• Gender Institute flourishes as an autonomous academic department

LSE's Gender Institute has grown so rapidly over the last five years that it is now the largest of its kind in Europe.

• Tell us what you think

The Press Office has put together a short feedback survey for you to let us know how you feel about Student News.

• Heather Carroll

Heather, sports and societies administrator in the LSESU, is a keen lacrosse player, having played since school, throughout university, and now at club and territorial level.

• LSE donates £300,000 to scholarship fund for North African students

LSE Council met last night (1 March) to discuss the School's links with Libya and in particular the research grant received from the Gaddafi International Charity and Development Fund.

The Council agreed a proposal from the School that £300,000, representing the total amount so far received from the Foundation (and no more funding will be received), should be used as a scholarship fund to support students from North Africa. A group including student representation will settle the details. The group will also unwind any remaining financial commitments under the research programme, which has been stopped.

The Council also firmly endorsed the Director's statements and decisions so far, including the decisions to close the research programme and to express regret at the reputation damage for the School caused by the association with the Gaddafi name. It confirmed that the grant proposal had been properly considered by the School in 2009 and agreed by the Council for reasons which appeared sound at that time.

• LSE's Gender Institute flourishes as an autonomous academic department

LSE's Gender Institute has grown so rapidly over the last five years - challenging the view that the field is in decline in the UK - that it is now the largest of its kind in Europe and has just become an autonomous academic department.

A part of LSE's Sociology department from 2003-10, the decision was made to become independent due to a large increase in student intake and because its research direction has become steadily more interdisciplinary.

• Angels Den - the LSE angel pitching event

Have you had a business idea but not had the opportunity to pitch it to the right person? Maybe this is the reason your idea hasn’t received the attention it should have.

For the first time, the LSESU Entrepreneurs Society is offering students the opportunity to pitch their ideas directly to an angel investment company, Adamant Partners.

If the proposal you present is a well-structured business model around web tech or mobile app concepts, has the potential for a solid return, and is just in need of funding, then a source of up to £25,000 (with a possibility for further funding) is available to help leverage your start-up. As well as the ‘responsive’ funding, you will also receive training and mentorship in building your business.

The deadline for proposals is Sunday 6 March. The event will then take place at LSE on Wednesday 16 March. Please send your proposals to Alexandra Iliopoulou at alex@lseangels.com. The proposal must consist of a two to three page executive summary of the business idea. You must also be prepared to put together a 10 minute PowerPoint presentation as, after a screening process, successful applicants will be invited to the final round whereby they pitch their presentation directly to the investors. After the pitch, a five to 10 minute feedback session will follow.

• Free books as part of World Book Night

World Book Night represents the most ambitious and far-reaching celebration of adult books and reading ever attempted in the UK and Ireland.

On Saturday 5 March, two days after World Book Day, with the full support of the Publishers Association, the Booksellers Association, the Independent Publishers Guild, the Reading Agency with libraries, World Book Day, the BBC and RTE, one million books will be given away by an army of passionate readers to members of the public across the UK and Ireland.

The book give-away will comprise 40,000 copies of each of the 25 carefully selected titles, to be given away by 20,000 ‘givers’, who will each distribute 48 copies of their chosen title to whomever they choose on World Book Night. The remaining books will be distributed by World Book Night itself in places that might otherwise be difficult to reach, such as prisons and hospitals.

LSE Arts were contacted by LSE alumna Angela Burns who is acting as a World Book Night ‘giver’. She has 48 free copies of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark to distribute.

The books will be available from 11am on Monday 7 March in the Shaw Library. There will be 48 books and they will be available on a first come, first served basis.

• LSE Perspectives

The LSE Perspectives March 2011 Gallery is now online. You can view this month's selection of photos here.

LSE Perspectives is an online gallery featuring photos taken by LSE students and staff, each image reflecting a unique perspective on a particular scene.

If you have taken any artistic images on your travels, from your home town, or even just here in London, why not submit them for LSE perspectives so that they can be shared with the rest of the School?

• Student Counselling Service workshops

Mindfulness and stress management workshop
Tuesday 15 March, 12-1pm, KSW.G209
This workshop will look at the use of mindfulness as an excellent way of managing stress. Mindfulness is a type of relaxation exercise which can help reduce the amount of time you spend worrying about things. The workshop will look at how we can combine this with other practical techniques to reduce stress, and better manage the pressures of being a student. No need to book in advance, just turn up at the door.

