Early Payment Reward

Students who qualify for the Early Payment Reward will see the funds added to their sQuid card by Monday 28 October - just make sure you register your student ID card.

Want to make a difference to the lives of inner city school children?

The Widening Participation team is looking for LSE students to be inspiring role models to young people from London state schools.

Dr Stuart Gordon

Dr Gordon, Department of International Development, has been both a regular RAF officer and in the Army, and served as a Lieutenant Colonel in Iraq in 2003.

I recently sent you an email asking you to confirm that you have read the School’s Ethics Code.

This is an extremely important annual exercise. It is essential for all of us to take personal responsibility for ethical matters and to ensure that such considerations are at the heart of our practice, decision-making and conduct. This very much includes you as students and key members of the LSE community.

With this in mind, please ensure that you complete the survey by Friday 15 November. If you have any queries about the survey, email ethics@lse.ac.uk.

Thank you in advance for your support and cooperation.

LSE counselling report launched in parliament

More funding directed towards counselling and psychotherapy services in the UK could help curb escalating costs in public and mental health and ensure the country’s future wellbeing.

This is the consensus of an independent report by LSE launched at the House of Commons on Tuesday (15 October).

Commissioned by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the report looks at the economic benefits of therapy in the wake of increasing healthcare costs, as well as ongoing constraints on health spending.

Professor Martin Knapp, Director of the Personal Social Services Research Unit and Professor of Social Policy at LSE, who authored the BACP commissioned report, says: "A therapeutic treatment that improves health will often have economic benefits. Partly, this is because healthier individuals make fewer demands on the health care system, and partly because healthier individuals are economically more productive, either through paid work or through their non-work activities such as caring for someone else, volunteering or studying."

It is intended that the policy paper will provide an evidence-informed perspective to demonstrate the contribution of counselling and psychotherapy to improving public health across all age ranges and across a range of physical and mental health conditions. More
 

Europe needs to pull together, says former foreign policy chief

A new report launched at LSE by former foreign policy chief Dr Javier Solana argues for a revival of the European spirit.

The report, A Strategy for Southern Europe, also calls on Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal to develop common policies with the rest of Europe on migration, maritime security, energy and defence.

Prepared by LSE IDEAS, a centre for the study of international affairs, diplomacy and strategy, the report analyses the economic, political and social upheavals experienced by Southern Europe in the past five years.

Professor Michael Cox, Founding Director of LSE IDEAS, said: "Southern Europe is pivotal to contemporary economic and security debates, yet its regional identity and integration are under-acknowledged. This report, and the establishment of the Southern Europe International Affairs Programme at IDEAS, seeks to redress that by highlighting the importance and potential of the region." More
 

Monetary policy is less powerful in recessions

Changes to key interest rates by central banks have a significant impact on economic activity during periods when the economy is expanding. Unfortunately, they seem to have virtually no effect during recessions - the time when the stimulus of monetary policy is most needed.

These are the central findings of research by Professor Silvana Tenreyro and Gregory Thwaites, published by the new Centre for Macroeconomics at LSE.

The study focuses on the Fed Funds rate, the main monetary policy instrument used by the US Federal Reserve and the counterpart of the Bank Rate set monthly by the Bank of England. The researchers explore the effect of changes in this ‘policy rate’ on US macroeconomic activity over a 40-year period - from 1969 until 2008. Whether central bank interventions of this kind can stimulate activity is a key issue for policy.

The analysis shows that nearly all of the effect of the policy rate on economic activity over the business cycle is attributable to changes made during good times - and it is particularly driven by the responsiveness to rate changes of business investment and consumer spending on durable goods. More

Early Payment Reward

Students who qualify for the Early Payment Reward will see the funds added to their sQuid card by Monday 28 October.

All you need to do to claim your reward is to register your student ID card at squidcard.com/LSE and wait for the funds to be added.

Visit lse.ac.uk/students/squid to learn how and where you can use your sQuid card on campus.
 

Library loan periods

The Library is pleased to announce an extension to loan periods to 105 days for all items from the Main Collection.

