8pm in the Old Theatre, Old Building
Speakers: Sir Robert Cooper, Senior Fellow of the Dahrendorf Forum and affiliated to the OSCE Panel of Eminent Persons on European Security; and Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, Senior Fellow of the Dahrendorf Forum and affiliated to the OSCE Panel of Eminent Persons on European Security.
Discussant: Professor Karen Smith, Professor of International Relations and Director of LSE’s European Foreign Policy Unit.

On: Monday 5 October from 6.30-8pm in the Wolfson Theatre, New Academic Building
Speakers: Patrick Diamond, Vice-Chair of Policy Network; and Roger Liddle, Chair of Policy Network.
Respondents: Jonathan Hopkin, Associate Professor of Comparative Politics at LSE; Simon Nixon, Chief European Commentator at the Wall Street Journal; and John Park, Assistant General Secretary at Community Trade Union.

This public event, in partnership with Policy Network, will open with a compelling picture of Europe’s multifaceted divergences in the field of the economy and labour markets, inequality and poverty, education and health, politics and culture. It will conclude by exploring what both the EU and national governments can do to restore Europe's strength, sustainability, cohesion and competitiveness in a climate of rising populism.

Book Launch - Prime Ministers in Greece: the paradox of power

On: Wednesday 7 October from 6.30-8pm in the Wolfson Theatre, New Academic Building
Speakers: Kevin Featherstone, Eleftherios Venizelos Professor of Contemporary Greek Studies and Professor of European Politics at LSE; and Dimitris Papadimitriou, Professor of Politics and Director of the Manchester Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, University of Manchester.
Discussant: Ed Page, Sidney and Beatrice Webb Professor of Public Policy at LSE.

This book is concerned with a large question in one small, but highly problematic case: how can a prime minister establish control and coordination across his or her government? The event will be followed by a wine reception and book sale. More
 

On: Thursday 8 October from 6.30-8pm in the Hong Kong Theatre, Clement House
Speaker: Professor Andrew Moravcsik, Professor of Politics and International Affairs, and Director of the European Union Program in the Department of Politics and Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University.

On: Tuesday 13 October from 6.30-8pm in the Wolfson Theatre, New Academic Building
Speaker: Martin Sandbu, economics writer for the Financial Times.

LSE Arts: new exhibition in the Atrium Gallery

Germans in Britain, a touring exhibition created by the Migration Museum Project, explores the relationship between Britain and Germany, one of the deepest between any two European countries.

Although the two wars that devastated 20th century Europe cast Germany and Britain as foes, the nations have long been natural allies with intertwined interests and a shared past.
 

Podcasts of public lectures and events

One plus One Equals Three: a masterclass in creative thinking
Speaker: Dave Trott
Recorded: Monday 21 September, approx. 85 minutes

Why Demography Needs (New) Theories
Speaker: Professor Wendy Sigle
Recorded: Wednesday 23 September, approx. 82 minutes

HR Organisational Learning have now organised a new schedule of courses for the 2015-16 academic year. This builds on another successful year in 2014-15 when we ran 89 training events for 619 delegates covering 27 different topics.

For this academic year, we have reviewed our approach to the set-up of the training programme. In order to gain best value for the School by maximising our delegate numbers at all times, we have scheduled dates for a more focussed programme of core courses and the remainder will be offered as an on-demand basis. This will involve you expressing an interest in the course by adding your name to the waiting list and as soon as we get a minimum number of delegates we will schedule a date and send you an email confirmation.

For information relating to content and to book a place, please visit the A-Z of Courses and take a look at our webpage Learning and Development to find a comprehensive list of other development opportunities for this academic year.

There are plenty of workshops to choose from this month to learn and develop new skills this new academic year.

Get familiar with new technologies and how they can support your teaching, see how you can enhance your presentations, develop your web presence, and search for literature effectively. We also provide support and training for all your Moodle needs.

The Research Division would like to invite Centre Managers, Department Managers, Academics and Professional Services Staff interested in research funding or already with an award to attend the following events:

Research funding at LSE
Tuesday 20 October from 12-2pm
An introduction to LSE’s grant submission procedures and how to comply with the School’s financial regulations. Aimed at those who are new at applying for external funding within LSE, this brief session will highlight:

• the School’s Research Incentives Policy internal funding schemes, including Research Infrastructure and Investment funds (RIIF)
• Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) centre-specific funding programmes
• applying and receiving grants for research projects from external bodies

Introduction for new award holders
Tuesday 27 October from 12-1.30pm
Essential for those new to managing research awards, which includes the award holder, colleagues working on the award and support staff. We will summarise key elements of what the award holders’ role involves and the support that the Research Division offers. Aimed at all involved in research awards (academics, administrative, and departmental staff).