End of term review
Wednesday 16 March, 12-1pm, TW1.U8
This workshop will provide an opportunity to look back over the last two terms, reviewing progress made and anticipating future challenges. It will also examine the tasks that lie ahead, particularly revision and exams. The workshop will include advice on revision techniques, and a review of stress management skills. It will be run by Lynne Roberts, study adviser at TLC, and Adam Sandelson from the Student Counselling Service. For the PowerPoint presentation, click here.

For more information, visit Student Counselling Service.
 

• Student training at LSE

Student courses scheduled for next week include:

• Exams: using past exam papers
• PowerPoint 2010: polished presentations in 50 minutes
• Excel 2010: pivot tables
• Excel 2010: charts
• Word 2010: format an academic paper
• Excel 2010: data analysis
• IT training office hours

• The latest IT Services news direct to your inbox

The termly ITS newsletter is out now and available online.

In this issue:

• LSE WiFi services - an important update
• Creating additional study spaces in the Library during the exam period
• How to print from your own computer to an LSE printer
• Stay protected - update your Sophos anti-virus credentials now
• Word 2010: format an academic paper

• Book your place on this year's kitesurfing trip to Spain

The LSE Kitesurfing Club is running its annual kitesurfing trip to Tarifa, Spain, this April. The trip is a fantastic way for students to relax and experience something new before the exam period begins.

The trip takes place from 5-15 April and costs £330. To book your place or if you have any questions, please email au.club.kitesurf@lse.ac.uk. The closing date for bookings and payment is Thursday 10 March. Places are limited to 30.

• Join the Aerobics Club

The LSEAU Aerobics Club is new to LSE this year and is currently running two classes a week:

• Legs, bums, and tums
  Monday, 3-4pm, in the Old Gym
  Each class costs £3
• Aerobics
  Thursday, 6-7pm, in the Old Gym
  Each class costs £3.50

Monday’s class focuses on toning and firming, and will soon having you feeling and seeing a difference. Thursday’s class is more of a general workout and should get you into more of a sweat. Each class is designed differently and is open to everyone, whether or not you have done aerobics before.

Membership of the Club costs £10, and those who are already members of the LSE gym are also automatically a member of the Aerobics Club. However, you do not have to be a member to attend the classes.

If you have any questions about the Club, please email Eleanor at au.club.aerobics@lse.ac.uk.
 

• 'Listen with Lager'

The Forge Venue, Camden, is running a new offer called 'Listen with Lager' which entitles students to £5 tickets including beer/wine at selected classical/jazz/world music concerts.

To get involved, send an email to clairebeard@forgevenue.org and take your valid LSE student ID to the door. For more information, visit www.forgevenue.org.
 

• New exhibition - LSE Photo Prize 2011

28 February - 15 April, Atrium Gallery, Old Building

LSE Arts is proud to present the LSE Photo Prize Exhibition 2011. This year’s photo prize takes on the theme of 'Crossing Borders'.

The LSE Photo Prize Exhibition is an annual competition run by LSE Arts which is open to submissions from all LSE staff and students and showcases a wide range of photography. This exhibition is supported by the LSE Annual Fund, Metro Imaging, and A. Bliss.

• Pitch It! 2011

Wednesday 2 March, 6.15pm, Wolfson Theatre, New Academic Building

The grand final of LSE’s premiere business planning competition, Pitch It!, takes place tonight. Organised by the LSESU Entrepreneurs Society and Venture@LSE Careers, the event will showcase the best business ideas that students and alumni have to offer.

Three teams from the social enterprise category and three from the general enterprise category will battle it out, presenting their developed business plans to a panel of judges, with the best ones winning great prizes. This will be followed by a networking reception, where you will have the chance to meet the teams and mingle with the rest of the audience.

• The Human Sciences in 'the Century of Biology' - Revitalising Sociology

Tuesday 8 March, 6.30pm, Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building
Speaker: Professor Nikolas Rose (pictured), professor of sociology and director of BIOS at LSE

We live, it is said, in the century of biology where we now understand ourselves in radically new ways, as the insights of genomics and neuroscience have opened up the workings of our bodies and our minds to new kinds of knowledge and intervention. Is a new figure of the human, and of the social, taking shape in the 21st century? With what consequences for the politics of life today? And with what implications, if any, for the social, cultural and human sciences?