What is Widening Participation (WP)?
WP aims to raise aspiration and attainment in young people from London state schools. LSE delivers a number of projects that encourage young people from under-represented backgrounds to aim for a university education. Our projects need enthusiastic LSE students to be inspiring role models and help contribute to the success of the programmes.

What opportunities are there?

• Student Ambassadors: Paid opportunities on a flexible basis
• Student Tutors: Assisting pupils in the classroom environment on a one-to-one or small group basis
• Student Mentors: one-to-one sessions developing pupils’ personal, social and academic development.

How do I get involved?
Visit one of the information events before applying:

• Wednesday 16 October at 4.30-5.30pm in room CLM 5.02, Clement House
• Thursday 17 October at 1.30-2.30pm in room NAB 2.04, New Academic Building.

Tasty and nutritious hot food is served in the Fourth Floor Restaurant, Old Building, between 3.30-7pm.

Freshly prepared by the chefs on a daily basis - it's great value, a great choice, and tastes great.

Take part in a careers survey for the LSESU Artichoke Society

The LSESU Artichoke Society is conducting research into undergraduates' perspectives on careers and invites LSE undergraduate students to get involved by completing an online survey.

The aim is to gauge what sort of impact studying at LSE has on students' career plans and choices. The survey is completely anonymous and none of the data will be used for anything other than the research.

The survey takes around one minute to complete and can be found online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/N38YGD5. The survey will close on Monday 28 October and the results will be published early in November.

Nominations for Honorary Doctorate are invited. Please note that, following a recent review by the Nominations Committee, the criteria have been revised.

The LSE Council may confer an Honorary Doctorate on an individual who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and distinction in a field or activity consonant with the work of the School and with its mission to improve society and understand the "causes of things".

Unlike Honorary Fellows, Honorary Doctorates do not need to have a direct connection with the School.

The deadline for the receipt of nominations to be considered in the 2013-14 academic year is Friday 22 November. Any Honorary Doctorates awarded would be conferred in December 2014.

Courses scheduled for next week include:

• Literature Searching and Finding Journal Articles
• Effective Reading Strategies
• Using Endnote to Manage Your References

Undergraduates: Track skills you develop by taking part in activities beyond academic studies using PDAM.

Teaching and Learning Centre training events

• Essay Writing at LSE: an introduction for undergraduate students and Essay Writing at LSE: an introduction for MSc students
  Wednesday 23 and Friday 25 October from 2-3pm in the Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building
  These sessions will give an introduction to writing "argumentative" essays and outline what LSE tutors expect from written assignments. If this is your first time studying in the UK, you are encouraged to attend this event.
• Good Writing Psychology
  Wednesday 23 October from 3.30-4.30pm in TW1 G.01, Tower One
  This presentation will look at ways of overcoming psychological issues involved in the task of writing, with advice and tips to help manage blocks and unhelpful fears. It will include a range of management techniques for dealing with common writing difficulties, such as procrastination and perfectionism.
• International Students' Workshop
  Thursday 24 October from 2-3pm in CLM 4.02, Clement House
  Studying in another country (and often in a different language) presents a variety of challenges. This session offers an opportunity to explore cultural and academic styles in the UK and will include advice and tips for making the most of your time at LSE.

All sessions can be booked via the Training and Development System, which is recommend, but if that's not possible or if an event is fully booked, you can just turn up on the day.
 

LSE Careers invites you to….

Highlights of the LSE Careers events calendar in the coming week include:

Careers in the City 2013
Thursday 17 October
Hear from senior speakers across the financial services industry at this careers panel.

How to Write Effective CVs
Thursday 17 October
Writing an effective CV is important for success during the recruitment process. Attend this seminar to find out how you can tailor your CV to the employer and the position and to make your CV stand out.

LSE Careers Internship Fair 2013
Tuesday 22 October
On campus careers fair offering you the chance to meet a wide variety of organisations offering internship opportunities. This fair usually attracts organisations from the banking and consultancy sectors, as they have a large number of structured internships.

Computer tip of the week

Excel data validation

Well-constructed spread sheets should have data which is consistently entered and free of errors. You can help yourself with these objectives by using data validation.

