• Academic esteem for LSE

The first ranking of global universities based on their reputation among senior academics places LSE 37th in the world and fifth in the UK.

• Japan earthquake and tsunami

LSE expresses its sympathy to, and concern for, students, staff and their families who may have been affected by the devastating events in Japan.

• Sehrish Ejaz-Khan

Sehrish, a second year student from Pakistan, has had numerous pets including a goat, several kittens and a monkey.

• Student activities manager takes on the 'toughest footrace on earth'

On 1 April, LSESU student activities manager Jarlath O’Hara (pictured) will be travelling to Morocco to run the 2011 Marathon des Sables, to raise money for his two chosen charities - Cardiac Risk in the Young and Facing Africa.

Known as the ‘toughest footrace on earth,' the Marathon des Sables is an endurance race across the Sahara Desert. It covers 151 miles, run over six or seven days, the equivalent to five and a half regular marathons. In addition, competitors have to carry everything they will need for the duration (apart from a tent) on their backs in a rucksack (food, clothes, medical kit, sleeping bag etc).

'I enjoy running and love a challenge but I’ve never done anything quite on this level before,' said Jarlath. 'I’ve run a few marathons - two years ago I ran seven marathons in seven days, partially as preparation for this event. But running the equivalent of six consecutive marathons over constant sand dunes is going to hurt, especially when I have to carry all my kit in temperatures that may exceed 50°C. And then there's the potential peril of sandstorms, scorpions and poisonous snakes and spiders.'

Jarlath is running this event with two friends and is aiming to raise £5,000 for the charities.

'My friends and family have been very generous and I hope other people will sponsor me if they can. Even a few pounds will make a huge difference and mean these fantastic charities can continue their invaluable work.'

• New health database in the Library

The Library has purchased access to CINAHL Plus, a full text comprehensive nursing and allied health research database. The database has full text coverage dating back to 1937, making it a powerful research tool.

In addition, the database offers access to health care books, nursing dissertations, selected conference proceedings, standards of practice, educational software, audiovisuals and book chapters.

The Library has also recently purchased access to:

• Scopus, the extensive abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature.
• Global Insight's World Markets, a resource full of data, reports and intelligence on the health, telecommunications, energy, and automotive markets, with extensive country analysis.
• Global Health, a specialist bibliographic, abstracting and indexing database dedicated to public health research and practice.
• Environmental Impact, a comprehensive bibliographic information resource on climate change and other influences of humans on the biosphere.

• Take part in the Rosebery Hall orchard planting day

LSE Residential Services are holding a planting day for Rosebery Hall’s first orchard.

In response to resident demand, Residential Services is taking action to create more sustainable and enjoyable 'green living' spaces within LSE Halls of Residence.

Staff, students and local community members are invited to get involved with planting LSE’s first orchard at Rosebery Hall in Islington on Sunday 20 March from 1pm to 3pm.

Developed by LSE staff and funded by Capital Growth, the orchard will support local biodiversity, as well as provide a green escape for those living at Rosebery, and some edible treats on a seasonal basis.

The next project at Rosebery Hall, which is supported by the Islington Community Chest grant, is to design a green roof. Green roofs provide a haven for wildlife, help to maintain roof surfaces, and can even reduce heavy rain run-off and high temperatures.

• Social policy professor to lead government fuel poverty review

LSE social policy expert Professor John Hills (pictured) has been appointed by energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne to lead an independent review of the fuel poverty target and definition.

A household is currently classed as being in 'fuel poverty' if it would need to spend more than 10 per cent of its income on fuel to keep their home warm enough.

Professor Hills, who is director of the Centre For Analysis of Social Exclusion at LSE, said: 'Many households have been under pressure from their heating bills this winter, some severely so because of their particular needs or difficulties in keeping their homes warm.

• Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: university support

The School expresses its sympathy to, and concern for, students, staff and their families who may have been affected by the devastating events in Japan.

Any students who would like to discuss their position with someone in the Student Services Centre should contact Gavin Eves on 020 7955 7139, or by email on g.eves@lse.ac.uk.

If these circumstances are causing you any financial difficulties, you can also contact Sue Plater or Rose Harris in the Financial Support Office by emailing financial-support@lse.ac.uk.

The Counselling Service may also be able to support you and can provide help with personal difficulties. If you would like to talk to a counsellor appointments can be made by email (student.counselling@lse.ac.uk), phone (020 7852 3627 or ext 3627) or by visiting the office (G507 - 20 Kingsway).

Students living in halls of residence can also talk to the Sub-Wardens and Wardens in their halls.

For other useful contacts, please see Earthquake Student Support.

• Tell us what you think - Student News feedback survey 2011

The Press Office has put together a short survey for you to let us know how you feel about Student News. It will be an important way for us to find out how we can improve the newsletter for you.

The survey is open to all students and should take no more than five minutes to complete. To take part, visit www.survey.bris.ac.uk/lsewebsite/student_news_2011.

• Get your nominations in….