• World Stage - new lecture series celebrating life at LSE

Wednesday 9 March, 6.30pm, Wolfson Theatre, New Academic Building
Speaker: Gita Patel (pictured), a fund manager and LSE alumnus

The School has announced a new lecture in the ongoing ‘World Stage: Student and Alumni Lecture Series’ that celebrates life at LSE from different national, cultural and personal perspectives.

Gita Patel, who has played a leading role in promoting women’s entrepreneurship, will speak to LSE staff and students about her time at the School.

Gita co-founded the Stargate Capital Investment Group and also launched Trapezia, Europe’s first venture fund to target women-focused businesses. She is an LSE governor and was listed in the 2005 Asian Power 100 as one of Britain’s most influential men and women.

The event will also feature current LSE students and will be followed by a food and drinks reception, where students and staff will have the chance to meet and chat informally.

• LSE MPA Programme's Capstone Showcase

Thursday 10 March, 6.30-8pm, Senior Dining Room, Old Building
Speaker: Camila Batmanghelidjh

You are invited to attend the MPA's annual Capstone Showcase which this year will be addressed by Camila Batmanghelidjh, leading social entrepreneur and founding director of Kids Company.

Kids Company is one of fourteen organisations with which the MPA is currently running Capstone projects - six month consultancy assignments undertaken by second year MPA students in collaboration with distinguished NGOs, and both government and private sector organisations.

Camila Batmanghelidjh's speech, 'Flipping the coin - Betrayal or Opportunity? The politics of looking after vulnerable children in Britain. (A seat with a cushion reserved for David Cameron),' will be followed by a reception. This will provide the opportunity for interested individuals and organisations to learn more about the MPA Programme and to meet its students.

• Climate Change needs Climate Justice

Thursday 10 March, 6.30-8pm, Old Theatre, Old Building
Speaker: Mary Robinson (pictured), president of Ireland (1990-97) and former United Nations high commissioner for human rights (1997-2002)

The debate on climate change is moving from stopping it to how best to manage its effects. Climate justice links human rights and development to achieve a human-centred approach to the issue, safeguarding the rights of the most vulnerable and sharing the burdens and benefits of climate change and its resolution equitably and fairly.

• LSE Economics Conference 2011 - The New Global Economy: policy and financial markets

Saturday 12 March, Hong Kong Theatre, LSE

The LSE EC, organised by the LSESU Economics and Finance Societies, will aim to explain the current global dilemmas of both the public and private sectors and provide an insight into solutions. Speakers from around the world will give their opinions and challenge both the audience and each other to think differently about these issues.

Speakers will include:

• Lord Adair Turner, chairman, FSA

• Hany Fam, head of Mastercard UK and Ireland

• Richard Moat, CFO and deputy CEO Everything Everywhere (T-Mobile and Orange merger)

• Colin Mayer, dean of Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

• Sir Samuel Brittan, Financial Times columnist

• Melanie Baker, Morgan Stanley economist

• Francesco Casselli, professor of economics, LSE

• Richard Wellings, Institute of Economic Affairs

• Sayanthan Ghosal, professor of economics, University of Warwick

• Peter Sinclair, professor of economics, University of Birmingham

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.lse-ec.org.
 

• Mexico Today: economic prospects and public security

Monday 21 - Thursday 25 March, LSE campus

This conference is organised by LSE's Department of Government in collaboration with the LSE Mexican Alumni Association and the LSESU Mexican Society.

The conference will be inaugurated by LSE's Director Howard Davies and the Mexican finance minister, Ernesto Cordero, on Monday 21 March at 1pm in the Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building.

Other events include a public lecture with Alejandro Poiré, national security spokesman, Presidencia de la República, as well as economic, public security, and cultural panels.

For more information, please see the conference website.
 

Nicole wants to hear from you!

Do you have some news, an achievement, or an aspect of LSE life that you would like to share? If so, then I would love to hear from you, contact me at n.gallivan@lse.ac.uk or on ext 7582.

The next edition of Student News is on Wednesday 9 March. Articles for this should be emailed to me by Monday 7 March. Student News is emailed on Wednesdays, on a weekly basis during Michaelmas and Lent term and fortnightly during Summer term.