For example, you can ensure that only certain types of data, and of certain lengths, go into particular cells. To apply data validation, select the cells where you wish to apply it, click Data - Data Tools - Data Validation - Settings then use Allow: dropdown list to begin.

With a test spread sheet, select the cells where you wish to apply validation and experiment with the Settings so you understand their behaviour. If others are going to use the spread sheet, consider adding Error Alerts to explain what data is acceptable in those cells.

Forthcoming LSE events include....

The UK in the EU Single Market: what next? Opportunities and challenges
On: Thursday 17 October at 2pm in the Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building
Speaker: Michel Barnier (pictured), European Commissioner responsible for the internal market and services.

Social Democracy and the Nation After the Crash
On: Thursday 17 October at 6.30pm in the Old Theatre, Old Building
Speaker: Professor Andrew Gamble, head of the Department for Politics and International Studies at the University of Cambridge.

"Your Fatwa Does Not Apply Here": the human rights struggle against Muslim fundamentalism
On: Wednesday 23 October at 6.30pm in the Old Theatre, Old Building
Speaker: Professor Karima Bennoune (pictured), Professor of International Law and a member of the board of the network of Women Living Under Muslim Laws.

The Social-Cultural Foundation of the 21st Century New Pan-Africanist Consciousness
On: Thursday 24 October at 6.30pm in the Hong Kong Theatre, Clement House
Speaker: Adama Samassékou (pictured), founder and former president of the African Academy of Languages.

On: Wednesday 23 October from 6-7.30pm in the Cañada Blanch Room, first floor of Cowdray House
Speakers: Dr Kenneth Morrison, De Montfort University, and Elizabeth Roberts, University of Oxford.

One of the few remaining unexamined pieces of the Balkan jigsaw, the Sandžak - a multi-ethnic region straddling the border between Serbia and Montenegro - is heir to a complex and contested history. From the emergence and collapse of the first medieval Serbian kingdom, through the Ottoman rule, the Balkan Wars, the First and Second World Wars and the disintegration of Yugoslavia, the history of the Sandžak is one characterised by tumult and flux. Yet despite the ‘Sandžak Question’ being the focus of the Great Powers in the years preceding the First Balkan War, it remains something of a mystery to both scholars and students of European history.

The Sandžak: a history attempts to demystify the enigma of this little-known part of the Western Balkans. The first detailed history of the area in the English language, the book offers an intricate yet succinct analysis of the religious, ethnic and political dynamics that shaped the Sandžak.

Understanding the Importance of Your Personal Development and Natural Mentoring Activity to Become a Positive Entrepreneur

On: Friday 25 October from 1.15-2pm in the Wolfson Theatre, New Academic Building
Speaker: Dr Richard Caruso (pictured), Founder and Chairman of The Provco Group and Integra Life Sciences Corporation.

Dr Richard Caruso will be speaking on the importance of natural mentoring and understanding the significance of entrepreneurship. His talk will cover the inception of Integra LifeSciences and the creation of regenerative medicine. He also will discuss his founding of the Uncommon Individual Foundation (UIF).

Dr Caruso, the 2006 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the United States, has a particular interest in mentoring. He is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of The Uncommon Individual Foundation, a private, non-profit foundation exclusively devoted to mentoring: mentor/protege training, consultation, programme implementation and evaluation.

This event is free and open to all but a ticket is required; only one ticket per person can be requested. Please reserve your ticket by completing the online booking form. More
 

Podcasts of public lectures and events

Why Growth Theory Requires a Theory of the State Beyond Market Failures
Speaker: Mariana Mazzucato
Recorded: Tuesday 8 October, approx 92 minutes

Crowdsourcing a New UK Constitution
Speakers: David Blunkett MP, Richard Gordon, and Carol Harlow
Recorded: Tuesday 8 October, approx 94 minutes

Global Migration and Urban Renewal
Speakers: Rob Berkeley, Tim Finch, Professor Philip Kasinitz, Professor Michael Keith, and Professor Sharon Zukin
Recorded: Thursday 10 October, approx 84 minutes