LSE’s Nominations Committee would like to invite nominations for:

Honorary Fellowship
The Court of Governors may elect as an Honorary Fellow of LSE any member of the School whose achievements are of conspicuous merit, or any person, including members of the School, who has rendered outstanding service to LSE. For more information, visit Honorary Fellows Nominations.

• Philosoverse - exploring the intersection between philosophy and poetry

The first issue of Philosoverse, a magazine created and designed by students in LSE's Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method, will be available this week around the School.

Philosoverse seeks to to combine the intellectual rigour of philosophy with the emotional subtlety of poetry. This issue features poems from LSE philosophy students divided into three parts: a history of Western philosophy, individual contributions, and a historical example from Hildegard of Bingen.

• 72 hours. 72 ideas. A more inclusive world

Six postgraduate students at LSE have started a movement for a more inclusive world, where ideas are created and selected through community contribution.

They are calling on all LSE students and staff to share ideas on what you consider an inclusive world to be and how it can be achieved.

The team want to hear your ideas, thoughts or rants - you could write a line, a paragraph, post a link to an image or even a video.

Online submissions will open on Thursday 17 March at 5am (GMT) for the limited time of 72 hours. Submissions will close on Sunday 20 March at 5am (GMT).

For more information, visit www.72ideas.org. Alternatively, follow the team on Twitter or Facebook.

• LSE Chill - session three

LSE Arts’ next performing night for staff, students and alumni will be held this Friday (18 March), from 5.30pm in the 4th Floor Café bar, Old Building.

The line up for the evening is as follows:

• 6.15-6.45pm Daniel Print
  Daniel Print is celebrating ten years as a solo singer-songwriter this year. He will be playing a selection of his own songs, some from his days on the London open mic and acoustic gig circuit and some new songs, which he'll be playing for the first time at LSE Chill.
• 7-7.30pm Chris O'Brien
  Making a return to LSE Chill, Chris is a third year LLB student and will be performing a selection of covers and self compositions.
• 7.45-8.15pm The Plains
  The Plains will be making their debut band appearance, performing an eclectic mix of bittersweet acoustic covers and originals.

Save the date - the next LSE Chill session is scheduled for Friday 27 May. Details to follow soon.

Not a performer? That doesn't matter. If you enjoy listening to music and want somewhere to relax or catch up with friends, then think about coming to the LSE Chill sessions.

• Why Arabs Burn for Freedom

Monday 21 March, 6-7.30pm, CLM.D402, Clement House
Speaker: Rana Kabbani (pictured), writer and broadcaster

At this event, Rana Kabbani will be giving a personal account of her own generation's social and political experience, in light of the popular revolution presently sweeping her part of the world.

• Final lecture in this year’s World Stage: student and alumni lecture series

Monday 21 March, 6.30pm, Wolfson Theatre, NAB
Speaker: Rowan Harvey (pictured)

This is the last talk in the new series of events where prestigious alumni and current students share the stage at LSE.

The final speaker, Rowan Harvey, will reflect on her experience at LSE and how this influenced her career. Students will talk about their experience at LSE from their particular national, cultural and personal perspective and in discussion the group will look at ways to get the most out of the array of opportunities at LSE.

Rowan Harvey currently works as policy and advocacy officer for Plan International. In 2007, Rowan won public affairs achiever of the year at the Women in Public Life Awards which celebrates women leaders in society. She graduated from LSE in 2003 and is an LSE governor.

The talk will be followed by drinks and snacks where students and staff will have the opportunity to meet and chat informally.

• Korea and the Global Economy

Monday 21 March, 7pm, New Theatre, East Building
Speaker: Moon Kook-Hyun

The LSESU Korean Society present this lecture with Moon Kook-Hyun, president of the New Paradigm Institute, an economics think-tank in Seoul.

In 2007, Moon Kook-Hyun ran for president of South Korea as the leader of the Renewal of Korea party. He was elected to the National Assembly in 2008, serving until 2009.

This event is free and open to all. For more information, email su.soc.korean@lse.ac.uk.
 

• The Virtues of Violence and the Arts of Terror

Wednesday 23 March, 6.30-8pm, Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building
Speaker: Professor Chetan Bhatt (pictured), professor of sociology in the Department of Sociology and director of the Centre for the Study of Human Rights at LSE.

The human bomber has come to symbolise a new kind of political violence, one that is aimed at civilians, is intended to cause fear and terror and is claimed to be linked to cosmic religion. What do the ideologies and activities of Al Qaeda and associated militia tell us about political violence in many contemporary societies? How do ideas about aesthetics and virtue work in Al Qaeda’s politics?  What might the momentous revolutions in the Middle East and continuing violence in South Asia mean for Al Qaeda's future strategies?

This event is free and open to all with no ticket required. Entry is on a first come, first served basis. For more information, visit the event webpage.
 

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 23 March. Articles for this should be emailed to me by Monday 21 March. Student News is emailed on Wednesdays, on a weekly basis during Michaelmas and Lent term and fortnightly during Summer term.